Lin Xian`er's voice was light and melodious, her reddened face because of the wine she drank seemed to heighten her shyness even more. Her emotions were plain, and the killing power her gentle soul-stirring countenance contained blasted full force onto Qin Wentian. In comparison, it wasn't any weaker than the threat Gu Liufeng and Hua Taixu posed to him. Normally, Lin Xian`er could already mesmerize the crowd even without doing anything. Right now, when she was intentionally being charming, she could cause the population of the world to destroy itself fighting for her favor. People were simply unable to extricate themselves from her beauty.
Lou Bingyu cast a glance at Lin Xian`er. Although this woman gave her a sense of inappropriateness, she could sense that Lin Xian`er's character wasn't bad. If not, she wouldn't have blocked Di Shi's strike for Ye Lingshuang and the others earlier. And also right now, Lin Xian`er didn't seem to have any intention of mentioning what she'd done to Qin Wentian. Although her 'reputation' wasn't good, Lou Bingyu could tell that Lin Xian`er had a good heart.
Naturally, the 'reputation' issue was merely Lou Bingyu's impression from the rumors she had heard. Her experience in the world was shallow, hence all she heard regarding disciples of the Celestial Maiden Sect caused her to form such conclusions. However in actual fact, Lin Xian`er's behavior was completely different from what was rumored. Right now, speaking in such a coquettish manner was in fact, actually Lin Xian`er's limit.
"Cough cough…" Qin Wentian coughed, he didn't dare to meet Lin Xian`er's eyes. The emotions in her eyes that were mixed with desire and shyness, could steal away the souls of people. No wonder people of the Royal Sacred Region termed the Holy Maiden of the Celestial Maiden Sect Lin Xian`er as the number one beauty under the heavens, a true femme fatale. If Lin Xian`er really wanted to charm someone, most probably, only a rare few would be able to resist her charms.
"Teehee, Junior brother Qin obtained the number one ranking and now, even the favor of Fairy Lin. Truly, this will make the people around you die of envy and admiration." As Ji Feixue laughed, he also lowered his head, not daring to glance at Lin Xian`er. His heart was trembling slightly, silently cursing in his heart that Lin Xian`er was truly a demoness. That sentence of hers earlier already caused his passion to ignite despite not being said to him. One could only wonder what Qin Wentian was feeling now.
"Fairy Lin, don't tease me already, please." Qin Wentian stabilised his heart and mind as he bitterly smiled while shaking his head.
"Xian`er is speaking my heartfelt words," Lin Xian`er giggled. That shyness in her eyes caused everyone to stare at her in rapture. If only Lin Xian`er would treat them like that, they would definitely have some licentious fun with this demoness.
Qin Wentian had no way to counter her words, and as she stared at him, a strange glow blazed in Lin Xian`er eyes. After which, she lifted her wine cup as she whispered, "Okay, I shan't joke around with you any longer. This is a cause of celebration since Sir Qin managed to obtained the top rank of this batch of participants in the Immortal Martial Realm. Please allow Xian`er to toast you."
"Right." Qin Wentian finally steeled his resolve enough to look at Lin Xian`er. Right now, Lin Xian`er's face was still flushed red, but her eyes only contained serenity within them, as though she wasn't interested in him the slightest. The two of them toasted with their wine cups and drained it in a single gulp. The fiery feeling set their bodies ablaze once more as the astral energy in their Yuanfu brimmed to the max, circulating frenziedly within their bodies and causing rumbling sounds to echo out.
BOOM!
Just when the crowd was still pondering on the shocking fact that Qin Wentian was ranked first, a wave of intense killing intent permeated the air.
"So what even if you are ranked first in the Immortal Martial Realm? This only represents your latent potential. But no matter how much latent potential someone has, if he died, he is ultimately only a dead man in the end." A cold voice echoed out, the gazes of the crowd turned over as they stared at Di Shi. They instantly understood what was going on.
Everyone was clear on the grudge between Qin Wentian and Di Shi. The most unhappy person here was undoubtedly Di Shi when he learned that Qin Wentian was the person ranked first in this batch that ventured into the Immortal Martial Realm. Not only did he have debt to settle with Qin Wentian over Qin Wentian killing his younger brother, he was similarly the only one out of the eight era-suppressing geniuses who didn't manage to get into the top ten. And just so coincidentally, Qin Wentian was the one who ousted him, stripping him of any chance. Di Shi naturally didn't want to admit to the fact that Qin Wentian was ranked number one.
Ji Feixue, Duan Han, Lou Bingyu, and Lin Xian`er all frowned. Before this, Di Shi had clashed against them. He had broken through to the eighth level of Heavenly Dipper and was exceedingly dangerous. If they didn't intervene, Ye Lingshuang and the others would have surely died. This matter wasn't known to Qin Wentian yet.
The sounds of the participants enjoying themselves with food and wine instantly came to an abrupt halt because of what Di Shi had said.
"How can he be compared to you, Di Shi? Number #11 in the Immortal Martial Realm, being defeated by junior brother Qin under absolutely fair conditions. After that, you even chose to take out your anger on Wentian's friends whose cultivation bases were suppressed. You are only so capable after all, and the things you've done and words you've said will all be circulated to the outside world. As to the reputation you have as part of the eight-era suppressing geniuses, from today onwards, everyone would know that in fact, you completely failed to live up to that name. Junior brother Qin would definitely be the one replacing your position,"Ji Feixue coldly spoke.
Qin Wentian's countenance stiffened as he asked, "Senior brother, did you say that he made a move against my friends?"
"I wanted to find an opportunity to tell you about this. Di Shi broke through to the eighth level of Heavenly Dipper and after he was ousted by you from the path of the stone monuments, he immediately moved against Ye Lingshuang and your other friends. If it wasn't for Fairy Lin's making a move to block him, the consequences would surely have been disastrous. For this, Fairy Lin was even injured. You should take the opportunity to thank her for her kindness."
Ji Feixue told Qin Wentian because he wanted to remind Qin Wentian to be careful of Di Shi, revealing Di Shi's level of cultivation base so Qin Wentian would be more prepared. If not, who knew if Di Shi might spring another sneak attack in the future.
An intense coldness instantly erupted forth from Qin Wentian, gushing towards Di Shi. Di Shi regarded him icily, murder apparent in his eyes. He gulp down a cup of wine as he pointed his finger straight at Qin Wentian, the meaning of his provocation extremely clear.
Qin Wentian disregarded Di Shi's provocation, yet there was already a torrential wave of killing intent in his heart. Di Shi has already entered the list of people he would definitely kill.
Harshly gulping down a mouth of wine, Qin Wentian ignored the burning sensation. He turned his gaze back onto Lin Xian`er. Although Ji Feixue only casually spoke of it, he knew that if it wasn't for Lin Xian`er acting on his behalf, with Di Shi's strength it was as easy as flipping a palm if he wanted to kill Ye Lingshuang and the others. Lin Xian`er disregarded injuries to herself, blocking Di Shi's attack to buy time for Ji Feixue and the others.
And in addition, if Ji Feixue had not revealed this, Lin Xian`er would never have mentioned it and Qin Wentian would have been kept in the dark forever. This made Qin Wentian feel an indescribable sense of gratitude.
"Xian`er only acted because I disapproved his actions. Sir Qin, there's no need to overthink things. Since Xian`er is already friends with Sir Qin, there's no need to thank me," Lin Xian`er gently smiled.
Qin Wentian nodded his head. "Xian`er don't call me Sir Qin any longer, just refer to me as Wentian in the future."
Lin Xian`er stared at Qin Wentian with a smile that was not a smile on her face. She gently stated, "Wentian, this indeed sounds much more smoother to pronounce> I shall call you Wentian then."
Right now, Wu Mu who was on the stone platform in the middle of the astral lake gazed at the participants with a smile. He then added, "I believe you all want to see how the situation is on the outside right? Since the banquet is already prepared, let's add something more to heighten the atmosphere. Prepare the engraving of names on the ranking monument."
Wu Mu's words caused many to freeze. The participants then turned their sights back behind Wu Mu. Over there was a huge astral monument, and right now on the front of it, all their names were already engraved.
"Could this be the ranking monument situated at the entrance of the Immortal Martial Realm? The rankings can be carved on it?" Someone exclaimed in shock.
"In that case, the dimension we are in now, is in the space within the ranking monument situated at the entrance itself?" Somebody speculated.
"Haha you are right. This astral monument is precisely the one situated at the entrance. Do you all think that your names would appear there magically? Of course it's engraved by us." Wu Mu laughed, he didn't put on any airs at all and his words allowed comprehension to dawn on everyone.
"In that case, this place is the entrance and also the exit? We went through so many things only to come a full circle, returning back to our original location. The only thing that has changed is the situation outside," Li Tian spoke.
"Yes," Wu Mu nodded, as everyone finally understood.
At this moment, the back of the astral monument suddenly turned transparent, allowing the participants inside to clearly see the situation on the outside. Countless numbers of people from various powers had arrived, all waiting for the results of the ranking.
Staring at these people, the participants all felt a deep shock in their hearts. Only by personally witnessing it did they realize how many people outside were waiting for the results in great anticipation.
"Master has arrived." Lou Bingyu's beautiful eyes stiffened as she stared at an extraordinary-looking silhouette standing atop a stone pillar. It was none other than the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness.
As though she suddenly thought of something, Lou Bingyu stealthily cast another glance at Qin Wentian, complicated traces of emotion within her eyes. If her master knew that not only had she failed to surpass Ji Feixue, she even became friends with Qin Wentian, and the fact that Qin Wentian was ranked number one in the Immortal Martial Realm, what would the Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness think?
Di Shi's eyes narrowed, his countenance grew increasingly unsightly. He saw that outside the Immortal Martial Realm there were many experts from his supreme Di Clan waiting to see the results.
Qin Wentian only had one person in his eyes, that exquisite and peerless, empire-toppling beautiful silhouette standing there with nervousness in her eyes. Mo Qingcheng's flawless countenance was filled with anticipation as her dainty hands were clenched tightly into fists. Staring at her expression, Qin Wentian felt a bout of warmth warming his heart. He knew that only matters regarding him would cause Mo Qingcheng to react in such a manner.
"Hmm, who's that?" Qin Wentian cast another glance at the old man standing next to Mo Qingcheng. This old man projected an extraordinary aura, and the experts from the Medicine Sovereign Valley all respectfully stood behind him. Occasionally, Mo Qingcheng would even sneak a glance filled with nervousness at the old man. All this involuntarily caused Qin Wentian to guess that could it be...that old man was none other than the Medicine Sovereign?
Many powerful characters had already arrived outside the Immortal Martial Realm. It wasn't impossible for the Medicine Sovereign to personally drop by.
Separated by the ancient monument, the people inside all had various thoughts, while the crowds outside were all exceedingly nervous. The floating names on the ranking monument all disappeared, they knew that the time for the reveal of the rankings had arrived.
A bright light flashed as the first name was engraved on the ranking monument. Naturally, this was the name of the participant ranked last. It was none other than an expert from the Divine Dragon Castle. The fact that his name appeared first, caused those from the Divine Dragon Castle to feel waves of disappointment rock their hearts.
Following which, the second, the third name appeared, starting from the bottom and rising to the top.
"Princess Jiao Yang's name has also appeared. To think that she actually didn't even rank within the top twenty?" Many people exclaimed in shock. Those floating names belonged to many exceptionally famous characters in the Royal Sacred Region, yet how many of them would be able to enter the top ten?
"Bingyu's name hadn't appeared yet." The Plum Mountain Sword Sovereigness actually felt traces of nervousness in her heart. She hoped that Lou Bingyu's name would appear as late as possible.
"Di Shi, it's all up to you now," Those from the supreme Di Clan were watching with expectation. They wished to see Di Shi's name being ranked among the top three.
Every time a name was engraved on the stone monument, the hearts of the crowd would pound with nervousness. This continued all the way until the top twenty names were revealed.
"Not one of the names of the eight era-suppressing geniuses has appeared yet. It seems that they are all ranked within the top ten." The crowd speculated. Although Qin Wentian's name hadn't appeared yet, the crowd had already forgotten about him. However there was one person that could never forget him, and that person was naturally Mo Qingcheng. Her countenance was flushed slightly red, racked with nervousness. Qin Wentian's name hadn't appeared yet, he must be ranked ahead.
When the name of the participant ranked #12 finally appeared, many people drew in a deep breath. The moment was coming. It seemed like all eight of the era-suppressing geniuses really did rank within the top ten.
"Di Shi wouldn't let our supreme Di Clan down." Those from the Di Clan stated with confidence and excitement.
And at this moment, the name of the participant obtaining #11 was engraved onto the stone monument. Two gigantic characters - 'Di Shi,' imprinted themselves into the eyes of the countless spectators.
Instantly, huge tsunami waves of shock violently rocked the minds of the crowd, stunning those from the supreme Di Clan.
Di Shi. Di Shi of the eight era-suppressing geniuses was actually ranked #11. He didn't even manage to get into the top ten!!