C21 Oneyear Agreement

"Senior Brother Ning, as a senior brother and a role model for the Outer Disciples, why stoop to bullying one of your own?" A delicate voice floated from behind Zhang Chen—it was Tian Yuling.

Upon seeing Tian Yuling, Ning Feilong's brow furrowed. "What's this, Junior Sister Tian? You're defending him?" Although Tian Yuling had only recently reached the Energy Master Stage and Ning Feilong wasn't intimidated by her, she was the sole daughter of Tian Zhenhai, the Master of the Spiritual Pill Hall. Ning Feilong might not fear Tian Yuling, but that certainly didn't extend to her father.

Furthermore, Eldest Senior Brother Ye Suixing had entrusted Tian Zhenhai with the task of crafting a King Level Middle Grade Medicine Pill, the Purple Mansion Opening Pill. Any disruption caused by Ning Feilong could lead to complications he'd rather avoid.

"I suggest you stay out of this, Junior Sister Tian. This boy is responsible for my brother's death. I must exact revenge for Feihong," Ning Feilong declared sternly, his face clouded with darkness.

Tian Yuling's delicate brows knitted together at Ning Feilong's intransigence. Ning Feilong stood at the Peak of the Energy Master Stage, with aspirations of entering the Diamond Stage. Tian Yuling, having only just entered the Energy Master Stage and despite a slight advancement in her cultivation after a skirmish with the Withered Bone Elder, was still significantly outmatched by Ning Feilong.

Perceiving Tian Yuling's predicament, Zhang Chen instinctively stepped forward. "Ning Feilong, what skill is there in using your higher realm and additional years of practice to bully me?!" Zhang Chen had never experienced such humiliation since he began his cultivation journey.

Back at Zhang Mansion, he had spent over a decade as nothing more than a menial servant, subject to the whims of others. Now, even on his path to immortality, he was still facing such indignities. The frustration was unbearable.

Strength, it all came down to strength! If only he had the power, Ning Feilong wouldn't dare to press him like this. Without strength, one is subjected to humiliation. Without strength, there is no dignity to speak of.

Even his own life was not in his own hands!

Life is the very foundation of everything. If he were to die today, what would have been the point of all his efforts up until now?

His journey had been almost entirely smooth sailing, but it was only today that Zhang Chen realized just how powerless he truly was. He remembered the day he reached the Master Stage, filled with boundless excitement. Yet, in the presence of an Energy Master Stage Expert like Ning Feilong, the Master Stage seemed utterly insignificant.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Ning Feilong didn't get angry; he laughed instead. "You think humiliating me matters? If it weren't for the rule that forbids fighting anywhere on Tianshu Mountain except the Life and Death Arena, do you really think I'd waste my breath talking to you?"

The Life and Death Arena!

The only place on Tianshu Mountain where fighting was permitted was the Life and Death Arena. If disciples had irreconcilable differences, they could choose to resolve them there. Once they stepped onto the Life and Death Arena, it was a true battle to the death, and only the victor had the right to walk away.

"Life and Death Arena! Ning Feilong! Do you dare to face me there?"

"Ten years? No! Just one year! Give me one year to reach the Energy Master Stage, and I will duel you to the death in the Life and Death Arena! Do you accept the challenge?"

Ten years was simply too long.

Ning Feilong was already at the Peak of the Energy Master Stage. In ten years, he could reach the Diamond Stage, and by then, Zhang Chen would still be facing certain death. The less time, the better!

If he could reach the Energy Master Stage within a year, maybe, just maybe, he'd have a fighting chance.

But if he achieved nothing in that year, then he deserved to be nothing more than meat on the chopping block!

"Zhang Chen, have you lost your mind? How could you possibly reach the Energy Master Stage in just one year? Even if you did, you wouldn't stand a chance against Ning Feilong!"

Not only did Tian Yuling think Zhang Chen was insane, but every disciple present felt the same after hearing his declaration.

Breaking through to the Energy Master Stage was an incredibly daunting task!

It was the first step on the path to immortality, and countless individuals had found themselves hopelessly stuck at this juncture, unable to progress any further until their vitality waned and they died, worn and aged.

Moreover, Ning Feilong was already at the Peak of the Energy Master Stage. Even if Zhang Chen could advance to the Energy Master Stage within a year, he wouldn't stand a chance against Ning Feilong.

Should Ning Feilong reach the Diamond Stage within that year, then Zhang Chen would be utterly hopeless.

But at this point, Zhang Chen had no other options!

Gazing up at Ning Feilong, who towered above him, Zhang Chen's eyes were filled with an unwavering determination.

This person, who regarded him as nothing more than an ant, would be crushed beneath Zhang Chen's feet in a year's time, never to rise again.

Witnessing the resolve in Zhang Chen's eyes, Tian Yuling no longer attempted to dissuade him. She, too, turned her gaze towards Ning Feilong, who stood suspended in the air.

All eyes were on Ning Feilong, everyone eager to see whether he would accept the challenge.

"Hahahaha!"

Laughter echoed throughout the area, catching everyone off guard as Ning Feilong threw his head back in amusement.

Swoosh!

In an instant, Ning Feilong's gaze dropped sharply, locking onto Zhang Chen with an intense glare.

"Do you think I'm unaware that your words are meant to provoke me, to dodge today's disaster?"

"Very well! Today, I'll grant you, this ant, a chance, lest other disciples accuse me of abusing my strength to bully the weak. Rest assured, I won't bother you for a year; and one year from today, I will execute you on the Life and Death Arena before all the disciples and elders of the Ten-thousand Elephants Palace. They will witness the fate of those who dare to defy me!"

Ants! Ants!

As Ning Feilong repeatedly called him an ant, Zhang Chen's blood surged, his face turning crimson with rage.

"Where does he get the audacity to challenge Senior Brother Ning?"

"Who knows? But his tactic of provocation seems to have worked. At the very least, he's bought himself another year of life."

Ning Feilong paid no heed to the murmurs of the disciples, merely squinting his eyes and offering a cold smirk before soaring into the sky and vanishing from view.

With Ning Feilong's departure, everyone regarded Zhang Chen as if he were the punchline of a joke.

"Come on, come on, we've got to share such explosive news with the other Senior Brothers."

As each person walked by Zhang Chen, they would instinctively give him a wide berth, as if getting too close might curse them with bad luck.

Only Tian Yuling remained steadfastly by his side.

"Zhang Chen, you were too impulsive just now..." Tian Yuling sighed as she watched Zhang Chen's fists clench and his jaw tighten, his whole body shaking uncontrollably with rage.

"Am I just tilting at windmills? Do you see me that way too, Senior Sister Tian?" Zhang Chen exhaled deeply, as if trying to expel all the anger and frustration from his heart, and turned to look at Tian Yuling.

Meeting Zhang Chen's gaze, Tian Yuling found herself at a loss for words in the face of his unsettling calm.