1088: Chapter 283 1088: Chapter 283 Huo Fanqi knew that Xiang Ziyu was a genius, a rare genius at that.
After all, aside from his secret techniques, how could someone who managed to keep up with his own speed for such a long time without any mana problems not be considered a rare genius?
But what of a rare genius?
Hadn’t he defeated many a rare genius before?
Xiang Ziyu looked around; he truly didn’t know where his master was nor whether his master had begun the challenge yet.
He couldn’t dare to wait any longer.
He purposely raised his voice and called out, “Fine, then I’ll give you another chance.
You are a disciple of a Great Teaching, so you can’t go back on your word in front of all these people.
If you do, with so many witnesses, you’ll lose face when it gets out.”
He was still being low-key.
If it were his former self, he would have said that the Sacred Flower Sect had lost enormous face, but he was worried that by doing so, the people of the Sacred Flower Sect would feel insulted and, if they fought him, how could he beat his master?
“Rest assured, I, Huo Fanqi, am not going to welsh on that little trinket of yours, and besides, the ultimate loser will definitely be you.”
As Huo Fanqi spoke, he moved forward.
Many people were gathered in this area, among them a group wearing robes with an image of a Cloud Reaching Palace in the middle, obviously disciples of the Cloud Reaching Sect.
Huo Fanqi gave a cupped fist salute to several people and asked, “Sirs, may I know when we can begin the challenge?”
The challenge wasn’t about gathering one hundred people so they could begin on their own.
After all, the first challenge allowed one hundred entrants, with only the top ten proceeding.
What if, among those hundred, seventy to eighty were from the same force or were well-acquainted with each other?
Then what business would it be of outsiders?
Therefore, during the challenge, people from all the major sects would be selected from among those who reached a certain number, and they would enter the formation separately.
The disciple in charge from the Cloud Reaching Sect surveyed the crowd.
There seemed to be no significant number of people from a single force or many acquainted with each other, so allowing them into the Great Formation seemed suitable.
They were also keen to see the results of the contest between the Sacred Flower Sect’s genius and this unfamiliar cultivator.
“You may enter now.” One of the responsible disciples scanned the crowd and gestured to a group of people, “You, follow me.”
Among those selected were Xiang Ziyu and Huo Fanqi.
Xiang Ziyu couldn’t wait to enter the Great Formation and immediately followed upon hearing the call.
Soon, he followed the group to the side of the mountain gate.
Although it was just the side of the mountain gate, one could still see the towering formations around, with mist swirling around them.
Suddenly, the person in charge from the Cloud Reaching Sect, made several hand seals and cast them into the mist ahead.
Immediately, the mist dissipated, revealing a gorge, and beyond it, one could see a towering mountain.
The person pointed toward the mountain and said, “Once you enter the gorge, a bell will sound.
After the bell chimes three times, you may use any means to rush into the mountain, and the first ten will advance to the next round.”
“Although anything you do within the gorge is permitted…”
“Today is, after all, a grand event hosted by our Cloud Reaching Sect, and we would prefer not to see anyone perish.”
Hearing this, everyone around immediately understood the implication: it was okay to take action within, but it was best not to deal lethal blows.
Of course, if someone was killed, they could still proceed to the next round, but the Cloud Reaching Sect would not be pleased, and the consequences would be for them to weigh.
With a simple statement, the speaker pointed at the gorge and said, “That’s all, you may now enter the gorge.”
At the fall of those words, people started entering the gorge, with Xiang Ziyu and Huo Fanqi following suit.
Before entering the gorge, no one had released their full fighting strength, but once inside, everyone began to unleash their Golden Cores.
For a moment, Golden Cores rose one after another.
Xiang Ziyu was surprised to find that there were cultivators of all levels of cultivation here.
There were cultivators like himself with Nine Abnormal Phenomenon Golden Pills, Eight Abnormal Phenomenon Golden Cores, Golden Cores at the eight layers, and even those with just a single Golden Pill—not to mention those with Ten Different Phenomena of Golden Elixir Great Perfection.
Furthermore, he noticed that the cultivators of the Eastern Province had Golden Pills with more numerous phenomena on average than those of the Eastern Wasteland, though perhaps this was because those confident in their abilities were the ones attempting the challenge, and those with lesser strength, knowing they wouldn’t succeed, didn’t come.
At the same time, he also noticed that many around him were sizing him up, their eyes filled with wariness and malicious intent.
Not only him, but everyone with Ten Different Phenomena of Golden Elixir Great Perfection, as well as those with Nine Abnormal Phenomenon Golden Pill Perfect Completion and Nine Abnormal Phenomenon Golden Pills, were being watched by others.
After all, out of a hundred people, only ten could move on to the next round, and these individuals seemed surface-wise to have the best chance.
“Boom…”
Suddenly, a low bell rang out.
Instantly, many withdrew their gazes from their surroundings and began to concentrate their mana, with some already releasing their Protective Divine Power.