The top fifty to twenty matches had an unspoken rule: if a martial artist lost four consecutive battles, they would be directly eliminated.
This prevented many anticipated matchups from happening.
“Alright, Hong Li, there’s still the ranking matches where everyone will face each other. You’ll get your chance to crush whoever you want,” Bai Qianjiao said, smiling at her junior sister.
She knew how terrifying her junior sister’s strength was and felt a bit of regret this time.
In the end, Group One’s qualifiers were Holy Son Ji Mingkong, Bai Qianjiao, Qin Bixue, Hong Li, Hong Sanmei, Long Chen, Feng Yaorao, Liang Xiao, Po Qianjun, and Gui Suishou.
Group Two’s qualifiers were Demon Eye Mo Wushang, Liu Taiyin, Ling Xiao, Lan Yuer, Dai Yaoling, Li Xuefeng, Dao Wuming, Jian Wuji, Liu Lan, and Huo Mozun.
Regrettably, Dai Yuling and Ying Wuya were eliminated in the top fifty to twenty battles.
But it couldn’t be helped, their strength was what it was. Advancing further required a miracle, which was otherwise impossible.
Among the top twenty, Gui Suishou and Huo Mozun were relatively low-key.
Gui Suishou, a Bishui Palace disciple, had astonishing defensive capabilities.
Huo Mozun was from Xuanhuo Sect.
For some reason, Ling Xiao sensed the aura of Demon Flame Heavenly Venerate in him, yet Demon Flame was with Yuehua Sect. How could he be here?
This puzzled Ling Xiao greatly.
“Rest for one day. I need you all to fight at your best in tomorrow’s finals. The top twenty prodigies will receive the Nine Cauldrons’ fortune. Tomorrow, you’ll understand what that means,” the head judge announced, calling for a break since many were heavily injured from today’s battles.
For example, Jian Wuji, though temporarily patched up as a half-puppet, wasn’t fully restored. A day’s time would suffice for his recovery.
That night, as Ling Xiao rested at Yuehua Sect’s base, someone reported that the Holy Emperor invited him to the palace.
Ling Xiao was stunned.
He was surprised. Though a standout among the younger generation, why would the Holy Emperor care?
Could it be because of Yue Nü behind him?
This thought eased his mind.
Stepping outside, he saw Yun Ya, the overseer of the Royal Auction House and the Holy Dynasty’s high princess.
“Greetings, Young Master Ling!”
“Greetings, Princess Yun Ya!”
Ling Xiao smiled and asked, “May I ask why Princess Yun Ya has come to see me so late?”
Yun Ya’s face held a gentle smile, a charm that had once driven countless men wild.
“Young Master Ling, it’s not me seeking you, but His Majesty the Holy Emperor summoning you. I was worried about disturbing your rest, but it seems you emerged from today’s battles unscathed,” Yun Ya said, her face showing surprise.
She hadn’t been at the scene but knew Ling Xiao defeated Jian Wuji. She assumed he’d at least be injured, yet he showed no signs of harm or significant inner energy depletion.
This was astonishing.
“Can you tell me why His Majesty invites me to the palace?” Ling Xiao asked, still puzzled. If it was about Yue Nü, why not summon her directly?
“I’m afraid I don’t know. Who can fathom His Majesty’s intentions? But he is the Holy Emperor, you can’t defy his decree, can you?” Yun Ya said, subtly reminding Ling Xiao. She meant well, knowing his stubborn nature, fearing he might offend the emperor.
“Fair enough, I must give the Holy Emperor face.”
Ling Xiao considered his escape array stone. Even if the emperor meant harm, he could flee.
It likely wasn’t that serious. A grand Holy Emperor wouldn’t resort to underhanded means against a minor figure like him.
If he wanted Ling Xiao dead, there were far more insidious methods.
“If possible, please accompany me to the palace, Young Master Ling. It’ll be easier with me there,” Princess Yun Ya smiled.
The emperor’s decree only instructed Ling Xiao to go to the palace, sent via a eunuch, not Yun Ya.
But knowing this, Yun Ya wanted to curry favour with the mysterious alchemist close to Yuehua Sect, so she came personally.
She could also protect Ling Xiao along the way.
“Of course.”
Having agreed, Ling Xiao saw no reason to hesitate. He was curious about why the Holy Emperor summoned him.
After tomorrow, the Martial Arts Festival’s ranking matches would begin, pitting twenty young prodigies against each other.
Summoning him now likely related to the festival, though that was just a guess.
Ling Xiao informed Jin Guang Heavenly Venerate and Tian Yan Heavenly Venerate, telling them to evacuate immediately if he didn’t return by dawn.
“No need. If they harm you, I’ll risk my life to destroy the Holy Dynasty!” Yue Nü’s cold voice rang in his ear, reassuring him.
…
Tianlong Continent, Holy Dynasty Palace.
This was an absolutely sacred place.
Under the suppression of the Nine Cauldrons, its fortune was immensely prosperous.
Though its fortune had waned compared to the past, it still far surpassed anywhere else on the continent.
At the palace entrance stood a row of large statues, said to be past Chosen Ones who led fleets to sea years ago.
These young men and women had saved the Holy Dynasty in crisis, thwarting the Sea Clan’s schemes, true heroes of the dynasty.
Among them was a couple, seemingly newlyweds, leaning together happily.
“Who are they?” Ling Xiao couldn’t help asking.
“These are the two I admire most. One is the Holy Emperor’s younger brother, the other a peerless beauty of the Soul Clan. Were it not for the Holy Dynasty and Tianlong Continent, they should have been its joint rulers!” Yun Ya said, her face full of admiration. “The emperor’s brother was Ji Fuling, the strongest of his generation on Tianlong Continent. His wife was Yu Xuanyue, both exceptional figures.”
She paused, then looked at Ling Xiao’s face in surprise. “Young Master Ling, have you noticed? You bear some resemblance to Yu Xuanyue.”
“Princess Yun Ya jests. I’m just a little beggar, how could I be linked to the Holy Dynasty’s royal family?” Ling Xiao said, though his eyes involuntarily turned to Yu Xuanyue’s statue.
