Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“70%?”
“The entrance to the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm would only be reopened after 70% of the participants have perished? This… this…”
“This means that out of every ten people who enter the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm, only three would come out alive?”
“I thought the entrance to the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm would reopen after 60% of the participants have fallen?
“Did the Second Elder of the Zhangsun Clan make a mistake?”
After a moment of silence, a commotion broke out among the crowd above the center of Scaling Cloud Lake after Zhangsun Xiong Qi, the Second Elder of the Zhangsun Clan, had spoken. All of them fervently discussed the fact that the entrance would only reopen after 70% of the participants had fallen.
‘70%? When did the rules change?’ Contrary to most people, Duan Ling Tian did not think Zhangsun Xiong Qi made a mistake. This was supported by the fact that Zhangsun Xiong Qi was only keeping quiet while everyone was discussing the matter.
While Duan Ling Tian was deep in his thoughts, Zhangsun Xiong Qi said, “I didn’t make a mistake; all of you heard correctly…” He continued to say, “Indeed, in the past, the entrance to the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Realm would reopen once 60% of the participants had fallen. The difficulty this time is higher compared to the past. Therefore, the entrance would only reopen after 70% of the participants have fallen.” A brilliant smile, which was contrary to his words, could be seen on his face when he spoke.
Upon hearing Zhangsun Xiong Qi’s words, the expressions of many people turned grim.
“Of course, it’s still not too late to turn back… Those who wish to withdraw can pass their Accumulative Point Jades to their respective leaders,” Zhangsun Xiong Qi said.
Another commotion broke out again as soon as Zhangsun Xiong Qi finished speaking. It was caused by some participants who chose to withdraw.
Although the expressions of many of the participants from the Supporting Fall Nation had turned grim, none of them chose to withdraw.
“70%? This means only 30% of those who enter the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm would be able to make it out alive…” Duan Ling Tian said.
There was a total of nine Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestials, including Duan Ling Tian, from the Supporting Fall Nation. Based on Zhangsun Xiong Qi’s words, only three of the nine participants from the Supporting Fall Nation would be able to survive the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm.
“I didn’t expect it would be so dangerous to enter the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm this time around. Only 30% of the participants would survive!” Huang Jia Long exclaimed in shock. Despite his words, his eyes shone with fearlessness.
“Does anyone want to withdraw?” Due to how dangerous it was to enter the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm this time around, Hu Lin Yi, the Emperor of the Supporting Fall Nation, did not mind if some of the participants wanted to withdraw. However, to his surprise, nobody chose to withdraw.
“Risk and rewards come hand in hand… Since I’ve decided to participate in the Southern Heaven Combat in the Supporting Fall Nation, I’ve made up my mind to enter the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm in search of fortuitous encounters. I’m afraid my cultivation in the future would be affected if I run away from such small adversity now!”
A middle-aged Overarching Heaven Supreme Celestial from the Supporting Fall Nation said, “It’s only a 10% increase compared to the previous times… Moreover, who’s to say I won’t survive?”
“You’re right! It makes no sense to withdraw after coming all the way here. How many opportunities do we have in life to make it big? I’m afraid that such an opportunity won’t come knocking twice.”
“Hmph! If I give it my best, perhaps, I’ll survive!”
“As long as I survive, I’ll be able to join one of the Three Sects and Two Clans… At that time, my future would be bright!”
All of the Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestials from the Supporting Fall Nation were highly motivated and confident.
Naturally, Hu Lin Yi was extremely satisfied upon seeing this. After all, the higher the number of participants, the higher the number the people who would survive. This would undoubtedly benefit him.
“Your Majesty, why are the Accumulative Points Jades of the Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestials from the Southern Qi Nation different from ours?” Duan Ling Tian asked after he looked at the people from the Southern Qi Nation. He had noticed that the Accumulative Points Jade in the hands of an Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial from the Southern Qi Nation was different.
Duan Ling Tian’s Accumulative Points Jade was emerald in color and shone with vitality while the Accumulative Points Jade in the hands of the Southern Qi Nation’s Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial was a clear blue similar to the ocean.
The other Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestials from the Supporting Fall Nation instinctively turned to look in the direction of the people from the Southern Qi Nation as soon as Duan Ling Tian finished speaking.
“It’s really different! The Southern Qi Nation’s Accumulative Points Jades are blue while ours are emerald.”
“Why is it different?”
“Is there a reason why the colors of our Accumulative Point Jades are different?”
The Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestials shifted their attention to Hu Lin Yi for an explanation. Their expressions were one of confusion.
Hu Lin Yi said, “Every time the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm opens, the participating Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestials would be given an Accumulative Points Jade. There are five types of Accumulative Points Jade that are made from different jades. They are the Golden Jade, the Wooden Jade, the Water Jade, the Fire Jade, and the Earth Jade. The five types of jade each represent one of the Three Sects and Two Clans. For example, the Wooden Jades in your hands were given to me by the members of the Simplicity Celestial Sect. The Golden Jade represents the Cloud Platform Celestial Sect, the Water Jade represents the Coupling Celestial Sect, the Fire Jade represents the Gongyang Clan, and the Earth Jade represents the Zhangsun Clan.”
Hu Lin Yi paused for a moment before he continued to say, “Rumor has it that during every opening of the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm, the Three Sects and Two Clans would gamble among themselves… They would gamble on the numbers of points in the Accumulative Points Jades of the participants. The winner would be the force with the most points, and the losing forces would have to pay the winning force.”
Hu Lin Yi continued to explain, “Despite the color of your Accumulative Points Jade, if you’re able to survive, you don’t necessarily have to join the corresponding force of your jade. You can choose to join any of the Three Sects and Two Clans. As all of you know, outstanding participants or those with a high ranking will be able to join the Three Sects and Two Clans.”
“Gambling?” Duan Ling Tian raised an eyebrow upon hearing Hu Lin Yi’s words. “The Three Sect and Two Clans could even gamble on such a thing. I guess in the regions under the Profound Nether Mansion, they’re allowed to come up with their own rules regarding the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm. How callous!” As he lifted his head to look at the members of the Three Sects and Two Clans, he realized the cruel reality of natural selection in Devata Realms. Just like the mundane realms, or perhaps, to a greater extent, strength was everything!
An Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestial from the Supporting Fall Nation asked, “Your Majesty, our Accumulative Points Wooden wouldn’t change colors if we kill and obtain the points from a different color jade, right?”
“That’s right,” Hu Lin Yi said, “The Three Sects and Two Clans had thought about this in the past. All the participants would have to claim blood ownership of their Accumulative Points Jades before entering the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm.”
“Once the owner of an Accumulative Point Jade dies, his or her Accumulative Points Jade will shatter immediately. The points they have accumulated would automatically go to the nearest Accumulative Point Jades,” Hu Lin Yi reminded Duan Ling Tian and the other participants from the Supporting Fall Nation, “Therefore, when killing someone, you have to make sure there aren’t any other Accumulative Point Jade nearby… Otherwise, the points might go to someone else.”
If Hu Lin Yi did not tell them about this, Duan Ling Tian and the other participants from the Supporting Fall Nation would not have known about it.
“Apart from that, although you’ll be entering the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm together, you’ll be teleported to different places in the lower realm by a Transportation Formation after you enter. Therefore, in the beginning, you’ll be alone. It’s up to you if you want to work together later… Naturally, I don’t recommend you to cooperate with people you don’t trust. After all, there’s a chance you might get killed for trusting the wrong person…” Hu Lin Yi said as he looked at Duan Ling Tian and the other intently.
Upon hearing this, many of the Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestials began to regard each other warily. Some of them made up their minds inwardly not to cooperate with anyone. After all, if they trusted the wrong person, it would cost them their lives.
…
About half an hour later…
“It’s about time.” The voice of Zhangsun Xiong Qi, the Second Elder of the Zhangsun Clan, resounded in the air at this moment, drowning the other noises in the surroundings.
Everyone fell silent immediately.
“The Three Sects and Two Clans will now join forces to open the entrance to the lower realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm… The Overarching Heavenly Supreme Celestials who have decided to enter the realm please claim ownership of your Accumulative Points Jade before entering the realm,” Zhangsun Xiong Qi said.
As soon as Zhangsun Xiong Qi finished speaking, almost all of the 20,000 people present on the scene turned to look at the members from the Three Sects and Two Clans.
At this moment, Zhangsun Xiong Qi nodded at the four leaders from the other Three Clans and One Sect. Then, a square plate with complex runes engraved on its rough surface appeared in Zhangsun Xiong Qi’s hands.