Fantasy: After transmigrating, I effortlessly became a god.

Chapter 406 The Gate Blockade Battle 3

On the Gale Road from Zhanlin City to Dawn Barrier, Li Zun, along with Li Ming and his group, felt powerful gusts of wind rising from beneath their feet, propelling them forward like arrows released from a bow.

"This Gale Path is truly special. Those who cultivate the Wind Soul Technique will surely achieve twice the results with half the effort by practicing here." Li Zun exclaimed. The Gale Path is so interesting, especially the special runes that appear when the Gale Path is in operation. If they can understand even one of them, the gains will be enormous.

"Hehe, the wind here has a special Daoist charm. I am destined to be invincible among those of the same realm here." Feng Ying laughed smugly. He was a prodigy of the Fengsheng Beast Clan. Zheng Qian saved his life in the Twin Absolute Domain. Under coercion and enticement, he agreed to be Zheng Qian's mount for a year.

The Wind Beasts are a powerful race, and Feng Yingte is still the young clan leader. When he went back and said he wanted to be a mount for humans, the clan leader almost slapped him to death. In their eyes, a young clan leader serving as a mount for humans is not much different from a human prince serving as a mount for a monkey.

When Feng Yingte reported that Zheng Qian had killed You Tong and Ye Ku, the Feng Sheng Beast Clan Chief hesitated. To be able to kill You Tong of the Yu Ren Clan and Ye Ku of the Vortex Worm Clan was truly the height of genius. However, when Feng Yingte mentioned that Zheng Qian had punched lightning in the Convergence Domain, the clan chief finally nodded in agreement.

It's still acceptable for a human prince to be a mount for a monkey like Sun Wukong.

Feng Ying valued his promises and immediately asked the clan leader to find the location of the Heavenly Vein Sect in the Southern Region of the Human Race. Then, the clan's experts escorted him to the Heavenly Vein Sect, where he reunited with Li Zun and his group, and together they went to the Youfeng Rift Valley for trials.

"You're invincible in your realm?" Li Zun laughed loudly, "My master was also in the Dragon Shaping Realm, yet you dare to say you're invincible."

Feng Yingte scratched his nose: "Okay, apart from him, I'm invincible."

"If I put on the Nine Dragons Gauntlets, do you dare say you're invincible?" Li Zun was arrogant. With the Nine Dragons Gauntlets on, he dared to disregard anyone in the same realm except for Zheng Qian.

"I dare say I'm invincible." Feng Ying looked at Li Zun, their eyes sparking with fighting spirit.

We're all prodigies, each with unwavering confidence. As long as Zheng Qian isn't around, who's afraid of whom?

Li Ming stood at the forefront, quietly listening to Li Zun and Feng Yingte's banter. His posture was upright, like a pine tree standing proudly atop a mountain peak, exuding an unassailable aura of royalty. Over eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick back, his muscles were smoothly defined yet powerful, as if every inch of his skin contained explosive energy. His long, jet-black hair cascaded freely over his shoulders, fluttering gently in the wind, adding to his air of untamed freedom and ease.

His eyes, like two inextinguishable flames, shone with a fervent and unwavering light—a yearning for the ultimate pursuit of martial arts, and absolute confidence in his own strength. A subtle arrogance naturally emanated from his brows, the pride of a true powerhouse, which, without a word, exerted an invisible pressure on those around him.

Zheng Qian, what kind of person are you?

Li Ming had questions in his mind; he was genuinely curious about Zheng Qian. Li Zun talked about how amazing this master was, how upright and loyal he was, every day; Li Ming was practically tired of hearing it.

That day, just as they were preparing to depart for the Ghost Wind Rift Valley, a fierce demonic wind arose in the sky. The Heavenly Vein Sect immediately activated its protective formation, fearing an attack by demons. However, there was only the demonic wind in the sky, no demons in sight. It seemed that the demons had reached some kind of consensus with the Heavenly Vein Sect's higher-ups in the wind, and the demonic wind quickly receded.

After the demonic winds receded, Feng Yingte stood in front of the Heavenly Vein Sect's gate. Then, an elder of the Heavenly Vein Sect announced that Feng Yingte was now a member of the Heavenly Vein Sect and would participate in the Netherwind Rift Valley Trial together.

During their conversation on the way, Li Zun and Feng Yingte learned that Feng Yingte, the young clan leader, was actually Zheng Qian's mount, which he had acquired in the Twin Absolute Domain. This news made Li Ming even more curious about Zheng Qian. What kind of extraordinary talent could make the young clan leader Feng Yingte willingly become his mount and gain the recognition of the Feng Sheng Beast Clan?

Feng Ying served as Zheng Qian's mount, much like Li Ming served as a monkey's mount. Li Ming couldn't imagine how he could willingly become a monkey's mount.

Upon arriving in Zhanlin City, Li Ming was speechless with shock when he learned that Zheng Qian was blocking the entrance to Huaxu Cliff alone. He had been to Youfeng Rift Valley for trials before, and was also at the Dragon Shaping Realm at that time. Although he hadn't fought at Huaxu Cliff, but in another location, he knew that blocking the entrance would require defeating the demon army along the way, a task that was almost impossible.

Back then, Li Ming was arrogant and thought himself extraordinary. During the year-long trial in Youfeng Rift Valley, no one could beat him in one-on-one combat, and he was also unstoppable in team battles. However, he was unable to defeat the demon army stationed along the way and complete the glorious feat of blocking the gate.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Qian single-handedly stormed Huaxu Cliff in his first battle, initiating a gate-blocking campaign.

Li Ming appeared calm, but his heart was far from calm. The journey from Zhanlin City to Dawn Fortress felt incredibly long to him.

The journey was long, but it had an end. When Li Ming and his group arrived at Dawn Wall, Li Ming led everyone to buy some food and then climbed down Dawn Cliff to head towards the Void Transformation Cliff Fortress.

The vast platform of Huaxu Cliff Fortress was still the site of a fierce battle.

"Who else?"

Zheng Qian pointed at Lie Yi. Since the start of the war, he had fought thirty-two battles. Not only had he won all thirty-two, but he had also captured thirty-two prodigies from the Yuren, Flame Leopard, and Shadow Serpent clans.

"Forget it, let's end today's battle here and fight again tomorrow. We really can't beat him."

"Yes, we thought his spiritual energy was depleted, but we didn't expect his blood energy to be so vigorous. We still can't beat him."

"His blood and energy seem depleted, but his spiritual energy has recovered. How can we fight like this?"

None of the three races' prodigies dared to accept the challenge, not because they were weak, but because Zheng Qian was too strong.

Lie Yi spewed fire from his nostrils. All the prodigies from Huaxu Cliff Fortress had already taken the stage. The remaining thirty-two prodigies were no better than the captured ones; they would just be easy prey if they went up there.

Was he really going to concede defeat like this? Lie Yi was unwilling to accept it. If it weren't for the limitations of his cultivation level, he would have loved to go up and fight Zheng Qian for three hundred rounds.

Dong Dong... Dong Dong...

The rhythmic, penetrating drumbeats of Huaxu Cliff Fortress ignited, stirring the blood and making one yearn to draw their swords and charge into battle.

"They've arrived! Our reinforcements have come!" The geniuses of the three races shouted happily. The demon-transforming realm prodigies from the other fortresses had finally arrived at the Void Transformation Cliff.

Lie Yi finally breathed a sigh of relief. All the capable prodigies at Huaxu Cliff Fortress had been captured by Zheng Qian, and the rest would only be easy prey. Now, hearing that reinforcements had arrived, he felt that there was still hope for winning today's battle.

Fifty members of the Yuren race, carrying longbows, strode out of the fortress with an air of utter indifference. Behind them followed fifty members of the Flame Leopard race and fifty members of the Shadow Serpent race.

Of the four major demon clans in the Gloomy Rift Valley, only the Ancient Tree Spirit Clan has yet to arrive. The Ancient Tree Spirit Clan resides deep within the Dark Forest, rarely venturing to the front lines. They are only encountered when humans invade the Dark Forest. In times of crisis, they can transform into towering trees, merging with the forest, making them the most mysterious and unpredictable beings among the demons, inspiring awe in countless creatures.

Leading the way was a tall and imposing young man from the Yu Ren clan. He held his head high, not even glancing at Lie Yi, and walked to the front of the battlefield, laughing loudly: "Haha, Hua Xu Cliff is far weaker than our Qi Xing Cliff. To be blocked at the gate is a great disgrace to our demon race."

"Where are the prodigies of Youfeng Rift Valley the strongest? Of course, it's our Qixing Cliff. As for the prodigies in other places, they can only be called geniuses, not prodigies."

"There's only one human here. Is this a one-on-one battle?"

The Yu Ren clan spoke loudly, and since they came here to provide support, they felt superior to others, even ignoring Lie Yi, who was two realms higher than them.

"Have you shouted enough? If you have, hurry up and get on stage. Don't delay my time to collect military merits." Zheng Qian looked down at the Yuren tribe who came to support him with disdain. Another batch of military merits.

"Who are you?" The young man from the Yu tribe who was leading the group looked at Zheng Qian coldly. This human dared to interrupt his show-off, which was unforgivable.

"Zheng Qian".

"Very good, remember my name, my name is..."

“You don’t need to say your name.” Zheng Qian raised his hand to interrupt the demon of the Yu Ren race, and continued, “Losers don’t need to give their names. In my eyes, you are just military merits and spirit crystals.”

"Haha, haha..." Lu Yang laughed loudly. He was a famous prodigy in the Demon Transformation Realm of the Yuren Clan, and he found it funny that Zheng Qian was mocking him.

"Making money, huh?" Lu Yang shook his head and said, "Based on what you just said, I won't kill you."

His voice suddenly turned icy, and Lu Yang said with murderous intent, "I will shoot an arrow through your chest, hang you on Huaxu Cliff to dry in the wind, and tell everyone that those who underestimate me, Lu Yang, will suffer a terrible fate."

The Yuren race behind him got excited and roared, "Oh ho ho, Lu Yang is the disciple of the Demon Saint General of Qixing Cliff. This human named Zhengqian is doomed."

"Yes, Lu Yang killed a human at the Liquid Aperture Realm with a single arrow at Chess Star Cliff yesterday. Killing Zheng Qian is a piece of cake for him."

"Hehe, Lu Yang will be the first to go, so there's nothing for us to do after that. This battle will decide the fate of the world."

The geniuses of Qixing Cliff are arrogant; they all think that defeating Zheng Qian one-on-one is easy and stress-free. They brought 150 geniuses, capable of both one-on-one duels and team battles, without any pressure.

At this moment, Huang Jinzhong and Zhao Minghang finished their negotiations. Huang Jinzhong used his spiritual power to carry the thirty-two demons of Huaxu Cliff Fortress past Zheng Qian without saying a word.

Zheng Qian turned to look at Zhao Minghang, who smiled slightly and walked over, saying, "Two hundred low-grade spirit crystals for one prodigy, that's a reasonable price. The total is six thousand four hundred low-grade spirit crystals. I'll take it first, and I'll give it all to you after the battle."

On the battlefield, killing a demon at the Demon Transformation Realm only earns thirty military merits, while one hundred military merits are needed to exchange for a low-grade spirit crystal. Zhao Minghang's ability to negotiate two hundred low-grade spirit crystals for a prodigy is definitely a high price.

Zheng Qian guessed that Huang Zijun, the son of Huang Jinzhong, was among the captured demons, which was why such a high price was negotiated.

"Thank you for your trouble, Director." Zheng Qian was very happy. This speed of making money was really too fast. No wonder Yun Youzi had so many spirit crystals. He must have used this method to make a lot of spirit crystals back then.

Zhao Minghang leaned close to Zheng Qian's ear and whispered, "I also made a condition. I will protect you in a life-or-death situation, in exchange for 10,000 low-grade spirit crystals and the end of the gate-blocking battle. So you can fight with peace of mind. As for the other geniuses in the fortress, I will ask for 250 low-grade spirit crystals in exchange for one prodigy. If they don't give it to us, we will capture them and keep them as pets."

Zheng Qian looked at Zhao Minghang in surprise. He hadn't expected Zhao Minghang to be so good at business negotiations, and to even offer him a chance to protect him. Wasn't this just giving him a talisman, ensuring his safety?

Is this kind of business even possible on the battlefield?

"Director Xie, I fought with all my might. The safety of the rear depends on your continued concern for me!" Zheng Qian sincerely thanked Zhao Minghang. No matter what, he was genuinely fighting for his own interests.

"Don't worry, I've got you covered. Good luck!" Zhao Minghang said, then walked back, leaving the battlefield to Zheng Qian.

Having received news that Zhao Minghang had intervened, Zheng Qian no longer needed to worry about his safety. In fact, Yun Youzi would undoubtedly protect him if he were in danger. However, this violated the rules of the gate-blocking battle, so Zheng Qian didn't want to see that happen.

Zhao Minghang negotiated with Huang Jinzhong and secured the opportunity to protect him, which was the best possible outcome. In negotiations on the battlefield, everything is decided by strength.

Huang Jinzhong walked back to the fortress and gave Lie Yan a wink. Lie Yi silently retreated and came to Huang Jinzhong's side.

“I negotiated with Zhao Minghang. If the prodigies in our fortress are captured alive, we can redeem them with 200 low-grade spirit crystals each. In the upcoming battle, if the prodigies in the other fortresses are captured alive, they will demand 250 low-grade spirit crystals each. If necessary, we will send out our remaining geniuses to fight and exhaust Zheng Qian’s spiritual energy and blood energy, then the gate-blocking battle will be over.”

Lie Yi had many questions, but he still asked in a low voice, "Commander, Zheng Qian didn't kill the monsters in our fortress. Is there another condition?"

Lie Yi knew the human race too well. Words like treacherous, cunning, and ruthless were insufficient to describe them. However, he had to admire the human race's wisdom, which surpassed that of any other race on the Cangyuan Continent.

Huang Jinzhong looked at Lie Yi. He knew Lie Yi was smart, but he didn't expect him to be this smart, able to guess that there was something fishy about the price he was negotiating.

With a sinister smile, Huang Jinzhong said, "They have one chance to save Zheng Qian, but the price they pay is 10,000 low-grade spirit crystals, and the gate-blocking battle will end."

Lie Yi understood that the human race was protecting Zheng Qian. Ten thousand low-grade spirit crystals seemed expensive, but in reality, it was just buying Zheng Qian's safety on the battlefield, and they would have one chance to make a move. This price was very worthwhile for the human race.

Even if Zheng Qian loses the next match, he has completed the "blocking the gate" battle and ensured Zheng Qian's safe return to the human race. It's a win-win situation. For the demon race, it's also a win-win situation. At least their prodigy's life is guaranteed, and the price is paying spirit crystals.

The Ghost Wind Rift is a training ground for nurturing the next generation of prodigies. The stalemate between the two sides here is to allow them to grow stronger. As long as there is no danger to their lives, everyone is willing to spend some money.

Huang Jinzhong and Lie Yi were still no match for Zhao Minghang. Judging from Zheng Qian's combat strength, he was invincible at the Dragon Shaping Realm. Zheng Qian would earn no less than 10,000 spirit crystals today, so they wouldn't lose a single penny. Zhao Minghang could also do Zheng Qian a favor by requesting the Radiant Legion to provide 10,000 low-grade spirit crystals later, which would make Zheng Qian even more grateful to him.

The kindness shown by this extraordinary person is truly rare. Even though he didn't physically save Zheng Qian, he still secured an opportunity for Zheng Qian to act and ensure his safety, which is also a favor.

Regardless of the outcome of the goal-blocking battle, Zheng Qian still owes Zhao Minghang a favor.

With no worries about the rear, Zheng Qian fought even harder. If he could hold out for three days, he would break Yun Youzi's record. When the time came to determine military merit, the benefits he, as a frontline commander, would receive would be unimaginable to outsiders.

Most importantly, Zhao Minghang could use this opportunity to leave Youfeng Rift Valley, return to the Zhao family headquarters, and work for the Divine Court.

Zhao Minghang saw hope and a future in Zheng Qian.

Two people benefited the most from this gate-blocking battle: Zheng Qian, who blocked the gate with his strength, and Zhao Minghang, the highest-ranking official present today.

"Alright, stop wasting time, let's start the battle!" Zheng Qian beckoned to Lu Yang with his finger. He had no interest in listening to the people from Qixing Cliff brag; it would only waste his time.

Lu Yang took the bronze longbow from his back and walked towards Zheng Qian, his voice icy: "Killing you will only take one arrow."