Limitless Confusion Immortal Emperor proceeded to introduce the other hot favorites, especially Yang Jian's son Yang Qiang, Nezha's son Limitless Confusion Immortal Emperor, Dong Hua Great Emperor Lord's daughter Peach Cloud Fairy, and Mysterious Spiritual Dipper Empress' daughter Happy Fleece Fairy.

Wu Yu had met all of them before.

There was also Jiang Taiji, the son of Central Ecliptic Great Yellow Horn Immortal. He was well-built, and had a horn protruding from his head. His body looked extremely durable, as if it was made out of some metallic compound. He was also the child of a great immortal emperor, and a highly-watched contender in these Immortal Emperor Trials.

128 participants, whom Limitless Confusion Immortal Emperor introduced one by one.

Basically each time the immortal emperors' children were called, the guests would cheer, but when it came to mortal-risen immortals, the watching immortal emperors sat stiffly. Only the Patriarch Bodhi's disciples would welcome them, having come from mortal backgrounds themselves.

[TN: I recall that in an earlier chapter the author mentioned the Patriarch Bodhi's disciples mostly came from important immortal emperors, and only a few were mortal-born. But now the author seems pretty consistent with this contradiction, so I'm just gonna run with it.]

This was because many of the Patriarch Bodhi's disciples were actually mortals who had ascended. They had no one to support their rise up, and so they were much more kindly disposed towards these mortal-risen immortal kings.

During the introductions, Wu Yu noticed that the gaze of many of the powerful immortal emperors constantly came round to him. These included True Lord Erlang Yang Jian, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li, the Dhrtarastra, and Mighty Miracle God.

They would look at Wu Yu, then lower their heads to speak to their children.

Wu Yu did not know what they were talking about, but got the distinct impression that they were all against him.

Wu Yu was unafraid. Within the Immortal Emperor Trials, all would depend on their abilities. Even if their seniors were here, it was impossible for them to pull any dirty tricks. If the Patriarch Bodhi was angered, all hopes to join the Everlasting Battlefield would be dashed.

"Now that the introductions are complete, it's time to explain the rules."

Limitless Confusion Immortal Emperor finished introducing all 128 people, and then announced the rules. "128 of you will face off in pairs. The winner proceeds, the loser is eliminated. Whoever wins 7 consecutive fights will be crowned champion, and win the right to enter the Everlasting Battlefield!"

The Everlasting Battlefield only opened to 1 person every 50,000 years.

All of the young immortal kings would fight tooth and nail for this. If they won, they would be the proverbial carp that became a dragon, becoming an immortal emperor themselves.

Each time, the Immortal Emperor Trials were contested with vigor, but the competition was exceptionally strong for this iteration.

Of course, the highest caliber candidates were Yang Qiang, Li Tianji, Peach Cloud Fairy, Happy Fleece Fairy, and the additional Jiang Taiji. Their parents were the brains of the sky palaces, and they had been showered with riches since young. They had many epochal immortal treasures and other miraculous treasures in their arsenal.

"Between the 7 bouts, there will be a one year rest period in between each. That is all the rules. May I now invite the Patriarch up!"

Limitless Confusion Immortal Emperor concluded, backing away.

The first round of the Immortal Emperor Trials would begin soon, a total of 64 bouts. The strongest seeds would basically not meet each other. THe pairings were all decided by the Patriarch Bodhi.

Everyone watched as the Patriarch Bodhi rose easily, pulling out the Wheel of Taichi. A lamp glowed on top of it now, following the rotation of the Wheel of Taichi.

This lamp emitted a faint glow that wandered among the 128 competitors. When it stopped on someone, it was their turn to fight.

No one had any complaints regarding the Patriarch Bodhi's way of choosing competitors.

After all, the reputation of the Patriarch Bodhi was flawless. No one could ever accuse him of any biasness. If he wanted to be unfair, he could simply choose a person and allow them into Everlasting Battlefield. There was no need to hold the Immortal Emperor Trials.

The Patriarch Bodhi was the ultimate guarantee of righteousness. He was above reproach.

He had chosen to hold the Immortal Emperor Trials so that the Everlasting Battlefield could be available to all. This in itself already commanded their respect, and so they deferred to him in determining the order.

The Patriarch Bodhi had also merely set the Wheel of Taichi free, to choose randomly.

Ultimately, there was only one winner. So even if two strong candidates matched, there was not much of an issue. Besides, Patriarch Bodhi was choosing them at random.

The light continued to wander through their ranks, everyone watching with bated breath.

Soon, it stopped on a mortal-born immortal king.

This mortal-born immortal king had just been introduced as Undulating Tides Immortal King. It went without saying how difficult it was to rise from mortal roots to become an immortal king.

He was easily angered by nature, but at this moment, there was a serious look in his eyes.

These were the Immortal Emperor Trials. It was not average standard fighting. Everyone here could be stronger, or at least a close fight. He knew the competition he was up against.

Of course, Undulating Tides Immortal King had made a name for himself outside. Despite not having a strong backer, he had risen based on his own ability and talent to become a 9-heavens immortal king. That was quite a feat.

Rumor was that Undulating Tides Immortal King had also faced an eternal immortal emperor before. Although the result had been unclear, but Undulating Tides Immortal King still stood here, competing in the trials, which showed that he was probably good to take on an eternal immortal emperor.

A testament to his ability.

Closely following that, it landed on another person, an immortal emperor child. This was the son of the Demigod of Day, You Dongxuan!

"Dongxuan against Undulating Tides Immortal King? This battle shouldn't be a problem." Demigod of Day chortled.

"Indeed. I heard that Dongxuan often spars with your generals, and is a first tier immortal emperor in strength. This Undulating Tides Immortal King is only a puny mortal rising. Trifling." From beside, Demigod of Night also joined in the laughter, completely snubbing Undulating Tides Immortal King.

The spectator stands were abuzz with discussion. The first fight was always more closely watched.

However, it was clear that all of the elite immortal emperors disdained Undulating Tides Immortal King. After all, You Dongxuan was the son of the Demigod of Day.

Groomed by an immortal emperor, how could a mortal-born hope to compete?

The two took the field.

Undulating Tides Immortal King was dressed in white, with sharp features now tight with worry as he stared at You Dongxuan before him.

You Dongxuan wore loose robes of red, radiating a fiery aura like the sun. His aura completely overwhelmed the starry light of the Giant Astral Prison. He looked over at Undulating Tides Immortal King with a hint of mockery.

"Come on then."

You Dongxuan cocked a finger at Undulating Tides Immortal King.

Undulating Tides Immortal King and the Patriarch Bodhi's disciples were all angered by this. Was You Dongxuan looking down on the mortal-born immortals?

Wild cries soon came from all around, shouting for Undulating Tides Immortal King to teach You Dongxuan a lesson.

Wu Yu was also paying close attention to the fight.

Undulating Tides Immortal King could not stand that mocking. With a cold sneer, he shot forth, his white robes streaming out behind him. He morphed into countless white streaks of light that zoomed towards You Dongxuan!

The white lights seemed to warp space itself. This was Undulating Tides Immortal King's strongest Mystique. His heavenly rule power was blasting through the void itself, imbued into the white light.

This was a versatile move. He could attack or defend with it, retreat or press forward. He could punish the opponent even when he was running away. It was his famous Mystique: White Void Storm!

The white lights streaked forth, but You Dongxuan looked bored.

His red robes twirled, and unspeakably hot light blazed forth like a sun.

"Scorching sun heavenly rule!"

You Dongxuan himself seemed to turn into a sun!

Even the void itself was heating up to deadly temperatures. The Immortal Emperor Trials had suddenly turned into a terrible hell that no ordinary immortal king could have survived.

Undulating Tides Immortal King's white lights were all completely incinerated by the fearsome heat, burning up as they neared You Dongxuan. It posed no threat to him at all.

Undulating Tides Immortal King reappeared far away from You Dongxuan, his white robes now tattered and scorched. He was covered in horrendous burns, and was a woeful heap on the ground. He was rendered completely helpless, his breathing weak. He barely stayed conscious out of sheer determination.

"Victor, You Dongxuan!"

Following Limitless Confusion Immortal Emperor's declaration, the battle was over.

Even before people had gotten fully immersed into the battle, Undulating Tides Immortal King had already been thrashed by You Dongxuan.

"This You Dongxuan is so much stronger than Undulating Tides Immortal King?"

The Patriarch Bodhi disciples were shocked. Was this the difference between a mortal-born immortal and a privileged descendant?