Chapter 554: Genius Competition
Translator: KurazyTolanzuraytor Editor: Jay
"Your Majesty, you’re too kind." Luo Rong nodded casually.
Even if he was facing the Emperor, Luo Rong still remained unmoved.
Whereas the Emperor wasn’t dissatisfied in the slightest.
Even if it was him, he had to be slightly afraid of the old man’s status.
Subsequently, the Emperor’s gaze shot at Duan Ling Tian, and he nodded with a smile to Duan Ling Tian. "Duan Ling Tian, I started paying attention to you when you defeated Saber Young Master in the Martial Competition of the five great sects all those years ago and won first place, to become well known throughout the Azure Forest Imperial Kingdom."
Duan Ling Tian nodded, his face was still calm like an old well that had no ripples.
It was as if the person standing in the air before him wasn’t the Emperor of the Azure Forest Imperial Kingdom, but was instead an ordinary person.
Not only did the Emperor not become infuriated when he saw Duan Ling Tian having such a reaction, he instead nodded with satisfaction.
Neither arrogant nor humble, he’s indeed extraordinary.
In next to no time, the Emperor’s gaze shot onto Su Li, and he said with a light smile, "Although I’ve never heard of you in the past, since you’re Duan Ling Tian’s friend and the Senior Brother of Saber Young Master, I presume you aren’t a simple figure."
"The arrival of you and Sword Young Master today has allowed the genius competition to become much more interesting… Even I was drawn over by the both of you."
Originally, as far as the Emperor was concerned, Duan Ling Tian, Crazy Young Master, Sword Young Master, and Flame Young Master would surely occupy one of the positions each.
The remaining position would instead be born from the other people.
In other words, Duan Ling Tian and the others were existences that were almost unshakeable.
So he lacked interest towards the genius competition.
But now, because of the appearance of Su Li and Saber Young Master, it was as if he’d seen the spectacular scenes that were about to occur.
Four of the five young masters, coupled with Duan Ling Tian and Su Li.
Six people competing for five positions.
Amongst the six people, every one of them were geniuses in the Martial Dao that stood at the peak of the Azure Forest Imperial Kingdom.
The competition between the six of them would surely be extremely spectacular.
Even he felt interested.
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking.
"Looks like his Majesty the Emperor wants to allow Saber Young Master and Su Li participate in the genius competition as well."
"His Majesty the Emperor is truly wise and knows how to decide on the most outstanding five."
"Looks like it’s very likely that a young expert that is able to advance in the Darkstone Empire will appear in our Azure Forest Imperial Kingdom this time."
…
The people present intentionally suppressed their voices as they whispered in discussion.
"Your Majesty." Right at this moment, the Supreme Elder of the Black Fiend Sect, Qiu Cheng, bowed respectfully to the Emperor.
The Emperor glanced indifferently at Qiu Cheng. "Who’re you?"
Qiu Cheng said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I’m the Supreme Elder of the Black Fiend Sect, Qiu Cheng."
"Do you need something?" The Emperor asked with a tone that contained slight impatience mixed within.
As the Emperor of the Azure Forest Imperial Kingdom, the Emperor who controlled the strongest power, the Imperial Family.
Not to mention a second-rate sect like the Black Fiend Sect, even if it’s the three great sects that have combined together, the present Azure Forest Tri-Sect.
He didn’t take them seriously.
The strength of the Imperial Family stood proudly and matchlessly in the Azure Forest Imperial Kingdom.
Otherwise, it would be insufficient to rule the entire Azure Forest Imperial Kingdom.
In this world where the strong were respected, even if it was the Imperial Kingdom, if they wanted to rule a Kingdom, Imperial Kingdom, or even Empire or Dynasty, they had to possess sufficient strength.
Otherwise, they would have been overthrown long ago.
"Your Majesty, there are still matters to be attended to in the Black Fiend Sect, I want to bring my disciple along and leave first," said Qiu Cheng.
Obviously, now that he’d seen the appearance of Saber Young Master and Su Li, Qiu Cheng didn’t place his hopes on Chai Jin any longer.
He was extremely clear of Chai Jin’s strength, it was impossible for Chai Jin to compare with Duan Ling Tian, Su Li, and the four people from the five great young masters.
"Go ahead." The Emperor nodded.
To him, the Black Fiend Sect’s members were not essential.
"Yes." Qiu Cheng nodded respectfully, then instructed Chai Jin to carry Sun Rui’s body before hastily leaving the Imperial Palace.
His disappearing figure seemed to be solitary and in a sorry state.
The Black Fiend Sect’s Chai Jin officially withdrew from the genius competition.
As soon as Chai Jin left, the remaining Void Prying Stage students were slightly uneasy.
"I’ll withdraw." Ji Feng knew his own limitations and withdrew to the side.
"I’ll withdraw as well." Sima Yang withdrew right after Ji Feng.
Although the two of them had broken through to the first level of the Void Prying Stage now, they didn’t completely comprehend Force yet.
So they knew their limitations and withdrew.
As far as they were concerned, if they were to stay behind, it would purely be looking for a beating.
"I’ll withdraw." The Little Prince of Prince Sheng’s Estate, Zhang Heng, had a gloomy expression as he spoke.
For a time, besides Duan Ling Tian and the other five, only Flute Fairy remained.
Flute Fairy didn’t say anything, but she instead withdrew to a side.
She used her actions to explain everything.
She had withdrawn as well.
"Big Brother, will you return?" Flute Fairy saw that even Saber Young Master had appeared and she looked high above in the sky with slight anticipation.
But even until Chi Ming announced that the genius competition begun, she didn’t see the figure of Zither Young Master.
"The genius competition today will decide the strongest five people from the six of you, and those five people will obtain the positions to head to the Darkstone Empire…" Chi Ming looked at Duan Ling Tian and the others as he spoke slowly. "This is a chance for all of you, a chance to make a name for yourselves in the Darkstone Empire! I hope that all of you won’t miss this chance."
Subsequently, Chi Ming announced the rules. "Every one of the six of you will face five battles… Now, all of you can obtain your numbers via drawing lots." As Chi Ming spoke, a paper box that had a small gap had appeared in his hand.
Whereas the small gap on the paper box was only able to allow the arm of an adult to stretch through.
It was precisely a lot box.
"There’s the number one to six within it… The person that draws number one can choose anyone behind his number to become his first target and undergo the first battle in the genius competition."
"Besides being unable to choose the person who holds lot number one and the person challenged by the possessor of lot number one, the person that draws number two can choose any one of the remaining three people."
"Besides being unable to choose the person who holds lot number two and the person challenged by the possessor of lot number two, the person that draws number three can choose any one of the remaining three people."
"The following sequence can be deduced from this…"
"The specific rules is that one isn’t allowed to challenge the two people that have just undergone a battle and allow the two people to have some room to rest." Chi Ming slowly finished speaking.
These rules weren’t complicated, and Duan Ling Tian’s group of six quickly understood it clearly in their hearts.
Subsequently, it was the drawing of lots.
Duan Ling Tian drew number three.
Chen Shao Shuai drew number one.
Zhang Yan drew number two.
Long Yun drew number four.
Luo Zhan drew number five.
Su Li drew number six.
The first battle would be initiated by the possessor of the number one lot, Sword Young Master, Chen Shao Shuai.
Under numerous focused gazes, Chen Shao Shuai’s gaze flashed past Duan Ling Tian and the others.
His gaze didn’t stop on Duan Ling Tian and Luo Zhan, and in the end, Chen Shao Shuai chose a target.
"I challenge the possessor of lot number two, Flame Young Master!" Chen Shao Shuai’s gaze descended onto Zhang Yan, and his body was filled with killing intent.
Flame Young Master, the person that was ranked number two amongst the five great young masters, and he was also the other person that was ranked above Chen Shao Shuai besides Luo Zhan amongst the four of the five great young masters that were present.
"Hmph! Sword Young Master, wanting to step on me and climb up isn’t an easy thing." Zhang Yan grunted coldly.
"Whether it’s an easy thing or not is something we’ll only know after I try." Chen Shao Shuai glanced indifferently at Zhang Yan, and his tone was calm as he spoke.
"Since you want to invite humiliation, then I’ll fulfil your wish!" Zhang Yan took a step forward as the Origin energy on his body raged, and he stood out to confront Chen Shao Shuai.
For a time, the gazes of everyone present descended onto the two of them.
Sword Young Master vs Flame Young Master.
Most of the people held their breaths.
Whoosh!
Along with his Origin Energy skyrocketed, 6,000 lifelike ancient mammoth silhouettes had condensed into form in the sky above Zhang Yan…
"Fourth level of the Void Prying Stage?" Duan Ling Tian frowned.
He still remembered that he’d once used his Spiritual Force to detect Zhang Yan’s cultivation half a month ago.
At that time, Zhang Yan was only at the third level of the Void Prying Stage.
Only half a month has passed and Zhang Yan has broken through?
Duan Ling Tian was able to notice that even if it was the Emperor, the Imperial Father of Zhang Yan, he had a surprised expression now.
Obviously, he’d just found out now that his son had broken through to the fourth level of the Void Prying Stage.
"Fourth level of the Void Prying Stage!" Luo Zhan’s face went slightly serious as his heart shook. "Sword Young Master is in danger."
"Sword Young Master, I’ll let you know that even if you’ve comprehended Half-step Advanced Sword Force, whereas I haven’t comprehended Half-step Advanced Water Force, I’m still able to crush a third level Void Prying Stage martial artist like you with my cultivation that’s at the fourth level of the Void Prying Stage!" Zhang Yan’s words were extremely arrogant.
Obviously, he knew Chen Shao Shuai through and through.
"Third level of the Void Prying Stage?" Unexpectedly, Chen Shao Shuai laughed instead when he heard Zhang Yan.
Whoosh!
Along with Chen Shao Shuai’s laugh, the Origin Energy on his body raged.
In the sky, 6,000 ancient mammoth silhouettes appeared similarly…
"Sword Young Master has broken through to the fourth level of the Void Prying Stage as well!" Instantly, the surrounding crowd of spectators burst into an uproar.
"This fellow…" Duan Ling Tian and Luo Zhan were slightly dazed when they saw this scene.
They never imagined that Sword Young Master had actually broken through!
"He was still at the third level of the Void Prying Stage yesterday… Could it be that he broke through overnight?" Duan Ling Tian was secretly shocked.
He still remembered that his Spiritual Force had imperceptibly flashed past Chen Shao Shuai yesterday, and he’d confirmed that Chen Shao Shuai was still a third level Void Prying Stage martial artist.
Only a night had passed and Chen Shao Shuai had already broken through to the fourth level of the Void Prying Stage, and it was shocking.
"You… You’ve actually broken through!" Zhang Yan had a surprised expression.
Sword Young Master’s breakthrough also meant that he was unable to use Origin Energy to suppress Sword Young Master anymore.
Not only that, Sword Young Master had comprehended Half-step Advanced Sword Force since long ago.
In terms of the comprehension of Force, he was inferior to Sword Young Master.
Whoosh!
Sword Young Master didn’t care about how unsightly Zhang Yan’s expression was, and in the end, he took the initiative to attack first and seize the upper hand.
His figure flashed like the wind and arrived before Zhan Yan in the blink of an eye.
Swish!
His sword stabbed out as if it was assisted by the gods, and it bore down menacingly towards Zhang Yan.
"Hmph!" Zhang Yan grunted angrily, and he already had a decision in his heart.
He would use a grade five spirit weapon and defeat Sword Young Master.
As far as he was concerned, the formidable strength bestowed upon him by the grade five spirit weapon was sufficient to crush the total strength of Sword Young Master’s spirit sword and Half-step Advanced Sword Force.