Chapter 341: The Martial Arts Competition of the Branches
The elder forced a smile and invited, "Heavenly Emperor, please come inside!"
With him leading the way, Xiao Tian and Qing Yan Jing were taken to a mountain near the core area. This mountain had only one courtyard, clearly reserved for top superpowers. Other superpowers were grouped together on different mountains, each with separate courtyards but without the same level of privacy.
After settling Xiao Tian and Qing Yan Jing, the elder hurried away to inform the Council of Elders.
Shortly after, a figure appeared in the courtyard with a wave of spatial energy. It was a middle-aged woman, graceful and mature, dressed in a blue palace robe. A closer look revealed she bore some resemblance to Qing Yan Jing, indicating a familial relationship.
Sensing the woman's presence, Qing Yan Jing stepped out of the house.
"Xiao Jing, it really is you!" The woman's face lit up with joy at first, but then she said, "You shouldn't have come back!"
"Sister Xuan, I grew up here. If I want to return, I can," Qing Yan Jing said calmly. Now that she possessed the battle strength of a Saint Heavenly Sovereign, she feared nothing.
Qing Xuan looked at her sister with a complex expression. "A Saint Heavenly Sovereign is strong, but our ancient clan has deep foundations. Even such a powerful being can be suppressed!"
Among the five ancient clans, each one not only preserved a primal body but also had a clan treasure. The Floating Pagoda Clan had a Grand Ancestral Pagoda, which absorbed the essence of every fallen clan member, making its power fearsome, surpassing that of a Saint Heavenly Sovereign. Although not a true half-step Dominator, it was much stronger than an early or mid-level Saint Heavenly Sovereign.
"If I wasn't confident in leaving safely, I wouldn't have come back," Qing Yan Jing, as the former clan leader's daughter, understood the clan's foundation. But Xiao Tian now possessed near half-step Dominator strength, which even the Grand Ancestral Pagoda couldn't counter. However, she planned to resolve the clan's issues herself, without resorting to such extremes. Although the Floating Pagoda Clan's Grand Elder, Fu Tu Xuan, was a Saint Heavenly Sovereign, Qing Yan Jing also had power at that level. With the clan's protective array now under her control, she could communicate with the Grand Ancestral Pagoda's spirit and assume control, becoming the new Grand Elder.
"Let's hope so," Qing Xuan sighed, still skeptical. Raised to believe the Floating Pagoda Clan was the pinnacle of power, she found it hard to compare the relatively new Heavenly Court to a five-thousand-year-old ancient clan.
The next day, the long-awaited martial arts competition of the Floating Pagoda Clan's branches began.
"Dong~"
A melodious bell echoed throughout the Floating Pagoda Realm. Countless streams of light streaked across the sky, heading deep into the mountains.
"Let's go too!"
Xiao Tian and Qing Yan Jing took to the sky, following the streams. Ahead, a majestic main peak rose, piercing the clouds like a pillar supporting the heavens, exuding a grand aura. On this peak, four distinct sections were arranged with large white jade platforms, surrounded by numerous other peaks, each with seats for guests.
Given Xiao Tian's status, he naturally sat in the foremost guest seat on the main peak. As soon as he landed, all eyes were on him. As the leader of the newly risen top superpower in the Great Thousand World, he always drew attention.
Soon, more sounds of flight were heard, and dozens of figures descended onto the guest seats on the main peak. These figures emanated a powerful aura, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
Xiao Tian saw that the leader was a tall, imposing man with a dragon-like presence. He wore a black and white robe, exuding nobility, and even his eyes were black and white, giving him a mystical appearance.
"That's Maha You of the Maha Ancient Clan!"
"He's the younger brother of Maha Tian, the new leader of the Maha Ancient Clan!"
As murmurs arose, Maha You's gaze fell on Xiao Tian and Qing Yan Jing. He had heard that his brother's fiancée, Qing Yan Jing, had married Xiao Tian.
"Humph!"
Maha You snorted but said nothing more. Xiao Tian was a Saint Heavenly Sovereign, surpassing his brother in power. As an Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, Maha You knew better than to provoke Xiao Tian.
"Dong~ Dong~"
With the main guests seated, ancient bells rang from each mountain, and billions of spiritual lights appeared, bringing numerous figures to the main peak. The lights faded, revealing twenty figures atop the peak. Nineteen of them stood respectfully behind the foremost figure, exuding intimidating spiritual power.
The leader was an old man with white hair, looking ordinary with no hint of spiritual power. However, upon seeing him, all the Heavenly Sovereigns from the superpowers tensed. This seemingly ordinary old man was Fu Tu Xuan, the Grand Elder of the Floating Pagoda Clan, possessing mid-level Saint Heavenly Sovereign strength.
"Greetings, Grand Elder!"
Upon his appearance, all the members of the Floating Pagoda Clan bowed respectfully. Since the clan leader's fall, Fu Tu Xuan had wielded the highest authority in the clan. Under everyone's watchful eyes, a smile appeared on Fu Tu Xuan's stern face.
He scanned the area, and when his gaze landed on Xiao Tian, his pupils contracted. Then, he addressed the crowd, "Today is a grand event for our Floating Pagoda Clan. Thank you all for honoring us with your presence."
In response, the guests from the superpowers returned the courtesy. After some formalities, Fu Tu Xuan took his seat on a high platform on the main peak and looked at the nineteen figures below, declaring, "The martial arts competition of the branches begins now. If you want to keep your seats, show your true skills, or let others take your place."
"Yes!"
The nineteen figures responded in unison, then moved to the jade platforms. Vast spiritual power emanated from them, revealing they were all Heavenly Sovereigns. This scene made most guests look on with respect. Although they were from superpowers, they had only one or two Heavenly Sovereigns, and those were merely Spirit Heavenly Sovereigns. The Floating Pagoda Clan had nineteen Heavenly Sovereigns just among their elders, not counting others.
(Chapter ends)