"This Li Xuan is too arrogant. Although his strength is not bad, sitting directly in the first seat, who does he look down on?" someone in the crowd remarked.
"If you're not convinced, why don't you challenge him?" someone else immediately sneered upon hearing this.
"I can't defeat him, but I believe there's definitely someone who can suppress him!" The former said, his face flushing.
"..."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, clearly Li Xuan's direct occupation of the foremost seat had sparked controversy.
"If Brother Li dares to sit in the first seat, what have I to fear?" Jian Chi said with a wry smile. Then, his expression turned serious, and with a movement, he landed on the thirtieth seat.
Soon, Liu Jiaqi and Zhou Wenjin also moved, occupying the ninth and tenth seats respectively. Although Liu Jiaqi and Zhou Wenjin chose such high positions, they were women and hailed from the Six Great Sacred Lands. For a time, no one dared to utter a word.
In the blink of an eye, the seats within the top fifty were also filled.
"Anyone who is unconvinced may challenge. The duration is three days. Those who remain in their positions after three days will be the hundred paragons of this Five Regions Heavenly Ranking competition!"
"All those who make the list will receive two million mid-grade spirit stones."
"The top fifty will each receive a Earth-grade cultivation technique or an Earth-grade spirit weapon."
"The top thirty, in addition to the aforementioned rewards, will receive Heavenly-grade cultivation techniques or spirit weapons."
"The top ten, in addition to the above rewards, will each receive an eighth-grade lower-tier Saint Pill."
"The top spot will receive a Heaven-grade lower-tier cultivation technique or spirit weapon!"
"Furthermore, all those who make the list may enter the Cang Ling Tower for three months of cultivation."
Once all one hundred seats were occupied, Xuan Kong's figure appeared, announcing the rewards.
"Esteemed guests, let the competition begin."
Xuan Kong vanished, and everyone's gaze was fixed with burning desire on the seats suspended in mid-air.
Two million mid-grade spirit stones!
Earth-grade and Human-grade cultivation techniques and spirit weapons!
An eighth-grade lower-tier Saint Pill!
And the top spot even a Heaven-grade lower-tier cultivation technique or spirit weapon!
Such generous rewards were enough to make many hearts pound. Even the lower rankings guaranteed a spot for cultivation in the Cang Ling Tower.
Even Li Xuan was somewhat astonished at this moment. No wonder the spirit masters of the Five Regions vied to participate in this Five Regions Heavenly Ranking. The rewards were simply too bountiful!
As for what the Cang Ling Tower was, though Li Xuan was not entirely sure, he could tell from the fervent expressions on everyone's faces that it was no ordinary place.
"It seems the first position will be difficult to hold onto," Li Xuan mused inwardly, but he soon let go of the thought.
If someone truly surpassed him, he wouldn't mind ceding the first position.
Very soon, many participants' gazes locked onto their targets. The next moment, challenges began to unfold.
However, perhaps due to Li Xuan's considerable renown, no one immediately challenged him. Even the top fifty positions remained unchallenged for the time being. Clearly, everyone understood the competition's parameters and the participants' cautious approach.
Time passed gradually, and the contestants occupying the hundred seats changed batch after batch. Many participants who had lost three matches regretfully exited. Li Xuan's thoughts stirred, and he looked ahead. A man slowly walked towards him.
Martial God Realm middle stage, a formidable opponent.
"I, Zhu Yiqing from the Qing Yun Sacred Land, have come to challenge you," the man said calmly, looking at Li Xuan.
"Very well," Li Xuan nodded. Sitting for so long had become rather tedious. With a movement, the two of them entered an empty challenge arena.
"Look quickly, someone is challenging Li Xuan!" a sharp-eyed spectator exclaimed.
"That person seems to be the Holy Son from the Qing Yun Sacred Land. A Martial God Realm middle-stage cultivation. No wonder he would challenge Li Xuan."
"Li Xuan is only at the early stage of the Martial Emperor Realm. Can he defend his position?"
"It's doubtful, considering the difference of an entire major realm."
"Don't underestimate Li Xuan. His combat power is not inferior to that of a Martial God Realm expert. If Li Xuan wins this battle, he might hold onto that position for a very long time."
"..."
"Please," Zhu Yiqing said to Li Xuan.
"Should I make a move?" Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and moved, unleashing a punch towards Zhu Yiqing.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Zhu Yiqing's eyes, but he quickly moved as well, throwing a punch in return.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Their figures grappled, their speed increasing with each passing moment. Only the resounding clangs could be heard, and the invisible shockwaves caused the arena to tremble.
Fortunately, with the referee present, the elder waved his hand, and a ripple of spiritual energy spread out, stabilizing the challenge arena.
Bang!
A resounding crash echoed, and both Li Xuan and Zhu Yiqing retreated to the sides of the arena.
They looked at each other, their expressions filled with surprise.
Their physical strength was surprisingly matched.
"No wonder you have the confidence to occupy the top spot. With this physical strength alone, it seems no one can defeat you," Zhu Yiqing said, taking a deep breath. Zhu Yiqing knew that if he hadn't cultivated both spiritual and martial arts since childhood, he would have lost to Li Xuan in a test of physical prowess.
"Next, what shall we compete in?" Li Xuan asked with a smile, looking at Zhu Yiqing.
Zhu Yiqing pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's decide the victor in one move."
Zhu Yiqing knew that Li Xuan was not as simple as he appeared. This physical strength alone revealed a part of Li Xuan's power. If the fight continued, the consumption would be too great. If he won, he would at least have time to recover. But if he expended a large amount of energy and still lost, it would be a fruitless endeavor.
"One move to decide the winner, is it? Alright," Li Xuan said, not particularly interested, but he eventually nodded.
"Please, make your move. If I cannot block it, this match is mine to lose," Zhu Yiqing added after some thought.
Li Xuan felt a bit speechless. Zhu Yiqing was clearly unwilling to waste his spiritual energy! However, Li Xuan didn't mind. He was only expending sword energy. As long as he was alive, his sword energy was inexhaustible. Losing some was not a major issue.
"Then, brace yourself." Li Xuan took a deep breath, and Jing Hun appeared in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, the sword energy from his dantian surged forth.
"This technique is called, Heaven Slaying Three Swords!"
As Li Xuan's voice fell, Jing Hun slashed towards Zhu Yiqing with a single strike.
Pfft!
Zhu Yiqing's pupils constricted sharply, and then he looked down in disbelief. The defense he had erected was shattered, and on his chest, a sword mark of about an inch had appeared.
"Such swift swordsmanship!" Zhu Yiqing swallowed hard, a lingering fear in his heart. Then, with a wry smile, he cupped his fists. "I concede this match."
Zhu Yiqing understood that Li Xuan's sword strike would have reached his heart had it gone another half an inch deeper. At that point, he would have certainly perished.
"You were too kind," Li Xuan nodded slightly, then sheathed Jing Hun and returned to his seat.
Below, the spectators were all stunned. After a long silence, someone finally murmured in shock.
"That Li Xuan... actually won!"