Peerless Dragon Sovereign-Chapter 586: The Fifth Hall Master, Lan Zhanhan

Chapter 586: Chapter 586: The Fifth Hall Master, Lan Zhanhan

Today is the day of the selection ceremony for the Ninth Hall Master of the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall.

Since Hai Wujie’s death, many powerful warriors have been secretly maneuvering for this position, causing the entire Desolate Ancient City to be shrouded in an atmosphere of tension.

However, when the moment finally arrived, the whole city was immersed in a passionate and joyous atmosphere.

On the enormous square at the center of Desolate Ancient City, tens of thousands of martial artists gathered.

From those in the Yang Wheel to cultivators of the Ninth Heaven, no one was absent. There were Martial Arts Families, Desert Wanderers, and warriors from various halls, including Hall Masters.

Even the Elder Council of the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall, consisting of thirty-six elders, appeared altogether.

The reserves from each hall’s hall masters also personally attended.

To demonstrate the importance of selecting the Ninth Hall Master, two hall masters from the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall, residing high above the heavens, descended personally!

They sat at the highest point on the square, in a place closest to the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall, overlooking everyone in the city, receiving everyone’s veneration and admiration.

The Eighth Hall Master, the Withered Soul, was an elder dressed in sackcloth, appearing aged and harmless, like a peaceful old man.

However, he was the foremost Soul Dao master in the Celestial Crossing Realm, and even Ninth Heaven martial artists couldn’t compare to the might of his soul.

Although merely the Eighth Hall Master, his status was extremely high.

Beside the Withered Soul was a male martial artist clad in blue, surrounded by frost, capable of causing the air temperature to plunge. His expression was icy, with eyes like ancient glacial ice.

Though he appeared young, his cultivation was far above the Withered Soul’s.

This was the Fifth Hall Master of the Desolate Ancient Holy Hall, Lan Zhanhan.

Previously, when condemning Hai Wujie, Lan Zhanhan had wanted to put Hai Wujie to death, but unexpectedly failed in the end.

However, no one expected that Hai Wujie, who intended to atone for his crimes by going to the Qin Kingdom, would be killed by an unknown assailant, which made Lan Zhanhan very happy. He quickly joined the struggle for the Ninth Hall Master.

Just like Zhao Shibang was naturally the top heir for the Ninth Hall Master, and the Withered Soul supported Zhuge Yun, Lan Zhanhan also chose his own proxy to join this struggle.

There were other hall masters who hadn’t appeared, all hoping to place the position of Ninth Hall Master into the hands of their own people.

Currently, there are six contenders in the competition for the Ninth Hall Master. Aside from Zhao Shibang, the rest are from the Elder Council.

Zhuge Yun is the biggest favorite, while the other great favorite, Zhao Shibang, surprisingly had not appeared until the incense before the selection.

The Withered Soul and Lan Zhanhan didn’t mind this.

Zhuge Yun was also uneasy, as he had already acknowledged Chu Nan as his master. If Chu Nan didn’t show up for this contest for the Ninth Hall Master’s position, he would have no choice but to seize it himself.

"Eighth Hall Master, Zhao Shibang has been delayed for too long. I think we need not wait for him any longer?" As the time drew near, Lan Zhanhan slowly said.

The Withered Soul’s eyes slightly narrowed, and he showed a trace of ruthlessness on his seemingly benevolent face: "It seems Zhao Shibang doesn’t want to participate in this selection. In that case, let’s begin swiftly."

"After all, the First Hall Master also hopes to determine the Ninth Hall Master quickly."

Lan Zhanhan nodded, then slowly rose and stood in the air, his voice resonating throughout the Desolate Ancient City Dao: "The selection for the Ninth Hall Master, now..."

"Wait!"

At this moment, a hoarse voice came, and everyone turned to see a figure in a blood robe rushing towards the square at high speed.

Judging by the appearance, isn’t it Zhao Shibang?

Seeing Zhao Shibang, Zhuge Yun breathed a sigh of relief, finally arriving at the last moment.

"Zhao Shibang" arrived at the venue, quickly finding the position of the Blood Corpse Hall Master, then said: "I’ve been in seclusion and cultivation for many days and lost track of time; I hope my fellow Daoists will forgive me."

Lan Zhanhan snorted coldly. Zhao Shibang was a strong contender for the Ninth Hall Master, so he secretly did not wish for his appearance.

But he could only respond, "No problem. Since everyone is present, let the selection for the Ninth Hall Master begin now."

As the words fell, someone sounded the war drums, with thunderous sounds echoing throughout the venue, exciting everyone’s nerves, bringing a hint of madness to their faces.

Next to Lan Zhanhan, the Withered Soul eyed Zhao Shibang like a prey, feeling something off about Zhao Shibang, who arrived so tardily even though he looked exactly the same.

The Withered Soul’s intuition was not mistaken; the Zhao Shibang who arrived last was not the real one, but Chu Nan in disguise.

Chu Nan at this moment looked almost identical to the mummified Zhao Shibang, even seeming more like a mummy than the original Zhao Shibang.

As the selection began, Chu Nan and the other five participants flew to the sky to draw lots.

The selection rules were simple: "To the victor go the spoils."

No matter your status or position, if you can defeat all the contenders, you naturally become the Ninth Hall Master.

Each round adopted a two-versus-two model until one person was left standing.

Chu Nan was confident, with the apparent strongest being him and Zhuge Yun, and since Zhuge Yun had already acknowledged him as master, if he won, it would mean Chu Nan won as well.

The fate of the Ninth Hall Master was therefore self-evident.

The draw concluded with Chu Nan entering the first round last, facing the Ninth Elder of the Elder Council.

A peak of the Fifth Heaven, practicing the Thunder Dao martial artist.

Zhuge Yun went first, facing the Thirteenth Elder of the Elder Council, Bu Qingfeng, who had reached the Sixth Heaven.

It was acknowledged from the Elder Council’s rankings that Zhuge Yun’s strength was considered superior to Bu Qingfeng, but the match was still a subject of much attention and discussion.

Everyone knew that Bu Qingfeng had recognized the Fifth Hall Master, Lan Zhanhan, as his godfather a year ago, with the Fifth Hall Master backing him.

With the Fifth Hall Master’s support, there was a slight possibility that Bu Qingfeng could become the Ninth Hall Master!

"Withered Soul, you old fox, did you rig the draw just now? How else could Bu Qingfeng face Zhuge Yun in the first round!" Lan Zhanhan complained to the Withered Soul, with a frosty expression.

The Withered Soul remained confident and unconcerned, saying: "The Fifth Hall Master jests, what power does an old man like me have to rig the draw?"

"But honestly, Bu Qingfeng’s strength is too weak, even worse than Zhao Shibang, better to finish early to avoid injuries that are hard to treat..."

"Zhuge Yun is supremely talented, only he is truly qualified to become the Ninth Hall Master."

Lan Zhanhan cursed inwardly at the old fox, fully aware of the Withered Soul’s intent and thoughts.

Among the six, Zhuge Yun was the strongest on the surface, theoretically the most likely to become the Ninth Hall Master, and the Withered Soul was utterly convinced of this.

But merely becoming the Ninth Hall Master was not enough; the Withered Soul hoped to solidify Zhuge Yun’s position by defeating Lan Zhanhan-supported Bu Qingfeng.