The item on the high platform seemed to have a great attraction for Li Guanyi. It kept emitting an Inner Qi, which made Li Guanyi unable to resist shifting his gaze towards it, yet this movement was not abrupt.
Because this time, everyone at the arena had noticed the uniqueness of today’s watching stage.
There was a person sitting on a throne at the same elevation as Emperor Chen, an elderly man dressed in black and red, his white hair meticulously tied up, and between his brows bore a look of fatigue, as if he had not rested well.
Still, there was an indescribable air of graceful majesty about him.
Next to him was an incredibly ornate case.
The Inner Qi that greatly attracted Li Guanyi was emanating from there. In the segment where combatants were being announced, the Ritual Eunuch was absent; another eunuch presided and informed all the citizens about this man. He was from the Imperial Family of Central State, Uncle of the Great Emperor, Ji Yanzhong.
The ritual object this significant figure from Central State brought ignited the enthusiasm of everyone watching the competition—
"Bearing the ritual object—complementary sword of the Red Emperor, the Divine Weapon, Chi Xiao!"
"As if the Emperor himself has graced us with his presence."
"Here to observe the rituals!"
After a moment of deafening silence followed by subtle changes, Li Guanyi saw the surrounding citizens all bowing their heads, even the defiant martial artists of the Martial World raised their weapons, struck their chests, creating an instant atmosphere of solemnity that even Li Guanyi and Yuwen Hua could feel.
It was the so-called reverent grandeur.
Then they spoke in low voices, reciting:
"Stocking clouds to slay the serpent, Divine Mother bringing auspicious news, the red banner stood against, the nine fields making broad strides."
"Vanquishing heroes, as the sun rises, transcending the side roads, light ruling over ten thousand chariots."
The grand and tranquil voices were not filled with fervor, but calmness; the chanting sounded like waves, as if the greatest hero of Central Plains was still alive, creating an atmosphere that struck a severe blow to the minds of monarchs from alien tribes.
The Seventh Prince’s pupils sharply contracted, almost instinctively grasping his weapon.
The young prince from the Dangxiang tribe was almost scared pale.
Even though his era had passed eight hundred years ago, wherever his sword appeared, the citizens still offered their respects. The Seventh Prince from the Turkic tribe, gripping his weapon tightly then loosening his grip, his eyes filled with respect and fear, said, "Red Emperor... the greatest hero of Central Plains."
"My father once said, if he encountered a monarch from Central Plains five hundred years ago, he would compete against him for the position of ruler of the world; but if he met the Red Emperor, he would serve him facing north, competing eagerly to be a vanguard for the Red Emperor."
Emperor Chen remained silent, he too offered his respects. Only then could Ji Yanzhong still feel the prestige and glory of the Imperial Family of Central State, but this glory merely stemmed from the magnificence of his ancestors and compared with the current state, it only made him more sorrowful.
Thus, feeling even more anguished, thinking back to last night hearing about the Emperor’s Sword, he felt the current Great Emperor of Central State was so inadequate.
Yet he did not know where the man chanting this sword was.
Ji Yanzhong appeared dejected.
Yuwen Hua gripped his weapon, chanting the poems commemorating the Red Emperor, and said, "The legend of the Red Emperor, even after such a long time has passed, still thrills one’s heart at every reading. Li Guanyi, today, I had intended to spare you."
"But, Ji Yanzhong brought the Chi Xiao Sword for the ceremony."
"In front of the Red Emperor, I will not hold back against you."
Li Guanyi flashed a grin.
He knew exactly what was drawing him.
The nominally top Divine Weapon of Central Plains.
This money-grubber decisively diverted his gaze, his face devoid of any ripples.
As if what was placed there was not the strongest Divine Weapon in history, but rather a guillotine, Li Guanyi was not one to be bewitched by Divine Weapons. Besides, he already possessed the Fierce Tiger Sky Shouting Halberd, a Divine Weapon by no means inferior in fame.
At the moment he was utterly unable to harness the full power of this Divine Weapon.
The call of Chi Xiao Sword was not a good thing; if the sword flew to his side at that moment, the best outcome for Li Guanyi would be to be taken back to Central State as a puppet, most likely facing endless assassination attempts.
Compared to the vast world, Chi Xiao Sword and the Imperial Palace of Central State were nothing but fetters and chains.
This thought instinctively surfaced in Li Guanyi’s mind.
Yet this thought seemed to be sensed by the far off Chi Xiao Sword.
In an instant, Li Guanyi perceived the motions of the Chi Xiao Sword, which cheered the moment it encountered a judgment similar to that of its former master.
After a pause, it seemed to be angered by being ignored.
The blade gleamed, ready to ring out.
Li Guanyi’s scalp tingled.
How strong is this sword’s spirit?!
He thought urgently, ’Wait a moment, calm down! Do not ring!’
’I will look for you afterward.’
’I will come find you later, just calm down!’
The Divine Weapon Chi Xiao quieted down slightly, and Li Guanyi breathed a sigh of relief. Someone in the stands looked towards Tu Shengyuan, the Guest Elder of the World’s First Building.
The first day Tu Shengyuan carried bamboo slips and a carving knife.
The second day he brought new bamboo strips and a carving knife.
Today, Tu Shengyuan brought white paper and ink.
A curious onlooker jokingly asked, "What will the gentleman eat today—Oh, I mean, what will the gentleman wager?"
Tu Shengyuan sneered, having already clashed with this youngster twice, licking his lips where a knife had left its mark, and said, "Li Guanyi is proficient in physical strength and Inner Qi, versatile in skills, with hardly any weak points. Such a martial artist is born to gallop on battlefields."