The Azure Dragon Crown Prince slightly furrowed his brows.
He had heard the discussions of the people around him; was this fellow one of the two who had been exalted to the skies before?
He harbored a skeptical attitude in his heart.
It wasn’t that he doubted Xu Zimei’s identity, but rather, he questioned his strength.
Many had attended the Heavenly Dao Academy’s recruitment this year, including many Saint Heirs and Saintesses from his acquaintances at the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect.
Everyone was clear about the difficulty of the Tower of Heavenly Dao.
Now that two people had easily ascended, he naturally felt unreconciled in his heart.
Being a Saint Heir, pride was inherent in his nature.
The environment he grew up in led him to believe that he was among the most elite Talented Disciples in the world.
He didn’t think, nor would he allow, anyone to be more powerful than himself.
At this moment, as the news from the Ten Thousand Martial Stage spread, more and more people gathered here.
"Look quickly, that’s Yin Luohang."
"Yin Luohang? Isn’t he the Saint Heir of the Merciful Ferry Sect? He’s come too."
"It’s not just Yin Luohang; even Ming Hu and Zhang Chunyang have arrived."
The crowd around shouted continuously.
Hearing these shouts, everyone was somewhat stunned and moved.
Ming Hu was the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Nether Sect, while Zhang Chunyang was the Saint Heir of the Pure Yang Immortal Sect.
Each one of them was from an Imperial Rule Immortal Sect.
Unexpectedly, a single life and death duel had drawn all these individuals out.
"What’s there to be shocked about, this Xu Zimei and Ao Nan, one is a Saint Heir from the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect.
The other is a Talented Disciple whose fame has recently spread far and wide, having climbed to the tenth floor of the Tower of Heavenly Dao.
A duel between them means that one must surely die.
Why wouldn’t everyone come?"
Someone else explained, "Everyone wants to gauge each other’s strength, to prepare for future confrontations.
Isn’t this life and death duel the perfect stage for that?"
In any case, numerous students engaged in fervent discussions.
Most of those gathered here were new students who had just entered this year.
But gradually, many senior students also came over, driven by curiosity.
"Azure Dragon Crown Prince, do you dare go up?" Ming Hu, the Saint Heir of the Heavenly Nether Sect, laughed loudly beside him.
"You wouldn’t be afraid of the opponent, would you?"
"Ming Hu, don’t you think this sort of provocation is pretty low-level?" Ao Nan said indifferently.
"But you fall for this trick every time," Ming Hu laughed heartily.
"You think so, don’t you, Zhang Chunyang?"
Zhang Chunyang, the Saint Heir of the Pure Yang Immortal Sect, smiled faintly and nodded.
He said, "Ao Nan, why not go up and try? I don’t believe he is that strong.
We are well aware of your strength and have faith in it."
Ao Nan paid no mind to the two of them, instead quietly pondering the pros and cons of the situation.
If Xu Zimei were just an ordinary student, he would unhesitatingly engage in a battle to the death.
But the other had managed to ascend to the tenth floor of the Tower of Heavenly Dao, which was obviously no small feat.
He had no interest in offending such a person without cause.
Leaning against the railing by the combat platform, Xu Zimei smiled and said, "If you’re scared, just apologize to Ren Pingsheng.
Walk the other way when you see him in the future, and this matter can end here."
"You go too far," Ao Nan lifted his head.
He spoke with a somber gaze, "I don’t want to offend you, but that doesn’t mean I am afraid.
The Ancient Dragon Dynasty could kill you with ten thousand methods if we so wished."
"The Ancient Dragon Dynasty?" Xu Zimei replied with interest.
"That’s quite all right; I’m from the True Martial Holy Sect. We can try out who dies first when the opportunity arises."
"The True Martial Holy Sect?" Upon hearing this name, Ao Nan was momentarily taken aback.
Xu Zimei, as the Saint Heir of the True Martial Holy Sect, had only informed Li Changhe.
Currently, only some of the higher-ups in the academy knew about it; common disciples were clueless.
Since there were quite a few Imperial Rule Immortal Sects in the Yuan Central Continent, Ao Nan didn’t react immediately.
He was still contemplating the Imperial Rule Immortal Sects of the Central Continent and hadn’t thought of going to the Eastern Continent.
But when he carefully savored the two characters "True Martial," a flash of inspiration struck his mind, and he finally remembered.
True Martial Great Emperor, the first emperor of the Era of Emperors, the one who founded the said era—his name was resonant enough.
To say he was the most illustrious Great Emperor throughout the ages was no exaggeration.
Because the hope and glory he brought to the human race were beyond what any other emperor could match.
"A Sect with four emperors," said Ao Nan with an awkward expression.
Although the Ancient Dragon Dynasty was a Sect with two emperors, when it came to heritage and strength, they were incomparable to the other side.
There was also an absolute difference in strength among the Imperial Rule Immortal Sects.
"Why would Saint Heir Xu become enemies with me over such a person?" Ao Nan’s face softened.
He asked, "As far as I know, he’s just a Loose Cultivator, right?
Even if his ancestors were descendants of a Great Emperor, they’ve long since declined."
"Do I need to report my actions to you?" Xu Zimei said indifferently.
"I’m giving you two options, either a life-and-death battle with me or stay out of Ren Pingsheng’s way if you see him in the future.
"Saint Heir Xu is being a bit too domineering," Ao Nan said with a dark expression.
"Your True Martial Holy Sect may be strong, but can it really do as it pleases in our Central Continent?"
With this statement, he tried to pit the True Martial Holy Sect against the entire Central Continent.
Otherwise, relying solely on their Ancient Dragon Dynasty, he wouldn’t dare provoke Xu Zimei.
A single comment wasn’t enough.
"Enough, stop flattering yourself," Xu Zimei waved his hand dismissively and said.
"This is a grudge between us two and has nothing to do with the Sect Gate.
If you don’t dare to fight, then think about beating it sooner rather than later."
"Fine, Saint Heir Xu, remember your own words; this matter is just our grudge and doesn’t involve the Sect Gate."
Ao Nan breathed a sigh of relief, waved his hand, and said,
"I’ll take on this life-and-death battle."
His previous concerns were all about the True Martial Holy Sect.
If he indeed killed Xu Zimei and the True Martial Holy Sect came to settle the score, the Sect Gate would not be able to protect him.
Now that Xu Zimei dared to say this in front of so many witnesses, even though the True Martial Holy Sect was strong, they couldn’t act recklessly.
Accompanied by a dragon’s roar, Ao Nan transformed into a streak of purple light.
In the next moment, he was already on the martial stage.
"Please instruct," Ao Nan said calmly.
"If this is a life-and-death battle, then it’s an all-out conflict, so what instruction is there to speak of," Xu Zimei waved his hand.
He spoke directly, too lazy to waste words with his opponent.
His right hand clenched into a fist, as endless Spiritual Energy gathered, launching an attack on his opponent.
Ao Nan was not to be outdone; his right hand was covered with a layer of purple scales.
Lightning flashed upon them.
Their fists collided, and Ao Nan’s strength was incredibly overbearing.
Like an unrivaled ferocious dragon, with thunderbolts exploding around, both of them staggered several steps backward.
Ao Nan frowned slightly.
He could feel that his opponent was testing.
Testing his own strength.
In the next moment, a smile hooked at the corner of Xu Zimei’s mouth.
At his fist, Demonic Qi surged, thick demonic clouds roiled.
All around, the endless space shattered, another punch with immense power lashed out.
The moment Ao Nan’s right fist made contact with this force, the scales on his skin’s surface completely exploded.