Chapter 1311: Original Challenge

Chen Ling's originally somewhat unfocused eyes quickly regained their composure, and a sharp murderous intent emerged as he looked at the centipede respectfully prostrating itself, seemingly "dead drunk."

Chen Ling had figured it out. The centipede had been distracted since the start of the welcoming feast, most likely waiting for this moment when everyone was thoroughly drunk. It would then feign being emboldened by alcohol to challenge him, just like the venomous insects below that were now drunk and fighting among themselves. However, it still feared his majesty as the king.

One could only say it had some courage, but not much.

The reactions of the other venomous chiefs upon seeing the centipede attempting to challenge him were quite subtle.

The gecko lay inert at the bottom of the pond, as if it hadn't heard anything. The snake floated motionless on the surface, seemingly completely drunk. The scorpion repeatedly shook its head, appearing utterly shocked. As for the toad, it first froze for a moment, then, bursting with rage, leaped directly out of the water!

Thump—!!

A dull rumble echoed through the abyss as the toad's massive body directly blocked Chen Ling's path, glaring furiously at the centipede.

"Croak—Croak—Croak!!!"

Surging waves of air swept outwards, and Chen Ling understood its meaning.

The King has just returned from outside and is at his most tired. Moreover, it's still the welcoming feast!

You dare to challenge the King at his welcoming feast??

You want to challenge the King? Defeat me first!

The centipede seemed not to have expected the toad to jump out and block it at this moment. However, facing the toad, which was emanating an Eighth-Tier aura, the centipede naturally wouldn't show weakness. It feared Chen Ling, but not any other venomous chief of its same tier. A similarly powerful Eighth-Tier aura swept out, and two terrifying auras surged within the abyss!

Chen Ling sat quietly on the throne, watching the two colossal figures facing off, with no expression on his face.

He could sense that the toad genuinely harbored killing intent. If it were merely an act, Chen Ling didn't think a Calamity could perform to this extent...

He was curious to see what the centipede would choose next: would it first desperately defeat the toad, then challenge him? Or would it drop the act and bypass the toad to eliminate him? Or would it simply chicken out?

Faced with the toad's obstruction, the centipede was indeed at a loss. Just as it was agonizing over whether to deal with the toad first, the scorpion on the side hastily jumped out.

Although the Primal Challenge was a tradition of the Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn, it was currently the King's welcoming feast. No matter what, you couldn't pick this time to attack the King, could you?

The scorpion was reprimanding the centipede.

But Chen Ling discerned a different nuance in it.

Under the combined pressure from the two venomous chiefs, the centipede was somewhat unable to hold its ground. It merely stared intently at Chen Ling on the throne, stubbornly standing its ground, waiting for Chen Ling's response.

As the scorpion said, the Primal Challenge was a tradition of the Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn. This "challenge" not only referred to the infighting among the venomous insects below, but also served as the only way for Calamities in the Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn to advance their status.

Throughout the long years, it was impossible for there to always be only these five venomous chiefs. Exceptionally talented Calamities would inevitably reach the Eighth Tier. However, a rule was set when the Scorn Calamity established the Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn: it could only ever have one King and five venomous chiefs. If a new Calamity reached the Eighth Tier, they had to choose one of the five venomous chiefs for a Primal Challenge.

Both sides would engage in combat using only their purest physical strength, without employing any additional abilities. A winner would be determined, and the victor could retain or usurp the chief's status. The loser, in most cases, would not leave the arena alive...

Each of the current five venomous chiefs had fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. They had killed former chiefs and also those Calamities who sought to take their places. Therefore, in the past century, no Calamity who attempted to challenge their status had ever left alive.

But even as strong as the five venomous chiefs were, none had dared to challenge the King of the Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn.

The centipede was the first in several centuries.

Since it was purely physical combat, one's tier did not play a decisive role in the process. Moreover, the centipede had already observed that Chen Ling showed a reaction while drinking the Five-Venom Wine. This meant that the Chen Ling before it was indeed not the Scorn Calamity in its full power, and it was not without a chance of winning!

Most importantly, judging by the "Chen Ling" persona's attitude towards Wu Yi, this aspect of the King was not ruthless. So even if it failed the challenge, it might not necessarily die. Perhaps the King would spare its life, considering there was no one to replace its position as a venomous chief?

In fact, the centipede was not the only one among the five venomous chiefs who noticed that the King was not at his full power. However, the psychological trauma the Scorn Calamity had inflicted upon them in the past was simply too great. Even if they were given ten times more courage, they wouldn't dare risk challenging Chen Ling.

The centipede was forced into this, but it was also brave... or rather, rash.

The large red opera robe slowly rose from the throne.

"Heh heh..."

"You... wish to challenge me?"

The oppressive aura of a World-Ending Calamity flowed from Chen Ling's crimson eyes. The suppressing force from a superior being assailed the centipede's sanity, making it even harder for it to resist, already being under the combined pressure of the two venomous chiefs.

The centipede's body visibly trembled slightly, but it did not retreat; instead, it continued to stare intently at Chen Ling.

Chen Ling spoke calmly, "I appreciate your courage to have such audacity, but today, I am pleased, and I do not wish to shed blood."

"Seven days from now, come here..."

"I, the King, will grant you a chance to challenge me."

After speaking, Chen Ling glanced at the toad and scorpion beside him, then turned and walked towards the palace.

Seeing this, the toad roared even more furiously at the centipede, seemingly blaming it for ruining the welcoming feast it had meticulously prepared for the King, making the King unhappy and causing him to leave early. Under the toad's oppressive aura, the centipede did not choose to respond forcefully, but after a brief struggle, it chose to retreat.

Regardless, the King had publicly accepted its Primal Challenge. Seven days was but a fleeting moment for a Calamity of the Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn. It had to preserve its strength and not suffer even the slightest injury before the challenge began. After all, once a Primal Challenge was initiated, it didn't matter if you were at full strength or not. The strong must fight to the end, even under the most adverse conditions.

The scorpion on the side watched Chen Ling and the centipede leave separately, a glint flashing in its eyes. Then it slowly crawled back to its wine pond, resuming its careful savoring.

After leaving the feast, Chen Ling sat on Wu Yi's back and returned directly to the palace.

Chen Ling accepted the centipede's challenge, not because he was truly confident he could defeat it, but because he had to. The King of the Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn could not refuse a subordinate's challenge; it would only relish the pleasure of slaughtering its subordinates and the excitement of toying with its enemies.

If he had truly refused just now, it would have been a display of weakness before the entire Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn, and the situation would only have worsened.

To eliminate hidden dangers in the Abyss of Ghosts and Scorn, he had to truly become the "Scorn Calamity"!

But Chen Ling also knew very well that, as he was now, it was impossible for him to defeat an Eighth-Tier venomous chief in physical combat. Seven days was the deadline he had given himself...

Within seven days, he must complete his next 'Slaying of the Malevolent'!