The Qualifiers Come To A Close

The festivities continued on for a while with no major incidents. The various disciples competed with one another occasionally going into all out conflict. Across the week many herb gardens, mines and nests have been ransacked by looters. At this point the entire pocket dimension once teeming with vibrate recourse now resembled a mansion after a thief broke in.

Hu Wei kept vigilant up top and escorted any disciples needing medical attention out. Ever since the one incident with Sam he had been doing his job properly. His grand nephew the prince was also doing great.

Although Bai San was eventually forced out due to his injuries every one else have amassed over 700 points between them 350 of which belong to the prince. During this period Hu Jin Shen's group was attacked by fellow competitor and one of the 4 heavenly chosen Li Changseng.

The battle was brief but Changseng forced several members of Jin Shen's faction to leave. Li Changseng was the number one expert in the younger generation having reached 6 meridian Crossing Tribulation realm. This was also considered the peak of the first half of the Crossing Tribulation realm.

As the body contained 12 meridians total, it becomes necessary to refine all of them into meridians that are capable of processing heavenly energies most notably Immortal Qi. The Crossing Tribulation stage is for this purpose and each of the 12 9 bolt lightning tribulations are for refining on meridian.

As a 1 meridian cultivator Hu Jin Shen was no match for Li Changseng and had to retreat after a few minutes of battle. However for the elders watching, the fight was very entertaining. This was an open secret amongst the many Human Immortals, tournaments were basically reality TV for them. Plenty of drama between rivals and action too.

This was even more prominent now that emperor Hu Wenxi had introduced a device created from enchanted crystals that can record footage of past events. Now footage of tournaments are sold everywhere. Of course only the wealthy could afford them.

Down below Hu Jin Shen was feeling depressed. More then 3 fourths of his group was gone thanks to Li Changseng. So be honest despite his good guy demeanour Li Changseng was very arrogant. He was the youngest of the 4 heavens chosen being 102 years old. He was also very prideful and couldn't stand the idea of someone surpassing him as the number 1 of the younger generation.

Since the time of heir meeting Hu Jin Shen had never really liked Changseng. Hu Jin Shen was more of a humble honest type. Don't get me wrong he can be quite shrewd thanks to his mother but like his father he preferred to avoid trouble and be nice to everyone. Of course he was also prideful of his own abilities.

For Jin Shen the most important things to do right now was to hide and recuperate. The tournament only had 2 days left and he had amassed 350 points to himself. From his previous battles he got a good idea that the vast majority of people had a few dozen points at most. He could afford to wait.

Although Jin Shen's participation into the finals was secured, Yun Xiao Che was not so. Yun Xiao Che came to the central continent in order to find his master. To see her again after her abrupt leaving. Ever since coming here 6 years ago he had been able to advance to the Xiantian realm from his original Spirit Transformation realm. His actual combat prowess would range into the Essence Condensation experts.

The problem was that most of his competitors were at the peak of Essence Condensation and even Heavenly Connection. While not powerless he could only attain 34 points to himself so far. He needed to see Jasmine, but time was running out.

On the last day Hu Wenxi decided to release the official rankings before the end. Hence Hu Wei obeyed his emperor and cast a spell. High above the skies of the pocket dimension a ranking list appeared. This caught the attention everyone.

For the 4 heavens chosen they were pleased, all four of them were in the top ten. Rank 1 Li Changseng, rank 2 Jan Xilei, rank 3 Xin Shun, rank 4 … rank 17 Hu Jin Shen…rank 987 Yun Xiao Che. At this point Yun Xiao Che panicked. He needed a way to get points and fast.

Observing from the outside Hu Wenxi watched as his son's rank dropped a place to 18 before shooting up to 12. Now that everyone knows the rankings the fighting became fierce. The position of the top 128 was valuable to everyone.

To Hu Wenxi, he was fine with his son's rank. As long as it was in the top 128. However he know Qiang Mei Hua will want him to be top ten perhaps even rank 1. The Creation God sect had been lacking in talents in recent years. Hu Jin Shen could be considered one of their own so no doubt Qiang Wang was cheering for him too.

"It seems it will soon come to an end" Lao Fu like many others had a secret enjoyment in these bloody events. Although on the outside he remained calm and peaceful like a good Buddha. Lao Fu was in actuality a member of the Acala Buddha temple. A sub faction of the greater Buddhist Sangha that specialised in the Acala flames mantra.

They were a hyper offensive branch. Lao Fu was no slouch he was over 3000 years old and reached the summit of the 5th rebirth of Nirvana Rebirth realm. Buddhism had a completely separate cultivation system then Immortals. The 5th rebirth of the Nirvana Rebirth realm was comparable to a Martial Saint with a completed cosmos. They even share the same lifespan length of 3600 years.

Sadly the temple had been in decline since the dominance wars 10,000 years prior. The temple was demoted from the then 7 sects to merely a high ranking power. Lao Fu was nearing the end of his life.

Just then an unexpected even occurred. At first no one payed it attention but it happened again. Rank 987 Yun Xiao Che had risen to 704, then 601, then 312, then 150.

"What is going on?" Lao Fu was startled along with the others. Hu Wenxi looked down and quickly found the figure of Yun Xiao Che who was still a Xiantian realm. Wait no he was following someone.

"Is that Wu Gu Ke?" That was the Wu clan patriarch. He similar to Bai clan chief was a Martial Saint powerhouse. At this moment he witnessed his nephew go on a rampage targeting even strong opponents. Wu Gu Ke was also injured but still surprisingly handed everything to Yun Xiao Che.

"What is that brat doing?" The Wu clan patriarch was startled, here was a descendent of his clan giving this nobody free food. Everyone was also confused, who was this Yun Xiao Che. Then they witnessed him speak to Wu Gu Ke and everything became clear.

"Blackmail, of all tactics resorting to blackmail. How despicable." Muttered Crimson sword saint. It seems that the vast majority of saints and Human Immortals agreed. Others such as Qiang Wang and Infinity Heaven kept quiet.

'Hypocrites, they've all indulged in blackmail' secretly though Hu Wenxi. After as the leader of a mighty faction, which one of them hadn't. To be honest Hu Wenxi didn't care for Yun Xiao Che's actions. Although at the back of his mind he can't help but wonder, 'why does this scene look so familiar?'

"Be that as it may, Yun Xiao Che isn't breaking any rules" stated the emperor. At the end of the day it didn't really matter if Yun Xiao Che made it or not, results will be the same either way.

For the many more naive members of the crowd i.e the other Xiantian and even essence condensation disciples spectating, Yun Xiao Che's actions were despicable. This was supposed to be a contest of strength yet he spat on that and relied on senior brother Wu Guike. Unlike the saints these disciples couldn't hear what's going on so were not aware of the blackmail.

Whatever the case Yun Xiao Che had got the entire crowd riled up. The kid just made himself public enemy number 1. For the competitors, they were confused too as to how Yun Xiao Che's score was advancing so quickly.

"Isn't that that Xiantian guy we found on the first day?" This was one of Jin Shen's subordinates.

"Seems so, perhaps he found an opportunity".

"No way, nothing can possibly make you jump over 800 spots in a few minute."

Hu Jin Shen tuned them out, he was still focusing on his recovery especially so after fighting several mighty demons earlier. Although he was curious as to Yun Xiao Che's method. Nevertheless it was none of his business.

As Yun Xiao Che scaled higher and higher, the time was also running out faster and faster. 147, 146, 143, 139 and so on. Wu Gu Ke was worked to the bone. "Damn You surnamed Yun" He called out while hacking away at a Heavenly Connection snake demon. Yun Xiao Che just watched on from the side. "It doesn't matter, as long as I see Jasmine It will be worth it".

Finally the clock struck 0.

Seeing this Hu Wenxi stood up and walked forwards to the edge of the VIP box. Seeing this the other esteemed guests followed behind him forming s V formation. At this instance Hu Wenxi looked every bit the emperor he was a mighty lofty figure of unparalleled might. Even his contemporaries did not shine as brightly as him.

Many elders and disciples in the lower seats looked up and saw their emperor. They all held similar thoughts, 'the emperor is mighty indeed, summit of the Human Immortal realm. An Immortal in human form'. It was as if he appearance froze the world.

Hu Wenxi raised his head with his hands behind his back, "I declare the qualifiers over" he turned and returned back inside and the world returned to normal.

"Your Majesty Changseng had just completed his task, I request my brother and I to escort him" the number 1 saint Li Guxie bowed towards Wenxi as she said this. In response the emperor nodded and granted them permission. One by one all the esteemed guests left until only Infinity Heaven Wang Qiang and Hu Wenxi were left.

"Your majesty, I shall receive the Infinity Heaven sect disciples now, as your son is also coming out would you like to accompany me" The taoist Infinity Heaven had a very reputable reputation and was an esteemed Human Immortal, the oldest one in fact at over 8700 years old.

"Shouldn't be an issue, father in law let's go" seeing his agreement taoist Infinity Heaven led both the emperor and the Creation God sect chief out.

Hu Wei released the disciples still inside and over 400 people appeared in the middle of the stadium. The pocket dimension then ceased to exist as Hu Wei destroyed it due to its lack of use and ransacked state. For a saint who could create small habitable planets something like this for Hu Wei was simple.

Out of the 400 that appeared in blue light many familiar faces were seen. Although he overall mood was a joyful one some glared towards Yun Xiao Che who had made rank 118 off the coattails of Wu Gu Ke. Said Wu Gu Ke somehow survived the ordeal at rank 128 but suffered severe injuries on his person.

Despite this many saints ignored him and went to their own disciples. Yun Xiao Che meanwhile was starring at a distant figure amongst the lower seats. Suddenly he felt a sonorous energy and turned. Several individuals descended, they were like suns descending into the mortal world. In this instant he understood who they were. The peak of all mortals.

Human Immortals

Just one step away from True Immortals. Such experts were legendary and could dominate vast solar systems. Yet 18 of them belonged to one upper realm. Strictly speaking the Hu dynasty was tiny in comparison to its combat power. A single Human Immortal could rule several upper realms across several solar systems.

Yun Xiao Che watched as the crowned Human Immortal approach someone he recognised, the prince Hu Jin Shen.

"You did good son, come let's return for a rest" Hu Wenxi then turned to everyone else. "You have all performed admirably, I am sincerely grateful for you all participating for my sake. A week from now the finals will be held here at this very stadium. Until then" he turned and brought Jin Shen away.

As a Human Immortal Hu Wenxi was incomprehensibly fast. He brought Jin Shen along and transformed into a stream of sand light and arced across the sky to the imperial palace where a crowned woman awaited them.