14 Chapter 14 - Tournament (4)

As it was the final round of the royal tournament, the king and other important figures of Rain country attended the final round. The location, was changed to the imperial battle centre. The platform was made from yang metal, allowing it to emit heat, making it comfortable to battle on in cold weather. The weather was getting colder by the day, as the days were becoming shorter, getting closer to winter.

On the metal platforms facing the bustling crowd and the important figures seated in a VIP area, were 9 youthful figures. Making his way through the crowd, the youngest and most dazzling genius was with dark azure hair, crimson eyes with a slim yet muscular physique made his way onto the platform. He wore elegant golden robes decorated with floral patterns, and ignored the various glances of envy, jealousy and longing from the crowd.

"That's Xu Feng! He seems quite young!"

After Xu Feng showed himself, he became the focus of everyone on scene. After all, everyone was waiting for his appearance, the genius dark horse. However, Xu Feng's young and womanly face shocked everyone. He looked like a delicate flower, but the rumours about his said that he had great power, no one would link this charming youth with a decisive sword cultivator that won with a single strike...

Although the Royal tournament had an age limit of 25 and under, to gain more outstanding results, all of the big families would choose those who were 25 years old to participate. After all, if everyone was a genius, naturally, the longer one cultivated, the stronger their strength would be.

However, Xu Feng was clearly far from being 25 years old and he was quite a young man. Although his cultivation actually seemed to be the 2nd best among the group other than Murong Juan.

Several of the male participants harboured ill-feelings towards Xu Feng. They felt that Xu Feng was too pretty and that he eliminated any chances they had with the fairy like beauty Dongmei Xiao. Not only did he tightly hold her curvy figure as she was falling, she also sent occasional glances at Xu Feng. Realising this made the males slightly envious, after all who won't want a beauty to like them? All men would, and those who say other wise are either disabled down there or lying.

After a short glance of gratitude at Xu Feng, Dongmei Xiao also went in front of the guard who held the lots and picked a bamboo slip with her jade like hands. Under the stares of the crowd's lustful gazes, she coldly walked down the platform. Thinking " why doesn't he pay any attention to me. Didn't he touch me and help me from falling to the ground? He hasn't done that to anyone else yet.. so he must like me but then why does he act so coldly towards me and doesn't even spare me a glance?" With a confused expression on her face she continued to stand there waiting for the rest of the members to pick up a slot.

"Now those who have picked the first two numbers, enter the stage and start fighting!"

Declared a proud voice from the VIP seating area.

"Hmm.. Is that youth with the red eyes the one you talked about Meng Long?"

Seeing the calm youth, a old man asked one of the examiners.

"Yes, he has always remained calm whenever fighting against opponents and also knows when to decisively give up in the face of an opponent who he can't beat. He is wise and conserves his strength, yet is also kind and peaceful! This in combination with his peak 6th rank talent make him a good seedling for the upcoming Immortal sect selection process. "

"I haven't heard you speak so highly of a youth in a long time dear friend...to think you hold in such high regard, I made this trip because of your report that there's a good seedling, lets watch him and see if he's worth investing in..."

One must note that in these back water kingdoms, the average talent for a "genius" was mid rank 4. In sects, on average core disciples have an average talent of low rank 6. But Xu Feng had a peak rank 6 talent. And as all the examiners weren't from the sword sect, they have to pull in this genius. Obviously, with an elder the process of protecting and escorting this genius would be much simpler...

Compared to others, Xu Feng was calm and not a hint of anxiousness or doubt could be seen from his eyes. Looking at this youth, the elder inwardly nodded his head sent a wave of his soul pressure towards Xu Feng.

If the person who pressured Xu Feng was another person who had strength that was far above him, the soul could get injured. However, when a person like Xu Feng who he deeply looked down upon gods known for their soul strength, felt the slight pressure from the elder, it was like a fetus trying to push against a lion.

Noticing this, he gave a calm look towards the elder with a puzzling expression. When the pressure rose, although he could still have remained calm, or could have even counterattack and destroyed this babies soul, he chose not to, instead he gave a troubled expression and sweat started to form on his head.

Noticing this, the elder said "Not bad, he has a strong soul for someone who has yet to reach the Soul Establishment stage....

Xu Feng predicted that the elder who tested him was at the early stages of the soul establishment stage. He knew that only those from the immortal sects could achieve this, so he figured out that whatever sect the elder came from was probably a branch of a big immortal sect in the immortal realm. Compared to other mortal sects, this branch sect should offer more resources and protection, so Xu Feng wanted to join this sect. And as the elder tested him, he understood that the other party was interested in recruiting him...

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Clang!

The sound of metal hitting against metal sounded from the stage. It was the semi finals, and Xu Feng was fighting with the genius Liqui Jie.

He purposefully weakened his attacks to make it seem like he was working hard to win against his weak yet highly talented opponent. What he could've finished in 1 move, heck a swing of his arms, took 285 moves of him clashing against the sword of his opponent.

Eventually he won. Then when it was his turn to fight Murong Juan, he decisively gave up as he didn't want to attract too much attention.

In the end, he placed second. Then the emperor announced the grand prices for the winners, middle aged man with a imposing aura stood up from the VIP booth and walked to the edge. Then projecting his arrogant voice with Qi he said "To the top 10 geniuses who have won, I will give them 100,000 gold. The top three will get to pick one item from the imperial treasury and the winner will be presented with a best core pearl from a fire serpent at the core formation realm!"

There was silence. Then the crowd broke into heated discussion. It was common knowledge that beasts on the same level as humans had high battle strength. As a race they dominated over mankind, be it in terms of unity, strength or techniques, other than the elite of the human race, no one could match the battle prowess of beast race on the same realm other than the demon race. But it wasn't like humanity was powerless, in fact human's array arts, alchemy and weapons could somewhat even the battlefield. Xu Feng also knew that thought beasts were superior to humans in many aspects, they lacked the potential of the human soul, so after the minor god realm humans were stronger than beasts. But good luck trying to find a minor god in the mortal realm. That's why beasts dominated the mortal and immortal plane, however in the god realm, humanity had the advantage...

Inwardly smiling, he though of the expression the great emperor and the sect disciples he was trying to curry favour with, when the realised that their precious treasury was as empty as it can get.

With a composed appearance, he waited until the end of the speak. The winners would have to attend a banquet later this week, obviously under normal circumstances Xu Feng wouldn't have bothered, but he wanted to see the emperor's depression when the opened the treasury after the banquet to gift items to the "winners"....

In the end although Xu Feng didn't receive the grand title of champion, he managed to get way more benefits...

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When Xu Feng was on the way back to the inn, he spotted the previous elder that tried to pressure him along with one of the examiners waiting for him...

Then he paused and waited till they talked to him. The elder in grey robes, then said with a somewhat eager voice "Young man, have you decided which sect out of the 4 you would join?"