Chapter 2172: Who Loses
Outside, on the rows of stone pillars, following the first of the Divine Firmament, Hua Qingfeng, people continued to awaken one after another. By now, roughly over fifty individuals had already emerged. Through the discussions of the crowd, they discovered that most of these fifty-plus people were renowned young figures from various regions of the Nine Heavens Continent.
Of the Nine First Lords, seven had already come out. Additionally, several top-tier young experts from Divine Firmament City had appeared, along with a few obscure figures whom few seemed to know.
"Who is that person temporarily ranked fifth? He's so formidable. The one ranked sixth seems to be the Azure Night First Lord, Heartless Young Master, right? How is this person able to come out even earlier than Heartless Young Master?" Many people in Divine Firmament City were discussing. Every time someone emerged, they would inquire about their identity. Some individuals remained unidentified despite their efforts, sparking curiosity.
"I heard someone say this person is also from the Azure Night Continent—a very terrifying figure. Chu Chunqiu, a descendant of the ancient Chu King."
"The Chu King? That madman who shook the Nine Heavens many years ago, the one the saints couldn't tolerate because he cultivated the Heaven Devouring Scripture?"
"Exactly, that's the Chu King."
"No wonder. It seems this person, temporarily ranked fifth, is no ordinary character either."
"By the way, who is that person ranked second? Why hasn't anyone recognized him despite my asking?" The same person spoke again.
"I'm not sure. I've been inquiring ever since he appeared. He came out right after the first of the Divine Firmament, Hua Qingfeng. Logically, he shouldn't be an unknown figure. And look at his expression—so calm, without a single ripple, not even glancing at Hua Qingfeng. That calmness seems to contain an aura of 'I alone am supreme under heaven,' as if asking the geniuses of the Nine Heavens, 'Who else but me?'"
"That person is from our Heavenly Array Mysterious Mansion." At this moment, a young man spoke proudly. It turned out that this person was none other than the former Heaven-Born Array Spirit Body, who had imprisoned Lin Feng's physical body. He had emerged shortly after Hua Qingfeng.
"Judging by the order in which these people are coming out, it seems the upcoming competition will definitely not disappoint." Countless people sighed inwardly, filled with emotion and immense anticipation.
......
In the void shrouded by beams of light, Lin Feng had already witnessed two complete battles. When he arrived here, he had already understood the rules. Those enveloped by the light beams ahead could freely challenge one person among those who appeared later. Because they had arrived in this space first, if they won, a halo would appear above the battle platform, enveloping their bodies and taking them away to an unknown place. If they lost, they wouldn't disappear; instead, their order would change, and they would move to the position behind the person they had challenged and lost to.
Moreover, Lin Feng saw some familiar faces here: Lei Dongtian, Wang Shi, both present, as well as Nine Spirits Emperor and Rufeng. However, Nine Spirits Emperor was ahead of him, while Rufeng had entered even later than him, having just stepped into this space.
Besides them, Xian Ren was also ahead of him, along with a few of the Thirteen Young Masters of the Demon Domain. When they saw Lin Feng, a cold, sharp light flashed in their eyes.
"It seems I wasted quite a bit of time. Over a thousand people participated in this Martial Emperor Realm Nine Heavens Gathering. More than a hundred have arrived here before me. Excluding those who have already disappeared, there are still nearly a hundred ahead of me. The Nine Heavens Gathering truly has many astonishing figures." Lin Feng thought to himself. Of course, he wouldn't belittle himself. He knew very well that if he hadn't wasted any time, he would have arrived here much earlier than now.
At this moment, another duel began. Lin Feng recognized one of the two combatants—the woman bathing in the lake when he had transformed into a cauldron. She was still as cold as ice, defeating her challenger. A halo descended, enveloping her body, and she vanished from this place.
"Lin Feng." At that moment, a voice called out, causing Lin Feng's gaze to freeze. He turned his eyes and then a smile appeared on his face. "Second Senior Brother, you're here."
"En. I didn't expect so many people to have already arrived." Hou Qinglin showed a hint of surprise. There were indeed too many geniuses here. He had tried his best to improve quickly, arriving at this space only now, but he hadn't expected so many to have already made it.
"It doesn't matter. This is just the Prophet's first round of screening. With over a thousand strong contenders, he will likely keep at least three hundred seats. As long as we are among the first three hundred to arrive here, there shouldn't be too much of a problem. We can continue to stay on the stage of the Nine Heavens Gathering." Lin Feng estimated. With over a thousand people, they couldn't eliminate too many at once, right?
"En. I hope to win in one battle." Hou Qinglin nodded slightly.
"Win in one battle? Although here, the loser can still retain their position without falling back, if they lose three consecutive times, they will be directly expelled and removed from the list. That means if three people challenge you, you won't have the qualification to participate in the Nine Heavens Gathering." At this moment, a cold voice drifted over. Lin Feng looked at the speaker, Lei Dongtian, a cold smile flashing in his eyes. Three consecutive losses? Could such a situation occur?
Unless someone was truly weak but had managed to get here. After being challenged once and showing their weakness, others might line up to challenge them. After all, those ahead also wanted to secure their position and leave earlier.
"Are you interested in challenging him when it's your turn?" Another person spoke. It was the Sixth Young Master among the thirteen demon youths, whose ranking was not far ahead of Lin Feng.
"Naturally. Although I can't kill him, I will trample on his dignity and step on him to leave this place." Lei Dongtian's voice was cold, his killing intent undisguised. If he could kill Lin Feng, he would do so without mercy.
"You escaped last time, but you won't be so lucky this time. Once I challenge you, you must accept the battle until you lose."
That was the rule, so Lei Dongtian was looking forward to his turn.
"Good. There are two of us here who want to send him off." The Sixth Young Master said coldly. Ahead of him, the Fifth Young Master was also there. As for the Third and Fourth Young Masters, they had already left this space, having departed earlier.
"It's settled." Lei Dongtian smiled upon hearing the Sixth Young Master's words, then looked at Lin Feng: "Don't think that just because you've joined the Nine Heavens Gathering, you're safe. Once you're eliminated from the Nine Heavens Gathering, destruction awaits you. It's just a pity that I can't truly slay you on the stage of the Nine Heavens Gathering."
Just as they were discussing, a beam of light flashed and landed directly on Lei Dongtian, causing his gaze to stiffen. Someone ahead of him had issued a challenge.
The light beam directly transported him to the battle platform. Opposite him stood a figure draped in a green robe. This person exuded a kingly aura, clearly a King Body cultivator.
Seeing this, Lin Feng revealed a smile. Lei Dongtian said coldly, "Who are you?"
"Azure Night, Ancient Realm Clan, Langxie." A low voice rang out. Then, Langxie stepped forward. Behind him, a green light flashed, but there was no aura of divine abilities—only the kingly intent.
"Arrogant." Lei Dongtian's voice was icy. Starting from scratch, Lei Dongtian still cultivated his most adept demonic power, having comprehended a set of demonic techniques. He punched out, and a blast of thunderous demonic light shot forth like dark lightning. However, Langxie's palms trembled, and a boundary light flashed. The lightning seemed to be drawn away and dissipated as Langxie's body drew closer.
"En?" Lei Dongtian's expression tightened. This was boundary power.
"Boom!" He stamped his foot, and an endless demonic aura surged wildly. Countless dark lightning bolts coiled around his arm as he punched directly at the charging Langxie, intending to break the boundary power with sheer force.
Langxie's fist struck without hesitation. The two fists collided, and a brilliant green boundary light flashed wildly, dispersing the bolts of lightning.
"Whoosh." Langxie took a step forward, his figure seemingly vanishing instantly, causing Lei Dongtian's pupils to contract. When he reappeared, Langxie's hand was already striking directly at Lei Dongtian's throat. Lei Dongtian mobilized his formidable power to attack, but the eerie boundary light continued to disperse his attacks. Langxie's hand pierced through Lei Dongtian's throat, causing his figure to vanish directly. A beam of light brought him back to his original position.
At the same time, a halo enveloped Langxie's body.
"At the same cultivation level, the advantage of a King Body is still so obvious." The crowd's expressions tightened. This was a kingly physique—this person was a Boundary King Body.
"If this were a real battle, you would already be dead." Langxie said contemptuously, and then his figure disappeared, leaving Lei Dongtian with a pale face.
"One loss." Lin Feng's calm voice rang out at this moment, causing Lei Dongtian's brow to furrow even more. His already ugly expression turned to stare at Lin Feng, who smiled slightly. "Three consecutive losses, and you'll be kicked out of the Nine Heavens Gathering. You've already lost once."
"Crack." Lei Dongtian's fists clenched tightly, his killing intent soaring to the heavens. Dark lightning shrouded his body as his deathly gaze locked onto Lin Feng: "I've changed my mind. I'll let you die on the stage of the Nine Heavens Gathering. So, I hope the two of you will spare him this time. I only need to trample on him once. Leave his spot and let him advance."
Lei Dongtian was speaking to the demon youths. He wanted to let Lin Feng advance so he could kill him later.