Lin Dong Lai, the elder from the Howling Flames Sect, called out, “Participant number seven.”
A tall and burly young man standing with the people from the Howling Flames Sect flew into the battlefield. He was handsome, and his eyebrows were straight like swords, framing his eyes perfectly. This young man with an extraordinary bearing was none other than Lin Yuan, who was Lin Dong Lai’s grandnephew.
Lin Yuan was not from any of the Seven Mansions. However, since he officially joined the Howling Flames Sect, no one could object to his participation in the Seven Mansions Feast. After all, the rules did not prohibit forces from recruiting external help.
When Lin Yuan looked in the direction of the people of the Divine Morning Mansion’s Autumn Leaves Sect, everyone’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Is Lin Yuan going to challenge Luo Yuan?”
Luo Yuan had been recently exposed to be the young disciple who received the collective resources from the top forces in the Divine Morning Mansion. His performance in the Seven Mansions Feast so far proved that the forces’ investment had paid off.
“This is going to be an exciting fight!”
“Lin Yuan and Luo Yuan’s fight is going to be fierce!”
“Indeed! Lin Yuan was invited by Elder Lin Dong Lai to join the Howling Flames Sect so he must be extraordinarily talented. However, I still don’t think he’s a match for Luo Yuan.”
“But… look… Elder Lin is really calm. It seems like he’s very confident about Lin Yuan’s strength.”
Everyone’s attention was on Lin Yuan and Lin Dong Lai due to their familial ties. Moreover, everyone knew Lin Dong Lai had recruited Lin Yuan to join the Howling Flames Sect. Based on Lin Dong Lai’s expression, everyone could see he was very confident about Lin Yuan’s strength.
“If Lin Yuan and Luo Yuan fight, I’m afraid Lin Yuan’s chances of winning aren’t high. Even if he wins, he’ll have to pay a huge price. If he’s severely injured in the fight, it’ll affect his chances to climb up the ranks later.”
Many people, including Duan Ling Tian, shared the same thought.
Apart from that, Duan Ling Tian and many others also thought that there was a chance Lin Yuan would forfeit his right to challenge this time. After all, it was wiser to give up now than to risk injury and also surrender later.
After a moment of silence, Lin Yuan said, “Luo Yuan, I thought about challenging you. However, I think it’s unnecessary for us to fight now. Why don’t we let the others eliminate each other before we fight? What do you think?”
The crowd seemed to deflate upon hearing these words, disappointed that they would not be able to watch a good fight.
Luo Yuan replied with a faint smile on his face, “I agree. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely rank in the top three.”
The third participant, who was also one of the two strongest people among the younger generation in the Feudal Lord Mansion, looked grim upon hearing the duo’s exchange. He knew that he was no match for Luo Yuan, after all. In fact, he was one of the weakest among those in the top ten now.
After Lin Yuan left the battlefield, Lin Dong Lai said, “Since participant number seven chose to forfeit his challenge, participant number six, please step forward.”
In just a moment, a fairy-like figure flew into the battlefield. She was the participant from the Underworld Mansion’s Yuwen clan, Tuo Ba Xiu. She was also one of the two female disciples who managed to rank in the top 30.
The crowd began to discuss among themselves again.
“Do you think Tuo Ba Xiu will challenge the fourth or fifth participant?”
“I’m not sure. However, Luo Yuan is definitely not weaker than her.”
“The fifth participant from the Marionette Villa looks strong as well. I can’t tell whether he or Tuo Ba Xiu is stronger.”
“If I were, I’d choose to forfeit now. It’s better to wait until the rankings change again before issuing a challenge.”
“I think she’ll forfeit…”
Since Lin Yuan had just forfeited, the crowd was not surprised when Tuo Ba Xiu forfeited as well.
With that, the fifth participant stepped forward. He was Ximen from the Marionette Villa whom Yang Qian Ye had challenged earlier. Similar to the other two before him, he chose to forfeit as well.
“Now that three participants have forfeited, it’s now Luo Yuan’s turn!”
“Luo Yuan already said to Lin Yuan that he’ll rank in the top three. He’s the fourth participant now so he definitely won’t forfeit!”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
Just as everyone expected, Luo Yuan challenged the third participant, one of the two strongest people among the younger generation in the Feudal Lord Mansion.
Needless to say, everyone was confident Luo Yuan would win the match. Nonetheless, they were still excited to watch the match. After all, as one of the two strongest people among the younger generation in the Feudal Lord Mansion, the third participant could not be that weak and should be able to put up a decent fight at least.
Alas, the fight did not even have a chance to heat up before Luo Yuan injured and defeated the third participant in three moves.
The third participant quickly surrendered to avoid being further injured.
With this, Luo Yuan easily climbed to the third place.
“The third participant might fall to the tenth place later. Wang Xiong is likely going to challenge him next.”
“I think so. After all, Wang Xiong is clearly stronger than him. Wang Xiong is undoubtedly the strongest among the younger generation in the Feudal Lord Mansion, not him.”
“I disagree. They’re from the same Mansion so Wang Xiong might not challenge him. Won’t there be conflict?”
“You’re overthinking things. So what if they’re from the same Mansion? They’re not from the same force. Even if they’re from the same force, they won’t go easy on each other if they can rank higher.”
After Luo Yuan won his challenge, everyone shifted their eyes to Duan Ling Tian.
“It’s Duan Ling Tian’s turn!”
“That’s right! He’s the second participant!”
“I think he’ll forfeit to conserve his energy…”
“I agree!”
Before Duan Ling Tian entered the battlefield, people were already speculating about his decision. Many thought he would also forfeit like the others before him.
At the same time, Zhen Ping Fan said through Voice Transmission, “Duan Ling Tian, you should forfeit this fight and conserve your energy.” Then, he added, “Junior Uncle Ye thinks this is the best as well.”
Even Liu Feng Gu, who did not usually speak to Duan Ling Tian, advised through Voice Transmission, “Duan Ling Tian, forfeit this round. You’ll have a chance to challenge the first participant later.”
Duan Ling Tian’s eyes flashed when he received the two elders’ messages. He replied with a faint smile, “I know what to do.”
At this time, Lin Dong Lai said loudly, “Participant number two, please enter the battlefield.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up with excitement as Duan Ling Tian flew out. Although they were rather certain he would forfeit the fight, they were very curious about the person who shot to fame not too long ago. Moreover, he was unlike the other top participants who were around 8,000 years old; he was not even 3,000 years old! He was not even half the age of Luo Yuan and the others. They could only imagine how strong he would be when he was their age. Perhaps, he would already be an outstanding rudimentary Emperor of Gods at their age.
“What a pity! If the Seven Mansions Feast were held a little later when he’s 8,000 years old, he’d be invincible. No one will be able to withstand even a single blow from him!”
“Based on his innate talent, comprehension skills, and current strength, I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes an Emperor of Gods after 5,000 years.”
Many people felt rather regretful on Duan Ling Tian’s behalf.
The Seven Mansions Feast was held every 10,000 years. Luck played a big part for the participants as well. At this time, Duan Ling Tian’s only disadvantage was that he was too young.
At this time, contrary to everyone’s expectations, Duan Ling Tian said, “Participant number one, please enter the battlefield.”