Chapter 898: Finding Fault
The Divine Dragon Nest?
Mo Wen had just walked out of the pillar of light when he noticed that there were silhouettes all around him. They formed a circle, and there were at least several tens of thousands of people. In the center, there was a large empty space most likely the size of more than a hundred soccer fields. Due to the effects of the laws of space, the empty area did not feel big from the outside. However, being in the space itself was an entirely different sensation.
The Heaven List top ten ranking battles were not held in Mechanized Maze City. Instead, they were held in Dragon City’s inner city. At a glance, Mo Wen noticed a few familiar faces.
“In the Heaven List top ten ranking battles, I will serve as this year’s referee. I am sure that you are already familiar with the rules. I will not go over them again.”
A black-robed elder appeared in the space. He held a scepter that showed his identity as a referee in his hand. His body emanated a faint yet terrifying aura. This elder was definitely an ancient martial art practitioner that had become an immortal. Even though his aura was faint, every strand of it felt like a mountain of pressure. He stood there, seemingly merged with the heavens and the earth. Every action he made seemed to emit a hugely powerful force.
This person must be a veteran from the Huatian Palace. Even in the Huatian Palace, he must be a veteran of high rank with such a cultivation.
The referee pointed his scepter forward. The entire square was immediately lit up by waves of light. In an instant, ten challenge rings appeared in the square. Each challenge ring was marked from one to ten, all arranged in a row.
Mo Wen had known the rules of the Heaven List ranking battles for a long time. The ten challenge rings each represented their final ranking. The practitioners could choose which challenge ring they wanted to defend. Defending the challenge ring was equivalent to obtaining the corresponding ranking.
For example, if one of them wanted to fight for first place, he or she could first claim the challenge ring marked with the number one. Then, they would wait for others to challenge them. If they could keep defending the number one challenge ring, then they would be indisputably in first place.
Each practitioner was qualified to enter any challenge ring that they wished. However, once their challenge failed, they could not keep challenging the same person.
Take for instance if Mo Wen claimed the first challenge ring, and Gu Jingman came up to challenge him. If she failed in her challenge, then in her subsequent challenges, she could not fight Mo Wen anymore. Even if Mo Wen was kicked out of the first challenge ring, and went for the second challenge ring instead, as the defeated participant, Gu Jingman could no longer challenge the second challenge ring where Mo Wen was. However, she was qualified to challenge any one of the other challenge rings, including the first one.
In theory, each person could lose in the challenge ring up to nine times until everyone was unable to challenge each other anymore.
Of course, if Mo Wen claimed the first challenge ring, and Gu Jingman succeeded in her challenge, he also could not challenge the challenge ring held by Gu Jingman.
Relatively speaking, this rule was rather fair. Each person had an equal chance, but each person similarly only had one opportunity to face each other. Although this rule was thorough, there was an element of luck among it. No matter what, the final ranking determined everything.
The ten challenge rings appeared before the eyes of the ten practitioners. At this time, each of them had to make a choice. Although the first challenge ring was tempting, they also needed to have the ability to defend it.
The ten of them were steadier than the participants from before. None of them were anxious to enter the challenge rings. For this kind of rule, their choices would be important. If they made the wrong choice, it would most likely affect their final ranking. Also, the person who first entered the challenge ring would certainly also face more challenges. Unless they were very confident in themselves, no one would enter the rings lightly. Of course, the eighth, ninth and tenth challenge rings were exceptions. Any practitioner with even a little ambition would not aim for those challenge rings.
“Since none of you wish to choose, allow me to kick things off.”
A laugh sounded, followed by a flash of light. A person had already appeared on the first challenge ring. It was a rather handsome youth. The aura emanating from his body was not powerful, but he dared to stand in the first challenge ring.
It was him!
Mo Wen felt shocked. This youth was none other than Xin Wuji whom he had met in the Crimson Star Sect. His goal was actually the first challenge ring!
Mo Wen was astonished. Did Xin Wuji have the ability to do such a thing? Ever since Xin Wuji had appeared here, Mo Wen had felt that something was not quite right.
“That little bug has some ambition.” A cold light flashed in Dark Hand’s eyes. His goal was naturally also first place. Initially, he had wanted to be the first to enter the challenge rings; however, he never thought that someone would beat him to it.
The other practitioners looked at each other. They did know much about Xin Wuji. It was only in the last two days that he had suddenly exploded with extraordinary power and in the end had dominated fifth place in the elimination rounds. However, many still believed that he did not have the ability to claim first place.
“Humph, you don’t know your own strength.” Lord Merciless coldly snorted. Even he didn’t dare to think of aiming for the first challenge ring, although the others did not know this. Among the practitioners ranked in the top ten, a few of them were renowned strong practitioners in the hidden martial arts strain, such as Dark Hand, Wine and Meat Monk, and Water Deity. Lord Merciless could not offend any of them. This person, who had appeared out of nowehere, actually dared to compete for first place. It was practically wishful thinking.
“There is no hope for me getting into the top three. Conservatively speaking, I should choose the sixth challenge ring.”
Lord Merciless thought things over silently for a while, then he set his goal as number six. He did not care about those who were focusing on the first challenge ring and directly flew up and landed in the sixth challenge ring. Presumably, not many people would fight with him over the sixth challenge ring.
The advantage of having a lower first choice was that even if others were more powerful than he was, if they were too ambitious and chose too high a challenge ring to challenge and lost, they would be severely injured. When that happened, and they wanted to go for the next best choice, challenging Lord Merciless would also not be an easy feat. Being injured aside, even slightly greater usage of Qi and strength would most likely affect the outcome of a battle.
Lord Merciless felt that the sixth challenge ring was a solid choice. If there were no surprises, he should be able to defend it.
“Since he dared to choose the first challenge ring, he most certainly has some backing. That Wine and Meat Monk is old and crafty; he will most likely not easily make a move. As for Water Deity, she is also more of a conservative type. However, there are most likely not many who can contend with me for first place. Since that is so, then I’ll make my move first.”
Dark Hand contemplated silently for a bit and then suddenly smiled. He stepped forward and headed straight for the first challenge ring. He was not a person who liked to be overly cautious. So what if he made a move first? At most, he would just fight a few more battles.
“Dark Hand still acts this way. Although that person does not show himself often, why do I feel that there is more than meets the eye to him?” Water Deity gently shook her head.
Dark Hand was also a very famous genius in the hidden martial arts strain, and his fame was above hers. It was because he did things decisively and without restraint, so he had become more well-known.
The people who came from the hidden martial arts strain were not simply given titles. These titles were their titles in the hidden martial arts strain. The ancient martial art practitioners of the outside world may not recognize them, but the hidden martial arts strain ancient martial art practitioners were definitely very familiar with them.
“Water Deity, could it be that you sensed something?” Wine and Meat Monk came over. He was smiling like the Smiling Buddha. In terms of investigative ability, Water Deity was undisputedly the best among them.
Water Deity narrowed her gaze at Wine and Meat Monk and plainly said, “I faintly detect that that person’s body contains a very strong power. This power makes even me feel terrified. However, strangely enough, the power is elusive. It seems to be very unstable. It gives off a very distant feeling.”
For practitioners, the power that they had painstakingly cultivated one step at a time would surely match them completely as though it was part of their bodies. However, the energy in that person’s body seemed to not have merged well with him; it even spilled over uncontrollably. Perhaps the others could not sense it, but Water Deity could.
“Oh, it seems like this person is not simple.” Wine and Meat Monk cast a glance at the first challenge ring. Since even Water Deity was wary of the youth, the power that he possessed would most likely be quite frightening. Right now, Dark Hand had entered the first challenge ring. Wine and Meat Monk was rather curious to see how things unfolded.
Gu Jingman crossed her arms and stared at the first challenge ring with great interest. She seemed to have no intention of choosing a challenge ring.
Mo Wen’s mouth curled to form a smile. He had his gaze on the sixth challenge ring. His smile became brighter as he stared at it.
He took a step forward. The next moment, he had appeared in the sixth challenge ring.
“Lord Merciless, we meet again,” Mo Wen said with a smile as he stood before Lord Merciless.
“Mo Wen, you…” Lord Merciless’s expression turned extremely ugly when he saw that Mo Wen had chosen to enter the sixth challenge ring. What was Mo Wen’s intention? With Mo Wen’s ability, he would most likely be able to compete for the top three. Right now, both the second and third challenge rings were empty, yet Mo Wen had chosen to fight him for the sixth challenge ring. Wasn’t Mo Wen just finding fault with him?
“Mo Wen, you are seeking death. Do you think that with your current ability, you are qualified to offend the Blood Evil Temple?”
Lord Merciless’s facial expression was sullen. Mo Wen was clearly trying to embarrass him. When Lord Merciless had realized Mo Wen’s ability, he had immediately cast out the thoughts of finding fault with Mo Wen. Of course, since Mo Wen had offended him, Lord Merciless had dreamed up countless ways to kill Mo Wen. When compared to the Blood Evil Temple, Mo Wen was merely an ant.
“I hate spineless people like you who are dependent on your family background the most. Are you not ashamed of proclaiming yourself as a genius in the hidden martial art strain? You are pretty much embarrassing the other geniuses!” Mo Wen coldly laughed. Initially, he had thought that even though Lord Merciless was evil, at least he had guts. However, judging from the current situation, Lord Merciless was merely a coward.
“He is indeed embarrassing our hidden martial arts strain. What a waste of the fame of the Blood Evil Temple. He pales into insignificance when compared to Lord Bloodless.” A cold voice sounded from beneath the challenge ring. It was none other than Water Deity.
“This useless fellow likes to bully the weak in the hidden martial arts strain. He is not worth mentioning.” Wine and Meat Monk seemed to detest Lord Merciless as well. He had actually spoken the truth.
Lord Merciless did not think that Water Deity and Wine and Meat Monk would speak up for Mo Wen and show him so little respect. He immediately felt embarrassed. He clenched his fists until they cracked. He was the son of the Blood Evil Temple Temple leader, but in the sect, he was also overshadowed by Lord Bloodless. The thing he hated the most was being compared with Lord Bloodless.