"Greetings, Holy Lord!"
Within the Grand Hall of Taiyi, eight quasi-Holy Sons suppressed their auras and bowed respectfully to Xuan Sa.
"No matter, rise!"
Xuan Sa nodded and spoke.
"Since I have summoned all of you, you must know the reason, right?"
"We all know!"
The eight responded in unison.
Whether it was the discussions among the disciples of the Taiyi Holy Land along the way, or the gathering of the eight quasi-Holy Sons who hadn't appeared for a long time, all pointed to one reason.
That reason was the Holy Son Competition!
"That's good."
Xuan Sa nodded slightly, his expression as calm as water.
"The position of Holy Son in our Taiyi Holy Land has been vacant for too long. Now that the nine quasi-Holy Sons are all in place, it is time to commence the Holy Son Competition!"
"The position of Holy Son will be chosen from among you nine!"
"The ninth quasi-Holy Son is still in seclusion. I have already sent word to notify him, and he should arrive soon. You can get acquainted with each other then!"
Xuan Sa said to them.
"Yes!"
The group nodded in agreement.
They then began to exchange pleasantries, waiting for Xu Chuan's arrival.
Although the eight quasi-Holy Sons knew each other, they had met very few times.
Many of them had only met once.
This was because after becoming quasi-Holy Sons, they had begun to travel across Xuantian and pursue their own endeavors.
Therefore, their meetings were not frequent.
After a short wait.
Xu Chuan also arrived at the Grand Hall of Taiyi Peak.
Since he was summoned by the Holy Lord, he naturally dared not be negligent.
"Xu Chuan, greetings to the Holy Lord."
"I hope the Holy Lord will forgive me for not coming to pay my respects immediately upon my return."
Xu Chuan bowed.
Originally, he should have paid his respects to Xuan Sa, the Holy Lord of Taiyi, immediately upon his return to the Holy Land.
However, at that time, Xu Chuan was eager to recover from his injuries and wanted to cultivate the Three Heads Six Arms secret technique as soon as possible, so he had delayed this matter.
Fortunately, Xuan Sa, as the Holy Lord of Taiyi, did not dwell on these minor oversights.
"It's alright, you have given me a great surprise!"
Xuan Sa said with a smile.
This trip not only allowed Xu Chuan to thoroughly establish his reputation as a quasi-Holy Son of Taiyi, but also elevated his cultivation to a terrifying level.
It had expanded the prestige of their Taiyi Holy Land by more than a little!
What's more, Xu Chuan had successfully cultivated the powerful ancient secret technique of Three Heads Six Arms!
How could he be angry with such a peerless prodigy for a minor lack of respect?
Besides, he understood that this was merely an unintentional act on Xu Chuan's part.
"Xu Chuan, these eight are the other eight quasi-Holy Sons of our Taiyi Holy Land."
"I believe I don't need to introduce them further, do I?"
Xuan Sa said with a smile.
"Indeed, there is no need!"
Xu Chuan nodded in agreement.
He then turned around and bowed to the eight, "Xu Chuan greets all senior brothers!"
"I have long heard that all senior brothers are exceptionally talented, peerless prodigies rarely seen in a thousand years."
"To see you today truly broadens my horizons!"
Although they were all quasi-Holy Sons, Xu Chuan addressing them as senior brothers based on the order of their ascension to quasi-Holy Son status was perfectly acceptable.
"Junior Brother Xu flatters us."
"Junior Brother Xu is also a heaven-sent genius, there is no need to be so humble."
"Compared to Junior Brother Xu, we all seem a bit dim."
The eight quasi-Holy Sons also responded with smiles.
Outsiders saw them as decisive and ruthless, peerless fiends.
But within the Taiyi Holy Land, they were a loving family.
Despite meeting infrequently, their bond as fellow disciples was not shallow.
"Alright, let's stop with the mutual praise."
"Now that everyone is here, it's time to discuss the important matters!"
Xuan Sa raised his hand, and the hall instantly fell silent.
Everyone stopped speaking, waiting to hear Xuan Sa's arrangements.
"The significance of the Taiyi Holy Son to our Taiyi Holy Land is something you all understand very well."
"This era is an era of great contention."
"I believe the Taiyi Holy Son will lead our Taiyi Holy Land to sweep across Xuantian, ascend to the throne of Xuantian's foremost power with unparalleled might, and forge the supreme prestige of our Taiyi Holy Land!"
"All nine of you possess unparalleled potential, exceptional talent, top-tier strength, and have all made a name for yourselves across Xuantian."
"Therefore, in my view, it is time to commence the Holy Son Competition!"
Xuan Sa's previous casual demeanor vanished, and he spoke to them with a solemn expression.
"This competition is of great importance, and I give you the right to choose."
"Whether to participate or not is entirely up to you!"
Once the Holy Son Competition began, it would undoubtedly lead to bloodshed and strife.
Even he could not guarantee what might happen.
Therefore, Xuan Sa gave them the freedom to choose.
Participation was entirely voluntary!
"Holy Lord, you know I am devoted to the Dao and do not wish to be embroiled in conflict."
"I shall not participate in this Holy Son Competition!"
The first to speak was the First Quasi-Holy Son, Du Hengyu.
Upon hearing this, the other eight, including Xu Chuan, turned their gaze towards him, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The First Quasi-Holy Son, the eldest among them, had actually chosen to withdraw?
This was entirely beyond their expectations.
The position of Holy Son!
How alluring it was!
Yet, he resisted this temptation, solely devoted to the Dao.
This composure earned the respect of the other eight.
Du Hengyu, on the side, maintained his calm demeanor, showing no change after making his statement.
He wore black, carried little trace of killing intent, and exuded a gentle and refined demeanor, appearing like a scholar from a noble family.
However, no one dared to underestimate him.
Thirty years ago, he was already at the peak of the Tongtian realm.
Now, thirty years later, he could only be stronger!
Xuan Sa, upon hearing Du Hengyu's words, showed no surprise.
He was well aware of the First Quasi-Holy Son's character.
Possessing immense talent and profound comprehension, he was a rare prodigy.
However, he was solely focused on reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, with no interest in worldly affairs or power.
He was like a sage, seeking nothing but the Dao.
His decision now was entirely within Xuan Sa's expectations.
Following Du Hengyu's declaration.
Shi Longxiang also spoke, "I am following my master to learn a certain technique, and it is not suitable for me to engage in combat. Therefore, I also choose to withdraw from this Holy Son Competition."
There was no hint of regret on his face.
He had cultivated under a half-Emperor realm expert since childhood, and his sense of belonging to the Holy Land was not particularly strong.
Naturally, he did not have much ambition for the position of Holy Son.
Where there was one, there were two, and then three.
Following this, the Fifth Quasi-Holy Son, Li Hongxi, spoke.
"Holy Lord, my only desire now is to unravel the mystery of my origins. I shall not participate in the Holy Son Competition."
He shook his head.
He had already discussed this decision with Li Wuji.
He only wished to conclude things quickly, return to the Endless Sea, and search for the truth of his identity.
Although Li Wuji was regretful, he respected his wishes.
After listening, Xuan Sa nodded in agreement.
Then, he continued to ask, "Anyone else?"
No one else spoke.
The remaining six were determined to win the position of Holy Son!
Xuan Sa gazed at the six and couldn't help but sigh.
They were all top-tier prodigies, rare talents.
However, there could only be one Holy Son.
It was, regrettably, a pity.
Ultimately, they would have to determine a victor.