Targaryen Who Turned Dragon

Aerion was slightly surprised that the Divine Phoenix Emperor had saved a seat for him, right next to himself and Feng Xue'er. But since he had honoured him, Aerion had to accept the honour. However, this would mean that he would be separated from his companions… which was unfortunate.

"Without further ado, Navy Tide Nation, step forth!"

Navy Tide Nation… they usually stood tall over most of the other five nations, ranking second many times. I don't believe they will be second this time, though. My dragonsguard will run straight through them.

Aerion confidently looked down on the Navy Tide Nation, as the strength of their participants were revealed. Most of them were in the Sky Profound Realm, with two half-step Emperors and one early-stage Emperor Profound. The one Emperor seemed to be rather popular and some-what handsome.

Aerion watched with amus.e.m.e.nt at Navy Tide Nation's reaction. It looked like they were proud of their Flower Viewing Prince's strength.

The rest of the nations went one by one, displaying the talents of their young generation. Only the Black Fiend Nation seemed to be able to present an Emperor Profound combatant after the Navy Tide Nation. Naturally, Aerion felt disappointed.

Then it was the Blue Wind Kingdom's turn.

Aerion sat up a little and his bored expression lightened.

"Robb of the Blue Wind Kingdom's Noble Rogue Sect has come forth to contend!"

First up, it was Robb.

The Profound Assessment Stone glowed and a few moments later, his physical age and profound strength were clearly presented.

Twenty-one years old, Emperor Profound Realm level One.

"Not bad." Feng Hengkong commentated.

Aerion smiled. "The best has yet to come."

Following Robb, came Mo Yi and Sun Lin.

Nineteen years old, Emperor Profound Realm level… Five!

Eighteen years old, Emperor Profound Realm level... Five!

"Eh… since when did the Blue Wind Empire produce such talent!?"

"Is this even real…?"

"Hahahaha, under our mighty Emperor we shall no longer be humiliated! We will finally be able to stand proud among the Seven Nations!" One Blue Wind Kingdom spectator stated.

The bombs didn't stop, they kept dropping.

Cai Rong, 19, Emperor Profound Realm level Six.

Wei Ling, 20, Emperor Profound Realm level Six.

Tai Shu, 21, Emperor Profound Realm level Seven.

Fen Juecheng, 24, Emperor Profound Realm level Seven.

"An impressive group you have brought to the Seven Nation Ranking Tournament… perhaps it shall be more exciting this time around."

Everyone sat in awe as the Blue Wind Kingdom revealed an Emperor Profound Realm profound practitioner, one after the other. Clearly their power had ascended past the other five Nations… all that was left was to see the Divine Phoenix Empire's roster and compare the two. The Blue Wind Kingdom had only brought in seven profound practitioners so they were already at a huge disadvantage. If there were going to be another three, then it would no doubt have been Aerion, Izanami and Tai Xia. But their strength… it simply wouldn't be fair.

Aerion is the strongest being on the planet, Izanami is a peak Throne with an overpowered Mangekyou Sharingan and as for Tai Xia… hahaha. She made quite a few leaps thanks to Aerion. She is currently a mid-stage Overlord… Tyrant Profound Realm level Six, to be exact!

Aerion was glad that the mockery of the Blue Wind Kingdom was silenced once and for all, although he had never seen it first hand. The final part of the assessment process was the Divine Phoenix Empire's combatants, supposedly the strongest of them all. They didn't disappoint.

The Divine Phoenix Emperor sat proudly as each of his participants were at least of the Emperor Profound Realm… level five and above with many being in the sixth level! The most impressive of the mighty and talented group was Feng Xiluo, the 14th prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire. He had the strongest profound strength which was Emperor Profound Realm level Nine!

Aerion frowned.

That's no good… a difference of two levels and a diluted, yet still powerful, Phoenix bloodline. Will Juecheng and Shu be able to overcome such a difference?

Honestly, Aerion didn't quite know. Competitive fights tend to have a myriad of possibilities, some where one side wins and others where the other side wins. Simply, Aerion could see it going either way. But it would be wrong not to say that the Divine Phoenix Empire had a clear edge over the Dragonsguard.

Aerion smiled. "Your son is truly talented."

But this young Emperor shall not allow his subjects to fail.

"He is still nowhere near Xue'er in terms of talent."

Aerion nodded. "Xue'er, who do you think would win, my Dragonsguard or the participants of the Divine Phoenix Empire?"

"Big Brother Aerion's Dragonsguard are strong… but I can't see them winning."

The odds are, indeed, tipped against them.

After some time, the first match began. It was the Navy Tide Nation against the Blue Wind Kingdom. The crowd wasn't too enthusiastic since the strength of the Blue Wind Kingdom far outmatched the Navy Tide Nation. All of the Sacred Seven set foot in the arena, standing tall and proud.

"Such trash isn't even worth our time…" Fen Juecheng remarked.

"That Flower Viewing Prince… I'd like to have a go at him." Robb announced.

"Match… start!"

In an instant, the entire roster of the Navy Tide Nation was swept away by sheer strength… apart from Han Ruyu himself. The Dragonsguard stood behind as their Lord Commander walked towards the Flower Viewing Prince.

Tai Shu nodded. "Go on, Lord Commander."

Robb drew his sword and positioned his shield. The Flower Viewing Prince wasn't worried about him… he was worried about the people behind him. Those frightening mid to high level Emperor Profound existences who had swept his entire team. His fellow profound practitioners now laid on the ground, unconscious and unable to assist him in battle. There was no way he could win this battle and he knew it… but at least he can defeat the person slowly walking towards him.

"Come, Flower Viewing Prince, face this Lord Commander!"

"As you wish… hahaha."

It was extremely unorthodox for a cultivator to wield a shield. It was simply unheard of! Aerion smirked, the Flower Viewing Prince lost the moment he accepted the duel. The shield was made by him, it was black with many crimson rubies engraved into it that formed a three-headed dragon… the dragon of House Targaryen. It had extraordinary defensive capabilities, able to cancel out most attacks in the Emperor Profound Realm and below.

The duel finally started. Han Ruyu started with a few aggressive attacks, Robb easily blocked them all with his shield. He smirked. "Flower Viewing Prince, surely you can do a bit more? Your attacks are so predictable… do you spend all your time viewing flowers!?"

"Damn you… you've done it now! I will kill you!!!"

"Hehe, if you want, you can join the Dragonsguard. We spar almost every day... so you would get plenty of opportunities to sharpen your skills!"

"Shut up… don't you dare mock me!"

"How rude, I was giving you the opportunity of a lifetime."

Robb countered, slashing at his face. His attack resulted in a large cut on Han Ruyu's cheek. This, of course, angered him. He started to use a myriad of different ice profound skills… which came to nothing. The shield was impenetrable, the moment any ice touched it, fire came forth from the dragon and melted it.

Robb clearly had the upper hand, there was no doubt. But the angered Han Ruyu couldn't quite see reason. Robb would make small cuts here and there, slowly weakening the Flower Viewing Prince.

"You know, the Heavenly Fire Demon's fire arts work well with anger… maybe you do have a place among the Dragonsguard. But you use ice… that simply isn't compatible."

Robb decided to finish him off with the Wind God's Art. A simple Mighty Wind Slash was more than enough. He fell to the ground with a dozen wounds all over his body.

The crowd did not expect this, but the Dragonsguard did.

"He made the Flower Viewing Prince look like a flower viewing child, truly impressive!" A spectator from the Blue Wind Kingdom commentated.

"That shield is not so simple… did you make it?" Feng Hengkong questioned.

"I forged it in my spare time."

"Wow… Big Brother Aerion can make weapons too?"

"Mhm, I have many talents."

Feng Hengkong smiled, he knew it. The Mighty Heavenly Sword Region did want to recruit him into their ranks after he had forged a powerful sword capable of gathering profound wind out of thin air.

"Blue Wind Kingdom wins against the Navy Tide Nation!"

Naturally, the next match came soon after. The Seven Nation Ranking Tournament was on a tight schedule this time around, after all. The Dragonsguard ran through everything that stood in their way. Unfortunately, they didn't get a proper chance to show off their true strength because the other nations had surrendered before the matches even started! Either way, they were too weak to put up a fight… the Blue Wind Kingdom was simply too powerful! The crowd at least got to enjoy a few competitive matches among the weaker nations. And the most exciting one was yet to come… The Blue Wind Kingdom against the Divine Phoenix Empire! Everyone was looking forward to the arrogant Dragonsguard getting battered around by the Divine Phoenix Sect's mighty 14th Prince and company!

Before the match started, Aerion left his seat and dropped down to the arena.

"Your Imperial Majesty."

The Dragonsguard bent their knees.

"I wouldn't accept a defeat… nor would you all. You all worked extremely hard to get here… it would truly be a disappointment if you were all to lose to the Divine Phoenix Empire and land in second place! They are stronger cultivation strength-wise and have the bloodline of the Divine Phoenix herself, but that doesn't mean they are going to win! Victory is a possibility... and you all shall make it into a reality! They are all used to fighting on their own… while you are all one single unit. You all know what that means… don't you? In my eyes… defeat is not an option. Therefore, I order you all to win! Do so decisively, leave no room for debate! Do you all understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Fen Juecheng nodded and stood up, along with the others.

All of a sudden, the Dragonsguard had gained absolute clarity. Their Emperor's voice filled them with new-found energy and determination. This was what one would call charisma, his order resounded in their thoughts countless times. They would now do everything - and anything in their power to attain absolute victory!