“Or are you afraid he’ll lose to the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven?” Yu Hao Tian asked.
“Both.” Gongsun Xuanyuan sighed. His gaze was complex at this moment. “You and I know Ru Lai isn’t the same as before. His mind is under the control of that old monk we met in the World of the Undead that’s also one of the seven deadliest places in the Devata Realms. That old monk is evil by nature. After he forcibly merged with Ru Lai’s soul, Ru Lai became more temperamental and violent. I think… I think he probed Duan Ling Tian earlier to confirm that Duan Ling Tian is a Yan Huang Entity because he wants to possess Duan Ling Tian’s body. After all, he doesn’t have complete control over Ru Lai; he has about 60% control over Ru Lai. I feel that if the chance arises, he’ll leave Ru Lai’s body for a body that he would have complete control over. ”
“It seems like the temptation of the Yan Huang Entity we created is so great; even that Baldy, who seems to be a god in his past life, wants to possess Duan Ling Tian,” Yu Hao Tian said with a sigh. Then, as though he had just recalled something, he asked, “If he leaves Ru Lai’s body, doesn’t that mean Ru Lai’s soul will be able to heal?”
Gongsun Xuanyuan nodded. “Yes. However, it’ll take thousands or even 10,000 years for him to recover. After all, his soul was gravely injured by a divine soul. Moreover, since he also has a divine soul, it’ll take a long time for him to recover.”
“Why didn’t you explain the situation to them and ask them to be merciful?” Yu Hao Tian asked.
“How can I explain this to them?” Gongsun Xuanyuan shook his head. “I can’t tell them that Ru Lai isn’t the same as before, can I? If… If that old monk successfully possesses Duan Ling Tian, it means Ru Lai will regain his freedom. Moreover, if Feng Qing Yang decides to act against the old monk, Ru Lai will be affected as well. No one will be able to dispose of that old monk or extricate his soul from Ru Lai’s body without harming Ru Lai as well except for supreme powerhouses…”
Ru Lai and Gongsun Xuanyuan were old friends. He naturally could not bear to watch his good friend come to harm. Therefore, he chose to conceal the truth from Feng Qing Yang and Duan Ling Tian. Although he had a rather good relationship with Feng Qing Yang, it was not comparable to his and Ru Lai’s friendship. As for Duan Ling Tian, it was only his first time meeting Duan Ling Tian today.
“So, in case things go south for that Old Baldy, you plan to call in the favor from Duan Ling Tian to save Ru Lai. You didn’t tell them about Ru Lai being possessed because you hoped Ru Lai would be able to regain his freedom…” Yu Hao Tian nodded as realization dawned on him. If he were in Gongsun Xuanyuan shoes, he would have done the same as well.
“I don’t wish to hurt anyone, but I’m left with no choice in this situation,” Gongsun Xuanyuan said as a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes.
“Let’s just go with the flow. If that old monk fails, we’ll ask Duan Ling Tian to spare him for Ru Lai’s sake. It’s really unfortunate his life and death are tightly intertwined with Ru Lai’s now. As Ru Lai’s friends, we can only try our best to help him as much as we can. If the old monk succeeds in possessing Duan Ling Tian, we’ll have to bear the responsibility and make sure his family and friends are well taken care of in the future and let them live a carefree life. This is the only way we can redeem ourselves…” Yu Hao Tian said with a sigh.
“I agree.” Gongsun Xuanyuan nodded.
…
Duan Ling Tian was naturally unaware of the two Heavenly Emperors’ private conversation.
After Gongsun Xuanyuan and Yu Hao Tian left, Duan Ling Tian did not leave immediately. This was because Feng Qing Yang would have to leave another divine mark on him since the energy of the previous one had been depleted.
“I have a feeling that Ru Lai wants something from you even though I don’t know what it is he wants. However, don’t worry. With the divine mark, I’ll be alerted as soon as he attacks you. It’ll help me stall for time, giving me enough time to protect you. Moreover, it’s unlikely he’ll attack you while we’re in the Heavenly Palace of the Primeval Heaven. After all, if a Temple Master of a Title Temple branch attacks a young genius during the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses, the consequences would be heavy,” Feng Qing Yang said to Duan Ling Tian. Then, his eyes glinted coldly as he continued to say, “Moreover, the attack from my Divine Consciousness earlier had gravely injured his divine soul. Even with the help of rare treasures, it’ll still take him at least 100 years to recover. As long as I’m around, he’s unlikely to attack you. The divine mark is just a precaution.”
…
When Duan Ling Tian returned to the area where the young geniuses were staying, he saw a group of young geniuses gathering outside of the wooden houses, engrossed in a heated discussion. Their eyes lit up when they saw Duan Ling Tian.
“Hey, how strong is the legendary Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven’s only true disciple? A lot of people said he’s on par with a Two Star God of War…”
“I’m not sure. However, the grey-clad young man with him earlier who comprehended the law of death is definitely comparable to a Three Star God of War at least.”
“That grey-clad young man’s name is Ling Jue Yun. He came with the members of the Title Temple in Wind Prop Heaven… According to some of the participants who came with him, he’s stronger than a Three Star God of War.”
“Doesn’t that mean he’s comparable to a Four Star God of War?”
The discussion grew livelier as soon as Duan Ling Tian appeared. Even after he returned to his wooden house, they were still discussing him.
“During the third round of the Battle of the Geniuses, there’ll be many people who want to challenge him. At that time, we’ll have a clearer grasp of his strength.”
“I heard even those with strength of a Three Star God of War are keen on challenging him…”
“I can’t wait to watch that! I wonder if Duan Ling Tian is a match for a Three Star God of War?”
…
Three days later.
The name list of the participants who advanced to the third room appeared in the sky. It was naturally powered by a special Formation.
Many people left their houses to look at the names in the sky.
These are the names of the participants who passed the second round; their names were arranged in no particular order for now. Accompanying the names of the participants were the Devata Realms they came from and the forces they belonged to. Even their level of strength was on display.
For example, the following words were written behind Duan Ling Tian, Su Li, and Ling Jue Yun’s names respectively:
Over 600 years old, from the Solitary Destructive Heaven, the only true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Solitary Destructive Heaven, not affected during the first round of the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses, and is suspected to be stronger than a Two Star God of War.
Over 600 years old, from the Jade Emperor Heaven, a disciple of the Thousand Tribulations Sword Sect, not affected during the first round of the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses, and is suspected to be stronger than a Two Star God of War.
From the Wind Prop Heaven and is suspected to be stronger than a Three Star God of War based on the second round of the Devata Realms’ Battle of the Geniuses.
The descriptions of the 300 participants varied in length.
“The descriptions are quite lengthy. It seems like the Title Temple paid quite a lot of attention to the participants and recorded everything…” Su Li, who had called Duan Ling Tian over, was taken aback by the detailed and lengthy description.
Duan Ling Tian nodded. “You’re right…”
“Look!”
Duan Ling Tian looked in the direction where Su Li pointed and saw the description for Yu Dong Fang, the third true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven.
Yu Dong Fang’s description read as follow:
From the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, the third true disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, killed a Three Star War of God in the past, suspected to be stronger than a Four Star God of War but has only revealed the strength of a Two Star God of War so far.
Below Yu Dong Fang’s name were Tong Tu’s name and description. The description was:
From the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, the fourth disciple of the Heavenly Emperor of the Pavilion Shaft Heaven, was previously gravely injured with a single blow by Duan Ling Tian’s sudden attack, and his strength is slightly below that of a Two Star God of War.
After reading Tong Tu’s description, Su Li said teasingly, “They even listed how Tong Tu was injured by you… The members of the Title Temple are making more foes for you.”
Duan Ling Tian shook his head. He did not expect the Title Temple would even list out such a trivial thing.
Soon after, the sound of laughter rang in the air when a few young geniuses read Tong Tu’s description.
All of a sudden, Duan Ling Tian felt a cold and hostile gaze on him. He instinctively turned around and saw a burly young man staring at him with a darkened expression from afar. The burly young man was none other than Tong Tu.
Standing next to Tong Tu was Yu Dong Fang who was as calm as usual. He nodded and smiled when he saw Duan Ling Tian looking in their direction.
