"This year's Luo Tian Grand Ceremony is truly different, how interesting, how interesting!"
Zhang Shanto grinned slyly, as if he wasn't from Longhu Mountain. Seeing the Old Heavenly Master caught in public opinion, he was happier than Zhang Sishui.
Abbess Guanyun also sighed, "In previous years, when the position of Heavenly Master wasn't involved, everyone was more or less harmonious. But this year, there are undercurrents and unexpected events."
"That female disciple is likely the successor of the Longhu Secret Text," Wang Jiwang analyzed.
Long Feicheng asked, "Aren't you and Zhilai the 'Ji Wang Zhi Lai' duo? Why don't you just calculate it directly?"
Wang Jiwang was speechless and explained, "To know their past and future, you need at least their birthdates, right? Birthdates aren't strictly necessary, but I'd need to see their faces at least... but they're all wearing masks, what can I possibly see!"
Hearing Wang Jiwang's explanation, Long Feicheng understood and said in a low voice, "With so many restrictions, what's the use of your abilities then..."
Wang Jiwang snorted, "Even if I can't figure them out, I can still figure you out with plenty of room to spare."
Long Feicheng's spirits immediately lifted, "Then calculate for me, when will I get rich?"
"Predicting the future is my brother's specialty. What I can calculate is how many times you've been in lock-up, how many times you've been caught by the vice squad, and how you used to peek at girls showering when you were a kid..."
"Stop, stop! Don't say any more, I admit defeat, alright?" Long Feicheng quickly conceded to save his image.
Yan Shouyi didn't participate in the discussion, instead, he focused on the reactions of the female disciple on the stage.
The female disciple also seemed to have no intention of making a move or explaining. After Zhang Wuma conceded and left the stage, she also quietly stepped down, standing beside the male disciple who had defeated Changshan.
The audience was still very opinionated, with Wudang Mountain being the most vocal. Other sects' younger disciples were merely grumbling, but Wudang Mountain's leading elder even instigated the trouble, to the point where the competition couldn't proceed.
But suddenly, news spread from somewhere, claiming that the Old Heavenly Master himself had admitted that Zhao Chengxiang was not the holder of the Longhu Secret Text.
Soon after, Wudang Mountain quieted down.
Zhao Chengxiang's expression was clearly not as natural as before, looking rather guilty but trying his best to maintain composure.
The competition finally resumed.
The fifth match was between Ling Xiaoxiao and Yi Hehuan.
Ling Xiaoxiao wielded her Emei刺 with incredible skill. Coupled with her cute and sweet appearance, she had quite a few fans in the audience.
This time, she faced Yi Hehuan, and it was a case of enemies meeting, their eyes burning with hatred. Wanting to settle old and new scores, she attacked with exceptional seriousness and effort.
Unfortunately, after their last encounter, Yi Hehuan's strength seemed to have improved again. After more than fifty rounds, she kicked Ling Xiaoxiao out of the Myriad Laws Sect Altar.
Ling Xiaoxiao was defeated, stomped her feet in anger, and pouted as she returned to her team, unable to hold back her tears.
Yi Hehuan on stage sneered, "Heh, only little girls cry. What are you, a nobody, doing participating in the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony? Go back and play house!"
This was a victory followed by mockery. Many in the audience felt uncomfortable and developed a sense of disgust towards Yi Hehuan.
"Even from a hundred meters away, I can smell Yi Hehuan's slutty aura!" Long Feicheng comforted, "Junior Sister Ling, don't bother with that public bus!"
Yi Hehuan's expression changed, "What did you say? Believe it or not, I'll rip your mouth open!"
When it came to trash talk, Long Feicheng couldn't compare to Yi Hehuan, but when it came to saying hurtful things, ten Yi Hehuans couldn't match Long Feicheng!
Long Feicheng protected Ling Xiaoxiao as if he were an older brother protecting his younger sister, pointing at Yi Hehuan and cursing vehemently.
Yi Hehuan already had a rather strong mental defense, but she was still suffocated by Long Feicheng's scolding. Finally, she walked off the Myriad Laws Sect Altar with a grim expression.
Having verbally defeated Yi Hehuan, Long Feicheng chuckled, "Junior Sister Ling, don't worry. If she dares to bully you again next time, just tell me. I may not be good at fighting, but I have some experience in attacking the heart!"
Seeing Long Feicheng avenge her, Ling Xiaoxiao felt much better and stopped crying.
Abbess Guanyun shook her head at the sight, suspecting that she might be overprotective of Ling Xiaoxiao and actually wished Ling Xiaoxiao could be more independent.
The sixth match was Zhao Chengxiang against Wang Jiwang. Zhao Chengxiang had always looked down on Yan Shouyi and his group. Coupled with the recent discussions about the authenticity of his identity, he was even more eager to prove himself.
However, Wang Jiwang was not weak either. With his two cleavers, he could advance, retreat, attack, and defend, putting immense pressure on Zhao Chengxiang.
Unfortunately, Zhao Chengxiang ultimately proved to be the superior fighter, defeating Wang Jiwang at the cost of a minor injury.
Wang Jiwang, having been defeated, wasn't angry. He simply recalled the details of his fight with Zhao Chengxiang, contemplating his mistakes.
This was Wang Jiwang. The reason he had reached this point was precisely because he enjoyed learning from his failures, which was the fundamental reason for his strength.
After leaving the stage, Wang Jiwang sighed and said to Yan Shouyi:
"This Zhao Chengxiang is indeed not weak. If you encounter him in the next round, be very careful. His moves cannot be broken with brute force."
Yan Shouyi nodded and comforted him, "If I really meet Zhao Chengxiang in the next match, I'll help you and Xiao Long vent our anger."
"Calling him Zhao Tiedan is unavoidable," Long Feicheng chuckled.
Luo Ning asked, "There are only two matches left, isn't it your turn yet?"
Yan Shouyi took out his number tag and said, "I have the 'Yang' tag, the last match."
"Then who is your opponent?"
"We'll know soon."
The seventh match featured the disciple with the 'Ma' tag taking the stage.
The one who ascended was Han San of the Maoshan Sect, against the black-clothed female rogue cultivator wielding a spear.
Therefore, Yan Shouyi's opponent in the eighth match would be the last one, Wang He from the Suishan Sect!
This Wang He had made it to the top sixteen without any fanfare. To this day, no one knew the true level of Wang He's strength.
Moreover, for some reason, Yan Shouyi always felt that this Wang He was a bit strange.
However, before he could ponder further, the voice of the Second Elder suddenly drew his attention back to the Myriad Laws Sect Altar.
"Seventh match, Han San of the Maoshan Sect versus the rogue cultivator True Master Chi Qing!"
True Master Chi Qing?!
Yan Shouyi, Ling Xiaoxiao, Yan Nanfei, Long Feicheng, and the others were all stunned.
Wasn't the title "True Master Chi Qing" the one Lin Zitong had used to deceive Yan Nanfei and the others earlier?
At this moment, Yan Shouyi's gaze became fervent.
In fact, he had long harbored suspicions about the identity of this black-clothed rogue cultivator, but due to Luo Ning's presence, he didn't dare to seek confirmation from her directly.
Now, it seemed his suspicions and intuition were correct!
She was True Master Chi Qing!
She was Lin Zitong, who had hidden her identity and climbed the ranks to Longhu Mountain!!
As expected, after her title was announced, the black-clothed female rogue cultivator on stage also looked in the direction of Yan Shouyi and his group.
The moment her eyes met Yan Shouyi's, everything could no longer be hidden.
Because Yan Shouyi was all too familiar with these eyes!
It was her!
It really was her!!
"Brother Yan..."
Just as Ling Xiaoxiao was about to say something, Yan Shouyi interrupted with a smile, "That's right, it's her."
Ling Xiaoxiao's face lit up with joy, "So Senior Sister Lin really came! I knew it, she wouldn't miss it!"
Everyone became excited.
So, their sister-in-law had been hiding all along, and she was with them!
But why would she do this?
Seeing everyone's excitement, Abbess Guanyun couldn't help but ask the reason. Upon hearing it, Abbess Guanyun became even more excited than the others:
"Where, where is it? Shouyi's wife? Let me see!"
Auntie was really worried sick!
However, Lin Zitong was still wearing a veil at this moment, so her appearance couldn't be clearly seen. Abbess Guanyun stared for a long time but couldn't help but praise:
"Just by looking at her figure and temperament, I know this girl must be a great beauty. Shouyi, you absolutely must not let her down!"
Yan Shouyi found it both amusing and helpless. He pointed at Luo Ning and said, "With her group of best friends watching, where would I have a chance?"
Luo Ning smiled, "When she comes back, I'll let her watch you herself, no need to trouble me."
Only Yan Shouyi and his group knew Lin Zitong's true identity.
Others were unaware.
Everyone was simply curious how this female rogue cultivator, a participant in this year's competition, had managed to surpass the young talents of various sects and reach the top sixteen.
And her opponent was Han San of the Maoshan Sect. Although Han San was narcissistic, his strength was undeniable.
It was highly likely that she wouldn't be a match for Han San.
On the Myriad Laws Sect Altar, Han San, carrying his money-inlaid sword, sized up Lin Zitong and then taunted, "Miss, I've never seen you before. Could it be that you've come with admiration, solely to spar with me at the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony?"
"True Master Chi Qing," Lin Zitong said with a faint smile, narrowing her eyes, "Talk less nonsense, or you'll have no face to descend from the stage if you lose later."
Han San, oblivious to Lin Zitong's mockery, chuckled, "Liking me isn't easy. You don't need to feel inferior. After you lose later, I'm willing to provide you with individual psychological counseling, simply because you're a beautiful woman, hahaha!"
Lin Zitong snorted coldly, used the tip of her spear to pick up a stone from the ground, and then whipped it out fiercely.
The stone, like a bullet, shot towards the gong, startling the Second Elder of Longhu Mountain beside them.
"The match begins!"
Lin Zitong declared herself, and then charged towards Han San!
The Second Elder was helpless and quickly shouted, "The match begins! Swords and sabers have no eyes, remember to stop when enough is enough!"
However, his words clearly did not apply to this match, because according to past conventions, any female opponent of Han San would be enraged by him, and the match would eventually turn into a fight to the death.
What was most troublesome was that Han San himself lacked any self-awareness and would later mock his opponents: "Although I am a man you can never have, don't try to destroy me just because you can't have me!"
All the spectators silently prayed that this time, the True Master Chi Qing would teach Han San a good lesson!