Apart from the Pure Yang Sect and the Howling Flames Sect, there were also a few forces that had two of their disciples selected as seeded participants. However, most people were focused on the Pure Yang Sect and the Howling Flames Sect. This was because Duan Ling Tian, who rose to fame in the Seven Mansions recently, was in the Pure Yang Sect. As for the Howling Flames Sect, it was because they were one of the hosts of the Seven Mansions Feast. Moreover, Lin Dong Lai, an elder of the Howling Flames Sect, was also chosen to preside over the fights.
Needless to say, no one had anything to say about those from the Pure Yang Sect and the Howling Flames Sect chosen to be seeded participants. Their strength was obvious to all.
In contrast, most people were puzzled why another two participants, whose previous performances were only mediocre, were chosen to be seeded participants.
One of them was from the Autumn Leaves Sect in the Divine Morning Mansion. The Autumn Leaves Sect was one of the forces that had two of their disciples chosen to be seeded participants. One of them was a famous young prodigy, but the other person who was chosen performed mediocrely so far and no one had heard of him before.
As for the other one, she was from the Yuwen clan in the Underworld Mansion. However, she did not carry the surname ‘Yuwen’. Similarly, her performance was tepid at best.
Needless to say, many began to discuss among themselves, puzzled.
“I’ve never heard of that Luo Yuan from the Autumn Leaves Sect nor have I heard of that Tuo Ba Xiu from the Yuwen clan. Their performances were average so why were they selected?”
Duan Ling Tian did not pay much attention to the fights so he did not know if someone performed outstandingly or not. He had never heard the names ‘Luo Yuan’ and ‘Tuo Ba Xiu’ before, but he dismissed it as him not paying attention to news about other prodigies. It was only when he heard the conversation in his surroundings that he discovered everyone had never heard of Luo Yuan and Tuo Ba Xiu as well. As such, he was also puzzled why those two who performed mediocrely were selected.
‘Divine Morning Mansion… Underworld Mansion…’
Soon enough, a thought appeared in Duan Ling Tian’s mind. Zhen Ping Fan had previously said that the Divine Morning Mansion and the Underworld Mansion would have outstanding prodigies representing them during the Seven Mansions Feast and that they were aiming to rank in the top three.
What was out of the ordinary was that the top forces in the Divine Morning Mansions and the Underworld Mansions had pooled their resources together and invested in the two prodigies. If the duo ranked in the top three, they would obtain six slots between them. There were six top forces altogether in the two mansions so each force would be given a slot.
Apparently, according to Ye Chen Feng, it was Zhen Ping Fan who had unknowingly given them this idea 10,000 years ago.
Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, ‘If that’s the case, then it’s no surprise that they were chosen. They’re definitely qualified to be a seeded participant. Since they’re chosen, this means the Profound Jade Mansion is aware of this matter as well. However, they’ve been keeping such a low profile, why did the Divine Morning Mansion and the Underworld Mansion recommend them and thrust them into the spotlight now? It seems a little foolish to do this when they’ve yet to reveal their strength. It’d only draw criticism since most people would think it’s unfair that they were chosen…’
While Duan Ling Tian was still lost in his thoughts, an old man with a long beard and gray hair looked at Lin Dong Lai with a gloomy expression as he asked in a thunderous and deep voice, “Elder Lin, what’s the meaning of this? The Autumn Leaves Sect didn’t recommend Luo Yuan as a seeded participant. He’s not among the three we recommended.”
Immediately after that, a thin old man spoke up as well. “That’s right. Elder Lin, our Yuwen clan didn’t recommend Tuo Bai Xiu as well.”
A commotion broke out as soon as the two old men spoke up.
Everyone was even more confused when they found out that these two unknown participants were not even recommended by their respective forces. Why were they chosen to be seeded participants then?
Everyone turned to look at Lin Dong Lai immediately, waiting for him to answer the Divine Morning Mansion’s Autumn Leaves Sect and the Underworld Mansion’s Yuwen clan. They were all curious and could not help but wonder what the Profound Jade Mansion was up to.
After all, it was inappropriate for the Profound Jade Mansion to select participants who were not recommended by their respective forces to be seeded participants. If it were just one person, perhaps, the Profound Jade Mansion could brush it off as a mistake. However, there were two of them. How could it be a mistake?
Everyone could not wait to hear what Lin Dong Lai had to say.
‘So they were not recommended by their respective forces?’ Duan Ling Tian was even more puzzled. Why did the Profound Jade Mansion take the initiative to make those two seeded participants when the Divine Morning Mansion’s Autumn Leaves Sect and the Underworld Mansion’s Yuwen clan did not recommend them? It was unprecedented.
Faced with everyone’s questioning gazes, Lin Dong Lai did not look nervous at all. Instead, he said with a slight smile, “Although the duo was not recommended by their respective forces, we, from the Profound Jade Mansion, heard that the duo was outstanding. After all, the Divine Morning Mansion and the Underworld Mansion pooled all their resources to cultivate the duo for nearly 10,000 years. Hence, we took the initiative to make the seeded participants since we have high regard for outstanding prodigies. As for the two elders from the Autumn Leaves Sect and the Yuwen clan, I’m sure you’re not worried that they would suffer a loss from being a seeded participant due to insufficient strength. After all, even if the duo’s previous performances were only average, they’re not mediocre at all. At the very least, they’re comparable to Duan Ling Tian, the prodigy from the Pure Yang Sect.”
Before anyone could speak, Lin Dong Lai continued to say to Luo Yuan and Tuo Bai Xiu, “Both of you should reveal a little of your strength later so the others won’t rashly challenge both of you. Once you show your strength, perhaps, you won’t even have to fight anymore until it’s time to fight for the top 30, top 10, or even top 3 places. Apart from that, it’ll also let others recognize your abilities.”
Many people were shocked that Lin Dong Lai compared the two inconspicuous participants to Duan Ling Tian. They were even more shocked when they heard that the Divine Morning Mansion and the Underworld Mansion pooled their resources to cultivate the duo for nearly 10,000 years.
“The two mansions invested all their resources on those two for almost 10,000 years?! Looks like they’re determined to enter the Secret Holy Realm!”
“Each of them had the resources from the three top forces of the Mansion… I can’t imagine how powerful they must be now…”
“They have to be very strong. Since they were selected by the top forces, they must be naturally talented to begin with. With all the resources given to them, they must be extraordinary!”
“That’s right! If it weren’t for Elder Lin from the Howling Flames Sect, I really wouldn’t know these two outstanding prodigies from the Divine Morning Mansion and the Underworld Mansion!”
In fact, those who were shocked were the young disciples of the various forces from the Seven Mansions. After all, the high-ranking officials had long received news about Luo Yuan and Tuoba Xiu. The high-ranking officials were more surprised that the Profound Jade Mansion deliberately exposed the duo, the Divine Morning Mansion, and the Underworld Mansion.
The expressions of the two elders from the Autumn Leaves Sect and the Yuwen clan respectively soured as soon as they heard Lin Dong Lai’s words. However, they were not very surprised that this happened, and they also knew there was nothing they could do about it.
During the previous Seven Mansions Feasts, there were forces who would deliberately expose each other’s trump cards. In fact, the Divine Morning Mansion had once exposed the Profound Jade Mansion’s trump cards. It was likely that this was the Profound Jade Mansion seeking revenge. Alas, the Underworld Mansion was dragged into the matter as well. That was not to say that the Underworld Mansion had never done such things before; it was just that they had never done it to the Profound Jade Mansion.
In any case, this matter passed very quickly. The Profound Jade Mansion was not held accountable, and no one kicked up a fuss either.
The participants with the potential to rank in the top ten and top three felt even more pressured by the sudden appearance of another two outstanding prodigies.
As for the weaker participants, who were unlikely to rank in the top ten, they were busy discussing among themselves. They were very excited and eager to watch the show.
“I really can’t tell that the two Mansions invested all their resources in those two…”
“Elder Lin compared them to Duan Ling Tian earlier… It shows how highly he thinks of them…”
“I just heard from my master that the Divine Morning Mansion and the Underworld Mansion are determined to have those two rank in the top three.”
“I thought Duan Ling Tian had a high chance of ranking in the top three. Similarly, I thought Wanqi Hong has a good chance of ranking in the top three. However, it seems like that might not be the case…”
“That’s right. Who would’ve thought the Divine Morning Mansion and the Underworld Mansion would do such a thing?”
“It’s not just Luo Yuan and Tuo Ba Xiu. There’s also an outstanding prodigy from the Consonance Mansion’s United Heavens Sect who just appeared recently…”
“Apart from that prodigy from the United Heavens Sect, Luo Yuan, Tuo Bai Xiu, Duan Ling Tian, Wanqi Hong, Lin Yuan, Mo Luo Duo, there are also the other top prodigies from the other forces. The competition for the top three places is very fierce this time!”
“It’s going to be interesting!”
The participants were still talking when Lin Dong Lai spoke again. His voice overwhelmed everyone’s voice as he said, “Now, the first round of the qualifying battle will begin. The other participants can now challenge the 30 seeded participants. Remember, you only have three chances to challenge the seeded participants.”