Chapter 512 - 429 The Choice of Star Lord
First Level Special Envoys successively stepped into the School Martial Arts Arena. Those below First Level scattered around outside, either in mid-air or on the ground.
More and more Special Envoys arrived on the island. Gradually, Yan Changming, Tian Bulue, and others arrived one after another.
Xia Xuan also arrived, her eyes gleaming with light, looking vibrant.
“Oh? Something seems a bit different from before…” Su Yuan looked at Xia Xuan, his expression shifting slightly.
Because he had just met Xia Xuan not long ago, Su Yuan’s keen senses detected that Xia Xuan was subtly different from before.
It seemed to be more profound and unfathomable…
At this moment, Xu Fan’s calm gaze shifted slightly. A bit of Green Fire leaped from his body, transforming into a Green Bird.
“Chirp!”
The Green Bird hovered with a clear cry. Then, Xu Fan climbed onto its back and flew down from the Jade Pillar.
“It’s about to begin!”
Sensing Xu Fan’s movements, everyone turned their gaze toward him.
Xu Fan said, “Fellow colleagues, I am Tianquan Xu Fan. I have been ordered to preside over this selection of the Star Lord!
For this Star Lord selection, there are positions for ‘Yu Heng’ and ‘Tianxuan.’ Those wishing to participate, please step to the center of the arena.”
Wu Qi, Li Daoxun, Xia Xuan, Fu Dongliu, and others, along with Su Yuan and Baili Ge beside him, totaling over forty people, all stepped into the open space in the center of the School Martial Arts Arena.
This was about half of all the First Level Special Envoys in the Sky Patrol Department.
“You’re participating too?” Su Yuan asked Baili Ge in surprise.
Baili Ge laughed, “It’s all about participation. The chance to spar with top experts in the department doesn’t come often.”
…
“Su Yuan, he’s really First Level!”
On a certain part of the island, Lin Chongyun looked at Su Yuan walking into the martial arts platform from afar and took a deep breath.
On the other side, a female Special Envoy beside Tang Jiao saw her staring with wide eyes and couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong, A Jiao?”
“Nothing, nothing much.” Tang Jiao replied casually but was shocked and puzzled in her heart.
Su Yuan, a First Level Special Envoy??
Because she had been stationed in the South Sea recently, Tang Jiao had no idea that Su Yuan had already become a First Level Special Envoy.
Over at Xiong Chunyang’s side, the tone was quite different.
Xiong Chunyang said to a few Azure Dragon Imperial brothers nearby, “See that? That’s Su Yuan. I told you he was formidable, and you said I was exaggerating.”
A person beside him smacked his lips, “Well, old Xiong, no wonder you speak of him often. Is he not on the same level as Brother Xue?”
Brother Xue, naturally, referred to the First Level Special Envoy Xue Hengjiang, who led Xiong Chunyang and others on missions, and was currently also in the center of the School Martial Arts Arena.
“Of course, let me tell you, I even exchanged a few moves with Su Yuan back then.”
“Really? How many moves?”
Xiong Chunyang thought of when he was locked by Su Yuan’s Sky Lock and then stabbed through, his expression froze.
“O-One move…”
“Just that?” Several people around booed.
…
In the School Martial Arts Arena, Xu Fan flipped his hand and took out a fist-sized pearl.
“Everyone, to compete for the Star Lord position, you must first pass through this Illusion True Image Pearl.”
Su Yuan looked at the Illusion True Image Pearl in Xu Fan’s hand. It was an Epic Grade Star Device.
This Star Device had no direct combat use; it was an auxiliary type.
It could preserve the images of some people in illusionary form. In times of need, these images could be manifested for sparring, aiding one’s cultivation through reflection.
Xu Fan infused the pearl with star power, and the Illusion True Image Pearl immediately flew up, landing in front of everyone. With flickering lights, it rapidly virtualized and expanded, enveloping everyone competing for the Star Lord position.
Su Yuan blinked and found himself in a volcanic arena.
Ahead was a young man in a Special Envoy uniform.
Su Yuan studied himself. This body was also virtualized by the pearl’s illusion power, while his real body, like everyone else’s, remained in the same place.
The young man in the Special Envoy uniform had already launched an attack. His hands rapidly formed seals, combining with the dense fire elements of the volcanic terrain, and a blazing large Fire Phoenix shot out from in front of him!
“Broken Space.”
Su Yuan raised a hand and pointed, creating a barrier in front.
“Chirp!”
The Fire Phoenix crashed against the Broken Void Wall. Flames burst and light flashed. The wall trembled violently, barely able to hold for a few seconds before cracking!
“Epic Skill. Judging by the strength of this move, he must also be a First Level Special Envoy.” Su Yuan pondered.
The blazing Fire Phoenix surged through the cracked wall, charging at Su Yuan.
Su Yuan’s eyes shimmered with silver, and he instantly teleported past the Fire Phoenix, appearing in front of the young man.
Although the young man was startled, he did not panic. He snapped his fingers, and four golden sparks, each the size of a fingernail, lit up around him.
Though tiny, these sparks held an immensely compressed force, no less powerful than the Fire Phoenix!
In a flash, the four sparks shot out, linked in pairs, forming four ash-colored fire lines that sliced through the air.
Air moisture evaporated instantly at their passing, so fast that no steam appeared!
Epic Skill, Four-directions Ash!
In mere moments, Su Yuan chose not to retreat with a flashback. Instead, he drew his Demon Saber, blocking in front.
With a thought, black light covered the blade, initiating a Space Cut.
“Hiss!”
The ashen fire lines clashed with the Demon Saber reinforced by Space Cut. Both forces consumed each other rapidly.
Despite their strength, the ashen fire lines couldn’t slice through the Epic Grade Demon Saber instantly.
After a brief stalemate, Su Yuan’s body glowed with starlight, greatly enhancing his strength, and he slashed through the ash lines towards the opponent!
The young man tried to retreat as a fiery shadow, but the Sky Lock sprang from the void and bound him.
Raging Red Flames erupted from the young man, burning along the Sky Lock chains. In moments, the intense heat threatened to melt the chains.
However, Su Yuan closed in, slicing him in two with one stroke!
A hint of surprise flashed in the youth’s eyes before his halved body dissipated like smoke.
After a brief wait, the scenery shifted, and Su Yuan faced another opponent.
This time it was a Water Element Star Card Master, and the arena transformed into a watery environment favoring water element skills.
Despite the advantage, the opponent was overwhelmed by Su Yuan’s sheer force.
Physical power alone was enough to settle it!
Outside, the Illusion True Image Pearl rippled, and a figure emerged. It was Wu Qi, the top of the Battle Merit List!
“Wu Qi is the first to come out; impressive as always…”
“I heard the Illusion True Image Pearl randomly manifests four different First Level Special Envoys, each in a favorable terrain.”
“…”
Wu Qi looked around, seeing no one ahead of him, and nodded subtly in satisfaction.
But just then, the pearl rippled again, and a crimson figure flew out.
This figure surprised everyone.
“Xia Xuan, it’s her?”
“Although passing the Illusion True Image Pearl quickly doesn’t necessarily mean strength, she was faster than Li Daoxun and Liu Hao!”
“And she looks quite relaxed.”
The crowd buzzed, surprised by Xia Xuan’s sudden display of strength.
Xia Xuan smiled slightly, ignoring the discussions, walked to the side, glanced at Wu Qi, and waited quietly…
Following them, Li Daoxun, Liu Hao, Fu Dongliu, and others also emerged.
A silver light flashed, and Su Yuan appeared too.
“So many are already here?” Su Yuan glanced at the seven or eight people, surprised.
Even though he hadn’t used his full power, he thought he was relatively quick. Evidently, there were many experts.
“Who is this?” Seeing the unfamiliar face of Su Yuan, even more than Fu Dongliu and Xia Xuan, someone outside the arena asked.
Most Special Envoys didn’t know Su Yuan except those who stayed long in the Sky Patrol Department.
“Special Envoy Tan, you don’t know him? He’s Barrier Master Su Yuan from Vermilion Bird Imperial!
They say he made merits in the New Dust Realm and is now promoted to First Level Special Envoy!”
Another added, “Yes, it’s Su Yuan. I didn’t expect him to be this strong.
Last time during a task, we asked him to set up a barrier. Three Ground Thorn Dragons broke through the formation to him, and he didn’t even blink.
Then I knew he was special. And now, it’s evident!”
Not far away, Yang Song and Wang Xudong of the Kongqiang Ridge task also marveled, thinking Su Yuan was about to make a significant impact.
After some time, nearly twenty people had passed through the Illusion True Image Pearl.
Baili Ge was among them. It seemed his strength had indeed improved after obtaining the Heavy Sand.
Seeing the time, Xu Fan indicated toward the pearl. Lights shot out, releasing those who hadn’t passed.
“In that case, let’s begin the second round.”
Those who failed the Illusion True Image Pearl stepped back. The remaining participants sized each other up, knowing the real competition just started.
Xu Fan said, “This selection for the Star Lord has two seats. However, the format is different from before.”
In previous selections, seven Star Lords would usually be present, and challengers would directly challenge them.
Otherwise, if one seat was vacant, several rounds of contests would be held to choose one to ascend.
If more than two seats were vacant, a ‘battle royale’ format would decide the winners as Star Lords.
Of course, if most Star Lords vetoed a candidate, it would nullify their position.
Then the second stage would proceed.
Those who failed the first stage or were vetoed could challenge an incumbent Star Lord.
If victorious, they would replace and become a Star Lord, immune to further veto.
“This year’s competition rules are simple and violent…” Xu Fan formed a seal. The ground of the School Martial Arts Arena rumbled, and two barriers rose, “Two arenas. Whoever stands last becomes the Star Lord.”
“No matter the order of appearance!”
“No matter the defending time!”
“No matter the means or tactics!”