Chapter 247: Victory

Yun Che lay unconscious, remaining unresponsive for a long time. This signified the end of his battle with Xia Qingyue, and with it, the final match of this ranking tournament concluded.

Even after the match ended, the shock in people's hearts lingered. Neither participant in this decisive battle hailed from the Heavenly Sword Villa, and the ultimate championship crown now belonged to the Frozen Cloud Asgard. However, none of this mattered at that moment. The intensity of the battle had put all observers through a whirlwind of emotions, like traversing nine layers of ice and fire. Every scene profoundly impacted their sight and soul.

Both only seventeen years old, they had delivered a battle that transcended realms and boundaries, shattering everyone's perceptions. Yun Che, in particular, despite ultimately losing to Xia Qingyue, possessed only profound energy at the True Profound Realm. Yet, the shock he brought was even greater than Xia Qingyue's. In the presence of these two individuals, the brilliance of the Heavenly Sword Villa was completely overshadowed. Even Ling Yun, widely considered the top young talent before the ranking tournament, now seemed to have lost justly and without grievance.

"Fairy Bingli, congratulations to your esteemed Asgard for securing first place this time." The sect leader seated to the right of the Frozen Cloud Asgard quickly offered congratulations to Chu Yueli. As for Chu Yuechan, even as a sect master herself, he couldn't muster the courage to speak.

The sect leader seated to the left also chimed in with flattery: "It's only natural for your esteemed Asgard to cultivate such a gifted disciple and claim the top spot. Your Asgard's renown is surely destined to overshadow the heavens in the future..."

Chu Yueli furrowed her brow slightly, offering no response to their words. The final outcome made her sigh with relief; it was precisely what she had desperately hoped for. This result signified a historic breakthrough for the Frozen Cloud Asgard, as they had claimed first place in the ranking tournament for the first time, ensuring their future prestige would far surpass anything seen before. However, the difficulty of achieving this outcome had far exceeded her expectations. She had never imagined that the greatest obstacle wouldn't be Ling Yun, but rather the young man she had almost forgotten—the youth with crippled profound veins, who was utterly useless and had been cast out of his family a year and a half ago.

Yun Che lay unconscious, while Xia Qingyue appeared completely unharmed. Chu Yueli, who should have felt at ease, was inexplicably restless. As Xia Qingyue's master, she naturally understood her disciple's power best. The earth-shattering power storm they had just witnessed certainly did not originate from Xia Qingyue. Although Yun Che was ultimately the one to fall, and Xia Qingyue seemed to have no injuries, an unease persisted within Chu Yueli.

"Yun Che has been down for ten breaths and has not risen. The victor of this year's ranking tournament's final battle is from the Frozen Cloud Asgard's..."

"Wait!"

Just as Ling Wugou was about to announce Xia Qingyue's name, a cool, faint voice suddenly interrupted him.

The one who spoke was none other than Xia Qingyue. As she spoke, she stepped forward, moving to Yun Che's side. With a sweep of her hands, a faint blue ice spirit slowly descended, enveloping Yun Che's body. Silently watching as the ice spirit gradually froze his wounds, she turned around and softly declared, "The victor is not me, but him. In this battle... I concede."

A sudden uproar erupted on the Sword Discussion Arena. People exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with astonishment. Yun Che was unconscious, and Xia Qingyue was unharmed; the outcome seemed obvious. Yet, with a single sentence, Xia Qingyue was intentionally giving away a victory she had seemingly secured, which was utterly incomprehensible to everyone.

Chu Yueli stood up, surprised. "Qingyue, what nonsense are you speaking? Immediately retract what you just said!"

Chu Yuechan suddenly spoke, her voice cold: "Look up."

Chu Yueli instinctively looked up, her gaze sharpening, and her expression froze. She was speechless.

At that moment, a long white ribbon drifted down from above, landing precisely on Xia Qingyue's shoulder, where she caught it. Ling Wugou was about to ask a question, but upon seeing the descending Ice Phoenix Snowfall Ribbon, the words caught in his throat.

Although Yun Che was unconscious, he still held his Dragon Fault sword firmly in his hand.

Xia Qingyue stood before Yun Che, seemingly unscathed, but few had noticed that her Ice Phoenix Snowfall Ribbon was missing.

It was only now that the Ice Phoenix Snowfall Ribbon drifted down from the sky, indicating just how far into the air it had been blasted before.

"His final strike's power was concentrated on my Ice Phoenix Snowfall Ribbon... if it had been directed at me, I might be dead right now. In this battle, he won, and I lost."

Chu Yueli stared blankly for a long moment, then let out a deep breath, closing her beautiful eyes. She remained silent for a long time.

The outcome of the battle was reversed with Xia Qingyue's voluntary concession. However, had it merely been her concession, the result might not have changed. After all, everyone had witnessed Yun Che collapse unconscious, and Ling Wugou, as the referee, might not have accepted a concession after a clear victor had seemingly been determined.

But the Ice Phoenix Snowfall Ribbon descending from the sky, coupled with Xia Qingyue's final words, unequivocally declared to everyone who the true victor was.

Ling Wugou nodded, not questioning Xia Qingyue further. He raised his hand again and loudly announced: "Xia Qingyue has conceded. The victor of this year's ranking tournament's final battle is..."

"From the Azure Wind Imperial Family... Yun Che!!"

With the announcement of the final result, this year's ranking tournament finally settled. The Sword Discussion Arena immediately erupted in a clamor. This was an outcome that no one had anticipated, nor could have possibly imagined, before the tournament. In fact, anyone who had suggested beforehand that the Azure Wind Imperial Family would claim first place would have been immediately dismissed as an idiot or a madman.

The Azure Wind Imperial Family, a name that should have commanded respect across the land, but had repeatedly endured mockery and disdain in the Profound Realm, was now, for the first time in history, resonating on the stage of the ranking tournament's final battle!

"...Although she didn't get first place, defeating Ling Yun and suppressing the Heavenly Sword Villa can be considered having fulfilled the initial goal." After a brief moment of disappointment, Chu Yueli smiled faintly, her expression returning to composure. "I never expected that the person who brought me the greatest shock in this ranking tournament would be the one Qingyue married. Fate, indeed, is the most peculiar thing in this world."

Chu Yuechan remained silent, her eyes like ice crystals. No one could fathom her state of mind at that moment.

"Amazing, that's incredible... He's truly worthy of being my boss! Someone worthy of being Ling Jie's boss is indeed extraordinary!" Ling Jie clenched his fists, growling excitedly. Having already self-proclaimed himself Yun Che's younger brother, he now felt a sense of shared glory. As for the Heavenly Sword Villa's defeat yesterday, it had long been cast out of his mind.

However, there were no cheers from the Azure Wind Imperial Family's seating area. After Ling Wugou announced the result, Cang Yue cried out "Junior Brother Yun!" and, forgetting all else, rushed onto the Sword Discussion Arena at top speed. Xia Yuanba followed behind, his face filled with apprehension. Qin Wushang, though slightly slower in his initial movement, was naturally much faster than them. With a few flashes, he was already beside Yun Che, quickly leaning down to examine his injuries.

"Yun... Junior Brother Yun, how is he?" Cang Yue extended her hands, yet dared not touch Yun Che's body, her face already streaked with tears.

Qin Wushang removed his hand from Yun Che, a relaxed expression on his face. "Your Royal Highness, please rest assured. Though his injuries look terrifying, they are merely superficial flesh wounds. He should recover completely within a month at most. His internal injuries are also very minor. The only concern is a severe overexertion of profound energy, causing his profound veins to show signs of exhaustion. Recovery will take a long time. However, there will be no permanent, incurable after-effects. It's just that participating in the Heavenly Pond Secret Realm exploration... is impossible in his current condition, alas."

Hearing this, Cang Yue's anxious heart finally eased somewhat. She tightly grasped Yun Che's hand, unwilling to let go.

Cang Yue's concern, words, and tear stains... Xia Qingyue observed them all in silence. She stopped in her tracks, no longer approaching, and quietly put away a bottle of Snow-Face Pills she had just obtained from her master.

"Palace Master Qin, my sincere congratulations." Ling Wugou said to Qin Wushang. The Heavenly Sword Villa's defeat was now certain, and their rightful place as champions had been claimed by the Azure Wind Imperial Family. Yet, Ling Wugou appeared composed, taking the initiative to congratulate Qin Wushang. Without waiting for a response, he continued, "Palace Master Qin, there's no need for further words. Please come with me to the Heaven's Return Pavilion first."

Qin Wushang nodded, lifting Yun Che. "Elder Ling, please lead the way."

As the ultimate victor of this ranking tournament, Yun Che was swiftly taken away before he could receive the cheers and gazes of the entire arena. Though the protagonist had left, the clamor on the Sword Discussion Arena persisted for a very long time. All the young profound practitioners at that moment lost their arrogance. Having experienced this ranking tournament, filled with countless shocks and unpredictable turns, they finally understood how insignificant their self-proclaimed genius was in the face of true talent.

This was the most exceptional ranking tournament, as it broke over a dozen historical records. Its process and outcome were utterly astonishing. It was foreseeable that after this tournament, a tremendous stir would be ignited across the Azure Wind Empire, and this stir would last for a very long time.

Of course, there were also many who were extremely displeased with the outcome of this ranking tournament.

For example, the Burning Heaven Clan, which had been thoroughly defeated by Yun Che, leading to their Grand Elder losing control of his emotions and causing great humiliation to their reputation.

And then there was the Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress, which had previously made harsh threats against Yun Che. However, compared to the Burning Heaven Clan, the Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress felt more unease. Mu Tianbei could never have imagined that Yun Che's true strength was so terrifying, much less that he would actually claim first place in this ranking tournament.

Such a person, once his wings were fully grown, was destined to become a paramount ruler of the Azure Wind Continent! The Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress, in its hundreds of years of history, had never produced such a ruler, and certainly dared not provoke one.

Thinking of this, Mu Tianbei naturally found no peace. Cold sweat poured down his back, and he was filled with overwhelming regret.

Azure Wind Imperial Family, Emperor's private chambers.

Cang Wanhe, the current Emperor of the Azure Wind Empire, was now flushed, his eyes glazed over, as if in a dream.

And Cang Wanhe truly believed he was dreaming.

He had received a sound transmission from Qin Wushang: The Azure Wind Imperial Family had claimed first place in the ranking tournament...

Soon after, he received a sound transmission from his daughter: The Azure Wind Imperial Family had claimed first place in the ranking tournament...

Holding the sound transmission jade, Cang Wanhe was utterly bewildered, taking a long time to regain his composure. He trusted Qin Wushang, and he trusted Cang Yue even more, but he simply couldn't bring himself to believe the identical message from both of them. It was too fantastical, too unreal—like a voice from a dream, an impossible tale.

Hurried footsteps approached from outside. Soon, his personal eunuch rushed in, prostrating himself before the Emperor and exclaiming in a hoarse voice, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty! The ranking tournament concluded today at Sishi! Our Imperial Family... the Imperial Family... has claimed first place! First place!!"

Cang Wanhe's lips trembled as he spoke, "Are you certain this news is true?"

"This news comes from the Heavenly Sword Villa itself; it is absolutely true! Now, the news has reached all parts of the empire, not a single word is false!" The eunuch declared excitedly, "Yun Che, representing the Imperial Family, won all matches in the first group stage, all matches in the second group stage, and defeated opponents from the Xiao Sect, Burning Heaven Clan, Heavenly Sword Villa, and Frozen Cloud Asgard in the knockout rounds, achieving a perfect record of victories... and claimed first place!! If this servant has spoken even half a lie, may I be struck down by thunder!"

Cang Wanhe's face grew redder and redder, his excitement spreading through every cell of his body. "Good... good... good!! Haha... Hahahaha... Hahahahahahaha..."

Cang Wanhe burst into laughter, laughing with unparalleled joy. In his over a decade on the throne, this was the first time he had laughed so freely and heartily, as if all the accumulated frustration and negativity in his heart had been completely released with this joyous outburst. "This is the true prestige our Azure Wind Imperial Family should possess! This is truly looking down upon the world! Ruling over all directions... Issue an order... issue a decree! A general amnesty for the entire empire will be declared for three years starting today. The annual provisions for all branch profound palaces will be doubled, and the rewards for the Azure Wind Profound Palace will be announced separately! Effective immediately, begin preparing the highest-standard banquet in the Azure Wind Grand Hall. We shall personally welcome Yun Che and the others upon their triumphant return... As for Yun Che's specific rewards, they will be announced separately!"

"Your servant obeys the decree..."

"Wait! Immediately prepare fine dishes and good wine for Us. We wish to enjoy a good drink, hahahaha!"

Cang Wanhe usually found it difficult to eat even a morsel, but now, with his spirits soaring, his appetite surged. At this moment, he deeply felt that even if he were to pass away immediately, he would have no regrets.