Rise of Humanity
chapter-383

Qiu Jin'er felt Zhong Yue's body suddenly freeze for a moment, and she immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Zhong Yue answered calmly.

He then moved his eyes away and thought to himself in shock, Who is this lady? Her gaze felt like they could see through all the secret of my soul, this has never happened before! Who is she, how is this possible?

Zhong Yue then asked Chi Xue through his psyche, "Senior martial sister, may I know your name? And if possible, where you stay?"

"Zhong Shan Clan's member, don't you think you are a little bit too presumptuous?"

On the stage, Chi Xue laughed, exposing her little canine teeth, "You came to me just like that to ask my name and where I'm staying. My mother said that men are all evil beings and that I should be careful of them or I will be harmed by them. My name is Chi Xue, and I stay at the Kunlun World's Western Mother Empire. I am seventeen years old now, second among my sisters, and I am not married yet."

Upon hearing her reply, Zhong Yue was very much speechless as the girl said that she should be wary of men, but before Zhong Yue could say anything, the girl had already revealed everything about herself in an instant.

“How did you manage to do it? A soul shared between two bodies?” asked a curious Chi Xue.

"This is my secret, and I hope Senior Martial Sister Chi Xue could help me keep it that way," Zhong Yue answered.

Chi Xue then laughed and said, "Of course, a person fighting his own self is an interesting thing to watch, and this will be my first time witnessing something like that. I am definitely keen to see this, so I won't expose your secret."

…..

Zhong Yue and his companions had become the center of attention in Fiery Capital as soon as they showed up. No matter where they went or what they did, they would draw everyone's gaze since Zhong Yue had, after all, caused a considerable ruckus among the demons.

Suddenly, a hearty laugh rang out as West Barren celestial Qi Practitioner stood up, "Zuo Xiangsheng, long time no see! You have not shown yourself ever since the incident in West Barren."

That Qi Practitioner's aura was like a vast mountain, and a four-armed Yuan Shen emerged behind his back. From the looks of his Yuan Shen, this Qi Practitioner was definitely from the Shan Shen Celestial race. He obviously had some conflict with Zuo Xiangsheng back in the West Barren as he immediately asked for a fight with Zuo Xiangsheng just as Zhong Yue and the others showed up.

This Shan Shen Celestial Race Qi Practitioner possessed incredible natural strength; he should be quite a character in the Inner Core level of West Barren.

Zuo Xiangsheng looked at him and said, "Anything that you want from me, Senior Martial Brother Shan Zhufeng?"

"The battle between you and me never got to happen because of the interference from the Shen Ya Celestial Race. How about we settle our business here today? What do you say, Senior Martial Brother Zuo Xiangsheng?"

"Alright, after you then, senior martial brother," Zuo Xiangsheng answered evenly.

“Let’s go to the outside!” said Shan Zhufeng as he led the way out of Fiery Capital.

Zuo Xiangsheng then followed behind him while Tian Xiangzong said as he frowned, "Something is off, this Shan Zhufeng immediately distracted Senior Martial Brother Zuo away from us. Its as if he is trying to stop anyone strong from following beside you… When we arrived, the people from the other clans were also distracting Elder Shui away, and after Senior Martial Brother Zuo, it should be me… Something is not right here. There seems to be a plot brewing behind the scene. We mustn't let our guard down!"

Zhong Yue then laughed and replied, “Senior Martial Brother Tian, don't’ worry, just look at Long Yue.”

Tian Xiangzong looked towards Long Yue who was on the stage only to find that this Long Yue was dressed with exceptional flamboyance and luxury and exuded a sense of immense power within his body. He also realized that the draconic power surging within Long Yue was so intense that when it leaked out, it formed an image of a running Xiang Dragon. Tian Xiangzong then thought in awe. I can't tell if this is real or not at all!

From his point of view, Long Yue who was on the stage was definitely a member of the dragon race, one that was incredibly strong for sure and at the same time, he must be one of the strongest in the Inner Core level even with every race taken into consideration!

Where did Junior Martial Brother Zhong find this dragon? His disguise is so much better than ours!

Tian Yanzong was extremely puzzled as Shui Zian made them follow Zhong Yue to disguise as Long Yue so that Zhong Yue's secret would not be revealed. However, there seemed to be a Long Yue present already, so there was no need for them to disguise as Long Yue anymore. He then thought, Could it be this Long Yue is someone Junior Martial Brother Zhong asked to take his place as Long Yue? No… it can't be, if it were really like that, the other races will definitely find out about it easily. After all, Long Yue's arts and techniques have already been well-documented and understood by many. Even if the dragons themselves tried to pose as Long Yue, they wouldn't be able to pull off this good of an imitation. Then who is this young man? Are Junior Martial Brother Zhong and Long Yue really the same person?"

At this time, Zhong Yue whispered to Tian Yanzhong, "Not so worried anymore, eh? Senior Martial Brother Tian."

Just when Tian Yanzong was beginning to feel relieved, someone called him out and chortled loudly, "Tian Yanzong, do you still remember me?"

Tian Yanzong looked towards the Qi Practitioner from the Gui Shen Clan, and he replied, "Wei Heiqi, have you not been beaten up enough by me?"

Wei Heiqi hmphed and as eight banners shrouded in black mist rose from his back, and he said, "Today, we will fight again and decide which one of us is more superior! I will wait for you the outside!"

Then, he turned into a black ray and shot towards the outside. His voice then sounded out again, "Come out and receive your punishment from me, Tian Yanzong!"

Tian Yanzong then looked at Zhong Yue and said softly, “They are plotting something, you must be careful.”

Zhong Yue nodded and replied, "Go, don't worry, I can take care of myself. After all, I've already been through many unbelievable incidents. You don't have to remind me to be careful."

Tian Yanzong then turned around and chased after Wei Heiqi.

Meanwhile, in the Fiery Capital's palace, Shui Zian immediately noticed that Zuo Xiangsheng and Tian Yanzong were pulled away from Zhong Yue's side, and he instantly knew that something bad is about to happen. However, he remained calm as he continued entertaining conversations with the others elders including the Xia Clan and Zhu Rong Clan clan masters. He then laughed and said, "Gentlemen, since the two main characters today have arrived, how about we go ahead and watch their battle?"

The clan master of Xia Clan then laughed and said, "Why the hurry? Be patient. There should be two more days until the promised date of the battle. Today, we shall drink together happily since it is hard for us to be gathered together like this. Oh, I have yet to introduce you, this is Feng Ming'er, the magnate Qi Practitioner from the West Barren's Kunlun Phoenix Clan.

Shui Zian immediately greeted Feng Ming'er while quietly shocked. This Feng Ming'er was a very beautiful lady, and she quickly returned his greeting, "Long ago, I've heard Senior Martial Brother Shui's fame and every clan will always be good with you."

Although he was apprehensive right now, Shui Zian remained calm and thought, Seems like it is hard for me to get out right now… These people definitely plotted something terrible against us. With Zhong Yue now by himself, he can only rely on himself now.

On the other hand, a vine appeared under Zhong Yue's legs as Qiu Jin'er visualized vines that carried him and the others up onto the stage.

When everyone landed safely, they saw a huge and marvelous-looking copper pillar supporting the stage underneath.

The Martial God Stage had numerous levels o

n top of each other, tapering off into a conical shape the closer to the apex one went. A stairway lit by fire torches also wrapped around the perimeter of the Martial

God Stage to allow one to travel through each level.

The stone steps were all made from white jade, and the railing that followed the steps were made from green jade and was engraved with the images of Tao Tie, a type of fiend that was forever driven by their insatiable hunger and their desire to consume.

Zhong Yue then slowly walked up the stairs while the Swords Gate disciples followed behind him. Out of their expectations, just when they stepped onto the first step, they all felt an immense pressure on them as the beast carvings on the rails all started glowing.

The few disciples of Swords Gate let out a low groan as they all felt that it was almost impossible for them to move their legs.

Zhong Yue was surprised, but he did not flinch at all. This Martial God Stage was actually a fire torch shaped soul weapon, and the higher one went, the stronger the pressure was. And the stronger one is, the more pressure the person would be able to withstand. Similar to the previous places, this Martial God Stage was also a smelting ground that tested one's capabilities.

Jin’er and I are capable of getting up there but the others….

Zhong Yue then told the disciples of Swords Gate to act according to their own limits and not push themselves too hard while he and Qiu Jin'er started advancing to the top.

In the middle of the stage was a vast platform, and one after another, Inner Core level Qi Practitioners gathered around there, all seemingly very young. It seemed like everyone had stopped here as no one attempted to advance any further due to the overbearing pressure.

Zhong Yue and Long Yue's eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly between the two of them. Dragons emerged from the back of Long Yue, and in the middle was a toad. The Jiao Dragons then circled around the Six Eyed

Star Toad – it created a fantastic scene.

On the other end, a fiery sun emerged from behind Zhong Yue's back. It emitted heat waves that scorched the surroundings while a three-legged golden crow enshrouded in flames stretched out its wings as it emitted a dangerous and ferocious aura.

The two then quickly moved their gazes away from each other's face, but everyone around could clearly feel the battle intent from the two young aces. However, the two were able to contain themselves and stop themselves from starting a fight impulsively.

Great Wilderness' Zhong Yue, and the East Barren's Long Yue. The two Yue's were just like two lone mountains that stood tall in the Great Wilderness and East Barren respectively. Both were known as the two men that exceeded the limits of ordinary Qi Practitioners.

"The Sun and the Moon, Zhong Yue and Long Yue, which one of the Yue's will prevail in the end?"

Far away, an old Heavenly Dharma level Qi Practitioner looked at the Martial God Stage and said tremblingly, "Finally, the two of them have met each other, and the unanswered question will finally be answered today!"

“Sun Innate Spirit Body, Moon Innate Spirit Body, this battle will be very intense as the two of them fight!”

“Another two more days?” asked Zhong Yue out of a sudden.

"Two more days it is then," Long Yue replied, knowing what Zhong Yue meant.

Those around them also understood what Zhong Yue meant; they were alluding to the promised date of the battle, which was two days later.

Zhong Yue then said, “Brother Long, perhaps we would become friends in these two days.”

However, Long Yue answered back calmly, “Maybe yes, maybe not… Who I befriend greatly depends on my mood.”

"Then how is your mood today?" Zhong Yue asked frigidly.

The two's eyes met again, and the atmosphere around them seemed to intensify again, but the two of them suddenly calmed themselves again. The both of them then said, "I will kill you two days later!"

Suddenly, a voice could be heard from afar, "Zhong Yue, how dare you still appear in Fiery Capital! Do you not know your limits!"

Then, a middle age man could be seen dashing towards them as he ascended the stairs so fast and easily as if the glowing beast carvings on the rails were nothing but decoration.

The Tao Tie carvings illuminated even brighter but the middle-aged man's aura overwhelmed all of it, and when a 100 feet tall Yuan Shen appeared at his back, the situation turned around. Instead of being pressured by the Martial God Stage, the man actually turned the tables and suppressed the stage instead!

When this Heavenly Dharma level Qi Practitioner got up to the platform, he ignored everyone while he pushed his Qi towards Zhong Yue as he smirked, "Zhong Yue, there's no need for Long Yue to do it, I will send you on the road to hell personally!"