Chapter 153 – …Without Battling

Luo Luo could directly enter the Mausoleum of Books to observe the monument, but she still appealed before His Holiness’ seat for an entire night, requesting entry into the Grand Examination, why? This was because she wanted to help sweep away all obstacles for her tutor, Chen Chang Sheng.

In the duelling phase, for every opponent she defeated, Chen Chang Sheng would have one less.

From this perspective, the stronger the opponent she is matched against, the closer it would fit her intent. Especially with the two considered to be the strongest, Gou Han Shi and Tian Hai Sheng Xue, even if she couldn’t defeat them, she would still try and make them expend a lot of effort on her, at least causing them to sustain fairly heavy injuries. With this, when Chen Chang Sheng matches up against them, he could retain a modicum of hope.

Therefore, when she drew Tian Hai Sheng Xue for the second round, everyone present was shocked, only, she was very calm, perhaps even a little happy.

Chen Chang Sheng hadn’t thought about the reason why Luo Luo wanted to participate in the Grand Examination, at this time, being reminded by Tang Thirty-Six, all it took was some consideration and the reason became clear, because of this, he lowered his head to look at the brand new boots on his feet, remaining quiet for a long time, before lifting his head and saying to Tang Thirty-Six: “I will definitely win.”

Tang Thirty-Six looked at him and said: “That isn’t something you should be saying to me, but something you should tell her.”

Chen Chang Sheng replied: “I don’t need to tell her; she also knows.”

While they were conversing, the door to the tower once again closed.

Today’s duelling was being conducted in the Tower of Purging Dust, that door was destined to close countless times, soon, it will continue to close many more times; the hinges’ creaking became ever shriller, but none of the other occasions had engrossed the attention of everyone present as much as this occasion, the creaking sound was most distinct.

This was the strongest battle since this year’s examination had commenced.

A Princess of White Emperor City, with a tremendously strong bloodline talent, able to cause the Proclamation of Azure Clouds to require a sudden update, Her Highness, Luo Luo.

A most favoured grandnephew of Her Divine Majesty, that had successfully completed his Ethereal Opening amidst the bloody battle against experts of the demon race at Yung Xue Pass, Tian Hai Sheng Xue.

Such a match could naturally captivate everyone’s attention.

The lonely youth, who had kept himself separate from the crowd and turned his back on the entire world, had also turned his gaze towards the tower.

Within the deepest parts of Wo Fu Zhe Xiu’s ice-like eyes, the flickers of a flame were currently growing.

Within the tower, it was very peaceful.

Tian Hai Sheng Xue and Luo Luo stood opposite from each other; they calmly greeted each other, then stood straight.

Neither raised their hand against each other.

The sunlight within the Green Leaf World shone upon Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s face, his complexion was whiter than snow.

Luo Luo stood quietly, her picturesque looks within this picturesque world remained charmingly pretty.

Tian Hai Sheng Xue quietly listened to the sounds transmitted from outside, then suddenly started laughing.

It couldn’t be denied that his laughter was slightly beguiling.

Luo Luo was naturally not enticed, but she was slightly perplexed, Tian Hai Sheng Xue had never laughed outside of the tower, why was he laughing at this moment?

“A lot of people wish for me to battle against Your Highness, because in the duelling phase of the examination, only I and Gou Han Shi can defeat you; yet, in comparison to Gou Han Shi, I seem to be more suited to battling against you.”

He continued: “This is because even if I really was to hurt you, the Royal White Emperor Couple wouldn’t be too resentful of me, in consideration of Her Divine Majesty.”

Tian Hai Sheng Xue looked at her with a small smile on his face and said: “That’s right, a lot of people wish to use my hand to eliminate Your Highness, the strongest of Orthodox Academy, from this tournament, as for your intention, I am well aware of, you only wish to act as a convoy for Chen Chang Sheng. Only, there is something I don’t understand, even if you are able to defeat everyone, how could you ensure he will continue to win himself?”

Luo Luo replied: “As the disciple, I need to do everything within my power, regardless of how far my tutor may reach.”

“Interesting, no, very interesting.”

The smile upon Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s face gradually receded, he calmly, or maybe even indifferently, said: “It’s a pity, this match was the wish of two Eminent Archbishops of the Orthodoxy, the wish of my clan, the wish of certain personages within the Palace and the wish of many others, only, they haven’t considered for my own wishes.”

Within a quiet and secluded room inside the tower, there was a row of over ten chairs.

Two Esteemed Archbishops of the Orthodoxy’s Holy Church were respectively sat upon the Eastern and Western ends; Mo Yu and Prince Chen Liu were sat in the centre; Xue Xing Chuan, Xu Shi Ji, the Bishop of Temple Seminary, the principal of Star Seizer Academy, the three representatives of the Southern sects and a number of other important figures were sat upon the remaining chairs.

In this year’s examination, those young cultivators had brought far too many surprises and shock, these important figures wanted to observe the match from a closer location, ensuring that no problems will arise, hence, they had come to the tower from the Hall of Zhao Wen.

The first match they were about to watch, was the strongest battle, this was also one of their aims.

Luo Luo and Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s match could proceed and a victor could be decided, but it definitely could not result like the matches between Zhe Xiu and Su Mo Yu or the one between Chen Chang Sheng and Huo Guang.

The examiners in charge of the grounds had been caught unprepared, being unable to react in time, resulting in examinees getting seriously injured; this was something they had to personally ensure, as they had promised His Holiness and the Tian Hai clan.

Yet, they never could have guessed, this match that had captivated countless gazes, from its very start, had entered a surprising direction. As surprising as how subdued and quiet Tian Hai Sheng Xue had been today in the examination.

There was no hail of whips or snow enveloping the Northern Pass, only the sound of Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s calm voice could be heard continuously within the tower.

That’s correct, no one had considered Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s wishes; this was but the wish of the entire Tian Hai clan.

Hearing his words, the expressions of the two Archbishops of the Holy Church and several other personages all changed somewhat.

“What does a wish mean? A wish means a goal. I naturally have my own goal in life, an aim.”

Tian Hai Sheng Xue gave a glance towards the second floor, then withdrew his gaze. He then looked towards Luo Luo, maintaining his calm and mindful manner, saying: “For these past few years, the Capital has always had the rumour that I envy Prince Chen Liu, because from a young age, he has been allowed to remain in the Imperial Palace, allowed to study alongside Ping Guo and Mo Yu. In reality, the rumours are wrong, the one I envy is actually Mo Yu.”

“People of the world can only see the adoration and trust Her Divine Majesty has for her, the power and glory bestowed upon her, yet, those eyes that have been dazzled by glory do not notice that she has already reached the Star Fusion Realm at such a young age.”

He continued: “The Star Fusion Realm… these past few years, everyone has been talking of Xu You Rong, Qiu Shan Jun, in previous years, everyone had been talking of Wang Po and Xiao Zhang, yet, hardly anyone had thought about how strong she is.”

Within the quiet secluded room on the second floor, a lot of gazes fell upon Mo Yu, her expression was indifferent, as if what Tian Hai Sheng Xue had said was not related to her at all.

“That’s right, I am the most promising individual in the martial path amongst those of the Tian Hai clan, everyone believes that my intention in coming back to the Capital from Yung Xue Pass and entering the Grand Examination is to place first upon the First Banner, yet… with Qiu Shan Jun not attending, what meaning is there to placing first? Can it prove that I am stronger than Mo Yu?”

Tian Hai Sheng Xue suddenly stopped his words, remaining quiet for a very long time before opening his mouth and continuing: “Right, even if I was to defeat Qiu Shan Jun, I still cannot prove that I am stronger than her, though, the past me, would probably be willing to strive for first place upon the First Banner in the examination, because it still is an achievement.”

Luo Luo looked at him, not understanding and asked: “And you currently don’t think this?”

“What is the aim of cultivation? Strength. What is the aim of strength? It is to survive and then possess an even greater power and influence, obtaining even more.”

Tian Hai Sheng Xue looked at her and calmly said: “The past me would consider placing first to be the most important thing, it could at least help to bolster my confidence a little in front of Mo Yu, but currently, the Grand Examination’s significance for me is that I will meet Your Highness and that you require my failure.”

Upon finishing those words, he once again looked at the second floor, carrying a slight air of defiance, he said: “I suggest all of you refrain from listening to the following words I will say, as they will be troublesome for all of you.”