The stars, suspended high in the cosmos, were propelled by Xuanyuan Shennian's divine will, their brilliant trails streaking across the sky as they plummeted towards the battle platform.
Zheng Fang's expression grew solemn. He raised his hands upwards, his eyes blazing. An imposing, mountain-like supreme aura emanated from him, coalescing into a magnificent imperial palace with layered eaves, shielding him.
*Boom!*
The Taiyin Heavenly Star descended, shattering the palace roof. It then lodged itself in the gap like a glass bead.
Xuanyuan Shennian's divine sense was indifferent, as proud as the sun in the sky. Her hands connected to the star, and a terrifying, chilling moonlit radiance surged outwards like waves, constantly eroding the palace.
Zheng Fang, too, remained seated within the grand hall, his expression serious. He braced the collapsing roof with his hands, pouring forth supreme imperial energy, rich and golden, to completely nullify the encroaching Taiyin.
Moments passed, and the situation remained unchanged. Their battle seemed to have reached a stalemate.
Nangong Huaitian watched the battle platform, her gaze slightly troubled. Her palms unconsciously began to sweat.
It was evident that Xuanyuan Shennian's power brought her significant pressure.
Ji Xuansu, beside her, mistook her concern and spoke with a worried expression, "Miss Nangong, you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself."
"That Xuanyuan Shennian's innate talent is already immense, and she has gained recognition from the Taiyin Heavenly Star. In a true confrontation, perhaps ninety-nine percent of the remaining thirty contenders here would not be her match. You are both women, so even if you lose, it would be understandable."
Nangong Huaitian heard this, her delicate fists clenching slightly. Her eyes were solemn as she replied, "If it's ninety-nine percent, then there must be someone who can defeat her."
"And I wish to win not because we are both women, but because my Nangong clan is currently in danger of being annexed by other families. As the Saintess, I must step forward and do something for the clan."
"That's why they want to arrange a marriage alliance with you," Ji Xuansu sighed, his eyes fixed on Nangong with a complex expression.
The crisis facing the Nangong clan was not something these so-called prodigies could resolve. The matters involved were too high-level, requiring only a Domain Lord to even qualify for participation.
Nangong Huaitian, as the Saintess, possessed high talent but was, after all, still young. She was far from the level of a Domain Lord. The only thing she could perhaps do was to form a marriage alliance, leveraging the power of other families to help the Nangong family overcome their difficulties. However, even in such a scenario, the Nangong clan would undoubtedly be influenced by the allied family and face many restrictions in the future.
Of course, such an outcome was far better than being devoured and annihilated by other families.
"What I mean is, besides a marriage alliance, there is another path."
As Nangong Huaitian spoke, a determined expression flickered across her exquisite face.
Her ultimate goal in participating in the Ten Thousand Clans Assembly was to seize the supreme seat and become number one in the Land of a Hundred Clans.
If she became number one, countless forces would flock to her, seeking to befriend her, much like Ji Chang or others of the past, whose supporting powers were as abundant as weeds, covering the entire Eastern Continent.
By then, who would dare harbor any improper intentions towards the Nangong family? Unless she were dead, with a genius of limitless potential backed by innumerable supporters, no one would want to offend her.
However, achieving the top spot was an extremely difficult feat.
Ji Xuansu looked at Nangong, guessing her intentions. He wanted to say something but ultimately swallowed it back with a sigh.
He didn't want to discourage Nangong, nor did he want to say words like "Miss Nangong, you can definitely do it." Because he knew in his heart that although Nangong Huaitian was outstanding and might possibly fight her way into the top five, she was still far from defeating everyone to ascend to the supreme position.
Not to mention himself, Ji Xuansu, just Xuanyuan Shennian alone would be the first major obstacle in her path.
And there were several other mountain peaks, even higher than hers.
Zuo Mingqiu, who had just broken through to the third stage, his heart pure and clear, his combat strength at its peak, had instantly killed his previous opponent without letting them touch him.
Li Guang, who could form formations with a single thought, possessed terrifying formations. No one dared to claim they could definitely defeat him.
Chen Changkong, known as the Young Sword Saint. He had been wandering the martial world alone since the age of fourteen. All his skills were honed through life-and-death struggles. His true combat power was far greater than what it appeared, which was why Zhou Jie had so desperately wanted to fight Chen Changkong.
But he would never have the chance. Because Zhou Jie was killed by Xu Mu, and Xu Mu might be the highest mountain blocking Nangong's ascent.
During his battle with Zhou Jie, Xu Mu had unleashed a terrifying aura that made Ji Xuansu's entire being, even his righteous qi, tremble with dread.
Yes, Ji Xuansu felt that the world-shattering terror did not come from Zhou Jie, who practiced ghost arts, but from Xu Mu.
He had no evidence, only intuition.
Ji Xuansu turned his head, gazing at Xu Mu, who was sitting on the ground and meditating to heal his wounds, his expression grave.
The distance between them was only five steps, so he could clearly feel that his righteous qi was extremely averse to, or perhaps afraid of, Xu Mu.
What could make righteous qi afraid?
"Who are you, exactly?" Ji Xuansu murmured to himself, staring at Xu Mu.
"Prepare yourself. It's almost your turn."
At this moment, Nangong Huaitian suddenly spoke.
Ji Xuansu froze, then quickly turned his head to the battle platform. He saw that the entire platform was now shrouded in cold, lunar radiance.
Xuanyuan Shennian stood quietly to one side, a star hovering behind her. A trace of blood seeped from the corner of her lips, but it did not diminish her empress-like dominance. No one dared to meet her gaze directly.
Opposite her, the magnificent palace had collapsed, smashed to pieces by the star, even damaging the battle platform and reducing it to ruins.
And Zheng Fang stood somewhat blankly in the middle of the ruins, motionless.
They stood there, neither moving.
Seeing this, Ji Xuansu scratched his head and asked, "So, who won?"
Nangong Huaitian did not answer. She continued to stare at Zheng Fang's clenched right hand, as if something extremely important was hidden there.
*Pfft—*
Zheng Fang could no longer hold back. He spat out a mouthful of heart blood, his body swaying precariously before he fell to the ground, unconscious.
At that moment, his tightly clenched right hand loosened. The fragments of the jade slip turned into crystalline pollen, which, carried by the breeze, vanished along with his form into the radiance.
A moment later, Zheng Fang was gone.
Outside, a roar erupted, filled with countless noises, as if the crowd was growing excited about something.
"Xuanyuan Shennian wins, advancing to the Top Sixteen!"
Hearing this, Xuanyuan Shennian slowly retracted the star behind her. The surging ancient imperial blood gradually subsided, and her flowing black hair settled against her back. Her expression was cold and proud as she descended the battle platform step by step.
No one dared to meet her gaze.
Except Nangong Huaitian.
"Wait, don't disappoint me."
Xuanyuan Shennian brushed past Nangong, speaking in a light, airy tone, full of provocation.
Nangong Huaitian's exquisite face broke into a smile, like a blooming Tianshan snow lotus, stirring ripples in the hearts of onlookers.
"See you in the finals."
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Shennian also smiled. "Very well."
...
The next to ascend the battle platform was Ji Xuansu.
He was the most learned young cultivator in the world. Without deliberate training, he had cultivated righteous qi through countless pages of ink.
Therefore, he was one of the favorites for the top five in this Ten Thousand Clans Assembly. Eighty percent of people believed Ji Xuansu would make it into the top five because he was so adept at reading, his words becoming reality, his pronouncements prophetic. No one knew the true extent of his strength.
And precisely because he was so skilled in his studies, people always felt that Ji Xuansu lacked practical combat experience. Compared to prodigies like Chen Changkong and Zhou Jie, who grew up amidst slaughter, he would be at a disadvantage. Thus, even though he had the potential to win, no one believed he would go all the way.
But was that the reality?
Ji Xuansu felt a sense of injustice. Although his temperament was peaceful, scholars also possessed scholarly pride. Therefore, he chose a very strong opponent.
That person was Li Guang.
This battle was incredibly fierce. Li Guang possessed the heart of a formation craftsman, able to form formations with a single thought, his offense and defense seamlessly integrated, occupying the entire battle platform. If Ji Xuansu wanted to dodge, he would have to step off the platform, but doing so would mean losing.
Therefore, Ji Xuansu had no choice but to hold his scripture and recite the "Classic of Virtues." "Heaven and Earth possess righteous qi, which flows and takes form in a myriad of ways." Using righteous qi, scripture, and ink, he overturned formation after formation, expending immense time and effort. Heavily wounded, he finally reached Li Guang.
By then, both of them were utterly exhausted. Li Guang's unique ability was nearly depleted, his hands trembling so much that he could barely hold the formation disk steady. Ji Xuansu's book was tattered, no longer emitting light, and his voice was hoarse, unable to speak.
Thus, they could only resort to fistfights.
Night passed, and day arrived. This battle lasted for several hours, until noon the next day, when Ji Xuansu, with his last ounce of strength, kicked Li Guang off the platform, finally securing victory.
"Ji Xuansu wins!"
Among the five judges, an elder from the Xuanyuan family announced Ji Xuansu's victory. Li Guang's figure was then transported out of that space by him.
"Slowly, be careful," Zuo Mingqiu said, helping Ji Xuansu down from the battle platform. He then personally channeled his energy to heal him, sighing, "Why go through such trouble? You knew Li Guang's strength. With so many opponents to choose from, why pick him?"
Ji Xuansu closed his eyes, his lips cracked and his body soaked in blood. He could not speak and could only mouth his reply, "Not telling you."
Zuo Mingqiu, seeing this, felt helpless. He rolled his eyes and said, "It's because of Nangong Huaitian, isn't it?"
"I actually heard everything you said. In short, you thought Li Guang would be a threat to her, so you eliminated him for her in advance?"
Ji Xuansu remained silent for a moment.
"It really is!" Zuo Mingqiu feigned an exaggerated gasp, clicking his tongue in a sigh. "As expected of the most learned scholar in the Eastern Continent, I admire your courage!"
"However, it seems your Miss Nangong doesn't exactly appreciate it."
Zuo Mingqiu said this, looking gleefully at Nangong Huaitian. She was currently by Xu Mu's side, and after staying for a day and a night, had only just come over to give Ji Xuansu a pill before hurrying back.
Ji Xuansu heard this, opened his eyes, and endured the discomfort in his throat, his voice hoarse as he rasped, "Scram."
"You're cursing! I'm going to tell your teacher!" Zuo Mingqiu grinned, his actions not stopping. He continued, "But even if Li Guang wasn't here, you know in your heart that there are still many people who can defeat her."
"People like us cannot make concessions for her, so your task is still arduous."
Ji Xuansu heard this and remained silent.
Of course, he knew this.
However, he still wanted to try.
"If we meet before the finals."
"Then let's try it, Zuo Mingqiu."
...