Chapter 455: Chapter 454: Participate in a Doubles Competition?

Big Cat exclaimed in surprise, "Is this to determine the tacit understanding and integration between different races through competition?""Yes," a Phoenix Demon Clan member said. "Only during our Ancestral Court Elite Race can we gather a large number of First Level and Second Level Bloodline talents; therefore, the Ancestral Court has specifically organized this new competition format. The top three finalists in the individual race will receive rewards, and the top ten pairs in the duo race will receive rewards, which are even more generous."

Big Cat turned to look at Tang San, and Tang San said, "Let Little Cat participate?"

Big Cat shook its head and said, "That won't do! It doesn't have noble status, which doesn't meet the competition requirements. How about..." While speaking, a hint of a smile emerged in its eyes.

"Me?" Tang San was stunned. He really hadn't planned on participating; he had just settled the team battle issue and wanted to keep a low profile for a while, to ensure stability and not make waves.

Big Cat nodded, "Yes! If the two of us team up, wouldn't the championship of the duo race be a cinch?"

The two members of the Phoenix Demon Clan were astounded, and one of them hurriedly said, "Wait, wait. This gentleman is a human noble, right?" Being able to enter the Ancestral Court meant one was a noble, and humans were no exception.

"Correct," Big Cat answered for Tang San.

"Humans probably won't do, since their bloodline doesn't meet the requirements. Even nobles won't do," the Phoenix Demon Clan member quickly said.

"Not even First Level Bloodline?" Big Cat questioned, but Tang San's attempt to stop it was already too late.

"Humans can have First Level Bloodline?" The Phoenix Demon Clan members stared at Big Cat, dumbfounded.

Big Cat looked at Tang San again, realizing that it might have misspoken.

Tang San, somewhat helplessly, asked, "What are the rewards for the duo race?"

The Phoenix Demon Clan member said, "The reward for first place is very generous — the tokens of all the Great Demon Emperors and Heavenly Spirit Emperors. This means one can choose to join any Emperor at any time and receive the Emperor's patronage. Additionally, each will be awarded a divine tool that fits their own capabilities. The reward for first place in the individual race is the same, but only for one person. The rewards for second and third place are lesser. The top ten in the duo race all receive rewards of varying degrees. Aside from first place, the amount of tokens each pair receives depends on how much the Emperors are interested in them. The fixed reward is a top-grade strange object, and the higher the rank, the more priority one has in choosing first."

Tang San said, "So, first place is a divine tool plus all tokens, and the subsequent ranks involve the Emperor's patronage tokens and the right to choose strange objects. The higher the rank, the more priority in choice."

"That's right, that's how it is. However, even if you have First Level Bloodline, you cannot participate, as you are from a different race," the Phoenix Demon Clan member said respectfully to Tang San, having inferred from Big Cat's earlier words that he too might have a First Level Bloodline. They couldn't help but treat him with more respect.

Tang San nodded slightly; to be honest, he was somewhat moved by the rewards. Whether it was a divine tool or the opportunity to select a strange object, he was actually more interested in the chance to choose a strange object. If something like a time-space marker were available, that would be much more valuable than the divine tool! The Ancestral Court had just too many treasures.

"Then how can one participate?" Just as Tang San was about to give up, Big Cat, of all things, asked.

The Phoenix Demon Clan member responded, "Unless you're sponsored by an Emperor who can vouch for you. It means the Emperor has already recognized the participant's eligibility."

"That troublesome, huh!" Big Cat frowned. It truly wanted to partner with Tang San. After all, it was defeated by Tang San previously. Even though it now possessed a First Level Bloodline, it always had a great deal of respect for Tang San's strength. If it could team up with Tang San, it was truly confident that they could achieve a high ranking.

"I do have a token." Tang San flipped his wrist, and a small sword-shaped object appeared in his palm. It was indeed the Token of the Sword Saint Great Demon Emperor.

Seeing the token in his hand, the members of the Phoenix Demon Clan couldn't help but be greatly surprised, and immediately began to reassess him with a new perspective.

Gaining the recognition of an Emperor was no easy feat, impossible without absolute strength and the ability to connect with an Emperor's thoughts. Anyone who possessed an Emperor's token was guaranteed at least a starting point as a Demon King, and even the potential to become a Great Demon King!

Though the Sword Saint Great Demon Emperor wasn't ranked at the very top, his combat power was extremely formidable. Numerous members of the Monster Clan and Spirit Clan attempted to climb the Sword Saint Sacred Mountain, but the ones who obtained the token were few and far between.

The fact that this person before them had obtained the Token of the Sword Saint Great Demon Emperor indicated that his prowess in battle must be exceptionally outstanding.

"In that case, as long as your bloodline reaches Level 2 or above, you can also participate in the competition," said the member of the Phoenix Demon Clan, their attitude becoming much more polite.

"Do you really want me to compete?" Tang San asked the Big Cat beside him somewhat helplessly, truly hesitant.

"To not arouse jealousy is to be mediocre. Let's do it together; might as well take part in everything at this point. You have the Token of the Sword Saint Great Demon Emperor, so you can be considered one of the Sword Saint Palace, right? What does it matter if you're human? With a Great Demon Emperor vouching for you, what is there to fear?" Looking at the Sword Saint Order in Tang San's hand, the envy was evident in Lion Tiger Sword Saint Big Cat's eyes. It, too, was known as a Sword Saint, but its title couldn't compare at all with that of the Sword Saint Great Demon Emperor! Seeing the Sword Saint Order in Tang San's hand, how could it not be filled with envy? Given the choice, it would also go to the Sword Saint Palace to seek cultivation.

Listening to Big Cat's words and seeing the expressions of the two staff members, Tang San suddenly realized something. He had underestimated the significance of the Emperor's token.

The meaning of an Emperor's token was far more than just a simple item; it was a true acknowledgement from an Emperor. And the endorsement of an Emperor meant one could genuinely enjoy the Emperor's protection. In other words, with the backing of an Emperor, being human seemed to no longer be an issue. After all, why would these Emperors take note of humans? Sёarch* The NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The rewards for the elite contest were too tempting.

"In that case, I'll give it a shot. I'll clear the way for you in the individual race," Tang San said, the latter part directed at Big Cat. It would be much more meaningful for Big Cat to win the individual race. In the doubles competition, they could let Big Cat lead, with himself assisting from the side, trying to be restrained and not show too much of his own strength.

With that thought, a faint smile appeared on the corner of Tang San's mouth, "Let's test it then."

Returning to the rear hall and looking at the huge stele, Tang San stepped forward and dropped a drop of his blood into it. As he did, he deliberately activated the Lion Tiger Change Brand within his body, making his bloodline lean more towards the Lion Tiger Change.

As the blood fell, a white light ascended and the glow on the crystal column slowly began to climb upwards.

Watching the speed of the rising glow, the two Peacock Demons couldn't help but be stunned, and Big Cat furrowed its brows. Not because it was too fast, but because it was too slow.

Compared to Big Cat's previous bloodline test, the speed at which Tang San's crystal column's light was rising was clearly much slower, taking a full three seconds to rise just over a foot. Generally, the climbing speed is proportional to bloodline intensity. Such a speed typically implied disqualification!

Tang San himself was also a bit curious about the extent his bloodline could reach, especially when he deliberately used the Lion Tiger Change. Seeing this speed, it seemed his bloodline wasn't strong enough. Could it be that he couldn't even reach a Level 2 Bloodline? That shouldn't be the case. His Lion Tiger Golden Firmament had strength, after all. Or was it because the influence of his human bloodline made the device fail to recognize it?

As he pondered, the light on the crystal column continued to ascend slowly, surpassing two feet. The speed remained very slow but hadn't diminished compared to before and remained steady.

The climb continued, reaching three feet, four feet, five feet. The ascent was slow yet steadily upward.