Chapter 504: Martial Dragon Congratulation |
Jumping to the top of both the Selection Ranking List and the Abyssal Hidden Star Ranking in one fell swoop, Su Chen didn't even have to think to know that those guys drooling over the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith wouldn't let him be comfortable.
Just looking at this commentary, the outside world believed that for him to become the Chosen, he was still at least three steps away.
Completing the Ordained Path was only three people short, almost just one step away, but High Heaven still had plenty of redundancy internally, making it hard for the Outer Pillars to make a fuss or interfere in this matter.
As for whether he could advance to Morning Star, it was also very hard for the outside world to interfere. Even if the Bronze Sect's foundation was shallow, assisting him to complete the Profession Requirements for Morning Star would definitely not be a problem.
The only thing the other Pillars could interfere with was the massive amount of materials needed for the Azure Deity Metamorphosis.
With Eternal Dragon Heaven's foundation, they still had to search the Abyssal Void, let alone Bronze Heaven.
As long as the other Pillars secretly issued orders, probably no one would dare to consort with Bronze Heaven.
"It might not just be the other Pillars; the High Three Heavens might also throw spanners in the works." Su Chen made some estimates. Bronze Heaven had, after all, been integrated for too short a time.
Even the first integrated generation hadn't died out yet. Whether they were truly Bronze Heaven or the Bronze Sect was still unknown.
If anyone truly put effort into these three directions, it would only be a waste of effort.
Su Chen temporarily cast this matter to the back of his mind and quickly glanced at the floating Star Potential Ranking again. There were no acquaintances in the top ten.
"The only one who came to intercept me was actually Xu Yingshen?" Su Chen was somewhat surprised. Right now was already the second Initial Ranking, and the overall leaderboard updates had thoroughly ended. Those who didn't participate had completely missed it.
The remaining people had basically all fought him in the previous matching battles, so naturally they wouldn't dare to challenge him. The remaining five days were nothing more than just waiting it out.
The number of people constantly paying attention to the Selection Ranking List could be described as extremely large. After all, it highly likely involved the birth of a Radiant Sun.
This not only caused massive waves within High Heaven, but it was also hard to remain calm in the other Pillars. Shocked, puzzled, and unimaginable discussions were everywhere.
"...Xu Yingshen actually lost."
In Buddha Land, in a small temple, Kong Ye sat cross-legged in mid-air, a holographic screen projected before his eyes.
His heart found it hard to remain calm. As a tyrannical figure second only to Chang Geming, Xu Yingshen was originally a hot candidate to become the Radiant Sun Elect, yet he suddenly lost his qualification just like that.
This was an opportunity hard to come by in ten thousand years. Although the Pillars also had opportunities internally to compete for the Radiant Sun selection, and even though every generation would prepare for it, nobody could be sure about the Lifespan of a Radiant Sun; it might not be their turn.
"This person is actually strong to this degree..."
Kong Ye found it truly unimaginable. Last time, when Su Chen faced Taixuan Hong, he took the initiative to surrender.
Everyone thought this person knew he couldn't win and simply chose not to lose face, while also earning some good reputation.
Now it seemed he truly didn't want to fight at that time. His thoughts should have been similar to Chang Geming's, unwilling to bully others.
"If he had gone up back then and truly defeated Taixuan Hong, I'm afraid he would truly have been unstoppable." Kong Ye didn't know what to think in his heart, and at the same time, he slowly let out a breath. "Fortunately, I had many misgivings at the time and didn't go to intercept this person."
"True Radiance... fortunately he's a True Radiance. The other Pillars should also have a tacit understanding. Without the Azure God talent, it's difficult to advance to Radiant Sun. No matter how excellent a True Radiance Talent is, it's impossible to obtain the selection."
If this Su Chen underwent the Azure Deity Metamorphosis, the others could basically surrender.
Somewhere in the Abyssal Void, in a realm exuding a hazy radiance, this place was like a dream or an illusion. From time to time, overlapping Phantom Images would appear. There were towering peaks hanging upside down from the sky, and giant beasts like Celestial Bodies flying across the firmament.
There was even a blurry figure stepping on the light, clothes fluttering like a gathered river of stars. Chang Geming was bobbing up and down unsteadily within it, surrounded by Spiritual Mirages.
At a certain moment, seemingly aware of something, he abruptly opened his eyes. Unbeknownst to him when, Chang Gexiao had already appeared before him.
"...Grandpa?" Chang Geming reined in his momentum, the various Spiritual Mirages retracting. He looked at the Phantom Image before him, seemingly somewhat puzzled.
"How goes it?" Chang Gexiao inquired with kind eyebrows and a benevolent face.
Chang Geming responded, "I feel it's almost there. I estimate in another few months, I'll be close to achieving Spirit-Flesh Unity."
Having said that, he added, "However, your esteemed self coming this trip shouldn't just be to ask about my progress, right?"
"You kid..." Chang Gexiao laughed, but his expression carried an indescribably complex look, and he said helplessly, "Xu Yingshen... he..."
Who knew that before he could finish, he was interrupted by Chang Geming, who said in a deep, displeased voice, "I've already told you before, his speed in completing the Ordained Path is his business. My Longevity Pillar is different from the other Pillars; we don't have that many people making up the numbers for me to use."
"You don't need to persuade me anymore. Taking me to the other Pillars to do what they call crashing the venue or whatever, I have no interest right now."
"Right now, I only want to advance to Morning Star as soon as possible. At the Morning Star level, walking the Ordained Path again, winning against the strong while weak, will be more likely to obtain favor."
He had only defeated three people and was already preparing to advance to Morning Star. Because of the special nature of the Longevity Pillar, it was impossible for him to be faster than the other Pillars, so he prepared to Break New Ground.
With the Longevity Root in his body, he estimated that after advancing to Morning Star, he shouldn't be weaker than those True Radiance Morning Stars who had tempered two, or even three Morning Fires.
That would be equivalent to everyone he defeated being a case of winning against the strong while weak, which was far more glorious than the ordinary Ordained Path.
Defeating those three people previously was also to leave enough redundancy for himself.
Chang Gexiao felt quite helpless. His grandson had strong opinions. He had previously proposed to forcefully block the doors of the other Pillars. Under the circumstances that the other Pillars were unwilling to lose face, they would definitely have to send people out to fight, but he was rebuked by him.
"Listen to me finish first." He shook his head and said, "Xu Yingshen has already been defeated and lost the qualification to continue competing."
"Defeated?" Chang Geming stagnated slightly, unable to help but feel surprised.
In this instant, several names and figures flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but ask, "Who could defeat him?"
"Su Chen," Chang Gexiao spat out two words.
"Him?" Chang Geming was stunned. A figure that hadn't appeared just now surfaced in his mind. He had a good impression of this person; last time, neither of them had attacked Taixuan Hong.
But he truly hadn't expected that this person actually had the strength to defeat Xu Yingshen. He knew full well just how troublesome Xu Yingshen was.
If he didn't have the Longevity Root, he wouldn't be the opponent's match at all either.
"How could he..." Chang Geming had too many questions in his mind.
Chang Gexiao also sighed deeply: "This Su Chen is also quite interesting, actually still remembering the Abyssal Hidden Star Ranking update and specially participating. When Xu Yingshen heard about it, he probably thought about defeating him to take a step forward on the Ordained Path. Who would have thought..."
"Too young..." Chang Geming murmured, somewhat lost in thought. When he was at his age, he didn't seem to have advanced to the 8th-tier yet, right?
Chang Gexiao also nodded: "Indeed. According to the Cosmic Void's calculations, his probability of obtaining the selection has already surpassed Qin Guanyu, reaching 20%."
"20%..." Chang Geming fell silent. The Cosmic Void wasn't blindly estimating; it was estimating based on all the Data of the Five Pillars selecting Radiant Sun candidates over the years.
Chang Gexiao changed the topic and said again, "However, this person currently has a big trouble. Originally, not many people paid attention to him, but now that he has suddenly risen, it probably won't be that simple for him to undergo the Azure Deity Metamorphosis."
"The other Pillars will all block him. Even within High Heaven, because Bronze Heaven's integration time is too short, the so-called High Three Heavens probably don't have many people willing to let him succeed."
"Dirty characters..." Chang Geming showed a look of disdain. "If they truly don't want to see him succeed, they can just defeat him openly and squarely in a head-on clash. What's the point of playing these petty tricks."
"You ah, you..." Chang Gexiao smiled bitterly. Even if Chang Geming couldn't become the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith's Chosen, he still had a way out.
But the others didn't have such uniquely advantageous conditions like him.
"This person..." Chang Geming's eyes flickered.
Chang Gexiao hastily said, "You can't clash with him head-on right now. No matter who wins or loses, it will be making a wedding dress for someone else."
Chang Geming looked up, somewhat unaccustomed to this. He hadn't encountered this kind of battle with an unknown outcome for a very long time, and his grandpa's worries about him hadn't appeared for a long time either.
Chang Gexiao then explained, "I'm telling you this matter just so you won't be anxious. In the process of becoming the Chosen, there are too many variables. Xu Yingshen advanced triumphantly, yet now he has suffered a crushing defeat. You have plenty of time."
Chang Geming nodded, but revealed a surging battle intent, even faintly excited, "It needs to be filled with uncertainty like this. Su Chen... good, very good!"
Chang Gexiao smiled bitterly in helplessness. This was a Formidable Opponent. If it were anyone else, they would probably be thinking about how to block him as soon as possible.
High Heaven's Nether Realm didn't differentiate between day and night; the brightness was the same all day long.
Outside the Martial Proof Hall, compared to before, when the leaderboard update had just begun, there were even more people gathered, three layers inside and three layers outside, densely packed from top to bottom.
Although the results weren't out yet, from the changes on the Selection Ranking List four days ago, everyone knew that Xu Yingshen had already lost at Su Chen's hands.
And Chang Geming's name wasn't on the leaderboard at all, which meant that Su Chen was already the indisputable top of the Abyssal Hidden Star Ranking.
This was a grand event High Heaven hadn't encountered for many years, not to mention that many people in High Heaven hadn't even seen Su Chen in person, so naturally they wanted to come and join the fun.
"...When the first round of Initial Ranking ended, there were still quite a few people saying that this leaderboard update had no true worth, and Su Chen took advantage of a loophole. Tsk tsk... Now let's see what those people say."
"They are all guys from the High Three Heavens, acting sour. In the past, it was always the people from the High Three Heavens who stole the limelight. Now that it's changed to an Outer Heaven, naturally they are very unaccustomed to it..."
"...It's unimaginable, so young, yet actually able to defeat Xu Yingshen. I wonder who is stronger between him and Chang Geming..."
The sounds of clamorous discussions filled the sky.
Previously, even those who thought highly of Su Chen only said he might contend with Chang Geming. But now, it had truly reached the point of discussing who was stronger.
"..."
"...Why hasn't Uncle Su come out yet..."
In a corner, Little Jiang Fan sat on Jiang Ce's shoulders, looking out at the Martial Proof Hall, but because there were truly too many people in front, he couldn't see anything.
"Too unimaginable..." Jiang Ce couldn't help but glance at the small green snake coiled around his arm. He could basically guess now that when they first met Su Chen, this little thing's terror likely came from the other party.
"Dad, look!" Jiang Fan suddenly shouted loudly. Jiang Ce abruptly looked up, only to see the usually quiet Martial Proof Hall currently radiating brilliant light.
As if ignited by an invisible fire, it cascaded down dazzling waterfalls of light, attracting everyone's attention.
"Roar——!"
A long roar tearing like silk rang out, shaking the void into ripples. In an instant, sturdy golden dragon shadows emerged from the light waterfall, winding and coiling, leaping around the Martial Proof Hall.
The dragon bodies were composed of flowing light, every scale lifelike. Their roaring brought up bursts of invisible air waves, rippling the robes of the onlookers.
They coiled above the Martial Proof Hall. A rough count showed a total of nine, winding and leaping, finally roaring high into the sky together.
Roar!
"This is?"
Everyone's minds were shaken, staring with tongue tied, never having seen this kind of strange phenomenon produced by the Martial Proof Hall.
"Is this the Martial Dragon Congratulation?"
An older middle-aged man with white hair at his temples hesitated, immediately triggering inquiries from everyone around him.
He pondered, "This seems to be a strange phenomenon that only occurs when one ranks at the very top of the Star Potential Ranking. It's mainly distinguished by the number of Martial Dragons. If it's third, there are only three; if it's second, there are six; and for first, there are nine."
"About over two hundred years ago, when Senior Brother Qin Guanyu ranked third, I had the fortune to see the Three-Fold Martial Dragon Congratulation."
"Nine-Fold Martial Dragon Congratulation..."
Those who came to join the fun were basically all young people, never having seen this kind of strange phenomenon before. Their emotions were instantly ignited, becoming excited, peering towards the front row.
"Has Su Chen come out?"
"It should be this time, the Star Potential Ranking has already been completely finalized."
"..."
...
"What is that thing, it even has special effects?"
In Bronze Heaven, inside Su Chen's residence, his figure abruptly appeared, still harboring lingering fear.
He had endured in that broken place for a month. As soon as the time was up, he immediately came out.
He didn't expect that as soon as he came out, he would see nine golden dragons circling the firmament, and densely packed people before his eyes. It truly gave him a fright too.
Without any hesitation, he directly detached from the Nether Realm. Fortunately, most people were attracted by the strange phenomenon in the firmament, so not many people noticed him.
"So many came to join the fun, yet I didn't see anyone of status."
Su Chen muttered. If he could run into a Morning Star or something, he might have stopped and chatted a bit, perhaps managing to scrounge up some good things.
But those just now were obviously all young folks joining the fun. If he had to deal with them, it would probably be hard to extricate himself for a long time.
Just as he was thinking, a holographic screen suddenly popped up. It was an excited-looking Wei Zhenghong, his voice loud: "Old Su, I know you're back."
Su Chen raised his eyebrows slightly and opened the door. A swarming mass of people rushed in, led impressively by Wei Zhenghong and Shen Yi'an.
"Ha, I said he came back, didn't I? He definitely wouldn't stay in the Nether Realm to deal with those people." Wei Zhenghong looked quite proud of himself.
"Damn, Old Su, you f*cking truly are a pervert," Chu Ran clamored in the crowd. "You could even win against Xu Yingshen. This strength is probably on par with Chang Geming."
They had been in the Abyssal Void for a year. At first, they didn't have any concrete concept of these names.
But over time, naturally, they also gained a deep realization. Those were the strongest 8th-tiers in the entire Abyssal Void; ordinary 9th-Tiers weren't their match at all.
What kind of talk is this... Su Chen was quite speechless. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a shout from outside: "Who is clamoring?"
"Gathering here making a racket, what kind of proper conduct is this?"