Chapter 5180 — A Curious Challenge
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
"Heh heh. Now this is interesting. Ling Tianyou is surely going to challenge Xue Jianming — this is a contest for the title of foremost Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Primordial Alliance!" the crowd exclaimed in excitement. Ling Tianyou was a master at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, so the only rank he could challenge above his own was the great consummation of Foundation Establishment, whose representative figure was none other than Xue Jianming.
Just who was the stronger of the two, Xue Jianming or Ling Tianyou, was a question that had long been argued endlessly in the byways. It was only a pity that the two were like kings who never met. Well, now at last they could settle the matter before all eyes.
So the fellow really does want to challenge me? Xue Jianming muttered to himself. To be honest, if he were still a master at the great consummation of Foundation Establishment, he might well have felt some trepidation, for Ling Tianyou was no trifling opponent. But now that he had already reached the early Golden Core stage, there was nothing left to worry about.
However formidable Ling Tianyou might be, could he really challenge the early Golden Core stage with nothing but the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage? What a joke!
"Uncle-Master Xin, the one I wish to challenge is him." Ling Tianyou smiled faintly, his gaze settling upon a single person. At once the whole hall erupted into an uproar again — the one he meant to challenge was not Xue Jianming at all, but Wei Zhao.
"You want to challenge me?" Wei Zhao was somewhat taken aback as well.
"That's right. This should be acceptable, should it not?" Ling Tianyou confirmed, his trademark gentle smile still fixed upon his face.
"It is acceptable." Xin Yi'an nodded. He did not know why Ling Tianyou had suddenly chosen to challenge Wei Zhao, but by the rules of the Trial Grand Tournament there was indeed nothing improper about it — and Wei Zhao could not refuse.
"May I ask why you chose me?" Wei Zhao asked curiously. It was no surprise that a man like Ling Tianyou should take the path of a cross-rank challenge, but to pass over the disciples of the Primordial Alliance whose strengths and weaknesses he knew well and fix upon himself instead — did he think him the softest persimmon to squeeze?
"Forgive my presumption — it is purely out of curiosity," Ling Tianyou said with a slight nod.
"Curiosity? That's rather interesting." Wei Zhao could not help but be amused at this. He turned to Xin Yi'an and said: "Then may we begin?"
"You may. The regular drawing of lots will not begin until the cross-rank challenge is concluded." Xin Yi'an nodded, then added in a low voice: "Martial Grand-Uncle, this Ling Tianyou is no ordinary figure. You must deal with him with the utmost care. If you are beaten in a cross-rank challenge, it is not merely a loss of face — more importantly, you will forfeit your qualification for the trial outright."
Though this had not been stated outright a moment ago, everyone knew it was the obvious implication. In this Trial Grand Tournament, even disciples who came off worse in a duel against an opponent of their own rank would have their qualifications stripped. If one were to lose a cross-rank challenge, needless to say, it would be even worse.
"I know." Wei Zhao smiled indifferently. This Ling Tianyou did indeed seem a little unfathomable, but it was a pity that his own true body was a match for masters of the Giant Head stage. However strong Ling Tianyou's aptitude might be, in his eyes he was no more than a tender sprout that had not yet grown — there was truly nothing to worry about.
The cross-rank challenge drew every eye, and at once the whole assembly withdrew to the sides, leaving the field to Wei Zhao and Ling Tianyou.