Chapter 3282: The G.o.dly Image Phenomenon
As one of the five strongest prodigious disciples in the Heavenly Pool Palace, Han Yun Jin was naturally more astute compared to the other ordinary prodigious disciples. He knew something was amiss as soon as Duan Ling Tian suggested the Heavenly Territory Extreme Territory as the venue for their life-or-death battle. Naturally, he also thought that there was a possibility that it was just a feint. Perhaps, Duan Ling Tian was trying to confuse him and make him overthink the matter, in hopes that he would not accept the challenge. Nevertheless, he had always been a cautious person; therefore, it was impossible for him to accept Duan Ling Tian’s challenge to fight a life-or-death battle in the Heavenly Pool Extreme Territory.
Everyone’s attention was focused on Han Yun Jin at this moment; they were antic.i.p.ating his reply.
Finally, Han Yun Jin asked nonchalantly as he looked at Duan Ling Tian, “Duan Ling Tian, why is it necessary for us to fight in the Heavenly Pool Extreme Territory? We can just fight here in the Prodigy Arena where our junior brothers and junior sisters can watch. This is something that will benefit the Heavenly Pool Palace, after all.”
Han Yun Jin did not reject Duan Ling Tian’s challenge to a life-or-death battle, but he wisely tried to change the venue by justifying it was for the sake of the other disciples.
Duan Ling Tian’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly when he heard Han Yun Jin’s response. ‘It seems like Han Yun Jin’s rather clever; he knows something is amiss. However, it’s not too surprising. After all, he’s one of the five strongest prodigious disciples in the Heavenly Pool Palace. It would’ve been even more shocking if he was easily fooled.’
Upon seeing Duan Ling Tian’s silence, Han Yun Jin continued to use his words to turn the situation in his favor. “It’s not necessary for us to have a battle in a year. Why don’t I give you three years? After three years, we’ll fight here in the Prodigy Arena. What do you think?”
‘Three years?’ Duan Ling Tian’s mood darkened. Three years? He was confident he could kill Han Yun Jin now with the Five Divine Elements power. It was unfortunate that using the Five Divine Elements power would expose their existence in his being. That was the reason he had suggested to battle in the Heavenly Pool Extreme Territory. If he fought in the Prodigy Arena and killed Han Yun Jin with the Five Divine Elements power, it would definitely bring disaster upon him. Let alone the other t.i.tled Celestial Emperors, he was not even certain that his teacher, Xu Lang, the Verdant Prairie Celestial Emperor, would not be tempted by the Five Divine Elements.
‘With just three years, I don’t think I’ll be able to kill him with my strength alone…’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, disappointed.
At this moment, the World Cleansing Divine Water in Duan Ling Tian’s body said, “Little Tian, agree to his suggestion…”
Duan Ling Tian was stunned by these words. However, he was certain the World Cleansing Divine Water would not harm him. Therefore, he did not hesitate as he confidently replied to Han Yun Jin, “Alright! After three years, both of us will fight a life-or-death battle in the Prodigy Arena. I hope you won’t pull out at that time.”
Han Yun Jin narrowed his eyes upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s reply. He had expected Duan Ling Tian to refuse him, but Duan Ling Tian only hesitated for a second before agreeing to his suggestion. His expression darkened immediately; there must be a reason for Duan Ling Tian’s confidence.
When Duan Ling Tian did not receive a reply from Han Yun Jin, he laughed before he said mockingly, “What’s wrong? I’ve already agreed to your suggestion… Are you regretting your words now? Are you afraid to accept the challenge?”
The disciples in the surroundings looked at Han Yun Jin with a ridiculing gaze when they heard Duan Ling Tian’s words.
“No way! Han Yun Jin’s intimidated by Duan Ling Tian?”
“He’s the one who suggested this; it’d be embarra.s.sing if he refuses Duan Ling Tian now.”
“It seems like he’s afraid of Duan Ling Tian.”
“How ridiculous!”
Han Yun Jin’s expression darkened even more when he heard the hushed conversations in his surroundings.
“Senior Brother Han, there’s no need to hesitate. This brat is just putting on a front, I bet he’s only doing this in hopes that you’ll refuse him. However, if you refuse him, your reputation will definitely take a hit,” Xiao Cong Yi who was standing next to Han Yun Jin said through Voice Transmission.
How could Han Yun Jin be unaware of the points that Xiao Cong Yi had stated? However, he could not recklessly agree to it even if it meant his reputation might take a hit. What if he was no match for Duan Ling Tian three years later? Would he not die? He was in a dilemma at this moment; if he did not agree, his reputation would be tarnished, and if he agreed, his life might be at stake. After inhaling deeply, he decided to consult Gu Chang Jiang, the Martial Dragon Celestial Emperor, through Voice Transmission.
After speaking to Gu Chang Jiang, Han Yun Jin ruminated over Gu Chang Jiang’s words. ‘It’s likely that Duan Ling Tian’s secret technique only works on plants… Moreover, it seems like he has to have contact with his target in order to use the technique…”
Although the two t.i.tled Celestial Emperors could not tell that Duan Ling Tian had used the Divine Tree of Life to drain the life of the Pine Willow Divine Tree, they could vaguely sense his technique was only effective on plants.
Han Yun Jin felt much more a.s.sured after listening to the two t.i.tled Celestial Emperors’ opinions.
At this moment, Duan Ling Tian said derisively, “Hey, why don’t you refuse if you’re afraid? Is there a need to waste time?”
“Refuse?” Han Yun Jin scoffed, “Is there a reason for me to refuse? I agree. After three years, I, Han Yun Jin, will fight you in a life-or-death battle here in the Prodigy Arena. Everyone present today will stand as our witnesses. Whoever pulls out at the time of the battle will have to leave the Heavenly Pool Palace!”
“Good!” Duan Ling Tian no longer looked at Han Yun Jin. His expression was calm from the beginning until the end; it was as though he would maintain his composure even if Mount Tai were to collapse in front of him.
On the contrary, Duan Ling Tian’s fellow disciples, Hong Fei and Hu Mei, could hardly remain calm after Duan Ling Tian and Han Yun Jin confirmed their life-or-death battle.
“Three years? That’s too soon!”
“Why did Little Junior Brother do this?”
Initially, Hong Fei and Hu Mei were under the impression that Duan Ling Tian was only trying to intimidate Han Yun Jin. At that time, the intimidation seemed to work, and they could not wait to rub this in Han Yun Jin’s face. However, since Han Yun Jin had agreed to the battle, it was clear to them that Duan Ling Tian’s plan had failed. Although Duan Ling Tian had performed brilliantly in his previous battles, Duan Ling Tian was still far from being able to kill Han Yun Jin.
As the eldest disciple of the Profound Heaven Celestial Emperor and one of the five strongest prodigious disciples in the Heavenly Pool Palace, Han Yun Jin was not only a Celestial Emperor, but he had also comprehended all the profundities from the law of fire to the mastery stage. As such, he was only a little weaker than Lu Ji, Xu Lang’s second prodigious disciple.
Although Duan Ling Tian was very talented, he was not even 300 years old. Someone at that age who was capable of defeating Han Yun Jin was rare even in all 81 Devata Realms.
How could Duan Ling Tian’s fellow disciples not be worried?
At this moment, Duan Ling Tian nodded and smiled as he greeted Xu Lang. “Teacher.”
Xu Lang asked, “Are you confident?”
“I wouldn’t have challenged him if I’m not confident,” Duan Ling Tian replied with a smile.
Although Hong Fei and Hu Mei did not know where Duan Ling Tian got his confidence from, they felt more at ease after hearing his reply. After all, during his match with Fan Qi today, they thought it was impossible for him to win either. In the end, he had proven them wrong.
“Huan’er, let’s go,” Duan Ling Tian called out before he left the Prodigy Arena with Xu Lang and the others.
A commotion broke out as soon as Duan Ling Tian and the others left.
“Duan Ling Tian and Han Yun Jin are going to have a life-or-death battle here in the Prodigy Arena after three years?”
Someone laughed. “It’s going to be an amazing show!”
“Since Duan Ling Tian dares to challenge Han Yun Jin, he must be confident.”
“That might not be the case. No matter what, Duan Ling Tian is just a human who hasn’t even reached the age of 300. It’s almost impossible for him to defeat Senior Brother Han at such a young age.”
…
News of Duan Ling Tian and Han Yun Jin’s life-or-death battle that would happen after three years spread like a wildfire in the Heavenly Pool Palace after everyone left the Prodigy Arena. Moreover, today’s battle had firmly established Duan Ling Tian’s position as the top prodigious disciple in the 200-to-300-year-old age group. No one doubted his strength anymore.
…
After returning to his cultivation place, Duan Ling Tian sat down and crossed his legs. After Huan’er had entered her cultivation state, he could not help but ask the World Cleansing Divine Water in Little World, “Sister Water, are you really confident that I’ll be able to defeat Han Yun Jin after three years?”
“I wouldn’t have asked you to agree to him if I’m not confident,” the World Cleansing Divine Water said with a smile, “I wouldn’t let you sacrifice your life in vain just because you were consumed by anger at that moment.”
“Sister Water, with my current strength, I’m only capable of killing him now with the help of the Five Divine Elements. However, doing so will expose your existence. I think it’d still be difficult for me to kill him without the help from the Five Divine Elements after three years…” Duan Ling Tian voiced his concern to the World Cleansing Water.
“I know,” the World Cleansing Divine Water replied, “You’d be right if this were before your battle with Fan Qi. Fortunately, now that the Divine Tree of Life has absorbed the life of the Pine Willow Divine Tree, you’ve inherited the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon from the Pine Willow Divine Tree. Three years is enough for you to refine the nutrients and energy from the Pine Willow Divine Tree and master the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon. At that time, when you use this technique, everyone would think you had a fortuitous encounter and obtained the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon. In this realm, there are various ways to master the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon technique… Each way is unique to each person and impossible to imitate. Hence, you don’t have to worry about other powerhouses coveting it.”