The spear grazed Xu Zimo’s ear, narrowly missing him.
He looked unsteady, as if he might fall over any moment.
“Spear Dao, Triple Kill,” Chang Ruofeng snorted again. His spear moved faster and faster, creating three overlapping afterimages.
Xu Zimo stumbled again and fell to the ground, but somehow still dodged the strike at the last second.
As Xu Zimo kept dodging and got closer, Chang Ruofeng became frustrated and angry. His aura flared, and he slammed his spear into the ground.
Because the arena floor was so hard, the spear didn’t stick and spun in the air.
Spear intent gathered around him, and a sharp pressure formed at the tip of the spear.
“Spear Dao, Red Lotus Seven Kills!” Chang Ruofeng shouted.
Red lotuses formed from spiritual energy floated out from the spear tip.
They increased rapidly in number, hovering in the air.
As the red lotuses fell, the spear turned into a streak of light floating above the arena.
When the spear descended from the sky, it pierced through seven red lotuses in a row and came crashing down with overwhelming force.
The strike covered nearly the entire platform, leaving Xu Zimo no choice but to face it head-on.
Lying on the ground, Xu Zimo didn’t even attempt to counter. He covered his eyes in fear, trembling all over.
Just as the spear was about to strike him, something unexpected happened, a loud bang sounded.
The spear bent mid-air, and its tip veered several meters off course, stabbing into the ground beside Xu Zimo instead.
“Was that a mistake?” someone in the crowd said in surprise.
Even Chang Ruofeng looked stunned. That attack had been flawless, how could it miss?
Lying on the ground, Xu Zimo suddenly launched a counterattack. Without using any external force, he released power from the four strange meridians he had just opened.
Rolling forward suddenly, he slammed his body into Chang Ruofeng.
Chang Ruofeng felt like he had been hit by a speeding carriage pulled by eight horses, a heavy force knocked him off the stage.
According to the rules, stepping off the platform meant losing.
The referee elder twitched slightly but, under Lin Beisheng’s gaze, reluctantly announced:
“In the sect challenge round, Lin Qiu is victorious. He replaces Chang Ruofeng and will join the other three to represent Grand Heaven Mountain at the Nine Heavens Gathering.”
The crowd instantly exploded with noise.
“I don’t accept this!” Chang Ruofeng shouted, hair disheveled.
“How could a useless guy like him represent Grand Heaven Mountain? It’s an embarrassment to the whole mountain!”
“Is that how you speak to your fellow disciples?” Lin Beisheng glanced at him and said coldly.
“Disciples should support each other like family. Even if you can't do that, you shouldn't insult your peers. You're sentenced to three months in the forbidden zone deep within Wind-Thunder Valley. Any objections?”
“No objections, Master,” Chang Ruofeng quickly replied. He realized he had said something he shouldn’t have in a moment of anger.
Lin Beisheng then looked back at the gathered disciples and said loudly:
“I know many of you may not accept this result, but rules are rules. Rules uphold order and respect within our sect, and they are not up for debate. If you had the ability, I wouldn’t object either. Now I officially announce the four disciples who will represent Grand Heaven Mountain at the Nine Heavens Gathering: Lin Feng, Hou Zhen, Xue Qingming, and Lin Qiu.”
As his voice fell, more murmurs spread through the crowd.
“Senior Brother Lin is really lucky, he dodged a few strikes and still won.”
“Yeah, but can that luck carry him through the Nine Heavens Gathering?”
“Sigh, looks like our Grand Heaven Mountain will be last place again this year.”
The opinions varied, but Xu Zimo didn’t care.
Lin Feng looked at him and said with a smile, “Little brother, you really are lucky.”
“Just average,” Xu Zimo smiled back, then asked, “By the way, Senior Brother, I haven’t seen Yang Cheng today?”
“He’s out on a mission. He’ll be gone for a while,” Lin Feng replied.
“I see,” Xu Zimo nodded with a smile.
With the selection complete, the disciples began leaving Wind-Thunder Valley one by one.
Jiang Changsheng was the first to rush over.
“Senior Brother, you’re truly wise and unmatched in strength. Like the bright sun in the sky, lighting up my heart. With just a few moves, you turned your opponent to dust. I’m in awe, really!” he said, laughing.
Xu Zimo chuckled and replied, “Go get ready. We leave the sect tomorrow.”
After the tournament, Xu Zimo returned to his courtyard. Not long after, Lin Beisheng showed up.
“You’ve opened four strange meridians?” Lin Beisheng asked directly.
“Yes,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“You know your condition. Why did you still take part in the selection?” Lin Beisheng looked him in the eyes seriously.
“Even if he had killed you on that platform, I couldn’t have done anything. You only survived because you were lucky.”
“If you never try, how will you know?” Xu Zimo smiled.
“And I succeeded, didn’t I?”
“No need to try. You’re withdrawing from the Nine Heavens Gathering,” Lin Beisheng said firmly.
“Why?” Xu Zimo frowned.
“The real Nine Heavens Gathering is a life-or-death battlefield. Do you really want to die?” Lin Beisheng asked bluntly.
Xu Zimo shook his head. “Father, I have my own plans. I’m not backing out.”
“You… I don’t know what to say to you,” Lin Beisheng sighed in frustration.
“I guess I spoiled you too much growing up. I’ll report this to your grandfather. There’s still time before the Gathering, think it over carefully.”
After saying that, he stormed off.
Xu Zimo didn’t care. Later that afternoon, something stirred in his True Fate World.
When he arrived, Bai Changfeng, the Lord of Hell, was already waiting.
“My lord, I’ve gotten everything out of him. He confessed,” Bai Changfeng reported.
When Xu Zimo saw Yang Cheng again, the man was nearly unrecognizable, his body was torn and covered in wounds.