Chapter 18: Life-and-Death Arena

“I hope you know when to quit.” Wang Luo walked up to Chen Xi and gave him a warning.

“Know when to quit?”

Chen Xi raised an eyebrow and calmly sized him up for a moment. “A dignified immortal, yet you have to target a mere mortal like me. What about your face?”

“This has nothing to do with that. The successful are kings, the defeated are criminals. The Immortal Realm has always respected power,” Wang Luo replied.

“Respected power,” Chen Xi repeated the words heavily, then suddenly smiled. “Well said. But you’re missing one thing: compared to power, when one loses their face, they are invincible in the world.”

“In that case, I wish you victory in advance,” Wang Luo said with a mocking tone before turning and leaving.

Chen Xi stayed where he was, watching his retreating figure, and his suspicions began to solidify.

Most of these immortals were likely eyeing the techniques he used to tend to the celestial beasts. A few days ago, Chen Xi had heard a secret. The Beast-Taming family had an ancestral technique that could search through people’s memories, but with one condition: the person being searched had to actively cooperate or be near death for it to work. That was likely the reason Immortal Wuyi had schemed to force Chen Xi into the life-and-death arena.

It was a situation of “^[1]“The knife in the hands of others, while I am the fish on the chopping block” means being completely at someone else’s mercy, with no control over one’s fate. It describes a … Continue readingthe knife in the hands of others, while I am the fish on the chopping block.” Now, Chen Xi had only two paths to choose from: either surrender willingly or be forcibly taken.

Their brief confrontation hadn’t attracted much attention because, during this time, a pair of immortals had already stepped onto the arena. Coincidentally, one of them was a familiar face—Han Qing, who had once been sent by Immortal Wuyi to serve Chen Xi. Han Qing’s opponent was Xu Ce, the number one Golden Immortal on Beast Island.

“Please show mercy, Honored Immortal,” Han Qing said with a fearful tone, though it was clear his words were insincere. Indeed, Han Qing didn’t want to fight, he had been forced onto the stage by Immortal Wuyi. As for Xu Ce, he seemed quite displeased, thinking that Han Qing’s actions were wasting his time.

The battle quickly began. From Chen Xi’s perspective, the flashing sword and blade, combined with colorful techniques, were even more thrilling than any sci-fi 3D blockbuster. But from Han Qing’s point of view, it felt like a cornered beast struggling in desperation.

Although both were Golden Immortals, Xu Ce, who had a background in talismans, could easily suppress Han Qing. His talismans were unavoidable, and after just ten moves, the outcome was clear.

A sharp ice blade pierced through Han Qing’s protective barrier, which had been sustained by his entire magical energy. At the same time, it pierced through his chest. The immortal spiritual power from Xu Ce flowed through Han Qing’s veins, bringing with it deadly cold. Every place it passed, the chill that could kill him followed—his blood froze, his bones were eroded, and the next step was his soul scattering.

“Boom!” Han Qing’s body was knocked off the stage by Xu Ce, landing heavily on the ground with a dull thud. Coincidentally, the body fell right at Chen Xi’s feet.

The cold, chilling air hit him, and the rusty smell of blood spread in the surrounding air, deepening the fear of death among the crowd. It also allowed Chen Xi to experience, up close, the imminent danger of death.

How ruthless.

Chen Xi instinctively clenched his fists at his sides, and the suppressed anger in his chest grew stronger. He knew clearly that the life-and-death duel between Han Qing and Xu Ce was an arrangement made by Immortal Wuyi and his group specifically for him to watch. As for Han Qing, he was forced to become cannon fodder just to intimidate Chen Xi.

What a world of immortals, what a group of immortals. They usually spoke of being detached from worldly affairs, advocating for simplicity and calmness. Yet, in reality, they were willing to manipulate lives for their own desires. And they even had the audacity to find a righteous excuse to cover up their actions. Truly shameless.

Wang Luo, not far away, noticed the change in Chen Xi’s expression and sneered. At the same time, Immortal Wuyi once again announced the list of challengers: “Zhuang Fan of the Beast-Taming family, challenging Chen Xi.”

So soon it was Chen Xi’s turn?

Although there was some whispering among the crowd, their expressions were not particularly surprised. Among the crowd, a tall, thin immortal stepped forward. He appeared to be in his twenties, rather quiet, with sharp, sinister eyes, revealing that he was ruthless and would stop at nothing. Those who had heard of his name couldn’t help but exclaim.

“That’s Zhuang Fan!”

Zhuang Fan was somewhat well-known among the lower-level immortals in the Lower Three Immortal Realms.

He came from the Beast-Taming family, and his status was especially unique. In certain places, he could even rival Wang Luo, being the top disciple among the Beast-Taming family’s outer disciples. However, Wang Luo’s strength lay more in his cultivation and the refining of beast pills, while Zhuang Fan’s specialty was beast taming, the ability to subdue and control celestial beasts for his own use. Especially now, the contract celestial beast in his possession, Li Dragon, was an adult celestial beast, with a trace of the rare beast lineage of the Li Dragon. Therefore, despite Zhuang Fan’s personal cultivation being only at the Earth Immortal level, he was still someone Chen Xi could not compare to.

As for why the Beast-Taming family sent Zhuang Fan, the reason was obvious. It was to force Chen Xi into submission, and also likely a form of retaliation for the previous broadcast where Chen Xi had humiliated them.

This time, Chen Xi was as good as dead. Almost everyone thought so, and their eyes when looking at Chen Xi were full of pity. Yet, Chen Xi showed no fear. His expression grew even more composed. He didn’t hesitate, he walked confidently towards the arena.

“I agree, but I have conditions,” Chen Xi said calmly, stating his demands.

“No need for more words. The rules of Beast Island are as such. There is no escape,” Immortal Wuyi refused firmly.

“No escape?” Chen Xi sneered. “I am but a mere mortal with no intention of participating in this evaluation, yet you force me onto the stage. That would be enough. But now you want my life, and I will not willingly walk to my death.”

As he finished speaking, Chen Xi’s tone turned colder, even carrying a hint of threat: “As immortals, you pressure others with force. Isn’t this a violation of the heavens? Don’t you fear divine retribution?”

“…” Chen Xi’s words struck a nerve with Immortal Wuyi. Other immortals who had previously suffered from Chen Xi’s 【Aura of Disgust】 and 【Aura of Misfortune】 began to show signs of fear.

Indeed, their recent lives had been smooth, causing them to forget the chaos that had erupted when Chen Xi first arrived. Some couldn’t help but glance at Han Qing’s corpse, which lay on the ground. They suddenly realized something terrifying. Since Chen Xi had come to the island, every immortal who had deliberately targeted him had either been killed or had lost their future.

So, was this really divine retribution?

The crowd’s gaze towards Chen Xi grew more fearful, and even Immortal Wuyi couldn’t help but take a deep breath. However, he was unwilling to let Chen Xi off the hook and was about to speak again when one of the three chief arbiters, Daoist Ming Ling, spoke up: “Young Chen is right. In my opinion, there’s no need for this match. Even if Young Chen wins, with his condition, he won’t be able to go to the Lower Three Immortal Realms. The celestial beasts will never let him go. Staying on Beast Island is also in the best interest of everyone.”

“Thank you, Honored Immortal.” Grateful to meet someone reasonable, Chen Xi smiled and cupped his hands in thanks.

But the Sect Master Lingyun directly countered, “Whether he can or cannot go, that’s Chen Xi’s own problem. But the rules cannot be broken.”

“To have a mortal and an immortal duel is like using an egg to strike a rock or an ant trying to shake a tree. Honored Immortal Lingyun, are you not embarrassed to say such words?”

“This has nothing to do with it. Since the life-and-death duel has started, it cannot be undone. Now that Chen Xi is already on the stage, are you suggesting that Zhuang Fan should end his own life?” This time, it was not Sect Master Lingyun who responded, but another arbiter who retorted.

Daoist Ming Ling was unable to oppose the two, and in the end, he had to remain silent. However, thanks to his just words, the Sect Master Lingyun, in order to avoid making the situation too awkward, agreed to Chen Xi’s request.

In the life-and-death duel, the competition would be three battles, with the first to win two being the victor. The three categories were meals, beast taming, and cultivation.

“With this arrangement, as long as Young Chen wins the first two rounds, there will be no need for the cultivation contest. As for the meals and beast taming, neither requires the use of immortal power, so this is a lenient solution.”

“Heh.” Daoist Ming Ling snorted coldly and then turned to ask Chen Xi with concern, “Young Chen, do you find this acceptable?”

“Thank you, Honored Immortal. Chen Xi has his own ways to escape,” Chen Xi replied confidently.

“And your celestial beast?” Daoist Ming Ling still seemed worried.

However, Chen Xi was very confident. “Honored Immortal, do not worry. It has already arrived…”

As soon as Chen Xi finished speaking, not far away, the Moonlight Celestial Beast, hidden in the treetop, couldn’t help but disdainfully kick its ears with its hind legs. It wasn’t following because it was worried, it just couldn’t stand the aggressive demeanor of those foolish immortals!

The palm-sized kitten thought to itself, though its face showed a fierce snarl at the few immortals from Immortal Wuyi’s group, baring its teeth in a very menacing manner. Even the group of orange, chubby balls of fluff beneath the tree bared their sharp claws, looking ready to attack.

Chen Xi caught this scene from the corner of his eye and couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. But soon, he composed himself, as the first round of the life-and-death duel was about to begin.

Meals.

This was likely the round Chen Xi was most confident about, but even so, he remained cautious. The wide sleeves of his robe created elegant arcs as he moved. Standing at the cooking station, Chen Xi removed his outer robe to reveal his neat, short outfit beneath, then instructed the immortal responsible for the preparations to get the stove ready. At the same time, several large and small pots were also set up.

He washed the pots with hot water and arranged the knives. While Chen Xi was calm and steady, strange phenomena had already started to appear at Zhuang Fan’s station.

As expected of the top disciple from the Beast-Taming family’s outer sect, Zhuang Fan’s aura alone was enough to show that his actions were extraordinary. The immortal power swirled and engulfed, and the spiritual cauldron opened with a brilliant five-colored light. Unlike Chen Xi’s method of cooking, the immortals’ approach to preparing meals was more akin to alchemy.

One by one, the ingredients floated in mid-air. As the immortal power cleansed them, impurities were removed, making them even clearer. As more and more ingredients were infused into the spiritual cauldron, a refreshing fragrance began to spread.

This was the spiritual aura that could only be emitted by the most purified ingredients, which had been refined to perfection. Just the scent alone was enough to cleanse the heart.

“Good! As expected of the Beast-Taming family,” the crowd exclaimed in admiration, all amazed by Zhuang Fan’s skilled refining techniques. Even Daoist Ming Ling, who had previously been somewhat dissatisfied, couldn’t help but nod in appreciation.

Zhuang Fan took in all the praise, his movements growing more and more deft. As for Chen Xi, he paid no attention.

Even though Chen Xi had previously slapped the faces of many disciples from the Beast-Taming family, even forcing Wang Luo into a corner.

With a flick of his fingers, another profound spell was cast. The intense alchemical flames enveloped the spiritual cauldron, waiting for the right moment when the beast pill would be completed. Zhuang Fan adjusted the flames, and his previously gloomy gaze now held a touch of pride and arrogance.

Because he knew that today, Chen Xi had no chance of winning.

At this moment, ten minutes had passed since the meal competition began, and Chen Xi finally finished preparing, ready to start cooking the meal. However, what he didn’t know was that none of the ingredients prepared for him by the immortals were the fish, shrimp, or shellfish he was used to working with. And to make matters worse, the main ingredient was actually lamb, which the Moonlight Celestial Beast despised most…

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Author’s Note:

Chen Xi: Already on the path to slapping faces, and I’ll be at the battlefield in five minutes ╭(╯^╰)╮