Chapter 155 - Magic Treasures Out, Attack Together!

Outside, the Star Scholar Platform buzzed with excitement. Over ten thousand officials, elites, and descendants of the Immortal Empire gathered, sitting in clusters and murmuring among themselves, their whispers reminiscent of swarms of flies.

Within the crowd, the Supreme Marshal, Zhao Xuanjian, and Qi Lan found their seats, making themselves comfortable. They hadn't planned on going to the Scholar Temple, and neither had Mu Tianshi shown any interest in inviting them. Both parties were unapologetically brazen.

Standing beside Yun Xiao was a young lady in a short white dress. Her petite frame radiated celestial beauty, and her porcelain skin seemed to glow from within, outshining anyone else in its pristine whiteness.

After a long silence, Yun Xiao suddenly asked, "With the War of Immortals approaching, why are you so keen on topping the Dragon Ranking first, fighting within our ranks and revealing our cards to outsiders?" Her move wasn't part of anyone's plan. It favored the demons, not humans.

"Being at the top of the Dragon Ranking means I can become a seeded participant in the War of Immortals. I can avoid the group battle and directly claim an arena in the later stages to accept challenges from all sides," Chen Xi explained.

"So, only the demons would challenge you, I presume?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Correct." Chen Xi replied coolly. "This way, when I begin to slay, I can do it more efficiently."

"And if you diminish the strength of the human race today, will it matter?" Yun Xiao questioned.

"Not at all. The very essence of the War of Immortals is to determine humanity's top Immortal. Who cares about the second best? As long as I end up on top, the journey there is inconsequential." Chen Xi glanced at him.

Yun Xiao nodded and then looked at the Scholar Temple, mulling over some intel he had received from his body double. "The issue is, aren't there too many demons participating?"

"Yes! Almost all of the prodigies from the Demon Continent are here in the Heavenly Realm." Chen Xi's eyes turned frosty. "There are 108 Demon Saints in the Demon Continent. Each one, like the Ape Saint, has dozens of descendants. Their inherited bloodlines guarantee a success rate that far surpasses us humans. In this War of Immortals, over five thousand demon prodigies have reached the Wind Fire Tribulation Realm!"

"Over five thousand?" Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow. "The allure of the Divine Dawn Empress is something else."

"Yes. She represents the pride of the human race; who wouldn't want to conquer that?" Chen Xi smirked, her lips curling into a light, playful laugh.

"I've heard that other Immortal Empires of the Divine Continent will also send their qualified cultivators over?" Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow.

"Their intentions are no different from the demons," Chen Xi replied with a faint frown.

"You've got quite the competition then," Yun Xiao paused. "Plus, within our Immortal Empire's 99 territories, aren't there some exceptional individuals who also want the title of humanity's top Immortal?"

Like that Stray Dog fellow, he was incredibly strong! The Martial Cultivators of the Martial Realm were a peculiar lot. Just like the demons, they practiced the art of forging the physique.

"To reach the peak, one must trample over every obstacle in the path. No men, spirits, or demons will ever deter my unwavering resolve!" As Chen Xi uttered these words, her eyes swirled with a tempest of lightning and fire. The inherent disdain and dominance in her very bones, impossible to hide.

"Remarkable!" Yun Xiao gave her a thumbs-up.

"It's alright," Chen Xi said modestly.

"So remarkable it makes me wonder how the same person could only whine and moan on that divine vessel last night." Yun Xiao teased with a chuckle.

"You...! Impudent! You dare mock me!" Clearly, a nerve had been struck. As she recalled the incident, her face flushed with embarrassment, and she jabbed Yun Xiao's waist with a jolt of electricity.

Reeling from the sudden pain, Yun Xiao shot her a look. "Just you wait. Next time, I'll make sure it's a memory you'll never forget in a lifetime!"

"Who's scared of who?" Chen Xi retorted with a cold laugh.

"All I hear is talk.."

"Hmph!" Chen Xi turned around.

Seeing Chen Xi gritting her teeth like that, Yun Xiao mused to himself. In the end, the title of Divine Dawn Empress was only a front. At heart, she was still the fifteen-year-old girl from the Chen Heavenly Mansion. Surely, she couldn't be that mature. But, true to her nature, she was a force to be reckoned with—decisive and bold, the type to act without hesitation, with zero tolerance for nonsense.

The innumerable descendants of the 108 Demon Saints of the Demon Continents, the genius cultivators from the other major Immortal Empires, and even the unique individuals from their own realms, all aimed to top the War of Immortals. Yet, before that, she still challenged the Dragon Ranking. What did she aim to do?

The answer was straightforward. To venture out, first eliminate the traitors within. To attack outsiders, ensure stability within. The descendants of Ye, Mu, and Han might seem like comrades of the Immortal Empire, allies in battle, but they would surely stab her in the back when it mattered most.

"She plans to take down her own people first. Then, in the War of Immortals, she'll ascend alone, defeating all formidable opponents."

The spousal selection of the Divine Dawn Empress was the perfect bait. Enemies abounded in the heavens, but one woman was enough!

"Damn, brother!" Blue Star muttered, "Every person and demon in the world wants to snatch your bride."

"At least we have his Senior Sister Zhao as backup. If one is taken, we still have another." Red Moon sighed in relief.

"Not just that! His body double still has that lonely master waiting for him," Blue Star snickered.

"That's a win then!" Red Moon's eyes gleamed.

"The War of Immortals is upon us, and I'm still at the Establishment Sovereign Dragon Realm! These 5,000 demons from the Wind Fire Tribulation Realm have set their sights on me. I can't fend off even one. And you're here cracking jokes? Where's your conscience? Where's the Heavenly Dao Sariras?" Yun Xiao exclaimed, frustration evident. Could he let Chen Xi bear all this pressure alone? Clearly not.

"Rush what?" Blue Star snapped, "Tonight, we'll open your Immortal Meridians."

"That sounds better."

After reclaiming the Nine Heavens Star Meridians, all Yun Xiao needed was to unlock the Immortal Meridian Realm. Then, the next five minor stages would be a piece of cake. He just had to wait for the Heavenly Dao Sariras.

"181 layers of Sword Aura! Hundreds of daoist spells! And Humanity's Supreme Sword on the Sword Dao Monument..." Yun Xiao murmured. The path to greatness lay just ahead. Such was the unmatched Creator Immortal!

"Today, in this prelude to the War of Immortals, let's see the caliber of these top-tier talents from both the Immortal Empire and the Demon Continent." Yun Xiao mused. He could obliterate Mu Shuofeng in an instant with his Galaxy grade daoist spell. Yet, facing the top ten of the Dragon Ranking, who were at least at the Perfect Wind Fire Tribulation Realm, his magic power seemed a tad insufficient.

The most exquisite daoist spells also needed the support of substantial magic power. Although Yun Xiao's arsenal of spells and Sword Aura were impeccable, his cultivation was too lacking.

"Seems like everyone's here," the Supreme Marshal remarked, his eyes lowered as he addressed Chen Xi.

"Yeah." The young woman, clad in a pristine white dress, suddenly stood up. Amidst the gazes of the crowd, she confidently stepped onto the Star Scholar Platform. At fifteen years old, her aura was immense.

"Is she about to issue a challenge?"

"I wonder who she'll challenge first."

"Probably Han Zhihua, ranked ninth on the Dragon Ranking. Both Han Zhihua and Mu Lingyi have defeated her before."

"Actually, hasn't almost everyone in the top ten of the Dragon Ranking defeated her?"

"She's been knocked down so many times, but keeps getting back up."

"I was surprised to hear that, after her year-long disappearance, she'd reached the Establishment Wind Fire Tribulation Realm. On the Dragon Ranking, only Ye Shengyin is at that level; the rest are at the Perfect stage."

"With her audacious acts at the Lesser Temple Hall, and the waves she's caused, let's see if her skills match her audacity."

The Chen Clan prodigy, defeated by the Dragon Ranking's top ten a year prior! Among the younger generation, only Yun Xiao had seen her descend from the heavens, lightning streaking across the sky.

"She's issued the challenge!".

Everyone focused on the board. With the challenge issued, a name on the Dragon Ranking began to shine.

"Uh? She's challenging the tenth-ranked? Didn't dare to challenge her fated rival, Han Zhihua, directly?" The crowd chuckled, thinking her all bark and no bite.

Yet, in the very next moment, the name of Han Zhihua, ranked ninth, also lit up.

"What's she playing at? Challenging two at once?"

The spectators blinked in surprise.

In the Scholar Temple, those who'd been snickering fell silent. But that wasn't the end. One after another, names on the Dragon Ranking started to light up, from bottom to top. Until the very end, the name at the top of the ranking, Ye Shengyin, shimmered into view. The entire top ten on the Dragon Ranking was highlighted.

"She's issued ten challenges all at once!"

"What on earth is she thinking?"

People exchanged bemused glances, gazing at the aloof girl in the white dress.

A silence fell over the surroundings.

With a tilt of her head towards the Scholar Temple, her voice resounded like thunder on a clear day. "I'll take on all ten of you at once! Come up!"

"..." Everyone was speechless.

"If I die, I blame no one. Put it in writing!" she added.

The silence deepened.

After a prolonged pause, the voice of Mu Tianshi echoed from the Temple Hall. "Supreme Marshal, is this your doing?"

The man in the white tiger-armor waved his hand dismissively. "Don't ask me. She already severed our father-daughter relationship. Ask her." From his tone, the answer was clear. There was no need to ask.

"Has Chen Xi become too arrogant?"

"The Three Hans, Mu Lingyi, Ye Shengyin... they're all esteemed individuals with great cultivation. Would they even accept such a challenge? It's outright insulting."

Many heads nodded and whispered in agreement.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!

From the Scholar Temple, five figures descended swiftly. Following that, a luminous barrier rose from the stage. A sealing formation was set up in a flash.

"The challenge has been issued, there's no turning back now! Begin!" Mu Tianshi said in a cold, indifferent tone.

Tens of thousands of students from the Grand Temple, along with numerous officials from the Immortal Empire, stared dumbfounded at the five figures within the sealed formation.

"Five against one?"

Everyone assumed these prodigies would decline such a humiliating challenge. Did they have no pride? Were they really all ganging up on one girl? With the sealing formation activated and Mu Tianshi's announcement, it was clear that the matter was settled.

"Things just got real..."

Everyone exchanged looks, completely flabbergasted. What a twist! Ye Shengyin, Mu Lingyi, Han Yingshi, Han Wenshu, Han Zhihua... they were all here!

Before the young woman in the white dress stood a row of Dragon Ranking prodigies! A young man in a golden robe, a breathtakingly beautiful young woman. And the three from the Han Clan—two handsome young men and a striking woman. In their eyes, there was nothing but deadly intent, indifference, and hatred. It was an unmasked will to kill!

Looking at the five of them, Chen Xi didn't waver. She tilted her chin slightly and inquired, "Why only five? Where are the other five?"

From the Scholar Temple above, five voices quickly echoed down.

"I, Chen Yi, forfeit."

"I forfeit as well."

"I'm conceding too."

...

In total, five people forfeited! This meant that Chen Xi had effectively defeated them. Clearly, these five didn't harbor significant grudges against Chen Xi. They suspected her unpredictable behavior hinted at some trap. Even if it meant admitting defeat, they dared not engage.

As for Ye Shengyin and the others, forfeiting was never an option. With the deaths of Ye Xingchen and Mu Shuofeng, the animosity between the two sides already reached the skies. And now, with the Chen Clan pressing into the Grand Temple, effectively stepping on their faces in provocation, if they forfeited, it would be like handing Chen Xi the top spot on the Dragon Ranking on a silver platter.

If Chen Xi was bluffing, it would be a grand joke.

"Chen Xi, do you really think playing the paper tiger can scare everyone?" Han Zhihua, with her delicate and coquettish face, looked disdainfully at her once-defeated opponent.

"She only claimed to be in the Establishment Wind Fire Tribulation Realm. Has anyone actually seen her in action? After all, the Chen Clan itself spread that rumor. A year ago, she was barely ranked thirtieth on the Dragon Ranking," Han Wenshu remarked dismissively.

"So?" Han Yingshi turned to Ye Shengyin. The implication was clear—let their little sister, Han Zhihua, handle it alone. Ganging up would be just too disgraceful!

Ye Shengyin locked eyes with Chen Xi, and suddenly bellowed, "Draw your magic treasures and attack together!"