2693 Identity Exposed

"I've always assumed he's an old man based on his voice. I didn't expect him to be so young!"

"Not even in my wildest dreams would I have imagined this."

The people of the Flying Dragon Sect, including Vice Sect Leader Huang Guang Ji, were shocked. This was their first time seeing their Revered Elder Tian Ling's true appearance.

Bang!

Duan Ling Tian stomped on the ground loudly and launched himself into the air, causing the ground to crack. He made his way to the master of ceremony of the Martial Competition of 16 Counties in just an instant. Then, he said calmly as he hovered above the arena, "I'm Duan Ling Tian from Nine Specters County!" He looked at Chu Yan, the selected participant from the Soaring Wind County.

As soon as Duan Ling Tian introduced himself, the audience was shocked. Some were so surprised that they rose from their seats abruptly while some gasped loudly, filled with incredulity.

Duan Ling Tian had kept the Yin Celestial Master's Robe when he had revealed himself, hence, he was once again dressed in his purple-robes.

Apart from the people in the VIP seats who were still in a daze by this turn of events, the spectators in the common seats were busy discussing among themselves. Some of them turned to look at Tian Ji Yu, but most people's eyes were fixed on Duan Ling Tian as though they were afraid he would disappear. In fact, even before he arrived, he was already the focus of everyone's attention. After all, many people had been saying that Duan Ling Tian was sure to win first place. Chu Yan would not stand a chance if Duan Ling Tian came. Now that Duan Ling Tian had shown up, how could he not be the center of attention?

"Duan Ling Tian came?"

"H-he's Duan Ling Tian?"

"I thought the Martial Competition of 16 Counties would end after Chu Yan defeated Yang Jin. Not only did I not expect the County Governor of Nine Specters County to be able to buy time for Duan Ling Tian, but even more so, I didn't expect Duan Ling Tian to show up!"

"Well, it seems like the County Governor of Nine Specters County knew beforehand that Duan Ling Tian would definitely show up, that's why he stalled for time earlier."

"Yes, looks like it to me as well."

"So he's Duan Ling Tian who became famous in the entire region governed by King Qin's Mansion a few months ago? And he's as strong as a Great Overarching Golden Celestial although he's less than 100 years old?"

"In all the areas under King Qin's Mansion, I don't think we've ever had such a genius, right?"

"Who knows if he has already become a Great Overarching Golden Celestial?"

"A Great Overarching Golden Celestial who's not even 100 years old… I think such a person is rare even in those high-rank Celestial Kingdom, let alone our mediocre Celestial Kingdom, the Cloudy Rock Celestial Kingdom."

Meanwhile, from behind the curtain, Qin Yu stood up abruptly from his luxurious chair as he exclaimed, "Duan Ling Tian?" He was delighted to see Duan Ling Tian safe and sound, but he could not help but worry about the powerhouse from the Compassionate Celestial Sect now that Duan Ling Tian was here. According to his uncle, the powerhouse was a Celestial Duke, who was much stronger than an Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial. If the Celestial Duke unleashed all her strength, she would be capable of destroying King Qin's Mansion. He thought to himself, 'Duan Ling Tian, why did you suddenly show up at this moment? You should've told me about your plans!' He felt a hint of bitterness and helplessness at this moment. He did not try to speak to Duan Ling Tian through Voice Transmission because he knew it was too late to do so. If Duan Ling Tian was the target of that Celestial Duke from the Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect, even if he warned Duan Ling Tian now, it would still be useless. On the other hand, if Duan Ling Tian was not the Celestial Duke's target, he would only be distracting Duan Ling Tian while he fought with Chu Yan.

Qin Yu prayed fervently inwardly, 'I really hope Duan Ling Tian isn't the target of the Celestial Duke of Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect...' He sighed. 'I really didn't expect Duan Ling Tian to be sitting so close to me in the VIP seats. Why didn't he tell me through Voice Transmission that he's here? If he had done so, I could've told him about the Celestial Duke from the Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect and asked if they have enmity between them.' He did notice the noise outside at the VIP seats, and many people blocked his view when Duan Ling Tian first revealed himself. Therefore, he was a step too late to react. When he regained his senses, Duan Ling Tian had revealed his identity to everyone present on the scene.

King Qin, who was sitting next to Qin Yu, looked at Duan Ling Tian as he asked, "Yu'er, so this is Duan Ling Tian?"

"Yes. I didn't know he came, let alone that he was the primitive Celestial Alchemist from the Flying Dragon Sect." Qin Yu smiled bitterly.

"He's good at hiding himself," King Qin said. At the same time, he wondered why Duan Ling Tian only showed himself now. After all, if he did not agree to Tian Ji Yu's request to wait for a while more, the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties would have ended earlier. It would have been meaningless if Duan Ling Tian had appeared after the competition ended. Moreover, Duan Ling Tian did not just show up now, he had been here all along, hiding among the people in the VIP seats. He thought to himself, 'This is King Qin's Mansion. It's reasonable that he doesn't have to worry about the others from the 15 counties harming him here. However, why did he only show up at the eleventh hour? Is it possible that he's also aware that he's the target of the Celestial Duke from the Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect? That still doesn't make sense. If he knows he's a target, why would he show himself now? Even if we can' tell if the powerhouse has left, there's no need for him to take such a risk, right?' The more he thought about it, the more confused he was. Then, he looked at the people from Fair Mountain County before his eyes eventually landed on a grey-robed figure next to Wang Qi Ling. The grey-robed person was a core elder and a Celestial Duke from the Compassionate Celestial Traveler Sect.

"Senior, Duan Ling Tian has shown up. Why aren't you attacking him yet?" Wang Qi Ling asked anxiously. After all, it seemed like the person next to him had no intention of attacking Duan Ling Tian. If the powerhouse only killed Duan Ling Tian after Duan Ling Tian had defeated Chu Yan, it meant Fair Mountain County would only receive one mediocre Celestial Pill, the Great Overarching Pill, since Yang Jin would be demoted to the third place. He had expected the powerhouse next to him would kill Duan Ling Tian as soon as Duan Ling Tian appeared. Who knew that was not the case?

The grey-robed figure rebuked Wang Qi Ling coldly, "It is not up to you to tell me what to do!"

Wang Qi Ling was so terrified that his face turned pale. He quickly lowered his head and fearfully apologized, "Senior, I apologize. I was just too anxious..."

Although Wang Qi Ling did not know the real identity of the old lady, he noticed that even King Qin had to compromise during the confrontation between King Qin and the old lady earlier! At that time, King Qin had demanded him to say that the old lady was deaf so King Qin would not be embarrassed. How could the old lady be an ordinary person if even King Qin had to give in to her? Even King Qin did not dare offend her, how could someone like him dare to provoke that old lady? If the old lady killed him, he would just die in vain. He was certain King Qin would not avenge him. For this reason, when he heard the displeasure in her words earlier, he was frightened out of his wits.

Meanwhile, the old lady's eyes flashed coldly as she studied Duan Ling Tian intently. 'So this is Duan Ling Tian? He's the one who took away Miss Bing'er's virginity?'