The slots for participation came with numerous restrictions and strict selection rules.
Aside from Jiang Chen and Asura Great Emperor, who served as the two champions, each side's three remaining spots had to be filled by two followers and one personal disciple—and the personal disciple had to be from the younger generation. Alchemists like Lü Feng and Bu, who had been taken in by Jiang Chen, were from the older generation and therefore ineligible to fight.
In practice, this restriction dealt a severe blow to Peacock Sacred Mountain. Of course, it also somewhat hampered Asura Dojo.
By the rules, Peerless Great Emperor was merely Jiang Chen's friend from the martial world. Though he had been invited to lend his support, he was not a member of Peacock Sacred Mountain, and his request to fight was not in accordance with the rules.
His volunteering thus caught everyone off guard, stirring both surprise and excitement—yet upon closer reflection, they realized it was simply impossible.
Put simply, this was a contest between two sects—Peacock Sacred Mountain versus Asura Dojo.
Even Coiling Dragon Great Emperor and Extinction Great Emperor were absolutely barred from fighting.
The same applied on Asura Dojo's side—no matter how much Blue Sea Great Emperor hopped up and down, he could not participate either.
The atmosphere had turned somewhat solemn. Coiling Dragon Great Emperor was well aware of Peerless Great Emperor's reputation—this legendary Great Emperor of the independent cultivator world had risen to fame even before he and Extinction Great Emperor, and his cultivation was likely a cut above theirs.
"Brother Peerless, your bond with Young Master Zhen is like that of brothers—a truly admirable tale. But the fighting rules have their restrictions. We would love nothing more than to see you display your mighty power, but unfortunately…"
Extinction Great Emperor also nodded gently. "Brother Peerless, your reputation precedes you. In terms of both fame and strength, I'm afraid only Brother Peacock in our Glazed Glass Royal City could stand as your equal. We truly wish you could fight, but the rules forbid it."
This was something of an exaggeration in Peerless Great Emperor's favor. He knew that while his fame was considerable, he still fell slightly short of Peacock Great Emperor.
But apart from Peacock Great Emperor, Peerless Great Emperor truly feared no one in the Glazed Glass Royal City—not even Asura Great Emperor.
When he had learned that Asura Great Emperor intended to usurp the throne and bring harm to Jiang Chen, Peerless Great Emperor had been seething with fury. In his view, anything that concerned Jiang Chen concerned him as well.
Peerless Great Emperor gave a slight nod, his gaze resolute beyond measure. Then he smiled faintly. "I know—to fight, one must be a member of Peacock Sacred Mountain. Am I right?"
"Alas, that is indeed the case," Coiling Dragon Great Emperor sighed.
"Then from this moment forth, I request to join Peacock Sacred Mountain! Young Master Zhen, I, Mo Wushuang, have drifted through the martial world for so many years that I've lost count of how many powers have tried to recruit me. But none of them ever moved my heart. However, Peacock Sacred Mountain—and you in particular, Young Master Zhen—have won me over. I hereby sincerely request to join Peacock Sacred Mountain. Let this battle serve as my tribute upon entry!"
The legendary Peerless Great Emperor, joining Peacock Sacred Mountain?
In that instant, everyone felt their minds struggling to keep up.
They stared at Peerless Great Emperor in utter astonishment, trying to determine whether his words were a joke or spoken with genuine sincerity.
They studied him for a long while, but could detect absolutely no hint of jest on his face.
Could it be?
Peerless Great Emperor truly wanted to join Peacock Sacred Mountain?
In that moment, the eyes of both Coiling Dragon Great Emperor and Extinction Great Emperor lit up. If Peerless Great Emperor joined, the void left by Peacock Great Emperor's departure—even if it couldn't be filled entirely—would be at least eighty to ninety percent compensated!
But in the next breath, they couldn't help but overthink it.
Would Peerless Great Emperor's joining Peacock Sacred Mountain overshadow the host and threaten Young Master Zhen's position—or even wrest control from him?
They didn't want to shut the door on a tiger only to let a wolf in through the back.
After all, neither Coiling Dragon Great Emperor nor Extinction Great Emperor had much experience dealing with Peerless Great Emperor. Rumors had it that he was an upright, forthright man.
But rumors could never be taken at face value. While hope certainly welled up within them, they did not dare voice their opinions on their own authority.
The four great sovereigns of Peacock Sacred Mountain harbored much the same thoughts as these two Great Emperors. Their hearts were equally stirred.
Though their courage in volunteering to fight across these thirteen matches was admirable, they harbored serious doubts about their actual chances of winning.
With Peacock Great Emperor absent, they still felt uncertain deep down.
If Peerless Great Emperor joined, it would undoubtedly be a shot in the arm—boosting their odds and perhaps even turning the tide.
After all, in terms of reputation in the martial world, while Peerless Great Emperor couldn't match Peacock Great Emperor, he was at least on equal footing with Asura Great Emperor.
Yet precisely because Peerless Great Emperor's background was so illustrious and his reputation so resounding, their hopes came laced with the same worries that plagued Coiling Dragon Great Emperor and Extinction Great Emperor.
All eyes turned to Jiang Chen. Clearly, at a time like this, it was Young Master Zhen who should have the final say.
Jiang Chen was mildly surprised by Peerless Great Emperor's spontaneous offer.