Chapter 342: Qing Yan Jing Takes Action
Xiao Tian looked at the arena, where nineteen white jade platforms were distinctly separated. One group occupied six platforms, exhibiting the strongest aura. Two other groups occupied five platforms each, and the final group occupied three platforms.
Qing Yan Jing explained, "The group with six platforms is the Xuan Branch. Their leader, Xuan Guang, is at the peak of the late Immortal Heavenly Sovereign stage and is one of the two most likely to advance to the Saint level within the Floating Pagoda Clan."
Xiao Tian nodded. The Xuan Branch had four Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns and two Spirit Heavenly Sovereigns.
"The other two groups occupying five platforms are the Mo Branch and the Qing Branch. The leader of the Mo Branch is the other person most likely to advance to the Saint level," Qing Yan Jing continued. "When my father was alive, the Qing Branch also had six seats, but it seems to have declined. The last three seats belong to the branch families."
Xiao Tian looked at the groups. The Mo Branch had three Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns and two Spirit Heavenly Sovereigns. In contrast, the Qing Branch had only one Immortal Heavenly Sovereign and four Spirit Heavenly Sovereigns, with the Immortal Heavenly Sovereign being only at the mid-stage, making it difficult to compete with the other two branch leaders.
As Xiao Tian and Qing Yan Jing observed, the leaders of the Xuan and Mo branches glanced at them and then at each other, nodding slightly.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Soon, five figures shot out and landed on the five white jade platforms of the Qing Branch.
"Mo Gu of the Mo Branch, challenging Qing Tian."
"Mo Cheng of the Mo Branch, challenging Elder Qing Xuan."
"Xuan Lin of the Xuan Branch, challenging Elder Qing Yun."
"Xuan Jin of the Xuan Branch, challenging Elder Qing Ling."
"Hei Guang of the Xuan Branch, challenging Elder Qing You."
With the appearance of these challengers, the faces of the Qing Branch members turned grim. Since the clan leader's death, another Immortal Heavenly Sovereign of the Qing Branch had perished in an area similar to the Ancient Sacred Abyss. Since then, the Xuan and Mo branches had teamed up to take a seat from the Qing Branch. Now, they aimed to take another.
Xiao Tian shook his head, saying, "It seems the Qing Branch will lose four out of five matches and another seat."
In the original story, the Xuan and Mo branches took three seats from the Qing Branch and nearly abolished it. If not for Mu Chen's intervention and Qing Yan Jing's actions, the Floating Pagoda Clan would have only the Xuan and Mo branches left.
"They have a good plan," Qing Yan Jing sneered. "But the Qing Branch rose under my father's leadership, and I won't let it decline."
Sure enough, the Qing Branch lost four out of five matches and was about to lose another seat.
Xuan Guang, the Xuan Branch leader, looked at Fu Tu Xuan and said, "Grand Elder, the outcome is clear. Please make the announcement."
Fu Tu Xuan sighed and was about to speak when Qing Yan Jing interjected, "Wait, the Qing Branch still has me!"
Her words made her the center of attention.
"Isn't that Qing Yan Jing, the former saintess and daughter of the previous clan leader?"
"I heard she became the Empress of the Heavenly Court. Given how the clan treated her, she's probably here to confront the Xuan and Mo branches!"
"Nobody has dared to cause trouble for the five ancient clans in years. This will be interesting!"
Xiao Tian and Qing Yan Jing had not hidden their identities when entering the Floating Pagoda Realm, so many people recognized them.
Xuan Guang said coldly, "Qing Yan Jing, you were expelled from the clan. You have no right to participate in the elder seat competition!"
"Whether I was expelled or not is clear to those who know. You sent me away to suppress the Qing Branch," Qing Yan Jing retorted. "The more you do this, the more determined I am to participate!"
Xuan Guang snorted disdainfully, "A criminal has no right to participate!"
"Does this give me the right?" Qing Yan Jing raised her hand, revealing a green token.
"The Branch Leader Token?"
Xuan Guang glared at Qing Tian and demanded, "Qing Tian, what is the Qing Branch trying to do by giving the Branch Leader Token to this criminal?"
Qing Tian replied calmly, "This is our branch's decision. What does it have to do with the Xuan Branch?"
The Qing Branch was already weak. Without a final effort, they would lose all their seats sooner or later.
Qing Yan Jing said, "With the Branch Leader Token in my hand, I am the Qing Branch leader. If you have objections, take it up with the Council of Elders. For now, you can't deny my position!"
"Fine, fine, fine!" Xuan Guang laughed angrily. "Let's see what you can do against us!"
Although Qing Yan Jing's array skills were at the Spirit Heavenly Sovereign level, such power couldn't change much. As for Saint Heavenly Sovereign Xiao Tian, he wasn't part of the Floating Pagoda Clan and couldn't participate. If he did, the Grand Elder would intervene.
"You will see!" Qing Yan Jing replied, stepping forward.
"Boom!"
As she moved, a terrifying spiritual pressure erupted from her body.
"What? A Heavenly Sovereign?"
"An early-stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign?"
"How did she reach the Spirit Heavenly Sovereign level at her age?"
Feeling Qing Yan Jing's immense pressure, everyone was shocked, especially the Floating Pagoda Clan members.
Qing Yan Jing landed on one of the Xuan Branch's white jade platforms, facing a mid-stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign. "Since the Xuan Branch wants to take a seat from the Qing Branch, I'll take one from you first. Please enlighten me!"
Xuan Guang said coldly, "Elders of the Xuan Branch, show her the power of the leading branch!"
"Yes."
The elders responded and looked at Qing Yan Jing with hostility.
Her opponent unleashed his full power, his body glowing with billions of spiritual lights, towering like a small giant. He transformed into a spiritual body and charged at Qing Yan Jing with ghostly speed.
A mid-stage Spirit Heavenly Sovereign's attack shattered the void, even cracking the white jade platform.
"Although you and I are at the same level, defeating you is like killing a chicken," Qing Yan Jing said disdainfully, as a purple flame appeared on her body. The flame grew rapidly, burning fiercely. As her opponent's attack neared, the flame became even more terrifying, eventually engulfing him in a sea of fire.
"What?"
The elder quickly used his vast spiritual power to counter the flames, but the purple fire resisted, growing stronger with more spiritual power. Soon, it began to burn his Heavenly Sovereign body.
If this continued, his supreme spiritual body would be destroyed.
"I surrender!" he shouted, prioritizing his life over pride and branch honor.
(Chapter ends)