Chapter 188: First Round
"As of now, the first test has concluded. Next, I will announce the general rankings," the Red-Skirt Host declared loudly.
"For this Grand Competition’s first round of talent testing, the fifth place goes to Chongwu Royal Court, fourth to Kaiyuan Imperial Court, third to Tianlong Imperial Court, second to Tiandao Imperial Court, and first to Jidao Imperial Court."
When the Red-Skirt Host finished speaking, it was within everyone’s expectations, as Jidao Imperial Court had two individuals with purple talent this time. This alone was something other Imperial Courts could not compare to.
"All right, next, we will proceed with our second round of the Grand Competition. Please note that this round is an elimination system; all eliminated disciples cannot participate again. It is divided into five groups, with twenty people in each group.
For this competition, drawing lots will determine the combatants for each group. Now, I invite the representative from each group to come up and draw their competition lot," the red-skirted woman announced.
Soon, five individuals appeared on the stage: Zhang Shuai from Kaiyuan Imperial Court, Chixing from Chongwu Royal Court, Wu Mo from Tianlong Imperial Court, Ye Xiu from Tiandao Imperial Court, and finally, Li Meng’er representing Jidao Imperial Court.
The five stood on the drawing platform, their gazes sweeping over each other.
Ye Xiu looked at Li Meng’er, who was wearing a mask, and transmitted, "You are very good. You are a worthy opponent. I wonder what you look like, that you even need to cover it with a mask. I should have a chance to take off your mask."
Hearing Ye Xiu’s transmission, Li Meng’er also transmitted back, "You think I am a worthy opponent, but I don’t necessarily think you are an opponent. Your talent is not bad, but don’t be arrogant and think you are invincible. You should know that there are always people stronger than you. Even your Lord God Emperor Ye wouldn’t dare to say he is invincible."
"Hmph, Lord God Emperor Ye’s invincibility is evident to all, not just something one person says. Moreover, isn’t this a fact? Never mind, I won’t stoop to a woman’s level. I just want to take off your mask and see what you truly look like. If you’re my type, perhaps we could even become a couple.
Oh, and I’ll tell you a secret: I’m the man who will take over Tiandao Imperial Court in the future, and my goal isn’t just to be a God Emperor, but to break through the shackles and restraints of this realm and go beyond the God Emperor. Don’t you want that?" Ye Xiu continuously transmitted to Li Meng’er.
"Are you Lord God Emperor Ye’s legendary adopted son? Your sudden emergence has already puzzled many people. Only this explanation seems to fit."
"What if I am, what if I’m not? But you, recently there have been rumors of someone with Emperor level talent appearing in Jidao Imperial Court. If I’m not mistaken, it should be you. If you can have Emperor level talent, then without a doubt, I should also have Emperor level talent. If the two of us could unite, it would surely be a beautiful story in the Dao Realm.
However, I still haven’t seen what you look like. In recent years, I’ve heard people say that ’back view killers’ are too terrifying. I don’t want you to be a back view killer. So, you understand what I mean, right?"
Hearing Ye Xiu’s words, Li Meng’er’s eyes turned cold, and a chill swept towards Ye Xiu.
This chill directly made the other few people shiver.
"Oh, damn it, the weather is clearly sunny, how did it become like this?" Zhang Shuai said while looking at the others nearby.
"You idiot, can’t you tell?" Wu Mo transmitted to Zhang Shuai.
"Damn it, why are you cursing?" Zhang Shuai blurted out directly.
This immediately made Wu Mo’s face flush. In front of so many people, Zhang Shuai showed him no respect at all. It was truly infuriating.
Just as they were arguing, the red-skirted woman loudly shouted, "Alright, you all start drawing lots now."
The red-skirted woman said, placing a box containing numbers in front of them, motioning for them to draw.
Li Meng’er raised her hand and directly put it into the box, pulling out a piece of paper. The others, seeing this, also extended their hands in turn.
The red-skirted woman saw that everyone had a piece of paper and said, "Open your palms, let me see."
The few of them followed the red-skirted woman’s words and opened their palms.
Wu Mo was number one, Zhang Shuai number two, Li Meng’er number three, Ye Xiu number four, and Chixing number five.
"Good, according to the competition rules, I announce the upcoming matches.
Tianlong Imperial Court will compete against Chongwu Royal Court, Kaiyuan Imperial Court against Tiandao Imperial Court. The remaining Jidao Imperial Court will directly enter the final second round of drawing lots.
First, Tianlong Imperial Court, Chongwu Royal Court, Kaiyuan Imperial Court, and Tiandao Imperial Court will compete against each other. The two victorious Imperial Courts will then draw lots again with Jidao Imperial Court for the second round. The final round will be between the Imperial Court that advanced from the second round and the Imperial Court that did not draw a match in the second round, for the ultimate decisive battle.
It should be noted that the two defeated Imperial Courts from the first round will need to compete once more to determine their rankings. My announcement concludes here. Do you have any further questions? If not, then the competition will commence directly."
Everyone present heard the competition rules explained by the red-skirted woman and nodded, finding the arrangement quite good.
"Since you have nothing to say, I will assume there are no problems. Then, the first match will be Tianlong Imperial Court versus Chongwu Royal Court. The two Imperial Courts will each send out their participating disciples to compete until one side admits defeat."
On the Emperor’s seat, the Heavenly Dragon Emperor said to the Martial Ascendancy Sovereign, "Hahaha, I didn’t expect our Imperial Courts to be drawn against each other. Excellent. I wonder if your Chongwu Royal Court is stronger, or my Tianlong Imperial Court."
The Martial Ascendancy Sovereign also smiled and nodded in response.
"Pfft, these two old foxes, just flattering each other," Changtian thought to himself.
As the war drums roared, Wu Mo and Chixing led their respective Imperial Court disciples into the competition. As expected, even though the Heavenly Dragon Emperor and the Martial Ascendancy Sovereign often got along well, in the battle just now, Wu Mo used some underhanded tactics and narrowly defeated Chixing.
Chixing, being honest and straightforward, suffered a silent loss.
Of course, this scene was also observed by the Martial Ascendancy Sovereign, but he did not speak out. Instead, he smiled and said to the Heavenly Dragon Emperor, "Your Tianlong Imperial Court’s disciples are still a bit stronger. This Wu Mo must have received your true true teachings, otherwise he wouldn’t be so formidable."
"Hahaha, Martial Ascendancy Sovereign, you jest. I merely taught him a little bit of the surface. However, although my disciple Wu Mo narrowly defeated Chixing, I must say that your Chongwu Royal Court’s overall strength is quite formidable. Unlike certain Imperial Courts, if not for some special individuals joining their sect, they probably wouldn’t amount to anything," the Heavenly Dragon Emperor said. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that he was trying to annoy the Extreme Dao Emperor Lord, Changtian.