Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“It’s not surprising since we’re in a vast and barren plan; there’s nowhere to hide here. It’s inevitable that people from different grade-six Celestial Mansions would fight if they meet here.” Duan Ling Tian was not surprised to see the bloodstains on the ground. Due to the terrain, it became a deadly battlefield.
One could only obtain points in the middle realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm from opponents from different grade-six Celestial Mansions. Fellow members of the same sect could not obtain points from each other. For example, if a group of Profound Nether Mansion disciples surrounded Duan Ling Tian, and they crushed their Accumulative Point Jades, their points would not go to Duan Ling Tian even if he was in close proximity. This was to prevent fellow members from cheating their way to the top 20 ranks.
Naturally, people from different Celestial Mansions could make a deal to cheat the system, but it rarely happened. First of all, it was too risky. If they were caught, the punishment was death. Second, even if they took such a huge risk, success was not guaranteed. Nevertheless, this did not stop a few people from taking this risk once in a blue moon. As the saying went, ‘Fortune favors the bold’.
As Duan Ling Tian continued forward he saw a forested mountain up ahead. The mountain looked steep and perilous; it seemed like the perfect hideout. Since most of the people who entered the middle realm were Ten Directions Celestial Dukes, it was easy for them to avoid detection from other people’s Divine Consciousness.
“First, it was a stone forest. Then, it was a vast and barren plain. Now, it’s a forested mountain. It seems like these different terrains are deliberately created to simulate battlegrounds of all kinds.” Different terrains had different advantages if one knew how to make use of them after all.
Duan Ling Tian suddenly came to a halt as his eyes flashed. It was as though he had discovered something.
Swoosh!
In the next moment, a figure flew out from one of the mountain peaks. In just a blink of an eye, the figure had appeared in front of Duan Ling Tian, blocking Duan Ling Tian’s way, with a sinister gleam in his eyes.
When the figure appeared, Duan Ling Tian saw that it was a young man. Apart from that, he managed to see the identity token hanging from the young man’s waist. From the identity token, he discovered the young man’s name was Hong Ji, and he was an inner disciple from the Leaving Willow Mansion.
Similarly, Hong Ji saw Duan Ling Tian’s identity token as well. His solemn expression vanished without a trace as he muttered to himself, “An outer court disciple from the Profound Nether Mansion?” With this discovery, he raised his head and looked in the direction of the forest mountain as he shouted, “You can come out now! He’s just an outer court disciple from the Profound Nether Mansion!”
Swoosh!
As soon as Hong Ji finished speaking, another figure shot out from the place Hong Ji had appeared. The figure belonged to a young man as well, and based on his identity token, his name was Tong Qi Shan, and he was also an inner disciple from the Leaving Willow Mansion like Hong Ji.
“An outer disciple from the Profound Nether Mansion?” Tong Qi Shan, who also blocked Duan Ling Tian’s path, raised an eyebrow as he studied Duan Ling Tian.
Then, Hong Ji asked, “Lad, what’s an outer disciple like you doing here?”
“I’m here to compete for the rankings,” Duan Ling Tian replied lightly.
“An outer disciple from the Profound Nether Mansion wants to compete for the rankings?” Tong Qi Shan’s eyes widened, clearly stunned. Then, he asked, “Can you tell me how many points you’ve accumulated so far?”
Usually, Tong Qi Shan and Hong Ji would not waste time and would instantly attack their targets to prevent their targets from escaping. However, after discovering their target today was just an outer court disciple from the Profound Nether Mansion, they did not think there was any risk of Duan Ling Tian escaping from them. Moreover, they did not have any intention of killing their opponents as long as they obtained the points. Therefore, if Duan Ling Tian crushed his Accumulative Jade Point to escape, they would not mind it since the points would go to them anyway. So long as their opponents were willing to give up their points, they would not kill their targets if they had no grudge between them.
Duan Ling Tian replied, “This is my first time in the middle realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm. Both of you are the first and second people I’ve met from another Celestial Mansion.”
“The Profound Nether Mansion’s base is nearby… Did you just come from there?” Tong Qi Shan was speechless. Was this person before him a fool who was unafraid of death?
Duan Ling Tian nodded.
“I didn’t expect to meet a rookie… Lad, crush your Accumulative Point Jade and leave. You’re lucky you met us. If you’ve met other people, it’s likely that they’ll kill you,” Hong Ji said as he looked at Duan Ling Tian. Clearly, he had no intention of fighting Duan Ling Tian. For this reason, he encouraged Duan Ling Tian to surrender his points and crush his Accumulative Point Jade to leave the middle realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm through the Transporting Formation in the jade.
At this moment, Tong Qi Shan who had just probed Duan Ling Tian with his Divine Consciousness exclaimed in shock, “Not only are you an outer disciple, but you’re not even 100 years old?”
“Not even 100 years old?” Hong Ji was stunned by Tong Qi Shan’s discovery as well. “Lad, you’re not even 100 years old, but you dare to enter the middle realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm? Are you seeking death? Although not everyone who enters the middle realm is a cold-blooded killer, if you run into those who have a grudge with the Profound Nether Mansion, they definitely won’t let you go!”
“Come on, crush your Accumulative Point Jade and leave… What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you want us to make a move?” Tong Qi Shan said helplessly when he saw Duan Ling Tian showed no signs of leaving. He grew a little impatient when he saw there was no response from Duan Ling Tian.
A wide smile appeared on Duan Ling Tian’s face at this moment.
The duo was baffled when they saw Duan Ling Tian smiling. “Why are you smiling?”
Duan Ling Tian’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly as he said with a smile, “Both of you seem like nice people so I won’t attack you. Crush your Accumulative Point Jades and leave.”
Earlier, when Duan Ling Tian had gone to the one of the sites where the Transporting Formation to the middle realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm was located, hze had briefly looked through the scoreboard placed in the center of the yard. He could roughly remember the names of those who were ranked in the top 100, and he did not remember seeing Hong Ji and Tong Qi Shan’s names. With this, he determined the duo was not a threat to him even if they joined forces and attacked at the same time. Naturally, he knew there was a chance the duo was strong as well. Perhaps, they were late to enter the middle realm and had no time to obtain points to rank in the top 100. Even then, Duan Ling Tian was rather sure of his assumptions. After all, extraordinary Ten Directions Celestial Dukes would not work together with another Ten Directions Celestial Duke since it would not only taint their reputations, but they did not need the help as well.
“You’re not going to attack us?”
“You want us to crush our Accumulative Point Jades?”
The duo from the Leaving Willow Mansion was dumbfounded when they heard Duan Ling Tian’s words. A strange expression appeared on their faces as they exchanged a look and communicated through Voice Transmission.
“Did he lose his mind?”
“An outer court disciple who’s not even 100 years old entering the middle realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm… I won’t be surprised if he’s really crazy.”
“Based on his words, It seems like he won’t crush his Accumulative Point Jade on his own accord. It seems like we’ll have to force him to do it…”
“Let’s just attack. Hopefully, he’ll regain his senses and stop this nonsense once he’s defeated.”
In Hong Ji and Tong Qi Shan’s opinion, it should be easy for them to deal with an outer court disciple who was not even 100 years old. Therefore, only Hong Ji made a move while Tong Qi Shan stood at the back.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Hong Ji cast three profundities from the law of metal as soon as he made his move. Dazzling golden saber rays appeared and formed a net as they swept toward Duan Ling Tian.
However, Duan Ling Tian did not make a move at all; he remained standing in the same spot. In just a blink of an eye, Hong Ji’s attack was just a few inches away from him.
Upon seeing this, Tong Qi Shan was worried Hong Ji might accidentally kill Duan Ling Tian so he said in a low voice, “Go easy on him.”
In the middle realm of the Southern Heaven Ancient Realm, even if Hong Ji killed Duan Ling Tian, there would be no consequences. However, since the duo was of the opinion that Duan Ling Tian was a crazy fool who was not even 100 years old, Tong Qi Shan could not help but feel pity toward Duan Ling Tian, and as a result, he could not bear to kill Duan Ling Tian.
‘He’s… really weak…’ Hong Ji smiled helplessly as he prepared to withdraw his attack. However, at this moment, the dazzling golden sword rays flashed brightly for a moment before they began to dim. Upon seeing this, his eyes widened in surprise and horror. It seemed like it was too late for him to withdraw his attack!
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The duo could only watch helplessly as the sword rays swept out like a hurricane.