After some more time, Long Xiaoyao waved his hand and said, "Enough, no more talk. Since you're here, let's have a match! It'll save me from bullying a junior, and it'll also prevent me from being accused of not keeping my promise."
"Nothing could be better!" Mu En couldn't help but smile upon hearing this, saying, "I had the same intention!"
"Old man, you'd better put up a fight; don't let me beat you to death!" Long Xiaoyao said, his words arrogant, but the concern on his face was undeniable.
"Haha, it's true I, Mu En, am old, but I haven't reached the point of shattering with a touch, haha!" Mu En also laughed heartily.
"Old Mu, you..." Old Lin and the others heard the conversation between Mu En and Long Xiaoyao, and their faces couldn't help but show worry. Old Lin spoke, but the words got stuck in her throat.
Although Old Lin didn't finish her sentence, Zhu Ziyang and the others understood her concern. Mu En naturally knew as well. He patted Old Lin's hand and said with a chuckle, "It's alright, I know my own physical condition. I won't do anything I'm not confident about."
"But..." Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier were still uneasy. Xian Lin'er even said, "How about I fight in your stead, Teacher!"
"What nonsense!" Mu En couldn't help but retort upon hearing Xian Lin'er's words, "Go take good care of your junior brother!"
"Teacher, I have an idea." Although Mu En rejected Xian Lin'er's request, it sparked an idea in Zhu Ziyang. He spoke to Mu En, then looked towards Martial Uncle Long, "Martial Uncle Long, you are Teacher's close friend. You should know that Teacher is unwell. I imagine you wouldn't want to see your close friend fall. So, why don't you hold a wager match? This way, you can preserve your reputation and avoid a fight between you. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
Zhu Ziyang's words aroused curiosity in both Mu En and Long Xiaoyao. Although they didn't intend to heed Zhu Zi Yang's advice, what Zhu Ziyang said did strike a chord with them, so listening wouldn't hurt.
Thus, Mu En remained silent, while Long Xiaoyao looked at Zhu Ziyang with interest and said, "Oh? Do tell."
Seeing that the two Limit Douluo didn't immediately object, Zhu Ziyang's worried heart instantly relaxed. The first step was successful, so the rest would be much easier. He immediately said, "It's simple. Martial Uncle Long came here for me, a junior, so why not resolve the issue through me? So this wager match is very simple: I'll unleash one attack. If Martial Uncle Long can withstand it, then I'll voluntarily go with Martial Uncle Long. But if Martial Uncle Long cannot withstand it, then Martial Uncle Long must voluntarily retreat. How about that?"
As Zhu Ziyang's words fell, everyone was stunned, including Mu En and Long Xiaoyao, the two Limit Douluo.
What is this kid saying? Such arrogant and laughable words actually came from his mouth. Has this child been stimulated by something?
"Ziyang, what are you saying?" Cai Meier grabbed Zhu Ziyang's arm, concerned, "Teacher is here for this matter; you don't need to worry!"
Cai Meier thought Zhu Ziyang was flustered and confused, which was why he said such things. Everyone else had similar reactions.
It wasn't surprising for Cai Meier and the others to react this way, because Zhu Ziyang's words were indeed outrageous. He, a mere Spirit Emperor, even a Spirit Emperor with six hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, was still a Spirit Emperor! How could he dare to challenge a Rank 99 Limit Douluo? And to say such foolish things as "I'll unleash one attack to see if you can withstand it" – surely he hadn't mistaken the script. They could understand Zhu Ziyang's intentions, but they couldn't agree with his expression.
Unlike the unanimous astonishment of the others, Mu En and Long Xiaoyao's reactions were very subtle. Besides a hint of surprise, there was more curiosity. Mu En, out of a teacher's intuition for his disciple and his understanding of Zhu Ziyang, felt that since Zhu Ziyang said such words, he would never speak idly; there must be a hidden move behind it.
Long Xiaoyao, on the other hand, simply found it interesting. As a Limit Douluo, he was always the one to say such things to others. Today, it was rare for a child to make such a request to him. Perhaps out of a compassionate heart for children, he actually wanted to agree. Of course, the terms of the wager match still needed to be changed; he was, after all, the Dragon Emperor Douluo and needed to save face.
"Interesting young man," he said with a smile, "I can agree to your wager match, but the content of the wager needs to be modified. I don't want to gain a reputation for being disrespectful to my elders! I'll give you three chances. If you can make me retreat half a step, then I will automatically withdraw. If not, then your Teacher will probably still need to have a match with me!"
"Mm-hmm!" As Long Xiaoyao's words fell, Zhu Ziyang hadn't yet replied, but the others subconsciously nodded. This was the correct direction for things to develop! A peerless master giving a fledgling youth three chances, and then the youth using those chances to make the peerless master look at him with new eyes—what an inspiring plot! And not like what Zhu Ziyang initially said, where he gives the peerless master one chance. That just doesn't sound right, no matter how you listen.
"This..." Zhu Ziyang's face showed hesitation, as if he were making an incredibly difficult decision, making Old Lin and the others behind him anxious. It also made Mu En realize that he might be preparing something eye-opening.
So, he proactively said, "Ziyang, since your Martial Uncle Long is willing to give you a chance to show yourself, what are you still hesitating for? Teacher is here for everything."
"Alright, I agree!" Seeing Mu En speak, Zhu Ziyang no longer hesitated, wearing an unwilling expression that made Old Lin, Old Song, and the other Sea God Pavilion elders behind him not know how to even complain.
"Heh heh, do you need to prepare?" Long Xiaoyao said with a smile. He also really wanted to see what kind of caliber his close friend's closed-door disciple truly was, and whether he was truly worth so many forces making a big fuss over him.
"Martial Uncle Long, no need." Zhu Ziyang's face showed a hint of a smile as he said, "You'd better be careful!"
"Ziyang, go for it! Your senior sister believes in you!" Xian Lin'er said from behind Zhu Ziyang, "Whether Teacher needs to act depends on you."
"Senior Sister, leave it to me!" Zhu Ziyang said, then took a step forward, moving to a position one meter in front of Mu En. At this position, Mu En could protect him at the fastest speed, without worrying about anyone ambushing him from the shadows. However, no one would dare to play small tricks in front of two Limit Douluo, right?
"Martial Uncle Long, I hope you can withstand this attack!" Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, kindly reminding him.
At the time of his reminder, no one took it seriously. If a Spirit Emperor's attack could truly threaten a Limit Douluo, then wouldn't this so-called invincible Limit Douluo be too pathetic?
Everyone merely took this as Zhu Ziyang's self-encouragement to boost his own morale, completely unaware that they were about to witness a scene that would be unforgettable for the rest of their lives.
The Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe appeared in his hand. Six spirit rings—yellow, purple, purple, black, black, and red—made a flicker of surprise flash in Long Xiaoyao's eyes. Then, Zhu Ziyang grasped the scythe handle of the Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe with both hands, and the six spirit rings behind him began to flash rhythmically. As the frequency and speed of the spirit ring flashes gradually converged, the yellow spirit ring slowly merged into the first purple spirit ring.
This change was instantly noticed by everyone. Even Long Xiaoyao, who had a casual expression, showed a hint of surprise, and his face became slightly more serious. He murmured, "Has he mastered spirit ring fusion?"
"Is this spirit ring fusion?" Xian Lin'er and the others were also very surprised. They hadn't expected Zhu Ziyang to have mastered the spirit ring fusion ability. From the looks of it, there was a high possibility that Zhu Ziyang's single attack would make Long Xiaoyao retreat!
At this moment, only three spirit rings remained behind Zhu Ziyang. The fourth spirit ring, which had fused with the first three, was also merging into the fifth spirit ring. This ability, which everyone called spirit ring fusion, was precisely the One-Yuan Returning Style created by Zhu Ziyang. It had a similar effect to spirit ring fusion, but while spirit ring fusion could empower others with spirit power, the One-Yuan Returning Style could only serve Zhu Ziyang. However, there were pros and cons. The One-Yuan Returning Style consumed and wasted less spirit power than spirit ring fusion.
Soon, only one super-large red spirit ring remained behind Zhu Ziyang, occupying half the sky and looking very intimidating.
To outsiders, this was Zhu Ziyang's main attack, but only Zhu Ziyang knew that the true killing move had not yet been revealed! The power of the Saint Law Demiplane surged into his body. In an instant, Zhu Ziyang felt as if he could cover the sky with one hand. The power of elemental laws gave Zhu Ziyang an unprecedented clarity and understanding of the light element.
Without further delay, he raised the Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe high. The hundred-thousand-year spirit ring behind him shone brightly, and the Saint Law Demiplane in the void also exuded a divine aura. Zhu Ziyang brought down the Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe, and a massive, brilliant, and mysteriously radiant blade of light tore through the ground, slashing towards Long Xiaoyao.
The moment this blade of light appeared, everyone felt immense pressure. Mu En and Long Xiaoyao's expressions changed instantly, their eyes filled with disbelief. From this blade of light, they sensed something they had yearned for but could not attain!