1657 Friends from a Quasi Third-rate Force

"Yes." Han Zheng Tian nodded, "The Rising Sky Ranking is extremely important in the Rising Sky Mansion's district. Only Martial and Dao Cultivators below the age of fifty can participate… Hence, everyone only has one chance in their lives to take part in the Rising Sky Ranking Battle."

"There are only 10 places in the Rising Sky Ranking… Participants will be ranked according to their performance during the battle, and the results will be set for the next 50 years. That's why the Rising Sky Ranking is especially meaningful to the Rising Sky Mansion," Han Zheng Tian continued saying.

Duan Ling Tian finally understood the importance of the Rising Sky Ranking after listening to Han Zheng Tian's explanation. He knew it would be an extreme honor to be able to rank in the Rising Sky Ranking in the Rising Sky Mansion's district.

"It's because the Rising Sky Ranking represents the strongest people in the Rising Sky Mansion generations after generations. That's why even a fourth-rate force like the Rising Sky Mansion values the Rising Sky Ranking so much. It's to the extent that only disciples who managed to rank in the Rising Sky Ranking are qualified to compete for the position of Mansion Master in the Rising Sky Mansion," Han Zheng Tian said, "The current Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion is keen to pass his position to his son, the Young Mansion Master… That's why he has to rank in the top ten of the Rising Sky Ranking. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to inherit the position of Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion."

"Although the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion is a playboy and fools around a lot, I have to admit he's a Martial Dao prodigy! It might be difficult for him to rank first on the Rising Sky Ranking, but it won't be difficult for him to rank in the top three based on his strength," Han Zheng Tian added.

"Uncle Han, you mentioned the Rising Sky Ranking so suddenly… Could it be the Rising Sky Ranking is a Death Duel?" Duan Ling Tian asked without beating around the bush as his eyes glinted.

He believed Han Zheng Tian would not have mentioned the Rising Sky Ranking for no reason after he asked if there were other ways to help Xue Nai avoid this disaster without implicating the Greenwave Han Mansion.

"That's right." Han Zheng Tian nodded. "The Rising Sky Ranking battle is a Death Duel. This rule has been passed down in the Rising Sky Mansion's district since ancient times… This rule was made to ensure the people at their prime would do their best in the battle."

"So as long as someone manages to kill the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion during the Rising Sky Ranking Battle, it wouldn't implicate the Greenwave Han Mansion? Moreover, the promised marriage between him and Xue Nai would also be canceled?" Duan Ling Tian's eyes suddenly lit up.

"That's right." Han Zheng Tian nodded again. However, he had a bitter expression on his face when he said again, "However, even if there are one or two participants who are stronger than the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion, they probably wouldn't kill him as a favor to the Rising Sky Mansion. As for the others, they're probably not a match for the Young Mansion Master."

Due to this reason, Han Zheng Tian did not think the Young Mansion Master would be killed during the Rising Sky Ranking Battle. He had only brought this up to show Duan Ling Tian there was no other way to save his daughter apart from him killing the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion.

"Uncle Han, do you know how strong is the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion?" Duan Ling Tian asked.

"He's at the Refined Saint Stage," Han Zheng Tian said solemnly, "A few years ago, I heard he has broken through to the Refined Saint Stage… Due to the upcoming Rising Sky Ranking Battle, the Rising Sky Mansion would most definitely be giving their best cultivation resources to him. That's why it's not impossible for him to break through to the Intermediate Refined Saint Stage by the time the Rising Sky Ranking Battle begins."

"Intermediate Refined Saint Stage?" Duan Ling Tian widened his eyes. As far as he knew, the strongest person in a sixth-rate force was not stronger than a Refined Saint Stage powerhouse.

A Young Master from a fourth-rate force whose age was under fifty years old possessed a cultivation base at the Refined Saint Stage?

At this moment, Duan Ling Tian finally understood how terrifying a fourth-rate force was!

"Yes. Otherwise, I wouldn't have said he'll be able to rank in the top three of the Rising Sky Ranking." Han Zheng Tian smiled bitterly.

"Uncle Han, are there any other restrictions to participate in the Rising Sky Ranking Battle apart from the age restriction? For example, are people who are not from Rising Sky Mansion's district allowed to participate?" Duan Ling Tian asked.

"Theoretically, anyone can join as long as they're not older than fifty years old… The fact is those people who are not from the Rising Sky Mansion's district wouldn't participate since every fourth-rate force has their own ranking battle every fifty years. It's just held at a different time," Han Zheng Tian said.

Duan Ling Tian nodded. There was an unnoticeable glint in the depth of his eyes.

"Uncle Han, do you trust me?" Duan Ling Tian suddenly asked as he looked at Han Zhen Tian.

Han Zheng Tian was stunned. He did not know why Duan Ling Tian would ask such a question. However, he still nodded as Duan Ling Tian stared at him. "Although this is the first time we met, I've heard Xue Nai spoke about you more than once. I know you're a trustworthy person so I trust you."

"Thank you, Uncle Han." Duan Ling Tian thanked him and said, "Uncle Han, I made a friend not long after I arrived at the Dao Martial Saint Land. He's not much older than I am, but he's far stronger than I am. When I met him a few years ago, he was already at the peak of the Pristine Saint Stage. Currently, he must have broken through to the Refined Saint Stage!"

Duan Ling Tian said with a burning gaze, "I plan to look for him and ask him to kill the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion during the Rising Sky Ranking Battle!"

Boom!

Duan Ling Tian's words were like a bolt of lightning on a sunny day. It stunned Han Zheng Tian.

"Are you sure?" He did not doubt Duan Ling Tian's words. He was just concerned if Duan Ling Tian's friend was stronger than the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion.

"Uncle Han, he's only a few months older than me… A few years have passed since then, he must have broken through to the Refined Saint Stage. It's not unlikely that he has broken through to the Intermediate Refined Saint Stage or even the Mastery Refined Saint Stage." Duan Ling Tian nodded with certainty.

His words made Han Zheng Tian's eyes lit up. He began to feel a sliver of hope. Although he had decided to personally kill the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion, it was only a last resort. If there was another way to resolve his daughter's problem without implicating the Greenwave Han Mansion, he was, naturally, willing to try it. Moreover, this was a method proposed by Duan Ling Tian.

Just like he had said earlier, although it was his first time meeting Duan Ling Tian, he could tell Duan Ling Tian was a trustworthy person. Therefore, he did not doubt Duan Ling Tian's words.

"Moreover…" Duan Ling Tian spoke again. However, he did not continue speaking immediately, keeping Han Zheng Tian in suspense. When he saw the curiosity in Han Zheng Tian's eyes, he finally said, "I suspect he might be the disciple of a quasi third-rate force in the Lower Province of the Dao Martial Saint Land… It's not a problem for him to get grade three Saint Stones."

Quasi third-rate force!

Duan Ling Tian's words shocked Han Zheng Tian again.

A quasi third-rate force was still a fourth-rate force, but they were superior compared to ordinary fourth-rate forces.

Although the Rising Sky Mansion was strong, they were merely an ordinary fourth-rate force. They were inferior compared to a quasi third-rate force.

Moreover, the cultivation resource controlled by a quasi third-rate force was better than an ordinary fourth-rate force. Their Saint Stone reserve was one of the best in the Lower Province. It produced a large number of grade three Saint Stones.

"Can you really find him and ask for his help?" Han Zheng Tian asked, slightly losing his composure, as he stared at Duan Ling Tian with a burning gaze.

One could imagine how shocking Duan Ling Tian's words were for it to be able to shock a leader of a fifth-rate force like him.

"Uncle Han, this matter concerns Xue Nai's happiness. I wouldn't dare to joke about it," Duan Ling Tian said solemnly, "Besides, there no harm for you to believe me now. It's not too late for you to kill the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion at the end of the Rising Sky Ranking Battle, right?" Duan Ling Tian said again.

"Little Tian, if you're able to invite your friend over and kill the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion during the Rising Sky Ranking Battle, Uncle Han will really owe you a big one!" Han Zheng Tian said with a serious expression.

"Uncle Han, your words are too polite. It's only natural for me to help. Previously, Xue Nai had helped me a lot, and I've long treated her as my sister. I'm not looking to be rewarded for helping my sister," Duan Ling Tian said seriously.

"I was being too polite." Han Zheng Tian nodded.

After Han Zheng Tian left, Han Xue Nai immediately appeared before Duan Ling Tian and asked curiously, "Brother Ling Tian, what did my father say to you? How mysterious!"

"Nothing much! We were just discussing ways to help you out of this problem" Duan Ling Tian said as he glanced at Han Xue Nai with brotherly affection.

"Brother Ling Tian, it's not that simple," Han Xue Nai said with a bitter smile. In fact, she had already resigned herself to her fate to a certain extent.

For her father and the Greenwave Han Mansion, she was already prepared to sacrifice herself.

"We'll have to wait and see if it's simple or not… Xue Nai, Brother Ling Tian has to leave for some time. Take good care of yourself. Perhaps, when we meet again, we'll have a solution for this problem," Duan Ling Tian said to Han Xue Nai.

"Brother Ling Tian, you're leaving?" Han Xue Nai's expression changed slightly. She bit her lips before she muttered, "Brother Ling Tian, can't you stay a little longer? I… I…"