"Young Master Zhou, I wonder what brings you here this time..."
Elder Liu was acquainted with Zhou Yi, so he hurried over and asked with a flattering smile.
"Alas! The Ancestor's reputation is simply too overwhelming."
Seeing this, Zhou Yi felt somewhat helpless. They're lowering themselves so much—how am I supposed to make a move against them now?
However, he could not neglect the mission of sweeping through the six great sects, so Zhou Yi could only bite the bullet and press on.
"Fortunately, the Ancestor didn't come along. Otherwise, there wouldn't even be a need to fight. Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven would definitely surrender immediately."
Secretly relieved, Zhou Yi braced himself and said to Elder Liu, "Thanks to the Ancestor's teachings, my cultivation has improved somewhat. The Ancestor once said that Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven has also inherited the Dao Scripture. Therefore, I wished to exchange pointers with Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven's disciples. I wonder if your sect would be willing to give me this opportunity?"
"Ah?"
Elder Liu stared at Zhou Yi in stunned disbelief.
An inheritance of the Dao Scripture? The introductory cultivation method of the Dao Scripture was spread throughout the world! Even if the Dao Scripture had been written by the Celestial Venerable, why had he come to them?
You were a disciple of the Celestial Venerable. Who would dare lay a hand on you? If they injured you and the Celestial Venerable became displeased, whether Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven would continue to exist would be questionable.
But Zhou Yi had already come knocking. They certainly could not refuse to give him an answer.
"Well... how about allowing us to discuss it first?"
Elder Liu could not make this decision himself. After apologizing to Zhou Yi, he hurried back through the mountain gate to discuss the matter with Sect Leader Li and the other elders.
"Everyone, there is no need for us to be overly nervous."
Sect Leader Li quickly reached a decision. "Since he has come to our door, we must compete. Besides, there is no need to worry too much. Since that person sent him here, he must intend to temper him. So long as no one is killed or crippled, a few minor injuries should be fine."
"Mm, that makes sense!"
The elders all nodded.
"Then simply have the disciples compete with him."
Sect Leader Li made the final decision, and everyone led Zhou Yi into Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven.
Upon arriving at Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven's Martial Arts Field, Sect Leader Li and Elder Liu personally kept Zhou Yi company in conversation while the other elders hurriedly arranged the upcoming match.
Before long, Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven's disciples arrived at the Martial Arts Field.
"Hey, Ye Fan, isn't that Zhou Yi?"
Pang Bo pointed at Zhou Yi, who was chatting and laughing with Sect Leader Li on the platform, then turned to Ye Fan.
"It really is Zhou Yi!"
Ye Fan looked astonished. "Wasn't he following the Supreme Dao Ancestor? What was he doing here?"
"Who knows?"
Pang Bo shook his head indifferently. Looking up toward Zhou Yi, he said enviously, "Having backing really is different! Look at that—the Sect Leader himself is keeping him company, treating him like some honored uncle. When you've got someone above you, life is easy wherever you go!"
"Status and background are not the most important things in this world. What matters most is your own strength."
As he said this, Ye Fan felt somewhat dejected.
He possessed a World-shattering Saintly Body unparalleled throughout history, yet he was unsuited for cultivation. For over a month, his bitter sea had shown no reaction at all. He could not even get started. How could Ye Fan possibly be happy?
"Don't worry, Ye Fan. Heaven never seals off every path. You'll definitely have another chance."
Seeing Ye Fan's expression, Pang Bo hurriedly comforted him.
"Disciples!"
At that moment, Sect Leader Li suddenly rose and stepped onto the main platform. He addressed the crowd below, "Disciples, Young Master Zhou of the Dao Sect has come to visit today. Young Master Zhou possesses profound cultivation and an extraordinary background. He wishes to exchange pointers with the disciples of our Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven."
As he spoke, Sect Leader Li gestured toward Zhou Yi.
Zhou Yi nodded, stepped forward, and cupped his fists in salute to everyone below the platform.
"Exchange pointers?"
Hearing the Sect Leader's words, the disciples below were taken aback.
Was this really an exchange of pointers? Or had he come to challenge their sect?
The disciples glanced up at Zhou Yi, their expressions turning somewhat unfriendly.
"Exchange pointers? Zhou Yi was going to exchange pointers with Spirit Void disciples? It had only been a few days! Just how much had he learned?"
Pang Bo's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
Ye Fan was equally surprised. Only about a month had passed, yet Zhou Yi could already exchange pointers with Spirit Void disciples? The Dao Ancestor's divine abilities were truly beyond reach.
"Disciples."
Sect Leader Li continued, "I also believe this is an opportunity for mutual learning and progress. That is why I have gathered you here today to observe and broaden your horizons. It will benefit you as well."
With a wave of his hand, ten streams of light shot upward and landed on the viewing platform.
As the lights faded, ten Spirit Void disciples appeared on the platform, standing in a row.
"Ah! The Spirit Void Ten Elites!"
"These are the top ten from this year's Sect Grand Competition."
The disciples below erupted in uproar when they saw the ten figures appear on the platform. The Sect Leader had actually sent the Spirit Void Ten Elites to exchange pointers with Zhou Yi? Wasn't that using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken?
Some more composed disciples, however, felt that Zhou Yi's cultivation was likely not weak. Otherwise, the Sect Leader would not have sent out the Spirit Void Ten Elites.
"Young Master Zhou, these are the finest disciples of our Spirit Void Grotto-Heaven. Any one of them can exchange pointers with you. Please choose as you wish."
Sect Leader Li pointed at the ten disciples standing beside him and smiled at Zhou Yi.
"Thank you, Sect Leader Li. Spirit Void's disciples truly are exceptional!"
Zhou Yi cupped his fists to Sect Leader Li in salute, then glanced at the ten Spirit Void disciples beside him and casually pointed at one. "I'll exchange pointers with this brother first."
"This fellow has sharp eyes! He picked the weakest one at a glance. But... did he think Lin Han was easy to bully just because he was weak? He would be in for a show soon enough!"
Sect Leader Li was looking forward to the spectacle. Smiling, he said, "Of course. Lin Han, you will exchange pointers with Young Master Zhou."
"Yes!"
The disciple named Lin Han answered and leaped onto the combat arena.
"Sect Leader Li, I'll go up and exchange pointers with Brother Lin first. Please excuse me for the moment."
Zhou Yi informed Sect Leader Li, then pushed off with his feet and likewise leaped onto the combat arena.
On the arena.
The two stood at opposite ends, confronting each other.
"You chose me because you think I'm the weakest?"
A sneer appeared on Lin Han's face. "Among the Spirit Void Ten Elites, my cultivation is indeed the lowest. But... if everyone were not so familiar with one another, at least half of the Ten Elites would not be my match. So... you chose the wrong person."
"Heh."
Zhou Yi chuckled. "If I said I chose at random, would you believe me?"
"Hmph!"
Lin Han snorted heavily without replying. A flash of silver light appeared in his hand, and a silver short blade about a foot long emerged.
"Please!"
"Please!"
The moment the words fell, the silver short blade in Lin Han's hand shot into the sky. It formed a blade aura over thirty feet long in midair, like it was splitting heaven and earth apart, and slashed down at Zhou Yi's head.
"Impressive!"
Facing the strike, Zhou Yi praised him. The short sword in his hand whistled into the air and slashed toward the blade aura.
"Rending Sky Blade! Senior Brother Lin had used his ultimate move right from the start!"
"Even the elders cannot easily withstand this move. That man was being so arrogant—he was definitely going to suffer badly!"