A challenge across ranks had never been a trifling matter, and all the more so since the tall poppy is always the first to be cut down. In a situation like this, whoever stepped forward first to issue such a challenge would bask in the limelight, but would just as surely come under crushing pressure — especially since the higher-ranked disciple being challenged would hold nothing back, for if he were truly to be beaten by a lower rank in full view of everyone, he would never be able to show his face again.

Wei Zhao was a master at the great consummation of the Foundation Establishment stage, already standing at the very highest rank permitted in the Trial Grand Tournament, so there was naturally no question of his challenging above his level. As for Qiu Lingshan and the others, they had all only recently entered Foundation Establishment, so of course none of them entertained the wild notion of a cross-rank challenge, and all waited quietly for the drawing of lots.

Half an incense stick's worth of time passed, and still no one came forward to issue a cross-rank challenge. Xin Yi'an gave a dry cough and was just about to announce the drawing when at last someone spoke: "Uncle-Master Xin, why not let me give it a try?"

At these words the crowd broke into an uproar, every gaze fixing upon a young man. He had a fine, clear-featured countenance, and there was about him a gentle, placid air, so that at first glance he seemed altogether aloof from worldly contention. Yet on closer inspection, one could clearly perceive that beneath that placidity lurked an indescribable, vast and surging presence.

Even Wei Zhao could not help but sigh inwardly at the sight. This young man was no ordinary figure!

"Ling Tianyou of the Thousand Blades Sect. Whom do you intend to challenge?" Xin Yi'an inquired. Faced with this Ling Tianyou, even he, the elder leading the expedition, did not dare to be the least bit careless.

One had to understand that this young man was the junior sect master of the Thousand Blades Sect — and that was far more than merely being a cultivator of noble birth. Ever since the previous sect master of the Thousand Blades Sect had died at the hands of a demonic cultivator, Ling Tianyou, young as he was, had already taken the seat of sect master, and though his strength now stood only at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, he nonetheless enjoyed the unanimous support of every man in the Thousand Blades Sect, high and low.

And this was not merely because he carried the bloodline of the former sect master. The太古小江湖 — the Little World of the Primordial Age — was a world where strength commanded respect; without formidable power, a bloodline inheritance was nothing but a joke. That Ling Tianyou could win the recognition of the entire Thousand Blades Sect with nothing but the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage came, naturally, not from absolute strength, but from an incomparable, transcendent talent.

Rumor had it in the byways that though the foremost Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Primordial Alliance was Xue Jianming of the Snow Sword Sect, this was only because Xue Jianming was loud and ostentatious, whereas Ling Tianyou, for all that he was junior sect master of the Thousand Blades Sect, kept an exceedingly low profile and very rarely crossed blades with anyone. Only the disciples within the Thousand Blades Sect knew a thing or two about him. If the two of them ever truly had the chance to fight, who would win and who would lose was very much open to question — indeed, more people might well favor Ling Tianyou. He was the uncrowned king.

"Heh heh. Now this is interesting. Ling Tianyou is surely going to challenge Xue Jianming — this is a contest for the title of foremost Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Primordial Alliance!" the crowd exclaimed in excitement. Ling Tianyou was a master at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, so the only rank he could challenge above his own was the great consummation of Foundation Establishment, whose representative figure was none other than Xue Jianming.

Just who was the stronger of the two, Xue Jianming or Ling Tianyou, was a question that had long been argued endlessly in the byways. It was only a pity that the two were like kings who never met. Well, now at last they could settle the matter before all eyes.

So the fellow really does want to challenge me? Xue Jianming muttered to himself. To be honest, if he were still a master at the great consummation of Foundation Establishment, he might well have felt some trepidation, for Ling Tianyou was no trifling opponent. But now that he had already reached the early Golden Core stage, there was nothing left to worry about.

However formidable Ling Tianyou might be, could he really challenge the early Golden Core stage with nothing but the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage? What a joke!

"Uncle-Master Xin, the one I wish to challenge is him." Ling Tianyou smiled faintly, his gaze settling upon a single person. At once the whole hall erupted into an uproar again — the one he meant to challenge was not Xue Jianming at all, but Wei Zhao.

"You want to challenge me?" Wei Zhao was somewhat taken aback as well.

"That's right. This should be acceptable, should it not?" Ling Tianyou confirmed, his trademark gentle smile still fixed upon his face.

"It is acceptable." Xin Yi'an nodded. He did not know why Ling Tianyou had suddenly chosen to challenge Wei Zhao, but by the rules of the Trial Grand Tournament there was indeed nothing improper about it — and Wei Zhao could not refuse.

"May I ask why you chose me?" Wei Zhao asked curiously. It was no surprise that a man like Ling Tianyou should take the path of a cross-rank challenge, but to pass over the disciples of the Primordial Alliance whose strengths and weaknesses he knew well and fix upon himself instead — did he think him the softest persimmon to squeeze?

"Forgive my presumption — it is purely out of curiosity," Ling Tianyou said with a slight nod.

"Curiosity? That's rather interesting." Wei Zhao could not help but be amused at this. He turned to Xin Yi'an and said: "Then may we begin?"

"You may. The regular drawing of lots will not begin until the cross-rank challenge is concluded." Xin Yi'an nodded, then added in a low voice: "Martial Grand-Uncle, this Ling Tianyou is no ordinary figure. You must deal with him with the utmost care. If you are beaten in a cross-rank challenge, it is not merely a loss of face — more importantly, you will forfeit your qualification for the trial outright."

Though this had not been stated outright a moment ago, everyone knew it was the obvious implication. In this Trial Grand Tournament, even disciples who came off worse in a duel against an opponent of their own rank would have their qualifications stripped. If one were to lose a cross-rank challenge, needless to say, it would be even worse.

"I know." Wei Zhao smiled indifferently. This Ling Tianyou did indeed seem a little unfathomable, but it was a pity that his own true body was a match for masters of the Giant Head stage. However strong Ling Tianyou's aptitude might be, in his eyes he was no more than a tender sprout that had not yet grown — there was truly nothing to worry about.

The cross-rank challenge drew every eye, and at once the whole assembly withdrew to the sides, leaving the field to Wei Zhao and Ling Tianyou.

"Then I must beg your pardon." Ling Tianyou bowed with cupped hands, smiling, and then, before the watching crowd, slowly drew a silk ribbon from his bosom. Everyone stared in bewilderment — could this ribbon possibly be his weapon?

"This Ling Tianyou is spoken of as though he were a god, so why would he use such an effeminate weapon?" The crowd could not help but exchange glances.