"Someone, please explain to me, what in the world is going on?" Zhou Zeming paced back and forth, his eyes filled with panic.
If this had happened before, it would have been one thing. But now, he simply couldn't imagine how things had turned out this way. The Constant Sun Sect had followed the Flowing Cloud Sect's arrangements to the letter this time. They had figured that even if their disciples couldn't achieve a meteoric rise or find any legendary treasures by following Xiao Pingtian, they could at least guarantee their own safety. That was their minimum requirement.
But who could have imagined that after such a short time, the several elite disciples dispatched by the Constant Sun Sect would already be dead? Who could tolerate such a thing?
Shangguan Wan looked at the furious Zhou Zeming and said coolly, "Elder Zhou, please calm down first. We all know the situation in the Spirit Realm. No one has ever been able to guarantee that all their disciples will return safe and sound."
To be honest, she was beginning to regret coming to this Grand Tournament. However, the situation within the Flowing Cloud Sect was not optimistic either. She had heard that Gu Xiande had run into trouble with a group called the Upper Purity Shrine. As a result, the responsibility for the Grand Tournament had fallen on her shoulders. If something were to go wrong this time, it would be the perfect opportunity to shift all the blame onto Hong Xiu. In the art of political maneuvering, the Sect Master of the Flowing Cloud Sect was a true master.
"Elder Shangguan, it's easy for you to say!" Zhou Zeming was like a lit firecracker now, ready to explode at anyone who got in his way. "Something this serious has happened. Shouldn't you have something to say about it?"
If there was one person who remained calm, it was Duan Wuya. To be honest, at the beginning, he too had thought he'd been handed a thankless job. Only when he saw Lin Yun arrive at Nether Cave Mountain did he finally breathe a sigh of relief. With this kid around, at least their loss wouldn't be too embarrassing, right?
Who would have known that after all these days, the Beast Taming Sect would be holding strong, without a single disciple eliminated? In contrast, the Flowing Cloud Sect, Constant Sun Sect, and Xuan-Kun Palace—all of whom had been so arrogant at the start—had suffered tragic losses. No wonder Zhou Zeming was so frantic.
"Elder Duan, aren't you going to say something? After so long, your Beast Taming Sect must have run into plenty of trouble as well, right?" In Zhou Zeming's view, if the Constant Sun Sect had suffered such heavy losses, how could the Beast Taming Sect possibly be doing any better?
Duan Wuya had been waiting for just such an opening. "Many thanks for your concern, Elder Zhou. Our results in the tournament this time have been quite good. To date, we have not seen a single disciple fall!"
His words left Zhou Zeming stunned.
What? Not a single disciple from the Beast Taming Sect has fallen?
Zhou Zeming was so incredibly jealous he could taste it. We've lost so many disciples, yet you're all still fine? How can we stand for that?
He sneered sarcastically. "Elder Duan, no need to force a smile. It's alright if some disciples have been eliminated. It's happened plenty of times in previous years. Why pretend to be strong when you're not?"
Fang Zhe of the Xuan-Kun Palace also chuckled. "If any other sect claimed to have no losses, we might believe them. But the Beast Taming Sect? Let's be real. Even if your disciples are huddling together for warmth, Lin Yun is being targeted by so many people. How could he possibly still be alive?"
In the eyes of these elders, Lin Yun's death was a certainty.
Duan Wuya just snorted and offered no explanation. But in his heart, he suspected that the sudden, drastic changes these other sects were experiencing were likely related to Lin Yun. After all, everyone present was part of the Flowing Cloud Sect's alliance.
"The one-month period is almost up," Duan Wuya muttered to himself. "Lin Yun, you must return safely!"
Soul-Hooking Valley
The once treasured land had been transformed into an Asura battlefield, littered with rubble and ruins. The resentful energy that had accumulated here for centuries had dissipated the moment Pei Miaoyin died. Now, the area was completely dominated by an icy killing intent.
Xiao Pingtian's Clear Song Sword floated before him. He spat a mouthful of blood onto it. Like it had been stimulated, the Clear Song Sword instantly erupted with a dazzling light.
"To force me to face you in such a state while you are merely in the Origin Sea Realm… you should consider yourself lucky!" Xiao Pingtian was now brimming with confidence. So what if he had suffered a small setback in his earlier exchange with Lin Yun? The situation was still firmly in his grasp.
Or so he thought.
The Clear Song Sword let out a long hum. A verdant green sword light flashed, and the resulting sword Qi exploded, raining down from the sky like a celestial maiden scattering flowers.
Lin Yun frowned. There was no way to dodge. Is this the power of the Spirit Cauldron Realm? He had to admit, the gap between their realms meant their application of Yuan Qi was on completely different levels.
"Die!" Xiao Pingtian roared.
Lin Yun sighed helplessly. The difference in their realms was indeed difficult to overcome. Anyone else might have been without options, but Lin Yun was different. He hadn't worn the Mystic Heaven Silkworm Armor in the Ancient Forbidden Land precisely to temper himself in the crucible of life and death. But now, since he couldn't evade Xiao Pingtian's attack, it was time to bring out the gear.
"BOOM—"
It was a massive explosion. The entire ground trembled. But the smile on Xiao Pingtian's face didn't last long. After the bombardment, Lin Yun emerged completely unharmed.
Though he didn't know what kind of armor Lin Yun was wearing, he was certain it was priceless, to be able to withstand the assault of his Clear Song Sword.
This made Xiao Pingtian's heart even more unbalanced. I've worked so hard! Why does a piece of trash like Lin Yun get such a good item, and not me?
Giving Lin Yun no chance to breathe, Xiao Pingtian swung his sword relentlessly. At the same time, a golden flying sword began to condense behind him. He was truly determined to kill Lin Yun, no matter the cost.
Lin Yun, on the other hand, had expected this outcome. Xiao Pingtian's attacks were a continuous, tide-like sea of sword Qi, one wave after another. Lin Yun was like a single, lonely boat in the vast ocean, silently enduring the terrifying storm.
From time to time, he would launch a counter-attack with his Coldflame Sword, but these strikes were often unable to pose an effective threat to Xiao Pingtian, only earning his derision.
"What a joke! A mere Origin Sea Realm cultivator wants to cross realms and kill me? Dream on! You can't even break the barrier around my body!" he gloated.
He was incredibly proud. After all, this was a gap of two major realms. How could it be so easily overcome?