Chapter 1442: A Bustling Outer Court

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the outer court of Moon Illumination Sect, an ordinary duel invitation would only need the fingerprint from one elder or two outer court deacons before it was considered valid.

Only a Death Duel invitation would need the fingerprint of two outer court elders to be valid.

Judging by how Feng Fan went to look for two outer court elders for their fingerprints on the duel invitation, one could easily tell what kind of duel invitation it was. There was no doubt it was a death duel invitation.

“I’ve heard nothing of Senior Brother Feng Fan and Duan Ling Tian being mortal enemies… Isn’t this death duel invitation a little too sudden?”

“Perhaps some enmity exists between them that we’re not aware of. Otherwise, why would Senior Brother Feng Fan issue a death duel invitation to a stranger who had just recently entered the sect?”

“You must be right.”

…

Soon after, the news of Feng Fan issuing a death duel invitation to Duan Ling Tian spread in the outer court, causing an uproar.

Whether it was Feng Fan or Duan Ling Tian, both were famous in the Moon Illumination Sect’s outer court.

However, the former was a senior in the Moon Illumination Sect’s outer court.

The latter, on the other hand, had just entered the Moon Illumination Sect just slightly over a month ago and became famous after two battles.

Although Duan Ling Tian had demonstrated extraordinary strength in his two previous duels, most people were on Feng Fan’s side. They felt that Duan Ling Tian could not compare to Feng Fan at all.

This was not because Feng Fan was ranked fifth in the Moon Illumination Sect’s outer court, but it was mostly because he was a powerhouse ranked in the Earth Ranking.

The influence of the Earth Ranking was just too strong.

Apart from the nine great sects, the Nine Sect Alliances also included countless cultivators without a sect or from other forces.

Among these people, there were many powerhouses who were at the peak of the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage.

However, in the entire alliance, only 100 powerhouses at the peak of the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage were qualified to enter the Earth Ranking… These 100 people all had the ability to fight with someone at a level higher.

Those at the top of this ranking could even defeat an opponent with an even higher level.

It was not easy to battle with someone at a higher level.

Although the peak of the Paramount Mortal Shedding Stage was only a step away from the Early Saint Rudiment Stage, the gap between the two was as different as Heaven and Earth.

Once a person had broken through to the Early Saint Rudiment Stage, the number of Saint Veins inside the body of an Early Saint Rudiment Stage powerhouse would grow even if they did not have any special technique yet. The Qi Sea, on the other hand, would grow to the size of a small crock to contain True Energy.

Due to this reason, almost all of those who made it into the ranking was at the true peak of the Mortal Shedding Stage.

It was precisely because of this most people felt Feng Fan would win when he and Duan Ling Tian fight.

Duan Ling Tian had only risen to the top a month ago. There was no way he could compare with Feng Fan in regards to their foundations.

“I wonder if Duan Ling Tian will accept the death duel invitation that Senior Brother Feng Fan issued.” Many outer court disciples were skeptical.

Although Duan Ling Tian had demonstrated his strength twice previously, both duels were ordinary battles with no risk to his life at all.

However, this time, Feng Fan, a powerhouse from the Earth Ranking, actually issued a death duel invitation to Duan Ling Tian. With the threat of death looming over him, it was uncertain what kind of choice he would make.

“It’s fine even if the other party refuses to accept the death duel invitation… However, he would have to be taught a lesson by the person who issued the invitation.”

“I think it’s very likely Duan Ling Tian will refuse Senior Brother Feng Fan’s death duel invitation.”

“I think so too.”

…

In the outer court, many people felt it was highly impossible Duan Ling Tian would accept Feng Fan’s death duel invitation.

Naturally, this was only their speculation.

On the other hand, more people were looking forward to seeing what kind of expression and choice Duan Ling Tian would make when he sees the death duel invitation.

Would he accept it?

Or would he ignore it?

Due to that, many outer court disciples stood outside the independent courtyard Duan Ling Tian was residing in, waiting for him to come out.

They could not wait to get their answers.

In the outer court, inside a small wooden house in the wooden house district, two people were cramped inside. One of the sturdy young men snapped loudly, “That damn Feng Fan! He must be Liu Huan’s man!”

This man was none other than Xiong Hu who came from the City Governor’s Estate of Mound Hill City like Duan Ling Tian.

Currently, both Xiong Hu and Ling Yun had found out Feng Fan, who was ranked fifth in the Moon Illumination Sect’s outer sect and 99th in the Earth Ranking, had issued a death duel invitation to Duan Ling Tian.

“It’s a death duel invitation. Moreover, it’s issued by an Earth Ranking’s powerhouse… Looks like Liu Huan’s men really intend to kill Senior Brother Duan,” Ling Yun muttered as his eyes gleamed icily.

Both Ling Yun or Xiong Hu were certain Feng Fan was Liu Huan’s man.

If he was not Liu Huan’s man, why would he issue a duel invitation to Duan Ling Tian?

They knew Duan Ling Tian’s origin very well. He came from the distant Mortal Continent and barely knew anyone in the Dao Martial Saint Land. How could he have enmity with anyone here?

If there was someone who wanted to kill Duan Ling Tian, it would be that Devil Cultivator Ye Man who had entered the Moon Illumination Sect with them.

However, the person who issued the death duel invitation to Duan Ling Tian was not Ye Man.

Besides, they had deliberately paid more attention to Ye Man during this period of time, and they did not see any relationship between Ye Man and Feng Fan. They were certain the reason Feng Fan issued the death duel invitation to Duan Ling Tian had nothing to do with Ye Man.

After pondering for a while, there was only one possibility! Feng Fan was that inner court elder, Liu Huan’s man.

Only Liu Huan’s man would want to kill all of them who came from the City Governor’s Estate of Mound Hill City.

“No! We must warn Duan Ling Tian!” Xiong Hu clenched his teeth.

“This is not the first day you met Senior Brother Duan. Do you think he’s someone who would act impulsively?” Ling Yun chimed in nonchalantly.

“That’s right. Senior Brother Duan is much smarter than I am.” Xiong Hu chuckled as the worries in his heart lessened.

“I believe Senior Brother Duan knows how to deal with this matter… Whether he accepts or refuses the death duel invitation, he’ll know what’s the best course of action to take.” Ling Yun had faith in Duan Ling Tian. “Right now, I just want to raise my cultivation as soon as I can… I’m afraid Liu Huan’s men are going to shift their target to us soon.”

“Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’ve also begun to feel an impending danger… I’m going back to cultivate now,” Xiong Hu replied before he left Ling Yun’s wooden house immediately.

Both of them no longer bothered with the commotion outside. Their thoughts were fully focused on cultivating now.

They believed Duan Ling Tian would know how to deal with the matter.

At the stone house district in the outer court.

Inside a stone house that was a lot bigger than the wooden houses, Ye Man muttered as a ferocious smile bloomed on his face, “Feng Fan from the Earth Ranking has issued a death duel invitation to Duan Ling Tian? Duan Ling Tian, oh, Duan Ling Tian, you really have a lot of enemies… Perhaps, you’ll die before I even make a move.”

If someone was here, they would be able to see the dissatisfaction in the depth of Ye Man’s eyes if they looked closely.

He was dissatisfied that Duan Ling Tian was stronger than him!

Due to his obsession that was caused by Duan Ling Tian, he had fallen into the Devil Dao. Ever since then, his cultivation base had a spurt of progress… Initially, he had thought his strength had already surpassed Duan Ling Tian’s.

However, it did not cross his mind that when he encountered Duan Ling Tian again in the Moon Illumination Sect, he was even stronger than him. He could tell from Duan Ling Tian’s battle results when he defeated the two outer court disciples who were ranked the top 100 in the outer court.

“Duan Ling Tian, I hope you’ll escape death this time… Your life belongs to me, Ye Man!” An appalling Devil aura began to surge out of his body. When he spoke, his voice was extremely cold.

“It has already been more than a month since I entered the outer court of the Moon Illumination Sect… Today, it’s time for me, Ye Man, to take my spot in the limelight,” Ye Man muttered confidently as he left the stone house district, heading straight to an independent courtyard.

He went to look for the outer court disciple who was ranked 90th in the outer court. Before the other outer disciples even realized what was happening, he had already locked on to his target.

“Remember, I’m called Ye Man!” After glancing indifferently at the outer court disciple that he had defeated, he walked into the independent courtyard he had just taken over. “This belongs to me, Ye Man, from now on.”

Although the outer court disciple who was defeated was furious, there was nothing he could do. Who asked him to be so weak?

Instantly, the news of another outer court disciple who had just entered the sect entering the top 100 spread in the outer court.

“That outer court disciple’s name is Ye Man! More importantly, he’s a Devil Cultivator!”

“I can’t believe that the outer court disciples that the sect recruited this time are so outstanding. First, there’s Duan Ling Tian, and now, there’s Ye Man!”

“Hurmph! He’s a Devil Cultivator so he’s cultivation speed is naturally faster than others. How’s he worthy to be compared to Duan Ling Tian?!”

“That’s right! Duan Ling Tian is not a Devil Cultivator! He doesn’t use the crooked way!”

…

Many outer court disciples were quite disgusted with Devil Cultivators. In their opinion, these people were opportunists and dishonest, only thinking of taking shortcuts.

However, this did not prevent Ye Man’s fame from spreading in the outer court.

Soon after, many of the outer court elders, including Dong Chong, came knocking on Ye Man’s door, trying to take Ye Man as a disciple. This left many outer court disciples tongue-tied.

This Ye Man actually created such a huge commotion. Even the outer court elders were shocked and wanted to take him as a disciple.

They thought Ye Man would accept one of the elders as his master so he can rely on his power to roam freely in the outer court. However, something happened and surprised them.

“I don’t plan to stay here for long so I have no intention of accepting a master for now,” Ye Man said coldly to all the outer court elders.

Naturally, there were a few sentences he kept in his heart and did not say out loud.

‘Do you think all of you outer court elders trash are worthy to become my master? I’ll give it three years at most before I’m able to step on all of you!’ This was Ye Man’s real thought. It was confident and arrogant.