Chapter 608: Challenge from a Master Teacher!

What does that mean?

Falling off the beast's back? Or even the spirit beast itself fell?

These spirit beasts were all tamed by the imperial family of the Huan Yu Empire; even non-tamers could ride them, with the aim of forming an aerial combat legion.

Feng Yu and the others were at least four-star master teachers, not lower in rank than himself—how could they just fall off?

Zhuang Qin was full of doubt.

"Never mind that, let's head back to the residence first!"

Knowing that explaining this matter would be futile and a waste of breath, Master Hong said no more.

"Yes!"

Seeing that he wouldn't speak, Zhuang Qin didn't press further and led the group quickly forward.

The place they were staying was not far from here, a spacious mansion. Although many people had come, there was room for everyone.

Zhang Xuan, along with Sun Qiang, Zheng Yang, and the others, requested a separate courtyard, firstly for peace and quiet, and secondly to avoid being disturbed while instructing his students.

After settling everyone in, Master Hong and Master Zhang discussed for a long time before storming out of the courtyard angrily.

Those fellows had set him up; he had to get even for this outrage!

...

Not far from the mansion where Zhang Xuan and his group were staying, in a spacious room, two old men looked at the young man reporting before them, their brows furrowed into knots. "What did you say? Hong Qian and his people have arrived and already settled in?"

"Yes!" the young man nodded.

"Impossible. Didn't Feng Yu go to stop them?" one old man couldn't help saying.

"Could it be they didn't run into each other? No... coming from the Hong Feng Empire, there's only this one road. As long as they entered the city there, they would definitely have met. What's going on?"

The other old man also seemed incredulous.

"This... I don't know either. I've sent people to investigate; we should have news soon," the young man said.

When Master Feng and these two old men were discussing, he was present. Under normal circumstances, they should have been able to stop Hong Qian and his group, preventing them from entering the imperial capital for a day. Yet, without any news on their end, the other party had already arrived... Even he found it unbelievable.

"Hmm, hurry up and investigate. What's wrong with this Feng Yu?"

The first old man waved his hand, and the young man withdrew. Before long, he hurried back in, looking as if the news he had received was too shocking to fully digest.

"Have you found out? What happened?"

The first old man asked.

"Master Feng and Master Hong Qian did indeed meet outside the city. It's just... somehow, the spirit beasts Master Feng and his group were riding suddenly went out of control and fell from the sky..."

The young man relayed the news he had just heard.

Even he didn't believe it himself after saying it.

"Fell? Spirit beasts out of control? How is that possible?" The two old men stared at each other wide-eyed.

Are you kidding?

These were spirit beasts carefully selected and trained for who knows how long by the Huan Yu Empire. Even in an accident, they would safely deliver people to the ground. Falling straight out of the sky—are you joking?

"The news just came in; it's absolutely true... Coincidentally, someone happened to pass by and recorded the scene with a recording crystal!"

The young man flipped his wrist and produced a crystal: "Our people encountered them and bought it with money."

When Master Hong and his group appeared, he sent people to gather information. They happened to run into a merchant caravan coming from the Hong Feng Empire, asked around, and obtained this.

It must be said, their luck was extremely good.

"Quick, open it and let us see!"

The first old man urged.

The young man nodded and infused his true energy into it.

Buzz!

With a sound, dozens of flying spirit beasts appeared inside.

Judging by the recording position, it was from far away, and nothing could be heard. However, one could vaguely make out that the two sides were confronting each other.

"That's Master Feng and Master Hong!"

After a glance, the first old man recognized them.

They were old acquaintances of many years, quite familiar with each other.

"Chen Mo made his move..."

The scene shifted, and they saw a young man on the back of a spirit beast take out a guqin and begin to play. Then Master Hong made his move but returned without success.

"It's exactly as planned, no problems at all. Why didn't they stop them..."

The first old man was full of confusion. Just as he was wondering where things had gone wrong, he saw Master Feng and his group on the screen, without even time to react, plummet straight down, and then... dust rose from the ground like a mushroom.

"This..."

Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

What... exactly had happened?

"Where is Master Feng? How is he now?"

After the shock, the two quickly looked over.

This was a height of over a thousand meters. Falling straight down like that, the ground had been smashed into a big pit... Could the person have been killed on the spot?

"I've already sent people to pick him up... They should be here soon!"

The young man quickly nodded. Before he finished speaking, Master Feng was carried in.

At this moment, Master Feng was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, like a mummy. His face was covered in mud and blood, and his previous three wisps of beard were mostly gone. Forget about an immortal demeanor; if thrown out, he wouldn't even be mistaken for a beggar.

"Master Feng, you..."

The first old man couldn't help asking.

"I... I want to kill Hong Qian, kill that brat..."

With a roar, Feng Yu howled madly. Before the roar ended, a cold voice sounded: "Kill me? Fine, I'm here, standing right here. I'm waiting for you to kill me!"

The group hurriedly looked toward where the sound came from, and saw an old man storming up to them. Who else could it be but Hong Qian, Master Hong?

"Master Hong..."

Seeing the person involved appear, the two old men both twitched their mouths.

"Hong Qian, you..."

Feng Yu gritted his teeth.

"Hmph!"

Ignoring his shock and anger, Master Hong flipped his wrist, and a five-star master badge appeared in his palm. He pointed a finger, and a drop of blood surfaced on it: "I, Hong Qian, in the name of a five-star master, apply for a master challenge, to be held now. I hope it will be granted!"

Whoosh!

A flash of light shimmered on the badge, dazzling and bright. Two large characters slowly emerged in the air: "Approved!"

Between masters, if there is an irresolvable conflict, one can apply for a [Master Challenge]. Through the badge, this intention can be reported to headquarters, which then makes a judgment based on the specific strength of the person being challenged.

Usually, as long as the ranks are similar, challenges are permitted.

Masters also need combat to improve, and headquarters even encourages such peer-level competitions.

For this reason, as soon as the application was made, the word "Approved" was transmitted back.

"Master Challenge? Approved?"

Seeing the two large characters appear, Feng Yu's vision went dark, and he directly burst into tears.

I'm all wrapped up like a zongzi now, who knows how many bones are broken, and my body is severely injured. Challenging me... won't your conscience hurt?

"Headquarters has already approved. Master Feng, stop pretending. Let's start directly. Let's settle this with our fists!"

Master Hong flicked his sleeve and raised his eyebrows.

"I..."

Feng Yu leaned on a crutch and stood up from the stretcher: "I'm severely injured. How can I compete with you..."

"Severely injured? Master Feng, this joke isn't funny at all. I've inquired. An hour ago, when you came out of the palace, you were full of vigor, and even instructed a guard. You didn't fight anyone. How could you be injured? A dignified five-star master, afraid to compete with me, using feigned injury as an excuse—does that befit the title of master?"

Master Hong spoke with righteous indignation.

"You..." Feng Yu's mouth twitched wildly, on the verge of tears.

He had gone to intercept Hong Qian and the others secretly, without the royal family's knowledge. After all, it was a despicable act, and if others found out, it would greatly harm his reputation.

Who knew that the other party would use this as a pretext to say he wasn't injured... How could he be so shameless?

Don't you know whether I'm injured or not? I didn't compete with anyone, but after being thrown down from such a height by you, surviving is already a stroke of luck. How can I compete?

"I hope Master Feng will not refuse!"

Master Hong snorted: "If you don't accept, I'll send word to headquarters right now, saying you fear the challenge and are unworthy of the five-star master title."

"Fine, fine, I'll accept... I'll accept, alright!"

Feng Yu gritted his teeth, tears streaming down his face.

He regretted ever sticking his neck out. Now, a master challenge couldn't be refused without special reason...

If he claimed injury, headquarters would investigate a five-star master's injury, and then the matter of blocking the other party would be exposed. The punishment might be even more severe!

In other words, the other party came to challenge him, knowing full well he dared not refuse!

What kind of mess is this...

"In that case, let's begin!"

With a furious shout, Master Hong's figure flickered, and he kicked out.

Swoosh!

Before Feng Yu could react, he flew straight into the sky.

Thud!

After flying dozens of meters high, he crashed headfirst to the ground, coughing up mouthfuls of blood.

The aura he had just recovered a bit from taking healing pills scattered again. His face was pale, and his vision kept darkening.

"I..."

Struggling to stand up, he tried to speak further, but saw a huge fist flying toward him.

Bang!

Feng Yu flew backward again.

Crack! Clatter!

A series of sounds of fists and feet hitting flesh, and Feng Yu was no longer human-shaped.

Master Hong was very measured with every move, making the other suffer without being too severe.

A dignified five-star master, set up by someone—if he didn't vent this anger, wouldn't he be bullied every day?

Masters are also human, not Buddhas. They can't be beaten without fighting back!

If they lacked even this much backbone, how could they protect the Master Continent from being occupied by the Heteroclite race?

Being good-tempered is useless. To truly guard the territory and expand it, one relies on combat and force.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

After who knows how long, Master Hong finally calmed down. He clapped his hands and cupped his fists: "Master Feng, you yielded!"

By now, Feng Yu was like Chen Mo and the others—barely breathing, about to kick the bucket at any moment.

"You... very good, very good. Hong Qian, I, Luo Zhao, in the name of a five-star master, apply for a master challenge, to be held now. I hope it will be granted!"

Master Hong had beaten Master Feng using the master challenge, invoking righteousness and rules, so others couldn't say much. Now that the "competition" was over, the first old man took out his badge and couldn't help but shout.

He wanted to vent for Feng Yu!

"Sorry, I just finished fighting with Master Feng. My vitality is greatly depleted, and I can't fight for ten years. I refuse the challenge!"

Master Hong put his hands behind his back, full of pride.

"You..."

The three of them stumbled simultaneously, on the verge of tears.

Brother, can you be any more shameless?