The grandson of Futu!
Upon seeing the newcomer, many around recognized his identity. However, upon hearing the surrounding crowd's discussions, Ye Xuan was startled.
A guest minister of the Star River Empire, the grandson of Futu. This meant this fellow... might become his enemy, or would definitely become his enemy in the near future.
Quite interesting. Another lightning cultivator, a peak fifth-level Great Emperor under 150 years old. Such talent seemed far superior to Slaughter King.
With the arrival of Ye Ying, it was clear a fight would not break out.
The battle that had been occurring between Slaughter King and the other person was now overshadowed by the unprecedented discussion sparked by Ye Ying's arrival.
Listening to the whispers of the crowd, Slaughter King and Yan Yue King could only offer bitter smiles.
However, there was nothing they could do. After all, some people's backgrounds alone were beyond their reach, not to mention that Ye Ying's talent was indeed significantly higher than theirs.
Not only Ye Ying, the grandson of Futu, but also the Star River Empire's home planet, Qiongcang. The planet was vast, with numerous factions. There were easily over ten rumored favorites for the championship, each with an immense background. This was to say nothing of other advanced planets.
That night.
Ilif summoned Ye Xuan alone. Present in the hall were also Slaughter King and Tu Meng.
"General Ye."
"In this Star River Ranking Tournament, as long as you can enter the top ten thousand, I will give you half of all the rewards."
Ilif made a solemn promise. "Additionally..."
Then, Ilif flipped his right hand, and a [Emperor Breaking Pill] appeared in his grasp. "You participated in the previous auction. You should be aware of this item. Consider it my advance payment."
Tu Meng looked at the scene, his lips twitching. The envy in his eyes was unreserved. Though he coveted it, he knew such an item was only obtainable through immense contribution.
Ye Xuan looked at the pill in his hand. It was, as expected, produced by him. He hadn't expected Ilif to be so generous. "Since the Star Lord trusts me, Ye Xuan will not disappoint."
The next day, at dawn.
The first ray of sunlight illuminated the sky, making it clear and bright.
At this very moment, the Star River Empire's Planet Ranking Tournament began. All contestants connected their luminous brains to the virtual arena of the Star River Empire's competition grounds.
Indeed.
The virtual arena was the first trial of every Planet Ranking Tournament, and the most fiercely contested one. To qualify for the Sky Ladder, one needed to accumulate 10,000 points.
Each person entering the virtual arena started with one point. This meant one had to defeat ten thousand people. Alternatively, one could defeat a stronger opponent, in which case the victor would receive all of the loser's points. Of course, the loser would not be eliminated from the virtual arena; they would reappear, but their points would be sharply reduced to zero.
The virtual luminous brain panel clicked confirm.
The next moment, the consciousness of numerous contestants entered the virtual arena.
Each entry was a random teleportation. No one knew where they would be sent.
When Ye Xuan opened his eyes again, he found himself in the arena. The incredibly realistic smell of blood, in particular, involuntarily induced a bloodthirsty impulse.
The next moment, a massive ranking appeared on Ye Xuan's luminous brain panel.
Planet Ranking List.
First place: Ye Ying [Qiongcang Planet] Points: 1000
Second place: Long Yan [Qiongcang Planet] Points: 987
Third place: Bing He [Elf Race] Points: 980
Fourth place: Ba Xuan [Elf Race] Points: 970
Fifth place...
Seeing the list, Ye Xuan couldn't help but pause. The reason for his surprise was that the fourth-ranked Ba Xuan was the same name he had given his second clone. "Could it be such a coincidence?"
Furthermore, the third-ranked Bing He, could it be... the Ice River Giant Beast clone?
Had those two ended up together?
Thinking of this, Ye Xuan's main body couldn't help but twitch his lips. He feared this Planet Ranking Tournament was about to explode. That Futu guest minister would not stand by idly while the Elves grew powerful.
Damn it, those two, just by naming themselves, were already causing trouble for him. Damn it.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Ice River Giant Beast clone and the Elf clone were looking at the list. The area for several kilometers around them had turned into an ice-covered world, created by the Ice River Giant Beast clone.
After all, the Ice River Giant Beast clone was now a peak sixth-level Great Emperor. These minor figures were no match for him, not even a single move.
As for the Elf clone, he was clearly just picking up scraps.
"Holy shit, I'm already fourth!?"
The Elf clone, Ba Xuan, smacked his lips. "Bing He, take it easy, you bastard."
"The tallest tree in the forest is prone to destruction. Damn it, don't you know there's an enemy of the Elves in the Star River Empire? This is disastrous!"
Ba Xuan, the Elf clone, smacked his lips. He couldn't transform. If Bing He transformed and left, he'd have nowhere to cry.
"Tch~"
"Look at your lack of courage!"
The Ice River Giant Beast clone scornfully glanced at the Elf clone, Ba Xuan, and declared with great bravado, "It's just a guest minister of the Star River Empire, a mere eighth-level Great Emperor. Damn it, if he dares to come, I'll crush him with one tentacle."
Ba Xuan clone, "........"
"You're so tough, damn it. If you have the guts, don't transform on me later."
Clearly, Ba Xuan, the Elf clone, didn't take Bing He's words to heart. He knew without a doubt that this guy would flee faster than a rabbit later on.
"Of course!"
"If I transform, I'm not human!!"
The Ice River Giant Beast clone swore an oath, but the Elf clone's eyes were filled with disdain. This guy never spoke the truth.
"This won't do."
The Elf clone smacked his lips. "I don't want to be so conspicuous. From now on, you kill everyone, and I won't kill anymore."
"At least... my ranking should be below ten thousand, so it won't be so obvious."
So said Ba Xuan, the Elf clone. It was worth noting that he was only a peak fourth-level Great Emperor. Although his speed was extraordinary, he was ultimately too weak.
"Whatever."
The Ice River Giant Beast clone waved his hand, clearly unconcerned. In a sense, if this guy didn't kill, his own points would increase even faster.
At this very moment, as the outside rankings synchronized.
"What!?"
Slaughter King stared at the list in surprise. "These are... two consecutive Elves on the list, and they're ranked third and fourth! This!?"
"It seems like something big is about to happen."
Ilif looked at the list and pondered. The matter of Futu, the guest minister of the Star River Empire, destroying the Elf planet was no secret. He had heard some rumors. Now, with two such monstrous talents from the Elf race, one could imagine the reaction of Futu, the guest minister of the Star River Empire, upon seeing them.
There would surely be killing intent. These two... were too impulsive.
Could it be that they were trying to provoke Futu, the guest minister?
Simultaneously, somewhere in the Star River Empire's Imperial Palace.
*Crack~*
An old man crushed a teacup. The next moment, a terrifying aura permeated the surroundings. He was a peak eighth-level Great Emperor, and killing intent surged to the heavens. "Elven prodigies, provoking me, good! Very good!!"