Chapter 132: Dominating the Crowd!

At this moment, Chu Tian’s breathing was still somewhat disordered.

He could not help panting heavily, as though he had just completed an intense workout like an ordinary man. For a martial sovereign of his caliber, this was almost inconceivable.

Unless he had already expended a tremendous amount of vital energy and pushed his physical strength to the brink.

No matter how formidable a fighter he was, he could not withstand an endless succession of opponents attacking him one after another!

It had to be admitted that the overall strength of the northern region had always surpassed that of the southern region.

Just now, the Wan family alone had sent out four martial sovereigns in succession. It was no wonder that, over the past thirty years, the north had consistently suppressed the south.

This was not merely because the north was more united while the south was little more than a loose coalition. More importantly, the north possessed a greater number of experts.

In the southern region, a martial sovereign was already a top-tier figure in the open. In the north, however, a martial sovereign was merely an average powerhouse, and such experts were nowhere near as scarce.

Of course, this referred only to the forces visible on the surface. Above the martial sovereign realm, there were still martial saints!

Yet martial saints had already transcended the mortal world. Naturally, they would not easily involve themselves in conflicts among ordinary forces.

Throughout the annual North-South Contest, there had always been an unspoken rule: experts at the martial saint level were never to take the field personally.

Thirty years ago, Wu Xingyan had not yet ascended to the martial saint realm. That was why the northern families had invited him to intervene.

Otherwise, Wu Xingyan himself could have contended for the position of alliance leader. Why would he have needed to act through the Situ family?

The north was bound by the same restriction. For now, it could only send martial sovereigns into battle.

But no matter how many martial sovereigns they dispatched, they would never be able to defeat Chu Tian.

After drawing upon the essence of his Fifth Senior Sister, Long Tianjiao, the previous night, Chu Tian’s strength had already approached the peak of the martial sovereign realm. He was only half a step away from becoming a martial saint.

This level of cultivation was truly remarkable. He had not yet broken through to the martial saint realm, yet he could still overwhelm all his opponents.

That was why the northern families found themselves in such an awkward position when facing Chu Tian.

The martial saints hidden behind the scenes could not personally take the field, while the martial sovereigns in the open were unable to defeat Chu Tian. Could this year’s North-South Contest truly end in disaster for the north?

“Elder Tao, far too many northern experts have already been defeated. If this continues, there will be no one left for us to send out!”

“Even if we manage to defeat Chu Tian, we will not be able to withstand the Long family’s retaliation afterward.”

“The northern region has always claimed victory in the North-South Contest. We absolutely cannot afford to lose this year. We cannot allow the position of alliance leader to slip away while I am in charge!”

Wan Tianyu’s expression darkened as he turned toward the old man beside him.

Although he had reached a certain agreement with the Situ family and planned to join forces against the Long family, both clans harbored their own ambitions. Each wanted to seize the position of alliance leader in the North-South Contest.

In other words, the two families were temporary allies, yet at the same time, they remained hostile competitors.

If the Wan family suffered excessive losses merely to defeat Chu Tian, the Long family and the Situ family might well take advantage of the situation. That would be disastrous.

“To defeat four martial sovereigns in succession… this young man is truly terrifying.”

“But in my view, Chu Tian is already at the end of his strength. If I take the field now, I can defeat him without the slightest effort.”

Tao Yuanming wore an expression of supreme confidence, as though victory were already within his grasp.

“If that is the case, then I shall trouble you to take the field, Elder Tao.”

Wan Tianyu immediately smiled in relief.

If Tao Yuanming could defeat Chu Tian in one decisive stroke, he would surely crush the morale of the southern forces and restore the prestige of the north.

On the other hand, if Chu Tian still had the strength to fight, Wan Tianyu would have to reconsider whether he should send Tao Yuanming into battle.

After all, Tao Yuanming was the Wan family’s trump card.

He had been famous for many years and was the strongest fighter the northern forces had sent to the contest this time.

Should anything happen to him, it would directly affect the morale of the north and determine the outcome of the contest.

“Rest assured, Patriarch. Leave this to me.”

Tao Yuanming nodded with a smile, then leaped into the air.

His body rose skyward. Stepping upon empty space, he flew directly onto the arena.

The sight instantly stunned everyone present.

Chu Tian furrowed his brows, his gaze fixed intently upon Tao Yuanming.

Yet after studying him for a moment, Chu Tian still could not see through the old man’s true strength.

He had been able to discern the capabilities of each of the four martial sovereigns who had fought earlier. Tao Yuanming alone had concealed himself completely.

This was a true expert!

Chu Tian had already reached his conclusion.

But no matter how powerful Tao Yuanming was, Chu Tian would not feel the slightest fear.

“Chu Tian, the Wan family is also somewhat interested in the Clear Snow Spirit Liquid. If I am fortunate enough to defeat you, would you hand over the formula for the Clear Snow Spirit Liquid?”

Tao Yuanming spoke with a faint smile, going straight to the terms.

“Certainly. But if the Wan family loses, what will you offer as the wager?”

Chu Tian gave a soft laugh. Even after enduring the exhaustion of several consecutive battles, he still appeared utterly confident.

At those words, Tao Yuanming did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Wan Tianyu.

“If the Wan family loses, we will provide free publicity for the Clear Snow Group. Once the Clear Snow Spirit Liquid is introduced into the northern region, the Wan family will ensure that its business proceeds smoothly.”

Wan Tianyu answered with a smile.

“Agreed.”

Chu Tian nodded.

The Clear Snow Spirit Liquid had already become immensely popular in Heavenly Gate City and would soon be distributed throughout the southern region. Eventually, it would even be introduced across the north.

However, the northern region was the Wan family’s territory. If the Wan family refused to allow the Clear Snow Group to enter, the product could never be successfully distributed there.

With the Wan family’s promise, all such problems would be resolved as soon as Chu Tian defeated them.

“Chu Tian, you have already fought several battles in succession and expended a great deal of vital energy. If you fight me now, it would hardly be fair. It might seem as though I were taking advantage of you.”

“If you wish to rest for a while, step down and let someone else take your place. Once you have recovered, you may return and fight me.”

Tao Yuanming appeared magnanimous, but his true thoughts were entirely different.

He had chosen to take the field precisely because he had seen how greatly Chu Tian had been depleted.

However, as a renowned elder of the north, it would hardly reflect well on him to exploit the situation and personally bully a younger man.

Thus, he put on an outward show of generosity and gave Chu Tian permission to leave the arena and rest.

In truth, he had already determined that Chu Tian had no reinforcements. As long as Chu Tian withdrew, no matter whom the Clear Snow Group sent out, that person would never be a match for Tao Yuanming.

Chu Tian naturally understood Tao Yuanming’s scheme, but he did not expose it.

“No need. We’ll fight right now.”

Chu Tian chuckled softly. The reason he had continued fighting one challenger after another was precisely to establish his authority.

Unlike the great families of the north and south, he had no deep foundation behind him.

The Wan family, the Long family, and the Situ family all possessed formidable legacies. No matter which one seized the position of alliance leader in the North-South Contest, the others might be unwilling, but they would still submit outwardly.

Chu Tian, however, stood alone, without the support of any aristocratic clan.

Even if he truly emerged victorious, the various families would merely pay lip service to him. They would never sincerely submit to him as their new alliance leader.

If Chu Tian wished to intimidate everyone completely, he had only one option: prove his strength in the arena and utterly subdue all his rivals.