CHAPTER 597: CHAPTER 597: TARGET OF PUBLIC CRITICISM

Half a day had passed.

The top ten had finally been determined.

Entering the top ten meant receiving a reward from the sect.

The amount of reward would depend on the specific ranking.

This ranking was particularly crucial.

Therefore, some extraordinarily exciting battles were yet to come!

Among the top ten, there were three at the later stages of Palace Mansion Realm level five, six at the middle stages of Palace Mansion Realm level five, and Ling Chen at the later stages of Palace Mansion Realm level three.

However, no one dared to underestimate Ling Chen.

The rules for the ranking battle of the top ten were different from before.

Instead, Elder Xue would first determine a ranking.

If someone felt their ranking was too low, they could challenge others.

"Look at this young man, he’s so at ease, perhaps this isn’t even his true strength?"

Elder Xue glanced at Ling Chen, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Xue Hua had once told him to ’take good care of’ Ling Chen.

But seeing Ling Chen’s performance, he had long since discarded Xue Hua’s words.

It was not unjust for Xue Hua to lose to Ling Chen.

Such a genius, no wonder the Young Sect Master values him so.

Probably, the Sect Master knows about Ling Chen as well.

He would certainly not compromise his own future due to his nephew’s personal feelings.

"If that’s the case, then you will temporarily be in first place!"

Elder Xue smiled slightly.

Putting Ling Chen in the first place would certainly cause dissatisfaction among the veteran disciples.

Others would naturally challenge Ling Chen.

Then, Ling Chen would be able to reveal his full strength.

In the previous battles, Ling Chen had won too easily.

He always felt that Ling Chen was still hiding his strength.

Elder Xue took a step and instantly appeared high in the sky.

"The ranking battle for the top ten is about to proceed, the ranking not only relates to the reward but also your priority in challenging Purple-robed Disciples. Thus, I hope everyone continues to strive and achieve good results!"

Elder Xue’s voice spread out.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s gaze became even more fervent.

What everyone was most looking forward to was just how far Ling Chen could go.

"The rules for the top ten ranking battle have changed from before. I will first establish a preliminary ranking, and if anyone is dissatisfied with their position, they may challenge another. If victorious, the two will swap places. If they fail, the ranking stays the same."

"Additionally, each person only has two chances, I hope everyone seizes them well."

Elder Xue announced the rules.

For the vast majority of cultivators, these rules were known.

They had been published before the assessment.

"Now, I will announce the temporary rankings."

Elder Xue smiled slightly, his right hand releasing Spiritual Power, forming a light screen in the sky.

On the light screen, the names and rankings of the disciples appeared.

At this moment, everyone’s gaze was directed at the light screen.

Although such a ranking was not final,

But after all, it was determined by an elder, with an elder’s insight.

And it generally did not differ much from the final ranking.

An elder’s insight was indeed quite incisive.

"What?"

"How did he become the first?"

"Yes! Even if his performance is outstanding, should it really completely surpass us, the veteran disciples?"

...

Gazing at the first line at the top of the light screen, nearly everyone’s face was filled with disbelief.

Light screen.

First line.

First place, Ling Chen!

These five bold characters were reflected in everyone’s pupils.

In the elder’s eyes, a new disciple at the third level of the Palace Mansion Realm actually surpassed all the veteran disciples and captured the first place!

Gazing at the characters on the first line of the light screen, Ling Chen was also dumbstruck.

His performance should only be comparable to those at the later stages of Palace Mansion Realm level five.

It shouldn’t make this elder place him directly at the top of the list, should it?

Regaining his composure, Ling Chen looked towards Elder Xue.

But he saw a face full of smiles staring at him from behind.

He instantly understood; Elder Xue was doing this on purpose.

At this moment, everyone gradually recovered their senses, their gazes turning towards Ling Chen.

Especially the other nine disciples who advanced.

Such gazes seemed as if they wanted to tear him apart!

With this move from Elder Xue, he had completely made him the target of everyone!

However, the dozens of new disciples appeared quite excited.

A new disciple overshadowing the older ones was also a glory belonging to them!

"Alright, the rankings are announced. Everyone prepare. In a quarter of an hour, the final ranking battle will begin!"

Elder Xue announced loudly.

He gave Ling Chen a meaningful look, then flew towards the distance.

As the chief examiner of this assessment, all he needed was to control the overall situation.

With ten Stewards as helpers, they could completely cope.

Feeling the nine hostile gazes projected towards him, Ling Chen gave a wry smile.

It seemed that Elder Xue truly wanted to see his true strength.

Soon, a quarter of an hour passed.

Almost all nine disciples stepped forward, saying loudly to Elder Xue, "Elder, I challenge Ling Chen!"

All nine unanimously chose Ling Chen.

In their view, allowing a new disciple to remain in the first position was entirely a slap in their faces!

They did not want Ling Chen to stay in first place for even a moment longer.

"Hmm!"

Elder Xue nodded and said, "Good! Let’s do this one by one!"

This was also the reason he placed Ling Chen in first position!

"I’ll go first!"

A cold voice came through.

A young man with sharp eyebrows flew forward several feet.

This person was named Lu Feng.

He was currently ranked second, just behind Ling Chen.

Hearing this, the other eight people nodded their heads.

Lu Feng’s power was among the top in the Blue-clothed Disciples.

With him making a move, Ling Chen was definitely no match.

"Alright!"

Elder Xue nodded.

Although just now, nine people wanted to fight Ling Chen.

But among them, six were only in the mid-phase of the Palace Mansion Realm.

The spiritual power gap was somewhat significant.

They might not be a match for Ling Chen.

And this Lu Feng, was in the late-phase of the Palace Mansion Realm.

In terms of Spiritual Power, he was not inferior to Ling Chen.

A Steward flew up, loudly announcing, "Top ten ranking battle, the first match, Lu Feng challenges Ling Chen!"

Hearing this, Lu Feng immediately flew upwards, his face full of cold intent staring at Ling Chen.

As the challenged, Ling Chen had no right to refuse and could only accept the fight.

"Begin!"

The Steward didn’t waste words; seeing the two fly up, he directly announced.

As his voice fell, everyone immediately looked eagerly towards the sky where the two stood opposed to each other.

Lu Feng was nearly the strongest among the Blue-clothed Disciples.

Yet, Ling Chen had the record of defeating those in the mid-phase of the Palace Mansion Realm.

The two were truly a clash of titans!

Lu Feng stared at Ling Chen, his right hand shimmering as a silver longsword materialized.

He couldn’t afford to be careless and directly employed a mid-grade King Spiritual Weapon.

"Kid, the first position isn’t something a newcomer can hold! A newcomer should have the awareness of a newcomer!"

Lu Feng sneered.

His longsword pointed directly at Ling Chen!

"Boom!"

Lu Feng’s body shook, his Spiritual Power whistling out, swirling around him.

The cultivation of the late-phase Palace Mansion Realm, coupled with the augmentation from the Sacred Body, brought his Spiritual Power to a terrifying level!

As his gaze fell on Lu Feng, feeling the latter’s momentum, Ling Chen’s eyes gradually grew solemn.

If a battle was inevitable, then he would fight with all his might!

He wanted to see who could withstand him!