Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 294 - Top Ten

Silence descended upon the surroundings. Even after Liu Wuxie had slain Gong Gaomiao, someone dared to step forward. The Black Chu Empire remained silent, and none of the smaller nations dared to speak up.

"Liu Wuxie, since you dared to harm him, you must have an answer to your question. Are you not going to provide an explanation?" Ji Xinghe advanced, aware that his silence would send chills through the hearts of those from the Spirit Tiger Dynasty if he didn\'t speak up.

“Who do you think you are, and why should I give you an explanation?” Liu Wuxie looked at Ji Xinghe with a mocking gaze. The so-called geniuses held no significance for him. Throughout, Liu Wuxie followed his heart, refusing to offer explanations to anyone.

The path of immortality required unwavering determination. If fear took hold, it would become a stumbling block, jeopardizing one\'s destiny on the immortal path.

Once Liu Wuxie was done speaking, he ignored Ji Xinghe and returned to his region. He knew better than anyone what ‘dao’ meant, and there was no need to lower himself to the level of these people.

Where would his dignity be if he had to answer whenever someone asked him a question?

Ji Xinghe’s face became grim as he was placed in a difficult position. He didn’t expect Liu Wuxieto to be so unyielding. They had exhausted whatever means they had only to find little effect and be repeatedly counterattacked by Liu Wuxie.

The battle continued; five were already in the top ten while the others were still fighting. After two hours of competition, the top twenty were finally determined.

There were forty-four people, meaning there were twenty-two matches. Some were heavily injured and had no choice but to withdraw from the competition. Ultimately, only twenty were left to compete for the top ten.

“The top ten will be determined after fifteen minutes of rest!” Jiang Kaicheng stepped forward and encouraged everyone to rest while he prepared twenty plates and placed them in the box.

When twenty people stood together, Liu Wuxie stood out because he was only in the first level of the True Core Realm. There were eight in the fourth level, ten in the third level, and one in the second level. In addition to Liu Wuxie, there were a total of twenty people.

As he walked over to the box, Liu Wuxie wasn’t in a hurry and was the last to pick while everyone drew their numbers. He drew seven, and he wondered who his opponent was.

After everyone got their plates, they went to their respective arenas, and Liu Wuxie also walked to the seventh arena. Someone was already standing in the arena because Liu Wuxie was the last to draw.

“This is weird. Did you all notice? None of those in the fourth level ran into each other.” The crowd commotioned because the eight participants in the fourth level avoided each other and only faced opponents in the third level.

“Brother Liu, I admit defeat!” When Liu Wuxie walked over to the seventh arena, his opponent conceded. This meant Liu Wuxie was the first to enter the top ten, securing the reward of at least an earth-grade martial technique.

“Do we know each other?” Liu Wuxie frowned. He didn’t seem to know this person, but why did this person concede? Furthermore, this person showed no hostility against him and was completely different from Lu Hongzhi.

“I’m Weng Li of the Blue Wind Empire. Please enlighten me in the future.” Weng Li was polite and cupped his fists at Liu Wuxie before walking down the arena without hesitation.

As he came from the Blue Wind Empire, he didn’t lack earth-grade martial techniques to practice. It was already enough for him to enter the top hundred, and the tenth and hundredth place was no different to him.

He conceded that he wanted to form a good relationship with Liu Wuxie, and there were no disadvantages. With Liu Wuxie’s talent, there was no doubt he would skyrocket upon entering the cultivation world.

“Thank you!” Liu Wuxie cupped his fists back politely. He noticed that Weng Li was expressing his goodwill. He had no enmity with the Blue Wind Empire, and they did not take any drastic actions against him. Even the Blue Wind Empire’s strongest genius, Shui Huan, had shown his support for him.

Stepping down the arena, Liu Wuxie glanced at the other nine arenas. The opponents of the eight in the fourth level conceded without any hesitation. The last battle was between two in the third level, and they exchanged a few hundred moves before the Eastern Zhou Dynasty’s Yi Kang won.

With the top five determined, the next round would determine the top three before the conclusion of the Battle of the Hundred Nations.

“Top ten, please step over!” Jiang Kaicheng said, and the top ten formed a row. From Liu Wuxie onwards, they were Shui Huan, Yuwen Tianqian, Ye Feng, Ji Xinghe, Xiao Wenlai, Yi Kang, Jia Fengmao, TAn Yan, and Mu Hongyang.

Jia Fengmao and Xiao Wenlai came from the Azure Lion Empire. Gong Gaomiao initially had a high chance of making it into the top ten, but Liu Wuxie killed him. As a result, Yi Kang replaced his position.

Liu Wuxie became even more desirable now, as only he was in the first level of the True Core Realm, appearing out of place.

Tan Yan and Shui Huan were from the Blue Wind Empire. The Blue Wind Empire had a great harvest this year, occupying two spots in the top ten. At least eight people obtained the qualification to enter the cultivation world this year.

The Dark Tide Empire and Black Chu Empire suffered heavy losses, with several experts killed by Liu Wuxie. They were almost wiped out beyond the top twenty.

As for the Glory Flame Empire and Northern Rise Empire, losses were relatively minor, and they only had a few top-notch geniuses.

“The rules are simple. Everyone must engage with each other, meaning everyone had to fight nine battles—one point for one win, zero for a loss, and half a point for a draw. The final ranking will be determined with the points,” Jiang Kaicheng stated the rules. There were ten people, and everyone had to fight nine battles.

The same applied to others. The Azure Lion Empire and Blue Wind Empire naturally held an advantage because they had two representatives in the top ten.

With the exception of Yi Kang, each contestant had emerged victorious as their opponents had conceded, preserving their true essence for future battles.

“Let’s begin and pick your opponent. Everyone will fight with each other, but the order is up to you all!” Jiang Kaicheng said, no longer paying attention to the ten as he walked to the side to watch.

Five people went up the arenas to wait for their opponents.

“Ye Feng, I’ve heard that you have comprehended the highest profundity of the Horizon Sentient Blade. Let me experience it today!” Jia Fengmao vanished and chose Ye Feng as his first opponent.

The Everlasting Pill was too tempting, and no one was willing to give it up, including someone like Ye Feng. The eight were in the fourth level of the True Core Realm, and it would be tough for them to determine an outcome among themselves. Most battles would end in a draw because no one would put their lives on the line at this moment.

This was because it would be a significant loss if they lost the opportunity to enter the cultivation world because of heavy injuries.

Everyone took turns to go to the arena, leaving the fifth arena.

Liu Wuxie vanished and appeared before Yi Kang.

“Brother Liu, let us determine the outcome in one move. I’m not your opponent, but I don’t want to give up easily.” Yi Kang was satisfied he could make it into the top ten and would be ranked last if there was no miracle.

Everyone else had higher cultivation than him, except Liu Wuxie, but his cultivation couldn’t determine the latter’s strength.

After all, Liu Wuxie had killed Gong Gaomiao, who was in the fourth level.

“Make your move!” Liu Wuxie drew the Heretic Blade and treated this as a sparring match.

“Please!” Yi Kang’s longsword manifested into an afterimage, and he chose a frontal clash with a learning attitude.

When the longsword was three meters from Liu Wuxie, he drew the Heretic Blade and resolved Yi Kang’s attack.

In the next second, Yi Kang felt moisture on his neck. When he reached out to touch his neck, he noticed a droplet of blood on his finger. Yi Kang would be decapitated if the Heretic Blade went in any further.

“Thanks for the battle!” Liu Wuxie sheathed the Heretic Blade and went down the stage, leaving Yi Kang alone.

“Thank you for sparing my life!” Yi Kang finally came to his senses after Liu Wuxie left and quickly went up to express his gratitude.

Upon exiting the arena, Liu Wuxie eschewed rest and instead turned his attention to the four remaining arenas, where the battles raged with intense fervor.

Ye Feng’s opponent was Jia Fengmao, Shui Huan’s opponent was Mu Hongyang, Yuwen Tianqian’s opponent was Tan Yan, and Ji Xinghe’s opponent was Xiao Wenlai.

However, the first and third arenas held no suspense, and everything went as Liu Wuxie expected; Ye Feng defeated Jia Fengmao within three moves. They were both in the fourth level, proving that Ye Feng’s strength was unfathomable.

Yuwen Tianqian performed the Judgement Sword, knocking Tan Yan’s weapon out of his hands with one strike and obtaining his victory.

The battle between Shui Huan and Mu Hongyang took time to determine. It was more or less the same for Ji Xinghe and Xiao Wenlai as they were close in strength.

Shui Huan’s trump card was Void Eye. It wasn’t the same as Liu Wuxie’s Ghost Eye, aside from the fact that both eye techniques could unleash soul attacks.

Mu Hongyang’s strongest skill was Samsara Spear. This spear technique was extremely powerful, making it hard for Shui Huan to break his defenses. They had already exchanged over a few thousand moves.

As Ji Xinghe and Xiao Wenlai battled, Ji Xinghe\'s most potent technique was the Nine Frost Astral Sword. This technique had the power to unleash a formidable chill akin to a divine sword descending from the heavens.

Xiao Wenlai wasn’t any weaker in comparison. He practiced the Thunder Tyrant Sword. Whenever he attacked, his attacks would be accompanied by rumbling lightning, and he even drew thunder from the sky to empower his sword technique.

If the two wanted to determine a victor, they would have to fight all day and night. According to the rules, the battle would end in a draw if the victor couldn’t be determined in an hour.

Both Xiao Wenlai and Ji Xinghe retained their trump cards because this wasn’t a fight to the death. Thus, there was no need for them to be heavily injured.

Ye Feng and Yuwen Tianqian went down the arenas. Like Liu Wuxie, they each obtained a point and were tied for the first place.

“Ji Xinghe’s Nine Frost Astral Sword is becoming increasingly powerful, and it even comprehends the intent of Nine Frost Astral,” Yuwen Tianqian praised after stepping down from the arena.

“Xiao Wenlai wasn’t weak either. He had already mastered the profundity of divine thunder in the Thunder Tyrant Sword, and it won’t be easy for them to determine an outcome.” Ye Feng rallied behind Xiao Wenlai, his face filled with determination. He remained unsatisfied with his own battle against Jia Fengmao.

“I didn’t expect Brother Shui’s eye technique to be so powerful. Mu Hongyang might suffer a disadvantage.” Yuwen Tianqian pointed to the other arena with a hint of wariness towards Shui Huan’s Void Eye.

“Yeah. Only Shui Huan can put pressure on everyone.” Ye Feng agreed with Yuwen Tianqian because the Void Eye was tough to guard against.

If this continued, Mu Hongyang would show a flaw, allowing Shui Huan to end the battle.