The top ten of the Ten Thousand Flowers Tournament are hereby set! To break into the top ten signifies absolute strength and talent, undeniably worthy of the title ‘prodigy’.
The names of these ten, destined from this day forth to resound across the Xingwu Empire.
Among them, Lin Yun and that Wang Luo stand out as the biggest dark horses, their ascent to the top ten something no one foresaw.
“He, Lin Yun, actually made it into the top ten…” Gu Dong gazed at Lin Yun’s figure ahead, his heart heavy with unease.
The Soul Refining Sect members and other renowned factions, all staggered by Lin Yun’s entry into the top ten, something none of them had anticipated!
Lin Yun, the sole contestant from any prestigious sect to reach the top ten.
Even the Heavenly Sword Sect’s leader couldn’t help but marvel.
“Honestly, I never imagined before coming here that Lin Yun, this lad, could crack the top ten, I’d have been chuffed with top hundred, this guy keeps springing surprises on us,” the sect leader said, a gratified smile on his face.
Elder Mei chuckled, “Sect Leader, same here, aren’t we? It’s like we can never see through him, but one thing’s certain—he’s absolutely capable of leading our Heavenly Sword Sect to greatness!”
“Mm!” The sect leader nodded without a shred of doubt.
He increasingly felt that betting on Lin Yun was a bloody brilliant choice for the Heavenly Sword Sect.
With a prodigy like this, it’d be hard for their sect not to rise!
Elsewhere.
“Haha, my disciple’s really done me proud, stepping into the top ten!” The scruffy Wanderer, clutching his wine gourd, lounged back in his chair, grinning ear to ear.
Then, with a sly smile, he turned to his old rival Di Yong.
“Di, you old mutt, you said my disciple aiming for top ten was overreaching, eh? How’s that slap in the face feel?”
Di Yong’s facial muscles twitched, a painfully awkward smile breaking through.
“Who’d have thought his cross-realm ability was this terrifying? Especially that killer move he pulled, its power’s off the charts, and he’s only forty, you old tramp, you’ve struck gold,” Di Yong forced a dry laugh.
At that moment, the top ten were summoned before Emperor Xingwu’s throne.
“You ten, congratulations on rising above countless genius prodigies, you’re the cream of the crop, a thousand years from now, you might just be the top powerhouses revered by all in this world, you’re the finest cultivators of the empire’s young generation,” Emperor Xingwu declared.
He went on, “Entering the top ten, your reward is a Saint Spirit-grade weapon, as for what weapon you want, you can choose yourselves, if you don’t need a weapon, you can swap it for something else of equal value, someone will take you to my empire’s treasury to pick your prize shortly.”
Most of the ten lit up with joy at this, it was an absolute treasure of a reward!
Saint Spirit-grade weapons, typically wielded only by Tribulation Realm experts, and even to them, they’re bloody precious!
Emperor Xingwu rose from his throne, walked past each of the ten.
Ordinary folk facing him this close would quake in their boots.
But these ten, all heaven’s chosen, brimming with pride, held their heads high before him, not a hint of grovelling.
Pausing briefly by Li Shi, Emperor Xingwu moved on.
Then, stopping at Lin Yun, his gaze settled on him.
“Lin Yun, of these ten, you’re the one who’s surprised me most, your climb to the top ten completely caught me off guard,” Emperor Xingwu said, hands clasped behind his back.
“You flatter me, Star Emperor,” Lin Yun replied, neither servile nor arrogant.
This was his second chat with Emperor Xingwu, the first still vivid in his memory.
The emperor said no more, strode back to face the ten.
“Though you’ve hit the top ten, your tournament’s not over, the Ten Thousand Flowers Tournament needs a champion, the top dog of this event! They’ll claim unmatched glory and a mysterious grand prize, that person will come from among you!” Emperor Xingwu announced.
He added, “There’ll be a draw soon, but it’s too late today, you’ve fought all day and must be knackered, the final matches will happen tomorrow, these dozen-odd hours should be enough to get you back to peak form.”
With that, Emperor Xingwu turned and returned to his throne.
Then, an immortal seated to the left spoke, “Li Shi, my title’s Li Ba, I quite like your grit, if you’re willing, you can join my sect.”
The crowd erupted at this.
No one expected, with the tournament still ongoing, an immortal would already toss out an offer!
Joining an immortal’s sect—who wouldn’t be green with envy?
Most of the ten prodigies before the hall, flashed looks of jealousy and admiration.
The immortal continued, “No need to answer now, reply after the tournament ends.”
“Yes, sir,” Li Shi saluted the immortal named ‘Li Ba’.
Then, the deputy imperial guard commander stepped up to the ten.
“Everyone, follow me for the draw, once it’s done, I’ll take you to the treasury to pick your rewards,” he said.
Of the ten, the seven who’d won in the 14-to-7 round went to draw, the other three, locked at 8th to 10th, sat out, done with the competition.
They drew in order.
First, a bye was drawn, snagged by sixth-ranked Ba Shi.
The remaining six drew for matches.
Jiang Fengyu drew first, got dark horse Wang Luo.
This result sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Jiang Fengyu, top of the leaderboard, his strength beyond question.
Wang Luo, the biggest dark horse, had even toppled third-ranked Lu Yuan, leaving Lu Yuan stuck at eighth, out of the later rounds.
These two clashing—who’d win, who’d lose? No one could call it, after all, third place had flipped against Wang Luo, his strength was unreal.
Next, second-ranked Li Shi drew.
“Li Shi’s next round, against Lin Yun,” the tallying soldier shouted.
Boom!
The already buzzing crowd, hearing this matchup, went mental again.
“Lin Yun’s the other dark horse in this thing, and he’s up against second-ranked Li Shi, this… this is gonna be a bloody storm!”
“Lin Yun’s been dazzling in this Ten Thousand Flowers Tournament, proved himself with grit, but against Li Shi, how’s he gonna fight? This round, Lin Yun’s toast!”
…
Chatter erupted everywhere.
“Good! This guy’s overdue for a fall!” Gu Dong, Gu Liuyue, and others, seeing this draw, grinned wickedly.
Soul Refining Sect and others with grudges against Lin Yun, gloated too.
Meanwhile, the Heavenly Sword Sect leader and crew, tensed up instantly.
“Li Shi… Lin Yun’s drawn that bloke!” The sect leader’s deep eyes, flashed with grave concern.
