Chapter 600 - 596: Too Bad You Ran Into Me

Chapter 600: Chapter 596: Too Bad You Ran Into Me

"I’m on Battle Platform Ten."

Fang Han retracted his gaze and spoke to Luo Yuntian and the others.

"I’m on Twelve."

Luo Yuntian said.

"I’m on Fourteen."

Mad Saber said casually, his giant saber slung over his shoulder.

After sharing their respective platform numbers, they bid each other farewell and headed to their assigned battle platforms.

Fang Han walked toward Battle Platform Ten.

A considerable number of people had already gathered near the battle platform.

They were men and women, all with the young faces of people in their twenties. Some stood, some sat, their eyes occasionally sweeping over one another.

Fang Han did a quick scan; there were about thirty-odd people.

To have ranked in the top ten of their respective county’s Celestial Pride List and to be standing here, not a single one of them was a simple character. Each was a genius among geniuses.

Some were wild and untamable, their arms crossed, their eyes holding an unconcealed sharpness.

Others appeared calm on the surface, wearing smiles that made them seem quite amiable.

But even with those who seemed amiable, you could see a deep-seated arrogance in their slightly raised chins and composed, self-assured expressions.

BZZZ—

Fang Han didn’t rush to strike up a conversation. He simply found a relatively inconspicuous spot to stand, his gaze impassively sweeping over the crowd.

He silently activated the Netherworld Guide, carefully sensing everyone’s auras.

Among them, even the weakest had a Third Grade cultivation. Several of them had dense, heavy auras, having impressively reached Second Grade.

’As expected, no one who can stand here is a slouch.’

Fang Han thought to himself.

At the same time, the others also noticed Fang Han.

Dozens of gazes came from different directions, filled with scrutiny and appraisal. They rested on him for a moment before moving away.

Fang Han’s expression remained unchanged as he stood quietly, waiting.

Before long, more young men and women arrived, each finding a spot to stand and scanning the area.

Fang Han’s eyes swept over the figures, but suddenly, his gaze paused.

A figure in white was approaching from the direction of the venue’s entrance.

She wore a set of white martial attire with tightly bound cuffs. It was designed for combat, yet it was also tailored to accentuate her figure, displaying her beautiful physique to its fullest.

Her jet-black hair was held back by a simple silver ring, a few loose strands fluttering in the wind, which made her beautiful face look sharp and dashing.

It was Zhen Feixuan.

’She was assigned to Battle Platform Ten too?’

Fang Han was slightly surprised.

He hadn’t expected such a coincidence, to be assigned to the same battle platform as one of the ten great beauties of the Imperial Capital.

This was not good news at all!

After all, Zhen Feixuan was a genuine First Grade Martial Artist, an absolutely formidable opponent.

Zhen Feixuan’s appearance immediately drew the attention of everyone at Battle Platform Ten.

Almost all the participating geniuses, male and female alike, couldn’t help but turn their gazes toward the figure in white martial attire.

Awe flashed in some people’s eyes, while others looked on with a mix of scrutiny and caution, clearly sensing that Zhen Feixuan was extraordinary.

Zhen Feixuan seemed accustomed to this kind of attention. Her expression didn’t change as she walked over with a calm and composed gait.

Her gaze swept across the crowd. When she saw Fang Han, her steps faltered slightly, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Apparently, she also recognized Fang Han, whom she had met once two days prior at the Linglong Pavilion.

Then, she gave a slight nod, a silent greeting.

Fang Han hadn’t expected Zhen Feixuan to acknowledge him first. He was momentarily taken aback before nodding in response.

Zhen Feixuan withdrew her gaze and came to a stop at a spot not too close and not too far from Fang Han, waiting quietly.

Time passed, minute by minute.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, fifty young men and women had gathered around Battle Platform Ten.

Just then, several figures emerged from a side passageway of the venue.

Leading them was an old man dressed in crimson robes.

He was thin, and his hair and beard were completely white, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp, shining as if they could see through anything.

Beneath his skin, one could faintly sense the flow of his vital energy. He appeared tranquil, yet he exuded an indescribable sense of authority.

Following him were four middle-aged men and women with steady steps and condensed auras.

Fang Han used the Netherworld Guide to sense these individuals, and his heart couldn’t help but tighten.

The four middle-aged men and women all possessed First Grade cultivation.

As for the white-haired elder in the lead...

His aura was as deep and unfathomable as the ocean. Fang Han had sensed such an aura before—it was unmistakably the aura of a Grandmaster Powerhouse.

’A Grandmaster!’

Fang Han was severely shaken.

A Grandmaster was merely serving as the referee for a single battle platform.

Then the referees for the other nineteen battle platforms must be the same.

Twenty battle platforms meant twenty Grandmasters.

The terrifying power of the Royal Family was on full display at this moment.

The white-haired elder walked to the front of Battle Platform Ten, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone present.

His gaze wasn’t sharp, but when it passed over Fang Han, he felt as if he had been seen through completely. Even the flow of vital energy within his body seemed to slow by half.

"Contestants of Battle Platform Ten."

The white-haired elder spoke. His voice wasn’t loud, but it reached every person’s ears with perfect clarity.

"You will fight in pairs. The winner proceeds to the next round; the loser is eliminated."

"Intentional killing is forbidden. The use of poisons is forbidden. The use of hidden weapons is forbidden."

"Any violation will result in disqualification and severe punishment."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd once more, his voice calm yet filled with an authority that allowed no room for doubt.

"Now, begin."

He took a scroll from his sleeve, unfurled it, and read two names aloud.

"First match: Ning Xu of Dingyuan County versus Wen Ruyu of Youquan County."

A man and a woman stepped out from the crowd in response.

The man, Ning Xu, wore green martial attire. He had a handsome face, a rapier hung at his waist, and his gaze was calm, betraying no emotion.

The woman, Wen Ruyu, was dressed in white. She had a lovely face and a gentle temperament, but the emerald flute in her hand and the sharpness in her eyes told a different story.

The two ascended the battle platform and stood facing each other.

The white-haired elder glanced at them, retreated to the edge of the platform, and said flatly:

"Begin."

The moment his voice fell, both of them moved.

Ning Xu drew his sword. The blade flashed like a rainbow, carrying a fierce Sword Qi as he thrust toward Wen Ruyu.

Wen Ruyu neither dodged nor retreated. She gave the emerald flute a gentle twirl, and an invisible soundwave spread out, momentarily deflecting the fierce sword light.

Ning Xu’s swordsmanship was extremely fast. As his first strike missed, a second followed immediately, the sword light multiplying into a flurry of phantoms that attacked Wen Ruyu from various angles.

Wen Ruyu’s flute technique was equally exquisite. The short flute seemed alive in her hand—tapping, plucking, sweeping—each move perfectly timed to neutralize Ning Xu’s assault.

The two exchanged more than thirty moves on the platform, a constant back-and-forth.

Finally, Wen Ruyu found an opening in Ning Xu’s swordsmanship. She tapped his blade with her flute, and a hidden force traveled through the steel, knocking his sword off course.

She immediately closed the distance and struck Ning Xu’s chest with her palm.

Ning Xu let out a muffled grunt, stumbled backward, and ultimately fell off the battle platform.

Wen Ruyu did not pursue. She retracted her flute, stood tall, and gave a slight nod.

"Thank you for the match."

Ning Xu’s face was a little pale. He stood there for a long time without speaking.

He looked at Wen Ruyu, then down at the sword in his hand, a complicated expression in his eyes.

As a top-ten genius on the Dingyuan County Celestial Pride List, he was a genius among geniuses who had heard countless praises since childhood.

He never imagined he would be defeated in the very first round.

The blow to his pride was immense.

The white-haired elder glanced at Wen Ruyu and announced:

"First match, Wen Ruyu is the victor."

Wen Ruyu walked off the platform, a trace of joy on her face.

Ning Xu, however, departed with his head lowered, his expression crestfallen.

The white-haired elder didn’t pause, once again unfurling the scroll and reading two names.

"Second match: Chen Bei of Pingliang County versus Qin Yan of Baisha County."

Two young men responded and stepped onto the battle platform.

Chen Bei was tall and slender with a cold, stern face. He held a long black spear, its dark shaft faintly shimmering with a flowing light.

Qin Yan, in contrast, was burly, with broad shoulders and a thick build. He wielded a giant axe as large as a door panel, its blade glinting with a cold light.

They locked eyes, their gazes filled with undisguised battle intent.

The white-haired elder’s voice fell:

"Begin."

Qin Yan struck first, his giant axe descending with the force of a mountain as he swung it at Chen Bei’s head.

But Chen Bei neither dodged nor retreated. With a flick of his wrist, his long spear’s tip transformed into a black streak of light, stabbing straight for Qin Yan’s throat.

The spear thrust was astonishingly fast. Though he moved second, his attack would land first, arriving before Qin Yan’s axe could fall.

Qin Yan’s expression changed. He was forced to pull back his axe to defend.

CLANG—!

The spear tip struck the flat of the axe, erupting in a deafening clash of metal. A ripple of air blasted outward from the point of impact.

Qin Yan’s body swayed, and he was actually forced back several steps by the force of the spear.

A look of horror flashed in his eyes. He clearly hadn’t anticipated the sheer power behind Chen Bei’s thrust.

"Second Grade!"

Someone in the crowd below cried out in a low voice.

Fang Han’s gaze also fell on Chen Bei. He was one of the few Second Grade Martial Artists he had sensed earlier.

As the crowd gasped in surprise, Chen Bei had already thrust his spear again.

A sky full of spear phantoms descended like a torrential downpour, engulfing Qin Yan.

With his Third Grade cultivation, Qin Yan was completely powerless before a Second Grade Martial Artist.

In just three moves, Chen Bei’s spear tapped him in the chest. Even with soft armor for protection, he couldn’t help but grunt as he stumbled off the battle platform.

"Second match, Chen Bei is the victor."

The white-haired elder’s voice was flat, as if this outcome was entirely within his expectations.

One by one, more names were called, and contestants ascended the battle platform to fight.

The atmosphere at Battle Platform Ten grew progressively more tense with each passing match.

There were victors with joyful expressions and losers who departed with crestfallen looks.

After a few more battles, the white-haired elder announced:

"Eighteenth match: Fang Han of Qingyang County versus Ling Yue of Jinling County."

Fang Han’s mind focused, and he began to walk forward.

As the white-haired elder’s voice fell, Fang Han stepped out from the crowd.

His pace was unhurried. His white robes fluttered slightly in the morning breeze, the Cloud Splitting Sword at his waist swaying gently with his steps. His expression was as calm as ever.

On the opposite side of the battle platform, a figure leaped onto the stage at the same time.

It was a young man who looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

He wore dark gold brocade robes, a longsword with a jade-inlaid sheath hanging at his waist. His face was decent, but his features held an air of unconcealed arrogance.

When he landed on the platform, he swept a glance over Fang Han, the corner of his mouth twitching into a slight smirk.

"Qingyang County?"

His tone was tinged with a bit of nonchalance.

"Not from the Central Thirty-Six Counties, just some ordinary county."

He stood with his hands behind his back, sizing up Fang Han with a scrutinizing gaze, his voice laced with a hint of condescension.

"To be able to stand here, you must be someone of note in Qingyang County. It’s just a shame you ran into me in the first round."