Yu Dong Fang, the third true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, wanted to challenge Zhong Gui Yu who was now ranked fifth. At this time, Yu Dong Fang had already lost several matches; he first lost to Huang Quan An before he lost to Duan Ling Tian. Although his master did not blame him for his losses and even consoled him, he found his consecutive losses unbearable. All along, he was known as the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven’s most remarkable true disciple. Although his senior brother and senior sister were stronger than him now, he was much more talented and was younger than then. He knew he would surpass them eventually. He had always been greatly admired in the Heavenly Palace of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven.
Yu Dong Fang had an easy time during the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses until he had to face Huang Quan An and Duan Ling Tian, and after his consecutive losses, he was determined to win to prove himself. Hence, he decided to challenge Zhong Gui Yu who was ranked fifth. Initially, his goal was to rank in the top 3; now, he thought he had to, at least, rank in the top 5 to avoid humiliation.
While Yu Dong Fang and Zhong Gui Yu stood across from each other in the battle ring, Su Li asked, “Duan Ling Tian, who do you think will win this match?”
Duan Ling Tian’s eyes flashed upon hearing this question before he replied, “It’s hard to tell. Based on the strength they’d revealed so far, they seemed to be evenly matched. I guess the victor will depend on who’s more determined or mentally stronger…”
“If that’s the case, I think Zhong Gui Yu will win…” Su Li said, “Yu Dong Fang seemed to have suffered a blow mentally and has the composure he used to have…”
“It’s only natural for someone who has always been praised all his life to lose his composure after suffering a setback…”
In a rare instance, Ling Jue Yun chimed in, “I think Zhong Gui Yu has a higher chance of winning as well…”
Back in the battle ring, Yu Dong Fang and Zhong Gui Yui had already begun fighting. Both of them were, indeed, evenly matched; even after exchanging a couple of dozens moves, there was still no clear winner. However, those with a keen eye could tell Yu Dong Fang was slowly growing reckless after exchanging about 100 moves with Zhong Gui Yu.
At the same time, on one of the floating islands in the venue, Gongsun Xuanyuan, the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, shook his head and sighed.
Yu Hao Tian, the Heavenly Emperor of the Jade Emperor Heaven who was seated across from Gongsun Xuanyuan, shook his head as well. He said, “Your disciple is too rash. It seems like his previous losses really shook him up. He’s too eager to prove himself that he has lost his cool. He won’t be able to keep up with Zhong Gui Yu for long…”
“Losses are good for his growth…” Gongsun Xuanyuan replied, “None of the younger generation in the Pavilion Shaft Heaven is comparable to him so it’s good for him to learn during the Battle of the Geniuses that there will always be someone stronger than him. With this, it’ll prevent him from getting conceited…”
In the battle ring.
After exchanging another ten moves, it was clear that Yu Dong Fang had fallen into a disadvantageous position while Zhong Gui Yu had gained the upper hand. To no one’s surprise, Zhong Gui Yu defeated Yu Dong Fang after another three moves.
After being defeated, Yu Dong Fang wiped the blood off the corner of his lips with the back of his hand as he said in a deep voice to Zhong Gui Yu, “You wouldn’t have won if I wasn’t careless!”
“Perhaps.” Zhong Gui Yu smiled faintly before he turned to leave. In fact, after he was also consecutively defeated and fell from first to fifth place, he had also been feeling down. However, his victory against Yu Dong Fang cheered him up somewhat.
During the match, similar to Yu Dong Fang, Zhong Gui Yu was also anxious as the fight dragged on. Fortunately, Yu Dong Fang lost his composure. When he saw Yu Dong Fang acting rashly, he grew calmer and eventually managed to defeat Yu Dong Fang after several dozen moves.
Now that Yu Dong Fang lost the challenge, his rank would stay the same at tenth place. He would no longer be able to challenge Zhong Gui Yu to redeem himself. According to the rules of the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses, one could not challenge the same person twice. Otherwise, the competition would never end if everyone was allowed to challenge the same opponent over and over again.
Among the top 4 participants, two of them had already defeated Yu Dong Fang. Currently, the highest place he could aim for was sixth place. Even if someone defeated Zhong Gui Yu and took over the fifth place, he knew he would not be a match for someone capable of defeating Zhong Gui Yu. However, he was fairly confident he would be able to defeat those who were weaker than Zhong Gui Yu.
After Yu Dong Fang was defeated, Xu Kong Hai, the Vice Temple Master of the Title Temple, said, “Liu Xu Yan, the ninth participant, please step forward to challenge your opponent.”
Liu Xu Yan’s choice of opponents was even more limited than Yu Dong Fang’s. Among those ranked ahead of her, there was Ye Dong Li who had defeated her earlier; as such, she could not challenge Ye Dong Li again. Apart from that, she knew she was no match for those ranked in the top 5 places. Therefore, she could now only challenge Sima Rui who was ranked sixth or Hong Yun who was ranked eighth. Eventually, she decided to challenge Sima Rui; alas, she failed to defeat him.
After that, Xu Kong Hai called out again, “Hong Yuan who’s ranked eighth, please step forward.”
Hong Yuan challenged Ye Dong Li when he was called out. In the end, he used his Emperor Grade Celestial Weapon that contained a weapon spirit, snatching the advantage from her and defeating her.
Among the younger generation from the Title Temple, Hong Yuan was only second to Tang San Pao. Therefore, a few years ago, he was rewarded with an Emperor Grade Celestial Weapon that contained a weapon spirit by the Title Temple. However, even if the Title Temple did not reward him with the weapon, as the disciple of an elder who was stronger than most Heavenly Emperors, his master would have been able to obtain a weapon with a weapon spirit for him.
Xu Kong Hai glanced at Hong Yuan in satisfaction while Hong Yuan bowed at Xu Kong Hai respectfully before leaving. After all, how could he be respectful when even his master had to salute Xu Kong Hai respectfully if he were here.
Then, Xu Kong Hai said, “Ye Dong Li, you can choose to issue a challenge now or wait to do it later…”
Ye Dong Li shook her head. “No. I’m content with my rank.”
No one mocked Ye Dong Li upon hearing she no longer planned to challenge anyone. In fact, they thought she was rather wise.
With that, Xu Kong Hai shifted his attention to Simai Rui who was ranked six and asked, “What about you? Do you plan to challenge anyone?”
“No.” Sima Rui shook his head. Although he was as powerful as Hong Yuan, he knew he was no match for Zhong Gui Yu. This naturally also included the top 4 participants.
Subsequently, Xu Kong Hai looked at Zhong Gui Yu. Unsurprisingly, he also decided not to issue a challenge.
At this time, the crowd grew incredibly excited.
“It’s finally Duan Ling Tian’s turn! He won’t give up his right to challenge an opponent, right?”
“I’m sure he won’t. He’s as strong as a top Five Star God of War. Perhaps, Tang San Pao is stronger than him, but he should be able to fight Ling Jue Yun…”
“Do you think he’ll challenge Huang Quan An who’s ranked third?”
“It’s not impossible. However, he has to have some secret technique to deal with Huang Quan An’s Vicissitudes of Life or possess the strength of a Six Star God of War to defeat Huang Quan An…”
At the spectator seats.
Su Li asked before Duan Ling Tian entered the battle ring, “Duan Ling Tian, who do you plan to challenge?”
Su Li believed that Duan Ling Tian was not weaker than those who ranked ahead of him even if the others had shown extraordinary strength.
“I think I’ll challenge Huang Quan An first.” Duan Ling Tian smiled faintly. “I’ve never fought someone who comprehended the law of time before so this would be a good experience,” Duan Ling Tian replied.
At this time, Xu Kong Hai’s voice rang in the air. “Duan Ling Tian, the fourth participant, please step forward and challenge an opponent.”
When Duan Ling Tian entered the battle ring, he felt many eyes scrutinizing him. However, a particular gaze caused him to feel unsettled. When he looked up, he saw the gaze belonged to Ru Lai, the Temple Master of the Title Temple in the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, who had been possessed by Great Master Miyan from the Phantom Clan.
‘You covet my body?’ Duan Ling Tian sneered disdainfully.
Upon seeing the disdainful sneer on Duan Ling Tian’s face, Great Master Miyan’s gaze turned even more piercing. He was clearly angered by Duan Ling Tian’s reaction.
Under everyone’s eager gaze, Duan Ling Tian said, “I want to challenge… Huang Quan An who’s ranked third…”
Although the crowd had expected this, they were still shocked by Duan Ling Tian’s choice of opponent.
“Duan Ling Tian dares to challenge Huang Quan An even though he knows Huang Quan An comprehended the strange law of time?”
“It’s true that Huang Quan An’s law of time is powerful, but do you think Tang San Pao and Ling Jue Yun are easier opponents? They’re even stronger since they both managed to defeat Huang Quan An!”
“If Duan Ling Tian can’t even defeat Huang Quan An, then there’s no way he’ll be able to defeat Ling Jue Yun or Tang San Pao.”
Then, the crowd looked at Huang Quan An as he flew into the battle ring.
The match between Duan Ling Tian and Huang Quan An, who comprehended the law of time, was finally about to start.