Chapter 3801: Ding Yan’s Turn
‘They forgot about Ding Yan?’
Duan Ling Tian’s thoughts were deeper than that of Hou Qing Ning, hence, he knew Hou Qing Ning was wrong.
‘Ding Yan’s guardian is a Black Elder Dragon so how could they forget about him? Since Ding Yan is allowed to bypass the qualifying test and the entrance examinations and directly participate in the Latent Dragon Grand Contest through his connection, it’s impossible for them to forget him. There are only two possibilities: one, they haven’t called him out to help him conserve his energy; two, he’s strong enough that they arranged for him to fight in the later rounds.’
Duan Ling Tian smiled and looked at Ding Yan, who was looking at Hou Qing Ning strangely. Then, he asked, “Ding Yan, although you’re just a rudimentary King of Gods now, your comprehension of the law of fire must be very high, right?”
“Hm?” Ding Yan was slightly surprised by Duan Ling Tian’s words. “You… How do you know that?”
Apart from his Uncle Sikong, very few people knew about his high comprehension of the law of fire. Lan Yu Shan was one of the few who were privy to this matter. Regardless, Duan Ling Tian had no way of knowing this.
“It seems like you’re much stronger than Hou Qing Ning,” Duan Ling Tian said with a laugh.
At this time, if Hou Qing Ning still did not understand what was going on, then he was truly a fool. When he regained his senses, he glared at Ding Yan and said, “Ding Yan, you bast*rd! How deep is your comprehension of the law of fire? Your name didn’t appear at all today. There are fewer than 100 people whose names didn’t appear today. Don’t tell me your strength is among the top 100 participants?”
Hou Qing Ning did not even dare to dream about ranking in the top 100 of the Latent Dragon Grand Contest even if he had a prominent divine artifact now. Although he had won his second match earlier, his opponent was so strong that he only narrowly won the fight. He still remembered the jealous and unwilling expression on his opponent’s face when his opponent saw his prominent divine artifact. He was aware that if his opponent also possessed a prominent divine artifact, he would have lost the match.
Hou Qing Ning thought he was truly fortunate to have a friend like Duan Ling Tian. At that time, he had thought to himself that if his opponent was jealous, his opponent should also borrow a prominent divine artifact from his friend. Life was unfair, after all.
Naturally, Hou Qing Ning did not verbalize his thoughts. Otherwise, he would become the public enemy. After all, very few participants of the Latent Dragon Grand Contest possessed prominent divine artifacts even if they were borrowed. This was not surprising since prominent divine artifacts were rare. Even among top lord-rank forces, they were considered rare, and only high-ranking officials possessed them.
“It’s not that deep before, but I made huge improvements recently,” Ding Yan said with a smile.
“How much progress?” Hou Qing Ning asked unwillingly.
“I just… comprehended several triple Fused Profundities from the law of fire.”
Hou Qing Ning was stunned when he heard Ding Yan’s reply. Based on what he knew, this level of comprehension was comparable to the prodigies of top lord-rank forces. He thought even Duan Ling Tian’s comprehension of the law of space was only slightly better than this.
For example, the comprehension level of Shangguan Xiong Feng and Long Xiao, two of the strongest core disciples in the Hidden Fog Sect, was comparable to Ding Yan’s. On top of that, Ding Yan also had the Berserkification Vein, his bloodline power. In short, Ding Yan was not any weaker than Shangguan Xiong Feng and Long Xiao; even if he was weaker, it was not by much.
“How did you comprehend the law of fire? Your progress is insanely fast!” Hou Qing Ning’s eyes looked as though they were going to pop out of their sockets.
“Guess?”
Duan Ling Tian smiled as he looked at Ding Yan and said, “His uncle must have sent him into the chamber of laws in the Flying Dragon Sect. As an emperor-rank force, their divine rock veins are much superior to lord-rank forces. It’s only normal that their chamber of laws can help on to comprehend triple Fused Profundities.”
Duan Ling Tian continued to say teasingly, “Ding Yan, it seems like your uncle isn’t just an ordinary Black Dragon Elder.”
Ding Yan was able to comprehend the law of fire to such a profound level in the chamber of laws within 30 years; this meant that the divine rocks he used were more or less the same as what Duan Ling Tian had used in the Linghu clan. How could an ordinary Black Dragon Elder be capable of something like that?
Ding Yan smiled wryly. “Duan Ling Tian, not only are you talented in cultivation, but you’re quite smart as well. You’re right. I comprehended the law of fire in the Flying Dragon Sect’s chamber of laws.”
After Ding Yan spoke, he sighed. It was precisely because of this that he felt he owed his uncle a huge favor. He was afraid it would be difficult to repay this favor in the future unless his cultivation far surpassed that of his uncle.
“The Flying Dragon Sect’s chamber of laws?” Hou Qing Ning was at a loss for words. He was not surprised that Ding Yan was able to use the Flying Dragon Sect’s chamber of laws. After all, Ding Yan’s guardian was a Black Dragon Elder from the Flying Dragon Sect. However, the duration Ding Yan stayed in the chamber of law was too shocking. The amount of time one could stay in the Flying Dragon Sect’s chamber of law depended on the status of the high-ranking officials of the Flying Dragon Sect, after all.
Hou Qing Ning knew from before that Ding Yan comprehended the law of fire. In the past, Ding Yan’s comprehension was not as profound as his. However, now, Ding Yan’s comprehension of the law had completely surpassed his.
Finally, Hou Qing Ning said bitterly, “To think I thought about asking you to spar with me! Now it seems like I won’t be a match for you even if I have a prominent divine artifact and you don’t have one.”
“I’m just lucky that I have a powerful uncle,” Ding Yan said humbly as he shook his head. Then, he turned to Duan Ling Tian and said, “The most admirable person is Duan Ling Tian. He came from a Devata Realm and has no connection here. However, he achieved so much on his own. I feel ashamed of myself when I compare myself to him.”
Hou Qing Ning’s mood improved when he heard Ding Yan’s words. Then, he said, “Duan Ling Tian’s a peerless prodigy! Only a fool would compare himself to Duan Ling Tian!”
Hou Qing Ning had witnessed Duan Ling Tian’s strength so he knew how strong Duan Ling Tian was.
As the trio chatted, the Latent Dragon Grand Contest came to an end for the day as well.
As the trio walked back to their residence, Hou Qing Ning said with a bitter smile, “Duan Ling Tian, it seems like even with your prominent divine artifact, it’d be difficult for me to win my next match.”
Duan Ling Tian nodded. He said honestly, “It’s true. However, even if you lose your next match, you don’t have to worry about being demoted to an outer disciple since with your performance, you won’t rank at the bottom.”
“That’s true…” Hou Qing Ning felt a lot better after listening to Duan Ling Tian’s words.
As for Murong Yin Yue, she was in the same position as Ding Yan. After all, she was only slightly stronger than Hou Qing Ning.
At this time, Ding Yan said with a smile, “Duan Ling Tian, I’ll likely have to fight tomorrow. It should be the same for you.”
Duan Ling Tian nodded. “I know. I’ve only been watching the fights the past few days, I’m actually eager for my turn to come. I wonder who will be my opponent.”
“Eager for your turn? Don’t you mean you’re eager to beat someone up?”Hou Qing Ning asked jokingly.
Duan Ling Tian shook his head. “Don’t underestimate my opponent, whoever it might be. After all, the opponents are chosen by the elders of the Flying Dragon Sect. Do you question their ability to match the participants?”
…
The next day.
As expected, even with their prominent divine artifacts, Hou Qing Ning and Murong Yin Yue lost their respective matches. Their opponents were inner disciples with mediocre divine artifacts.
When Hou Qing Ning’s opponent defeated him, his opponent had said mockingly, “If it weren’t for your prominent divine artifact, you might not even be able to win your first match.”
Nonetheless, Hou Qing Ning was not angered by these words. Instead, he said, “So what? If you’re dissatisfied, why don’t you try and borrow a prominent divine artifact?”
Hou Qing Ning’s opponent flushed red in anger upon hearing these words.
“Moreover, don’t forget about our age gap. You’re nearly 10,000 years old, and yet, you’ve only cultivated to this level. On the other hand, I’m younger than 5,000 years old. I really feel embarrassed on your behalf!” Hou Qing Ning said.
Hou Qing Ning’s piercing words provoked his opponent to the point where his opponent wanted to rush over and beat him up before he could surrender. Unfortunately, with the presence of the elders of the Flying Dragon Sect, his opponent had to hold back.
When Hou Qing Ning returned to his position, Duan Ling Tian said with a smile, “Although you lost the fight, you definitely won the war of words!”
“Well, he asked for it,” Hou Qing Ning said as he rolled his eyes. Then, he put the prominent divine artifact into the spatial ring before he relinquished his ownership and handed it back to Duan Ling Tian.
“Thank you, Duan Ling Tian. I’m sure you’d borrowed this prominent divine artifact from someone else as well! I promise I’ll give you a prominent divine artifact in the future!” Hou Qing Ning said, sincerely expressing his gratitude.
“Give me a prominent divine artifact?” Duan Ling Tian smiled and shook his head. “I think you should just wait for me to give you a prominent divine artifact instead. By the time you give me a prominent divine artifact, I would’ve already become a Lord of Gods. Do you think I’d be short of prominent divine artifacts at that time?”
Hou Qing Ning was rendered speechless by Duan Ling Tian’s words. After a moment, he said stubbornly, “Well, even if you’ve already become a Lord of Gods at that time, will you really refuse a prominent divine artifact with an artifact soul?”
At the same time, Ding Yan and Murong Yin Yue could no longer bear to listen to Hou Qing Ning. Ding Yan rolled his eyes while Murong Yin Yue wore an awkward expression on her face.
As for Duan Ling Tian, he only shook his head and smiled as he thought to himself, ‘A prominent divine artifact with an artifact soul? I already have one.”
At this time, Ding Yan’s eyes suddenly brightened as he looked ahead. He exclaimed, “It’s my turn!”
Without another word, Ding Yan flashed and appeared in the battle ring where his name had appeared.