Housekeeper Wu was already anxious beyond measure, his gaze turning to Qin Qi. "Young Master, this Luo Mengyi’s cultivation has already reached the Fourth Layer of the Core Formation Stage. And you are only at the First Layer of the Core Formation Stage. You mustn’t agree blindly!"
"Even if you back out now, there’s nothing shameful about it!"
But Qin Qi had his own thoughts.
These people from the Xuan Yi Sect look for trouble with me every day. I’m not the type who sits around waiting to be bullied, swallowing loss after loss!
I have to give Xuan Yi Sect a taste of their own medicine. Time for some payback.
It’ll also let them know I’m not easily messed with!
Although Luo Mengyi’s cultivation is several layers above mine, now that Spirit Evil Woman has recovered, I really have nothing to fear facing Luo Mengyi.
However, Qin Qi’s silence was clearly mistaken by Luo Mengyi as fear.
"What? Scared?" Luo Mengyi continued to sneer and mock.
Qin Qi pretended to be angered. "Scared? How could I be? Let’s go. Who’s afraid of who?"
Luo Mengyi’s lips curled up, "Well, no need to delay. Let’s go to the Divine Firmament Platform now!"
"Young Master..." Housekeeper Wu still tried to stop him.
Yet Qin Qi seemed utterly provoked, not caring about anything else, charging straight for the Divine Firmament Platform.
This scene left Housekeeper Wu utterly powerless to intervene.
The crowd gathered nearby was ecstatic.
"Hurry to the Divine Firmament Platform!"
"We’re really in for a show today!"
"Haha, Qin Qi is really a total fool. Can’t he see that Housekeeper Wu has been desperately trying to give him a way out? Who would’ve thought he’d still stubbornly cling to his pride!"
"Heh, a Core Formation Stage First Layer challenging a Fourth Layer? Clinging to pride? In the end, I’m afraid it’ll just be a wretched mess for him!"
On Luo Mengyi and Wang Baihe’s side, they made their way straight to the Divine Firmament Platform, both with smiles gradually growing on their lips.
Still, Wang Baihe reminded, "Mengyi, don’t underestimate him. Qin Qi never gave me the impression of being the reckless type!"
Luo Mengyi replied slowly, "Master, Qin Qi does have considerable talent, but if you ask me, at heart he’s still just a young man."
"Didn’t you see how he was just now? Most likely, being suppressed by us Xuan Yi Sect for so long, he’s eager to show us a thing or two!"
"Add in my provocation, and now he can’t hold back. Besides, with my cultivation against his, I truly can’t imagine even the slightest chance of losing!"
Wang Baihe, hands behind his back, said, "That’s true. His previous Ghost Servant was most likely the Spirit Evil Woman we suppressed before!"
"But after the injuries I gave her, even Yan Shuiming couldn’t have healed her so fast. Without the Spirit Evil Woman’s help, victory should be firmly in your grasp!"
Amidst their conversation, the group reached the base of the Divine Firmament Platform.
The platform stood several hundred meters in the sky.
And the only way up was a long staircase!
Before anyone stepped onto it, a short, stout old man appeared before them.
This short, stout elder had black hair and a white beard, looking kindly and benevolent.
But with his appearance, everyone except Wang Baihe bowed their bodies.
"Brother Wang, what’s going on here?" The stout elder glanced over. "Why do so many people storm into my Divine Firmament Platform, all brimming with aggression?"
Wang Baihe replied blandly, "Brother Lei, no offense meant. It’s just that my disciple has a conflict with someone today, and they wish to use the Divine Firmament Platform to settle it, that’s all."
This short, stout elder was the Guardian Elder of the Divine Firmament Platform, Lei Qianpeng!
Lei Qianpeng glanced at Luo Mengyi. "Forgive me, Nephew Luo, but who are you having a dispute with?"
Luo Mengyi pointed at Qin Qi. "Right here."
Lei Qianpeng’s brows furrowed when he saw Qin Qi was only at the First Layer of the Core Formation Stage.
"Fellow Daoist, are you certain you want to face Nephew Luo on the Divine Firmament Platform? Once you step onto the platform, it’s to the death! Unless one side completely leaves the platform or dies, it won’t end!"
Lei Qianpeng continued, "Though I’m the elder here, we’re all human. It’s better to resolve grudges than make new ones. If either of you regrets it now, it’s not too late to withdraw."
"Once you step onto the platform, there’s no backing out."
Luo Mengyi spoke disdainfully, "Uncle Lei, you can rest assured, I won’t back out. I’m sure Qin Qi won’t either!"
The crowd’s eyes all turned toward them.
Housekeeper Wu also sent a pleading glance, hoping Qin Qi would change his mind.
But this final plea was still ignored by Qin Qi.
"Since I’m already here, of course there’s no reason to back down," Qin Qi said.
"So this kid is Qin Qi, the one who’s become so famous lately?" Lei Qianpeng shook his head. "What a shame. Talented, but still far too impulsive."
"To fight Luo Mengyi on the Divine Firmament Platform with that cultivation, it’s not just foolish—it’s the height of stupidity!"
Still, such thoughts he naturally wouldn’t speak aloud.
If both insisted on the platform, it was not for him to interfere.
"If that’s the case, please proceed!"
"I’ve said everything I should. I hope you both take care of yourselves!"
With a sweep of his large hand, Lei Qianpeng opened the staircase leading to the Divine Firmament Platform.
Qin Qi and Luo Mengyi took the lead, the others following close behind. After all, who’d want to miss such a spectacle!
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and they reached the top of the stairs!
The top was already within the clouds.
There, a Divine Firmament Platform a hundred meters wide stood out like a crane among chickens.
Around it were several smaller round platforms, each with seats—obviously for the audience to enjoy the show!
When Qin Qi came to his senses, he and Luo Mengyi were already inside the arena!
Once it was certain Qin Qi was really on the stage—
Luo Mengyi stopped holding back the mockery and revealed his true colors. "Qin Qi, to be honest, at first I really didn’t think you’d dare come up against me on the Divine Firmament Platform!"
"But I truly didn’t expect you’d be this stupid. You can’t even see through my most basic goading. It’s fine though; now that you’re here, I don’t have to pretend any longer. Hehehe!"
"A First Layer of the Core Formation Stage dares fight me, a Fourth Layer? Who gave you the guts?!"
Luo Mengyi laughed wantonly, as if his plan had fully succeeded.
Then, his cultivation erupted with a roar.
The oppressive force of the Fourth Layer of the Core Formation Stage surged like waves crashing in!
Luo Mengyi thought Qin Qi’s face would change at his words.
But looking closely, Qin Qi showed not the slightest change in expression. Instead, he entered the arena with utter composure, as if he’d anticipated this all along.
Even when the Fourth Layer’s cultivation swept over him—
Qin Qi still stood, hands folded behind his back. "Luo Mengyi, until it’s over, how do you know who’s the mantis, and who’s the cicada?"