Everyone fell silent this time. With Su Fan's opening, they actually began to revere Hu Xuelan.
Who knew if Hu Xuelan was like Su Fan? Moreover, Hu Xuelan was the one Young Master Long had specifically requested to take away. It was only because new candidates emerged that Hu Xuelan didn't secure a spot then.
"Uh, Junior Sister, we're just sparring. Can you not go all out?"
Finally, someone stepped forward. These two spots couldn't be given up so inexplicably. At the very least, they needed to know if Hu Xuelan truly possessed the strength to claim these spots.
Hu Xuelan didn't speak, her expressionless gaze fixed on him.
This made cold sweat stream down his face. The oppressive aura made him somewhat nervous.
"I am Yin Fei'ang. Please enlighten me!"
Yin Fei'ang, steeling himself, bowed to Hu Xuelan.
"Hu Xuelan."
Hu Xuelan returned the bow to Yin Fei'ang. This was a rule of the martial world. Since the other party had announced his name, she had to reciprocate the courtesy.
"Forgive my offense!"
Yin Fei'ang gave a warning and suddenly erupted with astonishing speed, charging towards Hu Xuelan.
Su Fan's eyebrows twitched. This person's speed was nearly comparable to his own, and Su Fan had been using "Meteor Chasing Moon."
Hu Xuelan frowned slightly. Yin Fei'ang's speed also presented her with a challenge.
"Stop!"
Hu Xuelan clenched her fists and slammed them downwards.
The ground seemed to be impacted by something. Centered on Hu Xuelan, the ground within a ten-meter radius sank about ten centimeters.
Yin Fei'ang, in mid-charge, felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, almost causing him to fall.
"Grav... Gravity!"
Yin Fei'ang said with difficulty.
The sudden increase in gravity instantly slowed him down, making it impossible for him to maintain his previous speed.
And aside from his speed, he had no other outstanding abilities. The outcome of this match was already decided; he had lost.
Hu Xuelan was also an ability user. Her ability was gravity control. She could manipulate gravity up to tenfold within a ten-meter radius. However, this was already formidable. Combined with ancient martial arts, it was a deadly combination. With this advantage, anyone approaching her would be restricted.
"I concede."
Yin Fei'ang directly admitted defeat, saving some strength to compete for the remaining spots later.
Hu Xuelan released her control over Yin Fei'ang, who then gasped for air.
The feeling of doubled gravity had made it difficult for him to even breathe.
"Who else?" Hu Xuelan asked, scanning the surroundings again.
Silence fell once more.
They had seen it now. If she hadn't had the confidence, she wouldn't have dared to demand two spots. It was better to just give them to her. After all, there were still six spots left.
With Qi Xiong gone, another spot had opened up.
Hu Xuelan returned to her team with satisfaction.
What followed was the competition among the remaining individuals. It was fierce and tragic.
Because their strengths were comparable, the battles were exhausting. Often, immediately after one fight, they would face another challenge, leading to many injuries, severe wounds, and even deaths.
After some time, the brutal battles finally concluded.
Ten people remained on the scene: Su Fan, Su Bei, Hu Xuelan and Xiao Lan, Yin Fei'ang, and five less significant individuals.
The ten spots were perfectly filled.
"Congratulations, you have earned the qualification to enter the Ancient Heritage Land."
At this moment, an old man descended from the sky and stood before everyone.
With a flick of his hand, ten streams of light shot into the hands of everyone present.
"In one week, someone will escort you to the Ancient Heritage Secret Realm. Bring your tokens; we recognize the token, not the person," the old man said before turning and walking down the mountain. His seemingly slow pace caused him to vanish down the mountain in mere blinks of an eye.
Su Fan looked at the token in his hand. It was a black iron token, with the character "令" (Ling) on the front and "神" (Shen) on the back. Apart from that, there was nothing special about it.
"Hello."
As Su Fan was about to leave, Hu Xuelan and Xiao Lan approached.
"Hello."
Su Fan was a bit bewildered but still greeted them.
He didn't know why Hu Xuelan was looking for him.
"Interested in cooperating?" Hu Xuelan cut straight to the chase, stating her purpose.
The situation of the Ancient Heritage Land was still unknown. Even Young Master Long had gathered ten individuals he deemed the strongest as partners. Hu Xuelan had to be cautious.
If she were to find someone to cooperate with, Su Fan was undoubtedly the best candidate. Besides Young Master Long's group, Su Fan was the strongest. Moreover, he had a companion, so finding him meant finding two people. And with Xiao Lan on her side, they would form a group of four.
"Cooperate? How would we cooperate?" Su Fan was very interested. He was curious about the ancient heritage, but he didn't know what the heritage land was like. He wondered if these disciples from the sects knew anything about it.
"Once we reach the heritage land, we will help each other. We will face enemies together and discuss how to obtain treasures," Hu Xuelan said sincerely, having even considered how to divide the treasures.
"Sounds good. We'll discuss it then," Su Fan did not agree immediately. Cooperating with strangers was something Su Fan felt needed further consideration.
Hu Xuelan did not press the issue, only watching Su Fan and Su Bei leave.
"Wow! So handsome!" Xiao Lan looked at Su Fan's retreating back with a lovesick expression.
"Stop daydreaming and let's go back."
Hu Xuelan couldn't help but flick her junior sister's forehead again, pulling her back to reality from her fantasy.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Lan pouted angrily, then left Mount Taiping with her senior sister.
After descending the mountain, Su Fan and Su Bei found Su Dongsheng.
"You two are quite capable. You both got spots?" Su Dongsheng said with slight surprise.
"Just so-so, third in the world," Su Bei said with a grin.
"Stop joking. You think you got a spot on your own? What's really going on?" Su Dongsheng deflated Su Bei's ego and asked.
Su Bei helplessly told the truth.
"Su Fan?" Su Dongsheng scrutinized Su Fan, as if looking for something different about him compared to ordinary people.
"I said before that you could rival me in my youth, and I was wrong," Su Dongsheng shook his head.
"Even in my youth, I wasn't as monstrous as you! How did you cultivate? What is the origin of your master?" Su Dongsheng asked with a look of astonishment.
Exhibiting the strength of the Yaoguang realm while being in the Dongming realm was simply impossible! Even with ability enhancements, it couldn't be achieved. The gap was not something an ability could bridge.
"I don't know either. He taught me a few things and then left," Su Fan said, pretending to scratch his hair sheepishly.
"From what I see, your master must be a powerful figure. The name he gave you is likely fake. I'll help you investigate; perhaps I can find some clues," Su Dongsheng was very interested in Su Fan's master. Using the excuse of helping Su Fan find his master, he wanted to investigate this person who claimed to be "Xiaoyao."
Su Fan wanted to stop Su Dongsheng, but then he thought that "Xiaoyao" was something he had made up. What clues could Su Dongsheng possibly find? So, he let him be.