Chapter 2458: Drawing Lots!

Chapter 2458: Chapter 2458: Drawing Lots!

As the Long Family Ancestor’s words fell, the Ye Family and Gu Family each sent someone up onto the Altar.

However, the Long Family Ancestor did not begin the drawing of lots immediately, but continued speaking:

"Everyone, according to the rules of the Divine Blood Family Tournament, any other Divine Blood Family that has two or more Integration Realm cultivators may also participate in the first round’s drawing of lots."

"In the past, no clan met these conditions."

"But this year, both the Lao Family and the Feng Family each possess two Integration Realm cultivators, and therefore are also qualified to draw lots."

"Will the representatives of the Lao Family and Feng Family please come up and draw lots as well."

The Long Family Ancestor’s words fell.

Two more figures appeared on the stage, both of them wearing expressions of excitement.

After all, in tens of thousands of years, this was the first time they had stood side by side with the Divine Blood Families upon the stage.

For them, this was something they had long been looking forward to.

The Long Family Ancestor glanced at the four and said:

"You Daoists should all know the rules."

"A total of five people will draw lots. If you draw Talismans with the same Rune, it means you must duel."

"If you draw a blank one, it means you get a bye and advance directly to the next round."

The four spoke up at once:

"Understood!"

"Very well, draw in order."

As the Long Family Ancestor’s words fell, the Feng Family representative was the first to step out.

He rubbed his hands together in excitement.

"Allow this junior to represent the Feng Family and draw first."

With that, he walked to stand before the Long Family Ancestor and fished out a Talisman from the Magic Artifact before him.

Immediately after, the Ye Family representative also stepped forward to draw, likewise pulling out a Talisman.

However, upon seeing the Talisman in his hand, the Ye Family representative’s face instantly lit up with delight.

"Mine is a blank Talisman."

This meant that the Ye Family got a bye in the first round.

For a moment, the others all cast envious looks over.

Outside the Altar, the Ye Family members also let out excited shouts.

At this time, the Gu Family and Lao Family stepped forward one after another to draw.

The last remaining Talisman would naturally belong to the Long Family.

"Alright, everyone, reveal the Talismans in your hands."

The Long Family Ancestor said mildly.

Hearing this, the four simultaneously displayed their Talismans.

The Ye Family needed no further mention—a blank Talisman, directly getting a bye.

What everyone was curious about was: which two matchups would follow?

Once the Talismans were revealed, everything became clear.

The Feng Family versus the Lao Family.

The Long Family versus the Gu Family.

At this moment, what none of them expected was that the two Integration Realm cultivators of the Feng Family would suddenly rise to their feet together and address the Lao Family Ancestor:

"The two of us are both Integration Realm Early Stage. We deem ourselves no match for the Lao Family Daoist."

"Our Feng Family intends to voluntarily concede."

Hearing this, the Lao Family Ancestor’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

The Long Family Ancestor, upon hearing this, simply nodded.

"Very well."

"Since the Feng Family forfeits, it means that the Feng Family will compete with the other loser for fourth and fifth place."

"Now, it is the turn of my Long Family and the Gu Family."

"By the rules, my Long Family has two Integration Realm cultivators, namely myself and Daoist Hui."

"Only by defeating both of us in succession can one be considered to have bested the Long Family."

"So before the duel, this old man must confirm one thing: Gu Family, do you have only Daoist Zhou?"

Hearing this, Gu Yue’s expression changed slightly.

She immediately leaned close to Zhou Yu and spoke in a low voice:

"Senior Zhou, we are not the Long Family’s match. There’s no need to force it; we can choose to concede directly and then face the Ye Family."

Gu Yue knew the Long Family’s strength all too well.

That cultivator surnamed Hui was one thing—merely Integration Realm Middle Stage. With Zhou Yu’s strength, even if he could not win, he should at least be able to fight to nearly a draw.

But the Long Family Ancestor was a genuine Integration Realm Late Stage cultivator.

Moreover, he had already stepped into this Realm for a full thousand years—a Integration Realm Late Stage cultivator ranked among the very top across both the Human and Demon Clans.

How could Zhou Yu possibly defeat two opponents by himself?

However, as soon as her words fell, Zhou Yu simply gave a faint smile.

"I’ve long heard of the great name of the Long Family Ancestor. To have a chance to spar today, I naturally won’t miss it!"

For Zhou Yu, with the strength he now possessed, he naturally wished to exchange blows more often with cultivators whose Realm surpassed his own.

Yet under normal circumstances, at their level, they already would not act lightly.

Furthermore, with the Plane War about to descend, Integration Realm cultivators would be even less inclined to fight unless they were mortal enemies.

The Divine Blood Family Tournament was therefore an extremely rare opportunity.

Zhou Yu naturally did not want to miss it.

Upon hearing this from Zhou Yu, Gu Yue’s face changed drastically.

"Ah?"

"Senior Zhou, you truly intend to fight?"

"This..."

Before Gu Yue could finish, Zhou Yu cast a cold look over.

"What?"

"Daoist Gu Yue, whether I fight or not, must that be for you to decide?"

At these words, Gu Yue’s whole body trembled.

"No, no, that’s not what I meant..."

However, before Gu Yue could finish, Zhou Yu’s figure had already vanished.

In the next instant, Zhou Yu appeared upon the Altar, facing the Long Family Ancestor.

"I have long heard of Daoist Long’s great name. It is a rare opportunity today; allow me to seek some pointers."

The Long Family Ancestor had not expected Zhou Yu to actually take the field.

After all, the difference in strength between the Long Family and Gu Family was obvious to all. Under normal circumstances, they would do as the Feng Family had and concede outright.

The Divine Blood Family Tournament was a struggle for resources and fortune for the next ten thousand years.

Everyone’s mindset was simply to play it safe; none would act rashly.

Yet Zhou Yu was an exception.

The Long Family Ancestor’s eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on Zhou Yu, speaking mildly:

"Since Daoist Zhou is so fond of battle, this old man will naturally oblige you."

"However, the first to take the field for my Long Family will not be this old man, but Daoist Hui."

Even as the Long Family Ancestor’s words fell, a man appeared at his side.

This was none other than the Long Family’s second Integration Realm cultivator, Hui Ze.

Hui Ze stared coldly at Zhou Yu:

"In recent years, Daoist Zhou’s name has already spread throughout the Human and Demon Clans."

"I have long wished to meet Daoist Zhou."

"If Daoist Zhou can defeat me, you will naturally have the chance to spar with Brother Long."

"But should you unfortunately fail, then the Gu Family will not only be unable to keep its place in the top three, it may very well fail to hold onto a spot in the top five at all."

A cold sneer flickered in Hui Ze’s eyes.

Yet Zhou Yu remained utterly unconcerned.

He said lightly:

"If you are finished speaking, let us begin."

At these words, Hui Ze’s gaze turned instantly frigid.

"Very well."

At this time, the Long Family Ancestor waved his hand, signaling everyone else to withdraw from the Altar.

He himself also left the Altar.

Then, under the Long Family Ancestor’s arrangements, members of the various families responsible for the Divine Blood Altar Array began to activate the Array.

In an instant, streaks of blood-colored light appeared, completely enshrouding the entire Divine Blood Array.

Cultivators outside could only vaguely make out two silhouettes within the Divine Blood Altar.

Even so, everyone was wildly excited.

After all, battles between Integration Realm cultivators were not something one could witness just any time...