NOVEL WEB Chapter 186: The First Challenge
The tension in the air grew palpable as the disciples of the Mystic Flame Sect and Spirit Wind Palace squared off, their gazes clashing like swords.
Gao Mingrui chuckled, his smirk widening as he crossed his arms.
"Oh? It seems I've struck a nerve. How predictable! The Mystic Flame Sect always talks big, but let's see if you can back it up in a fight."
Yuan Ziyan was about to retort, but Ling Meiyu raised a hand, stopping her.
"Ziyan, there's no need to waste your breath on such a person."
Ling Meiyu said calmly, her voice as cold as ice.
She stepped forward, her gaze finally landing on Gao Mingrui.
For a moment, the crowd held its breath, sensing that something significant was about to happen.
Ling Meiyu's expression remained unreadable as she spoke.
"Gao Mingrui, if you're so eager to test your strength, save it for the competition. I have no interest in entertaining your childish provocations here."
Her tone was neither arrogant nor dismissive; it was simply a statement of fact, delivered with the weight of absolute confidence.
Gao Mingrui's anger flared within him.
It was always the same—he was always dismissed by Ling Meiyu as nothing.
Gao Mingrui's smirk faltered for a brief moment before he quickly regained his composure.
"Is that so? Then I'll make sure to give you a proper welcome when we meet in the arena. Don't disappoint me, Ling Meiyu."
He turned on his heel, gesturing for his fellow Spirit Wind Palace disciples to follow.
They did so without question, their prideful gazes lingering on the Mystic Flame Sect for a moment.
As the Spirit Wind Palace participants disappeared into the crowd, Yuan Ziyan let out a frustrated sigh.
"Meiyu, you're too calm! That Gao Mingrui is insufferable. He deserves to be put in his place!"
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Gao Mingrui was only arrogant because he didn't know that Ling Meiyu's cultivation realm was the Three Elements Divine Realm, otherwise, Yuan Ziyan thought that he wouldn't have the courage to come and provoke her like this.
"There's no point in arguing with someone like him. Let him bark. It changes nothing!"
Her words not only seemed to be aimed at Gao Mingrui but also at someone else.
Ling Meiyu thought of the words spoken by Feng Yun, three years ago, which she didn't take seriously at all.
She believed that nothing would change even if she gave Feng Yun three years and he wouldn't even qualify for Dragon and Phoenix Ranking, much less beat her.
After all, he was a trash who couldn't even enter the Foundation Establishment Stage at 15 when she was already in the Core Formation Stage at the same age.
However, three years have passed and Feng Yun has proven himself that he was also a peerless genius.
However, Ling Meiyu still believes that she will win easily.
In this competition, Ling Meiyu didn't think she had an opponent who could give her any challenge including Gao Mingrui and Feng Yun.
She was going to silence everyone with this competition, whether it be someone like Gao Mingrui or her ex-fiance Feng Yun.
Elder Chi, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke.
"Ling Meiyu is right. Save your energy for the competition. The Spirit Wind Palace may have strong participants, but arrogance often blinds them. Stay focused on your goals."
"Yes, Elder Chi!"
The disciples replied in unison.
The Mystic Flame Sect resumed their march toward their designated quarters, the crowd parting before them like waves.
Anyway, they had already seen the Top 3 Strongest Sect and weren't too interested in other sects though some people still remain to check other sects.
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The sun rose over the capital, casting its golden light on the bustling streets filled with cultivators and spectators from all corners of the Azure Sky Empire.
The Dragon and Phoenix Competition officially begins today, and the air buzzed with excitement and anticipation.
All around the capital, opportunistic merchants and enterprising cultivators had set up impromptu betting shops, eager to capitalize on the fervor of the crowd.
"Place your bets! Will it be Ling Meiyu of the Mystic Flame Sect or Gao Mingrui of the Spirit Wind Palace?! Perhaps a surprising candidate from Icy Veil Sect!"
"Feng Yun, the dark horse from the Feng Clan, is gaining attention! High odds for a big payout—don't miss your chance!"
"Try your luck! Turn your 10 gold coins into 1000 gold coins. Simply place your bet and wait for your win!"
….
The streets bustled with activity as spectators debated passionately, gold coins changing hands as they wagered on their favorites.
Many were obviously betting on Ling Meiyu, the favorite to win but the return for the bet wasn't too high.
Some merchants even took out Ling Meiyu's name as they believed that she would undoubtedly win and didn't want the people to bet on her.
If everyone just bet on Ling Meiyu, and she wins then they would obviously go bankrupt.
Of course, that was on the basis that Ling Meiyu won, otherwise they would have missed an opportunity to make more money.
Gao Mingrui was the same.
With their chances of winning being so high, merchants who were accepting bets on Ling Meiyu dared not set the odds too high.
But at the same time, odds for other participants, especially those who were not from Sects, were surprisingly high.
For example, some merchants had odds for Feng Yun as high as 1:100.
Although the odds were high, there weren't many betting on him, and still chose Ling Meiyu as it was a safe bet.
Of course, Feng Chen wasn't going to miss such a good opportunity to make big bucks.
He went around placing bets on Feng Yun and spent almost a million gold coins.
If Feng Yun wins the Dragon and Phoenix Competition, Feng Chen could make approximately 100 Million Gold Coins.
That was astronomically a very huge amount. With such an amount, Feng Clan wouldn't need to worry about money for years to come.
Of course, if Feng Yun lost, Feng Chen would have just lost a million gold coins in an instant.
But Feng Chen thought that his bet was almost certain to win.
After all, he believes that Feng Yun as the protagonist has to win such a competition.
After placing bets, Feng Chen joined the Feng Clan and they headed towards the room prepared by the Fifth Princess.
Feng Clan's participants were seemingly more confident now.
Either because they had already fought once or because of the presence of Feng Yun and Feng Mei, they were less nervous than the Selection Phase.
Within the Mystic Flame Sect's VIP room, Ling Meiyu stood by a large window overlooking the arena.
Her expression remained calm, yet her eyes carried a glimmer of determination.
She could hear the distant roar of the crowd, a reminder of the weight of expectations placed upon her.
Elder Chi entered the room, his hands clasped behind her back.
"Meiyu, the first round will begin soon. Remember, you shouldn't reveal your true cultivation realm yet!"
Ling Meiyu turned to face her, her voice steady.
"I understand, Elder Chi!"
Anyway, Ling Meiyu believed that there wasn't anyone worthy for her to use her Three Elements Divine Realm strength.
Yuan Ziyan stood beside her, her excitement barely contained.
This is the first time she has been in this competition and also the last as her age wouldn't allow her to compete the next time.
Although she didn't think she would win, she was still determined to get a very high ranking for her sect and clan.
She is also happy to know that her younger brother has qualified and will be competing in the same competition.
In the spectator seats of the arena, people waved banners and flags, each adorned with the symbols of the sects or clans they had sworn allegiance to.
The colorful display of flags fluttered in the air, as enthusiastic cheers filled the space, each spectator passionately supporting their chosen faction.
"GOOD MORNING, Everyone!"
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena, amplified by an artifact, drawing the attention of the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Dragon and Phoenix Competition! Today marks the beginning of a journey where only the strongest will rise above all others!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, their enthusiasm shaking the very ground.
"With 256 participants, all of you are here to prove your strength and claim the title of the greatest genius of the Azure Sky Empire. This will be a single-elimination tournament, where every battle is a one-on-one fight. The victor of each match will advance to the next round until we crown the ultimate champion!"
The crowd roared with excitement as the names of the participants were displayed on a large artifact hovering above the arena.
It began to shuffle rapidly, sorting the names into pairs for the first round of battles.
"Let the first match begin!"
The announcer declared.
The artifact slowed and finally stopped, revealing the first pair of contestants:
"Ling Meiyu of the Mystic Flame Sect vs. Zhao Min of the Iron Fist Sect!"