Of all the battles fought upon the View River Platform in this Yellow River Meeting, it was the first time True Monarch Yu Xi had stepped onto the martial stage himself.

Not because he was incapable of controlling the situation from below, but rather to personally oversee and ensure the preservation of two peerless heavenly prides. This was a responsible gesture towards the Yellow River Meeting, solidifying its impartiality and authority.

This action alone speaks volumes about the intensity of the clash between Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun.

Who emerged victorious?

This was the burning question in the minds of every spectator upon the circular viewing platform.

On the martial stage, the white-robed Chong Xuan Zun was a picture of utter exhaustion, his body emitting a foul odor, his life force barely a flickering ember.

The situation was no better for Dou Zhao, clad in his crimson and gold-trimmed martial attire.

The Sun, Moon, and Stars Tri-Wheel Blade had cleaved half his neck, an almost complete decapitation… The scattered golden light around him signified the shattering of his Dou Zhan Golden Body!

A potent, vitalizing clear light enveloped both Chong Xuan Zun and Dou Zhao.

Standing between them, Yu Xi remained silent for a time, seemingly grappling with the difficulty of declaring a clear winner or loser.

After a moment of careful scrutiny, he finally raised his head and bowed respectfully towards the Dharma Images of the Qi Emperor and the Chu Emperor. “This humble one believes these two heavenly prides to be equally matched, and their contest should be declared a draw. I wonder if the two Emperor Lords concur?”

With his strength, it was naturally not difficult for him to discern that both Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun had reached a point of certain death. Without external intervention, their battle would have ended in mutual destruction.

Thus, he acted decisively, simultaneously saving both.

This was his duty as the host of the Yellow River Meeting.

Had he truly stood by and watched them perish, he would have faced considerable scrutiny afterwards.

Even stepping back, even if he were truly unconcerned, the two Emperor Lords, whose Dharma Images had descended, would not have idly watched such top-tier heavenly prides meet their end.

However.

When both combatants had reached a state of certain death, the only criterion for judging victory or defeat was who would perish first.

But even someone as powerful as Yan Dao was unable to offer a convincing assertion.

For the speed at which death descends is influenced by myriad factors. Not merely injuries, lifespan, and physique, but also luck, and even the two individuals’ willpower, perseverance, and resilience…

To truly convince everyone, the outcome would have to play out until one side genuinely succumbed.

But by then, the other would also undoubtedly be beyond saving.

The strike unleashed by the Dou Zhan Golden Body, this single Heavenly Human Five Decays, and the strike named ‘Chop Delusion’, delivered by the Sun, Moon, and Stars Tri-Wheel Blade as its vessel, were truly extraordinary.

These two young men, when placed within the context of all previous Yellow River Meetings, belonged to the absolute pinnacle.

Their narrow encounter today, whether it was fortune or misfortune, was yet to be seen.

As the host of the Yellow River Meeting, he could only declare a draw. The power to re-determine the outcome he ceded to the Emperor Lords of Qi and Chu.

If the two Supremes felt the outcome of this battle held greater significance, they could gamble and see whose heavenly pride possessed a harder destiny.

Only an instant had passed, but for the two Supremes, it was already sufficient.

The purple dragon robe subtly stirred, and a voice, deep as the sea, majestic as a mountain, encompassing all things, allowing no obstruction, resounded: “Then let it be so.”

That voice, noble beyond description, as if born of supremacy, then declared: “Well said.”

And so, the outcome of this round was decided.

It was only at this point that people suddenly realized something significant—

That heavenly pride from Wei Country, it seemed, was poised to claim the championship!

It was not unprecedented for countries outside the Six Great Overlord Countries to seize the championship in either the Outer Building or Inner Mansion fields of the Yellow River Meeting. While extremely rare, there had been several such instances.

But perhaps never before had two absolute top-tier heavenly prides fought each other to such a state of exhaustion, appearing utterly incapable of participating in the final battle for the championship.

To the extent that in the semi-finals, the winner of the other bout now had no opponent.

Since Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun had drawn, a single battle between either of them and Yan Shao Fei would determine the final result.

However, in their current state, neither had any immediate possibility of re-engaging in combat.

External intervention to aid their recovery would violate the rules of the Yellow River Meeting.

Therefore…

Was Yan Shao Fei the Outer Building champion?

This question arose in the hearts of many.

Yes.

It was a “question”.

Not a recognized result.

For after witnessing the supreme battle at the Outer Building level between Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun, no one believed that Yan Shao Fei, relying solely on the strength he had thus far displayed, possessed the qualification to claim this Outer Building championship.

While according to the rules, the final outcome seemed quite obvious, as the Valiant Rider Great Governor of Jing Country, Xia Hou Lie, had said, luck also constituted a form of strength.

But Wei Country was, after all, not Jing Country, and the strength of these two heavenly prides, Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun, visibly exceeded that of others by a significant margin.

This championship, who could genuinely be convinced?

Controversy was not the issue; the lack of it was.

With Yan Shao Fei’s current performance, he certainly deserved the title of heavenly pride. His victory over the Jing Country heavenly pride, Zhong Shan Wei Sun, was a genuine battle record.

But in the various bouts of this meeting, he had indeed not performed as well as Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun; this was an undisputed fact.

Throughout history, there have been champions who faced controversy.

However, under the heavens, where was there a champion who was clearly weaker than others?

Now, the gaze of the entire assembly fell upon Yan Shao Fei.

Including Yu Xi, who was still carefully maintaining the vitality of Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun.

Regardless of anything else, as the host of this session’s Yellow River Meeting, he had to announce a result.

At this moment, Yan Shao Fei was below the stage.

After defeating Zhong Shan Wei Sun, he had simply tended to his injuries and then sat quietly below the stage, witnessing the entirety of Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun’s battle.

The jade hair ring he had used in the previous battle had been destroyed, so his hair was loose at this moment.

The solemnity when wielding the Sword Picking Red Lotus, the joy when urging Must Exhaust Joy, the sorrow when using the Divine Injury Sword Technique… None of these were reflected in his current expression.

He was calm, serious.

“I came to the Yellow River Meeting originally to contend with the heroes of the world, even if my remnant body burned to ashes, I was willing to strive for first.”

These words were no boast; when he contended with Zhong Shan Wei Sun, he had indeed burned his life force in the fight.

Yan Shao Fei gazed deeply at Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun, then cupped his hands towards Yu Xi and said: “Today I have witnessed a supreme battle and begun to understand the vastness of the world, the brilliance of the sun and moon. I dare not contend for the championship!”

He let out a sigh.

This sigh was candid and bold: “Then let me be the world’s third!”

This decision, for himself, held no regrets.

But for Wei Country, an explanation was still required.

So he turned again and performed a deep ritual towards the Wei Country Great General, Wu Xun. He removed the long sword from his waist, still sheathed, held it horizontally, gripping it with both hands, and lightly pushed it forward.

“Before setting out, I agreed with His Majesty that if I secured this championship for Wei Country, His Majesty would grant me the Sword of Pride, strengthening my journey. Now, my skill is not equal to others, and I dare not again speak of first. The former agreement is void; this sword I return!”

The Sword of Pride, along with its sheath, flew towards Wu Xun, without any aura of smoke or fire.

Yan Shao Fei directly turned around and simply walked away.

He left behind the world championship that was within reach; he left behind such a world-renowned sword; he also left behind the gazes, exclamations, and discussions of the entire assembly.

He was not a minister of Wei, nor did he serve a king; he was merely a wanderer of the Wei land.

Thus, he possessed his pride and freedom, his choices and his path.

Only, as he walked towards the southern entrance.

The Wei Country Great General, Wu Xun, pushed out with his palm.

That Sword of Pride suddenly flew out, easily traversing the distance, and re-attached itself to Yan Shao Fei’s waist, devoid of any flourish.

Wu Xun’s voice resonated: “A sword granted by the Son of Heaven has no reason to be reclaimed. Though you are not the world’s first champion, you are nonetheless Wei Country’s first pride. Who else but you is worthy of this sword? The mountain road is long and far; often think of old friends back home, and do not forget this sword, this heart.”

Yan Shao Fei paused, bowed his head towards Wu Xun, but said nothing more. He simply placed his hand on the long sword and walked away with long strides.

Listening to their dialogue, people only now realized that after this battle, Yan Shao Fei intended to leave Wei Country.

Where he would go, what he would do, remained unknown…

This was truly an individual with a compelling story.

“Good!”

Someone suddenly shouted a cheer.

For a moment, the circular viewing platform erupted in thunderous applause.

Both for Yan Shao Fei’s clear-headed self-control, his refusal to contend for the championship, his act of hanging up his sword and departing.

Also for Wu Xun’s magnanimous gift of the precious sword to the hero, his refusal to force a discussion of success or failure.

Of course, different people had vastly different interpretations.

Yan Shao Fei chose to hang up his sword and depart.

Perhaps he had other considerations, or perhaps it was simply his own pride that dictated this.

The underlying reasons were known only to him.

But for Wei Country, this was undoubtedly an extremely wise step.

Among all the Outer Building heavenly prides in this session of the Yellow River Meeting, Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun were completely unique existences, surpassing other heavenly prides by a considerable margin.

Besides them, no one possessed the qualification to ascend to the pinnacle.

They had fought to near mutual destruction, and for your Wei Country’s heavenly pride to step forward and claim the championship – who could possibly be convinced?

Qi would not be convinced, Chu would not be convinced.

The entire world would not be convinced.

Then this “championship,” and the interests it represented, could you, a Wei Country not among the world’s six strongest, possibly hold onto it?

Fundamentally lacking the strength to seize the championship, yet ultimately seizing it – that would be virtue not matching one’s position.

The saying goes, “Virtue not matching one’s position brings disaster.”

For Yan Shao Fei to claim the championship in this situation would be a disaster, not a blessing.

So when he hung up his sword and departed, Wu Xun was only too happy to accept it.

Although Yan Shao Fei had earlier agreed with the Wei Emperor in Wei Country to secure a championship.

But the Wei Country’s monarch and ministers did not actually harbor such expectations. In fact, their bottom line was to enter the main competition, and their expectation was merely a place in the top eight.

Yan Shao Fei’s ranking among the Outer Building field’s top four was already an unexpected joy.

To steadily acquire the corresponding resources, they still needed to prepare carefully.

Now, even the championship within reach was given up; who would still have the gall to make things difficult for your top four resources?

As for Wu Xun returning the sword to Yan Shao Fei…

This View River Platform was not only a gathering of heavenly prides but also a meeting of various countries.

Contending for fame was not solely the concern of the heavenly prides themselves.

Why did so many heavenly prides swear to fight to the death, delivering their promising future lives in this short battle, investing them on the martial stage?

Because they represented not only themselves but also the country behind them.

Honor was sometimes more important than victory or defeat.

Thus, Bai Yu Xia of Yue Country was unwilling to “pick” a spot in the main competition.

Thus, the esteemed True Person Cao Ji deliberately made things difficult for a mere Touch of Jing. It was not making things difficult for the Touch of Jing, but making things difficult for the Ears of Xia Country.

Wu Xun was an esteemed Great General of Wei Country, and of course, he understood this principle.

The reputation of Wei Country, he had to uphold at all times.

Not to mention a mere Sword of Pride already granted; even if he possessed ten world-renowned swords, when it was time to bestow them, he would do so without a hint of hesitation.

When Yan Shao Fei’s back disappeared beyond the Six Harmonies Pillars.

Only then did people realize that a new problem had emerged—

Who would be the champion of the Outer Building field in this session of the Yellow River Meeting?

Yan Shao Fei, who had only won the right to contend, had declared himself third in the world. Without doubt, the first place could only be produced between Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun.

To some extent, Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun represented two extremes.

They were two completely different types of heavenly prides.

Dou Zhao had only chosen one Divine Ability seed, only one technique, the Dou Zhan Golden Body, but had developed it to the extreme. Relying on his outstanding combat talent, he had perfectly mastered the Dou Zhan Seven Forms, his blade technique divine, condensing the Way of Dou Zhan, achieving the power of a supreme heavenly pride at the Outer Building level.

Whereas Chong Xuan Zun almost represented the highest achievement of a Divine Ability Inner Mansion, possessing a Heavenly Mansion and five Mansions, each picking five Divine Abilities. Each Divine Ability had been developed to the extreme, relying on this to become a supreme heavenly pride, and after stepping into the Outer Building realm, he also possessed top-tier power within that realm.

In terms of Divine Abilities, no matter how strong the Dou Zhan Golden Body was, it could not compare with Chong Xuan Zun’s five Mansions’ Divine Abilities.

In terms of fist and weapon techniques, Chong Xuan Zun and Dou Zhao… Fundamentally had no comparability.

His Sun Wheel Smashing technique, though steady, accurate, and ruthless, was truly difficult to compare with a top-tier heavenly pride. His Five Divine Abilities Fist was powerful in its Way and the light of the five Divine Abilities. His most skilled blade technique did not even reach Gan Chang An’s level. Only under the urging of the ‘Chop Delusion’ Divine Ability, controlling the Sun, Moon, and Stars Tri-Wheel Blade, stacked with his Chong Xuan power, did he possess a terrifying force not inferior to the Heavenly Human Five Decays.

Both sides, in their respective advantageous domains, had reached the extreme.

Throughout their entire performance in the Outer Building field’s main competition, they could both be said to be evenly matched.

Whether in terms of battle will or combat talent, there was nothing to fault.

In their single head-to-head confrontation, they had fought until the last moment, ending in a draw.

However, in martial arts, there was no second; where in the world were there parallel champions?

Yu Xi did not ponder for long.

He saved the almost decapitated Dou Zhao and the nearing exhaustion Chong Xuan Zun, scattered the clear light, stood with his hands behind his back, and faced the crowd.

He announced: “Yan Shao Fei has voluntarily forfeited, willing to be third. Then, Qi Country’s Chong Xuan Zun and Chu Country’s Dou Zhao are tied for second place in the Yellow River Meeting’s Outer Building field. This session’s Outer Building… has no champion!”

This was a somewhat regrettable but rule-abiding outcome.

As the host of the Yellow River Meeting’s main competition, Yu Xi was only responsible for the rules of the Yellow River Meeting.

In fact, strictly speaking, according to the rules, Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun had already lost.

It was only because the people of Wei Country understood when to advance and when to retreat that such an outcome emerged.

An occasion like the Yellow River Meeting made it impossible to wait for Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun to recover their injuries and fight again.

Yu Xi’s words, once spoken, were the final conclusion.

After speaking these words, he surveyed the surroundings and simply stated: “Tomorrow, the Inner Mansion will contend for the championship!”

Then, he turned and disappeared from the martial stage.

On the martial stage, Dou Zhao and Chong Xuan Zun lay on opposite sides, both gasping for breath.

According to the rules of the Yellow River Meeting, Yu Xi had preserved their lives but would not expend enormous energy to fully heal their injuries.

This was a matter for Qi and Chu Countries themselves.

Of course, there was no need for anyone to urge them.

Chong Xuan Zun and Dou Zhao’s performance today had undoubtedly earned everyone’s respect.

Their future was also predictably dazzling; both were treasures of their respective countries.

Almost as soon as Yu Xi left, the strong individuals from Qi and Chu Countries rushed onto the martial stage.

Cao Ji, the commander of Great Qi’s Spring Death Army, helped Chong Xuan Zun off the martial stage, while Wu Xi, the commander of Great Chu’s Evil Face Army, began treating Dou Zhao on the stage.

In short, each was more important than the last.

Of course, Wu Xi soon also took Dou Zhao away, because Xian Nan Kui stepped forward, indicating that they still needed to seize the time to determine the last spot for the Inner Mansion field…

However, after the battle of the Outer Building heavenly prides concluded, the selection for this single spot no longer attracted much attention.

Having already witnessed scenes of extreme brilliance, turning back to watch the Inner Mansion field’s selection match truly made it difficult to muster interest.

Even Jiang Wang stood up and left his seat, intending to recuperate well in preparation for tomorrow’s main competition.

And he did not know when the six Supreme Dharma Images, standing beside the Six Harmonies Pillars, had also disappeared.

Looking around, between each pair of Six Harmonies Pillars, that hazy, indistinct appearance persisted, their forms unclear.

As for that Mister Ao, he was also no longer present; only the splendid chair remained empty.

It felt quite like a splendid chapter, dreamt of, then written on blank paper.

Yet, it must be said that when Chong Xuan Zun was helped off the martial stage by Cao Ji, a crowd of concerned individuals from Qi Country immediately surged forward.

Those from Qi who had come to observe, such as Chong Xuan Sheng and Li Long Chuan, were not few, and at this moment, they were inevitably worried for their country’s heavenly pride. Both proud and worried.

Wang Yi Wu was the first to rush to Cao Ji’s side; if not for knowing Cao Ji’s abilities, he would have been utterly distraught, wishing he could act to save him himself.

Chong Xuan Sheng, even more emotionally, grasped Chong Xuan Zun’s hand, tears in his eyes, his voice full of emotion: “Elder Brother, family matters, I will bear them alone. Worry not!”

Chong Xuan Zun’s injuries almost healed on the spot.