Chapter 3451: Sizing Each Other Up
The Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses was held every 1,000 years, and the Heavenly Palaces would take turns hosting it This time, it was hosted by the Heavenly Palace of the Primeval Heaven.
Since the Heavenly Palace of the Primeval Heaven would host the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses every 81,000 years, a battleground was already prepared for the event. The battleground was usually sealed with a Formation when it was not in use, and it would only be open to the public during the Devata Realms’ Battles of the Geniuses. The battleground had been around almost as long as the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses. In fact, this battleground had watched several generations of Heavenly Emperors rule over the Primeval Heaven.
The Heavenly Emperor of the Primeval Heaven had arranged for the partic.i.p.ants from the 81 Devata Realms, including Duan Ling Tian, to sit in a spectator area where the seats surrounded the battlefield and were arranged in an ascending manner. Some partic.i.p.ants sat alone and some sat in groups; some sat in the a.s.signed seats and some did not. There were so many seats that even after all the partic.i.p.ants had taken their seats, there were still many empty seats left.
Meanwhile, there were many miniature floating islands suspended around the battlefield. Each small island held a few tables and chairs. Apart from that, a beautiful attendant was a.s.signed to each small floating island, setting up the table with exquisite teacups and teapots.
The young partic.i.p.ants looked around curiously.
“The battlefield is really big.”
“Look! The seats and tables on the small floating islands must be meant for the high-ranking officials from the various Heavenly Palaces and t.i.tle Temple’s branches.”
At this time, all the partic.i.p.ants had arrived, but the high-ranking officials of the various Heavenly Palaces and t.i.tle Temple’s branches had yet to arrive.
Meanwhile, Duan Ling Tian, Su Li, and Ling Jue Yun sat together. After Duan Ling Tian’s introduction, Ling Jue Yun and Su Li had quickly hit it off since both of them were straightforward people.
The other three young geniuses from the Solitary Destructive Heaven, Zhang Tian You; w.a.n.g Ting; and He Jian Yi, were currently sitting at the row behind Duan Ling Tian. Their gazes were rather complex when they stared at Duan Ling Tian. It was as though this was the first time they were meeting him. Among all the partic.i.p.ants, they were the first to look down on Duan Ling Tian. Moreover, one of them was responsible for perpetuating the rumor that Duan Ling Tian was mediocre by telling everyone he was not even 700 years old and that he was only accepted as a true disciple due to luck.
The trio realized how greatly mistaken they were when they discovered Tong Tu, the fourth disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, was heavily injured with just a strike after challenging Duan Ling Tian to a duel. It was at that time that they realized although he was only 700 years old, he was comparable to a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor if he had yet to obtain a t.i.tle from the t.i.tle Temple.
The trio had also been surprised when they heard Duan Ling Tian was acquainted with Su Li who was also less than 700 years old and had strength comparable to a t.i.tled Celestial Emperor. Before they found out about Duan Ling Tian, they were of the opinion that Su Li had the highest potential among the partic.i.p.ants of the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses.
Meanwhile, the other partic.i.p.ants sitting nearby were also looking at Duan Ling Tian and Su Li.
“Look! He’s Duan Ling Tian, the legendary Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven’s only true disciple. That’s the genius, Su Li, from the Jade Emperor Heaven.”
“They’re acquainted?”
“It’s not just that. It seems like they’re old friends…”
At this moment, Duan Ling Tian who was in the middle of a casual conversation with Su Li suddenly sensed a piercing gaze trained on him from the opposite direction. When he looked up, he saw Tong Tu whom he injured half a year ago.
Tong Tu did not s.h.i.+ft his eyes from Duan Ling Tian as he said something to the young man sitting next to him.
The young man sitting next to Tong Tu immediately s.h.i.+fted his eyes to Duan Ling Tian. He nodded slightly and smiled when he saw Duan Ling Tian looking back at him.
Seeing as the young man was polite, Duan Ling Tian nodded in return.
“Do you know them?” Su Li asked as he looked in the direction of Duan Ling Tian’s gaze.
“The muscular young man is Tong Tu, the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven’s fourth true disciple,” Duan Ling Tian said with a smile.
“I see,” Su Li said. Then, he furrowed his brows and said, “That person next to him doesn’t seem simple considering how respectful Tong Tu is to him…”
Needless to say, Duan Ling Tian had already noticed this as well. “I don’t know who he is…”
As soon as Duan Ling Tian’s voice fell, w.a.n.g Ting who was sitting behind Duan Ling Tian promptly chimed in, “That’s the third true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven… He’s Tong Tu’s senior brother, Yu Dong Fang. It’s said that Yu Dong Fang is comparable to a Four Star G.o.d of War or stronger!”
Earlier today, when Duan Ling Tian arrived, the trio had apologized to Duan Ling Tian for their behavior half a year ago. Since Duan Ling Tian did not take it to heart, he naturally accepted their apologies.
Moreover, since the trio represented the Heavenly Palace of the Solitary Destructive Heaven, it meant they had a connection to the palace. As the Young Master of the Solitary Destructive Heaven, how could he be petty toward his people?
“He might be stronger than a Four Stars G.o.d of War?” Duan Ling Tian could not help but glance at Yu Dong Fang again upon hearing w.a.n.g Ting’s words.
Even Su Li instinctively turned to look at Yu Dong Fang again.
At this moment, Ling Jue Yun who was resting with his eyes closed suddenly opened his eyes and looked in the direction of Duan Ling Tian and Su Li’s gazes. Fighting spirit burned in his eyes as he looked at Yu Dong Fang.
At the same time, Yu Dong Fang, who was sitting across from the trio sensed the trio’s gaze. He asked Tong Tu as he s.h.i.+fted his eyes from Su Li to Ling Jue Yin, “Su Li aside, who’s the other person sitting next to Duan Ling Tian? It seems like he’s quite close to Duan Ling Tian…”
Although there was some distance between them, Yu Dong Fang could sense Ling Jue Yun’s fighting spirit. It was obvious that Ling Jue Yun had learned about his ident.i.ty and was eager to test his strength against him. Such a person had to be extraordinary. With this, his interest was piqued.
Tong Tu said with a hint of fear, “He’s from the Wind Prop Heaven. He was selected to partic.i.p.ate in the Battle of the Geniuses by the Wind Prop Heaven’s t.i.tle Temple. He’s the strongest among the group of partic.i.p.ants selected by the Wind Prop Heaven’s t.i.tle Temple. The others are comparable to a Three Star G.o.d of War, but he defeated all of them with just a move. That’s why there are rumors going around that he’s comparable to a top Three Star G.o.d of War or a Four Star G.o.d of War!”
“Does that mean there’s a possibility he’s comparable to a Five Star G.o.d of War?” Yu Dong Fang’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly.
“I haven’t heard any rumors about that. Usually, the number of partic.i.p.ants who have strength comparable to a Five Star G.o.d of War never exceeds ten,” Tong Tu said as he shook his head. It was clear he did not think Ling Jue Yun had strength comparable to a Five Star G.o.d of War.
“Interesting… It seems like I have another worthy opponent.” Yu Dong Fang’s eyes glinted as his fighting spirit surged as well.
Meanwhile, Tong Tu clenched his fists as he s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Duan Ling Tian. His expression changed slightly; he was determined to challenge Duan Ling Tian during the Battle of the Geniuses since they were evenly matched to redeem himself.
Previously, when Tong Tu was injured by Duan Ling Tian’s sneak attack, no one was on his side and mocked him for being unable to hold his ground against the true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven who was younger than him. He was certain his strength was on par with Duan Ling Tian, hence, he felt he would be able to redeem himself if they were to battle again.
After a moment, Tong Tu furrowed his eyebrows as though he had just recalled something and asked skeptically, “Third Senior Brother. Throughout the history of the Battles of the Geniuses, there were at least 10 partic.i.p.ants with strength comparable to Five Star G.o.ds of War each time. I know there were a few Battles of the Geniuses that had more than ten partic.i.p.ants with strength comparable to Five Star G.o.ds of War. This time, there are five people, if we count Ling Jue Yun, who are suspected to be as strong as Five Star G.o.ds of War. Do you really think the others with strength similar to a Five Star G.o.d of War are those unknown geniuses? It’s unlikely, right?”
Yu Dong Fang shook his head and said, “Junior Brother, there are so many Devata Realms and so many powerhouses. Many of these mighty figures prefer to live in seclusion so don’t make the mistake of underestimating them. There are some powerhouses who live in seclusion with strength comparable to our master’s. They definitely have disciples below the age of 100 with strength similar to a Five Star G.o.d of War. The question you should ask is how many of such disciples are partic.i.p.ating in the Battle of Geniuses this time.”