Chapter 695 - 330: The Grand Melee Begins!

After noon, the sky was exceptionally dark.

The howling sea breeze carried a chill dampness, with birds circling low, signaling an impending storm.

All candidates intending to climb the mountain to compete for the inheritance have been decided, totaling thirty-six people, including Long Chiyu.

Among these thirty-six, the vast majority were renowned young talents from their respective regions, and there were also a few obscure individuals. Upon inquiry, it was discovered that they were inheritors of unique skills from some hidden powers and mysterious Immortal Sects.

Notably, Ao Yu was among these thirty-six. Though he couldn’t quite match his brilliant brother, he was certainly deserving of the title of genius. Of course, his enemy, the young Saint Heir, was also among them.

As for those stuck outside the threshold and unable to ascend, despite being filled with resentment, they found themselves helpless against their own shortcomings.

Strength is paramount, the hardest truth, leaving them with no confidence to resist. So, those barred outside had no choice but to start fawning over these thirty-six, hoping to stake their bets on them.

Their aim wasn’t to greedily seek the winner’s sharing of the secret of the Celestial Awakening Spiritual Light but to make themselves known and to establish relationships with the future movers and shakers of the Five Continents in advance.

You Su and Ji Xueruo were the two most overlooked among the thirty-six, although You Su was somewhat renowned. However, both were only at the Condensed Water Lower Realm, and barely scraped through earlier rounds, leading no one to believe they would emerge as the ultimate winners.

You Su was content with this, only a few fellow members of the Profound Sky Sect greeted him. From them, he learned that Zixun and Si Han were under house arrest at the mountain’s peak.

From this incident, it seemed the Profound Sky Sect was the most disadvantaged. The members of the Profound Sky Sect were, of course, furious, but they couldn’t oppose everyone on the island, making notions of justice and morality seem like luxuries here.

Because of this, the members of the Profound Sky Sect could only hold their frustration within, determined to protect their sect’s opportunity. Among the thirty-six, they comprised eight people, the most of any faction, which bolstered their confidence and unity.

These eight were led by Fu Heng and Duanmu Jin. You Su had heard about them: the former was a genius in talismans and the latter a blade skill prodigy, both at the Realm of Perfect Water Condensation.

Ji Xueruo found it inconvenient to remain close to You Su. She returned to the Demon Race’s team. She was at the same realm as You Su, but their standings within their respective factions were different.

The Demon Race placed more emphasis on bloodline theory, with nobility judged by whether their race resided on the Star Shining Divine Mountain, symbolizing nobility and power. Among the five demon cultivators, Ji Xueruo was the only one from a race below the Divine Mountain.

She wasn’t held in high regard and some demons barred outside thought she was imposing herself, even though she had made a name for herself among the Demon Race. Her bloodline and cultivation ensured she wouldn’t be highly anticipated.

This is also why Ji Xueruo was so eager to return the Snake Race to the Divine Mountain; the disparity in strength among demon tribes was even more severe than among the Human Race.

After a period of rest, the thirty-six cultivators were ready and vigilant.

Misty rain began to fall from the sky, making the originally vibrant immortal island appear somewhat bleak in the rain. For some unknown reason, everyone felt a bit oppressed and had an inexplicable urge to flee the island as soon as possible.

Long Chiyu also announced the rule for competing for the Sanyuan Purple Gold, which was a personal free-for-all battle.

As the name suggests, the thirty-six would rush together towards the altar holding the Sanyuan Purple Gold. Whoever seized it first would be the champion, and the rest could no longer take action.

This seemed contrary to the notion that the strongest should win but was accepted by most.

Following the traditional two-by-two draw and advancing through rounds would be too inefficient and hard to ensure fairness.

Some would face weaker opponents and not need rest, while others would be exhausted to decide victory. Some strong contenders might only halt due to encountering a cultivation technique adversary, leading to regrets. Solving these issues would drag them out for days or weeks to decide the winner.

Delays meant changes, with rumors about where the Fire Armadillo fled, and something strange by the sea, plus this untimely rain, making everyone want a swift conclusion.

Moreover, with no credible third party to judge, disputes over results might cause unrest.

Thus, after discussion, they settled on the thirty-six-person free-for-all.

A free-for-all was more complex than one-on-one combat but tested one’s overall ability more thoroughly.

Everyone would be judged in this competition, and the one to claim victory should emerge from the thirty-six!

Zixun, the key figure, gave the final decision to agree with this plan. However, at Si Han’s suggestion, she announced the battle would start in half a moment. And during the wait, all must remain silent and mix into their original positions, advancing towards the altar from thirty-six different directions.

The aim was to ensure everyone fought independently, avoiding ally formations that could disrupt fairness.

Some protested, but Si Han and Zixun were resolute. The rule was reasonable, and eventually, those dissenters accepted it.

Si Han had her reasons for this decision. What seemed like a free-for-all was initially a contest between the factions.

Having faced many dangers, she heard much enemy ridicule and sensed something peculiar. It seemed before even entering the island, these people saw Profound Sky Sect as a public enemy.

Recently, she and her senior sister were pressured, and their sect identity was no shield, but a reason for ruthless actions by others.

Si Han realized, as the tallest tree stands out in the forest, the Profound Sky Sect, the largest and richest across the Five Continents, was bound to be singled out. Becoming a public enemy seemed only natural.

So, Si Han would give no chance for conspiracy, knowing creating chaos would keep their peers safer.

She trusted her fellow disciples’ individual prowess, especially... that one young man.

Everyone was eager to go from their positions; some exchanged glances and nodded, seeming to understand, while others closed their eyes, focusing on themselves...

The short half moment passed quickly, this destined-to-be-bloody free-for-all—

was about to erupt!