Chapter 1061: The First Disciple
Mu Chen's voice was calm and composed, unrestrained and free-spirited. Having said what needed to be said, whether to fight or let the matter rest was now for the people of the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress to decide. The Heavenly Terrace would be ready for either.
Though these were simple words, they laid out all the concerns of the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress. First, if so many powerful Venerable Martial Realm experts were to start a battle here, it would inevitably cause this Trial Ground to collapse and shatter. Not to mention that this Trial Ground was created by the Emperors, even if it only triggered a riot in the Wasteland Sea, the consequences would be disastrous.
Second, they had tried to threaten the Heavenly Terrace by using the fact that their disciples were undergoing trials here. But Mu Chen pointed out that everyone had juniors. If they harmed these people, it was terrifying to think that Mu Chen and the others would also slaughter the juniors of the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress. This would only escalate, eventually leading to a full-scale war between the Heavenly Terrace and the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress—an outcome they could not afford.
However, Hou Qinglin had gone to the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress to kill people, acting with extreme arrogance. Then Mu Chen had taken Lin Feng and left, and the three of them had walked away unscathed. The Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress had lost all face. To simply let the matter drop was deeply unwilling for them, as it made them appear incompetent.
"It's not impossible to let this matter rest here. However, Hou Qinglin went to our Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress and killed the altar guardian. How can this be? You must give the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress an explanation!" After a moment of deliberation, the other party ultimately did not want to escalate the conflict. They would settle this debt slowly in the future. The open and covert struggles between the Stone Emperor, Yu Emperor, and the Heavenly Dragon Emperor were well known to all. If they had the chance, they would definitely make these people from the Heavenly Terrace pay.
"Was I not clear enough? The altar guardian of the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress violated the rules by killing my Heavenly Terrace disciple on the altar. He deserved to die. What explanation do you want?" Mu Chen's expression turned cold, and his voice became firmer, causing the eyes of the onlookers to stiffen once more.
The people from the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress stared coldly, and then their leader said icily, "Fine, very well. The Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress will remember this!"
With that, his gaze fell upon the altar, where the teleportation altar had been blasted beyond recognition. The man ground his teeth in anger. Without this teleportation altar, they couldn't even return to the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress.
Stepping forward, the people of the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress moved toward their altar and shouted coldly at Mu Chen and the others blocking their way, "Move aside!"
Mu Chen smiled faintly, stepping aside with Hou Qinglin and Lin Feng, showing no concern. Then they watched as the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress people began repairing the damaged altar. It took about the time it takes to burn an incense stick to restore it, after which they reactivated it and left. As they departed, their eyes still swept coldly over the Heavenly Terrace crowd, filled with murderous intent.
At this moment, the Heavenly Terrace crowd also flickered over to Mu Chen's side, but they heard Mu Chen say, "Be more careful of the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress people from now on. They suffered a hidden loss this time and will surely hold a grudge."
"Understood!" The crowd nodded in unison. This hatred seemed to have deepened.
"Let's go too!" Seeing the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress crowd leave, Mu Chen said lightly, and then the Heavenly Terrace people also stepped onto the teleportation altar and left the place.
The hearts of the onlookers trembled. Mu Chen had used his formidable strength to bring Hou Qinglin back, leaving the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress people helpless. This matter seemed to have come to a temporary close, but everyone understood the depth of it. Perhaps this was only the beginning. Hou Qinglin had entered the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress to kill people—how could this truly be settled peacefully? In the days to come, there would likely be undercurrents surging.
Above the Heavenly Terrace, Mu Chen and the others descended.
"Everyone, go on your way. On the day the Martial Emperor's Disciples are appointed, gather again at the Heavenly Terrace to witness the grand occasion!" Mu Chen said to the crowd. Everyone took their leave, and within moments, they had all departed.
"I'll be going too!" The Ascetic Monk smiled faintly, then flickered away toward the Heavenly Staircase of the Heavenly Terrace.
"Junior Brother, stay here. I'll go check on the other side." Mu Chen said to Hou Qinglin. On this side, the Heavenly Martial Realm cultivators were undergoing trials, while on the other side, the Venerable Martial Realm cultivators were also in their own trials.
"Alright." Hou Qinglin nodded slightly. Mu Chen left, and soon only Hou Qinglin, Lin Feng, and Qiu Yuexin, who had come to this side, remained in this space.
At this moment, Hou Qinglin's gaze fell on Lin Feng and the other two, a smile appearing in his eyes. He said, "Congratulations, Junior Brother and Junior Sister, for becoming the First and Second Disciples of the Heavenly Martial Realm!"
"Hmm?" Lin Feng and Qiu Yuexin were startled, then they exchanged glances, quite surprised. However, soon a smile spread across their faces.
The First Disciple and the Second Disciple—this was indeed a pleasant surprise for them.
"Senior Brother, is the ranking of the Martial Emperor's Disciples determined solely by this final trial?" Lin Feng asked.
Hou Qinglin's face showed a meaningful smile, and he said lightly, "At this moment, the Master has entrusted the assessment of the Martial Emperor's Disciples to me, the Senior Brother, and the Third Brother. The rules, naturally, are for us to decide. Now, since the two of you were the first to emerge from the Trial Ground, you will be the First and Second Disciples of the Heavenly Martial Realm."
Lin Feng and Qiu Yuexin were stunned by these words, then they both showed wry smiles. So that was how it was.
"It seems the Senior Brother is indeed partial to this fellow." Qiu Yuexin gave Lin Feng a deep look. Even if Lin Feng hadn't been the first to come out, if Hou Qinglin had used the fact that Lin Feng had ascended the Nine Heavens to appoint him as the First Disciple, who would dare to say otherwise?
"Senior Brother, if the ranking of the disciples isn't based on strength, won't it invite criticism?" Lin Feng said.
"Disciples at the Heavenly Martial Realm are still in their growth period. In the eyes of the Emperor, they are still insignificant. Even if the Emperor values them, it's for their potential. Therefore, the ranking in the Heavenly Martial Realm isn't important. In a few years, when your potential erupts and you step into the Venerable Martial Realm, that's when strength will truly speak."
Hou Qinglin said with a faint smile. "Besides, the rules are made by people. This martial continent has no such thing as fairness. Fortunately, you've lived up to expectations—not only did you forcefully ascend the Nine Heavens, but you were also the first to come out. Who can gossip about that?"
Lin Feng showed a thoughtful expression upon hearing Hou Qinglin's words. That was true. To a Martial Emperor, a cultivator at the Heavenly Martial Realm was like a grain of dust, utterly insignificant. Their ranking held no special meaning for the Emperor. Even if the Emperor valued them, it was for their potential. Only years later, when they stepped into the ranks of Venerable Martial Realm cultivators, would the ranking truly matter.
"You'll be the Second Disciple. Any objections?" Hou Qinglin then said to Qiu Yuexin with a smile.
"Since the Senior Brother has said so, I naturally have no objections." Qiu Yuexin replied with a smile. She also held considerable respect for Hou Qinglin. It was said that he was only about fifty years old, yet he had already made a name for himself, even more terrifying than some of the old monsters in her Qiu Clan. Who didn't know the name of the Azure Forest Reincarnation Sword?
"You two are husband and wife. If you have any objections, you can discuss them at home." Hou Qinglin said with a laugh, causing Lin Feng and Qiu Yuexin's expressions to stiffen in surprise. So Hou Qinglin could joke too.
"By the way, Senior Brother, there's something I don't understand. I'd like your guidance!" Lin Feng suddenly thought of something and asked Hou Qinglin.
"You don't need to say it. I know what you want to ask." Hou Qinglin waved his hand and smiled. "Lin Feng, the Master has some connection with you, but it's not because of you personally. Therefore, he won't show you any favoritism. At most, I and the others will look out for you a bit. But in the end, everything depends on you. In the path of martial arts, if you don't strive for yourself, how can you expect others to help you? Cultivate well. When you step into the ranks of the Venerable Martial Realm, the Master will naturally see you in person."
"Some connection, but not because of me personally!" Lin Feng's expression flickered, still puzzled. Then he said to Hou Qinglin, "I understand. On the path of martial arts, I will strive for myself and keep moving forward!"
"Good that you understand." Hou Qinglin smiled, then waved his hand. Before Lin Feng, a brilliant yellow Fengshan List appeared, completely blank.
"Engrave your names on this with your true essence power!" Hou Qinglin said to the two. Then Lin Feng and Qiu Yuexin each carved their names onto the yellow chart. This presumably meant they were about to be conferred the title of Martial Emperor's Disciples.
"Alright, let's wait here for the others to arrive!" Hou Qinglin said, putting away the yellow chart. Then he stepped into the void, sat cross-legged on a cloud, and closed his eyes to rest.
Lin Feng and Qiu Yuexin, having nothing to do, chatted for a while before waiting quietly. It wasn't until a day later that the third person emerged. Lin Feng recognized this person—it was Lin Ruotian of the Lin Clan. When he saw Lin Feng and Qiu Yuexin sitting quietly on the Heavenly Terrace, he was momentarily stunned, then sighed inwardly with regret. The seat of the First Martial Emperor's Disciple was not meant for him.
PS: Thanks to a few friends for the tips. Thank you. Breaking through the two million mark—awesome!