Ninth In the World

In the end, Bai Xizhou did not get on the stage to challenge the top three, probably because he knew that he was not Zhuo Wenshu’s match.

Everyone else would naturally not challenge anyone when Bai Xizhou chose not to do so. The disparity in strength at the True Dominion Genius Tournament this time was significantly greater than it had been at the past tournaments. The strong were too strong, and the weak were too weak. At the past tournaments, there had only been two to three strong participants, and the rest had been similar in strength. Furthermore, they’d used to have the option of challenging the top 10, so the competition for the fourth to tenth place had been the fiercest. Anyone who wanted to challenge the top three would naturally be excluded from this competition.

After confirming that no one wanted to challenge the top three, Xigu Boyang stepped forward and said, “Since no one wants to challenge the top three of this True Dominion Genius Tournament, the tournament will end now. Di Jiu, who placed first, will receive two slots to enter the Immortal Ascension Array. Hu Burang, who placed second, and Zhuo Wenshu, who placed third, will receive one slot each...”

Xigu Boyang took out four golden jade cards after he announced the ranking. Two of them were handed to Di Jiu, while Hu Burang and Zhuo Wenshu each received one.

“Thank you,” Di Jiu thanked Xigu Boyang.

Di Jiu had heard of golden jade cards like the one in his hands before. They were the only keys that could activate the True Dominion’s Immortal Ascension Array. The key holders could enter the Immortal Ascension Array anytime they wanted within a year and head to the Immortal World. Theoretically, any cultivator who got their hands onto a golden jade card could enter the Immortal World. However, their cultivation level must have reached a certain height, for if their strength was too weak, they would be killed by the teleportation space.

This golden jade card was produced by the Immortal Ascension Array. 10 Domain Realm experts had to open the Immortal Ascension Array at the same time in order to obtain these jade cards, which was why the number of jade cards given out was determined by a collective decision made by these 10 True Dominion experts. Even Mei Bashan could not have obtained these jade cards without going through the whole process of the True Dominion Genius Tournament.

Xigu Boyang laughed. “If Daoist Di is willing, he could visit my City Lord Manor anytime. I would definitely treat him as my VIP.”

“Alright. If I have the chance to, I might have to trouble you, City Lord Xigu,” replied Di Jiu. He would definitely not seek Xigu Boyang out if there was not an emergency.

Xigu Boyang nodded his head in satisfaction and told Di Jiu, Hu Burang and Zhuo Wenshu, “The three of you can follow me to the building. As the geniuses who ranked in the top three, you need to meet everyone else.”

Xigu Boyang was speaking in a roundabout manner. What he truly meant was that the three of them should head to the building and thank the Major Protectorate Lords and the veteran experts of the True Dominion.

Di Jiu would naturally not mind doing so. After all, the Immortal Ascension Array belonged to the True Dominion, and not every Protectorate Lord of the True Dominion would be as domineering as Mei Bashan. The fact that the True Dominion Genius Tournament was held here implied that the factions within the True Dominion could still interact amicably.

...

“Ha ha! Sect Master Di, I’ve underestimated you again. I thought you would enter the top 10, but I did not expect that you would place first instead.” Huan Changzhu welcomed Di Jiu warmly the moment Di Jiu stepped into the building. He acted as though the two of them were old friends.

Di Jiu did not dislike people like Huan Changzhu.

After greeting the Skygold Protectorate Lord, he actively sought out Bai Cangxing, the Protectorate Lord of the Bright Protectorate. In Di Jiu’s opinion, Bai Cangxing was no weaker than Mei Bashan. Actually, the former should be at the peak eighth-stage Domain Realm. More importantly, the oppressive air that Bai Cangxing exuded gave off a sense of danger.

Bai Cangxing had not stopped Di Jiu from attacking Mei Bashan. Given Bai Cangxing’s strength, Di Jiu would most likely not have been able to kill Mei Bashan if Bai Cangxing had stopped him.

“The younger generations should be respected. We have all grown old.” Bai Cangxing was not vexed by the sudden appearance of Di Jiu and Hu Burang, which had caused him to lose the qualification to enter the Immortal World. He could still do so next time, so long as the Immortal Ascension Array was still there. Furthermore, he believed that his cultivation experience was insufficient. The Bright Protectorate was still lacking an individual who could take charge of the protectorate by themselves. Therefore, he was not in a rush to head to the Immortal World.

“Thank you, Protectorate Lord Bai,” Di Jiu thanked him sincerely. After all, among everyone present, only Bai Cangxing possessed the capability to stop him from killing Mei Bashan.

An Lingzhou walked over as he laughed and said, “Daoist Di, I’m An Lingzhou, the Peaceful Farmers’ Protectorate Lord. Speaking of gratitude, I need to be thanking you.”

This was An Xiaoqi’s father. Di Jiu immediately realized that An Xiaoqi had told him that Di Jiu had killed Bai Shaoxiang and saved her. However, this was the sort of matter that everyone would remember silently and not mention explicitly.

The rest of the experts from the various powers all approached Di Jiu and greeted him. In their eyes, Hu Burang and Zhuo Wenshu were still their juniors.

Di Jiu was different, however. After all, everyone had seen Di Jiu’s strength with their own eyes. He could be considered an expert slightly stronger than them. Given Di Jiu’s youthfulness, it would not be a wrong move to have a good relationship with him, regardless of whether Di Jiu would be heading to the Immortal World or not.

Bai Hong did not approach him, and Di Jiu also could not be bothered to pay attention to him. If Geng Ji had been given more time, he would have caused Bai Hong trouble instead of the other way around.

“Daoist Di, the Immortal Ascension Square will be conducting a Dao Symposium after the True Dominion Genius Tournament. If you are interested, you could join us. Your strength would be sufficient for you to establish a sect here in the True Dominion,” suggested Bai Cangxing.

Di Jiu was not the number one expert of the True Dominion following the death of Mei Bashan. There was also the issue of the distribution of the profits of the First Plum Protectorate. Bai Cangxing said so in this manner to covertly inform Di Jiu that he could participate in the ruling of the True Dominion if he was interested in doing so.

Di Jiu had zero interest in the True Dominion. Thus, after thanking Bai Cangxing, he rejected his suggestion politely.

Han Wushui only nodded at Di Jiu silently. He believed that Di Jiu must have heard about how he had helped him, so he would gain nothing by mentioning it.

Just as Di Jiu was about to bid them farewell, a middle-aged man, who was also carrying a saber on his back, walked up to Di Jiu with a smile on his face. He cupped his fists and said, “Daoist Di, we are both using sabers. Hence, we could get to know each other better.”

When Di Jiu saw this person, he immediately thought of Ji Hongchuan and said in a slightly frosty tone, “Who are you?”

The middle-aged man ignored Di Jiu’s hostile attitude and said with a smile still on his face, “I’m Ji Gui from the Ji Family. My son Ji Hongchuan went to climb the Five Continent Dao Pagoda with you.”

Di Jiu’s expression turned frosty instantly. “So it’s the Ji Family, who looks down on me. I’m worried about myself, as I’m carrying my saber on my back. You have found me, even though I was trying to hide from the Ji Family.”

As soon as he said that, Di Jiu turned and left.

He did not like the Ji Family. They had previously forbidden him from carrying his saber on his back and even rejected saving Jing Moshuang. These decisions were not something Di Jiu would forget.

Ji Gui’s face turned purple. He had not expected that Di Jiu would not show any respect to the Ji Family and embarrass him like that.

“He he... He is just an insolent, ignorant person who became arrogant after making some achievements,” snorted Bai Hong after Di Jiu left the building.

Huan Changzhu said coolly, “If you have the guts to say something, say it straight to his face. It is not praiseworthy to say things about people behind their backs. I remember that someone wanted to ask Sect Master Di about some things, but I don’t see them asking when he’s already left.”

Bai Shaoxiang clenched his fists as his body trembled in anger. He was now certain that Bai Shaoxiang had been killed by Di Jiu, but he dared not ask. Given Di Jiu’s temperament, a battle might ensue between them the moment he asked. However, he was not Di Jiu’s match.

...

Di Jiu was not in the mood to waste time with the experts of the True Dominion. He was in a hurry to head to the Immortal Ascension Array with Xian Ze.

“Please wait a moment, Sect Master Di.” Gu Jue’s terrified voice came from behind Di Jiu’s back when Di Jiu had just walked out of the building.

“What’s the matter?” Di Jiu stopped walking and looked at Gu Jue calmly.

Gu Jue hastily took out two jade boxes, gave them to Di Jiu and said, “This is a Rainbow Immortal Peach and a Heaven Earth Flame.”

“Just cut straight to the chase,” said Di Jiu lightly.

“I want a slot to head to the Immortal World.” Gu Jue’s voice became even more fearful.

Di Jiu stared at Gu Jue and said, “You don’t have to pretend in front of me. If you had been willing to, you could have thrown that shop assistant out of the Immortal Ascension Inn instead of getting kicked out yourself.”

Gu Jue bowed his head even further as he said softly, “That’s right. I’m indeed slightly stronger than that shop assistant. However, I possess an array disc that I used in the Evil Beast Valley to kill demon beasts and obtain those points.”

Di Jiu was too lazy to keep chit-chatting with Gu Jue. “Gu Jue, who am I currently speaking to? Is it you or the Principal Spirit living in your Spiritual Sea?”

“Ah...” Gu Jue looked at Di Jiu in fear. How did Di Jiu know that a Principal Spirit resided in his Spiritual Sea? This was too terrifying.

Before Gu Jue could reply, Di Jiu said coldly, “I could help you easily if you want me to help you eradicate the Principal Spirit residing in your Spiritual Sea.”

“No, no...” Gu Jue retreated hastily. “I shall take my leave now.”

Gu Jue left in a rush.

Di Jiu did not take heed of Gu Jue, for he needed to bring Xian Ze to the Immortal Ascension Array as fast as possible.