2697 The Old Lady Appears

"My pleasure." Duan Ling Tian nodded to Chu Yan.

Chu Yu left her seat and rushed to her brother's side. She asked, "Big brother, are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Chu Yan shook his head. A hint of disappointment for losing could be seen in his eyes along with a hint of doting for his beloved sister.

In fact, before Chu Yu approached Chu Yan, she had already sent him a Voice Transmission, asking him to introduce her to Duan Ling Tian. As for her brother's injuries, she did not seem very concerned about them. He realized that after a woman had come of age, they could not be kept from marriage. He did not take offense, after all, he really loved his sister. Moreover, he admired Duan Ling Tian for his strength as well. For this reason, he looked at Duan Ling Tian and pointed to his sister before he said, "Duan Ling Tian, this is my sister, Chu Yu."

"Miss Chu Yu." Duan Ling Tian nodded to Chu Yu out of courtesy.

"Hello, big brother Duan." Chu Yu was normally a carefree person, but faced with Duan Ling Tian, she was much more restrained. A blush could be seen on her cheeks. It was a rather rare sight that even Chu Yan was surprised. Chu Yan did not expect his sister who usually acted like a boy would have such a lady-like side to her as well. He lamented inwardly, 'So, it's true that a woman changes her expression for the one she likes.'

Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian was so discomfited with Chu Yu's adoring gaze that he had to turn away.

The master of ceremony of the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties saved Duan Ling Tian from the awkwardness as he asked, "Is there anyone else who wants to challenge Duan Ling Tian? According to the rules of the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties, Duan Ling Tian is now ranked first. All participants who're ranked from the third to the tenth places are free to challenge Duan Ling Tian if they so wish."

The spectators rolled their eyes upon hearing the master of ceremony's words.

"Are you kidding me?! Won't the other participants be digging their own graves if they challenge Duan Ling Tian!"

"Exactly! All eight of them were defeated by Chu Yan… However, Chu Yan was defeated by Duan Ling. How could they stand a chance against Duan Ling Tian? None of them is a match for him!"

"Well, I'm sure the master of the ceremony knows that no one would dare to challenge Duan Ling Tian. It's probably just a formality and a procedure he has to follow. It'd be unfair to directly declare Duan Ling Tian as the winner without asking if anyone wants to challenge him, right?"

"That's true."

Naturally, there were people who were wiser. They knew the master of ceremony only said these words as a formality.

With that, the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties came to an end. The final rankings were as followed, first was Duan Ling Tian from Nine Specters County. Second, Chu Yan from Soaring Wind County. Third, Yang Jing from Fair Mountain County. Fourth, Zhong Jue Ming from Ataraxia County. Fifth, Ren Fei from Red Cloud County. Sixth, Zhang Jian Hong from Plum Blossom County. Seventh, Chu Yu from Soaring Wind County. Eighth, Mo Qiu from Qiu Li County. Ninth, Tong Yuan from Horse Teeth County. And finally, tenth, Yan Shi Hu from One Heart County.

Wang Qi Ling, the County Governor of Fair Mountain County, remained silent. He repeatedly looked at the grey-clad figure next to him furtively. He was confused as to why she did not make a move yet. Her target was clearly Duan Ling Tian, right? He thought to himself, 'Don't tell me the old lady can't bear to make a move because of how good looking he is?'

Although the Martial Competition of the 16 counties had ended, the spectators still remained in their seats, discussing among themselves. Naturally, their discussions revolved around Duan Ling Tian. Most of them were curious about his potential and how far he would go. Would he become a peak Celestial Duke?

"Just as expected, Duan Ling Tian from Nine Specters County won the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties."

"He appeared just in time. If he had appeared an hour later, he would've missed winning the competition."

"To be able to witness Duan Ling Tian's strength really made the trip here worthwhile. Based on his strength, he'll definitely go far beyond expectations."

"As long as he doesn't die prematurely, it won't be a problem for him to go beyond the Cloudy Rock Celestial Kingdom."

"With his innate talent, if everything goes well, he'll be a Celestial Duke at the very least and won't have a problem settling in a high-rank Celestial Kingdom!"

"A Celestial Duke is much stronger than an Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial. It's said that even among the high-rank Celestial Kingdoms, there might not even be one Celestial Duke!"

To most of the people present on the scene, a Celestial Duke was someone they only heard about in rumors. At least, in the territories under King Qin's Mansion, a Celestial Duke had never publicly appeared before in the last few hundred years.

'Seems like the old lady isn't here.' Duan Ling Tian sighed in relief as he checked for her presence from the air.

However, just as he was about to turn and join the people from Nine Specters County, a hoarse and cold voice rang in the air. Although the voice was not loud, it drowned out all the spectators' voices. "Duan Ling Tian! Are you Duan Ling Tian from the Black Dragon Army in Bloody Specter City?"

The spectators were momentarily stunned before they began to search for the mysterious speaker.

"Who was it?"

In just a moment, a grey figure emerged from the group of people from Fair Mountain County.

"What does he want to do ?!" The members of Fair Mountain County were confused. Only the County Governor, Wang Ling Qi, looked at Duan Ling Tian with a gloating expression.

The grey figure discarded its robe and revealed an old lady in plain robes. She seemed to be in her 70s. She did not waste any time and stepped into the air, making her way to Duan Ling Tian.

'She must be the old lady that City Governor Liu mentioned. She's definitely stronger than a Great Overarching Golden Celestial! She's, at least, comparable to King Qin from King Qin's Mansion!' Duan Ling Tian thought. When the old lady had called out to him earlier, he had tried to escape immediately but to no avail. An invisible and powerful force seemed to have surrounded him and bound him. Although the force did not seem particularly dense, he was no match for its power at all. An ordinary Overarching Heaven Supreme Celestial would not be capable of making him feel this way, only someone stronger than an Overarching Heaven Supreme Celestial could render him so helpless.

Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of Nine Specters County, exclaimed, "It's you!" He was shocked by the grey-figure's true identity. His previously elated expression had changed to one of fear when he saw the old lady. The old lady had come to see him a year ago in the County Governor's estate in Nine Specters County, looking for Duan Ling Tian. With just her aura, she had injured him. Due to this, he estimated the old lady was at least on par with a peak Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial. 'Sh… She's here all this time? She's even hiding among Wang Qi Ling's people!' He did not expect the old lady was the grey figure who stood with Wang Qi Ling, the County Governor of Fair Mountain Count.

"Hm?" The old lady suddenly came to a halt. She tilted her head and looked at Tian Ji Yu with a glint in her eyes. She said lightly, "Oh, I've almost forgotten about you. When I last saw you, I remember you said Duan Ling Tian wouldn't be competing in the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties, right?" Her cold eyes were narrowed as she spoke.

"S-senior..." Tian Ji Yu clearly sensed her killing intent. He panicked and hastily replied, "Senior, i-it's a misunderstanding… I truly didn't know Duan Ling Tian would appear. I swear!" Although he was in King Qin's Mansion and King Qin was present, he did not feel safe at all. King Qin was an ordinary Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial, however, the old lady was likely stronger than King Qin. Even if their strength was on par with each other, King Qin probably would not make a move to save him. After all, he was a mere insignificant subordinate.