898 Finding Faul (1/2)
The Divine Dragon Nest?
Mo Wen had just walked out of the pillar of light when he noticed that there were silhouettes all around him. They formed a circle, and there were at least several tens of thousands of people. In the center, there was a large empty space most likely the size of more than a hundred soccer fields. Due to the effects of the laws of space, the empty area did not feel big from the outside. However, being in the space itself was an entirely different sensation.
The Heaven List top ten ranking battles were not held in Mechanized Maze City. Instead, they were held in Dragon City's inner city. At a glance, Mo Wen noticed a few familiar faces.
”In the Heaven List top ten ranking battles, I will serve as this year's referee. I am sure that you are already familiar with the rules. I will not go over them again.”
A black-robed elder appeared in the space. He held a scepter that showed his identity as a referee in his hand. His body emanated a faint yet terrifying aura. This elder was definitely an ancient martial art practitioner that had become an immortal. Even though his aura was faint, every strand of it felt like a mountain of pressure. He stood there, seemingly merged with the heavens and the earth. Every action he made seemed to emit a hugely powerful force.
This person must be a veteran from the Huatian Palace. Even in the Huatian Palace, he must be a veteran of high rank with such a cultivation.
The referee pointed his scepter forward. The entire square was immediately lit up by waves of light. In an instant, ten challenge rings appeared in the square. Each challenge ring was marked from one to ten, all arranged in a row.
Mo Wen had known the rules of the Heaven List ranking battles for a long time. The ten challenge rings each represented their final ranking. The practitioners could choose which challenge ring they wanted to defend. Defending the challenge ring was equivalent to obtaining the corresponding ranking.
For example, if one of them wanted to fight for first place, he or she could first claim the challenge ring marked with the number one. Then, they would wait for others to challenge them. If they could keep defending the number one challenge ring, then they would be indisputably in first place.
Each practitioner was qualified to enter any challenge ring that they wished. However, once their challenge failed, they could not keep challenging the same person.
Take for instance if Mo Wen claimed the first challenge ring, and Gu Jingman came up to challenge him. If she failed in her challenge, then in her subsequent challenges, she could not fight Mo Wen anymore. Even if Mo Wen was kicked out of the first challenge ring, and went for the second challenge ring instead, as the defeated participant, Gu Jingman could no longer challenge the second challenge ring where Mo Wen was. However, she was qualified to challenge any one of the other challenge rings, including the first one.
In theory, each person could lose in the challenge ring up to nine times until everyone was unable to challenge each other anymore.
Of course, if Mo Wen claimed the first challenge ring, and Gu Jingman succeeded in her challenge, he also could not challenge the challenge ring held by Gu Jingman.
Relatively speaking, this rule was rather fair. Each person had an equal chance, but each person similarly only had one opportunity to face each other. Although this rule was thorough, there was an element of luck among it. No matter what, the final ranking determined everything.
The ten challenge rings appeared before the eyes of the ten practitioners. At this time, each of them had to make a choice. Although the first challenge ring was tempting, they also needed to have the ability to defend it.
The ten of them were steadier than the participants from before. None of them were anxious to enter the challenge rings. For this kind of rule, their choices would be important. If they made the wrong choice, it would most likely affect their final ranking. Also, the person who first entered the challenge ring would certainly also face more challenges. Unless they were very confident in themselves, no one would enter the rings lightly. Of course, the eighth, ninth and tenth challenge rings were exceptions. Any practitioner with even a little ambition would not aim for those challenge rings.
”Since none of you wish to choose, allow me to kick things off.”
A laugh sounded, followed by a flash of light. A person had already appeared on the first challenge ring. It was a rather handsome youth. The aura emanating from his body was not powerful, but he dared to stand in the first challenge ring.
It was him!
Mo Wen felt shocked. This youth was none other than Xin Wuji whom he had met in the Crimson Star Sect. His goal was actually the first challenge ring!
Mo Wen was astonished. Did Xin Wuji have the ability to do such a thing? Ever since Xin Wuji had appeared here, Mo Wen had felt that something was not quite right.
”That little bug has some ambition.” A cold light flashed in Dark Hand's eyes. His goal was naturally also first place. Initially, he had wanted to be the first to enter the challenge rings; however, he never thought that someone would beat him to it.
The other practitioners looked at each other. They did know much about Xin Wuji. It was only in the last two days that he had suddenly exploded with extraordinary power and in the end had dominated fifth place in the elimination rounds. However, many still believed that he did not have the ability to claim first place.
”Humph, you don't know your own strength.” Lord Merciless coldly snorted. Even he didn't dare to think of aiming for the first challenge ring, although the others did not know this. Among the practitioners ranked in the top ten, a few of them were renowned strong practitioners in the hidden martial arts strain, such as Dark Hand, Wine and Meat Monk, and Water Deity. Lord Merciless could not offend any of them. This person, who had appeared out of nowehere, actually dared to compete for first place. It was practically wishful thinking.