History Has Fallen Ill

Chapter 71: The Duel Begins, Kui‑niu Hundred-Battle Drum!

Or could it be… the Mountain-Fleeing Jiao mentioned by Zhao Yinman?

"Interesting!"

Jiang Yan pondered in his heart, without any sign of worry.

The more catastrophes, the more gains for him.

Even if the sky were to collapse, there would always be someone taller to hold it up.

He looked at Zhao Yinman beside him. Although her expression was indifferent, her fair little hands were teasing the Coffin Spirit left and right like playing with a cat.

The latter averted its eyes with an aloof look of ‘I don’t play with fools,’ which only made Zhao Yinman visibly happier.

Although it was normal for zombies to like coffins, the fact that the Coffin Spirit was born from half of his own flesh and blood still made Jiang Yan feel weird.

By afternoon, the scorching sun hung high in the sky.

Nearly five hundred people had gathered on the White Jade Disc, and those who came to participate were all confident dragons among men.

The number of newcomers who didn’t come was far greater, and this only accounted for those officially listed.

Other forces and those with hidden identities weren’t even counted.

In other words, since the intensification of historical mutations, each year the entire province produced over ten thousand more cultivators—surpassing the accumulation of a small ordinary country over decades.

Looking across the Tianxia Alliance, the number would only be even more terrifying.

"This is the foundation of a great nation, the hope to resist the continued mutation of the Historical Long River and to correct the course of time."

Zhou Li gazed forward expectantly and muttered, "I wonder if any among these people can transform into a true dragon and soar to the heavens?"

"This time, to nurture newcomers, the headquarters went all out, even offering a spirit treasure cave‑heaven that would tempt even a Heavenly Official as a reward."

The other two, upon hearing this, were also filled with envy.

Back in their youth, there were no such favorable conditions.

Once the last few arrived, the total number reached five hundred and sixteen, matching the registered list.

Zhou Li spoke up, "True Person Qiu is probably still searching the earth veins and won’t make it back in time. Let’s begin first."

True Person Qiu, full name Qiu Bai.

He was the chief judge of this Jiangnan Grand Competition, an Ancient Talisman True Person, who should have been presiding at the main venue. However, due to searching for the Heavenly King’s Treasure that Jiang Yan reported,

He was still exploring abnormal earth vein nodes within the Jinhua area.

Boom!

Zhou Li no longer concealed herself and appeared before the crowd, releasing her aura without reservation, sweeping across the entire field and instantly quieting the place.

Jiang Yan squinted. The orthodox law seed aura of Tianxia was vast like an abyss. At the same realm, it could completely crush Kurokawa Sōsuke’s White Sakura law seed.

He didn’t know whether it was because the guy was weak, or if there was something flawed with the White Sakura path?

Once he had time, he’d go reap a few White Sakura geniuses and verify it firsthand.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zhou Li. These are my colleagues and teammates, Bo Rui and Master Fale. We are the judges for this competition."

As Zhou Li spoke, she pointed with her hand.

Rumble!

The White Jade Disc trembled. Jiang Yan and the others looked up to see the energy of the earth veins boiling and intertwining, sprouting life like budding grass and wood, extending outward in branches.

At the center of the White Jade Disc, a judge’s platform was constructed, with ten arenas spreading in all directions.

Zhou Li spoke:

"The rules are simple. The Jiangnan Grand Competition is based on arena-style duels. The strong remain, the weak step down. But no taking of lives or deliberate crippling of one’s foundation is allowed.

For now, you are only competing for a small opportunity before you.

But in the future, you will be fighting across numerous Diseased Domains. That will be the real battlefield—filled with danger but also many opportunities. Only with comrades you can entrust your back to can you fully plunder them.

Of course, there’s no need to hold back. The arenas are constructed with the [Earth Jade Disc Method], linked to the earth vein power of Jiulong Mountain. Even a full-power strike from a beginner in the Law Seed Stage couldn’t shatter it—at most, it would leave a crack.

We will be overseeing the matches. As long as you shout [Surrender], the match will be considered over."

At this point, Zhou Li pointed to Master Fale beside her and said, "This one cultivates the Medicine Buddha Dharma of the Eastern Lapis Lazuli World and is hailed as the number one in medicine beneath the Ancient Talisman level. As long as your head remains, even severed limbs can be reattached."

Master Fale smiled gently, "Fellow cultivators, feel free to unleash your fists and feet."

Bo Rui continued, "Your documents will display your numerical codes, opponents will be randomly assigned. Each victory earns 3 points, a loss deducts 2 points. Everyone starts with 3 points. If your score hits zero or you lose twice, you're eliminated."

"At the same time, the Bureau of Historical Revision encourages well-rounded development. If you possess any supernatural skills or talents, you can come to the judges' platform for evaluation. Extra points may be awarded at discretion, but specialty points only account for ten percent of the total score—they can be the icing on the cake, but not a saving grace."

"The top three in the Jiangnan Grand Competition will be allowed entry into the spirit treasure cave‑heaven, where they may select a growth-type spirit treasure that merges with your spirituality and grows alongside you, perfectly fitting your Dao path."

"The top ten will receive substantial cash prizes!"

"The top eighty-eight will all receive a bonus of ten points."

"The Jiangnan Grand Competition, begins now!"

As the words fell, the documents in everyone's hands shimmered with spiritual light, displaying their respective numbers.

Jiang Yan glanced at his own number: [444].

As for Zhao Yinman, it was [222].

Hmm, quite auspicious.

Above the ten arenas, several drones appeared, projecting AR displays. The numbers changed rapidly and soon displayed the first twenty contestants' number codes and names.

Ge Xianyao was among them, numbered [99], on Arena One.

"Double extremes—pretty decent."

Ge Xianyao’s expression remained calm as he leapt onto the arena.

His opponent was a bald man, number code [66], wearing a vest that exposed his muscular build and purple tattoos. With each breath, tiny arcs of lightning crackled around him.

"Didn’t expect it to be Lei Jun. That guy’s a thunder-method prodigy unearthed by the Yinzhou branch. I heard his first Diseased Domain experience was also thunder-related. His fighting style is brutally aggressive—monsters he faces are often turned into charcoal."

"I’ve heard of him too. It even alarmed the Tianshi Mansion’s Jiangnan Province branch. They tried to poach him with a high offer. Though they failed, they publicly declared that the peak of Tianshi Mansion’s thunder methods would always welcome him."

"Although his realm is only mid-stage Foundation Establishment, thunder methods are incredibly destructive—they can close the gap. This will be a good show."

"……"

Lei Jun listened to the crowd's discussions with a calm expression, but deep down, he thoroughly enjoyed the praise.

He clasped his fists and said, "Brother Ge, your reputation precedes you. I’ve long admired you. I’m honored to finally face you."

However, Ge Xianyao waved his hand impatiently and said,

"Then keep admiring. Let’s get this over with. I need to take you down quickly so I can get to that guy."

As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Yan.

He had to teach this guy a lesson—let him know the sky has its limits.

"……"

Fists clenched!

His fists clenched hard!

Lei Jun took a deep breath, adjusted his mindset, and sneered:

"Then let me learn from you!"

As soon as the words fell, he pounded his chest.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Like war drums pounding, like a divine ox’s low roar, it suddenly exploded, shaking the soul.

In the lake, centered around the arena, ripples spread outward, turning into surging waves.

At the same time, white light engulfed the world.

Ten thousand thunders roared, countless electric serpents surged out instantly, and faintly, a one-legged divine ox with a blue body and no horns could be seen howling at the sky.

‘Heavenly Thunder Curse Technique — Kui‑niu Hundred-Battle Drum!’