Chapter 9: Arrive
The stone arena floor shattered like fragile glass. A massive cloud of gray dust erupted violently into the air.
The deafening cheers of the Outer Sect disciples died instantly.
A crater now occupied the center of the pristine ceremonial fighting ring. The thick dust slowly settled to reveal a single figure standing perfectly straight in the ruin.
Ye Chen stood amidst the broken stone. He was clad entirely in shredded and filthy servant robes.
His skin was completely coated in dried black blood and toxic river mud. He rested the rusted iron sword casually on his right shoulder.
Elder Wang stumbled backward. The glowing magical crystal slipped entirely out of his fat fingers and fell on the stone floor.
All the color drained completely from the Elder's face. He stared in absolute horror at the boy he had confidently declared dead just ten seconds ago.
"Ghosts do not bleed Wang," Ye Chen said. His voice cut perfectly through the absolute silence of the stadium.
"This is completely impossible," Wang choked out. His eyes darted wildly.
He immediately recognized the heavy iron sword resting heavily on Ye Chen's shoulder. It belonged exclusively in the forbidden toxic abyss below the forest.
Wang realized his entire illicit breeding operation was compromised immediately. Panic completely overrode his logic.
"Enforcers kill him right now," Wang roared violently. He pointed a trembling and fat finger directly at the crater.
"That is absolutely not Ye Chen. It is a demonic illusion sent to disrupt our sacred Grand Assessment. Execute the beast."
Thirty heavily armed Enforcers immediately drew their weapons at the outer edge of the arena.
Ye Chen reached into his torn robes and pulled out two highly distinct objects. He held them high above his head for the entire stadium to witness.
In his left hand he held a heavy black iron medallion. In his right hand he held the thick parchment letter he had looted from the mercenary leader.
"I bear the Token of Life and Death," Ye Chen projected his voice using his Qi.
The black iron medallion carried the absolute highest legal authority of the Azure Cloud Sect founders. It was forged specifically to protect whistleblowers from corrupt elders.
"I formally invoke the foundational laws of this sect," Ye Chen continued loudly. "I demand a public Trial by Combat to prove my innocence against these false charges of demonic corruption."
Elder Wang gritted his teeth in pure absolute fury. He desperately wanted to step forward and strike the boy down himself.
Wang glanced quickly up at the shadowed VIP boxes overlooking the massive arena.
The Inner Sect elders and their elite spies were watching this exact spectacle closely. He could literally feel their cold eyes piercing into his back.
He was legally trapped. If he denied the founding token in broad daylight he would be investigated for treason immediately. The Inner Sect would rip his mind apart to find out why he ignored a foundational law.
"You are a mere Outer Sect servant," Wang spat venomously. His voice dripped with pure hatred. "You absolutely do not have the right to challenge me directly. I am a sect Elder."
"I do not want to fight a fat pig who hires cheap mercenaries to do his killing in the woods," Ye Chen replied coldly.
He waved the sealed letter slightly in the air.
"I hold written proof of your illegal bounty right here in my hand. Accept the trial immediately or I will read your written orders to the entire stadium."
The massive crowd erupted into chaotic and confused whispers. The legendary and terrifying Enforcer of the Outer Sect was being completely humiliated publicly by a stable boy.
"Silence," Wang bellowed to the crowd. He turned his hateful gaze back to Ye Chen.
"You want a trial by combat boy. You shall have your trial. But the ancient laws clearly state I may appoint a personal champion to fight in my stead."
Wang smiled cruelly. He knew exactly how to ensure Ye Chen's permanent silence today. He would crush the boy so thoroughly that no one would ever question the outcome.
"Lei Bao," Wang commanded loudly. "Step forward and cleanse this demonic filth from our sacred arena."
A figure vaulted directly out of the Enforcer stands. He soared heavily through the air and landed with a thud on the opposite side of the ring.
Lei Bao stood nearly seven feet tall. His thick muscles bulged tightly against his sleeveless blue uniform.
He was the absolute peak of Body Tempering Stage 9. He was known universally throughout the outer provinces as the Thunder Fist.
"System," Ye Chen thought calmly. "Scan him immediately."
\[Target Identified. Name is Lei Bao. Cultivation is peak Body Tempering Stage 9.\]
\[Warning. Target possesses a highly lethal innate lightning affinity. Overall threat level is categorized as Severe.\]
\[Host is currently at Stage 4. The power gap is critical. Direct confrontation is highly dangerous. Evade and observe.\]
Ye Chen completely ignored the flashing red warning in his vision. He stared directly at the towering giant standing confidently in front of him.
Lei Bao cracked his thick knuckles loudly. Bright blue electrical sparks danced violently across his thick forearms. He looked down at Ye Chen with pure mocking contempt.
"You brought a piece of rusted scrap metal to a real fight," Lei Bao laughed loudly. His voice rumbled like actual thunder. "I expected a terrifying demon. Instead I get a filthy beggar playing with garbage."
"The sword is heavy," Ye Chen said quietly. He did not shift his stance or raise his guard. "It will serve its exact purpose today."
"I am going to break your legs very slowly beggar," Lei Bao promised. He took a heavy step forward.
"Elder Wang wants you to suffer immensely. I am going to make sure you scream loud enough for the entire Inner Sect to hear your pathetic voice."
"Su Rou already tried her best to break me," Ye Chen replied. "She used hunger and torture and daily humiliation. Your threats are completely hollow to me Lei Bao. You are just another dog barking for a master."
"We will see how hollow my words are when your ribs are shattered into fine powder," Lei Bao snarled angrily.
The giant Enforcer crossed his massive arms tightly across his chest. A deafening crack of thunder exploded directly from his body.
A massive electrical storm suddenly enveloped Lei Bao entirely. Thick currents of blue lightning whipped aggressively around his torso and legs.
The heat from his surging aura began to literally scorch the stone floor beneath his boots.
The front rows of the crowd gasped loudly and leaned away from the intense heat.
"Die trash," Lei Bao roared with explosive and blinding speed.
He crossed fifty feet between them in a heartbeat. His right fist was completely encased in a highly concentrated ball of wild lightning.
He thrust his massive fist forward violently. He unleashed a massive and roaring pillar of pure blue electrical energy directly at Ye Chen.
The blinding lightning pillar engulfed Ye Chen completely.