Chapter 1947: Strive
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In the Holy City Central Continent, there was a Holy Mountain, exuding an ethereal and intangible aura. Far ahead of the Holy Mountain lay a vast expanse of land, the central region of the Holy City Central Continent. The area was open, filled with majestic and imposing architectural clusters. Gazing from here toward the distant Holy Mountain, one could see a palace piercing the sky atop it—that was the Human Emperor Palace.
The Human Emperor Palace possessed an extremely ancient history in the Holy City Central Continent. It was even said to be older than the Four Great Academies. Standing atop the dragon vein of the Holy City Central Continent, it remained eternal and unshaken. Over countless years, many names that emerged from there became formidable figures who dominated the Central Continent. The glorious names recorded on the Human Emperor List were all decided by the Human Emperor Palace.
At this moment, the rays of light from the sky shone upon the Central Continent. In an open area, many figures stood, their gazes all fixed on the direction of that Holy Mountain. Tiny silhouettes appeared from within the Holy Mountain, then flickered toward this side. Bathed in the radiant light, these figures gradually grew larger in the eyes of the crowd. They were, unmistakably, the experts of the Human Emperor Palace.
"The disciples of the Human Emperor Palace have arrived," the crowd murmured. There were nine figures in total. They came to the steps of this wide area. The leader waved his hand, and in the void above, a golden list shone brilliantly. Under the reflection of the sky's rays, it glittered magnificently, a dazzling sight.
On that list were written many glorious names. The top name was none other than Ying Cheng.
"The Emperor List!" The crowd's eyes were like lightning, fixed on this golden list. It was one of the two most famous lists in the Holy City Central Continent—the Emperor List, also known as the Human Emperor List. Those on this list held the status of Human Emperor, commanding the winds and clouds.
"The disciples of the Human Emperor Palace were once figures on the Emperor List themselves. Even these nine before us once made their mark in the Holy City Central Continent. Now, they have transcended the Human Emperor seat and achieved the dignity of Emperor." The crowd's gazes fell on the nine disciples before the Emperor List. They were all renowned figures of their time: Feng Shentian, Pei Donglai, Ao Yunxiao—all once illustrious, shaking the Emperor List with their fame.
"Buzz!" The leader waved his hand again, and the Emperor List hung in the sky. Its dazzling light flickered, rustling in the wind, yet it stood motionless in the void.
On the steps, before the nine figures, a large ancient sandalwood table appeared. On it lay a single Human Emperor Brush.
"Once every decade, on the day of the Emperor List Inquiry, the Human Emperor Brush will write glory and reshape the Human Emperor List." The clear voice rolled out, carrying a solemn tone, stirring the crowd's passion. They all wished to carve their names onto that list in the sky. Though the Human Emperor List changed at any time, only the once-a-decade Emperor List Inquiry Day was the most authoritative revision. The names on it would shift positions dramatically, as if being reshaped.
The vast surrounding crowd fell silent, yet their hearts surged. If one looked down from above at this moment, they would see an endless sea of powerful figures. Today, countless people from the Holy City Central Continent had come to witness this Emperor List Inquiry. It was one of the grand events of the Holy City Central Continent. The figures who dominated today would also stir the winds and clouds on the stage of the entire Qingxiao Land in the future.
At this moment, Lin Feng was among the crowd. Beside him stood Hou Qinglin, Lin Wushang, Meng Qing, and many others from the Heavenly Terrace.
"Emperor List Inquiry. This Human Emperor Platform—I wonder how much Human Emperor blood it will stain today," Hou Qinglin murmured. Lin Feng's gaze was calm as he looked at the figures of the Human Emperor Palace on the steps of the Human Emperor Platform. These were also geniuses of the Holy City Central Continent, once figures on the Emperor List. Today's Emperor List Inquiry would be presided over by them.
At this moment, the leader of the Human Emperor Palace glanced at the red clouds in the sky and smiled. "In another hour, I will call the names for the Emperor List. You will all witness this decade's Human Emperor grand occasion."
"Brother, Silver Moon," Lin Wushang said, his gaze shifting to a certain direction. There, the experts of the Silver Clan were present: Silver Rui, Silver Gutian, and Silver Moon.
Lin Feng frowned slightly. Silver Rui was currently chatting amiably with someone. Behind that person stood Pei Dongqing. These people were clearly from the Pei Clan.
"Brother Ren," the leading expert of the Pei Clan said, stepping forward with Silver Rui toward the steps of the Human Emperor Platform, a smile on his face.
"It would be more appropriate for you two to call me Tianxing," the leader of the Human Emperor Palace replied with a smile. In terms of seniority, these two were his predecessors.
"Martial artists are not bound by generational hierarchy. We associate based on martial strength. What's wrong with calling you Brother Ren?" the Pei Clan expert said with a smile. "Thirty years ago, I witnessed Brother Ren on the day of the Emperor List Inquiry, standing at the peak, his name written at the very top of the Emperor List. Time flies—thirty years pass in the blink of an eye. Now, Brother Ren's strength has caught up to us old men. I am ashamed."
"Ren Tianxing." Many eyes turned to the leader. Their expressions flickered with sharpness. This was Ren Tianxing, the number one on the Emperor List thirty years ago. The arrogant young man who once swept through heaven and earth, doing as he pleased, had now become as steady as a mountain, calm and unremarkable. Some who had seen him before almost forgot that this was the man who had stirred up storms thirty years ago.
"Thirty years have passed in a flash. Tianxing is ashamed," Ren Tianxing said with a smile. At this moment, the Pei Clan expert looked at Pei Donglai and smiled. "Donglai, you should learn more from your senior brother."
"Junior Brother Donglai has extraordinary talent. His future achievements may not be lower than mine," Ren Tianxing said, looking at Pei Donglai beside him with a smile.
"Brother Ren, please guide this kid well," the Pei Clan expert said with a smile. "By the way, after the Emperor List Inquiry today, Brother Silver Rui will announce a piece of good news."
"Oh?" Ren Tianxing looked at Silver Rui. Silver Rui nodded with a smile. "Brother Ren, besides the good news, my Silver Clan disciple Silver Gutian has also shown considerable talent in cultivation. After the Emperor List Inquiry, I would like him to join the Human Emperor Palace. Could Brother Ren help introduce him?"
"I have long heard of Silver Gutian's reputation. This is a good thing. After the Emperor List Inquiry, I will personally take Young Nephew Gutian to the Human Emperor Palace," Ren Tianxing replied with a smile.
"The Human Emperor Palace is truly an extraordinary force. Even the Silver Clan and the Pei Clan, such terrifying powers, show great respect to its disciples," the crowd thought as they watched the few chatting figures.
At this moment, Lin Wushang's expression was grim. The ambiguous relationship between the Silver Clan and the Pei Clan was extremely bad news for him.
He looked toward Silver Moon. At that moment, Silver Moon was also looking this way. However, Pei Dongqing's eyes flashed with a cold light. He stepped in front of Silver Moon, blocking Lin Wushang's view, and said to her, "Xiaoyue, after the Emperor List Inquiry, Grandfather will announce our good news."
"Despicable," Silver Moon said coldly, staring at Pei Dongqing. His expression turned unpleasant. He turned around and looked at Lin Wushang, a cold smile appearing in his eyes. He raised his little finger, pointed it at the ground, then stomped on that spot with his foot, as if to say, "I will trample you mercilessly."
"I want to kill this bastard," Lin Wushang said through gritted teeth, his bones creaking.
"Calm down." A voice directly pierced Lin Wushang's mind, making his expression tremble. He calmed down slightly and looked at Lin Feng.
"Getting angered so easily—how can you cultivate martial arts?" Lin Feng scolded Lin Wushang, causing his expression to stiffen. If it were other matters, he could remain calm, but Silver Moon...
"Lin Feng," a voice called out toward Lin Feng. He looked at the speaker—it was someone from the Ji Clan.
"Where is Ji Jiang?" Ji Yuan asked Lin Feng coldly.
"Your Ji Clan member—why ask me?" Lin Feng replied disdainfully.
"After Silver Rui's birthday banquet, Ji Jiang went out with you, wanting to spar with you. Then he disappeared. Several others also died. Do you admit to this?" Ji Yuan asked coldly.
"Those who try to kill me, I kill," Lin Feng said coldly and contemptuously, then turned his gaze away. Ji Yuan's eyes burst with icy light. "Very well, Lin Feng. You will regret what you've done."
"Only you are allowed to bully others, but others are not allowed to bully you?" Lin Feng sighed and shook his head slightly. Ji Shang, Ji Wuyou, the Ji Gate—they bullied the Heavenly Terrace. Back then, the Ji Clan didn't even pay attention to such matters because they were the oppressors. But when his strength rose, he went after Ji Wuyou and disrupted Ji Shang's enfeoffment day, drawing the Ji Clan's hatred and resentment. Although they said elders wouldn't interfere in the conflicts of juniors, that was just talk. When the struggle reached a certain level of cruelty, could those Ancient Saint Clans truly save face? In the end, this was a world of martial strength and power. If he hadn't fought that fierce battle on Ji Shang's enfeoffment day, drawing the attention of the War King Academy, he would likely have died a miserable death.
Of course, there was another possibility: if Lin Feng had swallowed his pride and not fought, he wouldn't have clashed with these Ancient Saint Clans. But that wasn't Lin Feng's nature. To strive against the earth, one can trample it; to strive against the heavens, one can shatter them. The martial world is a world of great striving. To reach the pinnacle of martial arts, one must tread on the bones of countless strong men. Anyone, any force, must make way.
Today, on this Emperor List Inquiry Day, the Martial Emperor realm geniuses of the Holy City Central Continent were only fighting for a single seat on the Emperor List. Wasn't this also striving? Even though they knew this struggle might draw blood, offend many people and forces, and even cost them their lives, no one would give up the fight!
(To be continued. Please search for "Pure Text Online Reading" for the latest chapter updates.)