"Who else could it be? Of course, it's Senior Sister Ziwei's beloved disciple, the Holy Son of the Earth Sect—Li Shouzheng!"
Liu Yueru's face contorted into a sinister grin. "This brat is incredibly powerful, decisive in his actions, and most importantly, he has a heart of stone. My disciple, Liu Rushi, died by his hand!"
While Liu Yueru's words seemed to be introducing Li Shouzheng to everyone, they were actually an accusation aimed at the Ziwei Dao Master. Her subtext was clear: the Holy Son of the Earth Sect killed my disciple, so everyone, please judge this matter!
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances and began to whisper amongst themselves. The news that the Earth Sect's Holy Son had defeated Yun Hao, even making him cry, had already spread like wildfire throughout the city. However, this didn't mean everyone was aware of it, nor did it mean that those who knew about it were also aware that the Saintess of the Hundred Flowers Sect, Liu Rushi, was involved. And, that Liu Rushi was now dead.
Therefore, when Liu Yueru brought this up, the expressions on everyone's faces turned to anger! During the Tianjiao Battle, talents from all over gathered. It was normal for conflicts and friction to arise between them. However, killing someone had broken the rules. Thus, when Yun Hao was beaten to tears by Li Shouzheng, people didn't find it particularly noteworthy and even treated it as a joke. But Liu Rushi being killed by him? That was a serious matter.
"Hmph, Ziwei Dao Master, I truly don't know how your Earth Sect disciplines its disciples."
"Disputes between disciples are common, but causing a death is going too far, isn't it? The Earth Sect is truly bullying others!"
"Exactly! Even if there was such deep hatred, it could have been resolved on the arena. Killing someone in private is disrupting the order of the Tianjiao Battle!"
Liu Yueru was beautiful and alluring, with a large following. After she initiated the accusations, many people stepped forward to condemn the Ziwei Dao Master. After all, even though the Earth Sect was powerful, they couldn't afford to incur the wrath of the masses. Their intention was to gang up and force the Ziwei Dao Master to back down.
However, after listening to their barking, the Ziwei Dao Master let out a cold laugh and said calmly, "To my knowledge, the one who truly killed Liu Rushi was the Heavenly Sect's Holy Son, Yun Lan. She died from the effects of the God-Extinguishing Pill, which is a unique elixir of the Heavenly Sect. You all know this, don't you!"
The Ziwei Dao Master's statement silenced the accusers, as it was the truth, verifiable and investigable! She then added proudly, "Furthermore, it is not for others to comment on how the Earth Sect conducts its affairs. I advise you to mind your own mouths and not be used as pawns by others!"
With that, everyone fell silent, realizing that the authority of the Earth Sect's Dao Master was not something they could challenge. However, not everyone was intimidated. Liu Yueru snorted, "Hmph, Ziwei Dao Master, are you trying to suppress people with power? Are you trying to incite public anger? Everyone, isn't that right?"
Liu Yueru attempted to stir up her admirers, but it proved that she had overestimated her standing in the hearts of these men. No one was willing to truly offend the Earth Sect's Dao Master for her sake. Thus, after she finished speaking, the individuals who had been clamoring earlier all lowered their heads, remaining silent as if nothing had happened.
Liu Yueru gritted her teeth in anger but was helpless. In the end, she turned her gaze to Yun Lan. After all, the Hundred Flowers Sect fell under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Sect, and as the Heavenly Sect's Dao Master, Yun Lan had reason to intervene on her behalf. Moreover, she and Yun Lan had some past events that were worth mentioning...
However, Yun Lan maintained his aloof posture, showing no intention of addressing the matter. He even appeared as if he wasn't paying attention to it at all.
"Heh heh, Liu Yueru, you have quite the audacity! What do you think you are, to speak to this seat like that?" The Ziwei Dao Master's phoenix-like eyes widened as she glared fiercely at Liu Yueru.
"I, I, I'm speaking to you like this, what can you do about it?" Liu Yueru puffed out her considerable chest and shouted at the Ziwei Dao Master.
*Slap—*
The Ziwei Dao Master slapped her as if swatting a fly. After the blow, a red handprint appeared on Liu Yueru's face. The Ziwei Dao Master inwardly mused, "So slapping people feels this good. No wonder that troublesome person enjoys it so much!"
Liu Yueru was stunned by the slap, and so were the onlookers. However, the other two leaders of the three great super sects remained silent, acting as if the matter did not concern them. Consequently, everyone else was also intimidated into silence, daring not to offend the Ziwei Dao Master.
"Alright, the time has come, the Tianjiao Battle is about to begin. Let's not waste our time and energy on such trivial matters." Yun Lan finally spoke, effectively putting an end to the discussion...
Liu Rushi's death was merely an insignificant trifle; the Tianjiao Battle was the real business, the important matter!
"Senior Brother Yun is right, let's start the Tianjiao Battle quickly!"
"Indeed, indeed, we mustn't lose sight of the main purpose and forget today's important business!"
After Yun Lan spoke, someone immediately echoed his sentiment. Liu Yueru stood there, stunned and rendered insignificant. Due to the delay caused by these minor issues, the Tianjiao below were growing impatient. Before they could cause a disturbance, the Dao Masters of the three sects and representatives from various major sects walked onto the high platform at the front of the plaza, announcing the official commencement of the Tianjiao Battle.
The first stage of the Tianjiao Battle was simple and brutal: the Dao Masters of the three sects and over thirty representatives from various sects would exert their pressure on the 150 Tianjiao present. This pressure would not kill, but it would make the prodigies very uncomfortable. Those who couldn't withstand the pressure would either voluntarily withdraw or be forced to the ground by the pressure before being eliminated. In any case, when only thirty-two people remained, the first stage of the Tianjiao Battle would be concluded. These remaining thirty-two individuals would then enter the final round.
There was nothing much to say about the first round. For Chen Xiao, this pressure was barely a tickle. However, for most prodigies, the pressure was considerable, as among these 150 participants were cultivators in the Divine Sea realm. The first round of competition did not last long. In just over half an hour, the top thirty-two contenders for this year's Tianjiao Battle had been decided. Among these thirty-two, some appeared calm, believing it was their due; others were ecstatic, these being disciples from small and medium-sized sects. For them, reaching the top thirty-two was already defying fate.
Wang Dong, who had some past connection with Chen Xiao, was among them. However, he no longer remembered Chen Xiao, let alone Chen Xiao's disguise as the Earth Sect's Holy Son. There were also those who were secretly relieved, having been just one step away from elimination. Correspondingly, there were those who were just a step away from advancing. They gritted their teeth, clenched their fists in frustration, and finally deflated, lamenting their near success: "Alas, it was just a little bit short!"
The first round of the Tianjiao Battle also produced a major upset... although, for those who knew the inside story, it wasn't much of an upset. This upset was the early elimination of the Heavenly Sect's Holy Son, Yun Hao! Yun Hao, under the pressure, lasted less than a minute before voluntarily withdrawing from the arena. To everyone's disbelief and astonishment, he then fled the scene of the Tianjiao Battle!
On the high platform, Yun Lan sighed upon witnessing this scene, but quickly regained his composure. It was just a Tianjiao Battle, Yun Lan didn't care. What he cared about was only romance and beauty. Moreover, even if the Heavenly Sect's Holy Son was eliminated, they still had the Heavenly Sect's Saintess to represent them! Yun Jin advanced smoothly, without any pressure. Similarly, the Holy Son and Saintess of the Human Sect also advanced to the final round without any pressure.
Before the arena matches began, Duan Shikong specifically sought out Chen Xiao. He clenched his fist tightly in front of Chen Xiao, his well-defined muscles bulging. "Kid, I hear you've been quite popular lately. I hope you can hold on a little longer, because I intend to make you kneel and beg for mercy with my own hands!" With that, Duan Shikong snorted and arrogantly walked away. Throughout the entire process, Chen Xiao merely looked at him as if he were an idiot, and only after Duan Shikong had walked away did he mutter, "Who is this fool? Utterly inexplicable!"
After the draw, the arena matches officially commenced. Below the high platform, a ten-meter long and ten-meter wide arena was set up. For these cultivators, who were at least in the Divine Sea realm, this hundred-square-meter arena was clearly somewhat cramped. However, it was in such confined spaces that one's skills and abilities were best showcased.
Chen Xiao's opponent in the first round was a cultivator in the early stage of the Void Transformation realm, from the Longevity Sect. After the match began, Chen Xiao defeated his opponent without shedding blood, using only one move to send him off the stage... The Earth Sect's Holy Son, showing his initial brilliance!
Li Miaozhen had good luck, her opponent's strength was only in the Divine Sea realm, which gave her no trouble. After successfully advancing, Li Miaozhen skipped over to Chen Xiao's side, "Holy Son Senior Brother, I've advanced too!"
"I hope we don't draw each other in the next round." Chen Xiao said casually.
Li Miaozhen's expression changed slightly, "Quickly spit, spit, spit! How can you say such unlucky things?"
"Spit, spit, spit..." Chen Xiao quickly spat a few times.
However, these spits clearly had no effect, because Chen Xiao's opponent in the second round was indeed Li Miaozhen. Upon stepping onto the arena, Li Miaozhen was completely stunned. She glared at Chen Xiao and then said resentfully, "Holy Son Senior Brother, it's all your fault for talking nonsense. Now look!"
The highly anticipated internal derby did not materialize, as Li Miaozhen, understanding the situation, wisely surrendered. Chen Xiao smoothly entered the top eight. Shortly after, all the top eight contestants were determined. The Earth Sect's Holy Son Li Shouzheng, the Heavenly Sect's Saintess Yun Jin, the Human Sect's Holy Son Duan Shiqing, and the Human Sect's Saintess Duan Yuyan were all among them.
Among the top eight, there was one person completely shrouded in a black robe, which caught Chen Xiao's attention...