Chapter 4143 — Such a Grand Display!

As an expert at the early stage of the Xuan Ascension realm, Nan Tian Liuguang's perception was exceedingly keen. Wei Zhao had barely glanced at him when he sensed it at once, and after scrutinizing Wei Zhao's features for a moment, his heart gave a start and his expression changed.

Parting the crowd, Nan Tian Liuguang and Si Haitao walked straight up to Wei Zhao, and Nan Tian Liuguang, being the man of the hour, naturally drew every gaze in the hall.

"I never expected to run into you on an occasion like this, Wei Zhao. I truly don't know whether to call you unlucky, or simply so blind to propriety that you'd come hurrying over to let me deal with you," Nan Tian Liuguang said with a cold sneer.

Back when they were still in the secular world, he had already taken a dislike to Wei Zhao, and he had heard from Si Haitao about Wei Zhao's feud with the Nan Tian Ba brothers as well. Had Wei Zhao stayed far away, that would have been the end of it—he could hardly be bothered to waste his energy hunting the man down. But now this fellow had delivered himself to his doorstep; how could he possibly pass up the chance to give him a proper thrashing?

True, today was the day he assumed the post of deputy island lord, with so many eyes upon him, so Nan Tian Liuguang had to be somewhat mindful of his image. Still, dealing with one insignificant Wei Zhao was hardly a problem—it would serve nicely as a stepping stone, a display of authority to open proceedings.

Wei Zhao frowned slightly. He was at the early stage of the Golden Core realm, while his opponent stood at the early stage of the Xuan Ascension realm—a gap of two full great realms. As things stood, merely withstanding the man's piercing aura was already a considerable strain, let alone actually exchanging blows.

Yet even knowing he was no match, Wei Zhao could not show weakness before Nan Tian Liuguang, and in any case this was no occasion for him to step forward himself. Nan Tian Liuguang's opponent was not him.

"Hmph. You haven't even taken the deputy island lord's seat, and already you're putting on airs. You certainly know how to make a grand display, sir," Di Xingdao said, stepping forward to shield Wei Zhao behind him and fixing Nan Tian Liuguang with a cold smile.

Before so many watchful eyes, the sudden impact of Di Xingdao's domineering aura made Nan Tian Liuguang involuntarily stagger back a step. Only then did he recover himself, half in fury and half in shame—he was a mighty expert at the early stage of the Xuan Ascension realm, so how could he have been cowed by a mere cultivator at the great perfection of the Nascent Soul realm?

"Di Xingdao, this is a private grudge between him and me. I'd advise you not to interfere, lest you make a fool of yourself for nothing," Nan Tian Liuguang said, his face darkening.

"A private grudge? What a coincidence—it seems there's a private grudge between you and me as well, sir," Di Xingdao said with a cold smile, curling his lip.

"By that, do you mean to say I stole your seat as deputy island lord? Hahaha! This was unanimously approved by the island lord and the rest. Di Xingdao, you're a legendary figure of your generation—there's no need to play the scorned wife and sulk at me like that, is there?" Nan Tian Liuguang threw back his head and laughed, his face full of smug triumph.

Si Haitao and the others nearby chimed in one after another. To flatter the high and trample the low is only human nature; compared with Di Xingdao, this "loser," they of course stood on Nan Tian Liuguang's side.

Most telling of all was Patriarch Xuanchen, lurking not far off in the crowd, watching this scene with a vicious grin. He had attached himself to Nan Tian Liuguang and now served as a minor steward in the Cultivator Academy. By rights he ought not to have been able to attend an occasion like this, but Nan Tian Liuguang had brought him along for the excitement. Still, when it came to stepping forward, that was beyond his ability—he could only mingle in the crowd and add to the cheering.

"Scorned wife? Heh, I'm afraid you've misunderstood me, sir..." Di Xingdao smiled faintly, but could not be bothered to explain further—after all, the man had only this little while left to strut about. He said coldly, "Nan Tian Liuguang, let me say one thing first, so that you don't end up dying without knowing why. Tian Chan is my sister, and Wei Zhao is my brother-in-law. If you dare to touch a single hair on his head, then never mind being deputy island lord—I'll make sure you don't even get to be a ghost."

"Hmph! Such a grand tone!" Nan Tian Liuguang's face turned hideous at once. Had any other cultivator at the great perfection of the Nascent Soul realm said such a thing to him, he would have killed the man on the spot.

But the man opposite him was Di Xingdao, and a name casts a shadow. Facing this legendary powerhouse who had once slain foes across realms in an instant, even one as arrogant as Nan Tian Liuguang had to weigh his words carefully first.

Looking at Wei Zhao behind Di Xingdao, Nan Tian Liuguang cursed inwardly: I'll let you off for today, boy. Once I've found a way to do away with Di Xingdao, we'll see who dares to back you then—and then we'll see whether you live or die!

Under the gaze of the whole assembly, the two sides faced off for a tense moment, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder, yet blows were never struck. With a final cold sneer, Nan Tian Liuguang turned and led Si Haitao away.

Today was the grand day of his investiture as deputy island lord of the Middle Island, and before that he wanted no mishaps whatsoever. As for Di Xingdao and Wei Zhao, there would be ample means to deal with them in the days to come.

Unfortunately for him, this day was destined not to go as he wished. A short while later the hall fell silent, and the investiture ceremony formally began.

Yet Nan Tian Liuguang had scarcely taken a step toward the seat that symbolized the office of deputy island lord—had not even had the chance to touch it—when he was called to a halt. That person, naturally, was Di Xingdao.

"I, Di Xingdao, challenge for the position of deputy island lord of the Middle Island. Nan Tian Liuguang, do you dare fight me?" Under the eyes of all present, Di Xingdao slowly stepped out from the crowd.

Ai ya! Nan Tian Liuguang nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. He wanted to deal with Di Xingdao, yes, but he had never once imagined he would have to fight him to the death at a time like this!

Once he had successfully taken the seat, he would have a hundred ways to do Di Xingdao in afterward—but a straight, open, one-on-one duel was decidedly not among them. However one looked at it, Di Xingdao, even after so many years gravely wounded, was still a powerhouse with a fearsome reputation.

In an instant, every gaze in the hall swung back and forth between Di Xingdao and Nan Tian Liuguang, and the crowd buzzed with discussion. They had come only to show support for Nan Tian Liuguang, never expecting to stumble upon such a fine spectacle.

"Fine! Since you're so bent on seeking death, I'll grant you your wish!" With all eyes upon him, Nan Tian Liuguang could not afford to lose face; he could only grit his teeth and accept the challenge. The mighty aura of an expert at the early stage of the Xuan Ascension realm poured out at once, without the slightest reservation.

"Hmph. I'll grant you have some courage after all. As for who dies—that we'll only know once we've fought." Di Xingdao smiled faintly and likewise released a surge of powerful aura, standing as an equal against Nan Tian Liuguang.

Seeing this, the onlookers prudently withdrew a good distance and wore expressions of eager anticipation, as though settling in for a good show.