After reaching the fourth level of the Bone Forging Realm, Gu Changge left the Prince's Mansion, ending his secluded cultivation.
Today, the Qianyuan Divine Dynasty's grand competition would be held in the imperial city. By then, the descendants of all divine generals and divine ministers, as well as the children of Prince and Marquis families, would all take part.
"Whew, it is time to head to the imperial city's competition grounds."
Gu Changge let out a breath of stale air and spoke.
Though he possessed only the fourth level of the Bone Forging Realm, he had five Emperor Artifacts, a Purple Gold Puppet of Emperor grade, the Sky Locking Formation, and four Demonic Beasts at the Marrow Cleansing Realm. With so many methods at his disposal, he should have the strength to claim first place in the competition.
Gu Changge arrived at the center of the imperial city. A massive circular martial platform stood there, surrounded by crowds, while many Golden Armor Guards were stationed around it to maintain order.
Gu Changge approached the martial platform.
"Your Highness, please present your token."
The leading Golden Armor Guard recognized Gu Changge and spoke.
Although imperial family members did not need invitations like the others to participate in the competition, they still had to show their identity tokens.
Gu Changge took out his Prince's token and handed it to the Golden Armor Guard.
The Golden Armor Guard inspected it carefully before saying, "The token is valid. Your Highness, please enter."
Gu Changge then stepped onto the martial platform.
About half an hour later, a voice suddenly rang out.
"I declare that from this moment onward, the Qianyuan Divine Dynasty's grand competition has officially begun! Anyone who has not yet entered will have their qualifications voided!"
A Golden Armor Guard Leader stood atop the martial platform and shouted.
"This competition follows an elimination format. All participants, come forward to draw lots. Those who draw matching numbers will duel, and the winner will advance. When it is another contestant's turn to fight, the rest may sit in the viewing stands beside the arena and rest."
The Golden Armor Guard Leader spoke.
At the very top of the viewing stands sat the Qianyuan Divine Dynasty's Divine Emperor, Gu Zhantian, and the Empress, Su Yurou.
Below them sat the divine generals and divine ministers of the Qianyuan Divine Dynasty, along with the dynasty's various Prince and Marquis families and lineage heads.
None of Gu Changge's ten elder sisters participated in this Divine Dynasty Grand Competition. First, they were in seclusion comprehending the Great Dao; second, they were all experts at the ninth level of the Quasi-Emperor Realm, making them clearly unsuitable for the competition.
Gu Changge stepped forward and drew a lot. The number "two hundred thirty-two" was written on it, meaning he was the two hundred thirty-second contestant to take the stage.
There were two thousand lots in total, but the numbers only ranged from "one" to "one thousand." Each number corresponded to two lots, and those who drew the same number would duel on the martial platform.
Gu Changge sat in the viewing stands and watched battle after battle. So far, every contestant who had taken the field had been unremarkable; no exceptionally formidable opponent had appeared.
Gu Changge observed that most contestants were between the Bone Forging Realm and the Skin Scraping Realm. No Marrow Cleansing Realm contestants had appeared yet.
Soon, it was Gu Changge's turn.
"Contestant number two hundred thirty-two, take the stage!"
The Golden Armor Guard Leader shouted.
Gu Changge stepped onto the martial platform.
Standing opposite Gu Changge was a youth of sixteen or seventeen, roughly the same age as him.
"Xiao Moran, young master of the Xiao family of Jade City in Wuan Prefecture. Please forgive any offense."
Xiao Moran cupped his hands in salute.
"Gu Changge of the imperial family. Please enlighten me."
Gu Changge said.
This Xiao Moran was at the third level of the Tendon Lengthening Realm, a full major realm above him, so Gu Changge had to deal with him cautiously.
"This saber is a hereditary Spirit Artifact of our Xiao family, mid-grade Star Tier. Today, I shall use it to duel you."
Xiao Moran took out a treasured saber gleaming with purple light and spoke seriously.
After all, he had no choice but to take an imperial descendant seriously.
Imperial descendants had always enjoyed the finest resources of the Qianyuan Divine Dynasty, far beyond what ordinary lineage descendants could compare with.
Xiao Moran was the first to launch an attack against Gu Changge.
"Overlord Saber Art!"
Xiao Moran shouted, slashing his saber toward Gu Changge.
Gu Changge twisted aside and rolled to the side, evading Xiao Moran's attack.
"Mysterious Ice Sword Technique!"
Gu Changge also unleashed a move, an Emperor Technique: the Mysterious Ice Sword Technique. Though he was a full major realm below Xiao Moran, the enhancement of an Emperor Technique and Emperor Artifact was enough to bridge the gap between their realms.
"What a powerful move. Is this the foundation of an imperial descendant? A casual move is already an Emperor Technique and an Emperor Artifact."
Xiao Moran swung with all his strength once more, barely blocking Gu Changge's attack.
Gu Changge gave Xiao Moran no chance to catch his breath. He activated the Qianyuan Emperor Scripture and unleashed the Qianyuan Emperor Seal.
"Qianyuan Emperor Seal!"
Gu Changge shouted as well, forming seals with his hands and striking toward Xiao Moran.
Xiao Moran could not withstand two consecutive Emperor Techniques. He was defeated and knocked out of the arena.
"Thank you for letting me win."
Gu Changge said.
"No need. My skills were simply inferior."
Xiao Moran shook his head, got up, and left the martial arena.
After winning the first round of the elimination matches, Gu Changge returned to the viewing stands to rest.
In the duels that followed, there were still no particularly eye-catching clashes. Clearly, everyone was holding back, not revealing the skills they kept at the bottom of the chest.
The Qianyuan Divine Dynasty's grand competition was divided into three rounds of elimination matches and a final arena tournament. The first three rounds were eliminations, reducing two thousand people to the remaining two hundred fifty. Those two hundred fifty would then compete in the arena tournament, which would determine the final ten victors.
Soon, the first round of elimination matches ended.
"All remaining victors, come to the martial arena and draw lots again."
The Golden Armor Guard Leader said.
Gu Changge stepped onto the martial platform and drew again. This time, he got number three hundred twenty-six.
Gu Changge was in no hurry. He sat in the viewing stands and observed leisurely.
Just then, he suddenly spotted six familiar figures—his six maidservants.
"Yuechun? Why are you all here?"
Gu Changge asked.
"Your Highness is participating in the competition. Naturally, we maidservants came to watch."
Murong Yuechun said.
Soon, it was Gu Changge's turn to take the stage again.
"Your Highness, do your best. We believe you will definitely seize the top spot."
Murong Yuechun said.
"Then I shall borrow your auspicious words."
Gu Changge said.
Gu Changge stepped onto the martial arena.
"Changsun Kangle, third young master of the Northern Garrison King's Manor. Please enlighten me."
Changsun Kangle said.
"Gu Changge, the Eleventh Prince of the imperial city. Please enlighten me."
Gu Changge said.
"So it is the Eleventh Prince. During our duel, forgive me for being unable to show mercy."
Changsun Kangle said.
"No matter. I will not show mercy either."
Gu Changge said.
As a disciple of a king's mansion, Changsun Kangle was not comparable to the young master of an ordinary small lineage from a city like before. The moment he appeared, he brought out three Top-grade Moon Tier Spirit Artifacts.
"Competing in weapons? I have never feared anyone in that regard."
Gu Changge said.
He donned the Flying Feather Battle Robe and Flying Feather Battle Boots, then brought out three Emperor Artifacts—the Azure Rainbow Sword, the Jadeite Bell, and the Glazed Bottle—and hurled them at Changsun Kangle.
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