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Beside him sat a stunningly beautiful woman. If Zhang Xuan were here, he would recognize her instantly—Sun Lianxiang, the daughter of the rogue cultivator Sun Chengyou, whom he had once encountered in White Roc City. She was now the newly-wed consort of Prince Pingyuan, her noble status evident in her ability to casually spend two million Source Coins to save her father.

"Have we still not found out who exactly wants to duel the prince?" Sun Lianxiang asked with a slight frown.

Three days ago, the Black Market had announced someone challenging the prince to a duel, but the identity of the challenger had remained undisclosed. With the few experts in Hanyuan City capable of such a feat, it should not have been difficult to find out who it was. Yet, despite thorough investigation, no leads emerged, as if this mysterious expert had appeared out of thin air.

"Reporting to the princess, no news yet… Not only that, but even the odds haven’t been published," replied a black-clad subordinate, bowing.

Sun Lianxiang’s displeasure was apparent. "What is Fu Yingying up to? Does she not want this duel to happen?"

The prince, a martial arts fanatic, had been eagerly seeking opportunities to push his limits in battle. Having a challenger appear was a rare chance, and it would be a disaster if the other party backed out out of fear.

"Look! The matchup list has been posted!" someone shouted outside the room.

"Go see who it is!" Sun Lianxiang ordered quickly.

The subordinate left and soon returned, bowing again. "Princess, the challenger is Elder Ling Buyang of the Destiny Hall."

Sun Lianxiang was stunned for a moment before shaking her head. "His strength isn’t bad, but he’s greedy and lustful, not to mention cowardly. Can fighting him really help the prince make a breakthrough?"

A life-and-death duel was inherently risky. If the opponent was too strong, it could lead to the prince\'s death before reaching his limits. If too weak, it would fail to push him. Although Ling Buyang wasn’t weak, he seemed far from capable of forcing the prince to bring out his full potential.

"Experts of this level are usually cautious, rarely making a move unless necessary. Ling Buyang is probably hoping to seize this chance to improve his own standing," Sun Lianxiang remarked, taking out a stack of Source Notes. "Since we’re here, let the prince have a warm-up match. As for us, we might as well make it worth our while. Place five million Source Coins on the prince’s decisive victory!"

"Yes!" The black-clad subordinate nodded and left. However, he soon returned with a strange expression. "Princess, the odds for the match between the prince and Elder Ling have been posted, but the gap is… quite large. I didn’t dare place the bet and came back to consult you."

Sun Lianxiang raised an eyebrow. "A large odds gap? That’s to be expected. The prince is a seasoned warrior with unmatched strength. How could a cowardly elder like him possibly compare?"

The subordinate replied awkwardly, "It’s not what you think. The prince’s odds are extremely high—3.5 to 1 for his victory—while Elder Ling’s odds are just 1.3 to 1."

"What?!" Sun Lianxiang was dumbfounded.

In such Black Market duels, higher odds indicated lower expectations of victory, similar to betting on the Chinese soccer team beating Brazil with odds of 501 to 1. Though 3.5 wasn’t excessively high, it still reflected doubt in the prince’s chances. Was Ling Buyang truly capable of defeating the prince? It seemed absurd.

"Princess, should we still place the bet?" the subordinate asked hesitantly.

Sun Lianxiang frowned. "Has Ling Buyang done anything noteworthy recently to warrant such high odds?"

"Not that I know of, but… a well-informed fat man has been discussing it. Should I invite him over?"

"A fat man?" Sun Lianxiang paused before nodding. "Bring him in. I want to hear why Fu Yingying has such confidence in Ling Buyang."

Soon, the fat man arrived and bowed. "Humble one, Sun Qiang, greets the prince and princess."

"You claim to have information on Elder Ling Buyang?" Sun Lianxiang asked directly.

"Yes," Sun Qiang replied, his eyes narrowing into slits as he smiled. "This information is absolutely reliable and will greatly benefit the prince and princess."

"Speak, and if it’s accurate, you’ll be rewarded handsomely," Sun Lianxiang said, waving her hand.

"Well…" Sun Qiang hesitated before adding awkwardly, "My intelligence comes at a fixed price—20,000 Source Coins per piece."

"Twenty thousand Source Coins? Are you extorting us? Believe me, I can have you arrested right now!" the subordinate snapped angrily.

Sun Qiang stepped back slightly, releasing a subtle wave of his aura. The previously meditating Prince Pingyuan opened his eyes, glanced at Sun Qiang, and said, "Give it to him."

"Yes," Sun Lianxiang nodded, signaling her subordinate to hand over the money. Sun Qiang joyfully counted the amount and, satisfied, revealed his information.

"Earlier today, Li Yue’an ambushed Elder Feng Zhaoting and killed him with ease."

Both Sun Lianxiang and Prince Pingyuan, Han Qianye, were shocked.

"Elder Feng Zhaoting? His reputation is immense, and he had organizational backing. And now he’s dead?" the subordinate asked in disbelief.

Sun Qiang explained, "After killing Feng Zhaoting, Li Yue’an was slain by Elder Ling Buyang. This is the reason the Black Market has set such favorable odds for him."

"Feng Zhaoting’s strength is comparable to mine, and with his Thousand Threads Heaven’s Fate controlling numerous puppets, even I would struggle. If Li Yue’an killed him, he must have broken through to the Dharma Aspect Realm," Han Qianye said gravely. "And if Ling Buyang could kill Li Yue’an, could he have also reached the Dharma Aspect Realm?"

Feng Zhaoting’s strength, bolstered by his puppets, was formidable. Even experts in the Dharma Aspect Realm would find him a challenge. For Li Yue’an to defeat him was no small feat, and for Ling Buyang to kill Li Yue’an suggested even greater power.

Sun Lianxiang frowned. "Could it be that Li Yue’an was gravely injured in his fight with Feng Zhaoting, and Ling Buyang simply took advantage?"

Han Qianye shook his head. "That’s possible, but the Black Market wouldn’t adjust the odds without evidence. It seems Ling Buyang’s abilities aren’t as straightforward as they appear."

"Should we still proceed with the duel?" Sun Lianxiang asked, her concern evident.

Han Qianye smiled. "Of course. He may be strong, but I am no weakling. Besides, I have trump cards of my own. Defeating him won’t be easy."

As he spoke, two middle-aged men entered the room. Their unfamiliar faces caused the subordinate to scowl. "Who dares intrude into the prince’s private chamber?"

"It’s me," said one of the men, his calm voice silencing the room.

Han Qianye’s expression shifted, and he quickly stood. "I greet…"

"Enough," the man interrupted, motioning to his companion. "Give it to him."

"Yes," the other man handed over a package, which Han Qianye opened to reveal a suit of armor.

"The Cold Nether Armor?" Han Qianye was astonished.

The visitors were none other than the Emperor of the Hanyuan Dynasty, Han Qianchou, and Eunuch Li.

"Indeed. Wear it for the duel," Han Qianchou instructed.

"Does my brother know something I don’t?" Han Qianye asked, puzzled. The Cold Nether Armor was one of the most prized armors in the Hanyuan Dynasty, and for his brother to lend it suggested he took the duel very seriously.

"Brother?" Everyone in the room was taken aback by the title. Only one man could be addressed as such by Prince Pingyuan.

"Yes," Han Qianchou glanced at Sun Qiang before gesturing him to leave. Understanding the sensitive nature of the discussion, Sun Qiang bowed and exited.

Once the room was clear, Han Qianchou revealed, "Feng Zhaoting and Li Yue’an ambushed Ling Buyang but were both easily slain by him. He also destroyed 34 of Feng’s puppets, including 11 at the Divine Soul Realm."

The revelation left Han Qianye’s eyes wide with shock. Feng Zhaoting alone was difficult to handle, let alone paired with Li Yue’an. Yet Ling Buyang had killed them both effortlessly. His strength was far beyond expectations.

"Put on the armor and test Ling Buyang. See if he employs any unique Mo Dao martial techniques. I suspect he’s been replaced," Han Qianchou said, his gaze thoughtful.

"Replaced?" Han Qianye’s eyes narrowed.

After investigating Ling Buyang’s recent activities, Han Qianchou had uncovered suspicious anomalies. The unexpected appearance of Zhang Xuan in White Roc City, his sudden disappearance, and Ling Buyang’s abrupt change in demeanor upon his return… All signs pointed to something unusual.

"Understood," Han Qianye replied.

With their conversation concluded, the room fell into silence. The subordinate hesitated before asking Sun Lianxiang, "Princess, should we still place the bet?"

Before she could answer, Han Qianchou interjected, "Of course. Li, place a wager of ten million on Qianye to win!"

Han Qianye was surprised. "Brother, do you truly believe I can win?"

Han Qianchou smiled. "With the Cold Nether Armor protecting you, even I would struggle to break your defenses. Focus on pushing yourself to the limit and achieving a breakthrough. Victory will follow naturally."

Reassured, Han Qianye nodded. "Understood."

Sun Lianxiang, now inspired, quickly added, "Place five million on the prince’s victory!"

As the subordinate left, Han Qianye’s gaze darkened. "If this Ling Buyang truly is Zhang Xuan, this duel is about to get interesting."

Thinking of the information he got before entering the black market, Han Qianye\'s eyes flashed and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Author\'s Note