Seeing Li Xingyun so unmotivated, Wu Tian thought for a moment and said,
"It's not that bad, is it? I think it's better to give it a try."
"I think your strength is very strong, and there's really no need to just quit if you don't want to."
"This can also be considered an exam, to see how far your strength has reached."
"Besides, I will also give you some help when needed."
"Help?" Li Xingyun asked, confused. "No, how can you help me with something like this?"
"Although you are very powerful now, it's me who will be competing."
"If you interfere, I will be immediately disqualified."
Wu Tian smiled and shook his head, "You don't need to think of me that directly."
"Just do your part, and leave the helping to me."
Seeing Wu Tian's persistence, Li Xingyun scratched his head in annoyance and said with some helplessness,
"I understand. Since you say so, I'll trust you for now."
"Anyway, it doesn't matter to me. Do you really think I can win in the end?"
Li Xingyun smiled and left without saying more to Wu Tian.
Watching Li Xingyun's retreating back, Wu Tian wore a thoughtful expression.
He had originally intended to go along with Li Xingyun's wishes, but the current turn of events gave him a strange feeling.
It was as if… fate was forcing Li Xingyun to participate.
Perhaps such an arrangement had its own reasons.
And all he could do was to support him from the side.
Thus, time quietly passed, and the day of the grand assembly finally arrived.
The assembly was held in a dedicated combat arena in the Sword Domain.
It was an exceptionally grand circular arena, with tiered seating ascending around it, and giant sword-shaped stone sculptures encircling the entire combat field.
At this moment, the seats were almost full, and the atmosphere was exceptionally lively.
As the representatives of the Sacred Thunder Sect, Wu Tian and Lei Qianjiao naturally sat closest to the combat stage.
Ling Jianxiao gave a brief introduction to the assembly on stage. During this process, Lei Qianjiao couldn't help but ask in a low voice,
"Wu Tian, your friend, he should be alright, right? Do you think he can win?"
Wu Tian smiled and said, "How would I know what kind of strength he truly possesses?"
"But even setting aside personal feelings, I believe he can still go quite far."
"Don't let his usual nonchalant demeanor fool you. When it comes to actual combat, at the same level, I might not even be his opponent!"
"Is he that formidable?" Lei Qianjiao couldn't help but be surprised.
After all, she had fought alongside Wu Tian many times.
In her opinion, Wu Tian could always unleash combat power that surpassed his current level.
Therefore, when at the same level, Wu Tian almost always won.
But since Wu Tian had said such a thing, she was now looking forward to seeing Li Xingyun's performance.
In fact, Wu Tian's words were not meant as flattery at all.
He and Li Xingyun had once fought together to repel demons. At that time, Li Xingyun was a ninth-grade mid-level spiritual cultivator, but his displayed combat power actually surpassed that realm.
Therefore, Wu Tian was certain that Li Xingyun's actual performance would not be as simple as it appeared on the surface.
About half an hour later, after the speeches on stage concluded, the grand assembly officially began.
Not many people had signed up for this competition, only sixteen in total.
After all, the entry requirements alone had disqualified many.
If, under such circumstances, the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect could produce dozens of disciples who ascended to immortality within a hundred years,
then the reserve of new talent would be truly terrifying.
After drawing lots, the sixteen participants were divided into eight groups.
Looking at the grouping chart, Wu Tian's lips curved slightly.
Li Xingyun and Zhang Qi were in the same half of the bracket!
If nothing unexpected happened, the two would face each other in the semifinals!
"This probability..."
Wu Tian couldn't help but murmur softly.
"It seems it truly is fate's arrangement..."
Since the groups had been decided, the competition officially commenced.
Li Xingyun's match was scheduled for the third round, with the first two rounds featuring battles between lower-grade immortals.
Wu Tian had no interest in those matches.
After all, he was already at the Golden Immortal level. Battles between immortals were like child's play to him.
They held no value for appreciation.
After two rounds, those matches concluded.
It was only when Li Xingyun stepped onto the stage that Wu Tian's spirits lifted, and he focused his attention on the arena.
Regardless of anything else, Li Xingyun's composure was excellent. Even though this was not a competition he wanted to participate in,
he appeared very calm, showing no signs of stage fright.
The opponent across from him looked somewhat familiar to Wu Tian.
After thinking for a moment, he realized it was the follower who had stood behind Zhang Qi previously.
"What a coincidence!" Wu Tian scoffed. "Isn't this a bit too much?"
Li Xingyun smiled at the man and said, "Senior Brother Zhou Feng, I didn't expect we'd meet in this round."
"As you know, I'm only a lower-grade immortal, but you are a genuine mid-grade immortal."
"So, out of consideration for our fellow disciples, please show me some mercy, Senior Brother Zhou Feng."
Zhou Feng was Zhang Qi's subordinate, so he naturally wouldn't have a good impression of Li Xingyun.
Furthermore, Zhang Qi had specifically instructed him to teach Li Xingyun a lesson.
Therefore, this time, he was prepared to thoroughly humiliate Li Xingyun.
He let out a cold snort and said, "Li Xingyun, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"This is a competition, not a trivial skirmish. Do you think I'll go easy on you?"
"I don't care about the difference in strength between us."
"But I apologize, I will give it my all."
"As for whether you can withstand it, that depends entirely on your own ability."
Li Xingyun shook his head and said, "No way, Senior Brother Zhou Feng, do you have to be so serious?"
"You know, this competition wasn't my choice. Can't you give me some face?"
Zhou Feng let out a mocking smile and said, "Of course, I know it wasn't your choice to participate."
"Because I was the one who signed you up."
"What?" Li Xingyun exclaimed in surprise. "So you were involved in this too?"
Zhou Feng laughed heartily and said, "Li Xingyun, you're truly slow-witted, like a stupid pig."
"But even if you know now, what does it matter?"
"Since you're on this stage today, is there any way you can escape?"