Chapter 1699: First Place in the Rising Sky Ranking
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When Duan Ling Tian killed Xu Jing, the sectless cultivators felt delighted and satisfied.
Let alone the Rising Sky Mansion’s district, even in the entire Upper and Lower Province of the Dao Martial Saint Land, sectless cultivators were always oppressed by those who had forces backing them. After all, those who were in a force usually had better cultivation environments and cultivation resources.
Sectless cultivators, on the other hand, could only rely on natural resources and was usually much more lacking.
However, today, Duan Ling Tian, or more accurately, Li Feng, a sectless cultivator, had killed Xu Jing.
Who was Xu Jing? He was the Young Mansion Master of the Rising Sky Mansion!
If Duan Ling Tian had killed Xu Jing before today, many people would be surprised but not to this extent since the current Xu Jing was different from before.
Not only did he kill Zhong Gu, a strong powerhouse among the sectless cultivators, who was his old rival, but he also killed both the Flowery Monk and Jing Xu Zi even when they had joined forces. In the past, both the Flowery Monk and Jing Xu Zi could have defeated him easily.
However, in just a year, he had risen to the peak of the Refined Saint Stage from the Early Refined Saint Stage, making him the strongest person among the middle-aged generation in the Rising Sky Mansion’s district.
If there was no Duan Ling Tian, Xu Jing would, naturally, be the strongest person among the middle-aged generation in the Rising Sky Mansion’s district after the Rising Sky Ranking Battle ended.
Unfortunately, the appearance of Duan Ling Tian, or Li Feng, did not only pull him down from the clouds, but it had made him fall into h.e.l.l as well, never to stand up again.
It was because of this most people were extremely shocked by Duan Ling Tian killing Xu Jing. Most importantly, he was not even forty years old yet.
“He’s not even forty years old, but his cultivation base is already at the peak of the Refined Saint Stage… This Li Feng is really a monster! Previously, it seems like he had shown some interest in joining the Sky Hurdle Mansion or the Raging Wave Mansion. Whichever one he chooses, it would not be a stretch for them to become a quasi third-rate force a few dozen years later if he joins them,” somebody exclaimed loudly all of a sudden.
At once, everyone s.h.i.+fted their attention to Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang. Both of them were the representatives for the Sky Hurdle Mansion and the Raging Wave Mansion. Earlier, Duan Ling Tian did express interest in joining one of their forces.
Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang exchanged glances with each other, and both of them could see the hostility in each other’s eyes.
After all, there was only one Li Feng. It was impossible for them to split him into half.
“Li Feng, as the Grand Elder of Rising Sky Mansion, I’ll give you a chance to live… As long as you join our Rising Sky Mansion and swear on the lightning penalty oath that you’ll spare no efforts in working for the Rising Sky Mansion, I can pardon you on behalf of the Rising Sky Mansion! Moreover, the Rising Sky Mansion will also nurture you with all that we have. It’s not impossible for you to become the Mansion Master of the Rising Sky Mansion in the future!” Right at this moment, a Voice Transmission suddenly entered Duan Ling Tian’s ears. It was a Voice Transmission from Xu Cen, the Grand Elder of the Rising Sky Mansion.
Based on Xu Cen’s words, it was obvious if Duan Ling Tian was willing to swear on the lightning penalty oath, the Rising Sky Mansion would not find any trouble with him.
Although Xu Cen wanted to kill his grandson’s murderer, even he could not help but appreciate Duan Ling Tian’s talent.
If he could bring a genius like him back, he would definitely be considered as having done something of great merit. At that time, n.o.body would blame him for Xu Jing’s death as well.
As for the Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion, although he loved his son a lot, from what Xu Cen could see, as long as he’s wise enough, he would realize the benefits of Li Feng joining the Rising Sky Mansion.
The Rising Sky Mansion used to be a quasi third-rate force before it fell and became a fourth-rate force. Due to this reason, the Rising Sky Mansion was even more eager compared to the other fourth-rate forces to gain the status of a quasi third-rate force.
For the clan’s interest, one could completely put aside one’s personal enmity.
“Elder Xu, did I hear you correctly?” Upon hearing Xu Cen’s Voice Transmission, Duan Ling Tian looked at him before he openly and casually said, “You actually want me to join your Rising Sky Mansion? Even if you can cast aside the enmity caused by me killing your grandson, don’t tell me your Mansion Master will also be able to put aside his enmity and not make things difficult for me?”
The moment Duan Ling Tian’s words left his mouth, the entire place broke into a commotion.
It did not cross anyone’s mind that Xu Cen who had wanted Li Feng dead would extend an olive branch to him.
Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang, on the other hand, understood Xu Cen. After all, Li Feng’s innate talent was just too great. If they had him, barring any unseen circ.u.mstances, it would not be difficult for him to lead a fourth-rate force to become a quasi third-rate force in the future.
At once, their eyes as they looked at Xu Cen was filled with hostility.
“Little Brother Li Feng, don’t believe him! He’s most likely trying to deceive you, and he probably wants you to go with him so he can kill you in the middle of the journey.” Ren Zhong transmitted his voice to Duan Ling Tian, sowing discord between Duan Ling Tian and Xu Cen. He did not wish for Duan Ling Tian to join the Rising Sky Mansion even though he understood Xu Cen’s intention.
Liu Hong Guang’s Voice Transmission reached him as well. The content of the Voice Transmission was more or less the same. He was also trying sow discord between him and Xu Cen.
Naturally, Duan Ling Tian could guess both their intentions. Although he found it funny, he still rea.s.sured them that he would never join the Rising Sky Mansion.
After receiving Duan Ling Tian’s reply, Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang were very pleased since this meant they had one less rival.
“The Grand Elder of the Rising Sky Mansion actually wants Li Feng to join the Rising Sky Mansion?” Many people were in disbelief when they regained their senses.
“Don’t tell me he has forgotten that his grandson is killed by Li Feng? Moreover, the Young Mansion Master of the Rising Sky Mansion is also killed by him?” Somebody asked curiously.
“You’re being too naive. With Li Feng’s innate talent, put aside the fact that he has killed the Young Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion, even if he kills the Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion, the people from Rising Sky Mansion would still welcome him if he wants to join them… A Martial Cultivator who has reached the peak of the Refined Saint Stage before the age of forty is more than extraordinary!”
“That’s right! As long as such a talented Martial Cultivator is given enough time to grow, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to lead a fourth-rate force to become a quasi third-rate force in the future.”
“A personal enmity is nothing compared to the future of the entire sect.”
The crowd discussed among themselves. They felt it was not entirely inexcusable for Xu Cen, the Grand Elder of Rising Sky Mansion, to propose something like that.
When the group of Rising Sky Mansion’s people heard Duan Ling Tian’s words, they were furious. They felt Xu Cen, the Grand Elder of Rising Sky Mansion, was humiliating their Rising Sky Mansion. However, after they had calmed down, they felt Xu Cen was not wrong in his decision.
“You don’t have to worry. As long as you swear by the lightning penalty oath to stay loyal to the Rising Sky Mansion for the rest of your life, I can promise you that, let alone me, even the Mansion Master won’t make things difficult for you,” Xu Cen immediately said. Although Duan Ling Tian had publicly replied to him earlier, he was not angry.
“It seems like the Mansion Master of the Rising Sky Mansion is just as cold-hearted as you… I’m sorry, I’m not interested in joining such a heartless sect.” Duan Ling Tian rejected him directly.
Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang smiled when they saw Duan Ling Tian rejecting Xu Cen, but Xu Cen’s expression turned extremely grave.
Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian looked at Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang before transmitting his voice to both of them at once. “Vice Mansion Master Ren, Elder Liu, I’m afraid none of the people from the Rising Sky Mansion would be able to enter the Rising Sky Ranking today. I’m worried after Xu Cen brings his men away, they’ll hide and ambush me when they get a chance. Due to this reason, I’d like to leave on my own first. Is it okay if I wait for both of you at the mountain range 100 meters to the west?”
Upon hearing that, Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang nodded their heads.
Indeed.
If Xu Cen brought his men and leave first, they could hide outside Nimble Valley to ambush Duan Ling Tian. Even both of them would not be able to guard against that.
Although Xu Cen was the strongest powerhouse among the group of Rising Sky Mansion’s people who were here, there was a Vice Mansion Master of Rising Sky Mansion staying in a town near Nimble Valley.
If Xu Cen went to find him, it would not be difficult for them if they wanted to ambush and kill Duan Ling Tian.
Due to this reason, they agreed to Duan Ling Tian’s proposal. “Okay, go wait for us in the mountain range 100 meters to the west. Both of us know where that is. In any case, although the finals of the Rising Sky Ranking Battle has not taken place, we can both conclude you’re ranked first in the Rising Sky Ranking. I’m sure n.o.body will object to this as well.”
“After all, your strength is plain for everyone to see and judge. It’s only natural for you to rank first in the Rising Sky Ranking,” Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang told Duan Ling Tian.
“In that case, thank you very much, Vice Mansion Master Ren and Elder Liu.” After Duan Ling Tian expressed his grat.i.tude, he flew and left directly under the watchful eyes of the others.
Xu Cen’s eyes gleamed when he saw Duan Ling Tian had left the Nimble Chess Set, and he immediately wanted to chase after him.
Unfortunately, with Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang here, it was difficult for him to take even a single step forward.
“Vice Mansion Master Ren, Elder Liu, what are both of you trying to do?” Xu Cen’s expression was grave. “Right now, none of my Rising Sky Mansion’s disciples stand a chance of being ranked in the Rising Sky Ranking, don’t tell me I can’t even bring my men away?”
“Elder Xu, you can leave, but you’ll have to wait for fifteen minutes… The same goes for everyone from the Rising Sky Mansion,” Ren Zhong replied nonchalantly.
Although Liu Hong Guang remained silent, judging by the way people from the Raging Wave Mansion flew out one after another to block the group of Rising Sky Mansion’s people from leaving with a wave of his sleeve, one could see the stance he had taken.
At this moment, even if Xu Cen was very stupid, he could tell that Ren Zhong and Liu Hong Guang had already reached an agreement with Li Feng.
Although he was furious, there was nothing he could do at this moment.
Just as Duan Ling Tian left the Nimble Chess Set and the Nimble Valley, Ren Zhong cast a glance at the surrounding and announced in a loud voice, “Everyone! This Rising Sky Ranking Battle can be said as the most brilliant one compared to the battles in the past several hundreds of years… Li Feng has not even reached the age of forty, but his cultivation base has already reached the peak of the Refined Saint Stage. Moreover, he even killed Xu Jing who was at the peak of the Refined Saint Stage. I’m sure none of you would object to me giving him the rank of number one in the Rising Sky Ranking, right?”