# Chapter 246: The Victor
Yun Che remained unconscious for a long time, not getting up. This also meant that his battle with Xia Qingyue had finally ended, and the last match of this ranking tournament had thus come to a close.
The match was over, but the shock in people's hearts could not subside for a long time. Neither of the two combatants in this duel came from Tian Jian Villa, and the final crown thus fell into the hands of Bing Yun Fairy Palace... but none of that mattered at this moment. The process of this battle made all the spectators feel as if they had walked through nine layers of ice and fire, with every single image violently impacting their vision and souls.
Both were only seventeen years old, yet they had staged a battle that transcended realms and boundaries, breaking everyone's understanding. Although Yun Che ultimately lost before Xia Qingyue, his profound strength was indeed only at the True Xuan Realm, yet the shock he brought surpassed even Xia Qingyue. In the presence of two such individuals, the brilliance of Tian Jian Villa was completely overshadowed. Even Ling Yun, who had been universally recognized before the tournament as the number one of the younger generation, now seemed to have lost to them deservedly and without any injustice.
"Fairy Ice Li, congratulations to your palace for securing first place this time." The sect leader seated to the right of Bing Yun Fairy Palace's seats quickly offered his congratulations to Chu Yueli... As for Chu Yuechan, even as a sect master, he didn't have the courage to speak.
The sect leader seated to the left also flattered, "Your palace has nurtured such a genius disciple; winning first place is only natural. Your palace's reputation will surely overshadow the heavens in the future..."
Chu Yueli furrowed her brows slightly and did not respond to their words. The final result made her heave a great sigh of relief—it was the outcome she desperately wanted to see. This result also meant that Bing Yun Fairy Palace had achieved a historic breakthrough, winning first place in the ranking tournament for the first time, and its reputation would far surpass the past. But the difficulty of achieving this result far exceeded her expectations. What she least expected was that the biggest obstacle was not Ling Yun, but instead that young man she had almost forgotten... the one from a year and a half ago, whose profound veins were crippled, who was worthless, and who had been cast out of his family.
Yun Che was unconscious, while Xia Qingyue appeared completely unharmed. Chu Yueli, who should have been relieved, was inexplicably uneasy. As Xia Qingyue's master, she naturally knew Xia Qingyue's power best, and that earth-shaking storm of power just now had definitely not come from Xia Qingyue. Although she ultimately saw Yun Che fall and Xia Qingyue seemingly without injury, her heart could not settle.
"Yun Che has been on the ground for ten breaths without rising. The victor of the final match of this ranking tournament is from Bing Yun Fairy Palace—"
"Wait!"
Just as Ling Wugou was about to call out the name "Xia Qingyue," a cold, quiet voice suddenly interrupted him.
The person who spoke was none other than Xia Qingyue. As she spoke, she stepped forward to stand before Yun Che, swept her hands forward, and a layer of light blue ice spirit slowly descended, enveloping Yun Che's body. Silently watching the ice spirit gradually seal the wounds on his body, she turned around and said softly, "The victor is not me, but him. In this battle... I concede."
Whoosh~
The sword discussion platform instantly erupted into an uproar. People looked at each other in bewilderment, their faces filled with shock. Yun Che was unconscious, Xia Qingyue was unharmed—who had won and who had lost was obvious. But Xia Qingyue's words deliberately handed the victory she had already secured to someone else. It was utterly incomprehensible.
Chu Yueli stood up and said in surprise, "Qingyue, what nonsense are you talking? Take back your words immediately!"
Chu Yuechan suddenly spoke coldly, "Look up there."
Chu Yueli subconsciously raised her head, then her gaze froze, her expression solidified there, staring, unable to speak for a long time.
A long white silk sash floated down from the sky at this moment, landing precisely on Xia Qingyue's shoulder, and she caught it in her hand. Ling Wugou was about to ask a question when he saw the falling Ice Phoenix Qionghua Silk, and the words he was about to say got stuck in his throat.
Although Yun Che was unconscious, his Dragon Gate had been firmly grasped in his hand all along.
And although Xia Qingyue was standing in front of Yun Che and appeared to have suffered no injury, few had noticed that her Ice Phoenix Qionghua Silk had disappeared.
It was only now that the Ice Phoenix Qionghua Silk drifted down from the sky, showing just how high into the air it had been blasted...
"The power of his final strike was concentrated on my Ice Phoenix Qionghua Silk... If it had been concentrated on me, I might already be dead now. In this battle, he wins, I lose."
Chu Yueli was stunned for a long while, then let out a long sigh, closed her beautiful eyes, and remained silent for a long time.
The outcome was reversed with Xia Qingyue's voluntary concession. And if it were only her concession, the outcome might not necessarily have changed—after all, everyone had seen Yun Che fall unconscious, and Ling Wugou, as the referee, might not have accepted a concession after the victor had already been determined.
But the Ice Phoenix Qionghua Silk falling from the sky, along with Xia Qingyue's final words, declared to everyone who had truly won and who had lost.
Ling Wugou nodded, did not question Xia Qingyue further, raised his hand again, and announced loudly, "Xia Qingyue concedes. The victor of the final match of this ranking tournament is..."
"Representing the Cangfeng Imperial Clan... Yun Che!!"
With the final result announced, this ranking tournament was finally settled. The sword discussion platform immediately became abuzz. This was an outcome that no one had thought possible before the tournament. On the contrary, if anyone had said before the tournament that the first place would go to the Cangfeng Imperial Clan, that person would have been directly regarded as an idiot or a madman by everyone.
The Cangfeng Imperial Clan—a name that should have stood proudly over the world but had been repeatedly met with mockery and disdain in the profound realm—today, for the first time in history, resounded on the stage of the final match of the ranking tournament!
"...Although we didn't get first place, we defeated Ling Yun and suppressed Tian Jian Villa, which fulfills our original intention." After a brief moment of disappointment, Chu Yueli smiled faintly, her expression returning to calm. "I never expected that the one to bring me the greatest shock in this ranking tournament would be the man Qingyue married. Fate truly is the most wondrous thing in this world."
Chu Yuechan remained silent, her eyes like ice crystals. No one could understand what was in her heart at this moment.
"Incredible, wonderful! As expected of my boss! The person worthy of being my Ling Jie's boss is truly extraordinary!" Ling Jie clenched his fists tightly, growling through gritted teeth. Having already proclaimed himself Yun Che's little brother, he now felt a sense of shared glory. As for Tian Jian Villa's defeat yesterday, he had long since cast it out of his mind.
But from the seats of the Cangfeng Imperial Clan, there was no cheer. After Ling Wugou announced the result, Cang Yue cried out "Junior Brother Yun," disregarding everything else as she rushed onto the sword discussion platform at top speed. Xia Yuanba followed closely behind, his face filled with panic. Qin Wushang's movements were slightly slower, but his speed was naturally much faster than theirs. In a few flashes, he arrived before Yun Che and quickly crouched down to examine his injuries.
"How... how is Junior Brother Yun?" Cang Yue stretched out her hands but dared not touch Yun Che's body. Her face was already covered with tear streaks.
Qin Wushang removed his hand from Yun Che's body, a relieved expression on his face. "Princess, rest assured. Although his injuries look terrifying, they are mostly superficial wounds. At most, a month of recuperation will be enough for a full recovery. His internal injuries are also very light. The only concern is that his profound force is severely overdrawn, and his profound veins show signs of depletion. Recovery will take a long time. But it won't leave any incurable aftereffects. As for the Tianchi Secret Realm... in his current state, it's impossible for him to participate in the exploration. Sigh."
Hearing this, Cang Yue's anxious heart finally relaxed a little. She tightly grasped Yun Che's hand, unwilling to let go.
Cang Yue's concern, her words, her tear traces... Xia Qingyue silently took in all of it. Her footsteps stopped, and she no longer approached. The bottle of Snow Face Pills she had just obtained from her master was quietly put away.
"Palace Master Qin, my sincerest congratulations." Ling Wugou said to Qin Wushang. Tian Jian Villa's defeat was already sealed. The king's throne that had always belonged to them was now seized by the Cangfeng Imperial Clan, yet Ling Wugou appeared very magnanimous, taking the initiative to congratulate Qin Wushang. Before he could respond, he continued, "Palace Master Qin, no need to say more. First, come with me to the Return Heaven Pavilion."
Qin Wushang nodded, lifted Yun Che, and said, "I'll trouble Elder Ling to lead the way."
As the ultimate victor of this ranking tournament, Yun Che did not have the chance to receive the cheers and gazes of the entire audience before being hastily taken away. Although the protagonist had left, the clamor on the sword discussion platform continued for a very long time. The young profound practitioners present had all lost their pride. After experiencing this ranking tournament filled with countless shocks and twists, they finally understood that the geniuses they had always prided themselves on were utterly insignificant in the presence of true geniuses.
This was the most unique ranking tournament, because it broke more than a dozen historical records. Its process and outcome were steeped in shocking colors. It could be foreseen that after this ranking tournament, a great storm would sweep across the Cang Feng Empire, and that storm would last for a very long time.
Of course, there were also many people extremely displeased with the result of this ranking tournament.
For example, Fen Tian Gate, which had been severely humiliated by Yun Che, causing even their Grand Elder to lose emotional control and greatly damage their face.
Or, for example, Heavenly Spear Thunder Flame Fort, which had issued threats against Yun Che early on. But compared to Fen Tian Gate, Heavenly Spear Thunder Flame Fort felt more unease. Mu Tianbei could never have imagined that Yun Che's true strength was so terrifying, let alone that he would win first place in this ranking tournament.
Such a person, once his wings were fully grown, would surely become a generation's throne of the Cang Feng Continent! And in the several hundred years of Heavenly Spear Thunder Flame Fort's history, they had never produced a single throne, much less dared to provoke one.
Thinking of this, Mu Tianbei naturally could not be at ease. Cold sweat dripped down his back, and he regretted his actions so much that his intestines had turned green.
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Cangfeng Imperial Clan, the Emperor's Bedchamber.
Cang Wanhe, the current emperor of the Cang Feng Empire, had a flushed face and dazed eyes, as if he were in the middle of a dream.
And indeed, Cang Wanhe thought he was dreaming.
He received a sound transmission from Qin Wushang: The Cangfeng Imperial Clan had won first place in the ranking tournament...
Immediately after, he received a sound transmission from his daughter: The Cangfeng Imperial Clan had won first place in the ranking tournament...
Holding the sound transmission jade, Cang Wanhe was completely stunned, unable to come to his senses for a long time. He trusted Qin Wushang, and he trusted Cang Yue even more. But the same words coming from their mouths, he simply could not believe. It was too dreamlike, too unreal... Like a voice in a dream, an Arabian night.
A hurried footstep came from outside. Soon, his personal eunuch rushed in, threw himself before him, and shouted hoarsely, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! The ranking tournament ended today at the hour of Si. Our imperial clan... our clan... won first place! First place!"
Cang Wanhe's lips moved, and he stammered, "Is this news... really true?"
"This news was released by Tian Jian Villa, a thousand times true! At this moment, all parts of the empire have received the news, not a single word is false!" The eunuch said with extreme excitement. "Yun Che, who fought on behalf of the imperial clan, won all his matches in the first round of the group stage, won all his matches in the second round of the group stage, and in the elimination rounds defeated opponents from Xiao Sect, Fen Tian Gate, Tian Jian Villa, and Bing Yun Fairy Palace, winning every battle... achieving first place! If there is even half a false word, may this slave be struck by heavenly lightning!"
Cang Wanhe's face grew redder and redder. The emotion of excitement spread to every cell in his body. "Good... good... good! Ha... hahahaha... hahahahahaha..."
Cang Wanhe burst into laughter, laughing with incomparable joy. In his more than ten years on the throne, this was the first time he had laughed so heartily and freely. It was as if all the pent-up frustration and turbid energy in his heart had been completely released in this hearty laugh. "This is the prestige that our Cangfeng Imperial Clan should have. This is truly looking down on the world, reigning over all directions... Issue an edict... issue an edict! From today, the entire empire shall grant a three-year amnesty. The annual supply to all branch profound academies shall be doubled. Rewards for the Cangfeng Mystic Palace shall be announced separately! From this moment, prepare the highest standard grand banquet in the Cangfeng Grand Hall. I will personally welcome Yun Che and the others on their triumphant return... As for Yun Che's rewards, they shall be announced separately!"
"This slave receives the imperial edict..."
"Wait! Prepare fine dishes and fine wine for me immediately. I want to drink heartily, hahahaha!"
Cang Wanhe, who usually could hardly eat anything, now had his spirits lifted and his appetite greatly stimulated. At this moment, he deeply felt that even if he were to meet his end right now, he would have no regrets whatsoever.
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