AGM 0117 – Commencement of the Jun Lin Banquet
The authority of the Star River Association exceeds that of the Royal Authority.
The Divine Weapon Pavilion had wealth that could rival an entire empire.
Mo Clan had the strongest cultivators under the Heavenly Dipper Realm in the entire Chu Country.
These three great powers all held special positions within the Chu Country. And they had all gathered here today.
“The Divine Weapon Pavilion has never appeared officially before during past Jun Lin Banquets.” People in the crowd were silently speculating. But today, they had actually appeared.
Why had the Divine Weapon Pavilion come here today?
Rumour has it that the Divine Weapon Pavilion placed tremendous importance on and held Qin Wentian in exceptionally high regards. That day, amidst the snowstorm, the Divine Weapon Pavilion stood on the side of Qin Wentian in opposition to the 3rd Prince of Chu, Chu Tianjiao.
“Mo Clan has also not made any appearances in the last few Jun Lin Banquets. Could it be that Mo Qingcheng wants to participate in the competition later?” Some in the crowd curiously cast their gazes over to the Mo Clan where they saw a ravishing silhouette.
“Qingcheng, you are here as well.” Ye WuQue called out to Mo Qingcheng from where the Ye Clan was.
Mo Qingcheng calmly cast a glance over to that direction, and did not bother to reply.
Ye WuQue wasn’t angered, he stood there quietly just as before. He, who was handsome and extraordinary, naturally made him the focal point of attention for many other young ladies. With such good looks, he wouldn’t lack admirers, and in the Royal Academy, there were even several ladies that had taken the initiative to woo him.
And yet, to Ye WuQue who only seek perfection, only Mo Qingcheng was worthy enough to pair with him. However, Mo Qingcheng had never shown any sign of interest nor given him any encouragement. He had once wanted to woo Mo Qingcheng, but obviously, he had failed. Despite this, he had gradually accepted the fact that he’d failed as he witnessed the other elites also failing one by one when they tried to woo Mo Qingcheng.
But now, because Mo Qingcheng saw Qin Wentian in a different light, he felt unhappiness and dissatisfaction in his heart. Moreover, in the past, the Ye Clan had conspired to bring the fiancee of Qin Wentian over to the Ye Clan.
In Ye WuQue’s eyes, Autumn Snow naturally could not hold a candle to Mo Qingcheng, not to mention the fact that Autumn Snow was already a genius that had fallen. As to whether Autumn Snow could still become his woman, he would still need to reconsider.
“The Royal Palace has arrived.”
At this moment, the gazes of the crowd shifted over, only to see a line of mounted demonic beasts landing behind the area where the Emperor Seat was located. After which, a series of silhouettes leisurely strolled up the flight of stairs, ascending to the best seats in the spectators’ stand.
The one in the middle of those from the Royal Clan was none other than Chu Tianjiao.
The Jun Lin Banquet this year was presided by a Jun. (Emperor/Prince)
Chu Tianjiao sat on the Emperor Seat of the Chu Emperor District. This indicated that, from today onwards, the Emperor of Chu had basically announced to the whole world that Chu Tianjiao would be his successor.
This was a silent announcement, which indicated that Chu Tianjiao becomng the Emperor of Chu was only a matter of time.
“It seems like the body of the current Emperor of Chu may collapse at any moment.” Many people were speculating this in their hearts. If not, why would the Emperor not be present to preside over the commencement of the Jun Lin Banquet, and even grant Chu Tianjiao the right to sit on the Emperor Seat?
And on both the sides of Chu Tianjiao, there were still several other figures.
Luo Qianqiu was standing on the left, standing shoulder to shoulder with a few other youths. And in front of Luo Qianqiu, there was another figure. It seemed as though that figure was the elder of Luo Qianqiu
Upon this sight, sharp glints of light flickered in the eyes of those who knew of the background of Luo Qianqiu. If one knew of this background they would naturally make clear deductions about where these figures had come from.
The eyes of those people had hints of heaviness within them. They had come from the Nine Mystical Palace, which was none other than the silhouette standing behind the shadow of Chu.
And as for the right direction of Chu Tianjiao, there was another silhouette that emanated an extraordinary air. He casually stood there with a smile plastered on his face. His demeanor did not lose out to Chu Tianjiao in the slightest, giving people the feeling that this person was also a dragon among humans.
This person was the Crown Prince of Snowcloud Country, Xiao Lü, one of the Duo Prides of Snowcloud. His authority in the Snowcloud Country did not lose out to Chu Tianjiao’s authority in Chu.
There was also a group of youths standing around Xiao Lü. They were none other than the most talented elites of Snowcloud: Sikong Mingyue, of the Duo Prides, as well as the Three Swords and Seven Nights of Snowcloud.
At this moment, all the figures in the spectators’ stand stood up, as they cast their gazes over to Chu Tianjiao sitting in the Emperor Seat. In the past, the commencement of the Jun Lin Banquet would always start off with this etiquette where the spectators would rise in respect. But today, the figure they were rising for was none other than Chu Tianjiao.
“Everyone, please be seated.” Chu Tianjiao waved his hands, laughing as he spoke.
“Thank you, your Highness.” The crowd bowed, as they took their seats.
“Everyone, please enjoy the feast.” Chu Tianjiao politely spoke, as he took the lead, raising his cup in toast to the crowd.
At the same time, a group of people separately headed towards the nine towering platforms in the middle of the stands, preparing tables and chairs, and paper and pen.
“Today I feel extremely honored that, the Snowcloud Country, in collaboration with our great Chu, is hosting this Jun Lin Banquet together. I believe that this year’s event, hosted in my Chu Country, is one of unprecedented grandness. Now, elites at the 5th level of Arterial Circulation and above, you all may proceed up the nine towering platforms and register for the competition.”
Chu Tianjiao smiled as he spoke to the crowd. The lowest qualification to participate in the Jun Lin Banquet was for one to have a cultivation base at the 5th layer of Arterial Circulation. If a cultivation had a lower cultivation base, there would be no need for any battle at all.
“There are nine towering platforms; you all can choose which platform you want to register for. After that, each platform will begin a series of elimination battles. Your opponents will be randomly chosen by the judges, and the battles will last till only two people remain. Thus, with nine platforms, a total of 18 people will be able to advance in the end.” The old-looking figure beside Chu Tianjiao could be seen speaking. “These 18 that pass the elimination battle will enter the next round of the competition. The top nine rankings in the Jun Lin Banquet will be determined this time round.”
The rules of the Jun Lin Banquet were very simple. The nine towering platforms would simultaneously commence their battles, and each platform’s elimination battles would result in only two contestants remaining.
Because of the existence of the nine towering platforms, those people that had their eyes stuck fast on seizing the nine top rankings could register for the battles in different platforms. This would allow them to avoid fighting in an elimination battle in the first round. This also meant that those contesting for the top nine rankings couldn’t be eliminated out early.
“Qianqiu, this will be your next stage.”
Beside Chu Tianjiao, the person in charge could be seen calmly speaking to Luo Qianqiu, who was at standing at his side.. Immediately, Luo Qianqiu lightly nodded his head.
This time, the top ranking of the Jun Lin Banquet was definitely going to be his.
As he stepped forth, Luo Qianqiu’s body soared up the skies, akin to transforming into a great roc descending from the heavens, and landed upon the foremost, towering platform.
Luo Qianqiu had chosen to register at the first towering platform.
In the same instant, a silhouette appeared beside Luo Qianqiu. This person was none other than Sikong Mingyue. Locking his gaze with Luo Qianqiu’s, one could see a resplendent glow of light flickering within the depths of their eyes.
“Both Luo Qianqiu and Sikong Mingyue have the greatest probability of obtaining the top ranking in the Jun Lin Banquet this year. One could infer this fact from the betting rates set by Heaven’s Wonder. To think that the both of them had actually registered for the same towering platform.”
Everyone’s eyes were filled with concentration. If this was the case, the judge wouldn’t let them compete against each other that early right? Otherwise, they’d be watching one of the seeded contestants be eliminated, and that wouldn’t be a very entertaining show.
It was as though the two victors of the first towering platform had already been set in stone ahead of time. Aside from Luo Qianqiu and Sikong Mingyue, there wouldn’t be any other elites registering for the same platform.
The people participating continued walking towards the direction of the nine towering platforms, registering their names.
“The information from Heaven’s Wonder is accurate indeed. This time round, the 10 prodigies of the Royal Capital – Immortal Drunken Wine and Ye WuQue, didn’t prepare themselves to compete in the Jun Lin Banquet. They should have already broken into Yuanfu. And those in the bottom five rankings of the 10 prodigies have chosen different platforms from each other to register for.”
“Sikong Mingyue had already registered, and two of the Three Swords, as well as five of the Seven Nights, have done so as well. Their martial prowess should have already reached the peak of Arterial Circulation. Moreover, they’ve also chosen separate platforms to register for, opting instead to spread themselves apart.”
“Some of the elites from the Emperor Star Academy have begun their registration as well. I heard that the prowess of Orchon, Luo Huan, and Luo Cheng aren’t that much weaker when compared to that of Jiang Xiu.”
“That’s Hou Tie and Leng Ya from the Godly General Martial Palace. From their betting rates, it seems that both of them have also received the recognition of Heaven’s Wonder and have a chance of obtaining a position within the top nine rankings in the Jun Lin Banquet.”
The information from Heaven’s Wonder was extremely terrifying. They could even obtain information on the reclusive genius disciples from the Godly General Martial Palace.
That wasn’t all; at the moment, an inn situated near the Chu Emperor District was actually a branch of Heaven’s Wonder. And during the spectating of the battles, you could just run over there to check out the betting rates, which increased your stakes heavily.
After a period of time, when almost all those participating in the battles had already walked up to their platforms, the spectators realised something special. Those that had the chance to obtain the top nine rankings of the Jun Lin Banquet seemed to always avoid platforms with the most people registered there. It was clear to see that they were observing each other, and seemed as if they shared some kind of tacit understanding.
From the betting rates set by Heaven’s wonder, those that obtained the most recognition were: Snowcloud Country: Sikong Mingyue of the Duo Prides, the 2nd and 3rd Sword of the Three Swords, and 3rd to 7th Night, a total of five from the Seven Nights.
As for those from the Emperor Star Academy: Luo Qianqiu, Orchon, Jiang Xiu, Luo Huan, Luo Cheng. Luo Huan and Luo Cheng’s inclusions into those that obtained recognition came as a surprise. However, the payout for their betting rates was higher, which indicated that their chances of obtaining the top nine rankings were not as great when compared to the others.
The Royal Academy: the 8th rank in the 10 prodigies, Shi Jun, as well as the little prince of Chu, Chu Chen.
Godly General Martial Palace: Hou Tie, Leng Ya
Divine Wind Academy: the 6th ranked of the 10 prodigies, Jiang Feng.
And, the 7th ranked of the 10 prodigies, Ye Zhi, as well as the 9th ranked of the 10 prodigies, Kuang Sheng.
Ye Zhi, was the adopted daughter of the Ye Clan; as for Kuang Sheng, he was a student belonging to the Frenzied Sabre Sect, a faction of power in the Royal Capital.
These listed people, if one were to ignore Luo Huan and Luo Cheng, made a total of 18. And for those that were more observant, they would realised that these 18 people just happened to be split into pairs based on each of the towering platforms.
And at this moment, on the towering platform furthest from the Emperor Seat, which was also the platform nearest to the spectators stand, a silhouette abruptly appeared, creating a huge commotion.
“Qin Wentian also came to participate in the Jun Lin Banquet, registering for the 9th towering platform.”
Chu Tianjiao shifted his gaze, an expression of interest appearing in his eyes.
“Qin Wentian.” Upon witnessing the appearance of Qin Wentian, Ye WuQue involuntarily glanced at the father and daughter pair standing behind his Ye Clan.
Over at the Mo Clan, a smile could be seen on Mo Qingcheng’s face, as she whispered, “Gambatte.”
“Qingcheng, I heard that you have been pretty close with that little fellow from the Qin Clan recently.” At this moment, a middle aged figure beside Mo Qingcheng intoned in a low voice, causing Mo Qingcheng’s expression to go rigid. She laughed. “Didn’t you all say that in the past, the Mo Clan and the Qin Clan had a extremely close relationship? I clicked well with Qin Wentian, and thus, we naturally became friends.”
“Oh, is that really the case?” The middle aged figure smiled in response at his daughter.
“What are you thinking about?” A reddish tinge of color involuntarily appeared on her face as Mo Qingcheng saw her father looking at her. This caused her to look incomparably captivating, a peerless beauty that could even overthrow empires!
TN Note: hahahhahahahahha
Hou Tie侯铁 – Hou Iron
Leng Ya冷牙 – Cold Teeth
Shi Jun 石俊 – Handsome Stone
Kuang Sheng 狂生 – Mad Life