Proofreader: Papatonks
The exalted shared a look, knowing what they were thinking. The Double Dragon Manor, which was renowned for being fair for thousands of years, was now facing everyone’s doubts because of one brat.
They had to work hard to build up their image, only for it to collapse in an instant before they could even explain why.
This only showed just how much Zhuo Fan grew in their eyes.
Such charisma had the exalted appreciating him more.
“Exalted, why isn’t Zhuo Fan among the top ten disciples?” Wu Qingqiu bowed and asked.
The crowd grew noisier as their doubts mounted.
Exalted Hei Ran didn’t say it, “It is Double Dragon Manor’s rule!”
Exalted Hei Ran made it so no one could challenge his decision again.
None wanted to offend the strongest in western lands.
“Is it?”
However, Wu Qingqiu smiled, bowing again, “Since it’s Double Dragon Manor’s rule, I won’t pry, but I ask Exalted to take down Ye Lin’s and my name as well.”
[What?!]
The crowd was speechless from shock.
Wu Qingqiu continued, “Exalted, I just don’t want my name to be on a meaningless ranking. I wouldn’t want to disgrace Double Dragon Manor’s rankings. With junior brother’s temper, I think he will want the same.”
“So you mean our ranking was unfair and dishonors you?” Exalted Hei Ran growled.
The anger the crowd felt caused them to shiver.
Wu Qingqiu shook his head, but the meaning was obvious. “Ha-ha-ha, Exalted, how can a disciple from the Ultimate Clarity Sect say something like that? I just felt junior brother and I will only dishonor Double Dragon Manor’s ranking by being on it. If it’s possible, I hope that we are taken off.”
The crowd gasped as to the meaning.
[This kid is being sarcastic, saying that Zhuo Fan isn’t on the list and so he doesn’t want to be on it either. By saying he dishonors the ranking he is criticizing it for being unfair and doesn’t want to stay on it.]
The people showed endless admiration for Wu Qingqiu’s courage to speak up against the exalted.
Zhuo Fan felt the same.
[Just like I thought, Wu Qingqiu is worth befriending.]
“Ha-ha-ha, since none want to, then I’ll be the first in western lands!”
Then came sudden laughter that caught everyone’s attention. It was Yan Mo.
Giving Wu Qingqiu and Zhuo Fan a vile smile, Yan Mo shrugged, “However, being called a king among these people is so boring. It’s better I step out as well. Without a worthy opponent I’d only slack off and get further and further behind.”
“Ha-ha-ha, brother Yan Mo is mocking everyone else. You can look down on anyone, but not the younger generation. We, the Sword God Sect, are the last among the superior-three sects and next time we will take your place! Don’t you run away! Why don’t we run together?”
Wen Tao joined the bustle.
Xie Tianshang, Han Yunfeng and others renounced their spots for Zhuo Fan.
The people saw for the first time how so many were against Double Dragon Manor’s decision.
Even the exalted didn’t see it coming. This showed how much charisma Zhuo Fan had. They only met for a few days yet these four great sects’ disciples were on his side.
The exalted smiled in appreciation.
In those days, Sheng only gained recognition through power, but now this kid was truly the best in western lands.
Exalted Hei Ran raised his hand for silence.
He spoke calmly, only far more relaxed than before, “There’s a reason why Zhuo Fan isn’t on the ten best disciples in western lands. One is Double Dragon Gathering’s rule, based on single matches that evaluate your skills. In these matches, Zhuo Fan only fought in the lower-three sects. So no matter how amazing he is, his points are lacking.”
“Of course, his outstanding display in the last challenge team battle showed otherwise. It’s even reasonable to break this rule and have him on the rankings. But…”
“What?” Everyone asked.
Exalted Hei Ran shook his head, “The ten disciples in western lands is something we decided on, with Zhuo Fan having exceeded our evaluation. In other words, we can’t appraise his strength. Just that last strike of his, injured his opponent even as I interfered. One can say that even I lost to him. Though it is a matter of being careful…”
“Exalted exaggerates!” Zhuo Fan immediately cupped his hands.
Exalted Hei Ran smiled, “It’s fine. We both know our own strengths, yet to wound someone with me around is already incredible. That is why we have lost the means to judge you.”
“Ah, youths, you have your pride and beliefs but so do we. Zhuo Fan didn’t make it on the list, not because he’s unworthy, but because he’s gone beyond it. That is why we decided, for the first time in millenia, to add one more rank to this list. Rank 0, the crownless king, Zhuo Fan. It means no one can grant him a title, or reward it to him. As for sacred stones, two thousand!”
The crowd went slack-jawed, incredulous the Exalted Double Dragons admitted they couldn’t judge a disciple.
They even went as far as making a new rank just for him…
[The kid will definitely grow strong under the care of the two Exalted.]
The crowd looked at Zhuo Fan, the future best in western lands that had been recognized by the exalted, in shock.
Wu Qingqiu and the others looked happy. As if Zhuo Fan’s glory was only natural.
But Zhuo Fan did not care, only making small talk with some just to get closer.
As for Xuan Shaoyu, Ren Cong and others, their faces fell seeing Zhuo Fan look so proud. They all turned to Lu Xie with sharp eyes.
[Best in western lands? Humph!]
[I’ll make sure you never live to reach it!]
“Everyone calm down now.”
Exalted Bai Mei stood up with a smile.
Clearing his voice, Exalted Bai Mei began, “The Double Dragon Gathering is over, with all the sects’ ranks being decided. The disciples may return home. As for the disciples that enter the Double Dragon Manor, we will need some time to debate. I will then send a jade slip to notify each Sect Leader. You are now free to leave… “
Boom!
Exalted Bai Mei got cut off by a huge explosion, making everything shake.
The exalted cried out, “The sacred mine!”
“Start the monitoring array and see what’s happening!” Exalted Hei Ran cried out at the gatekeepers.
The two elders made the signs and a screen formed to reveal a long mountain range, with an old man with a red nose hovering at the end of it with a dark look.
The gulf half a mile around him was there for the audience to see as well.
[Just what kind of power can cause this destruction?]
Danqing Shen!
The exalted knew on the spot that this guy was challenging them…
