Yang Che walked to the center of the Azure Stone Plaza as instructed.
The central area, about a hundred zhang long and wide, was protected by a huge Spirit Qi barrier.
At this moment, Yang Che suddenly saw Zheng Yang, the fifth Disciple of Sword Gate Hall, walk out from the crowd, and then heard him say loudly:
"This challenge was originally an agreed-upon battle between Hua Yi of the Outer Peak and Yang Che, the chief Disciple of Four Peaks. However, many people who wished to challenge him were added temporarily, so I will preside over it briefly."
"According to the old rules, one can use Spirit Talismans and Medicinal Pills, and challengers will come forward in order from lowest to highest cultivation base."
As soon as Zheng Yang finished speaking, Yang Che suddenly said, "Junior Martial Uncle Zheng, this is too troublesome. Why don't we just have them pick the strongest recognized person to fight me?"
Yang Che was a person who was very afraid of trouble.
"Yang Che, this is a Sect rule and cannot be broken. Otherwise, how would talented Low Grade Disciples get a chance to stand out? But you don't have to worry about recovery. After each battle, you will be given Medicinal Pills and time to recuperate."
Seeing that Zheng Yang had said so, Yang Che could not say much more.
"According to the order of cultivation levels registered during the previous challenge sign-ups, those whose names are called will immediately come forward to challenge."
The middle-aged and refined Zheng Yang's voice was neither too bland nor too strong, and his tone was perfectly controlled.
"First, Chen Changfeng of Incense Burner Peak, Qi Refining eleventh layer."
A thin, fair-skinned, scholarly-looking Cultivator walked out and slowly entered the Spirit Qi barrier in the center of the plaza.
"Senior Brother Yang, please enlighten me."
Chen Changfeng bowed politely.
Yang Che stood there calmly, then suddenly asked in confusion, "Junior Brother Chen, there is something I don't understand. You should know very well that you are not my opponent. So why do you still want to challenge me?"
Chen Changfeng's face immediately showed an embarrassed expression.
Seeing Yang Che staring at him intently, he said in a low voice, somewhat guiltily:
"It is rumored within the Sect that you defeated Guo Du and Senior Brother Hua Yi by relying on opportunistic tricks. Therefore, a few good friends encouraged me to come and challenge you. Even if I lose, I can still show my talent to the Elders of Nine Peaks."
Yang Che was surprised to hear that.
This Junior Brother Chen Changfeng turned out to be an 'honest person'.
"Junior Brother Chen, make your move."
Yang Che's expression was solemn.
Since Chen Changfeng was an honest person, Yang Che felt he should still give him enough respect.
Chen Changfeng first cast a red defensive barrier on himself, then took out a High Grade longsword Magical Artifact.
Chen Changfeng directly slashed at Yang Che with a single sword strike.
At this moment, someone in the crowd suddenly said, "Junior Brother Yang Che, don't rely on opportunistic tricks again. True skill is proven by head-on confrontation."
Yang Che glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw that it was Xu Haijing, the fourth Disciple of Sixth Peak.
He snorted coldly inwardly and simply stood still, unmoving.
Chen Changfeng's sword quickly pierced Yang Che's abdomen.
This sword strike, with its dazzling sword light and brilliant glow, could not advance an inch after piercing Yang Che's abdomen.
No matter how Chen Changfeng infused his magical power, it was useless.
Chen Changfeng was horrified in his heart.
He could clearly sense that Yang Che had not used any defensive Magical Artifacts or Spirit Talismans.
Then, Yang Che simply swung his fist.
With a 'bang', he smashed Chen Changfeng's longsword out of the Spirit Qi barrier.
"Junior Brother Chen, are you walking out yourself, or should I throw you out?"
"Senior Brother Yang, the rumors are false. Junior Brother is extremely impressed."
Saying that, he bowed to Yang Che, then walked out of the Spirit Qi barrier with a calm expression.
Chen Changfeng was utterly convinced of his defeat.
Yang Che looked coldly at Xu Haijing of Sixth Peak and said, "Is this 'hard' enough?"
Xu Haijing, who had just spoken so boastfully, suddenly felt a burning sensation on his face, extremely uncomfortable.
"Hmph, Junior Brother Yang, if you can keep being 'hard' like this and not resort to opportunistic tricks, then I, Xu Haijing, will truly respect you."
Yang Che sneered inwardly, but his expression remained calm.
This Xu Haijing did not seem to be brainless.
This provocative remark was a double-edged sword; no matter if Yang Che continued to be 'hard' or not, Xu Haijing would benefit.
However, Yang Che would not let this Xu Haijing 'have an easy time'.
"Senior Brother Xu, dare to make a bet?"
There was a hint of provocation in Yang Che's eyes.
Xu Haijing was stunned, evidently caught off guard by Yang Che's unconventional 'counter-move'.
Zheng Yang, who was beside them, watched Yang Che and Xu Haijing with interest, without any intention of interfering or intervening.
Meanwhile, on the main seats, several elderly Old Man and the white-haired old woman also became somewhat interested.
For these 'old monsters' who had been practicing cultivation for countless years, the small drama unfolding before them naturally made them feel a little interesting.
Xu Haijing had already reacted by this time and said coldly, "How do you want to bet?"
Yang Che pondered for a moment and said, "Let's bet fifty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones plus five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. A total of ten thousand Spirit Stones. If I continue to be 'hard' like this and defeat all challengers, then Senior Brother Xu, you lose. Conversely, if I don't, then Senior Brother Xu, you win. Of course, if Senior Brother Xu doesn't dare to bet, it doesn't matter."
Xu Haijing froze, not expecting to be 'provoked back'.
At this moment, not only were numerous Disciples watching him, but the 'Peak Lord' bigshots of those Peaks were also watching him, and for a moment, he found himself in a difficult position.
Ten thousand Spirit Stones, and half of them had to be fifty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Even if he died, he couldn't produce that many Spirit Stones.
Xu Haijing said with a very ugly expression, "Yang Che, it's not that I don't dare to bet, but the stakes are simply too high. You probably can't produce ten thousand Spirit Stones either, especially with half of them being fifty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."
At this moment, Yang Che suddenly looked in the direction of Peak Lord Zhang: "Old Ancestor, do you want to bet? A great opportunity to get rich with ten thousand Spirit Stones."
Peak Lord Zhang, who was waiting to watch a good show, never expected Yang Che to dare to target him.
"This little rascal, after the challenge is over, I'll break his legs."
Peak Lord Zhang was furious inside, but his face was all smiles, and he even pretended to be nervous and asked, "If you lose, I'll give this chief Disciple title to someone else."
"Old Ancestor, don't worry. If I lose, I will voluntarily leave Sword Four Peak."
As soon as Yang Che said this, the Disciples instantly erupted.
Leaving Sword Four Peak automatically if he lost – this statement was too damaging.
The originally very serious challenge seemed to have suddenly changed its flavor.
"Does anyone dare to add my Seven Peaks to this bet? My Seven Peaks is willing to bet." A beautiful older woman suddenly stood up and said eagerly.
At this moment, another bearded young man also stood up and said eagerly, "My Five Peaks is also willing to participate."
"Nine Peaks is also willing to participate."
"Eighth Peak is also willing to participate."
"Three Peaks is also willing to participate."
...
For a time, except for Sword One Peak and Sword Two Peak, all other Peaks wanted to participate.
"Sixth Peak will put up these ten thousand Spirit Stones on behalf of Xu Haijing. It's a bet."
A burly man, noticeably taller than everyone else present, stood up and said loudly.
Xu Haijing saw that even Senior Brother Ji Mingfei had spoken, and his confidence immediately grew.
"Junior Brother Yang Che, I'm betting with you." Xu Haijing said very decisively.
Yang Che also didn't expect the situation to suddenly turn out like this.
However, he wasn't worried at all; in fact, he felt even happier deep down.
"Old Ancestor?" Yang Che looked at Peak Lord Zhang.
Peak Lord Zhang saw the firm and confident look in Yang Che's eyes, hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Good. My Four Peaks will put up these ten thousand Spirit Stones. Bet!"
Even an Old Ancestor participated.
Now, many Outer Peak Disciples began to stir.
However, almost everyone did not favor Yang Che.
Because if Yang Che no longer resorted to 'opportunistic tricks', then it would be impossible for him to defeat Senior Brother Hua Yi, who had already successfully achieved Foundation Establishment.