Chapter 495: The Chrono Croc and The Red-Crowned Crane

Tang San said, "Of course, they're strong. At the very least, they all have second-tier bloodlines and are quite tough to deal with. I even encountered first-tier bloodlines. The competition is exciting, so it's naturally attracting much attention. This is an event even more important than the grand auction."

Wu Bingji said, "I wonder if we can go watch. It would certainly broaden our horizons."

Hearing his words, Tang San felt that they made sense.

Since arriving at the Ancestral Court, his companions had all made significant progress in their cultivation but hadn't engaged in much actual combat. They weren't ready to participate in the Ancestral Court Elite Competition yet, as their cultivation levels were still lacking. However, watching the tournament was a great opportunity. They could see the top-tier clashes between the best of the younger generation, not just among the demons but also the nymphs. Such an opportunity was indeed rare!

"I think it's possible. I'll go to the Aetherhorn Merchant Association to get you tickets. They should be able to get them. After today's competition, I'll take care of it, and then you can go watch the matches. The remaining matches shouldn't take too long, about half a day, and then you can continue your cultivation."

"Really? That's great," Cheng Zicheng exclaimed excitedly. "Is there an Immortal Flame Phoenix competing? I'd love to see it. I've been climbing the Undying Demon Emperor's Sacred Mountain lately, and it feels different. The bloodline pressure is excruciating, but it seems to have a strong stimulating effect on my bloodline. I'm really curious to see how they perform in battle."

Tang San said, "I haven't encountered them yet, but I'm sure they are participating. All the powerful clans are."

"Alright, then I'll count on you to get the tickets," Cheng Zicheng said happily.

Tang San turned to look at Du Bai and said, "Senior brother Du Bai, you probably can't watch the competition. There's a rule that members of the Celestial Fox clan cannot participate in the Ancestral Court Elite Competition to ensure fairness. They can't even be spectators. Moreover, you're a human with the Celestial Fox bloodline, and that cannot be exposed. You'd better keep climbing the mountain."

Du Bai's face fell. "Why is it always me? This isn't fair."

Gu Li threw an arm around his shoulder and chuckled, "In this world, there's no such thing as absolute fairness. Just bear with it, kid."

"Hmph!" Du Bai snorted arrogantly but said nothing more.

After breakfast, Tang San hurriedly bid farewell to his companions and headed back to the Ancestral Court Plaza. Today was the day of the doubles competition, and the Three-Five Combo was set to compete again. He wondered what kind of opponents they would face today.

He arrived at the venue early again, but it wasn't long before Mei Gongzi arrived.

The two exchanged smiles upon meeting and headed to the waiting area together. They were the first group in the doubles competition, so they would be up right at the beginning. Competing first was good; they could return to their cultivation sooner after the match.

Tang San realized that although yesterday's battle was brutal, his subsequent cultivation was more effective after enduring the ordeal and resolving the fire poison issue. Such was the benefit of stimulating potential through combat.

He wondered what kind of opponents they would face today.

"That Scorching Sunflower from yesterday was strong. If I was the one to meet it one-on-one, it would have been difficult," Mei Gongzi said to Tang San.

Tang San nodded, saying, "Its extreme Yang fire can even melt spatial rifts. If you happen to fight a Scorching Sunflower, don't let it bloom fully. You must attack aggressively from the start and just suppress it until it falls. That's probably the best way to deal with them. I didn't know that yesterday and almost suffered a big loss."

Mei Gongzi's eyes lit up."Suppress them with direct explosive attacks? Makes sense."

Tang San said, "But you still have to be careful. The Scorching Sunflowers are obviously aware of their own weaknesses, so they'll have some measures to counteract that. Thankfully, your teleportation ability allows you to get close to them quickly. If you encounter them, just go out with a swift close-range burst and take them down in one go."

"Got it." Mei Gongzi nodded thoughtfully.

The audience had already entered the venue, and the contestants were almost all in place. Today's matches were about to begin.

Tang San and Mei Gongzi's match was the first one. This meant they would be the first to compete in each round before the finals. This was something Tang San didn't like; it drew too much attention.

They both appeared human. Mei Gongzi was better off since the Peacock Demon clan looked almost perfectly human anyway, but he was different. His bloodline power had not been fully displayed, which added a layer of mystery. Being the first to compete and drawing attention made it easy for others to analyze them.

However, since they were here, they had to face it.

Tang San and Mei Gongzi ascended to the first stage together. Their two opponents stepped onto the platform opposite them.

Demons!

This was Tang San's first thought, and then... his expression turned somewhat strange. The pair of opponents facing them were from races he was pretty familiar with.

One was tall, over two meters in height, with scales on his forehead, protrusions running down his back, and a large tail extending behind him. It was unmistakably a member of the rare Chrono Croc clan.

Facing an opponent from this clan, Tang San was genuinely delighted. Being able to participate in the Ancestral Court Elite Competition meant it was at least at the ninth order. Devouring their bloodline would greatly benefit his Chrono Croc bloodline. Although Gu Li now had the essence blood Assura had squeezed from the Aetherhorn Deers, it would take time for his cultivation to improve. However, if Tang San could devour enough bloodline imprints from this Chrono Croc opponent, he could elevate his imprint to the peak of the eighth order straight away. If he broke through to the ninth order soon enough, he might even bring the Chrono Croc imprint to the ninth order.

Accompanying this Chrono Croc was a winged demon—a Red-Crowned Crane from the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's lineage.

Tang San had encountered a Red-Crowned Crane opponent in the Great Beast Fighting Arena in Kali City. As descendants of the Sword Saint lineage, the Red-Crowned Cranes’ swordsmanship was exceptionally refined and challenging to handle on the battlefield. And the one he faced back then was nothing compared to the one in front of him right now. After all, this demon was representing the Red-Crowned Crane lineage in the Ancestral Court Elite Competition and had to be a direct heir of the clan.

This pair consisted of one adept at time manipulation and the other a master swordsman. Their coordination was easily imaginable. With his own Chrono Croc bloodline, Tang San immediately envisioned their possible combat strategies.

Tang San said to Mei Gongzi, "The Sword Saint Demon Emperor’s sword prowess combined with time manipulation. The time attribute will affect you. I'll handle the Chrono Croc; you take on the Red-Crowned Crane. Once I deal with the Chrono Croc, I'll come to help you."

Mei Gongzi nodded.

Tang San planned to fight separately once more. With both having teleportation abilities, they could effectively divide the battlefield. It wasn't that he didn't want to properly cooperate with Mei Gongzi, but it wasn't the time for that yet. They couldn't let stronger opponents figure out their abilities too early.

At that moment, the referee officially announced the start of the match.

"Begin!"

The Red-Crowned Crane opponent's eyes instantly lit up with a sharp gleam. At that moment, he seemed to vanish, leaving only sword intent behind, as if he were the sword, and the sword was him.

When that sword intent appeared, it illuminated the entire arena with brilliant sword light. The incredibly sharp aura sliced through the air toward Tang San and Mei Gongzi.