Chapter 438: Phoenix Flame

The Azure Cloud Nation, with zero victories, ranks sixth among the six nations!The Heavenly Fragrance Nation, with one victory, ranks fifth among the six nations!The Kalpa Nation, with two victories, ranks fourth among the six nations!The Kui Water Nation, with three victories, ranks third among the six nations!The Black Fiend Nation, with four victories, ranks second among the six nations!The Blue Wind Nation, with five victories, ranks first among the six nations!

As Feng Feiyan made the announcement, the arena erupted in a clamor. The results for the six nations were perfectly balanced, eliminating the need for additional matches. The final rankings were utterly unpredictable before the tournament began. The Azure Cloud Nation, which had been top-ranked in the previous tournament and brimming with confidence this year due to a new genius, ended up losing completely after Yun Che crippled their core and shattered their morale. Meanwhile, the Blue Wind Nation, historically a mere formality and source of amusement, emerged victorious with an overwhelming advantage, relying on just one participant to overpower five other nations! The entire audience was stunned.

The few Blue Wind profound cultivators present were already in tears of excitement. Their nation, which had always been a joke and earned nothing but shameful titles in the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament, now stood firmly above the other five nations! This was an unprecedented triumph, a moment of profound pride they had never even dared to dream of.

And the one who brought about this immense glory was Yun Che.

The Blue Wind cultivators' greatest wish now was for the ranking tournament to end quickly. They intended to rush to the grand merchant guilds, willing to spend all their wealth to buy a hundred-thousand-mile sound transmission talisman and immediately send this incredibly joyous and glorious news back to the Blue Wind Nation.

However, Yun Che's face showed no joy. His expression had remained calm since entering the arena that morning. He knew very well that all his previous battles were merely to fulfill Cang Wanhe's wish and secure glory for Blue Wind, but this was not his true purpose for participating in this ranking tournament.

For him, the real, fierce battle was just beginning!

“The six nations' rankings are set. Yun Che, do you still wish to challenge my Divine Phoenix Empire?” Feng Feiyan asked gravely, turning his gaze to Yun Che after announcing the rankings. Then, his voice dropped to a low whisper, meant only for Yun Che: “However, I suggest you save your strength.”

In the waiting area, only Yun Che and the ten Phoenix disciples of the Divine Phoenix Empire remained.

All eyes in the arena were on Yun Che, awaiting his response. Regardless of whether he chose to challenge the Divine Phoenix Empire, there was no doubt that the name "Yun Che" would spread throughout the Seven Nations of the Profound Sky overnight, becoming a name that would deeply stir the profound cultivation world. Whether he declined the challenge or suffered a crushing defeat in it would make no difference to his impact, because his opponent was the Divine Phoenix Empire, the Phoenix Sect!

Before Feng Feiyan had even finished speaking, Yun Che leaped high, landing on the Phoenix Stage. The Dragon Fault materialized directly in his hand, its immense weight creating a roaring vortex of wind that brutally pushed the surrounding air away. Standing on the stage, he proudly declared, “Of course I'll fight! I didn't come here today to settle for a mere second place! I came to... crush your Divine Phoenix Sect!”

Yun Che's utterly arrogant words were met with a momentary silence across the arena, which was then immediately drowned out by a tide of ridicule.

“Damn! This guy is so arrogant. Does he actually think he can defeat the Phoenix Sect?”“Arrogant? He's just ridiculously ignorant.”“Who do you think you are?! Dreaming of first place!”“You think defeating five nations alone qualifies you to challenge the Divine Phoenix Sect? 'Crush the Divine Phoenix Sect'... that's the biggest joke I've ever heard!”“He was already impressive enough, but he just *had* to be arrogant in front of the Divine Phoenix Sect... I'm embarrassed for him.”

Yun Che's single statement instantly turned the audience's admiration into overwhelming mockery and sneers. The profound cultivators of the Divine Phoenix Empire, in particular, burst into laughter and ridicule, as if they had heard the most absurd and ignorant joke. The cultivators from the five nations, already seething with resentment from their defeats by Yun Che, seized this opportunity to mock him, likening him to a toad trying to eat a swan.

“Heh heh...” A Phoenix disciple in the waiting area sneered. “I originally thought this kid was quite extraordinary, but he's just an overconfident idiot after all.”

“It's normal. Sweeping through five nations so impressively, it's understandable for his confidence to swell,” another Phoenix disciple shrugged.

“But he's clearly picked the wrong opponent. He seems to think we're like those rookies from the five nations that no one even bothers to look at. Ah, he's from Blue Wind, after all; his perspective is probably just this small.” The speaking Phoenix disciple grinned, wiggling his little finger.

In the Divine Phoenix Empire's seating area, the princes, elders, and hall masters also wore disdainful smiles. However, Feng Hengkong frowned, his gaze becoming sharp and deep. He suddenly realized he had been mistaken. He, like Feng Ximing and others, had assumed Yun Che came to the Phoenix Sect through the ranking tournament because he knew he couldn't escape his fate. After all, with the Phoenix bloodline, Yun Che had only two choices:

One was to pledge loyalty to the Phoenix Sect and become one of them for life, thus ensuring his safety.The other was death.

By coming voluntarily, he could choose the former. If the Phoenix Sect had to seek him out, it would likely mean the latter. Yun Che's participation and extensive display of power in the ranking tournament had previously been interpreted by Feng Hengkong as a deliberate show to the Phoenix Sect, proving he wasn't useless and was qualified to join them.

But now, with this statement, he was clearly provoking the Divine Phoenix Sect! And all his previous battles, where he intentionally swept opponents in extremely short order... thinking back, that wasn't a performance; it was a defiant display to their Divine Phoenix Sect!

What exactly did he intend to do? Did he truly believe he had the qualifications and ability to directly challenge the Divine Phoenix Sect?

“Heh heh, so you intend to represent the Blue Wind Nation, defeat my Divine Phoenix Empire, and claim first place in this ranking tournament?” Feng Feiyan chuckled faintly. Though smiling, there was no emotion in it. His thoughts were largely aligned with Feng Hengkong's: Yun Che wasn't here to compromise or pledge loyalty to the Phoenix Sect; he was clearly here for a confrontation!

Feng Feiyan sneered inwardly. Yun Che, at nineteen, possessed strength that would place him among the top of his peers in the Phoenix Sect, and his ability to challenge higher-level opponents was almost unbelievable. Given his performance today, if he were willing to permanently join the Phoenix Sect, Feng Feiyan, as the Grand Elder, would be the first to approve, even overlooking his past offense against the Thirteenth Prince. He believed the Sect Master Feng Hengkong and other elders would make the same decision. After all, no sect would want a useless person, nor would they reject a young disciple with astonishing talent. They had already offered him a way out, even a potentially high position in the Phoenix Sect, yet he chose to court death!

“To declare you will 'crush' my Divine Phoenix Empire in the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament, you are the first person in history to do so,” Feng Feiyan said with a fake smile. “I suddenly find myself admiring your audacity.”

“However, 'first place' isn't achieved by mere words or wishful thinking; it depends on whether you possess the qualifications and strength!” Feng Feiyan's voice deepened as he turned to the ten Phoenix cultivators. “My Phoenix disciples, do you understand? The Blue Wind cultivator has challenged you, threatening to claim first place in this ranking tournament. Who will step forward?”

As soon as Feng Feiyan finished, one of the Phoenix disciples slowly stepped forward. As he walked, he spoke in a calm and indifferent tone, “It will soon be the hour of You (5-7 PM). In another hour, it will be dark. Tomorrow's exploration of the Primordial Profound Ark is of utmost importance and requires ample preparation time. Therefore, it's best to conclude this battle quickly.” As he spoke, the man floated gracefully, his Phoenix robes fluttering and trailing brilliant golden streaks. He lightly landed on the Phoenix Stage and looked at Yun Che with a smile. “So, I shall take this battle.”

“Ah... it's the Fourteenth Prince!” The audience gasped in surprise, completely unexpected. “Didn't you hear the Fourteenth Prince? He's doing it to save time and finish quickly. After all, they're boarding the Primordial Profound Ark tomorrow.”

The one who ascended the Phoenix Stage to stand before Yun Che was none other than the Fourteenth Prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire, Feng Xiluo—who possessed terrifying talent and profound strength at the eighth level of the Emperor Profound Realm! He smiled faintly at Yun Che, showing no sign of pre-battle tension.

Feng Hengkong secretly nodded. Having Feng Xiluo fight Yun Che was the outcome he most desired. Although Yun Che had swept through his opponents, displaying combat strength around the fourth level of the Emperor Profound Realm—a level any of the ten Phoenix disciples could easily crush—no one could guarantee that was Yun Che's full strength. If he had hidden power or a formidable trump card, then the Phoenix disciple facing him might not win, or even lose. Though this possibility was minuscule, even a one-in-ten-thousand risk could not be taken lightly! Because the Phoenix Sect, which had dominated the Profound Sky for five thousand years, could not afford to lose! They absolutely could not lose. And if Feng Xiluo entered the arena, there would be absolutely no possibility of defeat. Furthermore, Feng Xiluo's accompanying words were incredibly subtle, showing no hint of importance placed on Yun Che, but rather contempt. His reason for personally fighting Yun Che was to "save time," clearly implying he could defeat Yun Che with minimal effort.

“Indeed!” Feng Feiyan nodded. “Very well. It seems the Fourteenth Prince has been itching for a fight after watching the matches all day. So, for the Divine Phoenix Empire, the Fourteenth Prince Feng Xiluo will face Yun Che! Although my Divine Phoenix Empire has ten participants, we disdain outnumbering a single opponent!”

“The 39th Profound Sky Ranking Tournament, the battle to determine first and second place, now begins!!” Feng Feiyan waved his hand, issuing the clear and decisive command to start the battle.

Whoosh!

Feng Xiluo raised his arm, and a ball of scorching flame ignited in his palm. He looked at Yun Che and said with a faint smile, “Yun Che, though I don't know where you get your confidence, you will soon realize how ridiculous it is. You and the profound cultivators you defeated are on two different levels. And it's the same for you and me. Before this, I will give you a chance to truly witness the invincible Phoenix Flame of my Divine Phoenix Sect.”

“Witness the Phoenix Flame?” Yun Che replied with the same faint smile. “There's no need for that. As for the Phoenix Flame, it's hard to say whose will be witnessed by whom!”

Yun Che extended his palm, and a ball of crimson Phoenix Flame rapidly blazed forth. The flame soared to a height far surpassing the Phoenix Flame in Feng Xiluo's hand.

Whoosh—

The moment Yun Che's Phoenix Flame appeared, the entire arena erupted. All the Phoenix disciples' expressions changed in unison, and Feng Hengkong and Feng Feiyan frowned deeply. Hua Minghai and Ling Jie nearly fell off their seats in fright. Both knew Yun Che possessed the Phoenix bloodline. His previous direct challenge to the Divine Phoenix Empire had already given them quite a shock. And now, without the Divine Phoenix Sect even mentioning his bloodline, he openly unleashed the Phoenix Flame before all the world's experts...

Did he specifically come here to resolve grievances, or to fight to the death?!