The Saint Son List Released, Blood Flows in the Eastern Wasteland

Sixth match, Ye Guyun was the finale.

His opponent was Xuanming, the Holy Son of the Qingxu Holy Land.

Xuanming sat cross-legged on the arena, his whisk resting across his knees.

"Your sword, I have seen it."

Ye Guyun drew his sword: "My sword is not meant to be looked at."

Xuanming smiled: "Then let me experience it."

He closed his eyes, and a faint layer of azure light surged around his body.

That was a domain formed by the power of the soul.

Ye Guyun took a step into the domain, instantly feeling as if his divine soul had been pricked by countless needles.

Expressionless, he continued moving forward.

Xuanming frowned slightly and increased the soul pressure.

But Ye Guyun was like a stone without a soul, walking step by step until he was ten zhang away from him.

"Your soul cultivation method is useless against me."

Xuanming finally opened his eyes, somewhat puzzled: "Why?"

Ye Guyun said indifferently: "My divine soul has long been given to my sword."

He raised his hand and thrust out a sword.

That strike had no astral aura fluctuations.

Yet Xuanming felt his own soul screaming.

He retreated violently, his whisk turning into a shield.

Ding!

The tip of the sword tapped against the handle of the whisk. Xuanming retreated violently for ten zhang, cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

He looked down at the whisk and found a fine sword mark on it.

"Embryonic Sword Intent?" Xuanming's voice trembled.

Ye Guyun sheathed his sword: "No. Just the Sword Heart."

He turned and left the arena without saying another word.

Sixth match, Ye Guyun wins.

In the third round of the arena battles, the Great Zhou won six out of six matches.

Wanyan Gu howled with excitement, Su Lie remained as steady as ever, Lu Chenzhou stood silently in the corner, Xiao Chen and Mu Changliu sat facing each other discussing fire, and Ye Guyun was called over to talk by Wang Wudi.

As for the three great Holy Sons and Holy Maidens of the Central State, although the other two matches remained undecided aside from the fight between Chi Lian and Rong Xiaotian, the Central State had completely lost face.

Meanwhile, Wang Hao was smilingly calculating his money.

"Old Wei, how much did we make today?"

Wei Zhongxian lowered his voice: "Today, the Central State's bets exceeded fifty million spirit stones. We made a net profit of twenty-three million."

Wang Hao smiled like a fox that had stolen a chicken.

"Adding the previous two days, we've made a net profit of forty-six million spirit stones in three days."

He waved his large hand.

"Men!"

"Pass down my decree."

"The ten great prodigies of the Great Zhou: Xiao Chen, Ye Guyun, Lu Chenzhou, Rong Xiaotian, Wanyan Gu, Su Lie, Lin Tiechuan, Gu Han, Zhao Feng, and Bai Zhantang—each person is rewarded with ten thousand supreme-grade spirit stones, five hundred thousand taels of silver, one bottle of Heaven-rank low-grade healing pills, and one Heaven-rank high-grade Barrier-Breaking Pill!"

"The eight hundred thousand soldiers will each be rewarded with five hundred thousand taels of silver!"

"The total expenditure is equivalent to about forty-five million spirit stones."

"I earned forty-six million, distributed the equivalent of twenty-five million taels of silver, and the rest will go into the national treasury."

Wei Zhongxian cautiously reminded: "Your Majesty, if we do this, will we still have any profit left?"

Wang Hao smiled and said: "What do you know? Military morale is worth more than spirit stones. Besides, there's even bigger stuff coming up, what are you anxious about?"

Wei Zhongxian silently gave Wang Hao a thumbs up.

The news spread throughout the military camp, and the eight hundred thousand soldiers cheered like thunder.

The cultivators of the Central State had complex feelings.

They lost their bets, but they witnessed the might of the Eastern Wasteland.

However, more news regarding Holy Son and Holy Maiden-level figures was still spreading. Some even said that the hidden core inheritors of certain Holy Lands, who had been secluded for years, had also taken an interest in the prodigies of the Eastern Wasteland.

With the Kunlun Assembly approaching, everyone felt it—

This arena struggle was far from over.

More Holy Sons, Holy Maidens, ghost tamers, and even some reclusive monsters were on their way to the Reception City.

On the Great Zhou's side, among the ten great prodigies, Xiao Chen, Ye Guyun, and Lu Chenzhou were kept behind alone by Wang Hao.

Wang Hao looked at the three of them and suddenly spoke.

"Do you want to break through to the Skysoaring Realm?"

The three raised their heads simultaneously.

Wang Hao smiled and took out three pills.

Those were special pills he had signed in from the system, Realm-Breaking Pills.

"Take this pill and go into secluded cultivation. On the arena ten days from now—I want the three of you to all enter the Skysoaring Realm."

Inside the main tent, spiritual energy surged like a tide.

Xiao Chen, Ye Guyun, and Lu Chenzhou sat cross-legged, the astral aura around their bodies boiling like water.

Ten days.

For the Kunlun Reception City, these ten days felt longer than the past ten years.

In three rounds of arena battles, the thirty-six prodigies of the Central State were utterly crushed by the ten people from the Eastern Wasteland. Three Holy Sons and Holy Maidens made their moves, resulting in one draw, one loss, and one narrow victory. Although Chi Lian won against Rong Xiaotian, she had her shoulder armor shattered by an eighth-layer Astral Aura Realm cultivator. After the news spread, the Chixiao Holy Land's face remained dark for three whole days.

Curses filled the gambling houses.

The Central State cultivators lost both their spirit stones and their face, holding in an evil fire with nowhere to vent. Within the mountain gates of the major Holy Lands, Ancient Clans, and Sects, the Holy Sons and Holy Maidens in secluded cultivation were awakened one after another. Those true prodigies who originally disdained the Eastern Wasteland finally turned their gazes toward the Kunlun Reception City.

The news spread like wildfire across the western part of the Central State.

Within ten days, more than thirty Holy Son-level figures arrived at the Reception City.

This was unprecedented in the history of the Central State.

Xuanxiao of the Kunlun Law Enforcement Hall stood on the city wall, looking at the endless streams of light and shadows flying below, his expression shifting continuously. Behind him stood Chen Tianlan, the once arrogant true disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall, who was now as silent as a stone.

"Thirty-seven Holy Sons and Holy Maidens." Xuanxiao's voice was somewhat dry. "The major Holy Lands are really emptying their pockets."

Chen Tianlan said in a low voice: "More than that. Subordinate just received news that the one from the Tianque Holy Land has also set off."

Xuanxiao's pupils shrank slightly.

Tianque Holy Land.

The head of the five great Holy Lands in the Central State, ranked third on the world's Holy Land list. The Tianque Holy Son, Jiang Taixuan, third layer of the Skysoaring Realm, twenty-six years old. He once fought alone against three Skysoaring Realm experts of the same level in the Myriad Phenomena Secret Realm without losing, and was hailed as one of the top three in the younger generation of the Central State.

"He's coming too?" Xuanxiao took a deep breath. "Who else?"

Chen Tianlan hesitated for a moment and reported a string of names: "Holy Son of the Starfall Holy Land, Li Xinghe, second layer of the Skysoaring Realm, said to have cultivated the Star Body Forging Art to the seventh layer, his physical body able to clash head-on with Heaven-rank divine weapons. Holy Maiden of the Falling Cloud Holy Land, Su Wanqing, second layer of the Skysoaring Realm, cultivates the Dao of Karma, her martial skills are bizarre and unpredictable. Holy Son of the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land, Dugu Que, second layer of the Skysoaring Realm, a sword dao genius who once severed a river with a single strike. There are also the Great Yan Holy Land, the Netherworld Ancient Sect, the Heavenly Strategy Mansion..."

With every name reported, the corner of Xuanxiao's eye twitched.

These people in the Central State were all existences renowned in their own regions. Usually, it was difficult to invite even one of them out, but now they were swarming toward the Reception City like they were going to a market.

"Does Wang Hao know?" Xuanxiao suddenly asked.

Chen Tianlan smiled bitterly: "Hall Master, that Emperor declared ten days ago—'The more that come, the better. My gambling pool is just worrying about not having enough people to place bets.'"

Xuanxiao remained silent for a long time, squeezing out two words from between his teeth.

"Madman."

Canglan Plains, Great Zhou military camp.

After ten days of secluded cultivation, Xiao Chen, Ye Guyun, and Lu Chenzhou broke out of seclusion at the same time.

At that moment, three Skysoaring auras shot up into the sky, and the spiritual energy within a radius of a hundred miles converged toward the military camp like a tide. The eight hundred thousand iron cavalry soldiers raised their heads at the same time, seeing three figures walking out of the camp tents. The astral aura around their bodies was restrained, replaced by a purer and more majestic fluctuation of power.

Skysoaring Realm.

The three of them knelt on one knee before Wang Hao in unison.

"Your subjects have not failed Your Majesty's trust."

Wang Hao sat on the dragon throne, looking the three of them up and down. Xiao Chen's aura had grown much deeper; when the strange fire danced in his palm, it even burned ripples into the air. Ye Guyun's sword intent was at least thirty percent more condensed than it had been ten days ago. Standing there, he was like a sword yet to be drawn. Lu Chenzhou had changed the most. Originally as steady as a mountain, his aura was now perfectly integrated, as if he had become one with the earth beneath his feet.

"Not bad," Wang Hao nodded in satisfaction, then looked up at the other six standing behind the three. "And you all?"

Wanyan Gu grinned, "Your Majesty, I have also broken through."

Releasing the astral energy around his body, he revealed himself to be at the peak of the Astral Energy Realm. Rong Xiaotian and Su Lie had also reached the peak of the Astral Energy Realm, while Lin Tiechuan, Gu Han, Zhao Feng, and Bai Zhantang had each made their own progress.

Among the ten, three were in the Sky Soaring Realm, three were at the peak of the Astral Energy Realm, and four were at the eighth or ninth level of the Astral Energy Realm.

Placed in any Holy Land, this lineup would be enough to rank among the core disciples.

"Your Majesty," Wei Zhongxian walked over briskly, holding a jade slip in his hands. "The latest intelligence from the Reception City."

Wang Hao took the jade slip, swept it with his divine sense, and raised an eyebrow.

"Thirty-seven Holy Sons and Holy Maidens? Jiang Taixuan of the Heavenly Palace Holy Land is here too?"

Wei Zhongxian bowed and said, "That is not all. According to reports from our hidden agents, another group arrived at noon today. Among them is a high-level ghost tamer of unknown identity, but the intense eerie aura surrounding them far exceeds that of the gray-robed man from ten days ago. In addition, there are a few rogue cultivators without any sect markings, yet their auras are no weaker than those of the Holy Sons."

Wang Hao tossed the jade slip back to Wei Zhongxian and suddenly smiled.

The smile was as gentle as if he were chatting with a neighbor.

"Old Wei, tell me, why do you think they are making such a huge fuss to come here?"

Wei Zhongxian thought about it seriously. "To suppress the arrogance of the Eastern Wasteland and reclaim the face of the Central State."

"Wrong," Wang Hao shook his head. "They are here to give me money."

Wei Zhongxian's mouth twitched.

Wang Hao stood up and looked toward the Reception City with his hands behind his back. Ten days ago, that city had been filled with arrogance and disdain, but now it was replaced by a suppressed, explosive battle intent. The auras of thirty-seven Holy Sons and Holy Maidens intertwined together. Even from dozens of miles away, he could sense that massive and mixed coercion.

"Pass down my orders," Wang Hao's voice suddenly turned serious. "For tomorrow's arena, all ten spots will be designated by me. Xiao Chen and the other two will hold the line. The rest of you are not allowed to challenge Holy Son-level opponents without permission."

Wanyan Gu grew anxious upon hearing this. "Your Majesty, I want to fight the Holy Sons too!"

Wang Hao glanced at him. "If you go up there now, Jiang Taixuan will smash you into a meat patty within three moves. I didn't spend so much money nurturing you just to send you to your death."

Wanyan Gu scratched his head. "Then when can I fight?"

"Wait until I raise you to the Sky Soaring Realm."

Wanyan Gu deflated.

But Wang Hao's next sentence stunned everyone.

"For tomorrow's arena, our goal is not to win."

The ten people looked up at the same time, their eyes filled with astonishment.

Wang Hao's smile remained unchanged. "The ones the Central State will send out tomorrow will definitely be top-tier geniuses. People like Jiang Taixuan, Li Xinghe, Su Wanqing, and Dugu Que all have cultivation bases above the second level of the Sky Soaring Realm. The six of you who are not in the Sky Soaring Realm will just be sending yourselves to death if you go up. Although Xiao Chen and the other two are at the first level of the Sky Soaring Realm, they have just broken through recently and their foundations are not yet stable. Against these long-famous Holy Sons, their chances of winning are less than thirty percent."

Ye Guyun said coldly, "A swordsman does not fear a battle."

"I know you are not afraid." Wang Hao patted him on the shoulder. "But I don't want you to die. Every single one of you was built up by me using a massive amount of resources. It would pain my heart to lose even one."

He paused, his smile deepening.

"Since we can't win, we won't fight to win. Let them win. But we must make sure they don't win easily. We need to make all the spectators feel that the geniuses of the Eastern Wasteland fought with everything they had, that the geniuses of the Central State had a hard-won victory, and that the Eastern Wasteland might not necessarily lose the next match."

Xiao Chen frowned. "Does Your Majesty mean you want us to act?"

"Not act," Wang Hao corrected. "Fight. Fight for real. But you don't need to put your lives on the line. Show your true strength, show the momentum of the Eastern Wasteland, and then lose. Lose in a way that makes the people of the Central State feel they have finally suppressed the Eastern Wasteland, lose in a way that makes their confidence explode, making them think the Eastern Wasteland is nothing more than this."

He looked around at the ten people, a dangerous glint hidden in his smile.

"Then they will place their bets like crazy. Betting on the Central State to win. The more they bet, the better."

"Once they have wagered their entire fortunes—"

Wang Hao didn't finish his sentence.

But the temperature inside the tent suddenly dropped by several degrees.

The New Emperor Sword hung at Wei Zhongxian's waist, letting out a faint voice. "Tyrant, do you want to take the field yourself again?"

Wang Hao chuckled. "These Holy Sons and Holy Maidens traveled thousands of miles to get here. Wouldn't it be bad manners if I didn't step out to entertain them?"

The New Emperor Sword fell silent for three breaths, and then its blade began to tremble with excitement.

"It's finally my turn!"

Wang Wudi sat in the corner, stroking his beard as he looked at Wang Hao's back with complex eyes.

This great-grandson of his was becoming increasingly difficult to see through.

Ten days ago, he had said, "If we win, we make money; if we lose, we flip the table." At the time, everyone just took it as a joke. Now it seemed he had never planned to rely solely on the ten great geniuses to win this arena from the very beginning. The ten great geniuses were just a stepping stone, a bait, a sweet lure to make the people of the Central State place larger and larger bets.

The true killing move was himself.

An emperor at the peak of the Sky Soaring Realm, personally stepping into the arena to fight.

This was against the rules.

But since when had Wang Hao ever cared about the rules?

The next day.

Outside the Kunlun Reception City, at the Black Stone Arena.

Before the sky was even bright, the spectator stands were already packed with people.

Ten days of waiting had pushed everyone's expectations to the peak. The arrival of thirty-seven Holy Sons and Holy Maidens had changed the nature of this arena from "the Eastern Wasteland challenging the Central State" to "the top geniuses of the Central State coming out in full force to meet the Eastern Wasteland."

The major gambling houses in the Central State adjusted their odds overnight.

The odds for the Eastern Wasteland's victory soared from one-to-four to one-to-eight.

The odds for the Central State's victory dropped to one-to-one-point-two.

Even so, the spirit stones betting on the Central State's victory still flooded in like a torrent.

No one thought the Eastern Wasteland could still win.