‘Forget it. I won’t think about it anymore. However powerful they are, they are not as awesome as the Black Tower. If they anger me, then I’ll dominate all of them!’ Ling Han did not continue thinking about it, but continued to work hard on cultivating. On the day of the martial arts tournament, he wanted to beat Feng Yan completely in public.
The days pa.s.sed one after another, and the day of the Rain Emperor’s sixtieth birthday grew closer and closer. Not only did the Kings of the other areas come personally or sent their heirs to offer their well wishes, even the other eight great nations sent out important high-ranking people as envoys, delivering birthday gifts.
The Imperial City was completely lively. It was as if the whole city was celebrating New Year, as each house was decorated with lanterns and coloured banners.
And it was at this time that the Chen Clan could no longer resist, and decided to surrender.
The Earth and Water Faction came every single day to crash the shops under the Chen Clan’s possession, and together with Ling Han, who would rather lose money and continue to attack them, the source of income of the Chen Clan was completely cut off in an instant. They were about to be forced into desperate straits after over a month of such treatment.
At first, the Chen Clan wanted to continue standing firm with the help of Sun Zi Yan’s status, but as the news of Ling Han becoming a Black Grade high level alchemist spread out, one of the higher ups of the Sun Clan stepped out directly and made Sun Zi Yan divorce that girl from the Chen Clan.
With this, the Chen Clan had lost their last hope.
Chen Yun Xiang died of excessive overflow, and ended his repulsive life.
Ling Han did not continue to expand his attacks, and decided to allow this matter to come to an end.
Ling Han continued to prepare himself for the upcoming battle, and tried his best to increase his cultivation level. If he wanted to battle an opponent of the Spiritual Ocean Tier while he himself was still in the Gus.h.i.+ng Spring Tier, he would still have to be cautious regardless of how monstrously talented he was. After all, Feng Yan was indeed exceptional. Otherwise, he would not have been taken as disciple by an elite of the Spiritual Infant Tier.
He was confident, but was definitely not blindly arrogant.
Finally, the Rain Emperor’s sixtieth birthday had arrived.
The grand banquet would be held for a total of three days, and the martial arts tournament would be held on the last day as the grand climax for the celebration.
The name of an alchemist that was near to Earth Grade was too popular. Not only did the various Kings of Rain Country come pay him a visit, but even the envoys of the other eight nations attempted all means to meet with Ling Han. They had even released the rumor that as long as Ling Han was willing to go to their respective nations, then it would be a small token to carve out a territory for him and name him as King.
Ling Han had Guang Yuan play the role as guard, who was in charge of dispatching all those who came to visit. However, in the case of the Da Yuan King, he made an exception for him and personally received the former. After all, the Da Yuan King treated him quite well when he was in Da Yuan City, and the Ling Residence was still under the jurisdiction and the authority of Da Yuan City. Thus, he was willing to give the Da Yuan King some face.
Indeed, the Da Yuan King struck his chest and a.s.sured him that when his position was pa.s.sed on to his son, or even his grandson, the Ling Clan would continue to stand firm in Gray Cloud Town.
Of course, respect and honor had to be mutual. Ling Han gave it some thought, and gave two Foundation Building Pills to the Da Yuan King. The stronger the ability of this King, the more he would be able to take care of the Ling Clan.
This naturally made the Da Yuan King both touched and excited. At first, he had thought that the Spiritual Ocean Tier would be the highest he could achieve, yet he had never imagined that he could actually see the hope of breaking through to the Spiritual Pedestal Tier. This made him even more determined to protect Ling Clan.
…Ling Han was able to give him Foundation Building Pills now, then what about ten years, or twenty years later? Wouldn’t he be able to hand out alchemical pills that could help one to break through to the Flower Blossoming Tier, or even the Spiritual Infant Tier?
Two days later, the last day for the Rain Emperor’s birthday celebration had arrived. In other words, it was the day of the martial arts tournament.
Ling Han brought with him Hu Niu, whereas Guang Yuan, Zhu Wu Jiu, and Li Hao followed at his side. Then, on their way there, they were joined by Qi Yong Ye, Li Dong Yue, Jin Wuji, and the others. They soon arrived at the hunting grounds at the outskirts of the Imperial City.
This was the location for today’s martial arts tournament.
At this time, there were various grandstands constructed here. The Eight Great Clans, and the envoys from the other nations were naturally occupying the best viewing positions, followed by the various Kings of Rain Country, then those middle-cla.s.s clans that had a Spiritual Ocean Tier elite in their ranks, and finally the respective sects and a.s.sociations.
And surrounded by the grandstands was the “stage” for today’s martial arts tournament.
It was not really a stage per se, but a small hill. The hill was about 1000 feet tall, and had just been constructed recently. There were thirty-two paths at the foot of the hill, but these paths would pair up and become sixteen paths on the next level. As the paths went onto the next level, they would continue to pair up and become eight paths, four paths, two paths, and finally one path that was directly headed to the top of the hill.
There was a throne placed at the top of the hill, but there was no one seated on it at this point in time.
“Ling Han!”
Liu Yu Tong and Li Si Chan both approached. The former had come with her clan, whereas the latter had come with her master, so they had both arrived a bit earlier than Ling Han.
Ling Han smiled and began to chat with those around him as he waited for the martial arts tournament to begin.
The Eldest Imperial Prince and the other Imperial Princes were naturally already here. By now, the Eldest and the Third Imperial Princes did not even give Ling Han a second look, whereas the Seventh Imperial Prince offered Ling Han a friendly smile. Meanwhile, the other Imperial Princes and Princesses all looked at Ling Han curiously. This young man looked so young, so how was he able to become a Big Boss of alchemy? Even they would have to respectfully and politely address him as Grandmaster.
At noon, someone announced in a loud voice, “His Imperial Majesty has arrived!”
Shua , everyone stood up to receive the Emperor’s arrival.
The Rain Emperor approached with great strides. He did not release the aura of someone who had half a step into the Flower Blossoming Tier, and looked extremely casual. However, as the Emperor, every move he made had a domineering, imperial grace, so he still caused those present to unconsciously feel utmost respect for him.
Behind the Rain Emperor, there were twelve Imperial Guards. Zai Xiang and Xie Chang were in the first row, and were standing about thirty feet behind the Rain Emperor, looking solemn.
The Rain Emperor directly walked to the foot of the hill. With a leap, he had flown up to the top of the hill, sitting down on the throne at the top. He pressed a hand down, then said, “Please rise, my subjects.”
“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty!” Only now did everyone return to their respective seats.
“The rules of the martial arts tournament today are as follows: partic.i.p.ants are to climb up the hill from the foot of the hill. The first person to arrive in front of me will be awarded,” the Rain Emperor said. He did not speak very loudly, but his voice was very clearly transmitted into everyone’s ears.
Though the Rain Emperor did not specifically say what the award was going to be, but the Imperial Family had already released the news that it would be a Mystical Power!
Instantly, the partic.i.p.ants looked excited. There was a total of thirty-two paths headed towards the top. If they were fast enough, they would be able to avoid any strong enemies and be the first person to arrive at the top to pay their respects to the Rain Emperor.
So what if there was Ling Han and Feng Yan? It’s all right if I’m no match for you as long as I can run faster than the two of you.
Even the envoys from the other nations felt the urge to partic.i.p.ate. However, which envoy was not aged? They were here to represent the image of their respective nations. Envoys not only needed to have adequate ability, but a good reputation and be mature enough. In this manner, even the youngest among the foreign envoys was older than fifty years old.
Firstly, the partic.i.p.ants were checked to avoid anyone over thirty years old partic.i.p.ating. If someone like that got the first place, then Rain Country would be completely humiliated. The second requirement was: only those in the Gus.h.i.+ng Spring Tier could partic.i.p.ate, and those who were in the Element Gathering Tier and below should not come and join in on the excitement.
With these two restrictions in place, the only ones who were qualified to partic.i.p.ate were only those particularly powerful disciples of Hu Yang Academy.
Xie Chang and Zai Xiang personally performed the check.
Ling Han stepped up to register his partic.i.p.ation, and was naturally approved at the first instant. Just from his face alone, it was obvious he had not yet reached twenty, what more thirty years old. Additionally, his cultivation was at the “first layer of the Gus.h.i.+ng Spring Tier”, so just enough to qualify.
“Niu wants to register too!” Hu Niu exclaimed.