Chapter 429: The Seven Nation Ranking Battle Begins
Feng Feiyan ignored the clamor of the entire venue and continued, "Although this is a team battle, it can still fully display each individual's strength! It also allows for a fairer measure of a nation's overall level among the younger generation! At the same time, it greatly compresses the schedule without compromising fairness! So, friends from the six other nations, do you have any objections? If there are any, please raise them."
Facing the seats of the six nations—more precisely, five nations—Feng Feiyan's voice was calm and expressionless.
If it had been just an ordinary elder of the Fenghuang God Sect addressing these emperors and overlords of the six nations, such a sudden and massive change to the schedule might have prompted some to raise objections.
But the person speaking now was the Grand Elder of the Fenghuang God Sect! Someone whose status surpasses even that of the Shenhuang Emperor Prince! In terms of authority, influence, and reputation, even all the emperors of the six nations combined could not compare. Under Feng Feiyan's gaze, the emperors and overlords of the six nations felt as if a heavy iron plate were pressing on their chests, making even breathing difficult. How could they dare to say anything more? This matter had clearly been decided unilaterally by the Fenghuang God Sect; they had no courage to disagree. They hurriedly nodded in acceptance.
"Very well!" Feng Feiyan nodded. "Since the friends of the six nations have no objections, the schedule for this ranking battle will be decided as such. The rules for the team battle are basically the same as for the individual battle: round-robin matches. Every nation will fight every other nation once, and rankings will be determined by the number of victories! If two nations have the same number of wins, they will fight again, with the winner taking the higher rank. To shorten the competition time and reduce the consumption of the participating Xuan adepts, our Fenghuang God Sect will not participate in the round-robin. The nation with the highest number of wins can ultimately challenge the Xuan adepts of our Fenghuang God Sect. If they win, they will be ranked first in this edition! Thus, in the round-robin, each nation's Xuan adepts only need to fight five matches, with sixteen total battles! One day is enough."
Feng Feiyan's meaning was clear: the Fenghuang God Sect would not join the round-robin but would only wait for the strongest among the six nations to emerge and challenge them. On this point, Feng Feiyan did not ask the six nations for their agreement—it was simply unnecessary. And no one from the six nations thought it improper or felt dissatisfied, because the height of the Fenghuang God Sect was something the other six nations could never match. With the fearsome power of the Fenghuang God Sect, even if all the Xuan adepts of the six nations were combined, they would still be easily crushed by the Fenghuang God Sect's Xuan adepts.
For so many editions of the Seven Nation Ranking Battle, from the perspective of the other nations, it was actually just a "Five Nation Ranking Battle." Because Shenhuang was too strong and Cang Feng too weak, what they fought for each time was the ranking among those five nations. If they could place second, it was equivalent to first. If they placed sixth, it was equivalent to the shameful last place. They never dared to dream of defeating the Shenhuang Empire, and at the same time, they never deigned to compare themselves with the Cang Feng Kingdom.
"There is no need for me to waste time here reiterating the other rules of the competition..." Feng Feiyan swept his gaze across the surroundings, his calm eyes carrying an intangible authority. The Seven Nation Ranking Battle was the highest gathering of the Xuan realm on the Tian Xuan Continent, and each edition attracted immense attention. Yet such a huge, unprecedented change to the schedule, with no prior notice, was settled on the spot with just a few words. No one dared to object, and no one dared to show displeasure.
Such was the absolute, overwhelming deterrent power of the Fenghuang God Sect.
"Oh my, I thought I'd have to watch the matches for many days, but now it can be done in just one day... My mood has suddenly become so happy, hm hm... Little Han Han, are you feeling the same as me?" Ji Qianrou narrowed his peach blossom eyes and cast a charming glance at Ye Xinghan.
Ye Xinghan's face twisted. He said in a low voice, "Ji Qianrou! If you speak to me again, I'll kill you!"
"Oh..." Ji Qianrou seemed startled, shrinking his neck. Then his eyes turned both innocent and aggrieved: "Little Han Han, why are you suddenly being mean to me? You scared baby to death. If you keep being mean to me like this, I might get angry, you know. And if I get angry, I might do a little mischief, like making sure you have no women to play with tonight."
Ji Qianrou's voice was soft and delicate, as if he were about to cry. He cast a timid glance at the two seductive women clinging to Ye Xinghan's sides. Instantly, both women's bodies trembled, their pupils dilated, and deep terror showed in their eyes... because the moment his gaze touched them, the terrifying feeling was like the cold fangs of a king cobra pressed against their throats.
"You..." Ye Xinghan knew better than anyone how terrifying this pervert was. He clamped his mouth shut and did not say another word.
"I declare that the Thirty-Ninth Seven Nation Ranking Battle of the Tian Xuan Continent officially begins!"
Feng Feiyan's voice spread across the arena, marking the start of this edition of the Seven Nation Ranking Battle. He waved his hand, and a flash of fire passed by. Instantly, in the center of the arena, a huge flame-colored Profound Testing Stone rose up. Looking at this stone, Yun Che, who had experience with the Cang Feng Ranking Battle, immediately understood what it was for.
Yun Che stretched out his arm and glanced at his palm. Scenes from the Sword Discussion Platform of the Tian Jian Villa flashed through his mind. He muttered indignantly, "Looks like I'm going to be publicly mocked again! Damn it, I'm fated to be mocked over and over!"
At every Cang Feng Ranking Battle, Profound Force Testing was a mandatory procedure. The Seven Nation Ranking Battle was no different. Half the purpose of Profound Force Testing was to display the Profound Force level of each participant—after all, the Profound Force level basically determined strength. The other half was to test age.
"In previous ranking battles, participants could not be older than twenty-five. Anyone exceeding that age would be immediately disqualified from participation." Feng Feiyan slowly descended from the air and landed beside the Profound Testing Stone, then announced loudly, "Now, I will call out the names of the seven nations in the order of their rankings from the previous edition. Participants from each nation should bring their participation badges to the Phoenix Platform, announce their titles, and then undergo Profound Force and age testing."
"State of Canglan!"
Feng Feiyan said he would call in the order of the previous edition's rankings, but the first name he called was the nation that ranked second in the previous edition. Ostensibly, this was the host being modest by putting the Fenghuang God Sect last to ascend the stage. But the subtext was equally that the Shenhuang Empire considered itself unworthy to be compared with the other six nations.
In the previous ranking battle, Canglan was second, first among the six nations. As soon as the words "State of Canglan" fell, a cold Profound Light suddenly flared from the seating area of the State of Canglan, painting the huge characters "Canglan" in the sky. Seven young men and three young women simultaneously leaped into the air, their robes fluttering as they landed on the Phoenix Platform. Instantly, a wave of cold air spread like ripples from the Phoenix Platform.
The State of Canglan was located in the extreme north of Tian Xuan, where it was cold and frozen all year round. Therefore, the Xuan adepts there mostly cultivated ice-type Profound Arts. The ten young people looked to be between twenty and twenty-five, the youngest just over twenty. As soon as they ascended the platform, the spectator stands behind the State of Canglan's seating area erupted, unleashing deafening waves of sound.
"Canglan! Canglan! Canglan!!"
"Go Canglan! Crush the other five nations!!"
"Wow! That's 'Pity Flower Prince' Han Ruyu! Two-time champion of the Canglan Ranking Battle... He's here after all!"
"Waaaah... It's Pity Flower Prince... my idol... ah!!! He's so handsome! I'm about to faint..." Several fangirls screamed while covering their faces.
The massive sound waves rolled like thunder, making Yun Che's eardrums tremble. Mo Li's voice came to his ears: "Seven late-stage Tian Xuan, two half-step King Xuan... and one early-stage King Xuan. Among the same generation, on the same continent, the difference with Cang Feng is far too great!"
"There's no helping it," Yun Che said nonchalantly. "Cang Feng is the smallest and has the shortest history. Its foundation is too shallow, so there's an insurmountable gap."
"Feng Wuhui of the Canglan Nation Snow Mountain Sword Sect, here to participate!"
The first young Xuan adept stepped forward, showing his participation badge, and forcefully and proudly announced his name and sect. Then he took another step forward, stood before Feng Feiyan, and pressed his palm onto the Profound Testing Stone.
The Profound Testing Stone flashed once, and then his bone age and Profound Force level were clearly displayed.
Twenty-three years old, Tian Xuan Realm Level 8.
The spectators from the State of Canglan let out a sky-shaking cheer. Achieving this level of Profound Force cultivation at such an age was considered above average even in the highest echelons of the six nations.
The Xuan adepts of Canglan stepped forward one by one, and their Profound Force levels matched exactly what Mo Li had said... seven late-stage Tian Xuan, two half-step King Xuan. And now, the last Xuan adept of Canglan finally stepped forward.
The other nine Xuan adepts all looked proud, but only this one remained calm throughout, with a hint of a smile. He looked exceptionally young, with a face like white jade and lips like cinnabar—a true handsome man. Between his brows, there was even a hint of rakish charm that could easily make women fall. He walked forward slowly, as if strolling through a garden. The moment he took his first step, the seating area of the State of Canglan erupted completely, with all kinds of exaggerated shouts—especially the screams of women that nearly tore the Phoenix Platform apart.
"Pity Flower Prince? What the hell?" Hearing that title from the women's screams, Yun Che cupped his chin... The title was so tacky it was unbearable.
"This man is called Han Ruyu. He's said to be the current number one among the younger generation of Canglan. He participated in the Canglan Ranking Battle twice, at seventeen and twenty, and placed first both times. His reputation in Canglan is at its peak, and even the ruler of Canglan treats him as an honored guest... Heh, even I've heard of him." Feng Zhanyun curled his lips disdainfully. "Though he's impressive enough in Canglan, if he came to our Fenghuang God Sect, he'd be nothing special. Probably not even average."
Han Ruyu smiled, extended his jade-like hand, and pressed it onto the Profound Testing Stone...
Twenty-three years old, King Xuan Realm Level 2!
Boom!!!
The spectators from the State of Canglan went completely wild. Their cheers instantly escalated from raging waves to thunder from the nine heavens. Meanwhile, the Xuan adepts of the other five nations all changed expression slightly.
"What... The State of Canglan actually produced a King Seat this time!?"
"I thought our nation's King Seat would surely shock the entire venue, but unexpectedly, Canglan has one too! It seems this time, if we face Canglan, it will be another tough battle. But we have no reason to lose!" The emperor of the Heisha Nation said in a deep voice.
"Correct!" Feng Hengkong, who had been silent until now, nodded. "It seems that this time, the State of Canglan has made some progress."
"Damn! He's actually a King Seat... and King Xuan Level 2!" Feng Zhanyun was astonished. "For a mere six nations to produce a King Seat under twenty-five... tsk tsk, that's quite something, really rare. This kid named Han Ruyu has now made a name for himself not just in Canglan, but across all six nations. The second place in this ranking battle might very well go to Canglan again."
"Heisha Nation!"
The Xuan adepts of Canglan finished their test but did not return to their seats; instead, they directly entered the exclusive preparation zone of the Phoenix Platform. Feng Feiyan's shout rang out again, and ten young Xuan adepts, all dressed in black, leaped onto the Phoenix Platform... This time, the spectator stands of the Heisha Nation instantly erupted, their roars no weaker than those for Canglan.
"Wu Huihong of the Yinming Sect, Heisha Nation, here to participate!"
"Lü Haoyan of the Zisha Island, Heisha Nation, here to participate!"
......
The participating Xuan adepts of the five Tian Xuan nations—State of Canglan, Heisha Nation, Jialuo Nation, Kuishui Nation, Tianxiang Nation—ascended the Phoenix Platform in order of their rankings from the previous Seven Nation Ranking Battle. Within a quarter of an hour, all Xuan adepts from these five nations had completed their tests and entered the preparation zone, leaving only the two extremes of the pyramid... the Shenhuang Empire and the Cang Feng Kingdom.
————————————
[Memo: Initial Xuan Realm → Entry Xuan Realm → True Xuan Realm → Spirit Xuan Realm → Earth Xuan Realm → Heavenly Xuan Realm → King Xuan Realm (King Seat) → Overlord Xuan Realm (Overlord Emperor) → Sovereign Xuan Realm (Emperor Lord) → Divine Xuan Realm (Xuan God)]