The Last Battle

The Last Battle . . .

Dongsheng Ting's gaze remained fixed on the participants as he gave the command, "Move the statue away."

The experts responsible for the statue's transport reappeared at his command, ready to remove it. Among the ten participants, several were now seated cross-legged, engaged in meditation to recover from the ordeal. It was evident that their wills and spirits had taken a toll.

"These are indeed the strongest geniuses from the thirteen prefectures, enduring this long in such a brutal test. Now, allow me to announce the rankings for the second round of testing. The top ten ranks for this round are as follows: #1 Hua Taixu, #2 Gusu Tianqi, #3 Qin Wentian, #4 Feather King, #5 Ruthless, #6 Mo Wen, #7 Jun Mengchen, #8 Zi Qingxuan, #9 Qin Ta, and #10 Ye Qianchen."

"This second round, designed to challenge your willpower, was an exceptionally harsh form of tempering. Your ability to persist this far indicates your unwavering determination, a trait that will undoubtedly lead to great achievements in the future."

Dongsheng Ting spoke with a smile, his voice ringing out with an air of impartiality, concealing any underlying thoughts. He projected an image of fairness, as if nothing had transpired behind the scenes, and all participants were treated equitably.

A tense silence enveloped the platform, with Jun Mengchen clenching his fists and locking his gaze on Dongsheng Ting. However, this time, he chose not to voice his objections. The final round would be a test of combat prowess, a stage where only the participants themselves could determine the outcome. Raising objections about what had transpired earlier would likely yield no results. After all, they were guests in the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect's domain.

Resigned to this reality, Jun Mengchen decided to calm his racing heart and prepare for the ultimate battle ahead.

"It appears everyone could use a bit of rest. Servants, please provide more delicacies and fragrant wine for our participants. Let's take a break while we await the start of the final battle, where the ultimate rankings will be determined." Dongsheng Ting gestured, and a group of female servants began to bring forth exquisite dishes and fine wine, equivalent in value to immortal-ranked pills, designed to aid in the participants' recovery from injuries.

The participants accepted these offerings without hesitation, enjoying the nourishing food and wine as they focused on their recuperation.

"Bottoms up!" Jun Mengchen boldly emptied a flask of wine and declared.

Having ranked sixth in the first round and seventh in the second, Jun Mengchen was far from satisfied. He had his sights set on the top three positions, and the disappointment fueled a burning determination within him. He couldn't wait for the final round to begin so he could unleash his pent-up frustration. Right now, he resembled a simmering volcano, ready to erupt with tremendous force.

Amidst the camaraderie of the immortal banquet, the atmosphere remained harmonious, and no one questioned the fairness of the tests. Those in the know kept their suspicions to themselves as they observed the participants on the platform.

"Gusu Tianqi and Hua Taixu, don't you think they already appear to be the top two contenders in this event?" an immortal king remarked, breaking the silence with a chuckle.

A lively discussion rippled through the crowd as they observed the ongoing proceedings. The certainty of Gusu Tianqi and Hua Taixu securing the top two positions was a popular sentiment among the spectators.

"You're absolutely right. Those two are on a different level. Their combat skills are undoubtedly formidable. As long as they secure a place in the top three during the final battle, their rankings are as good as sealed. As for the third spot, it seems Feather King or Ruthless have the best chances. My bet's on Feather King."

"Mmm, the top-ranked contender from the Western Prefecture is an absolute powerhouse. In this selection, Gusu Tianqi from the Eastern Prefecture is practically unbeatable, while Feather King of the Western Desert Prefecture exudes an air of dominance. But as for the Cloud Prefecture..." An immortal king sighed, his tone heavy when mentioning the Cloud Prefecture. "Oh, the Cloud Prefecture... what a pity."

"You're right. It's indeed a regrettable situation for the Cloud Prefecture. All three of their representatives managed to break into the top ten. Such a feat is virtually unheard of," another immortal king lamented. Among the Cloud Prefecture's seated attendees, Idlecloud Immortal King's gaze remained fixed on the battle platform. He couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice for Qin Wentian and his companions. It appeared that they were being specifically targeted.

This feeling intensified after the clash between Deepflame Immortal King and Qin Wentian. Based on the information he had received, Qin Wentian had once defied the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's intentions during a recruitment test on a different particle world. Despite the emperor's initial willingness to give him a second chance, he had ultimately abandoned him. Now, if Qin Wentian managed to secure a top-three position, it would surely tarnish the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's reputation. Therefore, there was no way Dongsheng Ting would allow Qin Wentian and his sect members to succeed.

Idlecloud Immortal King could only silently lament this situation. While he was aware of the machinations at play behind the scenes, his allegiance to the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect prevented him from speaking out or criticizing Dongsheng Ting. Instead, he mourned internally for Qin Wentian and his companions. Did they truly have no chance of securing a top-three position?

However, Idlecloud Immortal King seemed to be the only one from the Cloud Prefecture feeling this way. The others rejoiced in the misfortune that had befallen Qin Wentian and his sect members, convinced that they had no hope at all.

Furthermore, Dongsheng Ting and Deepflame Immortal King had shown no favor toward them. Without a top-three ranking, they wouldn't earn the prestigious title of Sage Child in the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect. Without that status, their future in the sect seemed uncertain. Even if they did join, their confrontations with Deepflame Immortal King might make them mere pawns in a deadly game. Of course, they also had the option to decline joining the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect.

Deepflame Immortal King, however, had chosen to remain silent. He no longer engaged in arguments with Qin Wentian or attempted to provoke him. After all, his disciple Blackpeak had been publicly slain by Qin Wentian, and he had been challenged repeatedly by Qin Wentian and Jun Mengchen. Most ordinary individuals would have been unable to endure such provocations, but Deepflame Immortal King did. He was eager to witness the extent of Qin Wentian and his companions' struggles, seeing their hard work ultimately amount to nothing.

Once the immortal banquet concluded, they would pay the price for their earlier words and actions. If Qin Wentian and his friends intended to join the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, Deepflame Immortal King had numerous methods at his disposal to end their lives.

Time flowed by, and Dongsheng Ting's gaze turned toward the battle platform. He inquired, "Have you all had sufficient rest?"

The ten participants each opened their eyes, their determination shining brightly as they emerged from their meditative states.

After a journey filled with trials and tribulations, they had arrived at this pivotal moment—the grand finale, the ultimate clash that would determine the true champions.

Despite the odds, a few among them felt disheartened. Ye Qianchen and Qin Ta, in particular, found themselves consistently at the bottom of the rankings in both previous rounds. Their chances of securing a spot in the coveted top three seemed exceedingly slim. Yet, they understood the gravity of the situation. The final battle awaited, and in this arena, they had to unleash their brilliance. There remained a glimmer of hope that, by outshining their competitors, they could still seize an opportunity.

All ten participants, including the usually indifferent Gusu Tianqi, radiated a fierce determination. A spark of anticipation lit up Gusu Tianqi's eyes. He harbored a burning ambition to claim the first position, to stand as the unrivaled genius among all thirteen prefectures. Despite the numerous accolades that had accompanied him throughout his life, the glory of this pinnacle remained unparalleled.

The ten of them stood resolute on the platform, their robes billowing in the gentle breeze. An intangible battle aura emanated from their beings, sweeping over the spectators and judges, leaving no doubt about their unwavering resolve.

"Truly the strongest among the strong. Their battle intent alone is enough to convey their determination to secure a spot in the top three," remarked an immortal king, his eyes gleaming like torches. This battle would serve as the culminating trial of the immortal banquet, bringing the entire event to a thrilling conclusion.

While rankings had been assigned in the previous rounds, it was this final battle that carried the greatest weight. Even for performers like Gusu Tianqi and Hua Taixu, their prior achievements could be eclipsed if they faltered in this decisive round. The ultimate criterion remained individual combat prowess, for strength was the essence of securing a top-three position.

For Qin Wentian, who had finished last in the initial round, a victory in this final battle could turn the tide in his favor. If he could dominate his fellow participants, casting a radiant light that captivated the crowd, he might just grasp the elusive chance to enter the top three. Such was the significance of the final round.

"Prepare for suppression," announced Dongsheng Ting. A radiant treasure materialized in the air, casting its brilliant light upon the participants on the platform. Their cultivation bases were equalized, setting the stage for a fair contest.

"In this battle, there are no rules except for one: no alliances. Fight with all your might, and turn the battlefield upside down if you wish, but remember, no teaming up against others," Dongsheng Ting emphasized. "Let the battle commence!"

As the resonance of Dongsheng Ting's voice faded into the backdrop, the suppressed auras of the participants surged across the platform. The final battle was about to begin—a royal rumble of epic proportions.

The battlefield erupted into a cacophony of terrifying swishes and fierce clashes as the final battle commenced. Each participant stood their ground, their eyes gleaming with determination, like predators sizing up their prey, strategizing their next move.

Jun Mengchen, his spirit undaunted, broke the ice with a bold declaration to his senior, Qin Wentian. "Senior brother, since they're so keen on pushing us to the bottom, let's use this round to show them our overwhelming strength. How should we approach this battle?"

With unshakable confidence, Qin Wentian outlined their audacious plan. "We'll dismantle them one by one. Mengchen and Qingxuan, you both can choose your opponents first."

The audacity of their words sent shockwaves through the spectators. These three young warriors were daring to declare their intentions openly—ravaging their opponents one by one. It was a bold challenge to their fellow participants' abilities.

Zi Qingxuan swiftly made her choice. "I'll take on Ye Qianchen."

Jun Mengchen, undaunted, selected his adversary as well. "I choose Qin Ta."

With their choices made, Qin Wentian assumed a protective stance. "I'll act as your guardian. Once you've finished your battles, we'll swap."

As his words settled, Jun Mengchen advanced toward Qin Ta. Adorned in majestic armor, he summoned the ethereal presence of an ancient king, embodying the grandeur of a monarch from ages past. In this moment, he unleashed his full power, a king unburdened by constraints, venting his pent-up frustration through combat.

Zi Qingxuan radiated divine energy, her form graced with the majestic wings of a divine falcon. With a single, graceful flap, she closed the distance between herself and Ye Qianchen.

In the center of the platform, Qin Wentian appeared with an air of cool indifference. His piercing gaze scanned the other participants, as if dismissing their existence. His aura, though not prominently ranked, carried an oppressive weight, a looming threat that hung heavily in the air. It was as if, among all the geniuses from the thirteen prefectures, he alone was unrivaled.

Qin Ta roared in defiance, morphing into a divine entity pulsating with immense power. His violent and ferocious aura engulfed his surroundings, and with each step, the platform quaked beneath him. Did Jun Mengchen truly see him as a pawn in his quest for dominance?

Meanwhile, Ye Qianchen exuded an air of unparalleled elegance, his sword qi surging to overwhelming heights, manifesting into a tempest of razor-sharp blades.

The final battle had ignited, and Qin Wentian and his fellow sect members wasted no time, plunging headfirst into the fray with unyielding determination. The war had begun in earnest!