“Somewhat interesting, but it's still just child's play,” Xu Zimo said casually.
“Senior brother, don’t underestimate them. These heirs have basically all reached the peak of the World Paragon Realm,” Jiang Changsheng replied.
“Got it. Do you know how this Nine Heavens Grand Gathering will be conducted?” Xu Zimo asked.
“No, each Nine Heavens Grand Gathering is designed by the main sect, and the format changes every time,” Jiang Changsheng shook his head and said.
While the group was chatting, Lin Beisheng walked into the courtyard with a stormy expression.
He glanced at Jiang Changsheng and Jiu You and said calmly, “You two step out. I have something to discuss with him.”
The two nodded and left the courtyard.
“I want a perfect explanation,” Lin Beisheng threw the wooden box in front of Xu Zimo, took a deep breath, and said, “Do you know the consequences of killing your fellow disciples?”
“What consequences?” Xu Zimo asked with a smile.
“If this gets out, I won’t be able to protect you,” Lin Beisheng said sternly.
“What if he tried to kill me first?” Xu Zimo replied.
“What do you mean?” Lin Beisheng frowned.
“Nothing much, but Father, you should understand,” Xu Zimo said. “He tried to kill me, so I killed him in return. We had no grudge, and he was your son’s man. What do you think?”
“You suspect Feng’er?” Lin Beisheng frowned.
“Not suspect, I'm certain. I just don't have proof, and I'm too lazy to find it,” Xu Zimo said, waving his hand.
“At the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering, he and I are bound to fight. Father, you should be mentally prepared. Whoever tries to kill me, I will kill.”
“Nonsense. Do you two still see me as your father?” Lin Beisheng slammed the table.
The table made of green steel rock instantly shattered into pieces, and Lin Beisheng’s expression turned extremely grim.
“Shouldn’t you ask him why he tried to kill me?” Xu Zimo asked.
“If you two are going to fight to the death, I’d rather Grand Heaven Mountain not participate in this event,” Lin Beisheng said.
“Father, you know this isn’t about the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering, but between the two of us.”
Xu Zimo shook his head and said, “Even if we don’t participate, there will be a battle eventually.”
“I’ll go ask him directly,” Lin Beisheng said calmly.
“You think he’ll tell you the truth?” Xu Zimo laughed.
“If you two insist on fighting, then step over my corpse first,” Lin Beisheng said and left the courtyard.
Xu Zimo looked back. At that moment, Lin Beisheng’s back looked much older.
...
The next few days were quiet for Xu Zimo.
Neither Lin Beisheng nor Lin Feng came to bother him again, until the third day, the day of the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering.
On the day of the event, tens of thousands of disciples from all over the sect gathered at Dao Mountain of the Nine Heavens Emperor Sect.
From above, the nine peaks of the sect formed a circular shape, surrounding one central peak, Dao Mountain.
It used to be the residence of the Nine Heavens Sage. After the sage passed away, it became the most revered mountain in the Nine Heavens Imperial Sect.
Dao Mountain was only opened for major events like the Nine Heavens Grand Gathering.
It was vast, its area exceeded that of all the other nine peaks combined.
Each of the nine branches would select three disciples to participate in the event.
That made twenty-seven direct participants. In addition to them, there was a grand competition held where all disciples of Nine Heavens Imperial Sect could join a massive free-for-all. The final one hundred standing would also qualify.
Because Xu Zimo and the others had gone to Bright Flame City earlier, that part of the competition had already been held.
...
When Xu Zimo arrived at Dao Mountain accompanied by Jiu You and Jiang Changsheng...
He saw the towering cliffs of the massive mountain, with steep terrain and rocks occasionally tumbling down.
The mountain was lush and green.
From afar, the peak stood tall like it held up the heavens, resembling a hand lifting the sun over the ethereal land.
Countless disciples rushed toward the summit. The 127 disciples participating in the event had their designated area to stand. Everyone else was just spectating.
The summit was the center of the Nine Heavens Imperial Sect.
It was also the convergence point of the Nine Heavens Grand Formation, where spiritforce was most abundant and the scenery most stunning.
“Good luck, senior brother,” Jiang Changsheng said from the side.
Xu Zimo smiled and walked toward the 127 selected participants.
At the peak, Mu Changge stood at the front, with Hong Ziling on his left and a gray-robed elder on his right.
Xu Zimo guessed this elder was the other envoy from the main sect, Qin Hansheng.
He had hawk-like eyes and a hooked nose, a slightly gaunt face, perpetually furrowed brows, and a head full of white hair.
He looked extremely rigid, like an old traditionalist.
Behind the three stood the nine peak lords of the Nine Heavens Imperial Sect and rows of elders.
“I hereby declare the 38th Nine Heavens Grand Gathering officially open,” Mu Changge announced from the front, his voice loud and solemn.
“Let me explain the rules and format of this competition. You 127 participants will be transported into an ancient ruin. In this ruin, you are all competitors, be on guard against each other. You must also watch out for the monsters inside the ruin. Soon, each of you will be given a space token. If your life is in danger, crush the token to be teleported out. If anyone dies in the ruins, we bear no responsibility. This competition acknowledges life and death. In addition, we’ve hidden nine Nine Heavens Tokens throughout the ruins. Each token corresponds to one of the nine peaks. The nine who obtain them will qualify to enter the main sect.”
Upon hearing Mu Changge’s words, all the disciples bowed and shouted in unison, “Understood!”
“If there’s anything unclear, now’s the time to ask,” Mu Changge said.
“Elder, what exactly is this ancient ruin? How strong are the monsters inside?” someone asked.
“This ruin is a relic of ancient times, already fully explored by us. It’s specifically used for disciple training. There are no great dangers, but many minor threats. If you’re careless, your life could be in danger,” Mu Changge explained.
“Understood,” the disciple bowed and stepped back.
“If there are no other questions, I will now activate the ruin,” Mu Changge said.
As he spoke, a powerful aura surged around him.