Urban All-Round Master

The subsequent battle situation was increasingly disadvantageous for the Lianyun Empire, especially since they had already lost one match, and each opponent was more formidable than the last.

Emperor Liu Meng began to worry, realizing that the opponents were formidable, and there was no equally powerful contender on his side to choose from.

Originally, the last to showcase their skills was supposed to be their own close guard. However, it was evident that this was no longer feasible, considering even the personal guards were not as capable as the National Guardian General, which would be akin to courting death and effectively conceding for the Lianyun Empire.

Soon enough, the final contestant from the two duchies stepped onto the stage.

It was an unusually alluring beauty, clad in a fiery red tightly fitted dress with long, strikingly red hair.

Upon the appearance of this enigmatic woman, everyone on and off the stage was left astounded.

Isn’t this renowned "Demon Queen" Hua Tianfeng?

It was said she wielded boundless Daoist techniques and, despite her youth, possessed extraordinarily defying cultivation. How does one deal with such a powerful opponent who appeared so suddenly? This was indeed a super strong contender!

Even the combined forces of Situ Mingzheng and Dongfang Ziyue might not be able to stand against her alone. Her formidable reputation speaks volumes of the threat she poses!

"Hua Tianfeng!" The old eyes of National Guardian Martial God Dongfang Haoxuan widened, perceiving impending doom because in front of him stood the woman infamous as the Demon Queen, rumored to have reached the Sub-Saint Fifth Layer Heaven as a cultivator years ago, and her current cultivation could potentially have elevated her to a Saint!

In the entire Lianyun Empire, there wasn’t even one Saint, and now that a contender of such prowess appeared, how was the Lianyun Empire supposed to continue competing?

"Old Xuan, is she the so-called Demon Queen, Hua Tianfeng?" Liu Pangzi’s eyes widened in shock as he quietly asked.

Dongfang Haoxuan’s expression was as somber as water, he carefully nodded, saying, "Yes, she is indeed a very thorny character, and I’m afraid it’s challenging for us to send a competent contender against her."

"Then, then what are we to do? Our magnificent Lianyun Empire can’t just concede defeat at such a moment, right?" Liu Pangzi was displeased, fearing ridicule if the vast Lianyun Empire admitted defeat even before the fight began.

"There’s no helping it." Dongfang Haoxuan shook his head helplessly, after all, the opponent who had taken the stage had reached a legendary realm, and ordinary people would simply be courting death by stepping up against her.

"By the way, Old Xuan, what if we let Brother Lin take the stage?" At this moment, Liu Pangzi glanced at Lin Zifeng beside him. Previously, Dongfang Haoxuan had told him that Lin Zifeng’s cultivation was unfathomable, and his identity was extremely mysterious. Now, with the empire in peril and no other contenders available, perhaps having him step up could quell this turbulent situation after all.

"Uh..." Dongfang Haoxuan hesitated as well, knowing full well that the opponent was the woman known as Demon Queen Hua Tianfeng, possibly someone who had achieved a Saint status, even if Lin Zifeng was exceptional, could he have possibly reached the Saint Realm yet?

"What do you think?" Liu Pangzi asked with burning excitement in his eyes.

"This..." Dongfang Haoxuan was still somewhat hesitant but ultimately decided to ask Lin Zifeng for his opinion with a try-as-you-may mentality. Always maintaining a low profile, Lin Zifeng smiled and nodded—for there was no choice left, it was time for himself to take the stage. Ah, why is it that charming men never seem to have such good fortune?

"Good, good! If Brother Lin can win this contest, we shall treat each other as brothers in the future!" Liu Pangzi declared as soon as Lin Zifeng nodded in agreement, going as far as to promise treating him as a brother henceforth, which not only caused Lin Zifeng to freeze for a moment but also made National Guardian Martial God Dongfang Haoxuan turn his head abruptly, watching Lin Zifeng in disbelief.

"Emperor, this is absolutely inadvisable." Situ Xuanwen became anxious upon hearing this—he had enmity with Lin Zifeng, and if the Emperor truly treated this individual as a brother, how could he plot against him in the future?

"Haha, what’s not advisable? As long as Brother Lin can bring glory to our Lianyun Empire, let alone treating him as a brother, I’d even hand over my throne!" Liu Pangzi laughed heartily and carefreely. His words astounded everyone who heard them, making them think Liu Pangzi had gone mad.

Soon, Lin Zifeng’s appearance immediately drew the attention of hundreds of civil and military officials from the Lianyun Empire, but no one really paid attention to him stepping onto the stage.

Considering his lack of fame and influence in the Lianyun Empire; merely a passerby even on a busy street, why would anyone focus on him?

"Is this guy courting death?" Below the stage, Situ Xuan disdainfully remarked as Lin Zifeng slowly ascended—after all, the opponent was the Demon Queen, potentially a formidable Saint, and sending him to the stage was surely a death wish, wasn’t it?

"Father, Lin Zifeng can’t do it, quickly persuade the Emperor to call Lin Zifeng down," Dongfang Xiaofang became anxious. Having gradually formed a friendly relationship with Lin Zifeng over a few days, she genuinely feared for his life if he went on stage, wasn’t this deliberately courting death?

"Xiaofang, it’s okay, you have to trust him." Dongfang Haoxuan patiently comforted her, although in reality, he was only half-convinced of Lin Zifeng’s prowess. Knowing he was formidable but not quite sure how strong he was, after all, the opponent was Demon Queen Hua Tianfeng, and even if he, as the National Guardian Martial God, personally took the stage with Dongfang Ziyue and the National Guardian General, they might not necessarily be able to defeat the opponent.

However, with no alternative, and the Emperor having already called, and Lin Zifeng himself confidently taking the stage, Dongfang Haoxuan realized it was too late to intervene, and who knows, perhaps Lin Zifeng truly had extraordinary abilities? Whether it was a mule or a horse, it needed to be shown and tested in action.

"But the opponent is really powerful. Just my sister lost in the first match, the opponent in this third match will be even stronger, father, I don’t want anything to happen to Brother Lin. Xiaofang doesn’t want anything to happen to Brother Lin, could you please call Brother Lin down? Boohoo," As she spoke, Xiaofang, overwhelmed with fear for Lin Zifeng’s safety, began to cry.

Dongfang Haoxuan couldn’t bear it, but the present circumstance wasn’t within his control, with both the Emperor’s decree and Lin Zifeng’s agreement. Pulling Lin Zifeng down now would blemish the Lianyun Empire’s reputation.

So, the competition had to continue regardless, cancellation wasn’t an option.

Amidst the crowd, Dongfang Ziyue, who lost the first match and conceded, now squinted her eyes quietly observing Lin Zifeng taking the stage, knowing full well that he was formidable. That night when she attempted to assassinate Lin Zifeng, he hadn’t even used his full strength, yet she endured severe injuries, convinced he might indeed be a powerful Sub-Saint!