Chapter 368: Heavenly Profound Seven Kingdoms Ranking Battle

Cang Wanhe took a step forward, his expression still filled with profound disbelief. Although the young man's extraordinary demeanor had made him, an emperor, feel a slight tremor in his heart, he still couldn't believe that the esteemed Imperial Prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire would personally come to his Azure Wind Nation. He hesitated as he asked, "Are you truly... the Imperial Prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire?"

Feng Xichen smiled faintly, "The Phoenix Divine Jade serves as proof."

As he spoke, Feng Xichen extended his right hand, revealing a blood-red, phoenix-shaped jade pendant in his palm. The moment this crimson jade appeared, an intensely concentrated fire element surged forth, as if a towering inferno had suddenly ignited within the hall. This caused the faces of those with lower profound energy cultivation to instantly flush crimson, their bodies feeling as though they were about to be consumed by flames.

At this, Cang Wanhe's last vestiges of doubt vanished, and the shock in his heart surged. He took another step forward, and although he tried his best to maintain his imperial dignity, his demeanor clearly revealed his agitation. He smiled calmly and said, "I never imagined such an honored guest from the Divine Phoenix Empire would grace us with their presence. This is truly an unexpected and pleasant surprise for Us."

Feng Xichen put away the Phoenix Divine Jade, tapped his wrist with his jade fan, and said unhurriedly, "Emperor of Azure Wind, you are too kind. I am unworthy of being called an honored guest. Rather, I have arrived uninvited today, and I hope the Emperor of Azure Wind will not take offense."

"Hahahaha, Imperial Prince Thirteen, what are you saying? The Divine Phoenix Imperial City is tens of thousands of miles from my Azure Wind Imperial City. For you to travel all this way, our Azure Wind Imperial Family is truly honored. We are overjoyed to welcome you; there's no question of blame... Guards, quickly arrange the honored seats for the three distinguished guests from the Divine Phoenix Empire."

"There's no need," Feng Xichen said with a wave of his hand and a smile. "I came specifically to your esteemed nation for an important matter. As this is the grand occasion of the Azure Wind Emperor marrying off his daughter, I certainly wouldn't dare to delay for too long... I wonder if the Emperor of Azure Wind can guess the purpose of my visit?"

To leisurely ask an emperor, the ruler of a nation, to guess his purpose was undoubtedly disrespectful and extremely arrogant. Yet, almost no one present found Feng Xichen's action inappropriate... because he was the Imperial Prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire. It was no exaggeration to say that in terms of influence on the Profound Sky Continent, he surpassed the Azure Wind Emperor by countless magnitudes! Even if he had been arrogant and offensive upon arrival, Cang Wanhe would never have dared to provoke a conflict with him. None of those present dared to offend him or express dissatisfaction.

Cang Wanhe pondered for a moment, then said, "Could it be... the Profound Sky Seven Nations Ranking Tournament?"

"Hahahaha!" Feng Xichen burst into laughter. "The Seven Nations Ranking Tournament, held every twenty-five years, will commence in less than six months. The other five nations have repeatedly inquired with my Phoenix Divine Sect regarding related matters and began extensive preparations three years ago. Only your esteemed nation has remained calm and quiet. I thought your nation had forgotten about such an event."

After entering the hall and revealing his identity, Feng Xichen's words, though arrogant, still carried a hint of respect in their phrasing. However, with this remark, anyone who wasn't a fool clearly understood his contempt for the Azure Wind Nation. Some profound practitioners felt indignant, but more prevalent were deep helplessness and shame... because the Azure Wind Nation had consistently reaped only humiliation from the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament, enduring the scorn and brutal trampling of the other six nations.

The other six nations participated in the ranking tournament to display their strength and let other nations witness their might. However, the Azure Wind Nation seemed to participate each time only to be trampled upon. For a millennium, in every Seven Nations Ranking Tournament, the strongest individuals carefully chosen from the Azure Wind Continent consistently ended in crushing defeat, regardless of which nation they faced. In every tournament, they existed as a mere joke, enduring year after year of devastating losses and humiliation.

Feng Xichen's words and laughter were also an unbridled display of disdain and mockery towards the Azure Wind Profound Realm.

Cang Wanhe's expression flickered slightly but quickly regained its composure. He smiled faintly and said, "Of course, We would not forget such a grand event of the Profound Sky Continent, held every twenty-five years. It's just that for the past few years, We have been unwell and bedridden, thus unable to spare attention for this matter. Has Imperial Prince Thirteen come to deliver the invitation for the Profound Sky Seven Nations Ranking Tournament?"

"Indeed," Feng Xichen nodded, then extended a finger to pick up a gilded invitation card adorned with an exquisite crimson phoenix. "Five months from now, the 39th Profound Sky Seven Nations Ranking Tournament will be held in my Divine Phoenix Empire's 'Phoenix Realm.' As it is the 'Seven Nations Ranking Tournament,' none of the seven nations, including Azure Wind, can be absent. At that time, my Phoenix Divine Sect will await the esteemed presence of the Profound Sky Continent's experts in Phoenix City. The Seven Nations Ranking Tournament aims to exchange skills and showcase national might. I trust the Emperor of Azure Wind is already familiar with its rules and regulations, so I will not elaborate further. However, this tournament will have one unique difference from previous ones... Emperor of Azure Wind, have you perhaps heard of the 'Primordial Profound Ark'?"

"The Primordial Profound Ark?" Cang Wanhe was slightly stunned, then his face showed surprise, and he blurted out, "Could it be... the Primordial Profound Ark has reappeared in the Divine Phoenix Nation?"

At the mention of "Primordial Profound Ark," most people in the hall looked bewildered, and Yun Che also appeared puzzled. However, the expressions of Ling Yun, Ling Jie, Chu Yuechan, Xiao Juetian, and others immediately changed.

"Has the Primordial Profound Ark reappeared?" Ling Jie murmured.

Ling Yun's brows furrowed. He whispered, "In historical records, the Primordial Profound Ark appears approximately once every three hundred years. By that reckoning, it has indeed been roughly three hundred years since its last appearance... It seems the Profound Sky Continent will be in an uproar for a while again... However, it has absolutely nothing to do with us in Azure Wind. For so many years, the strong practitioners of Azure Wind have never had a chance to even get close to the Primordial Profound Ark."

"Precisely!" Feng Xichen nodded. "Half a month ago, the Primordial Profound Ark reappeared above my Phoenix City. According to records, the ark's gate will open by itself six months after its appearance. Coincidentally, that timing aligns perfectly with the conclusion of the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament. The Primordial Profound Ark is rumored to contain astonishing treasures and world-shaking secrets. However, the ark's gate only remains open for a short time, and the number of individuals who can enter is extremely limited. Only the strongest are qualified to explore it. At that time, the nations that rank in the top three of the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament will gain the qualification to collectively explore the Primordial Profound Ark. I believe the Emperor of Azure Wind, along with your nation's many experts, will undoubtedly have great interest in this Primordial Profound Ark."

The legends of the Primordial Profound Ark were exceptionally mysterious; anyone who heard them couldn't help but yearn for it. However, Cang Wanhe knew the true measure of the Azure Wind Nation and naturally harbored no extravagant hopes. Without such hopes, he remained composed. He nodded slightly and said, "I see. This is indeed news that will excite all the strong practitioners in the world. Imperial Prince Thirteen, given your esteemed status, I never imagined you would personally deliver the invitation and convey details about this Seven Nations Ranking Tournament. Your esteemed nation is truly making a grand gesture, which makes Us feel a bit overwhelmed, hahahaha. Wang Hai, quickly retrieve the invitation."

This was originally the grand wedding ceremony of Yun Che and Princess Cang Yue, with Yun Che, renowned throughout Azure Wind, naturally being the primary focus of the event. However, Feng Xichen's appearance had instantly drawn everyone's attention to himself, almost making them forget that this was Yun Che's wedding... This was because Feng Xichen's identity as the Divine Phoenix Imperial Prince was simply too astonishing, completely overshadowing Yun Che's dazzling aura.

Feng Xichen handed over the invitation, a smile playing on his lips that was both disdainful and playful. His slightly narrowed eyes shifted to Yun Che. "Emperor of Azure Wind, it seems you have misunderstood. My personal visit this time is only half for the ranking tournament. As for the other half... it is for your nation's new Imperial Son-in-Law... Yun Che."

"He carries something of great importance concerning my Phoenix bloodline!"