With Qing Haitian’s voice spreading, the disciples from the Four Major Sects began to choose their flag-bearers one after another.
As for the Canghai Yuntai Palace, they unquestionably chose Lin Zi’er, who was known as the top talent of Lingdong’s 700 states. Not only her Martial Soul was exceedingly high, her secret skills were formidable and her cultivation was terrifying to the extreme. If one were to rank, she would be considered the top talent in Canghai Yuntai Palace.
Duan Canghai, with a smile, said, "Sister Zi’er, you will make a fantastic flag-bearer, and I will stay close to protect you!"
Lin Zi’er glanced at Duan Canghai and said, "Duan Canghai, senior brother, I’m aware that you like me, but a relationship between us is impossible!"
"However, if you can defeat Lin Bai, I will grant you the opportunity to follow me. In the future, when I travel to the Miracle Ridge and Lingnan, you may accompany me."
"So, what do you think?"
Lin Zi’er said with a grin.
Duan Canghai was initially astounded but soon thanked Lin Zi’er exuberantly, "Thank you, Sister Zi’er... no, I mean...thank you, my hostess!"
He reassured her, "Please put your mind at ease, madam. That Lin Bai possesses a mere Yellow Level First Grade Martial Soul. Killing him will be as simple as turning over my hand."
Duan Canghai said this with conviction. At this moment, his eyes were blazing with a ferocious light as he looked at Lin Bai.
Lin Zi’er merely smiled lightly, neither confirming nor denying his words.
While Duan Canghai harbored affection for Lin Zi’er, he also recognized the vast difference between them and knew that their union was almost impossible.
Even though Duan Canghai had a Martial Soul of Earth Grade 9, each single rise in the grade of a Martial Soul was akin to the difference between heaven and earth.
Upon hearing that he could follow Lin Zi’er, Duan Canghai was overjoyed.
As long as he could leave Canghai Yuntai Palace and Shenwu Kingdom and learn more powerful martial skills and secret methods, he could gain sufficient power to suppress Lin Zi’er. By then, wouldn’t Lin Zi’er have no choice but to obediently climb into his bed?
Such were Duan Canghai’s thoughts.
In this world, the strong were revered!
If you had sufficient power, you could make your former masters kneel before you with ease.
Duan Canghai understood this principle well, so he chose to follow Lin Zi’er without hesitation, intending to learn at the Miracle Ridge and cultivate the profound martial arts of Lingnan.
As for the other two sects.
The Fire Palace chose the Fire Tyrant.
The Fire Tyrant was Fire Spirit’s older brother. Their levels of cultivation were fairly similar, and as the older of the two, Fire Spirit did not want to dispute with him.
The Edgeless Sect, of course, chose Xue Jianke.
Xue Jianke, known as Lingdong’s number one assassin, commanded a fearsome reputation. Not only did the warriors of Lingdong’s 700 states fear him, but even the warriors of the Edgeless Sect held him in extraordinary esteem.
Within the Spirit Sword Sect.
Duan Qinghong said, "Lin Bai, you should bear the flag. I will protect you well!"
Lin Bai shook his head and replied, "No, senior brother Duan Qinghong, you should be the flag-bearer. Perhaps I will not be going to Qingtian Mountain..."
Looking deeply at Lin Zi’er, Lin Bai said this.
Lin Bai’s primary objective for coming here was to duel with Lin Zi’er.
Once they met on Xuankong Island later, it would be a fight to the death. Perhaps the result would be a Pyrrhic victory, hence Lin Bai might not have enough strength to go to Qingtian Mountain by the end.
If Lin Bai encountered Lin Zi’er, there would only be two outcomes.
Either Lin Zi’er would kill Lin Bai.
Or Lin Bai would kill Lin Zi’er.
Duan Qinghong initially wanted Lin Bai to be the flag-bearer, but upon hearing Lin Bai’s words, he gritted his teeth and said, "Thank you, junior brother Lin Bai."
Lin Bai responded with a nod and a smile.
Why did Duan Qinghong give thanks?
Because the one who holds the flag is inevitably chosen from among the strongest disciples within the Sect.
Once one became the flag-bearer, they would draw more attention, and hence be more likely to be selected by the Miracle Ridge.
Immediately, Duan Qinghong walked over to the flag of the Spirit Sword Sect; he slapped the flagpole and the flag vibrated with a mystical glow. Gradually, it reduced in size, transforming into a palm-sized flag that fell into Duan Qinghong’s hand.
Zhao Longtu looked at Lin Zi’er approvingly, then turned to view the others: "The kid from Edgeless Sect, he has a strong killing aura about him. He must be a seasoned killer, an interesting character indeed."
"I’ve long heard about the two brothers from the Fire Palace. Now that I have seen them in person, they really are extraordinary talents."
"As for the Spirit Sword Sect... that boy just doesn’t match up. He’s outclassed by both the Fire Spirit and Fire Tyrant, and falls pitifully short in comparison to Edgeless Sect’s flag-bearer. Not to mention comparing him to my precious beloved girl."
After giving Duan Qinghong a once-over, Zhao Longtu quickly lost interest. His gaze returned to Lin Zi’er, his face wearing a benevolent smile, as a father would.
"The flag-bearers of the Four Major Sects have appeared!"
"For Canghai Yuntai Palace, it’s definitely Lin Zi’er. None in the Canghai Yuntai Palace could compare."
"The Fire Tyrant of the Fire Palace — no questions there, being the eldest young master of the Fire Palace."
"For the Edgeless Sect, it’s Xue Ren, Lingdong’s number one assassin, who would dare to compete?"
"As for the Spirit Sword Sect, I don’t understand why Lin Bai isn’t holding the flag, and instead, they let Duan Qinghong do it?"
Many warriors were baffled, looking in confusion at Duan Qinghong and Lin Bai.
They could tell at first glance that Lin Bai’s strength was far superior to Duan Qinghong’s. So, why wasn’t Lin Bai chosen to carry the flag?
Upon seeing this scene, Su Jiannan’s eyes narrowed. He knew that Lin Bai intended to find Lin Zi’er and wouldn’t go to Qingtian Mountain’s summit.
The First Princess and Xue Jianke sat in the spectator seats, both remaining silent. Especially when their gaze met Zhao Longtu’s, a touch of fear could be observed.
Qing Haitian announced: "Well, since the disciples of the Four Major Sects are ready, let’s get started!"
"In front of you is the Teleportation Array that will take you to Xuankong Island."
"However, just a reminder, the teleportation array will randomly place you!"
Qing Haitian said in laughter.
Immediately, Qing Haitian nodded at Zhao Xiansheng. He descended from his seat and arrived in the center of the square, activating the teleportation array.
Simultaneously, a massive projection stone wall appeared in the venue, allowing the warriors to clearly see everything that happened on Xuankong Island.
Zhao Xiansheng returned to Qing Haitian’s side.
Qing Haitian asked: "Are you ready?"
Whispering, Zhao Xiansheng replied, "Rest assured, Lin Bai will be transported together with the disciples from the Edgeless Sect and the Fire Palace. We can watch them fight it out and gauge Lin Bai’s ability. It’s also a good opportunity to deplete some of Lin Bai’s strength."
Qing Haitian nodded: "You are wise to do this. Lin Zi’er is of utmost importance to Canghai Yuntai Palace. We can soar skywards, fully harnessing her potential."
"We cannot afford to lose Lin Zi’er!"
It turned out that Qing Haitian and Zhao Xiansheng had tampered with the teleportation array to place the disciples of the Spirit Sword Sect, the Edgeless Sect, and the Fire Palace together, instigating a brawl among them.
"Disciples of the Four Major Sects, begin."
Qing Haitian yelled out.
Immediately afterwards, under Lin Zi’er’s lead, the disciples of Canghai Yuntai Palace were the first to stride towards the Teleportation Array.
Standing before the Teleportation Array, Lin Zi’er coldly stared at Lin Bai and said, "Worthless trash! I’ll wait for you at the summit of Qingtian Mountain!"