The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 272: Tiger Comes down to the Plain?

Chapter 272: Tiger Comes down to the Plain?

Tiger Comes down to the Plain? . . .

The man's countenance betrayed a curious mix of astonishment and elation, akin to the discovery of an exceedingly precious treasure. His delight stemmed from the sight of both Nan Tianxing's lifeless form and Cha Eun Xiao's utter incapacitation.

Despite his relatively youthful appearance, he appeared to be around the age of forty. However, his cultivation level was notably modest, not surpassing the sixth stage of the Earth Origin Realm. Even when Cha Eun Xiao had yet to ascend to this level, it would have been a straightforward task to defeat an opponent of such stature. Paradoxically, the current circumstances had reversed their roles, rendering Cha Eun Xiao the vulnerable party.

Cha Eun Xiao struggled to part his lips, the effort of speech a formidable task given his grievous condition. "Who are you?" he managed to utter.

The man's attention swiftly pivoted towards Cha Eun Xiao upon hearing his voice. Evidently, he possessed keen instincts and a cautious demeanor. He chuckled, his tone betraying a sense of mirth as he responded, "You aren't attempting to ensnare me and dispatch me in the same manner as you did with Nan Tianxing, are you? Hah, hah. I would have been ensnared had I not witnessed his fate. I've seen enough of your stratagems."

He continued with a measure of derision, "To be frank, Feng Monarch, I am privy to your every secret, including the number of concealed weapons in your possession and their precise locations."

Raising a pointed finger, he continued, "Feng Monarch, they are concealed within your hands, arms, ankles, and even your neck. I must commend your ingenuity. By the way, is there any concealed in your crotch? I'd venture to say that would be the most clandestine hiding place."

His words exuded an air of superiority as he projected an aura of control and confidence.

Cha Eun Xiao coughed, expelling a spatter of blood, before responding stoically, "I should be the one admiring your meticulous observations. As the monarch of the Ling-Bao Hall, it is imperative for me to carry such safeguards to protect against potential threats."

The man laughed heartily, retorting, "Feng Monarch, you're indulging in bluster now. Do you believe that your braggadocio will intimidate me? If you entertain any thoughts of aggression against me, you're gravely mistaken. With you now under my control, any such attempt would be nothing short of folly."

Drawing his sword with a resonant metallic hiss, he issued a directive, "Feng Monarch, I request that you remove all those minuscule objects adorning your person. Otherwise, with this sword in my grasp, I can end your life effortlessly without taking a single step forward. I'm not inclined to take unnecessary risks. Although you hold value alive, your worth matters little to me if I meet an untimely demise. Allow me to extend an olive branch; retain your trousers. I doubt you've secreted needles and knives between your legs!"

He chuckled, "Initially, I contemplated having you divest yourself of your pants. After all, you've dispatched Nan Tianxing of the Starlight Sect. I, on the other hand, am a relatively insignificant figure. You could easily dispose of me. Regrettably, I cannot afford to extend you such a courtesy. Now, I shall commence the countdown. Feng Monarch, heed my words and contemplate them carefully... One!"

Despite his predicament, Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but smile wryly. "You are undeniably a prudent individual. Is the Sunlight Sect comprised of similarly cautious individuals?" A subtle sense of relief welled within him.

The newcomer had arrived belatedly and was thus unaware of Cha Eun Xiao's true identity. His knowledge was limited, potentially shaped by his observations of the fight rather than possessing the full scope of information. What occurred in the initial stages of the confrontation remained concealed from him, a logical outcome.

In the opening moments of the battle, Nan Tianxing had yet to sustain severe injuries, and his spiritual awareness blanketed the vicinity. Had this man ventured forth earlier, he would have inevitably fallen within Nan Tianxing's scrutiny, potentially leading to his immediate demise. After all, this newcomer posed a threat to Nan Tianxing's solitary pursuit of Cha Eun Xiao.

Nan Tianxing, much like Cha Eun Xiao, harbored an aversion to divulging the truth to others. Therefore, dispatching this individual was a course of action he would readily undertake.

Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but emit a wry smile; he had expended considerable effort replacing his concealed weapons earlier, and now he found himself compelled to remove them once more. Fortunately, the man did not insist on him disrobing further, sparing him that indignity. Given the man's overt caution, it was entirely plausible he might have demanded such a step.

"Feng Monarch," the man spoke with an air of patience, tightening his grip on his sword. "I am counting... Two!"

Without hesitation, Cha Eun Xiao began to disengage the concealed weapons, working diligently to expedite the process.

An exasperated thought flitted through his mind: "There truly is no place of absolute privacy!" He couldn't help but vent his frustration. "This was once a tranquil and concealed haven, yet today it resembles a bustling market... How vexing."

The man's gaze sharpened as each item was relinquished, his count punctuating each removal. Exhausted, Cha Eun Xiao at last removed the final item from his ankle, and a palpable sense of relief washed over the man.

"Feng Monarch," the man declared, "you are a rational individual. A wise man recognizes the inevitable."

Cha Eun Xiao mustered a faint, weary smile. "He doesn't dare to draw any closer," he mused silently. "At this point, he's just beyond my reach. Whether I can dispatch him with a single strike remains uncertain. Given my grievous injuries, failure could spell my demise at his hands. He's a cautious individual, prioritizing his own life and wealth."

Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Cha Eun Xiao reclined wearily. "Pray, reveal your identity," he implored. "Within the Sunlight Sect, who are you? It's astonishing to think that such an individual exists within the Sunlight Sect."

The man chuckled, a sense of self-satisfaction pervading his demeanor. "Feng Monarch, I am Chen Yuanfeng," he announced proudly. "A nondescript figure, hardly worth mentioning."

Cha Eun Xiao closed his eyes and nodded, murmuring, "Indeed, you are a nondescript figure. Feng Zhiling, having journeyed extensively throughout my life, I could never have imagined falling into the hands of an inconsequential individual. Fate can be a capricious force..."

Chen Yuanfeng's tone turned acerbic as he remarked, "Indeed, that is an undeniable truth. No matter how formidable you once were, you now find yourself in the position of a drowning dog, Cha Eun Xiao. Allow me to offer you some sage advice: when one is rendered powerless, it is best to maintain a dignified silence or choose one's words carefully."

Cha Eun Xiao, still nursing his injuries, kept his eyes closed and responded with a touch of detachment, "You speak the truth. A dragon has descended to the shores, and a tiger now treads upon the plains. Such is my current state."

The provocations proved too much for Chen Yuanfeng to bear. He erupted, "How dare you mock me? Even in this dire predicament, you dare to ridicule me?"

With these words, he cautiously advanced toward Cha Eun Xiao. Despite his anger, he remained vigilant, never lowering the sword in his hand. He comprehended the perilous nature of the situation as long as Cha Eun Xiao still drew breath, recognizing that any rash move on his part might swiftly lead to his own demise. After all, this was the man who had vanquished Nan Tianxing, a fact that filled him with trepidation.