Chapter 1254: Never Would Have Guessed
After Luo Yao stood up, his gaze swept over the audience seats of the arena. He didn't launch into a long speech like some leaders; instead, he cut straight to the chase.
"Emissaries of Death of the Jingling Continent Underworld Division who have successfully opened their Heaven and Earth Souls, and are willing to participate in this Guardian selection competition, please enter the arena immediately."
Luo Yao spoke calmly, his voice not loud, yet it resonated throughout the entire arena.
The people in the audience seats were momentarily stunned. They had expected Luo Yao to rattle on endlessly, but never imagined he would be so direct.
Luo Yao's primary purpose for holding this competition today was to select two Guardians, not to give a speech. Furthermore, his mood wasn't great, and unwilling to waste time, he went straight to the point, avoiding any unnecessary chatter.
Though surprised by Luo Yao's directness, the crowd's reaction wasn't slow. Soon, many rose from their seats, leaping into the air and flying towards the arena.
As these individuals moved, even more followed, rising and flying towards the arena. While none of them knew the rules of the competition, since Luo Yao had spoken, they simply had to follow his instructions, and there would be no issue.
"Those who are not participating in this competition may sit down."
He had just sat down when Luo Yao stood up, forcing him to follow suit. Yet, Luo Yao had barely been standing for a minute before sitting back down. If this wasn't intentional, he wouldn't believe it for the life of him.
It wasn't just the elderly man who felt uncomfortable. The middle-aged man who had arrived before him, and the graceful woman, were equally ill at ease. However, the woman didn't show it, while the middle-aged man, like the elder, openly displayed his displeasure on his face, looking even more grim than the elder.
In the audience, Underworld Officials or Ghost Officials not planning to participate in the competition returned to their original seats, while those intending to compete successively entered the field.
Luo Yao watched as figures appeared one after another in the arena, his expression unchanged, still as somber as before.
Not only Luo Yao, but nearly everyone in the entire arena had their eyes fixed on the massive stage.
Yun Yao's eyes were wide as she carefully searched for Yang Haoran's figure on the stage. Although dozens of people were already present, finding one person among dozens was certainly easier than finding one among tens of thousands.
However, she couldn't find Yang Haoran among those dozens.
"Could it be that I misjudged? That honest guy hasn't opened his Heaven and Earth Souls at all? Or perhaps, he has, but he knows his strength isn't enough to secure the Guardian position, so he gave up on this competition?"
Seeing no sign of Yang Haoran on the stage, Yun Yao couldn't help but entertain such thoughts.
Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the audience, Yang Haoran, seeing fewer and fewer Underworld Officials heading to the stage, glanced at Xu Meijing. Xu Meijing, sensing his gaze, nodded slightly. Either spoke a word, yet with a deep understanding, their figures flickered and faded from their spots, reappearing moments later on the stage.
Yun Yao was still wondering if Yang Haoran wasn't going to participate in the competition. The thought had just formed in her mind when suddenly, a figure on the stage caught her attention. This figure was none other than Yang Haoran.
"Heh, I thought you weren't coming. I didn't expect you to show up at the very last moment. But who's that woman next to him? She looks formidable."
Yun Yao murmured to herself. Yang Haoran's appearance first brought a look of pleasant surprise to her face, then she noticed Xu Meijing beside him, and curiosity appeared on her features.
Even from a great distance, Yun Yao could sense the powerful aura emanating from Xu Meijing. Thus, even a distant glance at Xu Meijing made her think that this woman was an expert.
Above the black clouds, Luo Yao also noticed Yang Haoran's appearance on the stage. However, his gloomy expression didn't improve because of it; he merely gave Yang Haoran a couple of extra glances.
A moment later, no more Underworld Officials entered the arena. By now, roughly two hundred or so Underworld Officials had gathered on the stage. These were all Emissaries of Death from the Jingling Continent Underworld Division who had successfully opened their Heaven and Earth Souls. Aside from a very few who were unwilling to participate in the selection, and those who had urgent matters preventing their attendance, all Emissaries of Death in the entire Jingling Continent Underworld Division who had successfully opened their Heaven and Earth Souls were gathered here.
The total number of Emissaries of Death in the entire Jingling Continent Underworld Division numbered in the tens of thousands, with each Guardian managing several thousand Emissaries. However, those capable of opening their Heaven and Earth Souls and still living were indeed few.
Two hundred-plus people might seem like a lot, but compared to the vast number of Emissaries of Death in the entire Jingling Continent Underworld Division, two hundred-plus was truly a tiny fraction.
While Underworld Officials do not die naturally, they can suffer Soul Transformation from external attacks. Before the world fell into chaos, Underworld Officials tragically died every day for various reasons. After the world descended into chaos, and the Spiritualist God led the Spirit Mediums to rise, the number of Underworld Official deaths surged, which is why today, only a little over two hundred Emissaries of Death in the Jingling Continent Underworld Division have successfully opened their Heaven and Earth Souls.
Luo Yao looked at the two hundred-plus Emissaries of Death on the stage who had successfully opened their Heaven and Earth Souls, and his brow furrowed involuntarily. As the new Great Emperor of the Jingling Continent Underworld Division, to have only just over two hundred Emissaries of Death under his command who had opened their Heaven and Earth Souls, he couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.
However, he merely furrowed his brow, with no intention of commenting on the matter. After all, the main purpose of today's competition was to select Guardians. Moreover, besides their own Jingling Continent Underworld Division members, there were also Ghost Officials from the Underworld who came to watch the show, as well as Underworld Officials from other continents, some of whom held quite high positions. Naturally, certain things could not be said in front of them.
Seeing that no one else was entering the stage, Luo Yao calmly spoke.
"Alright, any other Emissaries of Death who wished to participate but have not entered the stage are now deemed to have forfeited. I'm not a fan of pointless waiting. The two vacant Guardian positions in our Jingling Continent Underworld Division will be born from among you two hundred-plus individuals."
Luo Yao's words echoed throughout the arena. His words seemed directed at the two hundred-plus Emissaries of Death on the stage, but those with quick minds knew that Luo Yao's words were not *only* for them.
The three Guardians behind Luo Yao—the elderly man clutching his crutch, the grim-faced middle-aged man, and the graceful woman—all understood the hidden meaning in Luo Yao's words. However, the trio showed no reaction, as if they hadn't grasped the true meaning of his words, or perhaps, as if they hadn't heard them at all.
The two hundred-plus Emissaries of Death on the stage reacted differently after hearing Luo Yao's statement: some looked excited, some expressionless, and some secretly rejoiced.
Emissaries of Death who hadn't entered the stage on time no longer needed to, which was good news for those already on the stage. After all, in their view, one less Emissary of Death meant one less competitor, which was certainly not a bad thing.
However, not all Emissaries of Death on the stage cared about this. Some didn't take it seriously at all, as they were fully confident in their own strength. Whether one more person participated or one less, it made no difference to them, because in their eyes, it was all the same.
"Ye Xianglan."
After Luo Yao's words fell, he leaned back in his chair and calmly announced a name.
Among the seven Guardians behind him, the graceful woman slowly stood up upon hearing the name.
"Your subordinate is here."
The woman responded with a smile. Luo Yao didn't acknowledge her but announced another name.
"Long Yan."
The grim-faced middle-aged man frowned upon hearing this name. He hesitated slightly, then still with a somber expression, stood up.
"Your subordinate is here."
The middle-aged man spoke in a deep voice. Luo Yao again offered no further instruction but announced a third name.
"Wen Hexuan."
The elderly man with the crutch, hearing this, smiled. One hand on his crutch, he struggled to rise from his seat, looking weak and feeble, like an ordinary old man with one foot already in the grave.
The young woman serving the elder behind him quickly stepped forward to support him, allowing the elder to finally stand steadily.
"Your subordinate is here. Haha, as one ages, even getting up from a seat becomes difficult. I hope Your Excellency won't fault me for my slow pace."
Luo Yao didn't turn his head or even respond to the elder. He merely spoke in a calm voice.
"You three will descend to the arena together."
At these words, the expressions of the three Guardians changed immediately. Although they didn't know why Luo Yao made such a decision, one thing was clear to them: descending to the arena certainly wouldn't be good for them.
Not only did the three named Guardians' expressions change at this moment, but many among the tens of thousands in the entire arena, including the two hundred-plus Emissaries of Death on the stage, also showed significant shifts in their expressions after hearing Luo Yao's words. However, most of these people felt more confusion, as they didn't understand why Luo Yao would make the three Guardians descend to the arena.
None of the three Guardians moved. Ye Xianglan and Long Yan both looked towards the elder, Wen Hexuan.
"Heh heh, Your Excellency, you want us three to descend to the arena, this. . ."
Wen Hexuan was interrupted before he could finish by Luo Yao's calm voice.
"Since I've asked you to go down, I naturally have my reasons. What, do I need to explain each one to the three of you?"
Luo Yao's voice was very calm, devoid of any emotion. But this was merely his tone; in terms of word choice, anyone could sense the mounting tension.
Wen Hexuan paused, then reacted, speaking with a smile towards Luo Yao.
"Heh heh, we wouldn't dare ask Your Excellency for an explanation. Since Your Excellency has commanded, this old bone of mine will certainly obey."
Wen Hexuan said with a smile, then gave a meaningful look to Long Yan and Ye Xianglan. Immediately after, Wen Hexuan's figure flickered and vanished from his spot, reappearing below the black clouds, on the arena stage.
Ye Xianglan gently brushed her long hair with her jade-like hand, then flashed a charming smile at Long Yan beside her.
"Heh heh, let's go. Our Great Emperor has given the order, what are you still standing around for?"
As her words fell, Ye Xianglan's figure also flickered and disappeared from above the black clouds, reappearing on the arena stage, to Wen Hexuan's right.
Long Yan's face was grim. Although Wen Hexuan and Ye Xianglan had successively descended to the arena, he remained standing, motionless.
"What, do I need to invite you down myself?"
Though Luo Yao didn't turn his head, he could sense the situation behind him. He knew Long Yan was still standing there, so he spoke calmly.
Among the Guardians behind Luo Yao, aside from Long Yan, there were four others. These four now wore various expressions: some had faint smiles, some were expressionless, and some even showed a hint of schadenfreude in their eyes.
As for the ten young women serving Luo Yao and the others above the black clouds, they didn't dare breathe a word, all lowering their heads.
At this moment, not only was the atmosphere above the black clouds extremely oppressive, but the entire arena's atmosphere became equally stifling, as everyone could sense the growing tension in Luo Yao's words.
Long Yan's brows furrowed tightly. Luo Yao's words made his face even grimmer than before. He gritted his teeth, finally forcing down the anger in his heart, choosing not to confront Luo Yao in front of so many people.
"Hmph!"
Long Yan let out a cold snort, expressing his inner dissatisfaction and anger. His figure flickered and disappeared, reappearing below on the arena stage, standing to Wen Hexuan's left.
The appearance of the three naturally drew the gaze of the two hundred-plus participants on the stage, including Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing, whose eyes also fell upon them.
Watching the three Guardians, the two hundred-plus participants all had different speculations. Since the entire arena was silent as a tomb, no one dared to whisper at this moment, only keeping their guesses to themselves, not daring to reveal anything to others.
Among the two hundred-plus participants, some were Emissaries of Death under these three Guardians. Seeing their superiors appear on the stage, these Emissaries of Death bowed to them.
"Greetings, Divine Envoy!"
Other Emissaries of Death, such as Xu Meijing and Yang Haoran, who were not under their jurisdiction and to whom they were not direct superiors, nevertheless bowed to the three, as Guardians held a status far superior to their own. Seeing others bowing, they followed suit.
Of course, not all Emissaries of Death bowed to the trio. A few remained standing, showing no intention of bowing, and among them was Xu Meijing.
None of the three Guardians paid attention to these Emissaries of Death; their gazes were fixed on Luo Yao above.
"Heh heh, Your Excellency, we three have already entered the arena as per your command. What should we do next? Please instruct us."
Wen Hexuan, leaning on his crutch, did not bow to Luo Yao but directly spoke to him with a smile.
"Due to the urgent timing, I cannot spend too much time on this competition. However, selecting Guardians is no trifling matter, so I must see the strength of the two new Guardians, and I also want others to witness it."
Luo Yao did not answer Wen Hexuan but spoke to himself. After his words fell, he paused briefly, then continued.
"The rules of this competition are simple: the three Guardians form one side, and all participants form the other. For both the Guardian side and the participant side, severe injury or unconsciousness leads to elimination, and touching the ground outside the arena leads to elimination. If all three Guardians are eliminated, the remaining participants can proceed to the next round. If the participant side is defeated by the three Guardians, then the last two remaining individuals will be the ultimate victors of this competition, filling the two vacant Guardian positions in our Jingling Continent Underworld Division."
Luo Yao spoke calmly. As his words fell, the entire audience erupted in an uproar. Many people's expressions changed significantly at this moment, especially those of Wen Hexuan and the other two on the stage; their expressions changed the most.
Although the three of them knew in their hearts that Luo Yao had no good intentions in asking them to step onto the stage, they never in their wildest dreams imagined Luo Yao would make such a decision—to have the three of them simultaneously face over two hundred Emissaries of Death who had opened their Heaven and Earth Souls. For a moment, the three of them froze, their expressions stiffening.
Besides the three Guardians on the stage, Huo Laoban's expression behind Luo Yao also changed significantly. He had planned to use this competition as an opportunity to eliminate Yang Haoran, and had meticulously prepared many stratagems, even contacting some participants, with the aim of "accidentally" taking Yang Haoran's life during the competition.
However, the competition rules Luo Yao announced now ruined most of his elaborate plans. He truly never would have guessed that Luo Yao would choose Guardians in such a manner.
Though others' expressions didn't change as drastically as these four, they were still considerable. Whether they were participants or spectators, their hearts were now filled with shock. Before this, some had imagined many possible scenarios for the competition, but none had ever thought Luo Yao would actually do this!
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