Only today.
When Zhan Qingge personally revealed it.
Did everyone learn.
That Zhao Baize had previously, in some perilous land.
Briefly exchanged blows with Wu Chongtong.
Once the battle report and rankings came out.
The whole world was stunned.
No one had expected.
That, though both belonged to the three great Blazing Sun Ranks, Wu Chongtong's standing would carry such weight.
To drive Zhao Baize back in defeat.
He had needed only three moves.
Even more astonishingly.
With a battle record like Zhao Baize's.
The Spirit Realm's three great factions felt no shame.
Instead, they took pride in it.
They actually treated this as an achievement.
And trumpeted it far and wide.
This showed that the three great factions held Wu Chongtong's combat prowess in extremely high regard.
So much so.
That Zhao Baize withstanding three moves from Wu Chongtong.
Was enough to earn him their favor.
Zhao Baize had seized two extraordinary treasures and taken three moves from Wu Chongtong head-on.
Yet.
Strangely.
If that was how they judged it.
Then, having likewise seized two extraordinary treasures.
While under True Demon Possession.
Xiao Chen, who had nearly sent Wu Chongtong to his death with one punch.
Should have ranked higher.
Now.
He had instead been relegated to third.
Indeed.
At this very moment.
Aside from the three great factions and Wu Chongtong, who knew some of the inside story and had vaguely guessed what had happened.
The vast majority of Xuanhuang cultivators.
All believed.
That the third-place finisher in Immortal Abandonment, who would be announced next.
No matter what.
Had to be Xiao Chen.
"Master, even after you slept for so long, your battle record still shines! If the three great factions hadn't judged unfairly, second place in Immortal Abandonment should have been yours!"
Inside the Earth Hall, Lao