Cheers echoed continuously as countless beings converged, their gazes burning with fervent anticipation towards the foot of the 107th peak.
Di Tianzheng shed his smug demeanor, adopting a humble expression and a gentle smile as he greeted the crowd.
His moment of glory had arrived, filling him with excitement and exhilaration!
A youth, gaunt as a gibbon and covered in silver needles, brushed past him.
Di Tianzheng sneered, unable to resist a taunt, "Heh, it seems even stray cats and dogs dare to climb the 107th peak now. Don't you have any self-awareness?"
However, the youth completely ignored him, walking up the mountain without a backward glance.
Being so utterly disregarded infuriated Di Tianzheng.
If not for the need to maintain his image in front of everyone, he would have surely killed the fellow.
"Esteemed fellow cultivators, you flatter me too much. How could I, Di, possibly deserve such favor from all of you..."
Di Tianzheng spoke loudly, cupping his fists and greeting the gathered crowd.
His heart was already bursting with joy.
Next, he expected to be showered with adoration, surrounded by admiring women, and sought after by influential figures from various factions, all eager to forge connections.
Di Tianzheng was convinced that after today, his name would be renowned, his star would ascend, and he would become the most dazzling prodigy in the Blood State, and indeed, the entire Immortal Spirit Realm.
However.
Things did not unfold as he had imagined.
There was no widespread admiration, no women throwing themselves at him or sending him flirtatious glances, and no one approached him to converse or build rapport.
In fact, their gazes never even fell upon him.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. How can all these scoundrels be ignoring me, acting as if I'm invisible?"
Di Tianzheng was stunned.
He had considered countless possibilities, but never this outcome.
No one was paying him any attention. Were all these bastards blind?
What was even harder for him to accept was that everyone's attention was following the "needle man," their expressions filled with fervent admiration.
It was then he realized that the cheers and the gathering crowd were not for him, but for someone else.
In other words, this had nothing to do with him, and he had misinterpreted everything!
At that moment, Di Tianzheng was mortified, his face flushing red, wishing he could dig a tunnel with his toes and escape this place immediately.
It was too utterly embarrassing.
He was the clown in this whole affair!
As the saying goes, good deeds are not known beyond the door, but bad deeds spread for a thousand miles.
Di Tianzheng was absolutely certain that his embarrassment today would soon become common knowledge.
Instead of becoming famous, he would be a laughingstock, a colossal joke.
"What exactly is going on?"
Di Tianzheng quickly found cultivators from the Di family to understand the situation.
Upon learning the reason, his lungs nearly exploded with rage.
He had already been upstaged by this mysterious expert once before. Unexpectedly, misfortune struck again, and this bastard had stolen his thunder for a second time.
"You accursed 'needle man,' you've stolen my spotlight and ruined my affairs twice, and you even killed my uncle, Di Pan. For such deep hatred, I, Di Tianzheng, swear to never rest until you are vanquished."
Di Tianzheng's eyes turned bloodshot as he roared, wishing he could kill Ji Mo a hundred times over.
He immediately summoned the Di family powerhouses present, intending to pursue and kill Ji Mo for revenge.
But soon, he changed his mind.
He saw Ying Menglong, descending from the 107th peak, heading directly for the 108th peak without any rest.
Judging by the defiant expression on his face, he clearly couldn't swallow his anger and intended to conquer the 108th peak to reclaim his honor.
Di Tianzheng knew very well that Ying Menglong's strength was no less than his own. If he allowed the other party to gain the advantage, the honor of being the first to ascend the 108th peak would likely elude him.
"The 108th peak is of utmost importance. The priority now is to capture the 108th peak, and then I can seek out that brat for revenge."
Di Tianzheng quickly made his decision.
The 108th peak held the greatest opportunities and fortunes. For many years, no one had managed to reach the summit, and the reward for the first ascent would undoubtedly be immense.
"Hmph, whoever blocks my path shall die. The rewards of the 108th peak belong only to me, Di Tianzheng. No one shall snatch them from me."
Di Tianzheng's face was filled with murderous intent. He immediately ordered the Di family experts to guard the entrance to the 108th peak, allowing no one through.
If Ji Mo appeared, he was to be killed on sight. Even if he couldn't be killed, he had to be stopped.
After making these arrangements, Di Tianzheng also rushed onto the 108th peak, pursuing Ying Menglong.
"What's going on? Ying Menglong actually dares to challenge the 108th peak? Isn't he afraid of death? And Di Tianzheng looks so anxious. Could Ying Menglong actually pose a threat to Di Tianzheng?"
Long Lingli gazed in the direction of the 108th peak, her expression filled with surprise.
She had initially thought that Ying Menglong's constant posturing and mysterious behavior meant his strength was at most on par with her own.
She hadn't expected him to be hiding his abilities so deeply.
"No matter how powerful you two are, you are destined to be mere contenders. The 108th peak is likely only conquerable by this scoundrel."
Long Lingli murmured to herself, surprisingly filled with confidence in Ji Mo.
Subjectively, she believed Ji Mo was the most formidable, and no one could compare to him.
An hour later.
The 107th peak erupted in a brilliant pillar of light, having been completely conquered by Ji Mo.
And the time he took was far shorter than Di Tianzheng's.
"This 'needle man' is so fast, so quick! It's simply unbelievable."
"They say Di Tianzheng is a reincarnated deity, which is why he's so monstrous. But compared to the 'needle man,' he's not even in the same league. Doesn't that mean the 'needle man's' true origins are outrageously vast?"
...
Many people began to discuss, speculating about Ji Mo's origins.
What kind of background could produce such astonishing feats, capable of blowing people's minds?
Ji Mo did not pause. He began his assault on the 108th peak.
He had already absorbed one hundred and seven strands of mysterious substance into his body. If he could absorb the last one, perhaps the secret of the 108 peaks would be revealed.
Ji Mo vaguely felt that these 108 peaks, arranged according to the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend techniques, might hold a great mystery.
"Halt! Those who trespass shall die."
At the foot of the 108th peak, nearly a hundred Di clan powerhouses blocked Ji Mo.
These hundred individuals were no ordinary folk. Their vital energy was robust, and each exuded a terrifying pressure, their auras soul-stirring.
Among them, the five leading figures were the most powerful, their vast Emperor Immortal Realm pressure making those nearby afraid to even breathe loudly.
"What, is this mountain your family's property?"
Ji Mo narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over them one by one.
He noticed that many of them were clad in scales and armor, appearing as if they could be eaten.
"We are from the Di family. If you don't want trouble, leave immediately."
One of the Immortal Emperors spoke, his tone extremely overbearing.
Although Ji Mo was indeed powerful, with five Immortal Emperors and over a hundred powerhouses now present, could they really fear a single person?
"You are the ones who should leave. If you don't make way, then don't blame me for being impolite."