Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Enough Talk, Let’s Start!
 

By the time they drove to the National Forest Park, it was already 10 p.m., one hour away from the duel they had agreed upon.

The Forest Park had a complex terrain making it impossible to drive further. Everyone had to get out of the car and proceed on foot.

Located in a remote area, the park was devoid of people at night, exuding an atmosphere of desolation.

The stars in the sky were sparse that night, and the moon was hidden in the clouds, casting a pitch-black darkness between heaven and earth.

Sun Hu and the others took out the pre-prepared bright flashlights to light up the path ahead.

Huang Xiaolong, holding Sun Wei’s hand, followed behind, while Ying Aoshan, and Jin Mengqi walked on either side of Huang Xiaolong.

At that time, a layer of chilling Evil Qi enveloped the vast forest park, much like a dense smog.

It was as if something hideous was lurking behind the dense shrubbery and trees.

The wind rustled the trees, not only dispelling any remnants of summer heat but also brought a chill that cut to the bone.

“The Yin Qi is rather heavy in this place. The sorcerer chose this time for our duel because it is when the Yin Qi is the heaviest, and a lot of Yin spirits will be wandering about,” Huang Xiaolong said with a playful smile. “Apparently, among the three duels tonight, there is one that involves summoning spirits… Heh heh, how interesting!”

Having experienced the Hundred Ghosts Parade at the Carnival Hotel, neither Sun Wei nor anyone from the Sun Family were too fearful, after all.

Ying Aoshan and Jin Mengqi, a martial arts Grandmaster and a half-step Grandmaster respectively, both possessing True Qi to protect themselves, naturally didn’t fear any common specters.

As they walked on, the Yin Qi gradually intensified. Upon passing a small grove, they suddenly saw dozens of pale little ghosts, who were cackling eerily amidst the trees.

“Are… Are those… ghosts?” Jin Mengqi, who had never seen ghosts before, felt a tingling sensation in her heart.

Ying Aoshan’s eyebrows furrowed as she sped up the circulation of True Qi within her body.

“Don’t bloody block my way, get lost!” Huang Xiaolong snorted coldly, exuding a faint aura from his body, scaring off the cluster of little ghosts who fled haphazardly.

“Little Long, you’re so powerful!” Sun Wei couldn’t help but praise her lover.

Jin Mengqi and Ying Aoshan couldn’t help but look at Huang Xiaolong in astonishment, thinking to themselves how majestic he seemed when facing these ethereal beings!

After passing a lake and walking on a suspension bridge, a gust of wind suddenly blew up around them. The chilling wind rolled across the water surface, stirring up the Evil Qi that clung heavily like a shroud. The next second, numerous water ghosts popped their heads out of the lake. They whispered to each other, giggling crazily, their greedy faces fixated on Huang Xiaolong and the others, as if they were about to spring out of the lake to pull replacements into the water.

“Master Long, this… This park is really quite uncanny…” Sun Hu felt a tingling sensation in his scalp.

“Those sorcerers are just trying to scare us with these cheap tricks, to intimidate us before the duel,” Huang Xiaolong said dismissively. With a flick of his hand, he ignited a handful of talismans and tossed them into the lake.

In an instant, the entire lake turned into a sea of fire. Countless water ghosts writhed and screamed amid the flames before burning into nothingness, their souls scattered to the wind.

“If you’re going to come at me with such low-level tricks, don’t bother embarrassing yourself,” Huang Xiaolong murmured.

“It seems… It seems that tonight’s duel is going to be… very formal…” Jin Mengqi mumbled under her breath.

By now, she was fully convinced that Huang Xiaolong could perform Daoist magic!

Ying Aoshan’s eyes lit up – ‘Piano skills, calligraphy, Daoist magic, and the martial power to kill a half step Grandmaster with one punch… Young Master Huang, how many more secrets are you hiding from Aoshan?’

Ying Aoshan’s curiosity about Huang Xiaolong had grown exponentially!

Finally, the group arrived at the foot of a hill.

Before them was a not very high hill, its peak brightly lit. Faint sounds of people talking and laughing floated down with the wind.

At the foot of the hill stood eight bodyguards dressed in black suits. Bulky objects were tucked around their waists, likely firearms. They stood silent and expressionless.

“Huang Xiaolong?” The head of the bodyguards said sternly. “You’ve finally arrived. My boss and Master Qiao, among others, are waiting for you on the mountain top!”

“Hehe.” Huang Xiaolong smiled, then slowly led his group toward the mountain.

The peak of the mountain!

It was a platform of several acres with several buildings.

Currently, the place was brightly lit, with tables and chairs arranged throughout. The tables were filled with fruits, pastries, drinks, and alcohol.

Many of Jiangnan City’s prestigious entrepreneurs were sitting around, engaging in lively conversations. These individuals, who’d been invited by Chen Xiong, came specifically to witness tonight’s magic duel. They were all firm believers in the supernatural, often purchasing consecrated artifacts and talismans. Upon hearing that a contest between powerful figures would be held tonight, they eagerly attended.

Around the edge of the mountain top, numerous muscular bodyguards in black stood, looking like statues, their expressions dark and alert.

Chen Xiong, Chen Zihuan, and few other important figures from the Chen Family were seated in several Taishi chairs.

And there were also Master Qiao, Master Zuo, and Master Zhao.

At that moment!

“Here he is!” Chen Zihuan exclaimed.

All eyes turned to the path leading to the mountaintop.

They saw Huang Xiaolong strolling leisurely up the mountain.

Master Qiao was the first to stand up. His gaze fixed on Huang Xiaolong with eyes like a viper.

‘Good! Good! You, the young brat, you broke the Jiuying Wanevil formation I so carefully arranged and heavily injured Fangfang… Tonight, you won’t leave here alive!’

“Hahahahaha~~~ Huang Xiaolong, we meet again,” Chen Xiong laughed menacingly. “I thought you would be a coward and not dare to accept the challenge. But you indeed have some guts.”

Suddenly, Chen Xiong noticed Ying Aoshan and Jin Mengqi, who had come with Huang Xiaolong. His heart chilled, and he snarled, “So you brought reinforcements! How helpless, you can only hide behind women!”

At that moment, Huang Xiaolong sensed Master Qiao’s intense resentment and murderous intent. He lifted his gaze to meet Master Qiao’s. Realizing his identity, Huang Xiaolong narrowed his eyes and smiled, “Ah… I see, the evil sorcerer who set up the wicked formation at the Grand Carnival Hotel, hoping to summon a Ghost King, was you. Very well, very good indeed. Now, I’m looking forward to playing a game with you tonight.”

“Hehehe~~~ You brat, you messed up my plans… I’ll make you suffer!” Master Qiao ground his teeth, his face filled with ferocity.

Master Zuo at the side chuckled sinisterly, “Master Qiao, don’t rush. Now that he’s here, he’s nothing more than meat on the chopping block tonight, ready for us to slaughter… Are you worried he could fly into the sky?”

Master Zhao smirked mercilessly, looking at Huang Xiaolong as if he were an interesting toy, greed flashing in his eyes. “This immature kid somehow severely injured the Ghost in the purple robe. He must have a superior magic artifact… Hehehe… He who wears a jade, bears its weight.”

At this time, the wealthy businessmen who came to watch the spectacle started to quarrel—

“This young lad, how could he possibly know magic?”

“Exactly, he barely has all his hair yet and he recklessly wants to challenge the three Masters? Was his head squeezed by a door?”

“Should have known not to come, there’s no suspense at all.”

“If this young guy can command spirits and play ghosts, then pigs can climb trees!”

…

“Alright, enough with the nonsense, let’s get started,” Huang Xiaolong said, becoming impatient.