Chapter 1566: Battle Curtain

Silence, an almost terrifying silence. Beihan Chu's smile froze on his face. Beihan Divine Sovereign, Dongxu Divine Sovereign... everyone present almost thought their ears were malfunctioning.

Is Nanhuang Chanuyi... refusing?

She actually refused!?

Nanhuang Divine Sovereign also stood dumbfounded. Nanhuang Jian's mouth hung open, then he suddenly turned around, glaring and saying, "Chanuyi, you... what are you talking about!"

Nanhuang Mofeng sprang to his feet, forcing a smile, and loudly declared, "Beihan Divine Sovereign, Young Palace Master, Chanuyi has always been reserved. Her words just now were merely due to feminine modesty, absolutely not an intention to refuse."

"Chanuyi," he turned his gaze to her, still with a very unnatural smile on his face, but his eyes conveyed a deep warning. "Some time ago, when you heard the Young Palace Master was coming for you, your joy was evident. Now that your wish has come true, there's no need to be coy. Just speak your true feelings to the Young Palace Master, hahahaha."

Nanhuang Mofeng's laughter immediately eased the stiff atmosphere, and the Nanhuang people also started to laugh along. Nanhuang Jian quickly chimed in, "Exactly! Chanuyi never wanted to enter the Central Ruins Realm before. The only reason she is here today is to meet the Young Palace Master."

Nanhuang Divine Sovereign said nothing. He looked at Nanhuang Chanuyi, a subtlety in his stern eyes that others could not perceive or possibly understand.

"Young Master Beihan," Nanhuang Chanuyi continued, amidst countless stunned gazes, "Chanuyi is very grateful for your feelings. However, my heart is not with you. I came here today precisely to tell you this in person, to cut off your hopes. I believe that once this thought is severed and your heart is free of distractions, Young Master Beihan's cultivation will advance even further."

The atmosphere, which had just slightly eased, instantly became even more rigid.

If her previous words could still be softened or salvaged, then with this statement, there was absolutely no room left for doubt!

She had rejected Beihan Chu's proposal!

In front of the Five Desolate Realms, in front of millions of profound practitioners... and her refusal was utterly blunt!

What was completely illogical, the most impossible thing to happen, was now unfolding before their very eyes.

Beihan Chu's expression changed... He was trying his best to maintain composure and a smile, but anyone could see his facial muscles twitching slightly.

Returning with the aura of "Young Palace Master" and a spot on the "Northern Region Heavenly Monarch Ranking," Nanhuang Chanuyi had no reason whatsoever to refuse him.

Yet, he was rejected again... publicly, and harshly.

He had not chosen to propose in private, but rather during the Central Ruins War, in front of countless people, precisely because he had not considered this possibility—not even slightly.

"Hmph, a mere woman of the middle ranks... utterly foolish." Grand Elder Bubai scoffed, anger rising in his heart.

Nanhuang Chanuyi's refusal was not only incomprehensibly foolish, but it also severely damaged Beihan Chu's reputation. How could he not be furious?

"Chanuyi, you... you..." Nanhuang Mofeng's face twitched violently, so enraged that his hair seemed to stand on end. "Has your heart been bewitched by a devil!?"

"Uncle Feng," Nanhuang Chanuyi said calmly, "Mind your words."

Nanhuang Mofeng's face twisted.

"Alas." Nanhuang Divine Sovereign sighed heavily, cupping his hands towards Beihan Divine Sovereign. "Brother Beihan, my daughter has always had a cold disposition. It's not that she dislikes your esteemed nephew, but rather that she has no interest in romantic relationships. Nanhuang is filled with regret, but matters of the heart cannot be forced upon young people. For today, let's leave it at that."

"...Nanhuang speaks wisely." Beihan Divine Sovereign nodded, showing no trace of anger on his face, instead smiling faintly as before.

However, even an idiot would clearly understand that Beihan Divine Sovereign must now be seething with rage.

In the past, when Beihan Chu, as the Beihan Crown Prince, was rejected, it was somewhat acceptable, as their statuses were roughly comparable then. But now, Beihan Chu's status far surpassed Nanhuang Chanuyi's, and yet he was still rejected...

Anyone else would have spit blood in frustration.

"What's going on?" Dongxu Divine Sovereign frowned deeply, unable to comprehend.

Dongxue Ci clicked his tongue repeatedly, then clapped his hands and burst into laughter. "Splendid, absolutely splendid! To think such a drama would unfold!"

"Hmph, the so-called 'Foremost Beauty of the Desolate Ruins'—does she only have a pretty face and no brains?" Dongxue Yan curled her lip. "Such a heaven-sent opportunity, yet she actually turned it into a disaster! She is truly a disgrace to the women of the Desolate Ruins!"

If Nanhuang Chanuyi had merely nodded, Beihan City and the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom would have been united in marriage. In the future, both Nanhuang Chanuyi and the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom would have enjoyed a status and prestige far superior to their present state.

Refusal, without a doubt, would infuriate Beihan Chu and Beihan City.

The two paths: one to heaven, one to hell.

With such a simple choice, Nanhuang Chanuyi actually chose the latter!?

"The Central Ruins War is the most important matter today. Chu'er..." Beihan Divine Sovereign turned his gaze. "Since there is no destiny, there is no need to force it. You have already entered the Northern Region Heavenly Monarch Ranking; you should carry yourself with the grace and pride of a heavenly prodigy. Your aspirations and pursuits should also match your current status! When you truly look down upon the world in the future, you will certainly be grateful for today's outcome."

Beihan Divine Sovereign's words sounded like gentle advice, but they were actually quite harsh, instantly making the already grim expressions of the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom's people even worse. Yet, no one could refute him.

They knew that if this wasn't the Central Ruins battlefield, with so many people present, Beihan City would have already erupted in fury and turned hostile.

After their confusion and shock, the gazes directed towards the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom began to turn particularly pitying. As for the Eastern Ruins Realm and Western Ruins Realm, they were more than just gloating.

"Father is right to admonish me; your son will remember this day." Beihan Chu closed his eyes as he spoke. When he opened them, his demeanor had subtly changed, and he stated clearly, "For this Central Ruins War, I will represent my master in supervising and witnessing the entire event. No participant shall violate the battlefield rules, and no spectator shall interfere with the battle without cause... Violators will be severely punished without leniency."

Beihan Chu's voice suddenly shifted its focus to the Central Ruins War, as if he intended to forcefully erase the preceding events from existence. "I, Beihan Chu, Young Palace Master of the Hidden Sword Palace of Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace, hereby declare the Central Ruins War... begins now!"

His Divine Sovereign aura suddenly erupted, and his voice, imbued with the might of a Divine Sovereign, fiercely vibrated through the battlefield and the hearts of the spectators.

The ranking in the Central Ruins War was determined by the order of defeat, thus the first to enter the battlefield was undoubtedly at the greatest disadvantage. In previous Central Ruins Wars, the top-ranked faction from the previous year—which was Beihan City—always had the first battle, and this time was no exception.

The only advantage of being the first to fight was the ability to force a battle with any realm if no one answered the challenge.

With a metallic clang, a tall figure leaped from the north, landing in the center of the battlefield. With a wave of his arm, a dark storm instantly swirled around him, carrying his voice to echo in all directions: "I am Beihan Mingzhi of Beihan City, I seek your guidance!"

Following his roar, the battlefield remained silent; none of the other three realms answered the challenge.

Even among those at the tenth level of Divine King, there would be differences in profound energy. The difference between newly entering the tenth level and being at the peak of the tenth level could almost be considered two distinct realms.

Even if profound energy intensity and control ability were identical, the strength of the profound art cultivated could easily determine victory or defeat.

And in the Five Desolate Ruins, Beihan City reigned supreme in both aspects!

None of the other three sects were willing to fight in the first round, let alone face Beihan City first!

Time flowed silently in the quietness; ten breaths passed, and still no one answered the challenge. Beihan Divine Sovereign stood up and solemnly announced, "Ten breaths have passed, Mingzhi, you may choose an opponent! The chosen individual may not refuse battle! Otherwise, they will be directly considered defeated."

Beihan Mingzhi smiled faintly, then suddenly turned to face south, his smile taking on an unusual quality. Even his previously arrogant and extraordinary voice suddenly became somewhat weak and casual: "Nanhuang Divine Kingdom, please enlighten me."

As he spoke, he extended his hand and very slightly crooked his finger... On a battlefield, this was undoubtedly a highly provocative, even humiliating, gesture.

The expressions of the Nanhuang people all changed, and a slight uproar rippled through the battlefield. It was common for Beihan City to choose their opponent in the first round of the Central Ruins War, but they never chose the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom.

Because the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom's battle formation was too weak, Beihan City, as the overlord of the Desolate Ruins and upholding the pride of the Beihan lineage, would never condescend to choose the weakest Nanhuang for battle!

But today was different!

After the initial uproar, no one felt overly surprised. Everything that happened was the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom's... or more accurately, Nanhuang Chanuyi's own doing!

If she had agreed to Beihan Chu's proposal, in this Central Ruins War, not only would Beihan City surely show leniency, but the Dongxu Sect and Xixu Sect would also have to be more considerate when facing Nanhuang. This was also why Beihan Chu announced the matter before the war.

However, the outcome was beyond everyone's expectations. The Nanhuang Divine Kingdom's plight in this Central Ruins War was thus easily imaginable... Beihan City, with its absolute power, would surely torment them mercilessly, and the Dongxu Sect and Xixu Sect would undoubtedly "kick them while they were down" to curry favor with the brilliant and limitless Beihan Chu.

On the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom's side, everyone's expressions turned extremely grim. Nanhuang Mofeng clenched his fists, bit his teeth slightly, and suddenly said in a low voice, "Chanuyi... this is all thanks to you!!"

He was trying his utmost to restrain himself; if not for the numerous eyes watching, he would have already erupted completely!

Nanhuang Chanuyi remained silent.

"I'll go!" Nanhuang Jian stepped forward. With such a provocation, how could they lose this battle? Even if they lost, they absolutely couldn't lose too disgracefully.

Nanhuang Mofeng extended an arm across his path, "Jian'er, you need to hold the line. Canglang, you go!"

"Yes!"

A man in green robes responded, leaped into the battlefield, and stood directly opposite Beihan Mingzhi. "I am Wei Canglang of Nanhuang, I seek your guidance."

Wei Canglang was one of the foreign aids invited by the Nanhuang Divine Kingdom, and arguably their strongest, being one of only four tenth-level Divine Kings in the Nanhuang battle formation. Beihan Mingzhi's blatant public provocation forced Nanhuang to send out one of their "trump cards" in the very first battle.

Yet, the leader of the Nanhuang battle formation was clearly Nanhuang Chanuyi!

However, no one consulted her regarding the decision to send out a fighter.

Her status, compared to before, was more than just a world apart.

Crown Princess? Everyone knew full well that Nanhuang Divine Sovereign's sudden hasty dethronement of the Crown Prince and establishment of the Crown Princess was for the sake of the marriage alliance with Beihan City. With this outcome, Nanhuang Divine Sovereign was likely regretting it to his very core.

After the Central Ruins War, it would be impossible for her to remain Crown Princess; she would be deposed even faster than Nanhuang Jian! Perhaps she would even be charged with a major crime, and might not even retain her princess title.