Primordial Emperor
Chapter 279: Competition

Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Competition

At this moment, the leaders of the various sects stood to the left and right of Zhao Zhongtian, taking their seats with their followers. Following a slight nod from Zhao Zhongtian, a figure beside him holding a white float then conveyed the command below, and the Soaring Dragon Conference commenced.

The ceremonial proceedings of the Great Flame Dynasty’s Royal Family were grand indeed. Merely to transmit an order from Emperor Zhao Zhongtian required nine steps, with nine envoys conveying the message in turn.

Subsequently, the sound of cauldrons boiling and drums echoing together filled the air, as red fireworks burst forth across the sky.

Following the start of the opening sounds, beautiful maids, carrying fine wine and delicacies for the martial artists to enjoy, came to the square and placed them before the leaders, elders, and some disciples of the various sects.

On the arena in the square, the competitions between the different sects officially began.

The martial artists and commoners who had bought front-row tickets, although unable to enjoy the fine wine and delicacies provided to the sect martial artists, still had tea and snacks to savor.

Watching the competitions on stage, the crowd below was utterly delighted, engaging in lively discussions.

Some people even placed bets on which dark horses might stand out at this conference.

This form of gambling was allowed within the Great Flame Dynasty, and the members of the Royal Family did not prevent it; on the contrary, the Royal Family had even set up some official betting locations.

At this moment, Emperor Zhao Zhongtian of the Great Flame Dynasty held a cup of wine and turned to Xu Ma’an at his side.

"I’ve heard that your sect has recently brought forth an extraordinary disciple who obtained the highest inheritance from an ancient relic. Truly a prodigy at such a young age, I wonder if Sect Leader Xu might introduce us to this distinguished disciple of your sect?"

Zhao Zhongtian said with a smile on his face.

This remark indeed elevated the Jade Cauldron Sect’s status, but Xu Ma’an was not foolish; he clearly understood the Emperor’s true intentions.

Although Xu Ma’an was somewhat dissatisfied that Lin Chen hadn’t offered the technique to the sect after acquiring it, Lin Chen was after all a disciple of the Jade Cauldron Sect. If Xu Ma’an introduced Lin Chen to Zhao Zhongtian at this moment, wouldn’t he be exposing Lin Chen to the public? This would be highly detrimental to Lin Chen.

However, Zhao Zhongtian’s status was no ordinary one, being the Emperor of the Great Flame Dynasty, with cultivation that was unfathomably deep. It would not be quite appropriate to directly refuse Zhao Zhongtian.

"Just a lucky disciple, nowhere near worthy of Your Majesty’s attention. Let’s continue watching the competition," Xu Ma’an replied tentatively.

Yang Yuemin’s heart was filled with unease; she did not want Zhao Zhongtian to know who Lin Chen was.

So as Xu Ma’an appeared troubled, seemingly hesitant, she promptly stood up and spoke.

Upon hearing this, both Zhao Zhongtian and Xu Ma’an’s expressions changed.

Zhao Zhongtian, following the sound of the voice, turned his gaze towards Yang Yuemin. Immediately, a powerful aura erupted from him, pressing directly against Yang Yuemin.

If it had been an ordinary martial artist, they might have found themselves kneeling on the ground under the immense pressure from Zhao Zhongtian at this moment.

But who was Yang Yuemin? Her own cultivation was not weak, and having cultivated the Blazing Fire Divine Decree, she naturally did not fear Zhao Zhongtian.

Yang Yuemin felt the pressure coming from Zhao Zhongtian and immediately released her Spiritual Power, effortlessly resolving the opponent’s oppression.

Zhao Zhongtian, seeing his own aura instantly neutralized, was shocked and looked towards Yang Yuemin, only to realize that it was a woman standing behind Xu Ma’an, who appeared to be a Peak Master of the Jade Cauldron Sect.

In his heart, Zhao Zhongtian was somewhat surprised; for all this time, among the Seven Great Sects of the Great Flame Dynasty, only the leaders of the Seven Sects were deemed worthy of his attention, while he considered everyone else unworthy of fear, no matter how strong they were.

However, the strength that Yang Yuemin now displayed had made him take her seriously.

Yang Yuemin’s sudden interjection made the Sect Leaders from the other sects turn their heads toward her, with a mocking smile curling on their lips.

For a long time, among the Seven Sects and the Great Flame Dynasty’s Royal Family, they universally acknowledged Zhao Zhongtian as the strongest, which is why the Sect Leaders were very cautious and careful when dealing with him.

Now, Yang Yuemin’s attitude was bound to cause Zhao Zhongtian’s discontent; after all, in a conversation among these leaders, there was no place for Yang Yuemin to interject.

On a normal day, Zhao Zhongtian would have immediately made trouble for the Jade Cauldron Sect to teach them a lesson, but things were different now. A Peak Master of the Jade Cauldron Sect was found to possess the power to instantly neutralize his aura, indicating that the Jade Cauldron Sect’s strength had significantly increased. Naturally, Zhao Zhongtian thought of the heritage from the ancient relics that the disciple of the Jade Cauldron Sect had received.

As the supreme inheritance of that ancient relic likely included a Heavenly Level Superior Cultivation Technique, it was possible that the Peak Master of the Jade Cauldron Sect had gained such strength by practicing it.

Thinking so, Zhao Zhongtian’s heart grew eager. If they of the Great Flame Dynasty’s Royal Family could get their hands on that Heavenly Top Grade technique, they would naturally have nothing to fear from the Black Cloud Sect.

With the Black Cloud Sect obtaining a top-quality technique, even if their ambition erupted, the Great Flame Dynasty would also possess a Heavenly Top Grade technique. When weapons clash, seeing the Great Flame Dynasty’s might, the Black Cloud Sect would inevitably turn their spears towards other sects. By then, the Great Flame Dynasty might reap the benefits of the fishermen.

Hence, the people from the Great Flame Dynasty tried everything to get information about Lin Chen from the mouths of Xu Ma’an and the others, but the members of the Jade Cauldron Sect were tight-lipped, not revealing the slightest bit.

People from other sects also tried various methods to entice them, but still to no avail.

Seeing that the Jade Cauldron Sect was impervious to both soft and hard strategies, the Royal Family and other sects ceased their attempts and temporarily gave up on targeting Xu Ma’an. Instead, they turned their attention to the disciples fighting below.

At this moment, Lin Chen slowly walked onto the fighting stage.

The battles were such that they could be to the death.

"Haha, just a worthless piece of trash at the Third Layer of the Melding Earth Realm dares to accept a challenge."

"It seems that the Jade Cauldron Sect has truly fallen. With no one left in the sect, you’re sent out just to make up the numbers."

"Kid, you’re really unlucky to meet me in your first match. It seems your hope to slip through unnoticed is going to be crushed. If you kneel and knock your head on the ground three times for grandpa, I might consider letting you lose with some dignity. Otherwise, if you die on this stage, don’t blame me as punches and kicks don’t have eyes."

In his first appearance on the stage, Lin Chen’s opponent was a martial artist at the Eighth Layer of the Melding Earth Realm. Seeing Lin Chen, he was filled with disdain, believing that the Jade Cauldron Sect had actually sent out a disciple at the Third Layer of the Melding Earth Realm, and immediately used his words to mock Lin Chen.

Hearing this, Lin Chen didn’t say a word and simply swung his fist, attacking the burly man head-on.