Talisman Emperor

At the same time that Chen Xi annihilated the Leopard Qilin and Ghostcry Beast, the rankings on the floating wall at the square before Dao Emperor Academy gradually underwent some changes.

This first, Zhen Lu.

Starpoints, 2,432.

The second, Ji Xuanbing.

Starpoints, 1,706.

The third, Zhao Mengli.

Starpoints, 1,694.

…

There wasn't many changes in the top ten, and the only unexpected thing was that Chen Xi who was ranked at the 9th earlier merely possessed 513 Starpoints, causing him to be instantly pushed out of the top ten to the 11th position.

On the other hand, his previous position had been replaced by Zuoqiu Yin with 633 Starpoints, whereas the position of 10th was replaced by the Xuanyuan Clan's Xuanyuan Che with 600 Starpoints.

"Alas, even though that young man, Chen Xi's, combat strength is extraordinary, he's much inferior in terms of resources and reserves when compared to the disciples of those top powers. He'll probably find it difficult to be ranked in the top ten during the second round of the test."

"The top ten? I think it's impossible for him to be even ranked in the top hundred. After all, even though his individual strength is formidable, he's unable to go against the joint forces of the disciples of those large powers. Chen Xi obviously doesn't have any companions, so in terms of hunting or competing with others, he's going to placed in a disadvantageous position."

"It isn't just that, those top powers like the seven ancient clans know the Bloodlands like the back of their hands. They know where the concentration of beasts is the highest in order to hunt for Starpoints with ease, and where danger resides and should be avoided. All of this information are secrets that aren't revealed beyond their respective clans or sects, so it's impossible for Chen Xi to possess such information."

When they saw Chen Xi's ranking being pushed out from the top ten, the spectators on the square let out waves of endless sighs because this wasn't related to his individual combat strength, and it was a difference in background that caused it.

Obviously, Chen Xi's resources and background were a disadvantage that was impossible to be made up for when compared to those disciples that came from top powers.

Besides the top ten, the fluctuations of the rankings on the floating wall of light was extremely frequent, and disciples were surpassing each other or being eliminated at practically every single moment.

Since the second round of the test began, only less than the time for an incense stick to burn had passed, yet twenty seven names on the floating wall of light had already dimmed down and vanished.

That meant that twenty seven disciples had been eliminated from the test!

This obviously displayed how brutal the competition and hunting in the Bloodlands were.

"I wonder if anyone will be able to break the record made by the Flaming Rain, Ling Qingwu, during the second round of the test."

"That's very difficult. All those years ago, Ling Qingwu obtained 9,000 Starpoints and broke the previous record! At that time, it caused the entire Dao Emperor Academy to be stirred, and people immediately predicted that Ling Qingwu would definitely become another blazing sun in the Immortal Dimension within a hundred years, and it really came true now."

"So in this way, anyone capable of breaking Ling Qingwu's record would be much more likely to become another blazing sun in the Immortal Dimension?"

"Not really. Remember the Iron Abyss Ye Tang? His Starpoints were only ranked at the 7th during the second round of the sect, yet didn't he still become a blazing sun of the Immortal Dimension in the end?"

"No matter what, those capable of occupying a position in the top ten have a much higher possibility of becoming a new blazing sun. This is an undeniable fact."

"Exactly. Moreover, in my opinion, there are numerous outstanding geniuses this time. Merely in terms of Ji Xuanbing, Zhen Lu, and Zhao Mengli, every single one of them isn't inferior to Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang from all those years ago."

"Alright, everyone. The second round of the test has just begun. According to past experience, this round of the test would at least go on for a month, and it might even go on for half a year. It's best for everyone to calm down and observe instead of jumping to early conclusions."

"Not to mention, this is only the second round of the test, and the final outcome will only be decided once the third round is concluded!"

The crowd discussed animatedly. Due to the fact that they were unable to watch the situation within the Bloodlands in detail, they could only infer everything occurring within via the changes in ranking and Starpoints on the floating wall of light.

"Chen Xi, oh, Chen Xi! The second round of the test is disadvantageous to you indeed. However, it's enough as long as you're able to maintain a ranking in the top hundred. Once the third round of the test begins, then your Martial Dao Will is formidable enough to make up for this difference… Most importantly, you must not be eliminated…" In the distance, Tie Qiuyu muttered with a frown on his face, and he was extremely worried for Chen Xi.

Because he was clearly aware as well that when they entered the second round of the test, the disciples of the Zuoqiu Clan would definitely act against Chen Xi!

…

Within a dark and damp forest in the Bloodlands, ancient trees towered into the sky and blotted out the sky.

Zuoqiu Yin stood there silently in black clothes.

By his side was many Zuoqiu Clan disciples, and Jiang Zhuliu and Yin Miaomiao were surprisingly amongst them.

"13th Brother, how many more are left?" Zuoqiu Yin asked abruptly.

"Fourteen of them. But I've already received news that if nothing unexpected occurs, then they'll be able to rush over and converge with us within a day." A short and fat young man spoke swiftly. He was called Zuoqiu Zheng, and he was the 13th amongst the younger generation of the Zuoqiu Clan.

Zuoqiu Yin nodded and then went silent.

As a disciple of an ancient clan, the Zuoqiu Clan, they'd gained contact with each other via secret techniques upon entering the Bloodlands, and they gathered together.

On one hand, doing this would allow their strength to be increased by numbers, so it would easier for them to hunt beasts and earn Starpoints. On the other hand, it was for the sake of taking precautions against other powers. After all, it was too easy for a mishap to occur while moving about all alone in a place where danger lay in ambush at all corners like the Bloodlands.

"Brother Yin, when will we head to Blackline Gorge to hunt the Blackline Xeno-race? Everyone is slightly impatient to earn Starpoints." The short and fat Zuoqiu Zheng licked his lips and asked in a low voice.

The others shot their gazes over to Zuoqiu Yin as well, and their eyes carried a wisp of yearning.

"There's no rush. We can earn Starpoints at any time, but we can't delay hunting Chen Xi at all. He must be eliminated within three days, otherwise, we won't have the chance any longer." Zuoqiu Yin stared towards the distance and seemed to be waiting for something, and he said casually, "All of you are clearly aware that three hundred people will be eliminated during this round of the test. If enough people have been eliminated, then even if we hunt Chen Xi down here, he'll still be able to enter the third round of the test."

The others revealed a slightly helpless expression when they heard this.

Because they were clearly aware that Zuoqiu Yin was right. If they didn't hunt Chen Xi down as soon as possible, then once three hundred people had been eliminated, they would be unable to stop Chen Xi from entering Dao Emperor Academy.

After all, after Chen Xi entered into the third round of the test, then no matter how terrible his results were, he would be able to enter smoothly into Dao Emperor Academy through the overall results he obtained from the first and second rounds.

"However, we still don't know where that kid is. What should we do if he just hides himself continuously?" Zuoqiu Zheng frowned as he asked.

"13th Brother, you always have the most questions!" Zuoqiu Yin glared at him before smiling in a relaxed manner. "Don't worry. I'll give all of you the answer soon. Perhaps, we don't even need to make a move ourselves in order to kick that kid out of the test."

We don't need to make a move ourselves? Everyone's spirits were refreshed when they heard this. Doesn't this mean that we can head to Blackline Gorge to hunt Blackline Xeno-race for Starpoints?

Croak! Croak! Croak!

A wave of low and strange sounds suddenly resounded from the depths of the dark forest. Accompanying this sound was a wisp of snow white figure that flashed out from within.

Zuoqiu Yin's eyes lit up, and he instructed swiftly. "There's no need to panic, it's a Devilsow Bird that carries information."

His voice hadn't finished resounding in the air when the snow white figure had stopped and descended onto a nearby branch. Its feathers were snow white, its beak bright red, and it had a pair of wings that were flat like blades.

Especially its pair of jade green eyes, they were suffused with a wisp of a mysterious and ghastly sheen. It was precisely a variant beast in the universe, a Devilsow Bird. This bird didn't possess any offensive ability, yet its speed was extraordinarily swift. It was capable of moving through flowing rays of light, and it was a variant beast that was innately capable of teleporting.

"Croak! Croak! My Master said that the target has appeared in the Bloodspirit Swamp. The exact action to take will be decided by you." The Devilsow Bird raised its head proudly and swept Zuoqiu Yin and the others with its gaze.

Bloodspirit Swamp? Zuoqiu Yin frowned while the nearby Zuoqiu Zheng quickly said via voice transmission, "The territory of Lord Nine Spirit."

Zuoqiu Yin finally came to an understanding, and he pondered deeply for a moment before he cupped his hands to the Devilsow Bird. "Thank you. Please tell your Master that I'll deal with the following matters."

As he spoke, he withdrew a storage pouch and passed over through the air.

The others were shocked in their hearts when they saw this because they never expected that Zuoqiu Yin would actually be so respectful to a bird. Obviously, the Master of this Devilsow Bird was no ordinary person.

"Croak! Croak! You're not bad, little fellow. Lord A'Bu, I, will remember you. I look forward to meeting you again." The Devilsow Bird picked up the storage pouch before spreading its wings and vanishing with a swish.

"Brother Yin, who's the Master behind this Devilsow Bird?" Zuoqiu Zheng only spoke after the Devilsow Bird vanished completely.

"I don't know either. Young Miss Ke ought to know." Zuoqiu Yin shook his head, and then he asked. "Is the name of Lord Nine Spirits in our list?"

Zuoqiu Zheng shook his head. "No. But Whitetail King's name is on it. Whitetail King controls the southeast area of the Bloodlands, and according to my inference, Nine Spirits is probably a subordinate of Whitetail King."

Zuoqiu Yin's gaze flickered repeatedly upon hearing this, and then he waved his hand and said, "Send out a message. Tell Whitetail King my objective, and there'll be no lack of benefit for him once the objective is accomplished!"

As he spoke, his gaze suddenly looked towards Jiang Zhuliu and Yin Miaomiao before he said in a low voice, "I'll have to trouble the two of you to head to Whitetail King's territory. After you supervise him until he accomplishes the plan, you can come converge with us at Blackline Gorge."

When he saw Jiang Zhuliu open his mouth with the intention of saying something, Zuoqiu Yin directly interrupted. "It's decided. 13th Brother will give you a map later, and it's enough for the both of you to arrive at the area where the target is at if you're a little careful."

Jiang Zhuliu and Yin Miaomiao glanced at each other, and they knew they were unable to refuse and could only receive their orders.