Ranked at the end, but still magnificent

Ranked at the end, but still magnificent

Whether it was Gu Liufeng, Di Shi, Ji Feixue, or Qin Wentian, these exceptional Heaven Chosen individuals quickly grasped the rules as they delved into their initial stone monuments. It became evident that these stone monuments held the remnants of the realm's master—a treasure trove of power in the form of extraordinary innate arts and techniques.

Within the Immortal Martial Realm, even in the face of defeat, one need not face death. To those who had ventured into this realm, it marked the beginning of reaping true rewards. The extent of their gains, however, hinged solely on their individual abilities. They all understood that the farther they advanced, the greater the rewards they could attain.

This understanding was shared by Gu Liufeng, leading the pack, and Qin Wentian, who found himself in the last position.

However, their paths diverged. Gu Liufeng chose the path of swiftness; renowned throughout the Royal Sacred Region, he recognized that while he possessed unparalleled pride, he could never pause his relentless pursuit. His pride fueled his determination to forge ahead, knowing that more than anyone else, he needed to maintain his lead. Stopping meant risking inevitable failure.

He also acknowledged that each stone monument housed distinct powers, making it impossible to fully grasp their essence quickly. Such a comprehensive understanding required a considerable amount of time. Were he the sole inhabitant of this realm, he would certainly halt his progress, dedicating himself to analyzing and comprehending each stone monument thoroughly. However, within this competitive environment, where numerous Heaven Chosen vied for supremacy, he couldn't afford to make such a gamble. He needed to strike a balance between comprehension and advancement. As long as he could grasp enough to defeat his opponents and progress, it sufficed for now.

In reality, Gu Liufeng's approach influenced many others to follow in his footsteps. Witnessing this trend eased his concerns that he might be on the wrong path. If everyone embraced this strategy, he was confident in his own exceptional talent. Even with limited time, he believed he could outpace the others in terms of comprehension, ensuring he didn't fall behind.

Yet, there came a moment when Gu Liufeng noticed a young man who chose to linger at the first row of stone monuments. His eyes shimmered with uncertainty and surprise, creating ripples of doubt within him. Nevertheless, he swiftly composed himself, resolute in adhering to the path he had selected. Such was the unwavering nature of Gu Liufeng's character.

Qin Wentian was clearly taking a risk by stopping at the first row of monuments. It was a gamble where others might progress so far ahead that they could potentially eliminate him from the competition.

However, he firmly believed that there was no perfect path in life, only the one you chose for yourself. His thought process was straightforward: the runic lights contained an immense energy that he needed. With such a valuable resource right in front of him, refusing to absorb it would be the act of a fool. What he truly desired was to leverage his comprehension of this stone monument to level up. Even if he were to be eliminated, he had no regrets about making this choice.

Unfortunately, the spectators on the floating bridges didn't share his perspective. Gu Liufeng's presence overshadowed everyone else, and Qin Wentian, ranked last, appeared feeble in comparison. Some even sneered at him, suggesting that his success might be attributed to luck rather than skill. They regarded him as an inconsequential figure who had managed to avoid elimination simply because no one paid attention to him.

One particularly disdainful individual from the reclusive Tuotian Sect in the western domain added to the mockery. He couldn't hide the envy in his eyes, whether it stemmed from the two beautiful women who had been following Qin Wentian or his ability to navigate the path of the monuments, despite ranking at the very back.

His derogatory comment sparked laughter from the surrounding crowd. Ye Lingshuang and her group, who were standing nearby, couldn't let such insults go unanswered. They retorted, defending Qin Wentian and pointing out the unfairness of the ridicule.

The members of the Tuotian Sect exchanged icy glances with Ye Lingshuang's group but ultimately refrained from taking further action, as they knew they were not easy to intimidate.

However, another group of individuals began directing sarcastic remarks at Ye Lingshuang. They insinuated that Qin Wentian's "luck with women" was remarkable, given his associations with Lin Xian'er from the Celestial Maiden Sect and Lou Bingyu from the Battle Sword Sect. The speaker implied that there might be more to the story behind the scenes.

The comment ignited laughter once again, and the onlookers eagerly anticipated the unfolding drama. The situation was fraught with tension, as everyone in the area was operating with suppressed cultivation, creating a level playing field. However, the provocateurs from the supreme Di Clan and the Tuotian Sect outnumbered Ouyang Kuangsheng's group, posing a clear advantage.

When Ouyang Kuangsheng heard the lewd remarks, his anger flared, and sparks of thunderfire crackled around him. Spectators around them prepared to watch a potential confrontation. Despite their suppressed powers, those from the supreme Di Clan and the Tuotian Sect had the numerical upper hand, almost twice as many as Ouyang Kuangsheng's group.

The provokers from the supreme Di Clan, having been recognized, showed smug satisfaction. This was a deliberate attempt to provoke a reaction, especially given the infamous history of Qin Wentian's confrontation with Di Shi's younger brother. By now, Qin Wentian's name had spread far and wide throughout the Royal Sacred Region.

And, as expected, Ouyang Kuangsheng and his group couldn't tolerate it any longer. They erupted into intense battle, their suppressed powers coming to life in a flurry of martial prowess.

In another corner of this mystical realm, Qin Wentian remained deeply engrossed in his connection with the stone monument. He focused on gaining a deeper understanding and refrained from intruding on the monuments of others. The golden radiance enveloped him entirely, and he exuded an aura of razor-sharp intensity.

As Qin Wentian continued to cultivate, he marveled at the power of this cultivation art. It rivaled even the legendary nine ultimate arts of Grand Xia. When combined with the third level of his Fiend Transformation Art, it unleashed incredible strength. However, there was a slight regret – he lacked proficiency in the Mandate of Gold and the Mandate of Wind, which would have amplified his power significantly.

These profound thoughts only strengthened Qin Wentian's resolve to tread further on the path of monuments. He recognized the immense value of these treasures and pondered the possibility that the master of this realm might indeed have been an immortal.

Qin Wentian wished to maintain his concentration and focus solely on comprehension. However, this was not to be, as another presence forcefully connected the spaces of two stone monuments together, intruding upon his meditation.

This intruder was a striking figure clad in fiery-red armor with wings on her back, resembling a blazing sun. She was none other than Princess Jiao Yang from Grand Zhou, a renowned beauty and a powerful figure in her own right.

Whispers rippled through the crowd as they recognized her. Princess Jiao Yang's name was like a shining star in Grand Zhou, commanding attention and respect. Her challenge of Qin Wentian was a notable event.

Meanwhile, in another projected image, Shang Tong from Grand Shang prepared to face Ji Feixue. Observers speculated that Shang Tong was in for a tough battle against the formidable Ji Feixue.

In yet another projection, Lin Xianer found herself challenged by Chi Lian from the Blood Devil Palace. Three simultaneous battles were set to unfold, drawing the focus of the onlookers. While no one doubted Lin Xianer's strength, facing an opponent like Chi Lian, a member of the Blood Devil Palace and one of the eight absolute era-suppressing geniuses, posed a formidable challenge.

Back to Princess Jiao Yang and Qin Wentian, they locked eyes in a moment of mutual acknowledgment. Although Qin Wentian had the qualifications to progress but had chosen to remain on the first row, Princess Jiao Yang respected his courage. However, she had no reservations about selecting him as her opponent. Among the remaining contenders, she considered Qin Wentian the weakest, despite his earlier victory.

A buzzing sensation filled the air as the tension grew palpable, signaling the impending clash between Princess Jiao Yang and Qin Wentian.

Princess Jiao Yang initiated her move with a graceful sweep of her wings, engulfing her entire being in roaring flames. She resembled a radiant sun, her hand firmly gripping an exquisitely sharp sword. The mastery she had achieved was evident in the seamless fusion of 'man and sword as one.' Her sword emitted a brilliant, sun-like radiance, a direct reflection of the power she had gleaned from her stone monument.

In response, Qin Wentian sprang into action. The golden-winged roc, his current form, soared to great heights, piercing the clouds with its presence before descending with an aura of devastating retribution. The loftiness in his eyes mirrored a supremacy unrivaled in the world, as though he were a genuine golden-winged great roc, the harbinger of imminent destruction.

The sheer brilliance emanating from these two combatants was so blinding that even the spectators dared not gaze directly upon them. All eyes turned to this fierce clash, diverting attention from the other ongoing battles. In the image projection, Qin Wentian glided gracefully through the air above Princess Jiao Yang, his descent carrying an overwhelming force. To the onlookers, he appeared as a magnificent and resplendent streak of golden light.

On the floating bridges, Ouyang Kuangsheng and his comrades were locked in heated combat against members of the supreme Di Clan and the Tuotian Sect. However, when the brilliant golden light burst forth, their attention was irresistibly drawn to the image projection. They were left thunderstruck by the breathtaking spectacle before them.