Chapter 193: 186 No Controversy

"The rankings for the previous Earth District were revealed row by row, but the Heaven District is different; they shall be revealed one by one. Everyone, please look: twenty-four seats have been prepared at Zhuangyuan Tower. I invite all of you from the Heaven District to go up, have a drink, and take in the magnificent view of the vast sea and sky. This humble Zhuangyuan Tower is honored to host such proud talents." Qi Yuheng gestured toward the back, and indeed, the windows on all four sides of the top floor of Zhuangyuan Tower were wide open, and one could faintly see tables and mats already set with a banquet.

Looking from there, one should be able to see the sea.

He spoke with such enthusiasm, as if everyone should have cheered in response the moment he finished. Yet, the crowd was not so passionate; instead, they muttered and grumbled, many with ugly expressions, erupting in waves of clamor.

Tang Zhao asked softly, "What is wrong with them?"

He had been studying that Kun Sword ever since he arrived on the island, never stepping outside, while Jiang Shenyi had been wandering around the whole time. Back on Jiugao Mountain, Jiang Shenyi had spent his days wandering; although it was necessary for keeping up appearances, it was also due to his own interests, so he was well-versed in the island's anecdotes. He laughed, "Them? They are wailing because the betting pool has collapsed."

Tang Zhao said, "Betting pool? People are actually taking bets?"

Jiang Shenyi said, "Of course. Only ninety-nine people in total came to Jianzhou, but actually, several hundred people came to the Talisman Assembly. Those who didn't catch a Spirit Fish arrived in Jianzhou long ago, crowding into the Human District's dormitories. Living in such tight quarters and being bored, what else is there to do besides playing cards or gambling? Someone opened a betting pool early on, wagering on who would take first place on the Heaven Rank. Later, many people who came over from Maze City in the morning joined in too. Everyone pooled their money for a bit of fun, mainly betting on who would be first. Who knew Longyuan would play dirty and suddenly announce that the Seven Great Factions were joining in to be ranked together? They feel the top spots will surely be monopolized by the great factions, and first place is not even among the candidates. Everyone lost miserably, so they're unhappy, that's all."

Tang Zhao laughed, "Since nobody expected this and it's a force majeure, why not just calculate the rankings by excluding the people from the Seven Great Factions? Just be flexible."

Jiang Shenyi shook his head and said, "You don't understand. Payouts are the bookie's business. You wrote in black and white that you bet on so-and-so to be first in the Heaven District. Now he's eighth. You say 'exclude the Seven Great Factions,' but that's not what's written on the receipt. Why should they give you money? The bookies won big this time."

Tang Zhao realized, laughing, "The gamblers didn't... it's a good thing you didn't bet, Senior Brother." He remembered that Jiang Shenyi hadn't brought any money.

Jiang Shenyi retorted, "Who said I didn't bet? I put all the Origin Stones I had on you; I bet everything I had."

Tang Zhao was stunned and said, "I see you're quite happy; why aren't you sad like the others?" And he even seemed to be gloating.

Jiang Shenyi pressed down on Tang Zhao's shoulder and said, "Because I bet on you. Regardless of whether the Seven Great Factions are there or not, I have always believed in you. So what if the Seven Great Factions are there? With them as your stepping stones, won't it be even more glorious? It's written in black and white that I believe you'll be first. As long as you are first, I win alone and make a killing. I'll cover all the food and drink on the way back." As he said this, he patted Tang Zhao again, his laughter ringing out incessantly.

Although Tang Zhao was grateful for his confidence, he felt these words were extremely arrogant, and the voice was so loud that various gazes from around them turned their way, sharp as thorns, as if a group of porcupines were approaching.

Being this arrogant, isn't that a bit bad?

However, Senior Brother was right; having the Seven Great Factions as a foil for himself was indeed quite glorious.

"Twentieth place, nine hundred seventeen points, Zhuoyu Villa, Senior Brother Jiang Shenyi, please go up to the tower!"

Just then, Jiang Shenyi's name was revealed on the board. Jiang Shenyi smiled, spread his wings, and with Wind and Thunder Qi entwined, he rose from thin air and flew up to the tower.

This display was imposing. Jiang Shenyi was naturally handsome and elegant, his figure dashing. With his wings spread and wind and thunder surging, he possessed the bearing of an immortal. The crowd's eyes could not help but follow him until he ascended the tower and sat high above.

As they shifted their gazes back, the crowd still couldn't help but feel envious, though some said sourly, "What's so great about being twentieth?"

Yet, starting with him, no one went up to the tower properly; everyone had to show off their skills to fly up. Fortunately, they were all young and had good temperaments. Even those whose looks were inferior only needed to move gracefully and use dazzling techniques to be worth watching. Everyone gave them face by cheering loudly. The atmosphere became increasingly heated.

Gradually, the rankings were revealed higher and higher, and the number of people remaining grew smaller and smaller.

"Eighth place, nine hundred seventy-six points, Xuansu Studio, Shang Chisu."

A dignified and elegant woman walked forward slowly, and a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the onlookers. It was more enthusiastic than for anyone before, almost blowing the roof off Zhuangyuan Tower.

Someone shouted loudly, "This is our champion!"

Many others roared in approval.

The situation was clear: the Seven Great Factions were bound to take seven spots. Since none had appeared yet, they must be sweeping the top seven. The first among the rest could only be eighth place.

Everyone had complicated feelings toward the Seven Great Factions. On one hand, they couldn't help but feel respect, even subconsciously feeling a head shorter than them. On the other hand, they felt they were not from the same world as those great factions, nor were they "one of their own," so they didn't want to cater to them and would rather save their best applause and cheers for eighth place.

Tang Zhao thought: Xuansu Studio? I remember a friend who is also from that studio? I don't think I heard their name just now?

"Seventh place, nine hundred eighty-one points. Feng Clan, Feng Fei."

Sure enough, seventh place was the Feng Clan from the Seven Great Factions. The Feng Clan was a minor branch of the Ouye Clan, and their strength had always been slightly inferior, so it was reasonable for them to be ranked last among the Seven Great Factions. Feng Fei's figure flickered on the tower. It turned out that the people from the Seven Great Factions were not downstairs at all, but had long been seated on the tower, waiting only to show their respects when their names were revealed before returning to their seats.

Being so detached from the masses, everyone was even more displeased. The applause, which was only polite to begin with, became sparse and devoid of emotion.

"Sixth place, nine hundred eighty-six points, Xuansu Studio, Yue Shen."

As soon as the name was called, the crowd went quiet for a moment, then erupted into earth-shattering cheers.

Someone had actually ranked ahead of the Feng Clan of the Seven Great Factions!

What a hero!

Wait, weren't there six people from the Six Great Factions? How could he take this spot?

Someone well-informed immediately said, "The Ouye Clan didn't come to the Talisman Assembly, so there are only six factions."

The crowd realized, and then cheered even more vigorously. This was a commoner hero who had truly defeated the Seven Great Factions; this was the real champion!

Tang Zhao also clapped vigorously, admiring him immensely.

This Yue Shen was the one who had sat beside him by the Lotus Pond. He had caught a Golden Scale back then, so he was certainly no ordinary person. He remembered that the other party hadn't participated in the later melee, which meant that nine hundred eighty-six points were answered by him one by one.

Although Tang Zhao's score was higher, Tang Zhao knew that this score was thanks to his Glasses. If he had to answer himself, he would probably be answering one question at a time after the eight-hundredth. Of course, he would have taken the paths with hints and could have cleared the stages and answered questions, but whether he could have had a score as high as Brother Yue's was unknown. Tang Zhao admired him immensely in his heart.

Yue Shen was gentle and refined. He bowed in greeting, shook his sleeves, and a white mist drifted out, forming a staircase of Righteous Qi, which he ascended step by step. He left behind countless envious gazes.

Next, fifth was Zhuge Yudan of Xuansu Studio, and fourth was Chu Shanxia of Mogan Peak; this was not unexpected.

"Third place, nine hundred ninety-nine points. Feitian Cave, Yun Xiyan!"

Another name that caused silence, and another eruption after the silence.

"My god, my god, which true person is this? How did she rank so high? Is Feitian Cave about to rise? That's one less great faction ahead? What's going on, who else didn't come?"

Amidst the noisy crowd, someone said, "Right, Longyuan doesn't participate in the rankings themselves, otherwise they might be accused of being unfair. They set the questions, so they wouldn't be on the list anyway."

Everyone realized, and then applauded rhythmically, as if welcoming a great hero returning in triumph.

Tang Zhao clapped along, watching Yun Xiyan step out, and said with a grin, "Congratulations, Sister Yun."

Although Yun Xiyan's score had been boosted, it was undeniable that her total score was impressive, only one point away from a perfect score. Sitting in third place was well-deserved. It was just a pity that if everyone knew Yun Xiyan hadn't actually answered a single question and had relied entirely on robbing others in Maze City, they might wonder what she was thinking.

Yun Xiyan saw Tang Zhao, waved at him, kicked off the ground, and jumped straight onto Zhuangyuan Tower, almost jumping to the roof. A Sword Student is straightforward and doesn't play games.

Someone said, "Nine hundred ninety-nine points, only one point away from a perfect score? Does that mean the first and second places are tied for a perfect score? The gap between people is just too big. I didn't even finish half. They got a perfect score directly."

Someone laughed, "If you could finish it, you'd be one of the Seven Great Factions too."

Then Qi Yuheng said, "Second place, one thousand points, Wu Yunfei of Yitian Pavilion!"

The crowd applauded politely, but they were puzzled: since it was already a perfect score, why was he only second, and not tied for first?

Since second place had been revealed, only one of the Seven Great Factions remained, and the position of champion was effectively revealed.

The people below discussed, "The first place this year is Yuanji Palace. Not bad. Yuanji Palace wasn't outstanding among the Seven Great Factions before; how did they take the lead this year?"

"You don't know? Xiao Guangwang is a peerless genius born in Yuanji Palace once every five hundred years. He is young, and both his talent and appearance are peerless. It's time for him to shock the world. I once saw him from afar and felt he was like a god. When he comes out in a moment, you'll see what it means to be 'the moon rises to shine on the northern hall, brilliance fills the steps'."

"Really? That sounds like an immortal. You're quite cultured, able to recite a couple of flowery poems."

Amidst the discussions, everyone fixed their gazes upon Zhuangyuan Tower—the people from the Seven Great Factions must have been up in the tower long ago, wanting to look over the railings to see what kind of demeanor the person who suppressed all the large and small factions to claim the top spot alone possessed.

Qi Yuheng paused at the end, smiled slightly, and instead of reporting the name directly, he said unhurriedly: "Fellow Daoists may ask, since there is already a perfect score, why is there still a separate top place? Because this person is not only exceptionally talented and knowledgeable, but also skilled in both literature and martial arts, and is public-spirited and righteous. He performed meritorious service on the Sword Province Road and eliminated a scourge for the Talisman Assembly, which delayed his own journey. To compensate him for his righteous act and ensure a good person does not suffer a loss, Lord Longyuan decided to add one hundred points to his score."

"If he had only surpassed the perfect score because of these one hundred points, resulting in the highest score, even though it was what he deserved, it would inevitably have invited criticism. We had originally prepared to make it a tie for first place. Fortunately, not only is his martial arts strength astonishing, but his attainments in Rune Formula are also impeccable, requiring no mediation from others. He himself is a perfect score, and with the addition of his merits and virtues, his sole claim to the top spot is indisputable."

The crowd grew more curious as they listened; how did it seem like this person had even traveled the Sword Province Road?

Those who had participated in that chaotic battle at the end gradually began to realize, and a thought flashed through their minds:

Could it be him?

It must be him!

"I have met this person before; I felt amazed at the time and have never forgotten it. It is not that I, Qi, am boasting, but my judgment is not bad, and I recognize the talents of the world." Qi Yuheng reached out his hand toward the stage.

The gazes of the crowd shifted one after another from the tower to the floor below, to the front of the stage, and onto one person.

"Come, let us invite the top scholar of our Talisman Sword Master world onto the stage."

"First place, one thousand one hundred points, Tang Zhao, Zhuoyu Villa."