Chapter 1436: Four Scholars and Eighteen Heroes

Over the next three days, Li Luo did not go out, but stayed in the small building to cultivate, preparing for the great battle ahead.

During these three days, however, Sky Mirror City grew increasingly lively, as more and more academy teams arrived, pushing the atmosphere of the city to its peak.

At present, forces and top-tier prodigies from across the ten Outer Shenzhou had gathered here — an exceedingly rare grand occasion.

In such a setting, whoever managed to stand out would likely see their name rise to fame across the ten Outer Shenzhou in no time.

This was a prime opportunity to make a name.

So some busybodies began to compile predictions of how many Sky Mirror Scholars would be born in this opening of the Sky Mirror Pagoda, because according to past rules, only those who stood out in the second part of the Sky Mirror Pagoda — the "Sky Mirror Martial Discussion" — could earn the title of Sky Mirror Scholar.

This was the highest honor within the Academy Alliance.

Looking at the many King-level powerhouses in the Academy Alliance today, nearly half of them had once received the title of Sky Mirror Scholar, so many people also called these "Sky Mirror Scholars" King-level seeds.

Among these many compilations, there was one ranking that was relatively convincing.

The various parties called it the "Four Scholars and Eighteen Heroes."

The "Scholars" in the "Four Scholars" — this character "scholar" is taken from the meaning of Sky Mirror Scholar, meaning that barring accidents, these "Four Scholars" would all eventually be able to earn the title of Sky Mirror Scholar.

Because these "Four Scholars" were all at the Eighth Rank Marquis Realm.

They were the strongest individuals in this Sky Mirror Pagoda, and they came from the four great ancient academies — veteran mentors whose seniority qualified them to participate in the Sky Mirror Pagoda's ultimate tier.

The "Eighteen Heroes," meanwhile, were taken from the top prodigies with the most outstanding strength below those four Eighth Rank Marquis.

At the head of the "Eighteen Heroes" was the one bearing the moniker "Light Marquis," Diwu Mingxuan. Though he was only at the Fifth Rank Marquis Realm, he had forged two ten-pillar golden platforms. In terms of combat power, beneath the Eighth Rank, he had few rivals. Some even said that with this Light Marquis's hidden cards and methods, if he truly encountered one of the "Four Scholars," he might not necessarily come out at a disadvantage.

It was worth mentioning that Jiang Jiang Qinge was also among these "Eighteen Heroes," and moreover, she was the youngest in seniority among them.

After all, to have forged three ten-pillar golden platforms at the Third Rank Marquis Realm — such foundation and potential was truly too eye-catching.

Many people said that if this Jiang Jiang Qinge could take another step forward in this Sky Mirror Pagoda and forge four ten-pillar golden platforms, she would likely become a strong challenger to those "Four Scholars."

Even Diwu Mingxuan's moniker of Light Marquis would have to be yielded to her.

Of course, although this ranking had many who agreed with it, it could not truly be said to be without omissions, after all there were always some top prodigies who kept their abilities hidden, and unless it was a truly critical moment, no one knew just how deep their hidden depths ran.

In past Sky Mirror Pagodas, there was no shortage of such figures who were silent until they burst forth with stunning brilliance.

But overall, this so-called "Four Scholars and Eighteen Heroes" could be considered representative of the popular figures in this Sky Mirror Pagoda.

Today's Sky Mirror City was especially boiling, even the air seemed to be filled with a bloodthirsty intent for battle.

That was because the Sky Mirror Pagoda contest would officially begin today.

Sky Mirror City, Eastern Region Shenzhou district.

The group from the Sacred Mystic Star Academy gathered at the small building, and Li Luo once again saw Lü Qing'er's figure, because during these three days, she had not once stepped out of her room.

Li Luo looked at Lü Qing'er's face — beautiful with a faint frosty aura — while the latter's expression was very calm, showing no sign of any low spirits.

Her ice-blue beautiful eyes, like Binghu, were also exceptionally placid.

And just as Li Luo stood awkwardly, unsure of what to say, Lü Qing'er took the initiative to ask, "Are we setting off? These three days I was in closed-door cultivation."

"Oh, that must have been quite hard work," Li Luo nodded awkwardly.

Lü Qing'er seemed to smile slightly and said, "Li Luo, when did you become so bad at talking?"

Li Luo said with a bitter smile, "Wasn't I worried you'd cut ties with me."

Lü Qing'er's gaze flickered slightly, and she said with a faint smile, "It wouldn't come to that. Being ordinary friends is still fine."

"Let's go."

After saying that, she followed Chi Chan, Mentor Cao Sheng and the others toward the gathering point of the various Holy Academies ahead. Li Luo lagged behind, watching her slender, graceful back, and sighed helplessly.

Li Hongyou beside him chuckled lightly and said, "That attitude really does seem like she's treating an ordinary friend."

Li Luo was also a little melancholy — clearly, back in the Spiritual Phase Grotto-heaven, their relationship had been extremely deep, to the point where they could entrust their lives to each other, yet now, inexplicably, it had become much more distant.

"Ordinary friends are ordinary friends, as long as it's not cutting ties, that's fine," Li Luo said helplessly.

He stepped forward and caught up with the group ahead, and then the Sacred Mystic Star Academy party at the gathering point encountered Guo Guo Jiufeng, Chen Chi, Wang Xu and other Holy Academy teams from the various Eastern Region Shenzhou.

"Everyone, the Sky Mirror Pagoda contest officially begins today. I hope our Eastern Region Shenzhou's results this time can be better than the last session, so that when we return, we can answer to our respective academies and not lose face," Guo Guo Jiufeng said with cupped fists as he saw everyone gathered.

Dozens of Holy Academy teams from the Eastern Region Shenzhou all nodded with smiles.

Then, led by Guo Guo Jiufeng, the main force rose straight into the air, streaking toward the inner city of the Sky Mirror Pagoda.

At this moment, above the city, countless streaks of light cut across the sky, the sound of breaking air like fierce wind and thunder, rumbling without end.

Half an hour later, Li Luo and the others appeared in the innermost area of Sky Mirror City, where the space had become extraordinarily wondrous — massive green-wood platforms floated in the sky in clearly defined layers.

At the center surrounded by these green-wood platforms, a colossal light pagoda stood tall, the void around it constantly distorting, as if refracting layer upon layer of heaven and earth.

Countless streaks of light kept descending from the sky, landing on those floating green-wood platforms.

The large contingent from the Eastern Region Shenzhou, led by Guo Guo Jiufeng, found an outer green-wood platform and descended.

"This outer area basically belongs to our six Outer Shenzhou," Guo Guo Jiufeng skillfully explained to newcomers like Li Luo who were participating in the Sky Mirror Pagoda for the first time.

"In a while, someone from the Academy Alliance should come out to preside, conduct the drawing of lots, and officially begin this Sky Mirror Pagoda contest."

"Where's the venue? In what manner does this 'Crossing Contention Zone' unfold?" Li Luo asked.

"See that light pagoda in the center? That's a miniature of the Sky Mirror Pagoda. When the Sky Mirror Pagoda contest begins, we'll naturally be drawn into it to compete. As for the manner of fighting, naturally the five main force seats are the focus, and the teams from other Holy Academies assist from the side," Guo Guo Jiufeng said.

Li Luo fell into thought — this was everyone taking the field, the situation was getting rather big.

And just as Li Luo was pondering here, he suddenly sensed a chill beside him growing piercing. He turned his head and saw Lü Qing'er's pretty face turn icy at this moment.

Her cold gaze looked toward not far away.

Li Luo followed her line of sight and saw a group of figures step through the air, coming straight to their green-wood platform.

His gaze went directly to the very front of that group.

It was a tall, slender young woman. She had skin as smooth and tender as silk satin, a voluptuous figure extending bewitching, captivating curves, and as she took light steps, it was as if she were stepping on the strings of one's heart, making the heart beat along.

Her pointed, snow-white chin was slightly raised, exuding an unconcealable pride.

This was a proud and bewitching woman.

At the same time, her features bore a slight resemblance to Lü Qing'er's.

In that instant, Li Luo had already understood her identity.

She must be Lü Qing'er's elder sister, Lü Ruyan.

This Lü Ruyan's fame was clearly not small; as she walked over, quite a few gazes in this area shifted along with her.

Guo Guo Jiufeng, Wang Xu and the others, seeing Lü Ruyan and her group heading straight for them, also had their expressions shift slightly, because they sensed an extremely powerful pressure from the latter.

This Lü Ruyan's strength was very great!

Under the crowd's wary gazes, Lü Ruyan's footsteps stopped in front of Lü Qing'er and the others. Her peach-blossom eyes, flowing with pride and allure, swept a casual glance over the crowd, then came to rest on Lü Qing'er.

"My dear sister Qing'er, you've found yourself a team from the Outer Shenzhou — are you planning to give up on yourself?"