Chapter 45: The Arrival of the Sunset Dynasty!

One day later.

Xin Hongyi successfully broke through to the late stage of the Purple Mansion Realm.

At the same time, even her physical body had become significantly stronger.

This brought a look of joy to Xin Hongyi's face. She patted Ye Qiubai on the shoulder and smiled, "I owe you a favor."

Xin Hongyi was from a secret clan of the Southern Region; this favor was no less valuable than one from Tian Cheng.

However, Ye Qiubai did not care, saying, "Alright, there isn't much time left. Let's head deeper and get some more points."

Xin Hongyi nodded.

...

In the time that followed.

Ye Qiubai and Xin Hongyi continuously hunted demonic beasts.

Their points increased incredibly fast!

During this process, Ye Qiubai also successfully broke through to the late stage of the Purple Mansion Realm.

At the same time, by utilizing the demonic energy contained within the Azure Flame Mountains, his comprehension of the Nine Heavenly Demon Swords grew even deeper.

By the time it ended, Ye Qiubai's points had reached 4,700.

Xin Hongyi's points had also reached 2,200.

Everyone was teleported out and returned to the Northern Region's Hidden Dao Academy.

Upon arriving at the plaza.

Huo Qingming and Lin Ce walked over.

Huo Qingming asked curiously, "Ye Qiubai, how many points do you have?"

His tone was laced with pride.

Lin Ce rolled his eyes and said, "This guy, Huo Qingming, happened to encounter a dying peak Qi Sea Realm demonic beast. Combined with the others, he has 2,100 points. He's just here to show off."

Huo Qingming chuckled. After all, he was no match for Ye Qiubai; being able to surpass him elsewhere was satisfying enough.

Xin Hongyi looked at Lin Ce and asked, "What about you?"

Lin Ce spread his hands and said, "1,800."

At this moment, Huang Yuan and the others also gathered around. Just as they were about to ask questions, an elder stepped forward and said, "Everyone, please hand in your point stones. Rankings will be conducted here, and some people will be eliminated."

Hearing this, everyone handed over their point stones.

Huang Yuan asked, "There shouldn't be any problems, right?"

As he spoke, Huang Yuan was mainly looking at Ye Qiubai.

Ye Qiubai shrugged without saying a word.

Xin Hongyi simply nodded.

Huo Qingming said, "There shouldn't be any major issues."

Soon, the elder calculated the rankings.

As he began to announce the results, his eyes showed a hint of surprise. He said, "Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy: one person eliminated. The first place in points is Jian Chaomian, with 4,500 points."

As soon as the result came out, the crowd couldn't help but erupt in an uproar.

4,500!

One must know that a mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm demonic beast only grants 10 points, and even a peak Purple Mansion Realm beast only grants 30 points.

4,500 points—just how many had he killed, or had he slain even higher-tier demonic beasts!

With Jian Chaomian's strength, it was certainly possible!

After all, he was the number one sword cultivator of the Northern Region's younger generation!

"Surely no one can surpass Jian Chaomian's score, right?"

"Definitely no one can surpass it."

"I heard from my fellow disciples that Senior Brother Jian seems to have single-handedly slain three mid-stage Qi Sea Realm demonic beasts and one late-stage Qi Sea Realm demonic beast!"

"Doesn't Senior Brother Jian himself only reside in the mid-stage Qi Sea Realm? Furthermore, a mid-stage Qi Sea Realm demonic beast is equivalent to a late-stage Qi Sea Realm expert!"

"As expected of the man called the number one sword cultivator of the younger generation."

Countless people looked at Jian Chaomian with eyes full of awe!

Huang Yuan's expression was also solemn.

Zhong Wu said from the side, "He is a formidable rival."

Huang Yuan nodded. "If I faced him, I estimate I'd only have a thirty percent chance of winning."

Next, the elder announced again.

"Eastern Region: one person eliminated. The first place in points is Tian Cheng, with a total of 3,900 points."

3,900 points!

Although it couldn't compare to Jian Chaomian's score, it was still an incredibly high number!

The leading elder of the Eastern Region also revealed a smile.

This result had already exceeded his expectations.

However, Tian Cheng did not smile; instead, his expression was solemn. No one knew what he was thinking.

"Western Region: one person eliminated. The first place in points is Zhang He, with a total of 3,860 points."

It wasn't much different from Tian Cheng.

It could be described as extremely close.

It was also an exceptionally outstanding achievement.

Now, everyone's gaze turned toward the Southern Region.

"Among them, the highest score should be that Huang Yuan, right?"

"Heh, I suppose that Huang Yuan is the only figure the Southern Region can put forward, after all, he is the disciple of the Southern Region's Principal."

"But compared to Jian Chaomian, Tian Cheng, and the others, he's probably still a bit lacking."

As soon as those words fell.

The elder's voice announcing the results drifted over.

"Southern Region: two people eliminated. The first place in points is... Ye Qiubai, with 4,700 points!"

Instantly, Huang Yuan and the others looked at Ye Qiubai, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Someone also asked, "Who is this Ye Qiubai?"

Jian Chaomian also reacted, turning his head to look at Ye Qiubai with eyes full of fighting intent!

Tian Cheng's expression was complicated.

Zhang He's face remained smiling, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"4,700 points? 200 points higher than Jian Chaomian?"

"How did he do it? This person only seems to be in the Purple Mansion Realm; how could he reach 4,700 points?"

"Could it be that he just got lucky and picked up some easy kills?"

Under the gaze of the crowd, it seemed impossible for Ye Qiubai to have reached such a score.

However, Ye Qiubai did not care.

What did other people's words and opinions have to do with him?

Huang Yuan looked at Ye Qiubai with a complex expression and said, "Well done."

Huo Qingming also said with a bitter smile, "I originally thought I could surpass you this time, but I didn't expect you to surpass me by so much."

Lin Ce also said helplessly, "This guy is simply someone who cannot be judged by common logic."

Huo Qingming laughed, "True. But I didn't expect that the two of us would be eliminated like this..."

Indeed, the two people eliminated from the Southern Region were Huo Qingming and Lin Ce.

On the other side, the Martial Hall Elder walked over, patted Ye Qiubai, and laughed loudly, "Good lad, well done. You've brought glory to our Southern Region Hidden Dao Academy this time."

The Confucian Academy Elder also smiled, "Maintain this momentum in the upcoming matches. Our goal this time must be to enter the top two."

Ye Qiubai nodded.

Ahead, the elder from the Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy spoke, "Alright, moving on to the next stage. The four Hidden Dao Academies may assign their participants as they see fit to engage in martial exchanges. In the end, the side that leaves more victors standing will be declared the winner."

With a wave of his hand, a box appeared before the elder.

The elder casually drew two slips.

"The first match: Eastern Region versus Southern Region. Both sides may discuss how to deploy their combatants."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Wu Deshi, the Principal of the Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy, arrived in the sky. With a wave of his palm.

Suddenly, in the very center of the plaza, a martial arena rose from the ground!

In front of the arena, there were ten seats!

Wu Deshi and the principals of the other three regions sat in their positions.

Before long, several figures stepped through the sky!

They took their seats in the remaining chairs!

This time, however, Wu Deshi was not sitting in the primary seat; the primary seat remained empty. Beside the primary seat, there was also an empty chair!

This left everyone puzzled.

Who possessed a status even higher than Wu Deshi?

Suddenly, two dragon roars echoed from the sky!

A massive ship appeared in everyone's sight, and at the front of the ship, two dragons clad in golden armor were pulling the vessel forward!

It was a ship of the Sunset Dynasty!