Chapter 1563: Pre-Battle Waves
After a deathly silence, the Zhongxu battlefield suddenly erupted, the exclamations bursting forth in that instant nearly causing the heavens themselves to tremble.
The Dongxu Divine Lord, the Xixu Divine Lord, and the Nanhuang Divine Lord all had expressions of shock on their faces, their reactions even greater than that of Beihan Divine Lord.
Let alone the others.
Amidst the surging tide of shock, excitement, and disbelief that erupted uncontrollably, Beihan Divine Lord turned his head with difficulty to look at Beihan Chu, focusing his spiritual sense tightly on him and sensing his aura: "Chu'er, you... you..."
"Father," Beihan Chu said with a smile, "thanks to the cultivation of my master and the various seniors, your son was fortunate enough to break through the bottleneck and achieve the Divine Lord realm."
Beihan Chu's voice was not loud, yet it pierced through the sound waves and resounded in everyone's ears, once again exploding like countless thunderclaps.
"..." Beihan Divine Lord's lips trembled, and then his whole body began to tremble as well: "Good... good... good... haha... hahaha... hahahaha..."
He laughed, a wild, unrestrained laugh: "To have a son like Chu, I have no regrets in this life, hahaha! Hahahaha——"
This was the most wanton, the most exhilarated laugh Beihan Divine Lord had ever laughed in his life! It was also the first time he truly understood what it meant to die without regret.
The other three Realm Kings stared blankly, and after a long time, they simultaneously let out faint, deep sighs. They knew this was a true miracle, one they could only envy and perhaps could never replicate.
"The Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List is the most watched and most revered profound list in the Northern Divine Region," Qianye Ying'er transmitted to Yun Che.
Although the Northern Divine Region was relatively isolated in terms of information from the other three Divine Regions, at the level of a king realm, they were not completely ignorant. As early as in the Brahma Emperor Divine Realm, Qianye Ying'er had known the name of the "Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List".
"This list records all Divine Lords under the age of ten jiazi in the entire Northern Divine Region... of course, excluding king realms," Qianye Ying'er said calmly. "If I remember correctly, in each era of the Northern Divine Region, about a hundred people make it onto this list."
"I see." Yun Che now understood why the people present had such a huge reaction.
He and Qianye Ying'er were probably the two most indifferent people.
The Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List, in a sense, was indeed the most prestigious and credible profound list in the Northern Divine Region. It recorded all Divine Lords under ten jiazi, excluding those from king realms!
Being able to achieve the Divine Lord realm in less than ten jiazi... that is, less than six hundred years old — without a doubt, any one of them was a true, genuine prodigy! The term "Heavenly Lord" also implied a Divine Lord favored by the Heavenly Dao!
Achieving Divine Lord in a hundred jiazi was enough to cause a huge sensation. Achieving it within ten jiazi, in upper star realms, was a miracle child! The vast Northern Divine Region had thousands of star realms and countless experts, yet only a paltry hundred or so could enter the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List!
And this list, of course, was not merely a record of the names of these youngest Divine Lords. Its existence, to a greater extent, was to tell the world: These young Divine Lords on the list were the ones most likely to achieve Divine Master in the future, standing at the pinnacle of the Northern Domain.
And this kind of miracle child was rare even in upper star realms. Beihan Chu, coming from the Beixu Realm... a middle star realm, had actually made it onto the list!
This was unprecedented in the Five Netherworld Voids... no, it was something they didn't even dare to dream of.
"You should indeed be proud," Bubai Shangren said to Beihan Divine Lord. "In my Nine Radiance Sky Palace, Chu'er is also the first to enter the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List. Before him, the youngest Divine Lord was already over a thousand years old. Even the chief palace master praises him highly and values him greatly, almost treating him like a son."
Beihan Chu smiled and said, "Your disciple's achievements today are all due to the grace of the sect. To be able to enter the sect is the greatest fortune bestowed upon me by the heavens."
"Mm." Bubai Shangren nodded slightly.
The excitement inside Beihan Divine Lord was still surging like waves, unable to calm down. He finally understood why Beihan Chu had suddenly become the Young Palace Master, why the Third Palace Master of Cangjian Palace had to personally protect him, and even now, was willing to take a subordinate position.
Anyone who could make it onto the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List was someone no one would doubt their future. Even in a place like Nine Radiance Sky Palace, this was an unprecedented major event. Although Beihan Chu was of low seniority, it was enough for Nine Radiance Sky Palace to give him the most extreme cultivation and protection, even status.
Exclamations, discussions, wild shouts... this was not only a miracle and glory for Beihan City, but also a miracle and glory for the Five Netherworld Voids. To make the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List with a background from a middle star realm was extremely rare in the entire history of the Northern Divine Region. The watching cultivators, amidst their shock, also felt a sense of pride.
On the side of the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom, some were dumbfounded, others shouted involuntarily. Even Nanhuang Divine Lord himself was motionless for a long time, looking dazed... but Yun Che clearly noticed that Nanhuang Chan Yi had been sitting there calmly, with no obvious reaction from start to finish, as placid as still water.
He looked up, toward the small mysterious ark floating high in the sky. His spiritual sense did not forcibly break through the barrier, but he could vaguely detect the existence of a person.
Someone was sealed inside there?
Yun Che only glanced casually, then quickly withdrew his attention and paid no more heed.
"Father, your son came here on his master's orders to witness the Zhongxu Battle on his behalf. I dare not take the spotlight," Beihan Chu said with a bow.
"Haha, good." Beihan Divine Lord's mood could not have been better. He waved his hand grandly, his profound Divine Lord voice forcibly suppressing the boiling sound waves of the Zhongxu battlefield: "Everyone, the Zhongxu Battle is a grand event of our Five Netherworld Voids held once every fifty years. It is a struggle for Divine Kings, and even more so a struggle for the Profound Way and honor."
"In this edition of the Zhongxu Battle, we originally invited the Cangjian Palace Master, Cangjian Venerable, of Nine Radiance Sky Palace to oversee and bear witness. But due to other commitments, the Cangjian Venerable was unable to attend, so the Young Palace Master of Cangjian Palace, Beihan Chu, will oversee and bear witness in his stead."
Beihan Divine Lord did not say "my son," but instead used the title "Young Palace Master of Cangjian Palace."
"Please, Young Palace Master and Venerable Bubai, take the honored seats."
"No," Beihan Chu quickly waved his hand and said, "Your son is a disciple of the Heaven Palace outside, but when I return, I am a son of Beihan. How can I be seated above my father?"
"Hehe, as long as you have this thought, that is enough." Beihan Divine Lord smiled. "But today, you represent your master. The Zhongxu Battle is a conflict between the four realms. If you were to oversee the battle as the son of Beihan, it would appear biased."
"...As you command, Father. I will follow your will." Only then did Beihan Chu take the honored seat, a seat so high it was above the four great Realm Kings!
The Zhongxu battlefield finally began to quiet down, but the gazes and attention of the entire audience had essentially shifted away from the Zhongxu Battle, focusing entirely on Beihan Chu. The words "Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List" were far too shocking, and even now, it still felt deeply unreal.
Moreover, with such achievements, he was neither arrogant nor proud, his heart as pure as a newborn — how could one not sigh in admiration?
"Everyone," after the battlefield calmed down, Beihan Divine Lord announced in a clear voice, "The rules for this edition of the Zhongxu Battle are the same as in previous editions. Each of the four realm kings' sects may send ten participants. Their cultivation must be at the Divine King realm, and their lifespan must not exceed fifty jiazi."
Divine Kings under fifty jiazi, in any middle star realm, were the absolute peak transcendent existences. Every one of them would be looked up to and revered by all cultivators in middle star realms.
But now, with Beihan Chu as the shining jewel beside them... Divine Kings under fifty jiazi, compared to a Divine Lord under ten jiazi — the gap was not merely heaven and earth, leaving not a trace of luster.
In every previous Zhongxu Battle, Beihan City had been the host. And this time, even the overseer was the former Beihan Crown Prince. Having dominated the Five Netherworld Voids for many years, Beihan City's future status would be even more transcendent above all other forces, with no possibility of being shaken.
"The battlefield rules are also unchanged. It will still be a four-way round-robin battle. The victor stays, the loser falls. The order of complete elimination determines the ranking, and also determines the right to govern the Zhongxu Realm for the next fifty years!"
Beihan Divine Lord stated the rules of the Zhongxu Battle, his speech and demeanor more spirited than ever before. After finishing, he turned his gaze to Beihan Chu: "Young Palace Master, as the overseer and witness of this Zhongxu Battle, please start the battle."
Beihan Chu stood up, a gentle smile on his face. He bowed to everyone around, but instead of announcing the start of the Zhongxu Battle, he said slowly, "I have come here today not only to obey my master's orders and oversee this Zhongxu Battle, but also with my own selfish motives."
As soon as he said this, the entire venue fell into utter silence. One by one, gazes began to consciously shift towards the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom.
And at that moment, Beihan Chu's posture turned squarely towards the location of the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom.
"Senior Nanhuang," Beihan Chu gave a deep bow to Nanhuang Divine Lord. "Back then, I had the fortune to meet Princess Chan Yi in the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom, and was captivated at first sight. However, I was too immature at that time, with no accomplishments to my name. All I had was a fervent passion and deep affection. It was entirely reasonable for me to be rejected by Princess Chan Yi."
"During these years in the sect, I have focused solely on cultivation, my mind free of dust and stains. Yet my feelings for Princess Chan Yi have never faded in the slightest. Perhaps, the greatest driving force behind my current achievements is the hope that one day I might be worthy of Princess Chan Yi."
Nanhuang Divine Lord stood up, a smile in his eyes. Beihan Divine Lord also nodded with a smile. But on the side of the Xixu Sect and Dongxu Sect, faces were either dark or somber, even gnashing their teeth.
Everything had come true. Beihan Chu's presence at the Zhongxu Battle was indeed for Nanhuang Chan Yi!
And the situation was far more "serious" than they had anticipated by who knows how many times!
Because the one who had arrived was not just Beihan Chu, a disciple of Nine Radiance Sky Palace, but Beihan Chu of the "Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List"!
And when Beihan Chu faced the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom, he was so humble and polite. Instead of holding a grudge over the past rejection and using his power to pressure, he placed himself in a very low position. His posture and words were all filled with the deepest sincerity and desire.
One must know that now, Beihan Chu must have already gained great fame in the upper star realms, becoming the undisputed number one among the disciples of Nine Radiance Sky Palace. For him to still fancy Nanhuang Chan Yi was a genuine blessing!
Moreover, with his current power, there was no need for him to appear in person. He only needed to say one word, and Nanhuang Divine Lord would obediently, personally deliver Nanhuang Chan Yi to Nine Radiance Sky Palace... and even consider it an honor!
"Hmph... Nanhuang, what damn good luck!" Dongxu Divine Lord snorted deeply. As the master of Dongxu, his eyes were filled with jealousy he couldn't hide.
"This Beihan Chu is really without ambition," Dong Xueci added bitterly. Remembering his public mockery of Nanhuang Chan Yi not long ago, a chill ran down his back, and he began to sweat nervously.
Beihan Chu's voice continued: "I have now achieved some small success, and I believe I am worthy of Princess Chan Yi's gaze. Therefore, today I boldly, in front of everyone, once again propose marriage to Nanhuang, asking Senior to betroth Princess Chan Yi to me. If I am granted this wish, I will definitely cherish Princess Chan Yi more than my own life... I beg Senior to grant this."
Every word was sincere, every word moved the heart. Beihan Divine Lord smiled and said to Nanhuang Divine Lord, "Nanhuang, what do you think?"
Everyone knew that this question from Beihan Divine Lord was purely rhetorical.
How could the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom refuse? There wasn't even a shred of possibility!
Beihan Chu, who had entered the Northern Domain Heavenly Lord List, had the potential to seek the Divine Master realm in the future. Even if he couldn't, he would stand at the pinnacle of Nine Radiance Sky Palace. If Nanhuang Chan Yi married Beihan Chu, the always weak Nanhuang Divine Lord in the Five Netherworld Voids would completely turn things around... As many silently thought, this was the heavenly fortune of the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom!
Moreover, the timing of Beihan Chu's choice was somewhat subtle... right before the start of the Zhongxu Battle.
It seemed to be issuing an early warning to the Dongxu Sect and the Xixu Sect.
Nanhuang Divine Lord's face was beaming, and the surrounding Nanhuang royal family members were all grinning from ear to ear, extremely excited. Nanhuang Divine Lord said, "To be favored by a worthy nephew, my daughter Chan Yi is truly fortunate. However, I must first ask my daughter's opinion."
"Chan Yi, do you have anything to say?" Nanhuang Divine Lord said with a cheerful smile. "If you're too shy to speak, then I'll accept on your behalf."
Under the gaze of everyone, Nanhuang Chan Yi slowly stood up. A beaded curtain concealed her face, yet she still exuded an immortal charm that touched the heart, making people sigh that it was no wonder Beihan Chu was so fixated... And what she was about to say, and what would happen next, was already a foregone conclusion in everyone's minds, with no second possibility.
In the Zhongxu battlefield, Nanhuang Chan Yi's soft voice rang out: "The greatest fortune in a woman's life is to be cherished by the one she cherishes. But for Chan Yi, Young Master Beihan is not the one I cherish."
Her words were like a gentle breeze, yet they instantly silenced the entire venue, every expression frozen solid on every face.