Murong Bing frowned.
"Nonsense. Am I the type to spread rumors? If I truly had such thoughts, I would have captured your sisters long ago." Zhang Fan smiled faintly.
Murong Bing's anger flared at his words. She raised her sword, ready to strike!
Murong Xue, her cheeks flushing with shyness, quickly stopped her.
"Sister, don't be angry. What Mr. Zhang said isn't entirely unreasonable, is it?"
Hearing her younger sister's words, Murong Bing grew even more furious.Not unreasonable?
Why are you siding with an outsider? I'm your own sister!
"Sister, calm down. The Sect Leader said that members of Myriad Sword Sect will be arriving today. They'll be taking the top three from this competition to the Eastern Peerless Genius gathering. The Sect Leader gave this order just yesterday.
You must restrain your temper and leave a good impression on the Elder of Myriad Sword Sect."
Murong Xue spoke softly, trying to calm her.
Hearing this, Murong Bing gave a cold snort and said nothing more, though her gaze remained fixed on Zhang Fan as if she could eat him alive.
"Murong Xue, let's go. The competition's about to start," Zhang Fan said casually, ignoring Murong Bing.
Murong Xue nodded shyly and followed closely behind him, her steps light and playful.
Seeing this, Murong Bing felt a strange discomfort in her chest, almost like a sense of loss. Her eyes locked onto Zhang Fan.
Then, she suddenly narrowed her gaze.
"Huh? He's broken through… to the first level of the Qi Refining Stage?"
⸻
This year's Sect Competition was different.
In past years, the format was a series of one-on-one duels to determine rankings.
But this year, the rules had changed.
All participants would enter the Trial Tower.
• First floor: One Demonic Beast, one small Realm weaker than the challenger.
• Second floor: One Demonic Beast of equal Realm.
• Third floor: Two Demonic Beasts of equal Realm.
• Fourth floor: Ten Demonic Beasts of equal Realm.
• Fifth floor: One hundred Demonic Beasts of equal Realm.
• Sixth floor: One Demonic Beast one Realm higher.
• Seventh floor: Ten Demonic Beasts one Realm higher.
• Eighth floor: One hundred Demonic Beasts one Realm higher.
• Ninth floor: One thousand Demonic Beasts one Realm higher.
The higher you climbed — and the faster you cleared — the better your ranking.
This rule had been set by the Elder of Myriad Sword Sect. Even the Trial Tower itself had been brought by him.
And Myriad Sword Sect… was no ordinary sect. It was the greatest sect in all of the Eastern Region.
The purpose of the Blazing Heaven Sect Grand Competition this year was to select three prodigies to represent them at Myriad Sword Sect Grand Eastern Peerless Genius Gathering.
⸻
"That's the rule," the Sect Elder concluded.
"If you're defeated, you may concede at any time. There's no shame in surrender — but don't throw away your life. Understood?"
With a wave of his hand, a massive nine-story pagoda appeared in the center of the Sect Tournament Grounds. Precious light shimmered around it, and a tall stone stele stood before it, ready to record the disciples' achievements.
"Those whose names are called, step forward and enter the Trial Tower!"
⸻
"Li Fei!" the Sect Elder called.
A disciple stepped out, taking a deep breath. He carried a long sword, a jade pendant at his waist, and two medicinal pills in hand.
Equipped with treasures, he strode into the Trial Tower.
A flash of light engulfed him — and moments later, he stepped out, his aura in disarray
This time, he was missing his sword's, his jade pendant was gone, and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
Pfft!
Li Fei spat blood and collapsed unconscious.
"What? Li Fei's out already?"
"It must be some sort of time-based magic treasure… but what's the time ratio?"
"Check the stele!"
The disciples crowded around.
"Li Fei… actually passed the fourth floor!"
"My god, that means he killed ten demonic beasts of equal realm! The fifth floor is a hundred beasts — it's no shame to fall there!"
Zhang Fan glanced at the stele.
[Li Fei – Cleared Floor 4 – Time: 22 hours, 56 minutes]
His eyes lit up.
"This Trial Tower is truly a treasure… I want it."
Murong Xue, beside him, nodded.
"Me too."
Zhang Fan smiled.
Who wouldn't want a treasure that controlled time? Myriad Sword Sect was certainly generous.
No doubt, their sect's treasures were far beyond what this small backwater sect could produce.
⸻
"Next! Wang Teng!" the Elder announced.
Zhang Fan's eyes narrowed as a tall man with a sword walked forward.
Wang Teng was the only competitor in the sect whose name glowed with a purple question mark in Zhang Fan's system interface. If not for the two golden legendary talents — Murong Bing and Murong Xue — he might have chosen Wang Teng as his own contractor.
"Senior Brother Wang Teng!"
"I heard he's the eldest son of the strongest cultivation family in the southeastern region! He joined Blazing Heaven Sect specifically for this competition!"
"I wonder what floor he'll reach?"
"He's so handsome… I'd gladly bear his child!"
Murong Xue pouted.
"What? He's not as handsome as my Big Brother Zhang Fan."
Zhang Fan chuckled.
Murong Bing gave a cold snort but said nothing, though her heart felt oddly unsettled.
⸻
Wang Teng entered the Trial Tower.
One minute later, he emerged.
Unlike Li Fei's beaten state, Wang Teng stood tall and composed, not a hair out of place.
All eyes turned to the stele:
[Wang Teng – Cleared Floor 8 – Time: 6 days, 18 hours]
A faint smile touched Wang Teng's lips.
"How dull… Invincibility is truly lonely."
The crowd erupted.
"Eight floors! He killed a hundred demonic beasts one realm above him! That's terrifying!"
"As expected of Senior Brother Wang Teng!"
"If not for Sister Murong, he'd definitely be number one this year!"
Zhang Fan nodded slightly to himself.
That's how you put on a show. No wonder Wang Teng's luck was so poor — such arrogance was bound to offend a true Son of Luck someday.
⸻
High above the square, Sect Leader Li Guang turned to the man beside him.
"So, Elder Jian, how about Wang Teng? He's the eldest son of the Wang Clan — the greatest cultivation family in the southeast!"
The man, Elder Jian Wuhen of Myriad Sword Sect, nodded."Not bad. A promising seedling."
Li Guang smiled.
"I have two who are even better."
"Oh?" Jian Wuhen's interest was piqued.
"Then I look forward to seeing them."