Chapter 563: Quelling Three Spirits

Chapter 563: Quelling Three Spirits

In a small cottage within Dayin's capital, Ao Shuai gaped upon hearing one of his subordinates' reports. "What? Xiao Nanfeng's going to participate in Dayin's martial tournament? Is he crazy?"

"It's true. Xiao Nanfeng just registered."

"That doesn't make sense. An envoy of the Imperial Court, representative of the Heavenly Emperor, participating in Dayin's martial tournament? He's going to ruin the Imperial Court's reputation!" Ao Shuai exclaimed.

Beside him, the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost frowned. "Xiao Nanfeng wouldn't participate in such a tournament for no reason. There has to be something compelling to him."

"Could it be the first-place prize, that pagoda of quintessential solarfire? Is he crazy? That might be a Golden Immortal relic that's compatible with his Sky of Ten Suns, but he represents the Imperial Court, the Heavenly Emperor!" Ao Shuai frowned.

"This martial tournament is different from those in the past. Cultivators from all forces are welcome to attend, and the first-place winner doesn't have to become an official of Dayin. This tournament is simply designed to showcase Dayin's strength and power. Xiao Nanfeng can easily argue that he's joining to display the Imperial Court's might."

"But would he really join just for that?" Ao Shuai frowned again.

"I believe there's a reason that none of us are privy to."

"Oh?"

"Xiao Nanfeng has been busy trying to search for Zhang Lingjun. What do you think would make him suddenly join this tournament?"

"Do you think that Zhang Lingjun's disappearance is somehow related to this tournament, then? That Xiao Nanfeng is joining out of obligation rather than choice?"

"I'm not too sure. I don't understand why Dayin would want to lure Xiao Nanfeng to the tournament. It feels like a scheme."

"Oh? Isn't that good for us?"

"Not quite. If Dayin is intending to revolt soon, why go through so much trouble to kill the Imperial Court's envoy? It would be far easier and more demonstrative to kill him directly, rather than to do it by 'accident' in such an indirect fashion. Could they be trying to sully the Imperial Court's reputation this way? That doesn't seem quite right, either."

"Regardless, it's a good thing that they're targeting Xiao Nanfeng." Ao Shuai smiled.

"There may yet be a scheme at play," the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost warned.

"Even so, Xiao Nanfeng's the one who would be caught in it, not us. I just want to watch him die!" Ao Shuai said.

"Master, the situation is more complex than it seems at first glance. You shouldn't interfere."

"Me, interfere?" Ao Shuai smiled, ignoring the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost's advice. He had his own plan in mind.

Days later, the martial tournament was right about to begin. It would be held at the mountain range outside the capital and to its east.

Formation flags were set up all over the mountain range, erecting a huge barrier that marked the boundaries of the tournament. Because it would be a fight among Heaven Immortals with destructive power, the arena would have to be commensurately large. That was why it had to be hosted outside the capital.

Under ordinary circumstances, Dayin's martial tournaments received significant attention. This incarnation of the tournament, however, was exceptional.

First, the Golden Immortal relic was an incredible treasure that could form the centerpiece of many an Immortal sect. That alone drew the interest of many.

Furthermore, winning the tournament didn't require joining Dayin as an official. Many Immortals and cultivators from other kingdoms who weren't otherwise interested in Dayin were tempted by the possibility of winning worldwide renown.

Most shockingly, the envoy of the Imperial Court, Xiao Nanfeng, would be participating in the tournament himself.

Although many claimed that he was doing so to demonstrate the power of the Imperial Court, so what? A tournament that even a Martial Aspect of the Imperial Court was participating in was shocking enough.

"The tournament will last for three days, and competitors will be ranked by the smallest-numbered token they can claim. Whoever seizes the pagoda of quintessential solarfire will be deemed the winner of the tournament."

"Understood!" thousands of competitors cried out.

"Everyone, please show your paperwork and have your cultivation verified as you enter the tournament grounds.

"Got it!" everyone replied.

Many officials were situated at the entrance to the tournament grounds. They were responsible for checking each competitor one final time to ensure that none of them were cheating.

Not only did they need to have their identities confirmed, they would have to channel their qi into a relic to have their cultivation measured.

Among the competitors were Heaven, Earth, and Human Immortals. After the inspection, they all streamed into the tournament grounds.

"Seal the barrier!" the official continued.

The exit to the barrier was sealed, isolating the tournament grounds from whatever lay beyond it. None would be able to enter or exit at will.

"The tournament begins now!" the official shouted again.

"The pagoda of quintessential solarfire is mine!"

"Don't you dare snatch it from me!"

"It's mine!"

Countless cultivators howled as they charged forward.

Many rushed to seize the treasure for themselves as the cultivators outside eagerly watched the spectacle. They were curious as to what the resulting fight would be like, as well as how strong the Martial Aspect of the Imperial Court truly was.

As such, many of the cultivators were looking straight at Xiao Nanfeng, who was patiently waiting as overeager competitors rushed toward the pagoda. He swept his gaze over all the other competitors, watching them calmly.

Just then, a group of competitors who were staring at Xiao Nanfeng shot toward him as he 'relaxed'.

"Die!"

Three of the competitors roared as they transformed into tiger spirits. Whirlwinds surrounded them as they shot toward Xiao Nanfeng, their claws like divine armaments. Where they passed by, the void seemed to tear. Xiao Nanfeng looked as though he would be rent to shreds.

Many of the spectators gaped.

"The three great spirits of Mt. Fiend! Their choreographed attacks form a dynamic formation that augments their strength..."

"They're trying to take down Xiao Nanfeng and get rid of the largest threat first!"

"Together, the three tigers can even kill a peak Heaven Immortal. Xiao Nanfeng's done for now."

The cultivators couldn't help but fear for Xiao Nanfneg's safety.

Xiao Nanfeng scoffed. "Do you really think I'm here for the martial tournament? Reckless fools!"

With a wave of his hand, Xiao Nanfeng summoned a huge palm from the void that smashed down and pressed the three tiger spirits into the ground in a huge plume of dust. They were rendered immobile instantly.