The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 86: Sudden Change

At his command, over thirty disciples in embroidered robes rushed out from the main hall.

None of them spoke a word, silently marking out the Deathmatch Arena in the open space before the hall with wooden stakes and ropes. Their swift and efficient movements showed that each was highly trained—far from ordinary low-ranking disciples of the Seven Mysteries Sect.

As the dueling grounds were being prepared, Li Feiyu grew restless and turned to Han Li. "Are we just going to hide here and do nothing while they fight? That doesn't seem right!"

"What's wrong with that? Your little sweetheart isn't in any danger right now—she's perfectly safe. Once the duel is over, we'll take advantage of the chaos when the Wild Wolf Gang withdraws and sneak Miss Zhang out. Then the two of you can flee far away and hide somewhere they'll never find you. That way, you won't be used as a scapegoat by those higher-ups and forced to bear a burden you can't carry," Han Li said indifferently, clearly lacking any deep attachment to the Seven Mysteries Sect.

"That's eloping! No, Xiuer would never agree!" Li Feiyu shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum.

"Then knock her out and carry her away by force. Once the rice is cooked, it can't be uncooked," Han Li replied casually.

"You—!" Li Feiyu was left speechless, glaring at Han Li in frustration.

As the two bickered, Sect Leader Wang solemnly accepted two blood-red documents—life-and-death contracts—from a disciple. He kept one for himself and had the other delivered to Jia Tianlong on the opposite side.

Jia Tianlong's expression turned grave as he received the document. He carefully opened it, scrutinized the contents, and only after confirming there were no issues did he nod and close it again. Then, he began selecting warriors for the deathmatch.

After some deliberation, he chose thirteen elite experts from the Wild Wolf Gang. To minimize losses, he also picked over a dozen skilled fighters from smaller gangs. Whether these men were willing or not, once they signed the death contract, they would have no choice but to fight for their lives. The remaining slots were filled by his personal Iron Guards, who excelled in coordinated combat. Of course, Golden Light Senior would also participate—Jia Tianlong was counting on his Flying Sword techniques to unleash their Divine Might!

While Jia Tianlong was busy with preparations, Wang Juechu on the opposite side had quietly returned to the stone hall and had yet to re-emerge, likely racking his brains over his own selection of fighters.

By the time the Deathmatch Arena was fully prepared, Sect Leader Wang finally emerged from the hall with three to four hundred people in tow.

The group consisted of men and women, young and old, but each had sharp, spirited eyes and steady footsteps—clear signs that they were the elite of the Seven Mysteries Sect. Among them, the three figures following closely behind Wang Juechu drew Jia Tianlong's particular attention.

The first was a scholarly man in flowing Confucian robes, his face exuding an air of erudition. The second was a towering, burly figure with a bare chest and a beard like steel needles, radiating ferocity. The last was a cold-faced man in gray robes, a long sword strapped to his back.At first glance, these men appeared to be middle-aged individuals in their thirties or forties. But upon closer inspection of their faces, one could discern a weathered quality in their brows and eyes—a sense of age and experience typically seen in elders of seventy or eighty years, suggesting their true years far exceeded their youthful outward appearance.

Jia Tianlong understood immediately that these three must be Wang Juechu's three Junior Martial Uncles. It seemed the enemy was truly willing to stake everything to keep him trapped here.

With this thought, he turned slightly and pointed at the trio, addressing the dwarf Golden Light Senior beside him: "Senior, what do you think of those three? Can they be dealt with?"

"Merely ordinary mortals! Once my Flying Sword is unleashed, their lives will be forfeit! What is there to worry about? Do you doubt me?" Golden Light Senior glared, his displeasure evident as his tone turned sharp.

"Not at all, not at all! I merely asked in passing. Immortal Master, please don't take offense," Jia Tianlong quickly replied with an ingratiating smile, fearful of offending his greatest ally at this critical moment.

"Hmph!" The dwarf's anger gradually subsided after this response.

Only then did Jia Tianlong feel relieved. This immortal master was truly difficult to please!

He gave a bitter smile inwardly before swiftly turning around and shouting loudly, "Are you all prepared? Begin signing the death contracts!"

At this command, the Wild Wolf Gang members participating in the death duel solemnly wrote their names on the contracts, signing their lives away to demonstrate their resolve.

Not to be outdone, Wang Juechu coldly declared, "Sign the death contracts!"

Immediately, several dozen pre-selected warriors emerged from the Seven Mysteries Sect's ranks, ready to sign their own death pacts.

As these individuals stepped forward, Han Li naturally turned his gaze toward them, scanning for any familiar faces. He noticed Wang Juechu's three Junior Martial Uncles but paid them little mind, his eyes quickly passing over them before settling on an elderly man in blue robes.

The moment he saw this elder's face, Han Li couldn't help but exclaim softly, "Elder Li!"

This was none other than Elder Li—Ma Rong's master, whose life Han Li had once saved. To Han Li's astonishment, Elder Li was among those participating in the death duel.

Recovering from his shock, Han Li urgently turned and gave Li Feiyu's shoulder a hard pat. "Did you see that? Elder Li is there too! He's also signing the death contract!"

Li Feiyu remained motionless, staring into the distance as if he hadn't heard a word, his expression utterly blank.

"Eh? What's going on?" Han Li asked in surprise. "Even if Elder Li is signing the contract, there's no need for you to react like this!" he questioned curiously.

Finally, Li Feiyu withdrew his gaze and looked dazedly at Han Li, uttering words that momentarily stunned Han Li as well.

"Xiur... Xiur is also there. She's also joining the death duel."

As soon as these words left his lips, Li Feiyu's face twisted into an expression of extreme distress.

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(End of Chapter)