<h4>Chapter 159 - Lin Tianjian’s Revenge!</h4>


    For the upper echelons of Vermilion Bird, these actions were enough for them to know which n would be rising to fame, and which one would suffer a humiliating defeat. The fact that Jin Yixuan hadn’t said a single word to Mu Yang was enough evidence to suggest that the Wei n was doomed!


    For the rest of them, what was more important now was how to protect themselves from being affected by this battle, and the first step in doing so was choosing the right side. Within moments, even more people had moved away from the isted Mu Yang and Wei Tianxiong. Some even nced at Li Tianming and Wei Jing, a malevolent glint in their eyes, a clear signal of those gloating over their downfall.


    Clearly, the inspectors themselves were leading the Yueling n to challenge the Wei n. Even though it was apparently a simple recement, putting up the Wei n by the roots after the deed was done was not impossible.


    At such a crucial moment, only the ult Athenaeum held their ground, as they stood by the king’s side, led by Prime Minister Qin.


    “Vermilion Bird King, as the ruler of thisnd, surely it’s your responsibility to make sure that the nation’s younger generation can flourish and the country will prosper, right?” Song Yixue asked with a smile.


    “It is naturally my role,” The king, Jiang Cheng, replied.


    “Not only is it your responsibility, but you are also in a position that the citizens of Vermilion Bird can trust. Therefore, we invite you to invigte this challenge together, and validate this battle in front of the rest of the nation. Will you ept this role?” Song Yixue continued asking.


    Many gasped when they heard the vice-inspector say that. The royal n, who was led by Jiang Cheng himself, was the only one who could have supported the Wei n. They had been on good terms for many years, as the two strongest ns looking over Vermilion Bird, with one ruling the country while the other raised future talents.


    If the royal n couldn’t help the Wei n, that meant that neither the ult Athenaeum or the pce in general could. Bringing the king to their side effectively forced the entire nation to give up on the Wei n, turning the Sanctum Recement Challenge into a spear that was poised to plunge through the Wei n’s throat.


    “If it’s the inspectors’ request, it will be my honour to invigte this event. Is there a family that has received the recement decree and is ready to challenge the Wei n?” As much as he didn’t want to, the king couldn’t possibly reject the inspectors. It was obvious that they were using him to validate this challenge and convince the masses that it was a fair contest. If not, with the current rumours about how the inspectors have been staying in the Lightning Manor, together with the Yueling n, many were sure to question its credibility.


    That was the main reason they needed the king to be an invigtor. To force him to take their side, and also to use his power and reputation to silence the rest of Vermilion Bird!


    Once the Vermilion Bird King was done, many turned to look at Mu Yang and Wei Tianxiong again. They werepletely isted now, and what used to be looks of respect and envy were now looks of pity and gloating.


    “We know the perfect n for that. The Yueling n has over a thousand years of history in Torch Dragon. They are a well-established n with talents across the n, and Heaven’s Elysium has recognized their morality and their capability to bear the Sanctum Recement Decree. As for the Wei n, they have upied the Sanctum for a thousand years without trying to improve, and amongst their descendants, they couldn’t even find someone who can take over as the next potentate. Therefore, the Elysium questions their capability to continue ruling the Sanctum.”


    “Thus! It is our decision to let the Yueling n challenge the Wei n. No matter which side emerges victorious, the Vermilion Bird Nation will benefit. If the Yueling n wins, a new family will control the Sanctum and bring it to greater heights. If they lose, it will serve as a reminder for the Wei n to keep on their toes and regain the trust of the Elysium!” Song Yixue said solemnly, her voice echoing inside the hall.


    “Wei Tianxiong, as the son of the potentate, you couldn’t earn the right to inherit the position from your father, and your descendants are incapable of being the future potentate’s disciple too. For that, we question the Wei n’s ability. Are my words justified?” As expected, the vice-inspectors had targeted the Wei n directly. Instead of asking Mu Yang, they targeted the query at Wei Tianxiong, striking the deepest regret in his heart!


    From the moment Song Yixue started talking, Wei Tianxiong’s face had turned dark. It was no different from shaming him publicly! But he couldn’t defend himself, not just because he was facing the inspectors from Heaven’s Elysium, but also because what they said was a well-known fact.


    To appoint Mu Yang as the new potentate was Wei Tiancang’s own decision, and the same could be said for not letting Mu Yang ept Wei Guohao to be his disciple. But Wei Tiancang couldn’t imagine that his own strict standards were instead used against himself by the inspectors as evidence that the Wei n was deteriorating. Wei Tiancang had heard of this challenge in passing, never expecting it to be used against his n.


    “Yes, Lord Inspectors. You are right.” Wei Tianxiong clenched his fists.


    “Wei Tianxiong, we are merely stating facts and we have nothing against you, so you don’t need to hate us. It is a challenge, so naturally the Wei n is given the chance to defend their honour! We encourage the Yueling n to fight for the position, but at the same time, we also support the Wei n in defending their title!” Jin Yixuan said.


    “Inspectors, may I know what are the exact rules to the challenge?” Mu Yang knew that Wei Tianxiong was not in a stable state, so he took over the conversation. The enemies havee prepared to rid the Wei n and bring the Yueling n to power, so grumbling about it would do them no good. The smarter approach was to ask for the rules, and prepare for battle! That was the Wei n’s only chance!


    As Wei Tiancang had spected, the inspectors had already nned it beforehand, determined to bring down the Wei n no matter what. If not, why would they have spent so long in Lightning Manor? If they could even rig the Abyssal Trials to let Yueling Ji win, then there was surely no point in expecting reason and logic from them.


    No matter what, it was certain that the Sanctum Recement Challenge was not going to be a fair fight. The only thing that the Wei n could do now was to seek out their slim chance of survival in this lopsided fight. Mu Yang had that all figured out as he looked at the smiling Jin Yixuan, who was busily putting up a good show to act as a fair judge.


    “The Sanctum Recement Challenge is a challenge between two ns, and a contest of their strength. There are three rounds to it — the battles between the older generations, current generations, and the younger generations respectively. This way, we’ll have a fair assessment of a n’s foundation, current strength and future potential," Jin Yixuan replied. “The rules are simple. The two families will each send out a representative into the arena. Whoever they send out, if defeated, will be swapped out, until there is no one else who can rece them.”


    That was very straightforward indeed. Basically, the battle would end when the n runs out of beastmasters in a particr generation.


    “Winning in one rounds that n one point. Whichever n that wins two points first will emerge victorious!”


    This way, Wei Tiancang and Wei Qing would be pitched against Yueling Hong, Wei Tianxiong and Wei Zikun against Yueling Xiao, Li Tianming and Wei Guohao against Yueling Ji. If either side has a superstar in one generation that could suppress everyone in the opposing n, getting the point was a given.


    “Sir inspector, as the future potentate of the Wei Manor and the disciple of Wei Tiancang, am I qualified to take part in the challenge?” Mu Yang questioned in a low tone.


    Everyone looked at the inspectors nervously. Mu Yang was definitely the top three in his generation, perhaps even the top! He was Wei Tiancang’s prided disciple, and first ce in the Heavenly Leaderboard back then. Lin Tianjian, Sage Xing and Sage Chen had all lost to him before.


    Reasonably thinking, the vice-inspectors should not give him the chance to participate in this challenge. But in actual fact, Jin Yixuan and Song Yixue had already anticipated this question. However, they had already fixed the rules once to benefit the Yueling n, and they weren’t going to change it again just to bar Mu Yang from taking part.


    In addition, Lin Tianjian wanted to find out whether the Mu Yang that had crushed him years ago could still defeat him now. This was also his revenge, which was why he told the inspectors to not change the rules for Mu Yang.


    Simply put, they were overconfident and too arrogant.


    Jin Yixuan waved a hand casually. “Of course. ording to the rules, the potentate’s disciples do have the right to participate in the battle. Mu Yang, I’ve heard that you are quite capable, so do put up a good show."


    The onlookers gasped in wonder. The inspectors must be really confident of the Yueling n’s strength to say this! If the two ns were to fight, could Yueling Xiao really match Mu Yang?


    Just then, the Tempest Marshal Lin Tianjian cut in. “Mu Yang, it’s been a while since west fought, and I can proudly say that I have improved. This time, I’m afraid you will be handing over the title as the number one in Ignispolis.”


    His words were like a thunderp, and everyone looked at him. This was clearly between the Yueling n and the Wei n, so what did Lin Tianjian of the Lightning Manor have to do with it?


    “Are you allowed to fight in this challenge?” Wei Tianxiong voiced out the question everyone present had.


    “Of course. After the wedding today, the Yueling n and the Lightning Manor have be one family, so we are considered as their rtives,” Lin Tianjian sneered.


    “Inspectors, is this true?” Mu Yang frowned. That exined where Yueling n got their confidence from. This wedding was all nned beforehand too, and this was why the challenge was announced after the wedding!


    “Naturally. ording to the rules of Heaven’s Elysium, the power of a ruling n’s rtives will also count, so each side gets to appoint a branch of their rtives to take part in the battle,” Song Yixue exined.


    “Every member of the Lightning Manor shall battle alongside the Yueling n! Simrly, the Wei n can appoint a family as well, as per the Elysium’s rules.” The Lightning Seigneur, Lin Zhao, bared his teeth. They could overwhelm the Wei n with numbers, since the notable members in their current generation were only Mu Yang and Wei Tianxiong.


    This was the truth behind this challenge. It wasn’t a battle between the Yueling n and the Wei n. It was a raid, with the Yueling n and the Lightning Manor ganging up on the Wei n!