Chapter 423 Unexpected Appearance
or the young master." Lü Linlin replied while she danced.“Okay then,” Lu LiLi moved her long legs and fair arms, her eyes fixed on Hao Ren.Holding a drink, Hao Ren shivered involuntarily when he saw b...Chapter 423 Unexpected Appearance
Su Han's long robe had two three-clawed golden dragons embroidered at the shoulder position. She slowly approached, weaving through the crowd and directly came to stand before Hao Ren.
A Level Three Examiner was just below a Level Four Examiner in status; hence all the cultivators around the arena made way for her respectfully.
When Su Han stood before Hao Ren, she didn't say anything; she merely turned slightly and faced the large competition arena.
Bang...
In the arena, another intense clash occurred.
Cultivators who made it to this round were not much inferior to Zhen cultivators.
The Ren cultivator with the 'Tiger' token had water light spread over several hundred meters, enveloping everything in a pale blue glow.
Based on the color of the aura emanating from this cultivator's body, Hao Ren deduced that he was from one of the Water Dragon Clan's factions—the River faction.
The Water Dragon Clan had the largest numbers and were further divided into four major factions based on water bodies: Rivers (River faction), Lakes (Lake faction), and Seas (Sea faction). The Sea faction referred to the Four Dragon Palaces, while there were many branches of the River, Lake, and Stream factions, with some being quite powerful.
"This Water cultivator is the third eldest son of the Third Elder from Tongtian River's Water Dragon Palace. He has been cultivating for more than a hundred years," Zhao Hongyu said softly as she looked at the competition arena.
“What about that Zhen cultivator who practices Fire cultivation” Hao Ren asked next.
"I'm not quite sure about him," Zhao Hongyu shook her head.
If necessary, it would be possible to investigate this Zhen cultivator's background through the East Sea Dragon Palace’s manpower; however, there didn't seem to be much need for that.
"The person standing over there is the Third Elder of Tongtian River," Zhao Guang pointed towards another direction in the competition arena and said.
Hao Ren looked in the direction Zhao Guang indicated. He saw a scholar elder clad in green robes, surrounded by several other cultivators, fully focused on watching the match.
The elder seemed to be nearing the Kun realm, while Tongtian River sounded like it was quite an influential force.
For people like them who wanted their younger generations to enter the Dragon God Palace, they would hope that their promising descendants could gain experience and grow. Furthermore, with abundant resources in the Dragon God Palace, sending them there would also benefit their future development.
As long as one reached a certain level, even if they didn't become Examiners, they could return to their sects to serve as Elders, advancing or retreating at will.
Bang!
In the competition arena, another intense clash occurred.
At this level of strength, it was no longer a mere test; both sides would not hold back their strength and use their aura to fight.
The Zhen cultivator who practiced Fire cultivation released an endless expanse of fire clouds into the sky.
Fire and water were incompatible. The arena's sky was filled with fire clouds and water ripples, a dazzling sight.
The Ren cultivator used a "Eight Gates Water Light Mirror," which was one of the Third Elder’s prized treasures from Tongtian River. It utilized water elemental energy to unleash infinite light, stretching endlessly in all directions.
The Zhen cultivator held a scroll and frantically absorbed any remaining water light outside the fire clouds. While his treasure seemed inferior compared to that of the Ren cultivator, he was at a higher realm.
starts...
A fire dragon rushes out from the palm of a Sin-level cultivator.
Swish! Swish!
The Sin-level cultivator releases another five fire dragons consecutively!
Hiss hiss hiss, eight beams of light shoot out from the Eight Trigram Mirror.
Bang!
The platform that the Dui-level cultivator was standing on shatters instantly.
The force from six fire dragons leaves him no place to hide!
He still holds up the Eight Trigram Mirror but his feet have already touched the ground!
The scorching heat of thousands of degrees makes all nearby cultivators feel a strong wave of heat.
If it were not for the protection from the high-grade magic treasure, the Eight Trigram Mirror, the only son of the Third Elder of Tongtian River would have burned his hands and feet!
"Wu-Mao!"
Qin Shaoyang stands up to announce.
The Dui-level cultivator, feeling regretful, leaves the arena; the identity card "Jing-Yin" around his waist automatically flies into Qin Shaoyang’s hand.
The Third Elder of Tongtian River bows towards the Sin-level cultivator who is still in the arena and says, “Thank you for sparing my son.”
"No need to be courteous. Your son has excellent talent. He definitely stands a chance next year’s Dragon God Temple examination!" The Sin-level cultivator says to the Third Elder of Tongtian River.
Hao Ren only realizes that they are acquaintances after hearing their conversation.
The Sin-level cultivator, who is wearing an "Wu-Mao" badge and has excellent manners, slowly walks off the arena to rest. Several junior disciples from his sect immediately gather around him, wiping sweat and fetching water for him.
"Second match: Yi-Yin vs Geng-Yin!" One of the proctors on the stands announces loudly.
Bang! Bang!
Both Sin-level cultivators step onto the arena at the same time.
The one with a yellow glow and the other with a green glow.
"The previous match was between acquaintances, so they held back. This round will probably be fought to the death," Zhao Hongyu, who is standing next to Hao Ren, says.
Indeed, as soon as Zhao Hongyu finishes her sentence, the two cultivators in the arena suddenly release their aura. Both of them are already middle-rank Sin-level!
At this moment, a wooden boat carved with dragons and phoenixes unexpectedly appears above the arena.
Many cultivators look up to watch. Even the two cultivators in the arena can't help but raise their heads.
The wooden boat slowly landed on the small arena "Summer Solstice", and stepping out of it were Tseng Shin, Tseng Yitao, Lu Chengxiang, and twelve elders from the West Sea Dragon Palace!
This even division and grand display surpasses the number of people who came from the East Sea. Especially among these 12 elders, six are in the Heaven grade and the other six are in the Earth grade!
Qin Shaoyang, sitting on a throne-like chair, was slightly surprised to see the appearance of the West Sea Dragon Palace but wanted to stand up. However, he thought about how he was the chief examiner, so he pretended to be calm and continued sitting.
Tseng Shin led Tseng Yitao, Lu Chengxiang, and the 12 elders through the arena toward Hao Ren’s group.
"West Sea Dragon Palace..."
"The East Sea came, now the West Sea has come too. What's going on here"
“They say that just a few days ago, the West Sea and the East Sea had a battle…”
Variety of speculations began circulating around.
"Old Tseng is truly putting up a strong front. He has brought out all the remaining high-level elders from his palace, not afraid to be ambushed again," Zhao Hongyu said softly.
Although she spoke this way, she did not let her guard down at the appearance of the West Sea Dragon Palace and stared fiercely at Tseng Shin.
Bang...
As they approached Zhao Guang’s group, Old Tseng suddenly released a Heaven grade mid-level aura!
This oppressive aura even suppressed the two Wind grade cultivators on the arena!
The cultivators standing around Hao Ren quickly stepped back several meters.
A battle between the East Sea and West Sea Dragon Palaces would not be something to play around with, especially here in the domain of the Dragon Deity Temple.
"Don’t worry! This old man is all brawn and no brains. His realm isn't that high. His actual realm is probably at the Exchange grade level; he’s just projecting an unstable aura by using secret medicine to temporarily boost his realm!"
Suddenly, Zhao Kuo’s calm voice came from behind Hao Ren.
Old Tseng was only Exchange grade
Hao Ren looked at the approaching Tseng Shin in surprise. No matter how he looked, it didn’t seem like that.
But with Zhao Kuo’s judgment, there must be a reason behind it. Zhao Kuo used to be an almighty expert at the Heaven grade peak level, just one step away from the Dragon Realm, so his understanding of realms would not be wrong.
"Haha, Senior Tseng, why did you come" Zhao Guang took a half-step forward and asked with a smile.
“Hmph! If your East Sea can come, why can’t I” With a wave of his hand, the wooden boat that occupied the Summer Solstice arena shrunk to the size of a fist and flew into Tseng Shin’s palm.
It looked like this treasure was not inferior to Zhao Hongyu's Map of Rivers and Mountains.
Tseng Shin had a ruddy complexion, looking very energetic. However, next to him, Tseng Yitao appeared pale as if he had just been beaten up by someone.
Zhao Yanzi stood beside Hao Ren and glared at Tseng Yitao with disdain.
"Suddenly remembered our little Tao's treasure is still in your place" Tseng Shin’s gaze was calm, looking toward Zhao Kuo.
The surrounding hundreds of cultivators were focused on Zhao Guang and Zeng Xin. The two cultivators in the duel arena were no longer their main concern.
"Prime Minister Xia," Since they want it, let's give it back to them." Zhao Guang turned around to look at Prime Minister Xia and said.
"As Your Majesty commands." Prime Minister Xia drew out the golden spear from behind his back and handed it over to Prime Minister Lu standing beside Zeng Xin.
Zeng Xin saw that the spear shaft and tip of the golden spear were filled with scratches. His expression changed slightly.
Yesterday, when Ceng Yitao stayed in the Dragon Palace, he suddenly rolled on the ground in agony and nearly died. He suspected it was due to a problem with his life-bound treasure.
Upon receiving intelligence that the several dragon kings of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace had gone to the Dragon God Temple under the pretense of accompanying Hao Ren's participation in the temple exam, the old Zeng could no longer sit still. He convened the remaining dozen or so乾坤-level elders from the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and rushed hurriedly towards the Dragon God Temple.
Zeng Xin placed the Loubao Golden Spear in Ceng Yitao’s hand and then his gaze fell on Zhen Cunming riding a white horse behind Hao Ren. His expression changed once more.
That child, Zhen Cunming, brought him nightmares!
He glanced at the other people around Zhao Guang and suddenly saw Zhao Kuo.
Zhao Kuo!
The former peak乾-level super expert!
Since the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace announced that Zhao Kuo had successfully passed his tribulation, no one had seen him again! The Western Sea Dragon Palace concluded from this that the real Zhao Kuo must have failed his tribulation and been obliterated.
This was precisely why they initiated their suppression of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace!
At this moment, Zeng Xin actually saw Zhao Kuo!
Zhao Kuo is still alive… that means he’s at the Heavenly Dragon Realm level...
The momentum and aura that Zeng Xin was trying to maintain suddenly crumbled. His legs felt a bit weak.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Kuo's cultivation realm is only兌-level now." An elder approached Old Zeng and whispered.
Only兌-level!
Zeng Xin looked at Zhao Kuo again. The moment he saw Zhao Kuo earlier made his heart race in panic; he quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look back once. Now that he carefully observed him again, it was confirmed—Zhao Kuo really is only兌-level!
"Hahaha!" Old Zeng's confidence returned instantly.
Zhao Kuo survived, but he failed in his tribulation too. He’s now merely at the兌-level! Without such a super expert as Zhao Kuo holding down their side and with that U Hou Ran being on death's door, the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace is nothing more than an empty shell!
He didn’t expect to risk coming here to the Dragon God Temple and actually expose the tricks of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace!
Proudly satisfied in his heart, Old Zeng waved at the elders behind him. "Come!"
If the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace can negotiate with the Dragon God Temple, why can’t we No matter what, our Western Sea Dragon Palace still has resources like the Western Sea Mystic Ice!
[...] the mop." Zhao Yanzi rushed over, thrust the mop into Hao Ren's hands, then kicked the bucket with her feet."This is clean enough" Hao Ren looked around at the disordered classroom and asked her.“Wha...