Not to mention the two elders behind him, Fei Chengshu and Fei Chengli, renowned as the infamous Xiu Zhen twin bandits.
Not only are their individual powers exceedingly formidable, but their expertise in joint attacks amplifies their combined strength far beyond mere addition!
Thus, when Tuoba Wenqing spoke, the venue adjacent to the sect competition fell into a hushed silence; unexpectedly, no one was willing to challenge Lingtian Sect first.
During Bai Xiaoge’s battle, Qi Yu’er looked around at the silent crowd and turned to the chief officer to ask, "Chief Officer, they haven’t even made a move yet—still rubbing their palms as before? Why not ignite the spark now?"
"Haha, the rules of the sect competitions—the Three Sects, Four Gates, and One Valley always unfold as a revolving battle. It demonstrates the sheer power of the Three Sects, Four Gates, and One Valley, while also reflecting the shackles of their current status! In simpler terms, the more a tribe under attack expends its strength, the easier it is for the challenger to triumph!"
The master of the pavilion shook the feathered fan in his hand and smiled faintly. "So, Yu’er, if you were faced with the choice—would you prefer to be the first to step forth as cannon fodder for others’ advantage, or would you rather wait until Lingtian Sect’s three prime defenders have spent a fortune of effort, and then sweep in to seize the spoils?"
"Of course, the latter!"
Qi Yu’er spoke without hesitation, but as soon as the words left her lips, she glanced at the still-silent platform and furrowed her brows. "But if everyone is thinking the same, how long might this take?"
After speaking, the pavilion master lit a stick of incense casually. "Although the sect competitions involve numerous factions, to prevent such stalling as you’ve mentioned, each challenge under the Three Sects, Four Gates, and One Valley is limited to one stick of incense. If no one challenges within this timeframe, then it’s considered forfeited outright! So, rest assured, before this incense is halfway burned, someone will surely lose their patience!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Yu’er quickly shifted her gaze from the platform to the burning incense, silently awaiting.
A quarter, then a third, and then halfway through the stick of incense!
Just as Bai Xiaoge’s master had predicted, when the incense had burned slightly past its midpoint, a long whistle suddenly resonated. Three figures leapt from the platform, landing steadily before Tuoba Wenqing.
The three were dressed in black. When the leader ascended the platform, he first bowed to Tuoba Wenqing, then smiled and said, "It seems everyone wishes to wait things out. Let us, the Golden Stone Hall, begin!"
"Golden Cicada Hall?"
Upon hearing the man’s introduction, Tuoba Wenqing furrowed his brows.
As a leader of the Western Region, he understood that there seemed to be no clan authority akin to Jin Shika Great Mansion in the Western Region. However, under the Eastern Domain Mao Dao Sect’s control, he had indeed heard of them.
Therefore, Tuoba Wenqing immediately smiled and said, "So you hail from the Eastern Domain’s Golden Cicada Hall? If you belong to the Eastern Sect, why not challenge the Eastern leaders—the Mad Saber Sect or the Lingtian Sect—instead of targeting Golden Zen Palace?"
"No, no, no! Lord Tuoba, you’ve misunderstood!"
The man chuckled, and his eyes suddenly gleamed with a victorious glint. At that moment, he raised both hands simultaneously.
In an instant, six buzzing sounds emerged—six golden-winged insects, resembling cicadas, flew from his sleeves and shot straight at Tuoba Wenqing!
The crowd erupted into expressions of disgust upon witnessing the unexpected assault during what was supposed to be a formal challenge. This sudden attack naturally drew universal disdain!
However, the sharp-eyed among the spectators, upon seeing the golden-wing flyers, immediately exclaimed, "Is this the Six-winged Golden Cicada? How could this possibly be?"
Six-winged Golden Cicada?
Gasps spread among the crowd as the realization dawned.
It must be understood that the Six-winged Golden Cicada is the ancient embodiment of the Buddhist deity’s golden cicada—a rare and formidable supernatural beast!
Not only is it as precious as a treasure, but it also possesses the ability to devour anything!
For those who cultivate the Dao, encountering it is entirely extraordinary.
As the golden cicadas ravaged the platform, under the elder duo Fei Chengshu and Fei Chengli’s control, the challengers from Golden Cicada Palace were reduced to a blood mist. A solemn air spread over the faces of all watching the battle.
Though it was long known that every four years, the sect competitions could bring drastic changes to a sect—even elevating one to regional dominance—
All of this hinges on power!
Evidently, the Three Sects, Four Gates, and One Valley’s strength lies in such demonstrations of might.
Any clan hoping to replace them, without extraordinary capabilities, is merely courting destruction!
The death of those from Golden Cicada Hall served as undeniable proof!
As the atmosphere grew heavier, Tuoba Wenqing maintained his relaxed and cheerful demeanor. He shook his fan and chuckled: "Time is running out. I wonder—is there anyone else who dares challenge Lingtian Sect? If not, for the next 400 years, I will continue as the leader of the Western Region."
After his words fell silent, the leaders and elders of tribes outside the Three Sects, Four Gates, and One Valley remained wordless; none stepped forward.
About half a stick of incense later, Li Yicai, seated above, slowly opened his mouth and declared, "No one has successfully challenged Lingtian Sect. For the next 400 years, the Western Region shall remain under Lingtian Sect’s control."
"Thank you, Lord Li!"
Tuoba Wenqing immediately bowed to Li Yicai, Gongyang Yun, and Tianxing. Then, together with the two elders, Fei Chengshu and Fei Chengli, he returned to Lingtian Sect’s seat.
This marked the completion of Lingtian Sect’s mission and objective in this sect competition!
Subsequently, the draws for the second and third rounds gradually unfolded.
However, due to the lesson learned from Golden Chicken Hall, whether it was the Mad Saber Sect or the Hehuan Sect, they were relatively easy to deal with.
Although occasionally a sect would challenge them, it was merely superficial—just leaving room for retreat.
As for Wanhua Valley, as usual, no one dared challenge it.
Wanhua Valley is truly a sect of nuns. Ordinary clans avoid provoking them, as their reputation for bullying women and children precedes them.
However, located on Fenghua Island, Wanhua Valley holds mysteries that only they can comprehend.
Even if one were to defeat Wanhua Valley, it remains impossible to usurp their position on Fanghua Island.
Nonetheless, the clans were not disheartened but rather eager to try, because at this moment, of the Four Gates and One Valley, the Three Sects and One Valley had passed their challenges, leaving only Yang Tian’s Divine Sword Sect!
Shenjian Gate controls the Northern Region and stands as its undisputed lord—a might rivaling that of previous challengers like Mad Saber Sect.
But now, in everyone’s eyes, it resembles an enticing cake!
Firstly, the sect’s three elders, Ye Wudao and Tian Deren, notorious thieves, had not arrived.
Though they were unfamiliar with Di Hai and Su E, Suena’s early notorious deeds were impossible to conceal!
It must be noted that among the Four Great Sects, unlike Mao Dao Sect, Hehuan Sect, or Lingtian Sect—those who had merely emerged in their ferrying stage—Suena had entered it far earlier!
Thus, in simpler terms, Shenjian Gate was undeniably the weakest among the four contenders in Dabie City.
Secondly, Yang Tian harbored deep resentment against the heavens.
Although Yang Tian’s heart remained inscrutable, unquestionably, no one anticipated that he, the esteemed Ghost King Clan Leader of the Three Sects, would lose to an unknown boy from the Heavenly Public Guild!
More importantly, everyone had seen the method by which Yang Tian was slaughtered earlier—it was swift and merciless!
Therefore, on this day, no matter what, Shenjian Gate could not escape this calamity!