Unlike Li Yan's full confidence, people from other forces watched the passage with nervous anticipation, their hearts filled with unease.
The cruelty within the Void Immortal Realm was self-evident.
Furthermore, the entry of rogue cultivators from outside had doubled the danger.
Even Elder Gu Zhen, who accompanied Xu Chuan, showed a hint of nervousness on his face.
Even though he was fully aware of Xu Chuan's strength.
But having offended so many forces simultaneously and facing encirclement by so many prodigies, Gu Zhen was still somewhat worried.
If anything were to happen to Xu Chuan, he would be undeniably responsible.
Meanwhile, the other forces from the Eastern Region appeared remarkably calm.
This was because they had already colluded with Li Yan before entering the Void Immortal Realm.
Their disciples would, upon entering the Void Immortal Realm, join Jiang Ming in hunting down Xu Chuan until he was killed!
Seeing Li Yan's confident demeanor, they naturally felt equally confident.
Facing Li Yan's hidden machinations and the combined might of numerous prodigies, Xu Chuan stood no chance of survival!
Next, they could begin planning how to jointly eliminate Xuan Sa and seize control of the entire Tai Yi Holy Land!
Just then, the leading elder from Yaoshan Sword Sect approached Gu Zhen, saying with a hint of mockery, "Elder Gu Zhen, stop waiting. The one from your Tai Yi Holy Land is destined not to walk out of the Void Immortal Realm alive!"
"You might as well return early and deliver this news to Xuan Sa, so your Tai Yi Holy Land can choose a new Holy Son!"
"I appreciate Elder Chen's concern, but it's unnecessary."
Hearing this, Gu Zhen, though angered, knew it wasn't the time to erupt. Suppressing his fury, he replied, "My Holy Son possesses exceptional talent and formidable strength, and he will absolutely emerge from this Void Immortal Realm.
"Conversely, your sect's Sword Son might need a replacement!"
Gu Zhen's words left the Chen Elder from Yaoshan Sword Sect speechless.
"Then let's see who can laugh last!"
Seeing he couldn't outargue Gu Zhen, Elder Chen snorted and left in a huff, his anger evident.
"Buzz!"
After a ripple of spatial energy, figures appeared in the sky.
These included participants from the Five Regions Grand Competition and rogue cultivators who had earned their spots.
Seeing their people emerge unharmed, the faces of each faction lit up with smiles.
Among them, Xu Chuan, Ning Youci, and Cui Jiang drew the most attention.
This was because the three were at the very front of the group, with everyone else behind them looking at them with awe.
The tokens on their bodies emitted the most brilliant light!
This indicated that the three possessed exceptionally large scores.
Xu Chuan descended slowly with the other two, nodding gently towards Gu Zhen.
"Welcome back, Holy Son!"
Gu Zhen, leading a group of hidden guards behind him, respectfully addressed Xu Chuan.
With Xu Chuan's safe return, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled.
Moreover, if nothing unexpected occurred, Xu Chuan had likely clinched first place in this grand competition!
He wondered if Xu Chuan had managed to obtain that particular item.
He was eager to inquire.
However, glancing at the people around, he realized it was not an opportune moment and remained silent.
"Elder Gu Zhen, you've waited long!"
Xu Chuan said with a gentle smile.
"What?"
Upon seeing Xu Chuan's safe return, the leading elders from Yaoshan Sword Sect and Tai Xu Holy Land shot up from their seats, staring intently at Xu Chuan, and exclaimed involuntarily, "You're still alive?!"
Not far away, the representatives from the San Yang Holy Land and the Temple of Light also had their pupils constrict.
They were equally shocked that Xu Chuan had emerged alive!
And on the high platform, Li Yan, who had previously been so composed, showed a slight change in his expression.
An ominous premonition welled up in his heart.
Not seeing Jiang Ming among the returning individuals, that feeling intensified.
"I seem to have disappointed you seniors. Not only am I alive, but I'm doing quite well!"
Xu Chuan replied with a faint smile, his sarcasm at its peak.
"Oh, and by the way."
"In the Void Immortal Realm, I encountered a few individuals who were blind enough to try and attack me. But I dealt with them casually."
"Now that I think about it, weren't those individuals your sect's Holy Son?"
"I'm truly sorry!"
Xu Chuan said in a tone of slight apology.
The moment he spoke, the faces of several people turned ashen.
Li Yan, on the high platform, also heard these words, his face turning ashen and his fists clenched tightly.
How could he not realize immediately that his disciple, Jiang Ming, had also perished at Xu Chuan's hands!
With two consecutive disciples dying by his hand, Li Yan's hatred for Xu Chuan reached its zenith!
"Damn it!"
He gnashed his teeth in his heart.
He wished he could immediately seize Xu Chuan, flay him alive, and torment him mercilessly.
But he couldn't make a move!
The Five Regions Grand Competition allowed for casualties.
Death meant insufficient strength, and no one could be blamed. Those who killed were not to be troubled.
At least, that was the outward appearance.
Moreover, he was the host of this Five Regions Grand Competition and absolutely could not break the rules!
No matter how much he resented Xu Chuan, he had to suppress it, and only after the competition ended could he find an opportunity to capture Xu Chuan and exact his revenge!
The elders from the other sects and holy lands were in the same predicament.
Despite their intense hatred for Xu Chuan, they dared not make a move within the Xuan Tian Holy Land.
They could only harbor their hatred in their hearts.
Seeing their expressions, Gu Zhen felt a surge of joy!
They had come to mock him earlier, and now the tables had turned so dramatically. It was truly hilarious!
On the high platform.
Li Yan let out a long sigh, and a smile returned to his face.
He was indeed worthy of the moniker "Kind-Eyed King of Hell," his expression shifting so quickly that even Xu Chuan couldn't help but want to praise him.
"This Five Regions Grand Competition has concluded perfectly. I will now announce the final rankings of this grand competition!"
Li Yan produced a roster, flew up, and began to read out the final rankings of this year's Five Regions Grand Competition in front of everyone.
As they had appeared in the plaza, the scores on their tokens had already been known to the Xuan Tian Holy Land.
The rankings had also been quickly compiled.
"The one with the highest score is Xu Chuan of Tai Yi Holy Land, with five hundred thousand points!"
Boom!
Li Yan announced in a deep voice.
The moment these words were uttered, it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, exploding among the people in the plaza.
The first place was not, as they had previously speculated, the Xuan Tian's Three Holy Sons!
This was utterly unexpected!
Furthermore, Jiang Ming, the Third Holy Son, was not seen among the returning individuals.
Combined with Xu Chuan's incredibly exaggerated score, a terrifying thought began to form in the minds of the onlookers.
And the more they thought about it, the more real it seemed!
The noisy murmurs were extremely irritating to Li Yan.
After all, he had just lost his junior relative and disciple, Li Qinghou.
Now Jiang Ming was also dead.
He felt indescribably stifled.
"Quiet!"
He roared, his aura surging.
Instantly, the plaza fell into absolute silence.
Seeing this, Li Yan continued.
"The second place in the grand competition goes to Ning Youci of the Great Wei Dynasty in the Eastern Region, with one hundred thousand points!"