C58

"We pay our respects to the Emperor!" At the same time, everyone cheered in unison. In the midst of the cheers, two elite troops appeared, opening a path in front of them. An iron blood killing aura emanated from the armor; it was obviously the elite troops who had experienced a battle of life and death!

A tall and sturdy man wearing a golden dragon robe with a crown on his head walked over majestically. With every step he took, the domineering aura of an emperor was completely evident.

Between his brows, there was a hideous scar that stretched from his right eyebrow all the way to his left cheek. This person was the current emperor of the Eastern Liao Kingdom, Xiao Feng's uncle, Xiao Li!

Behind him, a gentle, refined, and handsome youth slowly walked over. If it wasn't for the fact that he didn't know anyone else, he would have thought that the youth was sickly, but in reality, his fame had shaken the Dong Liao Kingdom's Sky Dragon Prince, Xiao Long!

"Everyone, please sit!" Xiao Li slowly sat on his highest seat. He placed his hands flat and his loud voice spread throughout Qing Qiu Island and the surrounding mountains!

Along with the arrival of the royal family, the surrounding mountains were already packed with people. On the island, besides the disciples of the Four Major Sects, there were also some of the most famous seniors or nobles of the Eastern Liao Kingdom!

"It's another time of the National Battle. This King doesn't have to say much. The reward for this time's National Battle is a condition that the winner can put forward. Whether it is the reward or the request, This King promises everything and will not go back on his word!"

It was a promise by the ruler of a country that he would agree to no matter what he asked of them. It was such a generous reward, if there was a chance to participate in the national fight, they would fight for it even if they had to risk their lives!

However, there were some people who sensed something different. Xiao Li's reward was likely something else of his own volition. Xiao Feng's expression was also solemn. This matter was indeed more serious than he had imagined!

"It seems like this time's national war was not only aimed at the Cloud Returning Sword Sect, but also by the three other sects. It seems like there's something fishy going on!" The others nodded their heads!

"Alright, I won't say too much. This king declares that the first round of the national tournament will officially begin. The first round will be a free-for-all. All participants will be engaged in a free-for-all until there are eight people left!" Xiao Li's rolling Spiritual Energy wrapped around his voice as it surged. The powerful deterrence caused the expressions of Xiao Feng and the others to turn serious!

"This level of strength is likely at least in the middle or even late stages of the spirit raising realm!"

Xiao Li's voice had just sounded when a huge tall platform suddenly rose from the ground and flickered with a strange light in front of everyone's shocked gazes!

"It's actually a battle arena with array formations and protection. As expected of the national tournament!" Someone said in his heart, and then all the figures suddenly rose up from the ground and landed on the high platform!

Li Xiao was the first to leap up as her elegant figure landed on the platform. Following that, the Divine Path Sect's Yin Xiong slowly stepped onto the stage. It was unknown when Ten Thousand Beast Sect's Shi Tao appeared on stage. A few other qualified contestants also rushed up!

On the Cloud Returning Sword Sect's side, Mo Wentian, Liang Ren, and the others all looked at each other, then looked at Zhou Jian. Their serious expressions were obvious.

"Sect Master, several elders, this disciple has already decided to participate. No matter what, our Cloud Returning Sword Sect cannot lose face!" Zhou Jian's eyes were filled with determination. Not long ago, the Sword Tomb had allowed him to successfully step into the Weapon Condensation Realm, and his strength had increased by a lot!

Ai," the few of them sighed helplessly. A hint of desolation flashed in their old eyes. "Could it be that the heavens are really going to destroy my Gui Yun Sect?" Many years ago, a Xiao Yang appeared, and not long after that, his position suffered a calamity, and then there was a Lin Wushang. However, he disappeared without a trace, and the Xiao Feng not long ago once again brought them boundless hope.

"Go, be careful. Everything is important to your safety. You can't force yourself to go. If there's no other way, then withdraw. Do you understand?" Mo Wentian steeled his heart as he spoke to Zhou Jian.

Zhou Jian nodded his head and immediately flew up towards the platform. Under everyone's gazes, he was the last one to land on the stage!

"Hehe, and here I thought the Cloud Returning Sword Sect had been scared off. I didn't think they would actually send someone who wasn't afraid of death to die. Interesting!"

Yin Xiong crossed his arms across his chest and looked at Zhou Jian in a relaxed manner. He and Li Xiao and the others looked at each other and mocked.

"A lowly person gets what he wants. If it wasn't for the magnanimity of our Cloud Returning Sword Sect, you would still have the face to compete in this competition and would have climbed out of the Cloud Returning Sword Sect long ago!" Zhou Jian refused to be outdone and mocked.

"Say that again!" How could they not know about this? It was all their fault for not bringing them along at the beginning, otherwise how could they have fallen for such a joke!

"Just say it, what can you do to me? The three sects came to my Cloud Returning Sword Sect to provoke, and were completely defeated by my sect's youngest junior brother, who was willing to not accept the loss. We said that we would climb out of the Cloud Returning Sword Sect, but we went back on our word.

Zhou Jian's voice resounded throughout the entire Qing Qiu Island and even the Qing Qiu Lake. His words caused a thousand ripples, and his words immediately set off thousands of spectators. The three sects' faces instantly became extremely gloomy!

"Wow, there's actually such a thing? How come we don't know about it? The combined forces of the three sects actually lost to the youngest disciple of the Gui Yun Sect. This is no small loss of face … "

"That's right. I heard rumors saying that the junior brother used some kind of beatings that made the three sects fall apart. That's very powerful …"

"Alright, alright, you guys should stop talking. Be careful not to cause a fire to burn your body …"

The crowd immediately burst into an uproar as all sorts of discussions rose up and down. Every word was like a thorn piercing into the ears of the three sects, causing them to be almost unable to suppress the anger in their hearts!

"You're courting death!" Bian Yao's face was terrifyingly gloomy. He roared, and before the others could make their move, they were about to kill Zhou Jian!

"Ahh, gentlemen, I have an idea. What do you think?" Just as Pu Yao was about to make a move, he was interrupted by Yin Xiong. Even Shi Tao, who had been silent all this time, narrowed his eyes!

"Anyways, everyone is well aware of the goal of this time's National Battle. There isn't one more person to be promoted, nor one less person. We will ensure that he will enter the finals together, and then …" At the end of his words, Yin Xiong's palm fiercely slashed across his neck!

"Is there a better way to destroy someone than completely destroying them when they are only one step away from success?" Li Xiao instantly understood. She clapped her hands in satisfaction as she walked over and said.