AGM 0118 – A year is too long
Luo Qianqiu, the Ye Clan, Ou Clan, Mu Clan, and Yan Clan all saw Qin Wentian, but they were each thinking about different things.
Although it could be said that Qin Wentian’s strength was pretty good, as he’d defeated Yanaro in the past before, he still seemed to be unable to obtain any ranking in this Jun Lin Banquet.
“He’s Qin Wentian, right?” From the direction of the Mu Clan, an elder asked Mu Rou standing next to him in a low voice as he looked at Qin Wentian’s portrait.
“Yes.” Mu Rou lightly nodded, a flash of extraordinary splendour flickering in her gaze towards Qin Wentian. That divine inscription painting granted her a promise from Gong Yang Hong. At the moment, she had yet to personally voice her thanks to Qin Wentian.
However, Mu Rou was also somewhat concerned. The competition at the Jun Lin Banquet couldn’t just be compared to those simple exchanges of pointers. The Chu Country had always been a cultivation-oriented world, and at this grandest arena of the Chu Country, everyone wanted to fight for a good ranking. Thus, these fights would be extremely brutal; injuries and deaths were very common. However, if one side conceded, the other side would have to give up.
Moreover, as long as the words “I concede” weren’t uttered, one could be merciless and kill their opponent right there in Jun Lin. This wasn’t any uncommon or strange sight.
It didn’t matter which academy or which power’s outstanding youth it was, if they died in battle because they refused to admit defeat, the opponent couldn’t be blamed.
Autumn Snow obviously saw that figure. She’d always had an issue weighing heavily in her mind because her partner that she’d always wanted to break off her engagement with was now gradually growing more and more distant from her.
“He’s probably just attending the Jun Lin Banquet just to join in the fun.” Autumn Snow thought, as if comforting herself.
“He just plays a supporting role. Any disciples that participate in this Jun Lin Banquet end up being humiliated by the others, where’s the interest in that?” Bai Qingsong calmly stated, as if he was purposely telling Autumn Snow. Obviously he knew of her internal, conflicting thoughts because he also had a similar issue.
Jiang Xiu’s gaze at this moment was as sharp as a sword. Qin Wentian registered for the 9th towering platform, the same as himself.
This meant that the both of them had an opportunity to clash with each other.
And upon thinking of this, a cold smile hung on Jiang Xiu’s countenance. He hoped that Qin Wentian would have sufficient strength so as not be eliminated too early, before having the opportunity to meet with him.
Yanaro, also had an icy-cold expression on his face. He had also registered for the 9th towering platform.
Very quickly, people stopped walking towards the 9th platform. Those who wished to participate in the Jun Lin Banquet had already finished their registrations, and there were at least over a 100 contestants registered for each of the towering platforms.
Naturally, the platform with the lowest number of registrations was the 1st platform. The two cultivators that obtained the highest level of recognition – Luo Qianqiu and Sikong Mingyue, were already there. Who would still dare to register there? When compared to the other platforms, the 1st platform virtually held no hope for them.
In the area occupied by the Divine Weapon Pavilion, the person who sat on the front-most seat attracted the most attention. That lady appeared to be 25-26 years of age, possessing beauty and emanating the sense of a mature women, making her extremely attractive. This was none other than the vice-president of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, An Liuyan.
At that moment, An Liuyan lightly smiled as she looked at the nine platforms and said, “The 18 people that obtained the highest level of recognition were split so well. Coincidentally, each platform only contains 2 people, as if they have some tacit agreement.”
“This way, others can be tested. If one wants to break through the nine platforms, they must pass over these guys.” The nearby Yang Chen smiled in reply. “That guy, Qin Wentian, his level of strength would count as somewhat weak amongst the people on the 9th platform. Over there, the 10th ranked of the 10 prodigies, Jiang Xiu, and the 7th Night of the Seven Nights were there as well. Compared to the other platforms, I feel that the 9th platform should be the easiest place to obtain victory.”
“You’re making a mistake there.”
An Liuyan smiled. “It’s precisely because everyone thinks this platform is easiest to break through that some rather powerful people will register for it. For example, Emperor Star Academy’s Luo Chen isn’t weak, and Yanaro broke through the 8th level of Arterial Circulation, so his strength should be decent as well. Thus, I actually think that the competition on the ninth platform will be the fiercest.”
“I hadn’t actually considered that. Our Divine Weapon Pavilion doesn’t know much about these youths. However, other powerful figures can probably easily see through these clues, right?” Yang Chen laughed. But at that moment, he saw the person standing next to Chu Tianjiao once again open his mouth, “Would the Nine Martial Academies send their appointed representatives out?”
Within the Nine Martial Academies respectively, a total of nine representatives stood up, and they soared through the skies, landing on each of the towering platforms.
The representatives of the Nine Martial Academies would serve as the judges of each of the platforms, and was responsible to choose which contestants were to participate in each battle.
“Is it finally beginning soon?” In the spacious Chu Emperor District, countless gazes were trained on the nine towering platforms.
The spectators didn’t seem care too much about the delicacies and wine served at the grand banquet. Instead, their attention and anticipation were on their students instead, hoping that they would be able to perform outstandingly and achieve a good result.
“The 1st platform, Luo Qianqiu versus Hiryu.”
“The 2nd platform, The 2nd Sword versus Bai Ming.”
“The 3rd platform, the 3rd Night versus Wang Xiao.”
The Three Swords and Seven Nights from the Snowcloud Country did not use their real names for the registration. Instead, they chose to use their namesakes, as Swords and Nights instead.
The gazes of the spectators shifted together with the commotion, and very quickly, their gazes landed onto the judge of the 9th towering platform. Jiang Xiu adopted an extremely eager stance, as though he couldn’t wait to battle. According to the all the eight towering platforms before him, the first name shouted out, was the name that obtained the highest level of recognition. If that was the case, on the 9th towering platform, the name shouted out should be him by right.
“The 9th platform, Jiang Xiu versus Qin Wentian.”
And as the sound of that voice faded, it cause the countenance of Jiang Xiu to freeze as he cast his glance towards the judge of the 9th platform. The first name the judge shouted, was indeed Jiang Xiu, but who would have thought that, his opponent would actually be, Qin Wentian.
“Qin..Wen..Tian.” After being shocked for a moment, the corners of Jiang Xiu’s lips curled up into an icy smile.
This was the first battle of the Jun Lin Banquet. This year was the first time Jiang Xiu stood upon the stage of the Jun Lin Banquet. Similarly, this was also the first time for Qin Wentian.
Wouldn’t it be an interesting sight if a genius divine inscription grandmaster, in addition to being a talented cultivator that was admired by countless people, got struck down by the cruel reality of the arena during his first battle?
Qin Wentian was also stunned, and a light flickered in his eyes. Glancing in the direction of the 9th platform’s judge, he couldn’t help but think: did this fellow do this on purpose?
To think that a member of the 10 prodigies was actually going to start off the first battle. Although Jiang Xiu was ranked last among the prodigies, no one could doubt his strength.
The crowd was also dumbfounded. The names of Jiang Xiu and Qin Wentian were like thunderbolts roaring through their ears, both of them were extremely famous.
One was one of the 10 prodigies, while the other was the most talented divine inscription grandmaster in the Royal Capital, who was also known to have an exceptionally high level of martial prowess.
They would clash in the first round. The battle of the 9th platform instantly attracted even more attention from the crowd than the 1st platform did.
At this moment, many were thinking that maybe this time round, Qin Wentian was treating the Jun Lin Banquet as a training session. Could it be that the first battle was going to end just like that? If that’s the case, wasn’t that too laughable?
That judge seemed to have a sense of wicked humor. However, no one commented too much on it. After all, the competition in the Jun Lin Banquet would be determined by one’s level of strength, and the judges had the authority to select whichever contestants they wanted.
“Remember, safety first.” Qin Yao didn’t have the same thoughts as others, as she straightened the clothings of Qin Wentian, smiling in encouragement. She didn’t care whether Qin Wentian won or lost, but only about his safety.
“Do your best, don’t disappoint us.” Luo Huan laughed. This battle had an immense amount of pressure riding on it.
“Boss, it’s all up to you now.” Fan Le parted his lips in a grin. Currently, Heaven’s Wonder had not released the betting rates for Qin Wentian, and even if they did, there wouldn’t be many people betting on Qin Wentian. Fatty was waiting, waiting for Qin Wentian to finish his first battle. But who would have thought that his chance would come so fast? As long as Qin Wentian defeated Jiang Xiu, the people at Heaven’s Wonder would naturally compute the rates for betting on Qin Wentian.
“I will do my best.” Qin Wentian smiled as he walked towards the 9th platform. An instant later, he stood on top of the arena that was the 9th platform.
Jiang Xiu similarly ascended the platform, appearing in front of Qin Wentian.
18 elites concurrently ascended the nine towering platforms of the Jun Lin Banquet.
And starting from this moment, the Jun Lin Banquet, a new chapter would begin.
Mo Qingcheng, Mu Rou, Yanaro, Ye Clan, Ou Clan, Bai Clan, Divine Weapon Pavilion, and Star River Association, were all focusing their gazes on the two figures atop the ninth platform. Would Qin Wentian be eliminated out in the first round?
The corners of Jiang Xiu’s mouth curled up in amusement. He’d just recently crossed swords with Qin Wentian. Although Qin Wentian had some amount of strength, he definitely wouldn’t have a chance against him in the case of a true battle.
“Qin Wentian, on this kind of stage under the watches of thousands, a so-called genius like you will be eliminated in the first round of the first set of battles. Isn’t that extremely amusing?” Jiang Xiu calmly said.
Qin Wentian didn’t reply, and instead just lifted his head to look up at the sky above.
The sun was rising from the east, gradually getting higher and higher, until everyone could feel its brilliant rays.
The youth that came from Sky Harmony City had experienced many hardships and near death situations, finally coming to participate in Chu Country’s Jun Lin Banquet. Today, was the day that the Chu Country would feel his radiance.
Today, in front of the face of the whole of Chu Country, he would obtain a name for himself.
Mustang had once told him that his time to shine would be the following year.
However, a year was too long. He wanted to fight for the present.
Today, he stood here, not for any other reason other than striving to be number one.
Right now, the youth’s heart seemed to be blazing as passionately as the sun!