738: Ranking battle begins

"These two contestants come from Fenxian Pavilion and are geniuses pre-selected for the top two thousand in this Grand Competition. I believe that even without me saying it, you can all see their age and talent. In the upcoming ranking battle, they will participate alongside you."

After Lei Zhennan finished speaking, he turned to look at Qiao Yanxi and Ji Tiantian. "You two should go over to draw lots as well."

Subsequently, the two thousand and two contestants at the scene began to go on stage to draw lots.

"Damn, Brother Yang, you're drooling." Seeing Yang Lingchen staring fixedly at Qiao Yanxi and Ji Tiantian, Huang Ruochen teased him.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Yang Lingchen retorted irritably, though he still instinctively wiped the corner of his mouth.

"Do you know them?" Huang Ruoyu asked curiously.

"We met once while on a mission in the Changlin Mountain Range," Yang Lingchen said.

It was soon the turn of Yang Lingchen and the others to draw lots. In the end, Yang Lingchen drew number 859, Huang Ruoyu drew number 1020, and Huang Ruochen drew number 793.

After the drawing of lots was completed, the next phase was the ranking challenge match. According to the rules, each person had three opportunities to challenge. The final ranking one could achieve would depend on their own abilities.

Yang Lingchen also wanted to take the champion title, but he knew that, as he was now, it was impossible for him to do so. Whether it was Qiao Yanxi, Ji Tiantian, Yun Mengyao, Zhang Wuhen, or Yuwen Chengfeng, he had no confidence in defeating any of them.

Especially Ji Tiantian and Qiao Yanxi, whose cultivation levels had already reached the Seventh Layer of Profound Immortal Realm. Furthermore, when Qiao Yanxi was at the Fifth Layer of Profound Immortal Realm, she had easily defeated a Sky-Swallowing Fire Bird at the Ninth Layer of the Profound Immortal Realm. Therefore, it was very likely that these two would sweep the champion and runner-up spots.

Regarding the ranking battle, Yang Lingchen actually had no interest. If it weren't for the generous rewards for the top ten, he would really be too lazy to challenge anyone.

As the ranking battle began, people soon started issuing challenges. According to the order of the lots, each person could issue challenges to those ranked higher up to three times.

Yang Lingchen was not in a hurry. He planned to wait until the rankings stabilized a bit before challenging the top ten. This would save a lot of trouble, and most importantly, it would avoid being challenged by Zhang Wuhen, as the latter's current lot position was ahead of his.

Moreover, once the ranking went up, it was very likely that he would be continuously challenged, which would be very annoying.

Of course, there were quite a few people who held this idea, especially some of the powerful contestants; they were all waiting patiently.

After a few hours, when the rankings had gradually stabilized, these slightly stronger contestants finally began to issue challenges.

"Sister Tiantian, you go challenge for first place! Leave second place to me!" Qiao Yanxi said charmingly.

"Junior Sister Yanxi, you should be the one to challenge for first place! With your talent and strength, this champion title is well-deserved," Ji Tiantian said with a smile.

"Sister Tiantian, are you really not going?"

"You know that I don't like to fight or compete. Second or third place is fine; I really have no interest in the champion title at all."

After a brief conversation between the two women, Ji Tiantian and Qiao Yanxi, Qiao Yanxi ultimately stood out to issue the challenge.

As she walked toward the Arena, the surroundings immediately became restless; after all, everyone present was young.

Qiao Yanxi not only possessed a peerless, immortal beauty but also an exceptionally hot figure, so she naturally attracted everyone's gaze.

Yang Lingchen didn't look at Qiao Yanxi on the Arena too much. After all, Huang Ruoyu, who was standing beside him, also possessed a beauty that could topple cities. If he kept staring at another woman right in front of her, it would appear somewhat disrespectful.

"Brother Yang, we really didn't come to Tianxin Academy in vain! Look at this Qiao Yanxi and Ji Tiantian; their beauty is not the least bit inferior to Yun Mengyao!" Huang Ruochen commented critically.

"Huang Ruochen, you are becoming more and more outrageous. If you want to look, just look, but can you stop corrupting Brother Yang?" Huang Ruoyu scolded, shooting a cold glare at Huang Ruochen.

"Brother Ruochen, we are all young people and should focus primarily on Cultivating. Thinking about women all day like this won't do our Cultivation any good." Yang Lingchen shook his head, looking as if he was disappointed that his friend wouldn't live up to his potential.

"Fine, fine, fine... I won't look, okay?" Huang Ruochen said with a depressed expression, "I'm going to issue a challenge."

After speaking, he leaped up onto another Arena. His target for the challenge was the contestant ranked eighth.

Huang Ruochen had carefully considered challenging the eighth-ranked contestant. After all, his cultivation level was only at the Third Layer of Profound Immortal Realm. Even with the ability to perform a Cross-Rank Challenge by two minor Realms, he could at most defeat a Cultivator at the Fifth Layer of Profound Immortal Realm.

For him, as long as he could enter the top ten, he would be very satisfied. As for a higher ranking, he didn't dare to even think about it.

"Stinky brat, are you sure you want to challenge me?" A lean young man with a cold, piercing gaze looked at Huang Ruochen with disdain.

He really hadn't expected that a kid with a cultivation level of only the Third Layer of Profound Immortal Realm would dare to come onto the stage to challenge him.

"Are you blind or just an idiot? If I'm not challenging you, do you think I came up here to chat with you?" Huang Ruochen's eyes were sharp, his gaze fearless as he stared straight at the other person.

Even though the other person's cultivation level had reached the Peak of the Fifth Layer of Profound Immortal Realm, Huang Ruochen remained completely unafraid.

"Stinky brat, since you're looking for death, I'll let you know what the consequences are for challenging me, Li Tao!"

A cold light flashed in Li Tao's eyes, and he suddenly swung the battle sword in his hand. The Sword Qi tore through the Void Realm, bringing with it a dazzling light as it instantly slashed toward Huang Ruochen.

"Immortal Buddha Slash!"

Huang Ruochen snorted coldly and kicked off the ground, his body instantly leaping into the air. At the same time, he swung the long sword in his hand, and strands of invisible power of Law emerged from his sword. Clearly, in terms of swordsmanship, this move of his had reached an extremely high level of attainment.

His Sword Qi, carrying a trace of the invisible power of Law, moved with the speed of lightning as it met the opponent's attack.

The two of them began to fight in the Void Realm just like that, trading blows, with neither willing to yield.

Fortunately, the area of this Arena was wide enough, and there were Elders from Tianxin Academy guarding all sides; otherwise, the energy from their battle would very likely have affected areas outside the Arena.

"This kid is also a freak. With a cultivation level of the Third Layer of Profound Immortal Realm, he can actually fight Li Tao to a standstill."

"Indeed! It seems there are truly quite a few geniuses in Lanxian Sect! Although his cultivation level is a bit low, this ability to perform a Cross-Rank Challenge is truly not inferior to the other Three Great Powers."

At this moment, many onlookers watching the spectacle revealed expressions of shock. One had to know that after reaching this cultivation Realm, anyone capable of a Cross-Rank Challenge was without exception a top Genius in this world. Someone like this who could fight across two minor Realms was a Genius among geniuses.

The battle between Huang Ruochen and Li Tao lasted for over a thousand moves. During these thousand moves, both sides fought with extreme intensity, and neither gained much of an advantage.

"Li Tao, if that's all the strength you have, you might as well buy a block of tofu and smash your head against it to die. I thought a cultivation level of the Fifth Layer of Profound Immortal Realm would be so impressive! To think you're acting all high and mighty in front of me with this level of skill! Do you have no shame?"

Seeing that he couldn't take down Li Tao after a long time, Huang Ruochen adopted a psychological warfare tactic and began to mock him.

Li Tao's cultivation level was two minor Realms higher than his; if the battle continued, he would certainly lose Face.

"Stinky brat, I'll definitely cripple you later."

Sure enough, as soon as Huang Ruochen's voice fell, Li Tao was furious. Having not taken down his opponent after fighting for so long, his Face was clearly losing composure, especially since he had previously made harsh threats.

"You'd better go home and drink some milk! With your pathetic look, you still want to cripple me."

Taking advantage of Li Tao's anger, Huang Ruochen suddenly seized an opportunity. A Devouring-Fire Sword Qi instantly pierced through Li Tao's left chest, and a scorching smell of burnt flesh immediately spread across the Arena.

"Ah...! Little Bastard, I'm going to kill you." Li Tao completely lost his reason and charged at Huang Ruochen like a madman, with almost every move being fatal.

Seeing this, Huang Ruochen used his advantage in Movement Technique to constantly dodge. The opponent was in a state of rage, and it would be very unwise to go head-to-head with him.

Subsequent Realms: [True Immortal, Profound Immortal, Earth Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, Spirit Immortal, Void Immortal, Immortal King, Immortal Venerable, Immortal Monarch, Immortal Emperor, Creation, Demiurge, Saint Ancestor]