I Was Forced To Marry The Phoenix Empress-Chapter 171: Empress Huan Zhouxue
The match between the Ren clan and the Zhou clan soon ensued.
Yi Chen closely observed the faces of the cultivators from the Zhou Clan, but not one among the three Qi Absorption Stage cultivators looked familiar to him.
Despite this, he still checked their status panels with interest and subtly nodded his head after checking their cultivation level, which was at the Fourth Qi Absorption Stage, followed by checking their ’extra’ information.
By now, he had become used to reading some unusual things in people’s ’extra’ section, so seeing that the three’s extra information tilted more towards the normal side, Yi Chen felt reassured.
The battles proceeded as everyone had already anticipated. The Zhou Clan completely overwhelmed the Ren clan, who, unlike the Zhou Clan, only had Qi Absorption Stage cultivators at the Third Level.
And thus, the Zhou Clan managed to retain its Fifth position.
The same thing happened in the round after that, which ended with the fourth-ranked Fang Clan winning against the Zhou Clan, thereby retaining their position and also the round after that, where the Huo Clan successfully defended their third position by defeating the Fang Clan.
By now, it was obvious that there was not going to be any new changes in the year’s ranking, and boredom had begun to set in everyone’s eyes.
However, just when everyone was expecting the pattern to keep repeating itself until the end, the third-ranked Huo Clan did something which shocked everyone present.
The Fifth Qi Absorption Stage cultivators of the Huo Clan completely overpowered the second-ranked Su Clan’s cultivators and won.
"This...."
Didn’t they just rise to the third rank seven years ago?!"
"Just how..."
"To dethrone the Su Clan...unbelievable!"
Seeing the Su clan, which had enjoyed the second rank for several decades, face defeat left all the audience members in disbelief.
However, what was even more shocking for them was how quickly the Huo Clan was able to ascend to the second rank.
"If this goes on, then won’t they soon be able to replace the Duan clan..."
"Hey, are you crazy? The Duan clan has maintained the first rank since the beginning of our Kingdom!"
"Indeed, there’s just no way..."
Meanwhile, confirming the result, the Imperial Envoy nodded and announced.
"The Huo Clan Successfully rises to the Second Rank!"
This unexpected result had filled their previously bored selves with renewed vigour as a deafening series of cheers engulfed the entire arena the next instant.
’The Huo Clan...’
Yi Chen looked at the cultivators who were celebrating among themselves on the fighting stage.
A cold glint appeared in his eyes the next moment.
Although he had no proof, he was more than ninety per cent sure that the reason for Zheng Ru’s internal injuries was them.
Therefore, seeing them rise to the second rank wasn’t something he enjoyed watching.
A few moments later, the Imperial Envoy asked the Huo Clan’s team leader whether they wanted to challenge the Duan clan or not.
Unlike what many had expected, the representative shook his head and refused. The next second, he answered with an arrogant smirk on his face.
"No, it’s still too early. We’ll let the Duan Clan enjoy the First Rank for two more years."
A frown immediately formed on many people’s faces when they heard the mocking tone which was laced in that remark.
However, it soon turned to realisation and shock when they truly comprehended what was just said by him.
"Two years?! Did he really say that they’ll take the first rank in just two years?!"
"Heavens! Are my ears working fine..."
"I’m not the heaven, but I think they are working fine, brother..."
"Just how arrogant can they be? The Huo Clan will definitely have to eat those words in two years..."
"I know, right?! Even now, they are just too scared to challenge them and choose to withdraw rather than fight them. Defeat the Duan clan in two years? Sure!"
Several remarks flooded the arena the next instant, and most didn’t bother lowering their voices.
Hearing them, the cultivators from the Huo Clan didn’t seem offended at all and instead just chuckled among themselves while making their way out of the fighting stage as if victory was already on their side.
With the Feng Clan declaring their withdrawal from the next round. The final rankings of the noble clans were finally confirmed.
"Huo Clan Withdraws from challenging the Duan Clan. Duan Clan retains its first position!"
The Imperial Envoy declared the next moment and soon continued.
"The award ceremony will begin in a few minutes. All the Patriarchs are notified to be prepared!"
With those words, the Imperial Envoy gestured towards the management staff, who immediately began preparing the fighting stage for the award ceremony to take place.
Meanwhile, celebratory music began playing and reverberated in the entire arena to keep the spectators engaged.
"The Huo Clan is indeed full of surprises," Gao Zhen said with a soft chuckle and continued, "Having connections with the Yao Clan seems to be finally paying off."
"The Yao Clan?" Yi Chen couldn’t help but turn towards her when he heard this unfamiliar name.
There was no Yao Clan among the noble clans or the major clans, so the mention of this unknown clan at this moment greatly attracted Yi Chen’s attention, especially because it seemed related to the Huo Clan.
"Oh, yes. Young master Chen wouldn’t know, and coincidentally, this also touches the topic of the Silver Cloud Tournament, so let me explain," Gao Zhen said with an expression of realisation, and said the next moment.
"The Yao Clan, which I just mentioned, was one of the several low-tier clans in the Silver Cloud Kingdom.
During his younger days, the Huo Clan’s patriarch had displayed great prowess and thus was selected for the Silver Cloud Tournament by our Kingdom.
Though he failed to win anything at the tournament, he did end up winning the heart of a woman. The youngest daughter of the Yao Clan’s Patriarch, Yao Sumei.
At first, it didn’t affect the Huo Clan’s standing in the White Jade Kingdom much, but a few decades ago, the Yao Clan’s status suddenly saw a rise, which made them become a Medium Tier Clan.
With this change in status came greater resources and power, which slowly began flowing into the Huo Clan’s pockets thanks to the bond the two clans shared."
"So that’s what had happened," Yi Chen nodded in understanding.
"Yes, therefore, the probability of them being able to defeat the Duan clan is considerably high. Those who are aware of this issue know this well...that’s why you don’t see any Duan Clan members commenting, do you?"
Gao Zhen stated with a smirk and pointed towards the row of seats on one side of the second floor.
Duan Clan’s members were sitting on their seats with a serious expression on their faces.
Retreating her hand, Gao Zhen stated the next second, "Moreover, I’ve even heard rumours that the Yao Clan’s patriarch is planning to visit the White Jade Kingdom next year in order to meet her daughter for the first time."
Gao Zhen stated with a meaningful expression, and seeing this, Yi Chen raised his brows in realisation upon understanding the underlying meaning behind her words.
No one visits family members empty-handed, so such a high-profile visit will definitely help the Huo Clan get even stronger in a short period.
Just then, the announcement from the Imperial Envoy called all ten Patriarchs onto the stage.
By now, the fighting stage was fully changed to an award platform covered in red carpets and gold stands on all four corners, on which the White Jade Kingdom’s flag was mounted.
A few moments later, Yi Chen’s eyes fell upon all the Core Building Stage cultivators who were all in the Second Level and were standing in a single row, prepared to be awarded by the Empress.
All of them looked old, and not one of them was below the age of 600 years. This clearly indicated how long it took for each of them to attain the strength which they possessed now.
"I, Bai Lu, request the Empress to honour us with her presence by personally handing over the rewards to the pillars of our White Jade Kingdom!"
The Imperial Envoy’s words echoed in the entire arena the next instant, and with those words, everyone’s focus turned towards the place where the Empress was seated.
’I can finally get a glimpse of her status!’ Yi Chen thought in exhilaration, seeing that an opportunity had soon presented itself.
Step!
Step!
Step!
After the Imperial Envoy’s declaration, the entire arena had almost turned quiet, so the distinct sound of the Empress’ footsteps was heard by almost everyone in and above the Meridian Refinement Stage.
Reaching the stretched-out balcony on the third floor with her feet, the Empress applied a little pressure, and the next instant her figure rose above the railings and began descending.
Crackle!
Her descent, however, was immediately stopped by a solid surface of thin ice which had just taken shape below her foot.
Placing her whole weight onto the thin piece of ice, she kept walking forward. Placing her next foot forward one after the other, she continued with her descent.
Crackle!
Crackle!
Crackle!
With every step, ice conjured under her feet as she arrived closer and closer to the fighting stage.
Meanwhile, witnessing this scene, an expression of shock had formed on the faces of all ten patriarchs.
’Such a high degree of law comprehension!!’
They all thought while trying hard to maintain their neutral facial expressions.
As for Yi Chen. He wasn’t as restricted as the Patriarchs and openly displayed an expression full of shock.
However, for him, this shock was induced because of a completely different reason.
Her status panel.
===================
Name: Huan Zhouxue
Age: 513 years old
Strength: 1070
Cultivation: Fifth Level of [Core Building Stage]
Qi Nature: Water
Extra: Suffering from Hyper Sexual Disorder
===================
’What in the hell is this...’
