2196 Elimination Round Begins
When he heard Yun Ting mention the battle at the Emperor’s Tomb, Su Zimo smiled and did not reply.
Perhaps it was because Yun Ting was too young.
In Su Zimo’s eyes, Yun Ting was more like a brash, fearless and proud junior.
Although both parties had a huge battle in the past, Su Zimo admired Yun Ting.
From Yun Ting, it was as though he could see some semblance of Beiming Xue and Carefree, his two disciples.
Su Zimo won that battle.
However, he had never thought of bragging about it to prove himself.
It was the same today.
Yun Ting did not say the outcome of that battle explicitly. Su Zimo did not want to hurt Yun Ting’s pride and did not mention it directly either, as though he had already forgotten about that battle.
“Zimo, we discussed it in private earlier on,”
Elder Zhong said in a low voice, “Our suggestion is that you don’t take the risk to participate in the Earth Ranking competition.”
Elder He nodded as well. “That’s right. Zimo, the other party has planned this long ago and is prepared. There’s no need for you to fight them.”
“The Earth Ranking competition happens once every 10,000 years. Given your talent, you’ll definitely be able to break through to become a Grade 9 Earth Immortal before the next 10,000 Year Meet.”
“As long as you wait patiently for 10,000 years, the next 10,000 Year Meet will be held in our Heaven and Earth Academy. No matter what methods the Great Jin Immortal Kingdom and Flying Immortal Sect have, it’s useless!”
“At that time, you’ll definitely be able to compete in a fair environment. Who can be your match?”
The two elders of the academy spoke one after another, analyzing the pros and cons for Su Zimo and speaking earnestly—it was indeed to protect him.
As the two of them had said, if Su Zimo gave up on participating in the Earth Ranking competition this time round, the plans of the Great Jin Immortal Kingdom and Flying Immortal Sect would definitely come to nothing.
However, this disrupted Su Zimo’s cultivation plan.
If he were to take part in the next Earth Ranking competition, he would have to wait another 10,000 years.
Su Zimo did not want to wait.
Ever since he ascended, he could sense the pressure of time, ubiquitousness and omnipresent.
Even after joining Heaven and Earth Academy, the pressure did not decrease at all.
10,000 years later, the Divine Firmament Immortal Meet and even the Nine Firmament Meet would be held.
Furthermore, he had to stay in Heaven and Earth Academy to fight for the ranking with many Earth Immortals.
If he fell behind a single step, he would continue falling behind. The difference between him and Yun Ting and even the Martial Dao Prime Body would only increase!
He had to take part in the fight for the Earth Ranking this time round and did not want to drag on for another 10,000 years.
“Elders, thank you for your kind intentions,”
Su Zimo bowed and expressed his thanks. “However, I’ve made up my mind!”
The two elders of the academy exchanged glances and sighed internally.
Both of them could tell that Su Zimo’s tone was resolute and he probably could not be persuaded further.
Right then, Princess Scarlet Rainbow walked over from the Yan Yang Immortal Kingdom’s side as well, prepared to enter the Nine Heavens with the disciples of the academy.
“Junior Brother Su, don’t worry. If the disciples of our academy join forces and enter the Nine Heavens together, we can just fight them!”
Princess Scarlet Rainbow said proudly, “Even if we lose, we won’t let them have a good time either!”
Elder Zhong began to send voice transmissions with his spirit consciousness as well. “Ye Fei, Scarlet Rainbow, Su Zimo. After you guys enter the Nine Heavens, try your best to travel together…”
“There’s no need for that,”
Right then, Su Zimo interrupted, “Fellow sect mates, you don’t have to travel with me. Naturally, the Great Jin Immortal Kingdom and Flying Immortal Sect won’t look for you guys either.”
“The ranking of the elimination round is also extremely important. Everyone, don’t waste this opportunity to compete for the Earth Ranking because of me.”
“This…”
Everyone from the academy looked at one another in silence.
Although no one said it explicitly, everyone hoped that they could pass the elimination round and carry out the final ranking battle to leave their names on the Earth Ranking.
If they traveled with Su Zimo, the academy would most likely be annihilated.
However, if they abandoned Su Zimo, how was he going to face the combined attack of the Great Jin Immortal Kingdom and Flying Immortal Sect alone?
“Everyone, see you in the ranking battle of the Earth Ranking.”
Su Zimo smiled gently with a calm gaze.
When they met with Su Zimo’s gaze, for some unknown reason, everyone from the academy gradually calmed down and felt confident.
“Alright, see you in the Earth Ranking battle!”
Ye Fei, Princess Scarlet Rainbow and the others replied in unison.
“Fellow Daoists, please calm down. The elimination round of the Earth Ranking is about to begin,”
Right then, Prince Xie Ling stood up and declared, “Let me repeat the rules of the elimination round. First, Earth Immortals who enter the Nine Heavens must not be older than 50,000 years old.”
Earth Immortals had a lifespan of 200,000 years. If they were more than 50,000 years old, they would not be considered paragons.
“Second, those who left their names on the Earth Ranking are not allowed to take part again,”
For example, none of the hundred people from the previous Earth Ranking were qualified to take part in this Earth Ranking competition.
“Third, cultivators who enter the Nine Heavens are not allowed to use Dharmic treasures or talismans no matter what happens. Otherwise, they will definitely be killed by the rules of the Nine Heavens. Everyone, remember this.”
The elimination mechanism of the Nine Heavens was actually a deliberate test of a cultivator’s strength without relying on external objects.
In the Nine Heavens, one could use divine powers, secret skills, immortal Dharmic arts, Essence Spirit secret skills, physique and bloodline.
“Fourth, there are various opportunities hidden in every single level of the Nine Heavens. They might be Dharmic treasures, cultivation techniques or secret skills. If any of you discover them, you can keep them.”
Over the years, many Earth Immortals had died in the Nine Heavens as well.
The storage bags left behind by the Earth Immortals alone were an unimaginable treasure vault!
Of course, such treasures were not too attractive to Tai Hua, Feng Yin and other top experts.
They would definitely waste a lot of time in between if they wanted to hunt for treasures.
The ranking of the elimination round was based on who ascended to Level 5 first and left their names on the stele.
If they wasted time before this, their rankings would fall behind others as well.
“Fifth and most importantly, life and death battles are allowed in the Nine Heavens! No matter what you face inside, regardless of calamities or natural disasters, outsiders won’t be able to interfere. Only you can only save yourself.”
“Let me advise everyone. If you’re not prepared to die, there’s no need for you to enter,”
At that point, Xie Ling glanced at Su Zimo in a seemingly casual manner.
Those words were actually a reminder to Su Zimo to give him a final chance to back off!
Su Zimo smiled, shaking his head.
Xie Ling continued, “If anything goes wrong, it’s best for you to retreat to a safe corner and wait for the elimination round to end quietly.”
“Sixth, if a hundred people leave their names on the stele of Level 5, the elimination round will end automatically.”
At that moment, Earth Immortals from the three Immortal Kingdoms, four immortal sects, major immortal Dao clans, earth and black-grade sects that were prepared to enter the Nine Heavens had already stood up.
Many cultivators had different expressions. Some were looking forward to it, some were nervous, some were excited, some were agitated and some were uneasy.
Xie Ling drew mysterious runes in midair with both hands and hollered softly, “Nine Heavens, open!”
The moment he said that, a gigantic crack appeared in midair above the square, emitting a searing heatwave.
“Let the elimination round of the Earth Ranking officially begin!”
Xie Ling declared.
