As An Batian's words fell, an elder beside him cast a meaningful glance at An Batian before slowly speaking, "The Sect Master seems to hold this disciple in particularly high regard."
An Batian smiled faintly, "Junior Brother Di, you worry too much. For so long, the Seventh Peak has not had a new peak master. For these years, it has been managed by Junior Brother Miao Cangmang's disciple, Luo Kang. Now, we are to bring the Seventh Peak under new management, and I feel a bit of reluctance."
"But so be it, everything is in the hands of fate. If not a single disciple from the Seventh Peak enters the top ten, then we can only proceed according to the prior agreement."
Di Renhai smiled faintly, "The Seventh Peak has been without management for many years, and much of its resources are difficult to supply to the disciples. Although Elder Luo manages it, he remains detached."
"Now that it has been discussed, as long as the disciples of the Seventh Peak are all defeated, I believe Elder Luo will have no grounds for complaint. After all, to guard a treasure mountain without utilizing it is truly a waste."
"Di Renhai, the disciples of this Seventh Peak have not yet been fully defeated. Your words make it sound as if the defeat of the Seventh Peak is a foregone conclusion? And although the Seventh Peak has few disciples, Su Yueze, under Elder Luo's tutelage, has already stepped into the initial stage of the Other Shore realm."
"Even Chai Jingyuan, He Xidong, and Song Wuwen have all stepped into the True Self realm. Within my Azure Hall, I don't believe any elder has achieved such a feat."
"More importantly, this is even when the resources of the Seventh Peak have been mostly sealed off. If the Seventh Peak had not undergone that great battle, how could it be like this now? For this discussion, I still maintain my original decision. We should not interfere with the affairs of the Seventh Peak."
As Di Renhai's voice faded, an elder in a spiritual pillar on An Batian's other side suddenly spoke. His words seemed to show some favoritism towards the Seventh Peak.
"Liu Wen, this decision was made by our collective vote. How is it that from your words, it sounds as if I forced it? And we have not given the Seventh Peak an opportunity. As long as they can enter the top ten in this disciple sparring match, our prior decision will be nullified."
"Now that only one little fellow at the Free-roaming realm remains, Peak Master Liu Wen, are you unable to sit still?" Di Renhai's expression remained unchanged as he turned to look at Liu Wen.
Liu Wen snorted coldly, "The outcome of this discussion is that the champion of the Other Shore realm group will become the Peak Master of the Seventh Peak. And the Seventh Peak only has Su Yueze, a disciple at the initial stage of the Other Shore realm. This matter itself is rife with unfairness."
"And now, all five of your Third Peak's disciples at the Other Shore realm are participating in the competition. Are we in our right minds to overlook the machinations here?"
Di Renhai's expression remained completely unperturbed as he replied, "Liu Wen, my Third Peak disciples are spirited, and the fact that we have five disciples at the Other Shore realm is a testament to the good teaching of the elders of my Third Peak. Is there something wrong with that?"
"As for you saying that all of my Third Peak's disciples at the Other Shore realm are participating, have your Fifth Peak's three disciples at the Other Shore realm not also participated?"
"You..." Liu Wen's eyebrows shot up in anger, and he was so choked up that he couldn't speak for a long time. The spiritual pillar on his body suddenly lit up, and countless spiritual energies surged towards him.
Seeing this, Di Renhai did the same.
The spiritual pillars of the two instantly became incredibly bright.
An Batian frowned slightly and then waved his hand, dispersing the spiritual energy in the air. He then said, "Since this matter has already been discussed and voted upon, we will proceed according to the agreed-upon outcome."
As An Batian spoke, Liu Wen and Di Renhai exchanged glances, both with a trace of anger in their eyes. They then resentfully withdrew their spiritual power and fell silent once more.
Time gradually passed. Li Xuan, who was meditating, had no idea that his appearance would trigger a dispute between Di Renhai, the Peak Master of the Third Peak, and Liu Wen, the Peak Master of the Fifth Peak.
After regulating his breathing, Li Xuan stood up again. As he exhaled a turbid breath, his aura clearly climbed a notch.
"Huh? So soon, the Free-roaming realm competition is about to end." Li Xuan glanced at the scroll and then looked at his senior brother Su Yueze, who had recovered, with surprise.
Su Yueze also looked up and then retracted his gaze, turning to Li Xuan and saying, "Ninety-two people, after two rounds of duels, including you, there are now twenty-three remaining. This means that the next round of duels will determine whether you can successfully enter the contention for the top ten."
"I've also roughly observed the first two rounds, and it seems you, junior brother, haven't used many of your trump cards. However, those who have reached this point are not weak. So, junior brother, you must not be careless."
Li Xuan nodded and smiled gently, "Senior brother, rest assured, I have my plans."
Su Yueze knew Li Xuan's character and that he wouldn't act without confidence. He nodded slightly and said no more.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Just then, Li Xuan's mind stirred, and he looked down towards the Seventh Peak. Four figures were rapidly flying up.
Seeing this, Li Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. These four were his master Luo Kang and his second senior brother Chai Jingyuan, and the other two. Their auras seemed to have stabilized considerably.
"Fifth junior brother, how is it?" Song Wuwen asked as soon as he reached Li Xuan's side. Chai Jingyuan, He Xidong, and Luo Kang also looked at Li Xuan, clearly wanting to know the answer.
"I have not disgraced my mission; I have held on through the second round." Li Xuan smiled slightly and said.
Then Li Xuan continued, "Second senior brother, third senior brother, fourth senior brother, why are you not resting properly and coming up here?"
A smile appeared on the faces of Song Wuwen and the other two. Even Luo Kang had a look of relief.
Luo Kang slowly said, "Your three senior brothers were worried about you fighting alone. And since you are fighting for our Seventh Peak, we naturally have to come and cheer you on. Li Xuan, your consecutive victories in two matches are indeed not easy. If I had guided you earlier, perhaps there would be no such worries today."
"However, one should not force things. If you are outmatched, choose to concede. Your master and your four senior brothers will not allow you to suffer any injustice."
Li Xuan's heart warmed upon hearing this. He nodded slightly and then said with a determined gaze, "Master, four senior brothers, please rest assured. The top ten, I, Li Xuan, will secure it!"