Chapter 205: Ranking Battle: Profound Force Test
"Now, this old man will read out the rewards for this Ranking Battle."
Ling Wugou's words drew everyone's attention back to him as they listened intently. The prizes for each Ranking Battle varied. Ling Wugou declared in a clear voice, "The participant who ranks third in the individual competition will receive one 'Purple Pattern Dragon Heart Pill'. The participant who ranks second will receive three drops of 'Purple Vein Marrow Tempering Liquid'..."
As Ling Wugou spoke up to this point, exclamations erupted from below. The names "Purple Pattern Dragon Heart Pill" and "Purple Vein Marrow Tempering Liquid" thundered in everyone's ears, as these were priceless divine medicines that could not be bought even with ten thousand gold. The former was said to be refined from the power of a True Dragon's Profound Pill, allowing the user to have all their profound gates fully open for the following month, increasing cultivation speed several times over! The latter could temper bone marrow and brain marrow, greatly enhancing the user's physique and mental strength, granting permanent massive benefits. Both of these pills were extremely precious, and even with abundant wealth, they were almost impossible to purchase. Especially for the younger generation, the "Purple Pattern Dragon Heart Pill" and "Purple Vein Marrow Tempering Liquid" were nothing short of divine medicines.
All the participating disciples present, including those from the top sects, stared fixedly, their throats constantly making swallowing sounds.
However, the conditions for obtaining either of these pills were extremely harsh... To break into the top three among over fifteen hundred of the most outstanding talents was truly harder than ascending to heaven.
"...The participant who ranks first in the individual competition will receive a Heaven Xuan Device from the Tian Wei Sword Domain—the Dragon Scale Armor."
"Whoosh—"
As soon as the reward for first place was announced, the entire venue erupted like a boiling pot, with clamor lasting a long time.
Heaven Xuan Device... Dragon Scale Armor!!
"As expected of the Tian Wei Sword Domain, such a generous move makes it hard not to be astonished." Xiao Sect Master Xiao Juetian said with a shocked expression, "I have heard of this Dragon Scale Armor. It is made from the scales of a True Dragon, extremely tough, and also has a certain rebound effect against incoming profound force. Wearing the Dragon Scale Armor is equivalent to having an extra... no, several extra lives! Lei'er, this time, you must exert every ounce of effort. For the sake of this Dragon Scale Armor, even if it's Ling Yun, you must give it your all and never admit defeat directly."
"Yes!" Xiao Kuanglei nodded vigorously.
"Armor of the Heaven Xuan level—the entire Cang Feng Empire has only three pieces, and none of them can compare to this Dragon Scale Armor." Fen Tian Gate's Grand Elder Fen Moli could no longer remain calm, but he was not as optimistic as Xiao Juetian, and his expression soon returned to indifference. "Unfortunately, this Dragon Scale Armor is merely meant to dazzle our eyes. With Ling Yun present, who can contend with him? In my opinion, it is likely a heavy gift brought by Ling Kun from the Tian Wei Sword Domain, using this form to catch our attention. In the end, it will still be their possession."
Ling Wugou continued reading: "The top ten sects in the Ranking Battle will have the right to collectively explore the 'Heavenly Pool Secret Realm' after the battle."
"The top ten sects in the Ranking Battle will also have the opportunity, after exploring the 'Heavenly Pool Secret Realm', to witness firsthand the 'Demon Sealing Ceremony' personally performed by Tian Wei Sword Domain Elder Ling Kun."
"Demon Sealing Ceremony? What's that?" Yun Che asked Qin Wushang in confusion.
Qin Wushang thought for a moment and said, "I'm not entirely sure either. Counting this time, I have been here three times, and there has never been such a 'reward'. However, I have heard of the term 'Demon'. It is said that a hundred years ago, the Tian Wei Sword Domain sent a 'Demon' to Tian Jian Villa and sealed it beneath the Sword Control Platform. The giant sword at the center of Sword Control Platform exists precisely to seal that 'Demon'. Perhaps this seal needs to be reinforced every so often, or perhaps Ling Kun came to Tian Jian Villa not to witness this Cang Feng Ranking Battle, but to reinforce that seal... Of course, this is just speculation."
Yun Che had heard from Cang Yue when she introduced Tian Jian Villa that there was a Demon sent by Tian Wei Sword Domain a hundred years ago. He swept his gaze around and noticed that most people were whispering among themselves, looking puzzled... It seemed that many did not know what the so-called "Demon Sealing Ceremony" was.
"The auspicious time has arrived. Now, this old man declares the current Cang Feng Ranking Battle officially begun!"
The vast Sword Discussion Platform fell into complete silence. Ling Wugou's figure flickered, and he soared into the air, crossing a blurry gray shadow in midair. In the blink of an eye, he landed at the exact center of the Sword Discussion Platform, where a large Profound Measuring Stone had already been erected.
"This Ranking Battle involves a total of five hundred and thirteen sects competing, with one thousand five hundred and thirty-five participating disciples. All participating disciples must be no younger than sixteen years old and no older than twenty years old. Anyone outside this age range will be immediately disqualified. We will now begin drawing numbers for the Ranking Battle. Before drawing numbers, age and profound force tests will be conducted. This also serves to let everyone know the names of these outstanding young talents... Now, the disciples whose names I call shall immediately come up for profound force testing and number drawing."
Every Ranking Battle included the profound force test as a necessary procedure. However, this test was truly aimed at verifying age rather than profound force, as the battle had strict age restrictions for participants.
"Heaven Blade Sect—Li Badao, Ji Hong, Ye Changqing!"
The three whose names were called by Ling Wugou immediately walked down from their seats and placed their palms on the Profound Measuring Stone one by one. The measured ages were 19, 20, and 20 years old, with corresponding profound force levels at Spirit Xuan Realm Level 3, Spirit Xuan Realm Level 2, and Spirit Xuan Realm Level 2. Afterwards, they drew their Ranking Battle numbers nearby and returned to their seats.
"Thunderbolt Mountain—Wu Mu, Wu Feiran, Wu Qingyun!"
"Tian Jiang Cloud Pavilion..."
"Worship Moon Sect..."
"Divine Cloud Island..."
...
Wave after wave of participating disciples came forward by sect for profound force testing and number drawing. As in previous years, the ages of the participating disciples were concentrated around 19 and 20 years old. Those who were 18 were already few, and those who were 17 were extremely rare. As for 16-year-olds... almost half of the disciples had already gone up, and still none had appeared.
Among these participating disciples, over ninety percent had profound force concentrated between Spirit Xuan Realm Level 1 and Spirit Xuan Realm Level 5. Those above Spirit Xuan Realm Level 5 accounted for less than one-tenth. To have reached the Spirit Xuan Realm before the age of twenty—even in the imperial capital of the Cang Feng Empire—qualified one as a genius among geniuses. In the top Profound Academy of Cang Feng, counting the outsider Fen Juechen, there were only three such individuals. In small cities like Liuyun or New Moon, it was unimaginable. But here, it was merely average. As for young profound practitioners at Spirit Xuan Realm Level 5 and above, these were the prodigies among prodigies, and they formed the upper echelon of the Ranking Battle.
As for the True Xuan Realm... at least so far, none had appeared.
"Xiao Sect—Xiao Kuanglei, Xiao Zhen, Xiao Nan."
As soon as the name "Xiao Sect" was announced, the entire venue fell into a sudden hush. The Four Great Sects that shook the Cang Feng Empire had finally begun to take the stage!
The three participating disciples of Xiao Sect walked out from their seats, advancing side by side toward the center of the Sword Discussion Platform. Even their manner of walking differed from disciples of other sects, and between their brows, they exuded an almost inherent pride.
Xiao Kuanglei—20 years old—Spirit Xuan Realm Level 9.
Xiao Kuanglei was the first to undergo the profound force test. As soon as the result came out, exclamations erupted from below. Particularly those disciples who were usually arrogant and hailed as "number one geniuses" in their own territories were left dumbfounded, unable to believe their eyes.
Only twenty years old, and already at Spirit Xuan Realm Level 9, just two steps away from the Earth Xuan Realm. How is that possible?—they cried out in their hearts with trembling voices.
The exclamations ringing in his ears made Xiao Zhen snort coldly. He stepped forward and pressed his palm onto the Profound Measuring Stone.
Xiao Zhen—20 years old—Spirit Xuan Realm Level 9.
This time, those already stunned young disciples were even more wide-eyed. In the past, they had only heard of the Four Great Sects' prestige through rumors. Now, with their own eyes, they truly witnessed the terror of these four sects.
Finally, it was Xiao Nan's turn.
Xiao Nan—18 years old—Spirit Xuan Realm Level 6.
Although Xiao Nan's profound force was the lowest among the three, he was, after all, two years younger than Xiao Kuanglei and Xiao Zhen. This age paired with this level of profound force was no less shocking than the previous two.
Before long, the three participating disciples of Fen Tian Gate also took the stage together.
Fen Jin—20 years old—Spirit Xuan Realm Level 9.
Fen Juebi—20 years old—Spirit Xuan Realm Level 8.
Fen Yuange—19 years old—Spirit Xuan Realm Level 7.
"'Fen Jin' is the eldest grandson of Fen Tian Gate's Grand Elder Fen Moli and also the foremost disciple of Fen Tian Gate in this Ranking Battle. As for Fen Juebi, his talent is inferior to Fen Juecheng's, so he cannot be the main protagonist of Fen Tian Gate in this battle." Qin Wushang explained casually.
"Bing Yun Fairy Palace—Shui Wushuang, Wu Xuexin, Xia Qingyue."
Among the Four Great Sects, Bing Yun Fairy Palace had the fewest disciples, as the palace had extremely strict requirements when selecting disciples—not only were they limited to females, but their qualifications, talents, and appearances were all subject to rigorous standards. Thus, in terms of average disciple strength, even Tian Jian Villa could not compare to Bing Yun Fairy Palace. At the same time, every disciple of Bing Yun Fairy Palace was as beautiful as a flower. The "number one beauty" of yesteryear, Chu Yuechan, who captivated countless young talents, was from Bing Yun Fairy Palace.
Unsurprisingly, as soon as the three women of Bing Yun Fairy Palace appeared, sounds of swallowing saliva rose from all around. The young disciples who had managed to reach this place were all at the peak of their respective domains, and they could enjoy all kinds of beautiful women at will. But the temperament of Bing Yun Fairy Palace's female disciples was incomparable to ordinary women. The icy aura that naturally drifted from them added a dreamlike quality. The last young woman had her face covered with a veil, making it impossible to see her true appearance. The young male disciples' gazes focused on the faces and figures of Shui Wushuang and Wu Xuexin, their eyes fixed and their souls captivated.
"Brother-in-law, look! It's sister!"
Although Xia Qingyue wore a veil, Xia Yuanba recognized her at a glance. He quickly grabbed Yun Che's arm and shouted excitedly.
"Shh..." Yun Che quickly silenced him and said in a low voice, "I know she is Qingyue, and I knew she would come to this Ranking Battle... You can call me brother-in-law, but do not call her sister. The female disciples of Bing Yun Fairy Palace are forbidden from marrying. If anyone hears anything, it will be very disadvantageous for her, and we will also attract unwanted attention."
Xia Yuanba quickly covered his mouth with both hands, nodded repeatedly, and dared not shout again.
Yun Che's gaze fell on Xia Qingyue's back, and his heart stirred... A year and a half had passed since he last saw her. She had grown much taller. Her already exquisite figure was now perfect to the extreme. Just by looking at her back, one could imagine the unparalleled grace she possessed... Beneath her veil, her appearance might have become even more breathtakingly beautiful.
"That veiled girl is... is... Yuanba's sister... your wife?" Xia Yuanba's words were inaudible to others, but Cang Yue, sitting beside them, heard clearly. She stared blankly at Xia Qingyue... at the wife of the man she loved. In her voice and eyes, there was an indescribably complex emotion.
Regardless of whether they had genuine feelings or not, regardless of whether they had ever consummated their marriage... she was, after all, his wife—formally wed, having bowed to heaven and earth, bowed to their elders, witnessed by heaven and earth...
*[Mercedes-Benz's new S63 Coupe is simply stunning. And the price isn't bad either—the base model is just over 2.3 million. This Mars here just needs to save a little more frugally, and in at most another eighty years or so, I can afford it. Just thinking about it gets me excited...]*