The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 698 Martial Arts Strength

Chapter 698: Chapter 698 Martial Arts Strength

Kui Long was petty but not foolish or brainless.

Within the Holy Hall, to rashly initiate a fight was absolutely not a wise decision. What’s more, Saint Master Shen Chong had an obviously good relationship with Jing Yan. If he attacked directly, he would give the Saint Master a chance to intervene and possibly use the opportunity to punish him, even to the extent of stripping him of his position as Hall Master.

As for why Kui Long specifically targeted Jing Yan, there were some little-known factors involved.

Although Kui Long was vengeful, he generally did not make enemies all around. Otherwise, how could he have held the position of the Third Hall Master for so many years?

In fact, Kui Long had a very close relationship with the Alchemy Dao Family of the Wan Family. One of his wives was the daughter of an Old Clan Leader of the Wan Family.

At the Alchemy Grand Ceremony, the Source Power that the Wan Family was determined to obtain was taken by Jing Yan, causing the Wan Family to bear a grudge against Jing Yan. This led to Kui Long’s extremely poor first impression of Jing Yan.

Of course, after Jing Yan demonstrated his unmatched Alchemy skills, this grievance seemed minor. In his heart, Kui Long also wished to settle things amicably with Jing Yan. However, he misjudged Jing Yan by suspecting him based on his own petty mindset.

He did not believe that Jing Yan could disregard his previous words.

Thus, he suggested that Jing Yan help him with refining, but did not ask Jing Yan to front the materials. If Jing Yan did it, it would be exactly what he wanted. If Jing Yan refused, then he would act recklessly. After all, he had already offended Jing Yan, so offending him a bit more seemed to make no difference.

As for his own need for the Ninth-level Elixir, he had the channels through the top Alchemy Dao family, the Wan Family, where ordinary Ninth-level Elixirs could still be obtained.

Such pills like the Ten Thousand Spirit Returning to Origin Pill were difficult for the Wan Family to refine. Although Jing Yan could refine them, would he help him do so?

In his view, clearly not!

Even if he was courteous superficially, he did not believe Jing Yan would help him refine Elixirs without any reservations. Once he agreed to make Jing Yan the Ten Hall Masters, he feared he might soon be kicked aside.

He really did suspect the noble intents based on his petty mind! He thought if he would act a certain way, Jing Yan definitely would as well.

If he could know what Jing Yan was truly thinking at this moment, he might even be filled with regret.

"Saint Master, I disagree with Jing Yan becoming the Ten Hall Masters," the Third Hall Master said decisively, looking at the Saint Master.

"Third Hall Master, the other eight Hall Masters have agreed, only you disagree, I need a reason," Shen Chong said, his gaze somewhat icy as he looked at the Third Hall Master.

"Saint Master, our selection of the Holy Hall Masters focuses on Martial Arts Strength. Jing Yan is the Great Alchemist King that’s true, and perhaps he is also a High-level Array Master, but so what? He’s just at the Early Stage Dao Emperor Realm, his Martial Arts Cultivation is simply not enough to be a Hall Master," said the Third Hall Master, speaking the truth.

Since the system of the Holy Hall Masters was implemented, there had never been an Early Stage Dao Emperor Realm Hall Master. Generally, one needed to be at least at the Late Stage Dao Emperor Realm to possibly become a Hall Master.

This reason was indeed a strong one, leaving the Saint Master unsure how to argue on behalf of Jing Yan.

The Seventh Hall Master and other Hall Masters also looked visibly disheartened.

At that moment, Jing Yan unconsciously laughed out loud.

"Third Hall Master, are you saying that the most important criterion for selecting a Hall Master is Martial Arts Strength, right? If my Martial Arts Strength is sufficient, there would be no problem, right?" Jing Yan asked with a smile.

"That’s right! Jing Yan, with your current Martial Arts Cultivation, it really isn’t enough. Don’t feel resentful; you can ask the Saint Master and the other Hall Masters if what I’m saying isn’t true," the Third Hall Master said haughtily, his gaze turning to Jing Yan as if he stood on a moral high ground.

"Heh, are you a Hall Master?" asked Jing Yan.

"What do you mean by that? You know very well! Of course, I’m a Hall Master, the Third Hall Master of the Holy Hall. But my Martial Arts Cultivation is at the Late Stage Dao Emperor Realm. You’re just at the Early Stage Dao Emperor Realm, do you still want to compare with me?" the Third Hall Master Kui Long said with a cold sneer.

"What a frog in the well!" Jing Yan shook his head.

"If your Martial Arts Strength is enough to be a Hall Master, then what’s the issue with me? Also, it’s not that I can’t compare with you, but that you can’t compare with me. Your cultivation really isn’t up to par," Jing Yan scoffed.

"What did you say?" Kui Long’s eyes widened, his aura of killing intent growing stronger, and his Primordial Energy became more turbulent.

"I’ve made myself very clear. If your Martial Arts Cultivation meets the standard required for a Hall Master, then mine definitely exceeds those standards by a lot," Jing Yan said, narrowing his eyes.

"Ha ha ha... Boy, you surely dare to boast, just with you?"

"Just an Early Stage Dao Emperor Realm Martial Artist, don’t think just because you killed that useless Gu Mo that you’re incredible. You’re far from it," Kui Long did not believe Jing Yan could match his Martial Arts Strength.

"Proving this is simple. Third Hall Master, why don’t we have a sparring match to see how it goes?" Jing Yan set the trap, just waiting for Kui Long to jump in.

"Do you really want to test your Martial Arts with me?" Kui Long truly hadn’t expected Jing Yan to suggest a sparring match.

He stared deeply at Jing Yan, as if trying to gauge whether Jing Yan was just putting on an act.

If Jing Yan was not bluffing, then where did his confidence come from?

"You don’t dare?" said Jing Yan.

"Don’t dare? What a joke!"

"Saint Master, you heard it as well, Jing Yan is the one who proposed to test with me," Kui Long’s mind shifted, clearing miscellaneous thoughts; regardless of whether Jing Yan was bluffing or not, at this stage, he couldn’t back down.

If he did not compete with Jing Yan, then how could he stop Jing Yan from becoming a Hall Master? Moreover, he would probably be ridiculed by others, mocking him for being even afraid to test against an Early Stage Dao Emperor Realm Martial Artist.

Shen Chong frowned, glancing at Jing Yan, obviously considering Jing Yan’s true intentions.

"Saint Master, please allow me to fight the Third Hall Master," Jing Yan requested as he gave a bow to Shen Chong.

"I don’t object," Shen Chong nodded.

Shen Chong knew Jing Yan was a High-level Array Master capable of setting up super-large Advanced Arrays, so setting up Micro Arrays should also be possible. Jing Yan likely had an Array Plate for High-level Micro Arrays.

Facing Kui Long, throwing a few Advanced Arrays to deal with him would surely place him in an invincible position.

As soon as Shen Chong finished speaking, Jing Yan stepped forward.

"Third Hall Master, I’ll wait for you outside," Jing Yan’s words had barely finished when his figure had already vanished from the front of the Holy Hall.

"Hmph, quick indeed!" Kui Long sneered, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, and then he too followed out of the front hall.

Shen Chong and other Hall Masters quickly left the front hall to gather outside.

There, Jing Yan and the Third Hall Master Kui Long hovered above the Holy Palace in the skies, facing each other from a distance! Shen Chong and the others were also suspended in the distance, watching the two of them.