Published: February 24, 2025
Chapter 19: Qualification Competition
After Murong Kun killed Han Shanren, he looked sternly at the fifteen people on the ground and said, “This time I will spare you. After the elder supreme finishes announcing important matters, I will send someone to take you to Elder Nine for treatment.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother Murong!” The fifteen people were grateful to the point of tears as Murong Kun stepped out of the pavilion and headed straight for the Hidden Dragon Rankings...
At the hour of Chen.
In the center of the towering pavilions within an area of eight hundred miles, there was a vast open space filled with countless people, nearly a million in total.
At the front of the open space stood a towering spirit monument, reaching a height of a hundred feet, with the names of over three thousand individuals engraved upon it in powerful characters.
This was the Outer Sect's renowned Hidden Dragon Rankings! Those whose names appeared on the list were the standout strong among the million Outer Sect Disciples!
On the left and right sides of the Hidden Dragon Rankings, there were two spirit artifact platforms. One was the Battle Rankings Platform, and the other was the Duel Platform for resolving personal grievances!
The Battle Rankings Platform, as the name suggests, was used by Outer Sect Disciples to fight for a spot on the rankings.
The Duel Platform, also known as the Life and Death Platform, meant that once both parties ascended the stage, only one could survive. Disciples would generally not step onto the Duel Platform unless there was deep enmity between them.
Subsequently, ten outer sect stewards took half an hour to verify whether all the disciples had arrived.
Due to the Outer Sect providing resources for disciples to seek heavenly materials and earthly treasures in twelve secret realms, each of which housed first-stage tribulation demon beasts, there would be casualties among the disciples who ventured into the Small Secret Realm each month to collect spiritual herbs and hunt demon beasts.
Once a disciple died, their life lamp would extinguish, so the outer sect stewards knew the exact number of living disciples.
At this moment, they were verifying whether any disciples were alive but had not shown up.
During the verification process, Murong Kun approached one of the stewards and stated that the fifteen disciples were receiving treatment and could not attend.
Seeing that it was Murong Kun, the steward readily agreed and recorded it down.
In the crowd, Mu Mengyi, Tan Yun, and Xue Ziyan stood side by side. Mu Mengyi pointed to a not-so-distant young man in a law enforcement robe, exuding extraordinary presence, and said solemnly, “Tan Yun, that’s Liu Rulong.”
After Tan Yun acknowledged, he noticed Liu Rulong quickly approach a steward, say something, and then leave.
Tan Yun knew without thinking that Liu Rulong was informing the steward that Zhong Wu Shi Yao was injured and could not attend.
“Everyone, what do you think the elder supreme will announce today? Is it related to the trial in Fallen God Canyon?”
“It’s quite possible! I wonder if the elder supreme will announce the start time of the trial today!”
“……”
While the disciples were discussing, a steward shouted sternly, “Everyone, quiet down! The elders are about to arrive!”
As soon as the words fell, the open space fell silent.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”
Suddenly, sharp sounds pierced through the air as numerous weapons fell from the void, echoing in every attendee's ears.
Tan Yun, along with the crowd, looked up to the sky and saw sixteen elders, standing on flying swords, descending onto the Battle Rankings Platform.
Some looked ethereal, some were portly, and some appeared amiable… but without exception, they all exuded vigorous energy.
“We, the stewards, greet the elder supreme and all the elders!” The ten stewards at the front of the open space bowed and said, “After our verification, aside from the injured disciples who are absent, all other disciples are present.”