A year is too long

A year is too long

Luo Qianqiu, the Ye Clan, Ou Clan, Mu Clan, and Yan Clan all had their eyes on Qin Wentian, but their thoughts were as varied as the colors of a rainbow.

Qin Wentian's strength was undeniable, having defeated Yanaro in the past, but it seemed that this Jun Lin Banquet would pose a considerable challenge for him.

"Is that Qin Wentian?" An elder from the Mu Clan leaned toward Mu Rou, glancing at Qin Wentian's portrait.

"Yes," Mu Rou nodded, her eyes filled with admiration for Qin Wentian. The divine inscription painting had secured her a promise from Gong Yang Hong, one that she had yet to personally express her gratitude for.

However, Mu Rou also harbored concerns. The Jun Lin Banquet wasn't merely a friendly exchange of pointers; it was a brutal competition where injuries and deaths were common. If one side conceded, the other had to relent. But as long as the words "I concede" weren't uttered, participants could be merciless and even kill their opponents on the spot.

This ruthless nature was prevalent at the Jun Lin Banquet, where winning was everything. Any youth from academies or factions, if they died because they refused to admit defeat, couldn't blame their opponents.

Autumn Snow also had her eyes on Qin Wentian. Her engagement had always been a weighty issue, and now her intended partner was drifting further away.

"Perhaps he's just here for the spectacle," Autumn Snow thought, trying to reassure herself.

"He's playing a supporting role. Participants in the Jun Lin Banquet often face humiliation, and there's no joy in that," Bai Qingsong remarked calmly, as if he were addressing Autumn Snow's inner turmoil because he grappled with a similar dilemma.

Jiang Xiu's gaze was sharp as a sword, and he noticed that Qin Wentian had registered for the 9th towering platform, the same as himself. This meant they might face each other in battle.

A cold smile played on Jiang Xiu's lips at the thought. He hoped that Qin Wentian would survive long enough not to be eliminated before their showdown.

Yanaro, too, wore an icy expression, as he had also chosen the 9th platform.

Registration soon came to an end as participants flocked to their chosen platforms. Over a hundred contestants signed up for each platform, but the 1st platform remained the least populated. With Luo Qianqiu and Sikong Mingyue already there, few dared to compete against them in the platform perceived as the least hopeful.

In the Divine Weapon Pavilion's area, all eyes were on the woman seated in the front row. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, exuding mature beauty that drew attention from all corners. This woman was An Liuyan, the vice-president of the Divine Weapon Pavilion.

An Liuyan smiled gently as she gazed at the nine platforms and commented, "The 18 contestants with the highest recognition have been evenly distributed. Each platform has only two participants, as if they've reached some unspoken agreement."

"This arrangement puts others to the test. To break through the nine platforms, they must overcome these opponents," replied Yang Chen, who was nearby. "Qin Wentian, for example, may be considered somewhat weaker among the participants on the 9th platform. Facing the likes of Jiang Xiu, the 10th-ranked of the 10 prodigies, and the 7th Night from the Seven Nights, he has a tough challenge ahead. But compared to the other platforms, the 9th seems relatively easier."

"You're mistaken," An Liuyan corrected with a smile. "It's precisely because everyone thinks the 9th platform is the easiest that some powerful individuals will register for it. Emperor Star Academy's Luo Chen is no slouch, and Yanaro, having broken through to the 8th level of Arterial Circulation, should have considerable strength. So, I believe the competition on the 9th platform will be the most intense."

"I hadn't thought of it that way. Our Divine Weapon Pavilion doesn't have much information on these young talents. However, I imagine other influential figures can easily see through these clues," Yang Chen replied, chuckling. But at that moment, the person next to Chu Tianjiao spoke up again, "Will the Nine Martial Academies send their representatives?"

Nine representatives, one from each of the Nine Martial Academies, stood and took to the skies. They landed on each towering platform, their role as judges to determine which contestants would face off in each battle.

"Is it finally starting?" In the expansive Chu Emperor District, countless eyes were fixed on the nine towering platforms.

The spectators were more interested in their students' performances than the banquet's food and wine. They hoped their young talents would shine and secure excellent results.

"Platform 1: Luo Qianqiu versus Hiryu."

"Platform 2: The 2nd Sword versus Bai Ming."

"Platform 3: The 3rd Night versus Wang Xiao."

The Three Swords and Seven Nights from Snowcloud Country registered under pseudonyms, using Sword and Night as their names.

All eyes shifted with the announcements, but quickly, they focused on the judge of the 9th towering platform. Jiang Xiu stood there with eager anticipation, as if he couldn't wait for the battles to begin. According to the pattern of the previous eight platforms, the first name announced should be the one with the highest recognition, which meant that on the 9th platform, it should be him.

"The 9th platform, Jiang Xiu versus Qin Wentian."

As those words resounded, Jiang Xiu's expression froze, and he turned his gaze toward the judge of the 9th platform. The first name announced was indeed his, but he couldn't have anticipated that his opponent would be Qin Wentian.

"Qin... Wen... Tian." After a moment of shock, Jiang Xiu's lips curled into an icy smile.

This was the opening battle of the Jun Lin Banquet. It marked the first time for both Jiang Xiu and Qin Wentian to step onto this grand stage.

Wouldn't it be quite the spectacle if a genius divine inscription grandmaster, adored by countless people for his talents in both inscription and cultivation, was brought down to earth by the harsh reality of combat in his very first battle?

Qin Wentian, too, was taken aback, his eyes flashing with intrigue. He couldn't help but wonder if this judge had deliberately paired them up.

To kick off the Jun Lin Banquet with a battle between a member of the 10 prodigies and the Royal Capital's most gifted divine inscription grandmaster, renowned for his formidable martial prowess – it was a duel that no one could predict the outcome of.

The spectators were left in shock. The names Jiang Xiu and Qin Wentian reverberated like thunder in their ears, both figures highly regarded in their respective fields.

One was among the 10 prodigies, albeit holding the last spot, while the other was the Royal Capital's most esteemed divine inscription grandmaster, celebrated for his remarkable martial abilities.

The fact that they would collide in the very first round drew even more attention than the opening battle on the 1st platform.

Many speculated whether Qin Wentian regarded this Jun Lin Banquet as a mere practice session. Could it be that the inaugural battle would conclude so easily? Such a thought seemed almost comical.

The judge appeared to have a mischievous streak, but nobody voiced their opinion. After all, the Jun Lin Banquet's victors would ultimately be decided by strength, and the judges held the authority to select contestants as they saw fit.

"Remember, safety first," Qin Yao offered a different perspective, adjusting Qin Wentian's attire and encouraging him with a reassuring smile. Her only concern was his well-being, not whether he won or lost.

"Give it your all; don't let us down," Luo Huan chimed in. The pressure on Qin Wentian in this battle was immense.

"Boss, it's all on you now," Fan Le grinned. Heaven's Wonder hadn't yet released the betting odds for Qin Wentian, and even when they did, not many would be wagering on him. Fatty was biding his time, waiting for Qin Wentian to finish his first battle. Little did he know that the opportunity would come so swiftly. If Qin Wentian defeated Jiang Xiu, Heaven's Wonder would surely adjust their betting odds for him.

"I'll do my best," Qin Wentian replied with a smile, heading towards the 9th platform. Moments later, he stood atop the arena, ready to face Jiang Xiu.

Jiang Xiu ascended the platform as well, positioning himself opposite Qin Wentian.

The simultaneous ascent of 18 elite contestants on the nine towering platforms marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Jun Lin Banquet.

Mo Qingcheng, Mu Rou, Yanaro, the Ye Clan, Ou Clan, Bai Clan, Divine Weapon Pavilion, and Star River Association all fixed their gazes on the two figures on the ninth platform. Would Qin Wentian be eliminated in the first round?

A sly smile curled on Jiang Xiu's lips. He had recently sparred with Qin Wentian and knew that while Qin Wentian possessed some strength, he wouldn't stand a chance against him in a real battle.

"Qin Wentian, on this grand stage, before the eyes of thousands, a so-called genius like you will be eliminated in the very first round. Isn't that quite amusing?" Jiang Xiu taunted.

Qin Wentian didn't respond. Instead, he looked up at the sky.

The sun was rising from the east, its radiant rays ascending higher and higher, bathing everyone in its brilliance.

The youth from Sky Harmony City had faced numerous hardships and near-death experiences, all to earn the opportunity to participate in the Chu Country's Jun Lin Banquet. Today was the day he would shine brightly for the entire country to see.

Today, before the entire Chu Country, he would make a name for himself.

Mustang had once told him that his time to shine would come the following year.

But a year was too long. He wanted to seize the present.

Today, he stood here not for any reason other than to strive for the top.

In this moment, the young man's heart blazed as intensely as the sun itself!