Chapter 1304: Meeting Dong Ziwan Again
Xiang Shaoyun had never received so much attention before. He wasn't accustomed to such a feeling. If it wasn't for his strong willpower, he would have fled from sheer nervousness. After all, a majority of those standing below the stage were Soul Foundation Realm cultivators. Even the weakest among them were Dragon Ascension Realm cultivators.
The gazes of such experts were incredibly piercing. When combined, the gazes resulted in a pressure that no regular person could bear. After taking a deep breath, Xiang Shaoyun sat down cross-legged in a calm manner. He was someone who had killed several Great Devil Saints. Such pressure was nothing for him.
I am someone who will stand at the peak of humanity in the future. I fear nothing, thought Xiang Shaoyun inwardly as he calmed down completely.
Tang Zhan had a gratified look when he saw how fast Xiang Shaoyun calmed down. He continued his announcement.
Taking second place was Di Mie, who looked to be in his early thirties. He was dressed in a reddish-gold armor that accentuated his majestic bearing. Unlike Xiang Shaoyun, he wasn't young or handsome. However, he emanated a dependable sensation that could easily win the respect of others.
Taking third place was Dugu Qiubai. The sole defeat he had suffered in his life was in Xiang Shaoyun's hands. Despite this defeat, he had remained ambitious and hopeful. His defeat had taught him that there would always be a stronger person out there, causing him to cultivate even harder. He had risen far above his peers, reaching seventh-stage Soul Foundation Realm, surpassing even Xiang Shaoyun in cultivation level. With the prowess of his Primal Chaos Physique and his cultivation level, defeating Saints wasn't a difficult feat for him.
After stepping onto the stage, Dugu Qiubai issued a challenge to Xiang Shaoyun, "Xiang Shaoyun, I wish to have another fight with you."
"We'll talk again when I have the time," replied Xiang Shaoyun nonchalantly.
Dugu Qiubai did not try to force an acceptance. He nodded and sat down. Next, the fourth person stepped onto the stage. He was an old man clad in a gray outfit. He had a drowsy expression, but the look in his eyes was so sharp nobody dared to meet his gaze.
This old man was Hui Ming, a True Martial Academy overseer who was a Soul Foundation Realm cultivator. He had failed to break through several times, but he was not willing to be stuck at the same cultivation level. Thus, this opportunity to cultivate at the holy land was extremely important to him. This was his final chance. He was ready to die if he still failed to break through this time.
Next, the Immortal Dynasty's He Changsheng, the Nangong Clan's Nangong Wudi, the Celestial Palace's Gong Yue'e, the Song Clan's Song Tiandao, Blood-Robed Xue Buyi, and the subsequent rankers stepped onto the stage one after another.
He Changsheng was handsome with a slim and tall figure. He was dressed in a gold outfit with a dragon embroidered on it. Resting on his head was a crown showcasing his royal heritage.
Nangong Wudi looked completely ordinary, but he had a look of absolute confidence in his eyes, as though everything was below him. Nobody could defeat him, and nothing could evoke fear in his heart.
Gong Yue'e looked incomparably pure with a beauty to match Devil Concubine and Yu Caidie. She was graceful and gentle, as though she was a wise and virtuous woman with no business on the battlefield.
Song Tiandao was cold and grim, his steadfast face emanating masculinity. Standing there with two sabers hanging on his back, he looked like an unparalleled blademaster and left a deep impression on all who looked at him.
Xue Buyi was a gloomy man who reeked of blood. Clad in a crimson outfit with a crimson sword hanging on his back, he emanated a sinister sensation as though he was a god of slaughter.
The moment he stepped onto the stage, his gaze landed on Xiang Shaoyun. He licked his lips and said, "Xiang Shaoyun, I'm going to kill you."
The murderous intent he was blatantly emitting caused the surrounding people to shudder.
"Since you want to die, I'll give you a hand," said Xiang Shaoyun nonchalantly as he looked at Xue Buyi.
"Hmph. After this is over, I'll be avenging my 18 brothers," said Xue Buyi coldly.
"Don't worry. I'll help you unite with them soon," Xiang Shaoyun replied.
Tang Zhan acted like he heard nothing, and he continued with his announcement, calling out one name after another. When Tang Zhan called out the 88th name, Dong Ziwan, Xiang Shaoyun's heart skipped a beat. He looked at the person stepping onto the stage.
A woman clad in green was slowly climbing up. Many in the crowd held their breath upon seeing the young woman. Her tall, slim, and hourglass figure evoked the most primal desire in all men. But when their gazes reached her face, they felt like vomiting.
"Holy shit, this is a super trap!"
"That's right. Why does someone with such an amazing figure have such an ugly face? This is too disgusting."
"What a pity. If she was slightly prettier, she would be absolutely tantalizing."
"Lower your voice. This is someone capable of entering the top-100. If she heard what you said, she could easily rip you apart."
...
Xiang Shaoyun stared at Dong Ziwan, discovering that despite some similarities with the Dong Ziwan he knew, she was also distinct from her. Apart from her different face, even her figure was different. He even wondered if this was simply someone with the same name.
But deep inside, he couldn't believe that this was a mere coincidence. He tried his best to see through this Dong Ziwan. Firstly, he confirmed that her face was not a disguise. She had indeed been disfigured. From the scar on her face, she seemed to have suffered a serious burn.
Dong Ziwan seemed to have noticed Xiang Shaoyun looking at her. She shot Xiang Shaoyun a glance before quickly moving her gaze away. Despite her indifferent expression, her heart was being assaulted by absolute grief, causing her body to tremble slightly.
If she hadn't controlled herself well, everyone would have noticed her change. However, Xiang Shaoyun had sensed her change with his sharp senses. He had not noticed her trembling body, but her eyes were incredibly familiar. It was the same pair of eyes he had seen before. He cried out in alarm, "Ziwan!"
As he called out, Dong Ziwan flinched slightly. She immediately suppressed herself, but Xiang Shaoyun saw it clearly.
He dashed over and stopped before her, asking, "Ziwan, w-what happened to you? Who did this? I'll destroy that person and his entire family!"
He was infuriated, his thick killing intent causing the temperature on the stage to drop.
"Please watch your manners. I don't know you," said Dong Ziwan coldly.