“Greetings, Young Master Xiao,” Li Xiaoyuan quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

“You people of the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground are truly growing more and more insignificant,” Xiao Buhui said coldly. “I once heard my ancestors speak of old ties with your sect, but that was generations ago. If you still can’t let go of the past, it’s no wonder your sect is in decline.”

“I don’t understand what Young Master Xiao means,” Xia Wanqing replied evenly.

“This is a struggle between two empires. You should not be here at all,” Xiao Buhui said, his voice flat.

“We came at the invitation of the Second Prince,” Xia Wanqing explained.

“If I were you, I would have stayed cooped up in Sovereign Mountains. The face of the Martial Heaven Emperor has already been completely thrown away by you lot.” Xiao Buhui’s gaze sharpened. “I’ll tell you this plainly, this battle between two nations will not be altered by your presence in the slightest.”

“We never intended to change anything,” Xia Wanqing said as she met his eyes. “Young Master Xiao, you seem to hold great hostility toward us. Could there be some misunderstanding?”

“There is no misunderstanding,” Xiao Buhui sneered. “Only contempt. Plenty of that.”

“I’d like you to be clear, Young Master Xiao. I don’t quite follow your words,” Xia Wanqing pressed, confused.

“To spell it out would only make things unpleasant. Go back and tell your Sacred Lord this: a toad should stay content at the bottom of the well and stop dreaming of becoming a swan.”

With that, Xiao Buhui turned and left, leaving Xia Wanqing seething with anger.

To be rebuked without cause, by someone who didn’t even know her, that was bitter to endure.

“Hey,” Xu Zimo’s voice came from behind. “You act as if you’re so noble.”

“You’re also of the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground?” Xiao Buhui glanced back at Xu Zimo. His tone was icy. “Noble or not, at least your Martial Heaven Sacred Ground is unworthy to judge.”

Xu Zimo was about to retort, but Xia Wanqing stopped him with a subtle gesture.

Though she was also furious, she didn’t want to provoke Xiao Buhui, or the Thousand-Ox Dao Court.

The Martial Heaven Sacred Ground was no longer the force it once had been, when all nations came to pay respects.

“Don’t worry. It’s fine,” Xu Zimo gave her a reassuring smile. “Whether I’m worthy or not, I only hope you remember my name, Xu Zimo. Before long, this name will become your nightmare.”

Xiao Buhui’s footsteps halted abruptly. His narrowed eyes glinted with a dangerous light as he looked back.

“You should be grateful that you are a member of the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground. Otherwise, you’d already be a corpse.”

“Say less. We can’t afford to offend him,” Shangguan Lan whispered a warning.

“One day, I’ll visit the Thousand-Ox Dao Court myself,” Xu Zimo said casually.

“You only know how to brag,” Shangguan Lan muttered.

“Better hope you rein yourself in next time,” Li Xiaoyuan added sarcastically. “It’s fine if you get yourself in trouble, but don’t drag the Martial Heaven Sacred Ground down with you.”

Xia Wanqing finally snapped at him. “That’s still better than being so scared you don’t even dare to speak.”

Xu Zimo chuckled. “You know the difference between an ant and an elephant, right? Sometimes when an ant bites, the elephant doesn’t bother to react, not because it’s afraid, but because it simply doesn’t care.”

As they argued, the fight in the arena had already reached its conclusion.

Sikong Ji had merged completely with his path of the Heartless Sword. The heavens and earth seemed to contain nothing but his ceaseless, emotionless blade.

But Xie Shitian was clearly stronger. His aura surged like an Asura stepping out of the Nine Hells, utterly suppressing the Heartless Sword.

Sikong Ji’s longsword shattered, his body falling heavily.

The Nine Nether Soul-Severing Palm stopped less than half an inch from his neck.

“I admit defeat,” he managed to say through clenched teeth.

“The first round goes to Breaking Dawn,” Xiao Buhui announced flatly.

Breaking Dawn Emperor stroked his beard, looking at Star River Emperor with a smile. “Chen Huang, I’ll once again send my man up first and give you the advantage.” He waved a hand. “Xuan Yi, go.”

“Wu Dao, I’m counting on you,” Chen Huang said with a deep breath.

If they lost this match, the Mystic Realm would slip from their grasp.

“Don’t worry,” Wu Dao replied confidently. “I sparred with Xuan Yi not long ago. He’s no match for me.”

He strode onto the platform, placing his giant hammer on the ground. The earth quaked loudly.

“Just admit defeat. Don’t waste my time,” Wu Dao said coldly.

“Brother Wu, we each serve our masters. Win or lose, it matters little, I just wish to test myself again,” Xuan Yi said with a smile.

“You dare to speak of loyalty? After stabbing Star River Emperor in the back? A traitor like you has no right,” Wu Dao snarled.

Both of them had already pledged themselves to Star River Emperor. To betray at the crucial moment was nothing but treachery.

“All’s fair in war, Brother Wu. Now take my spear!”

With a shout, Xuan Yi thrust forward.

The spear tip gleamed sharply, condensing all force into a single devastating point. With a booming sound, it split into countless spear intents that filled the arena.

Wu Dao raised his colossal hammer and swung.

The strike was truly earth-shaking, the whole battle platform trembling violently.

The spear was smashed flying instantly. Wu Dao was furious and showed no mercy.

The massive hammer, weighing tens of thousands of pounds, danced in his hands like an impenetrable wall. His offense and defense alike crushed Xuan Yi.

“Heaven-River Dharma-Resonance!” Wu Dao roared.

His muscles bulged, the giant hammer swelling to an immense size before smashing down toward Xuan Yi.

“I admit defeat!” Xuan Yi shouted desperately.

But the hammer had already gathered unstoppable momentum, it could not be withdrawn.

“Stop. Once an opponent admits defeat, you may not continue attacking,” Breaking Dawn Emperor ordered sharply.

The hammer was about to crash down. A deafening “boom” echoed, not the catastrophic explosion they expected, but a muffled thud.

The crowd gasped.

One of the three from Thousand-Ox Dao Court, the chubby man who had introduced himself as Fatty Wang, had appeared beneath the hammer.

With no weapon, just a single punch, he shattered the massive hammer to pieces.

Wu Dao stared dumbfounded at the broken haft in his hands.

“Since this strike truly could not be recalled, I will not punish you,” Fatty Wang said calmly before stepping away through the air.

“This round goes to Wu Dao,” Xiao Buhui declared coolly.

But Wu Dao’s face showed no joy.

As the third-ranked of the Heroic List, his ultimate attack had been destroyed with ease.

“So this is the power of the Dao Court’s disciples,” he muttered.

“Even the gap between the Overlord Ranking and the Heroes Ranking… it’s this vast?” Xia Wanqing whispered.

Everyone had long known the Dao Court was strong, but to see such strength firsthand defied words.

“The third round, the decider. Who will you send?” Xiao Buhui asked.

Breaking Dawn Emperor seemed unsurprised. He turned to the last black-robed youth and smiled.

“I’ll trouble you to take the field.”