Chapter 47: The First Stage Ends

Zongmin continued to say, “According to the refugees, the Manchus first entered the pass from Changzigling and then marched south, their army now reaching near Cangzhou.” 。Many Shandong people feared...Bah!

A streak of blood-red light flashed across the sky. Lu Xianzi, who was more powerful of the two, was the first to be enveloped by the white light and sent out of the hunting ground.

"Lu Xianzi, eliminated"

Xiao Mo was a little dumbfounded, then without hesitation fled.

Duan Yunfeng's eyes were bloodshot, and he directly chased after him.

On the other side of the battlefield, the three people led by Ba Jiu who were desperately attacking Su Xin saw Luo Xianzi being eliminated and Xiao Mo being chased. For a moment, they were incredibly shocked.

"Hurry up and leave!"

Ba Jiu let out a low growl, and he and the other two immediately tried to flee.

However…

"Want to escape"

Su Xin smiled, and originally only a purely defensive sword technique, at this moment, *whoosh whoosh*~~~ countless sword shadows spread across the sky.

Just like the vast ocean, where one after another monstrous waves surge.

The giant wave churned, directly engulfing the three people around it.

Shan Hai Juan, though primarily a defensive sword technique, is also adept at grappling with opponents.

The sword technique carried a profound and enigmatic feminine energy, flowing endlessly, momentarily ensnaring all three of them.

The three of them desperately tried to escape, but trapped in this endless torrent of sword intent, they couldn't shake Su Xin at all.

If they are forcibly removed, they could be swept away by that sword intent and seriously injured.

But within this hunting ground, the restrictions within their tokens were triggered by incredibly subtle conditions. They wouldn't only activate in life-or-death situations; even a severe injury could trigger them, resulting in their elimination from the competition.

Oh no!

"This vast expanse of seawater is so troublesome!"

The expressions of the three, including Ba Jiu, changed dramatically.

And in just a moment, Duan Yunfeng returned to them, while Xiao Mo was obviously eliminated.

After Duan Yunfeng returned to the battlefield, he didn't immediately attack. Instead, he looked at Su Xin in a rather strange way, "Brother, are you still playing with them Why don't you hurry up and make a move, kill the three of them"

"Want to play"

The three of them were taken aback.

This seemingly insurmountable ocean of transformations, in their eyes, has been playing with them all along

As expected, Su Xin chuckled softly before decisively making his move. The sword intent in his hand instantly transformed.

Previously, there was an incomparably soft and continuous sword intent, but in the next moment it became incomparably violent and fiery!

That swordsmanship surged wildly, slashing down with furious and terrifying power, enveloping the three people at once.

"What kind of power is this" Ba Jiu stared wide-eyed.

The three of them did their best to resist the ferocious and terrifying sword shadow attack.

But it only lasted for a moment, and two of the three were soon killed and eliminated.

Even the strongest of the Nine Tyrants, was ultimately eliminated.

This time, out of the seven people who came specifically to deal with Duan Yunfeng, besides the weak girl leading the way who didn't make a move at first and luckily escaped, the other six, including Luo Xianzi, Xiao Mo, and Ba Jiu, three geniuses who were qualified to challenge the top 20 in the hunt, were all killed by Su Xin and Duan Yunfeng.

……

"Duan Yunfeng, your swordsmanship just now was quite good." Su Xin walked over.

"That's my secret weapon, I was planning to use it in the final hunting stage. Now that you've seen it early, if I encounter you during the final hunt, it would be a tragedy," Duan Yunfeng said.

A trump card is best used unexpectedly, when the situation is unknown.

Now that his secret technique has been seen by Su Xin, and Su Xin is prepared, when they truly fight, he naturally becomes a bit passive.

"You can't fool me, that strike just now was probably one of your secret techniques, but it certainly wasn't all of them, was it" Su Xin said.

Duan Yunfeng smiled and touched his nose, obviously tacitly agreeing.

And Su Xin was astonished, only one ultimate move could instantly kill the Luo Fairy under the siege of two people. This hidden strength of Yunfeng is truly not simple.

"Duan Yunfeng's just-executed move felt very similar to the Phantom Scroll I practice, both incredibly swift. I just wonder who is stronger," Su Xin mused.

Of course, this answer can only be known when they meet in the final stage of the hunt and have a real battle.

The great battle had no effect on Su Xin and Duan Yunfeng. The two continued to rest, waiting for the next day.

……

Outside the hunting ground, Xiao Mo and Luo Xianzi, who had just been eliminated, gathered together again.

Xiao Mo's face was terrifyingly grim.

"Damn it, I spent so much effort and finally managed to invite so many talented geniuses, but in the end, we still couldn't kill that Yun Feng. Instead, he ended up eliminating us!"

"Damn it! Damn it all!"

Xiao Mo's heart was filled with anger and unwillingness.

but he had no way to do anything.

This was already the only chance he could find to take revenge on Duan Yunfeng, but this opportunity had been missed by him.

While Luo Xianzi stood beside him, she appeared quite calm.

"My Master allowed me to participate in this Imperial City Hunt. I wanted to give it my all and see if I could make it into the Tianyan Palace for cultivation that day. But this year's hunt is noticeably more exceptional than previous ones, with even more top-tier geniuses. With my current abilities, it's nearly impossible to truly break into the top ten."

Since I couldn't enter the Tianyan Palace anyway and being eliminated early isn't a big deal, besides, I gained quite a few benefits from Xiao Mo this time. Most importantly, through Xiao Mo, I can establish a relationship with the current Duke behind him.

If this could allow the Purple Cloud Sect to forge a good relationship with that National Guest, it would also be a great gain.

The Ziyun Sect, although possessing some foundation, is considered a large sect within the Tianyan Imperial Dynasty. However, the imperial power of the Tianyan Imperial Dynasty completely surpasses these sects.

The Duke of the current era, holding a high position and great power, is absolutely the most prominent figure in the imperial dynasty.

Being able to associate with such a high-ranking and influential figure would be highly desirable for the Purple Cloud Sect.

One night passed quickly.

When the dawn broke on the second day, marking the end of this first phase of the hunt that had lasted for a full five days,

All the surviving geniuses were sent out of the hunting ground, and then according to the talismans on each person, a thousand geniuses who would enter the second stage were quickly decided.

Su Xin and Duan Yunfeng, of course, were also among these thousand talented individuals.

After that, everyone returned to camp.

And after the first stage of hunting is over, there will be a three-day rest, and only after three days will the second stage of hunting begin.

……

Inside the camp.

"Long Dao, Qiu Ze, Ling Yu, the three of you, are all going back to Yongning County" Su Xin looked at the three people who came to say goodbye.

"What can we do if we don't go back" Longdao seemed a little disappointed. "Out of the ten geniuses selected from Yongning County this time, besides Su Xin you, all the others were eliminated in the first stage of the hunt, and they were eliminated very badly."

“It was Qiu Ze who stressed the point, “There are so many geniuses in the Heavenly Flames Dynasty. Those of us who have just passed the first level of the Dragon Searching Tower are considered top talents in Yongning County, but compared to the entire Heavenly Flames Dynasty, we really amount to nothing. This hunting expedition completely hit us hard.”

"If we leave now, the damage we sustain will be minimal. But if we stay, watching you true prodigies hunt in the aftermath, our losses will be far greater," Lingyu also said.

"Out of the ten geniuses from our Yongning County, only you passed the first stage hunt and can continue to push forward. As for us... we now just want to quickly break through to the Void Realm. As for that Tianyan Palace, we no longer dare to hope," Long Dao laughed.

"Su Xin, I hope you can finally enter Tianyan Palace as you wish. When you return to Yongning County, come find us for a drink."

"Hao Su nodded."

Soon, the three Dragon Blade warriors all rode away on their Purple Wind Beasts.

It's not just the three of them; most of the talented individuals eliminated in the first stage also chose to leave.

When they arrived, these prodigies were all brimming with passion, each one wanting to break into the top ten and enter the Heavenly Flame Palace, a renowned cultivation holy land, for training.

When it's time to leave, most people are filled with sadness.

Many prodigies were defeated in this hunt.

But this kind of setback has both advantages and disadvantages. The good thing is that experiencing setbacks can help us wake up in time, recognize ourselves, and our cultivation will be smoother in the future.

...but the downside is that it's possible to be completely disheartened.

In the past ten thousand years, in just the first stage of hunting, nearly ninety-nine percent were eliminated, leaving only one thousand geniuses. Even Su Xin couldn't help but sigh.

However, out of the thousand geniuses who remained, each possessed extraordinary abilities. Even the weakest among them likely had the strength to clear the second level of the Dragon Seeking Tower.

The next hunting competition will be even more intense.

Su Xin clutched her hands tightly.

There, he also met quite a few top-notch geniuses.

Like the initial Blaze and Tang Xuan, as well as that later monk whose power shocked even them.

And there are others like Xia Mang and Tu San, who have long been recognized as terrifying geniuses with extraordinary abilities.

No matter who, none can stop his path forward.

The Heavenly Inferno Palace, he's bound to get it!

……

As night fell, the camp was brightly lit by fires.

Although it has been half a day since the activities started, this campsite is still very lively.

In the center of the camp, stood a towering black tower. This tower was the Chi-Long Tower.

The Red Dragon Building, overseeing the world.

This time, the imperial hunt is still within the jurisdiction of the Chi Long Building. And in this hunt, many things are arranged by the Chi Long Building.

For example, the intelligence report that was previously widely sold in the camp and known to many geniuses, was actually from the hands of the Crimson Dragon Pavilion.

A frail young girl came into the Crimson Dragon Building.

"Little miss, is something the matter" A manager from Chi Long Lou was in charge of receiving guests.

"I'm here selling information from this hunt. A genius, but delicate girl," the dealer said.

"Selling genius information" The manager moved slightly.

Intelligence on those talented hunters is all gathered by the Chi Long Building, and the Chi Long Building gathers information in many ways. There's their performance during the trials of the Dragon Tower before, and later, some of the public achievements these talented individuals have made.

Just like in the first stage of the hunt, with so many prodigies battling on that hunting ground, the Chi Long Building couldn't possibly monitor every single one. They also wouldn't know the strength of many prodigies within the arena. That's when the Chi Long Building offered a price, encouraging those prodigies to voluntarily provide information that they were unaware of.

Pricing also varies according to the level of importance of the information.

This frail girl quickly recounted all the information she knew about that genius.

"You're saying that out of the thousand geniuses who participated in the first stage hunt, there was one genius who had only achieved the cultivation level of a Sea Transformation expert, yet possessed combat strength comparable to those in the top ten hunters" The supervisor stood up, looking at the frail girl before him with disbelief.

After careful questioning.

"Little girl, regarding what you've said, I will have the members of the Chi Long Lou investigate each point. If your words hold true, the Chi Long Lou will gladly pay you accordingly," the manager stated.

"The frail girl nodded lightly and then turned to leave.

And the Red Dragon Building was quick to act, verifying the frail girl's words in less than an hour.

……

In a tavern at the camp, Su Xin and Duan Yunfeng sat together.

"Folks, this is the latest prodigy information from Chi Long Building. It records many talented powerhouses who have emerged in the first stage of the hunt. Why don't you buy a copy and take a look"

Vendors around are selling the latest genius information.

Su Xin and Duan Yunfeng also quickly received a copy.

Flipping through the first few pages of the information, it still records Xia Mang, Tu San, Duan Yunfeng and several other figures who have long been recognized as geniuses.

Then they saw a new name - Wu Chao!

Wu Chao, whose origins are unknown, possesses peak cultivation of the Sea Realm and wields a stone staff. During the first stage of the hunt, he made several moves, and no one could withstand his strike. He is undoubtedly among the top ten hunters in terms of combat power.

"It's him!"

"It's that great monk!"

Su Xin and Duan Yunfeng immediately understood that this Wu Chao must be the terrifyingly powerful monk they had encountered in the hunting ground.

And the report said that even those who had previously been considered eligible to reach the top fifty geniuses were all killed by this high monk, which shows the power of this high monk.

That monster

Whenever Duan Yunfeng thought of that great monk, a chill ran down his spine.

As for strength, I'm afraid even Xia Mang might not be a match for this Wu Chao Su. That thought crossed his mind secretly.

This intelligence report only ranks the Wu Dynasty as being in the top ten combat forces, clearly an underestimate.

Of course, this is also the outside world's understanding of Wu Chao's strength. It's not very comprehensive. But he and Duan Yunfeng actually fought against Wu Chao in that hunting ground, even forcing him to use some extraordinary means.

The two continued to look down.

Duan Yunfeng flipped to a new page and saw the name at the top. He was stunned on the spot.

"Brother, look!"

Su Xinyue immediately looked over. At the sight, his expression also became stunned at once.

On that page of information, it was written:

"Su Xin, hailing from Yongning County in Yunzhou, is nineteen years old this year. His cultivation has reached the peak of the Huanghai stage, and it is suspected that he possesses one of the top ten combat strengths before this hunt..."

……ree inspectors were all puzzled, wondering what means Su Xin had used to make even the Silver Moon Marquis's consciousness fall into temporary disarray.Of course they didn't think in terms of supernat...