Issuing challenges to five Yuanfu

Issuing challenges to five Yuanfu...

Old Gu fixed a piercing gaze upon Chu Tianjiao, his laughter cutting through the tense air. "Well, Your Highness, I must admit, I'm struggling to fathom the depth of your words. You see, Xiao Lǜ had these grand plans of sweeping Qin Yao back to Snowcloud in a blaze of glory, but did Qin Yao ever sign up for this spectacle?"

Chu Tianjiao remained composed as he replied, "Marriage matters concerning the Crown Prince aren't to be taken lightly. There was a prior agreement, and even if Qin Yao were to change her mind now, she'd still be bound by her commitment to return to Snowcloud with him before anything else."

Old Gu's eyes narrowed, and he fired back, "So, what you're suggesting is that if Qin Yao disagrees, Snowcloud will just swoop in and forcefully make her Xiao Lǜ's concubine? And you, Chu, would be party to this dubious scheme?" Old Gu's words were sharp as a blade, particularly his final sentence, which hung over Chu Tianjiao like a damning verdict. Onlookers couldn't help but think that wisdom grew with age, and in Old Gu's case, the spice of his words matched his longevity.

Chu Tianjiao hadn't anticipated such a blunt counterattack from Old Gu. A flash of anger sparkled in his eyes as he retorted, "Old Gu, your words have left me utterly flabbergasted. To suggest that marriage is a mere jest? Hearing such a statement from the venerable Elder of the Emperor Star Academy fills me with profound shame."

"Enough of this nonsense. When did I ever agree to marry Xiao Lǜ?" Qin Yao interjected furiously. She couldn't stand Chu Tianjiao continually harping on her supposed engagement. "I consented to socialize with Xiao Lǜ, but we don't even share a close relationship. Your words make it seem like I'm nothing more than an accessory to him, which is utterly preposterous."

Old Gu snorted coldly and chimed in, "Chu Tianjiao, did you catch that?"

"The crux of the matter is that Snowcloud's people have been circulating rumors about Qin Yao and Prince Xiao Lǜ's impending marriage. This alone substantiates my point," Chu Tianjiao argued.

"Pure hogwash!" Qin Wentian couldn't hold back any longer. He burst out, "According to Third Highness's logic, if I start a rumor here today, claiming that the Chu princess and I are betrothed, and by tomorrow, everyone in Chu knows about it, does that mean I can lay claim to the Chu princess?"

"Incredibly audacious. Do you even know your place, and who do you think you are? What makes you think you're deserving of the princess?" Sikong Mingyue's eyes cut through the tension like a sharpened blade as he challenged Qin Wentian directly. "And what status does Crown Prince Xiao Lǜ hold? News of Qin Yao and the Crown Prince is common knowledge. How can she not accompany us back to Snowcloud?"

Qin Wentian chuckled, his laughter tinged with mockery. "Haha, that's your perspective. In my eyes, who is this Chu princess? Who is this Snowcloud Crown Prince? They're not worth a damn, let alone compared to my sister." He fixed his gaze on Sikong Mingyue, his tone dripping with disdain. "And you, a pathetic loser, have the nerve to speak in front of me?"

In that moment, a glimmer of contempt flashed in Qin Wentian's eyes. He had glimpsed the memories of the minuscule Astral-Being, witnessed the grand visions of the enigmatic green-robed elder, and inherited the wisdom of the Azure Emperor through the trials in the Spirit Beast testing grounds. His perspective had broadened. Why should he be awed by Chu or Snowcloud? The world was vast, and the Crown Princes of these realms were mere specks. Beyond their borders lay the transcendental powers of the nine states, making their statuses as insignificant as those of commoners.

To him, the term 'genius' had lost its luster. These so-called 'geniuses' before him were weaker even compared to Luo Qianqiu. If Luo Qianqiu were to be measured against those he encountered in the testing grounds, he would appear ordinary.

This realization served as a reminder that he mustn't succumb to arrogance or flaunt himself as a genius. Qin Wentian was just one individual in a world teeming with countless others. He lacked the right to look down on anyone, yet he had no need to look up to anyone either. Step by step, he would forge his own path of cultivation, guided by determination and unwavering will, leaving his mark one step at a time.

Sikong Mingyue's fury erupted like a volcano after enduring Qin Wentian's open insult. He surged forward, shouting with seething anger, "Let's settle this! Fight me again!"

Qin Wentian met Sikong Mingyue's rage with an air of tranquility. Pity flashed in his eyes as he looked down on Sikong Mingyue with disdain. Seeing that look from Qin Wentian only fueled Sikong Mingyue's murderous intent even more.

Xiao Lǜ, observing the escalating situation, waved his hands to signal for Sikong Mingyue to calm down. Only then did Sikong Mingyue manage to rein in his boiling anger and suppress his murderous intentions. Chu Tianjiao continued speaking as if the outburst hadn't happened, "There's no need for further discussion. The Royal Academy's visit to the Emperor Star Academy today has a singular purpose. These five Yuanfu Realm cultivators came to spar with the elite students of the Emperor Star Academy and exchange insights."

Old Gu swept his gaze over Chu Tianjiao and inquired, "Where are the five Yuanfu students from your Royal Academy?"

"Ye Wuque, at the 1st level of Yuanfu, challenges Qiu Mo from the Emperor Star Academy," Ye Wuque declared. He was ranked 5th among Chu's top 10 prodigies, while Qiu Mo held the 4th position.

"Wang Teng, at the 2nd level of Yuanfu, challenges Lin Hua, the leader of the Greencloud Association," another figure stepped forward, brimming with determination as he issued a challenge to Lin Hua from the Emperor Star Academy.

"1st Sword, a cultivator at the 2nd level of Yuanfu, challenges the guest elder Rainy from the Emperor Star Academy."

"Wu Chong, also at the 2nd level of Yuanfu, challenges Du Yidao, leader of the Asura Faction."

"Xiao Lan, a powerhouse at the 3rd level of Yuanfu, challenges Xanxus, leader of the Heavenly Demon Association."

The five challengers, standing beside Chu Tianjiao, voiced their intentions. Instantly, a formidable aura swept out, their battle intent reaching for the heavens. Each of them had directly challenged opponents at their own cultivation level, and all their challengers held high positions within the Emperor Star Academy. Three were leaders of various associations and factions, one was ranked 4th among Chu's top 10 prodigies, and the last was a guest elder of the Emperor Star Academy.

Old Gu's expression sharpened as he questioned, "When did 1st Sword become a part of your Royal Academy? And why are the names Xiao Lan and Wang Teng unfamiliar to me?"

"Since the Royal Academy merged with the Godly General Martial Palace, it's only natural that there are people Old Gu hasn't crossed paths with. As for 1st Sword," Chu Tianjiao responded deliberately, "today's proceedings concern Snowcloud. I have no intention of bullying the Emperor Star Academy, so both Xiao Lǜ and I have chosen not to participate." His words hung in the air, eliciting wide-eyed reactions from the crowd. What arrogance!

Indeed, Chu Tianjiao ranked second among Snowcloud's top 10 prodigies. With Xiao Lǜ, one of the Duo Prides of Snowcloud, their power was unquestionable. Their inclusion in the battle would undoubtedly have posed a more significant challenge to the Emperor Star Academy.

Yet, both Chu Tianjiao and Xiao Lǜ had opted out of the contest.

This was a clash between Yuanfu realm experts, the backbone of their respective academies, whether it was the Emperor Star Academy or the Royal Academy. These students were the true elite.

From a certain perspective, this battle was comparable in scale and significance to the Jun Lin Banquet. Five formidable combatants on each side.

Ye Wuque, a Yuanfu expert among Snowcloud's top 10 prodigies.

1st Sword, the leader of Snowcloud's three swordsmen.

Wu Chong, a prodigious disciple of the Godly General Martial Palace.

As for Wang Teng and Xiao Lan, they were no pushovers either. Especially Xiao Lan, already at the 3rd level of Yuanfu, daring to challenge the leader of the Emperor Star Academy's Heavenly Demon Association.

"Emperor Star Academy, dare you accept our challenge?" Chu Tianjiao's voice resonated through the air. They had thoroughly investigated the Emperor Star Academy's elite cultivators. By issuing this challenge, they displayed a level of confidence in their victory.

All eyes from the Emperor Star Academy students were now fixed on the elders in the spectator stands. With the current circumstances, how could they possibly decline?

Old Gu didn't make decisions on behalf of the Emperor Star Academy's elite students. "Are all of you ready for this fight?" he inquired.

"We're in," came the unanimous response.

Qiu Mo confidently stepped forward onto the arena, his eyes locking onto Ye Wuque. As the higher-ranked of the two within the top 10 prodigies, he had no reason to decline the challenge.

"Ye Wuque, ranked 5th. Do you not realize how difficult it is to climb past those ranked ahead of you?" Qiu Mo stated with a cold expression.

Ye Wuque met his gaze calmly and then summoned his third Astral Soul, which emitted a dazzling golden radiance.

"Golden corona, from the 4th Heavenly Layer," Qiu Mo muttered in surprise. Ye Wuque not only unlocked his third Astral Gate but also manifested an Astral Soul from the 4th Heavenly Layer. This Astral Soul took the form of a radiant golden sword, gleaming with a bone-piercing sharpness.

With a hiss, an overwhelming sharpness radiated from Ye Wuque as he slowly advanced, exerting intense pressure on Qiu Mo. Behind him, a pair of silvery wings formed, their brilliance nearly blinding. These were his second Astral Soul, and after reaching Yuanfu, his once-illusory wings had become more substantial.

For Stellar Martial Cultivators, transitioning to Yuanfu transformed their meridians into whirlpools, converting Astral Energy into a liquid state. These liquid droplets accumulated in the Yuan Palace, where they nurtured a Stellar Array.

Yuanfu cultivators could harness far more Astral Energy than Arterial Circulation practitioners, leading to qualitative improvements. Abundant Astral Yuan Energy supported their execution of innate techniques, making their Astral Souls seem more tangible. Once their Stellar Array was fully nurtured, they would progress to the Heavenly Dipper Realm, manifesting an Astral Nova, a 'real' Astral Soul.

Qiu Mo momentarily lost focus, and Ye Wuque seized the opportunity. In an instant, a multitude of golden, sharp swords gathered and merged into a colossal Heaven Punishment Sword, slashing at Qiu Mo. The sword emitted a golden aura and harbored the destructive power of a fierce storm.

An Astral Soul from the 4th Heavenly Layer, when used for an attack, was undeniably terrifying. Qiu Mo unleashed his Astral Soul to counter, but his defenses crumbled before Ye Wuque's assault. His eyes dimmed with disappointment. It appeared that the 4th prodigy's position was about to change hands.

Ultimately, their attacks clashed, and with a single strike, Qiu Mo was sent flying from the arena, leaving the crowd thunderstruck.

Could the power gap between the 4th and 5th prodigies be this significant? Not only that, the 5th prodigy seemed even stronger. The Emperor Star Academy had unexpectedly lost the first battle.

Ye Wuque shifted his gaze towards the spectator stands, bowing mockingly. "I must confess, my victory was nothing more than sheer luck."

With a smirk, he retreated to his previous position. But his words, laced with sarcasm, cut through the air like a blade and resonated loudly in the ears of the onlookers.