Four-Eyes faced the challenge at that moment, and to say he was not nervous would certainly be a lie; however, upon seeing that it was Lei Gang, Four-Eyes relaxed considerably.
That fellow Lei Gang was merely an outer discipline disciple of the Corpse Herding Hall, and the spells and divine abilities he had learned were limited; he had only just entered the third layer of Qi Refining close to his thirtieth year.
Four-Eyes believed the opponent would only become his stepping stone...
"Hahaha, Senior Brother Lei Gang, please!"
Accompanied by Four-Eyes' polite invitation, Lei Gang no longer suppressed that urge on his face, arriving at the arena within a few breaths to confront Four-Eyes.
"Junior Brother Four-Eyes, let Senior Brother see what kind of might your Spirit Summoning Technique holds!"
As his voice fell, the Daoist robe on Lei Gang's body shattered with a loud crash, the bulging muscle lines glistening with a bronze luster under the sunlight.
Without excessive exchange, Lei Gang threw a punch straight toward Four-Eyes!
"Ancestor descends upon the body!"
Four-Eyes was likewise undaunted; as the hand seals and Spirit Summoning were completed in one go, Four-Eyes' gaze quickly turned stern.
The bronze sword behind him was gripped tightly in his hand, and as he thrust forward with a long face, Lei Gang was suppressed firmly the very instant they exchanged blows.
After the two traded more than ten moves, the bronze sword halted at Lei Gang's neck.
"Senior Brother Lei Gang, I concede the win!"
Four-Eyes laughed brightly, yet it sounded exceptionally grating in Lei Gang's ears.
"Senior Brother's skills are inferior to others; this martial arena belongs to Junior Brother!"
With that said, Lei Gang took a deep breath and left the grand competition scene with somewhat trembling steps.
Meanwhile, the other disciples who had been watching from the sidelines were plunged into a wave of despair. They had originally thought Four-Eyes was the easiest one to manipulate, but after the Spirit Summoning Technique was displayed, hehe, compared to an ancestor's experience, they had no advantages in cultivation and divine abilities—how could they dare speak of winning?
Zhong Bai quietly watched this scene unfold. They were all fellow apprentices, and in truth, whether one could take the martial arena was something they had known clearly in their hearts long ago.
It was merely that youthful pride refused to admit they were weaker than others.
Just as Zhong Bai finished watching the end of the duel on Four-Eyes' side and felt somewhat bored, a figure quickly arrived before him.
"Junior Brother Chinhieu, your Senior Brother Zeng Zibu, please grant me guidance, Junior Brother!"
????
Zhong Bai was visibly stunned. No, was he really that easy to bully?
In order to minimize trouble, Zhong Bai had actually exposed the Qi and blood of his completed Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art.
Besides, almost everyone on Mount Mao knew he practiced the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art; with things like this, there were still people who did not go look for Four-Eyes' trouble, instead turning their target onto him, and they had actually stepped onto the stage...
Seeing that Zhong Bai was somewhat dazed, Zeng Zibu could not help frowning. The reason he chose Zhong Bai was actually just because he wanted to see what stage Zhong Bai had reached, and as for why—don't ask, and if you do, it was ordered by his master.
In any case, Zeng Zibu had never thought of winning.
"Senior Brother Zeng, please!"
After recovering his wits, Zhong Bai could not help feeling his hands itch. No matter what purpose Zeng Zibu had come for, Zhong Bai's decision to go down the mountain to establish a Daoist temple would not change, nor could it be obstructed because of this.
"Be careful, Junior Brother Chinhieu!"
As his voice fell, a series of talismans flew out from Zeng Zibu's embrace, and in an instant, the martial arena was filled with scenes of talismans bursting open.
Flames, thunder, wind blades...
Bizarre and varied, impossible to guard against.
Zhong Bai was swallowed up by the talismans in a mere instant.
Yet just as everyone was watching with worry, Zeng Zibu on the stage felt his heart sink to the bottom.
The talismans just now might have seemed vast in number, but after all, they were crafted by a mage at the third layer of Qi Refining, so their might was truly extremely limited.
Although Zhong Bai did not react at first, his formidable physical Qi and blood surged like a rolling river at the very first moment, completely scattering the impact caused by the talismans!
With a sharp snap!
The thunder seal within Zhong Bai's dantian flashed, and True Essence was mobilized, a purple thunderbolt instantly gathering in Zhong Bai's palm.
As if grasping a long whip, he gave it a gentle flick, and thunder exploded. Zeng Zibu's expression changed rapidly; without even caring to continue using talismans for a wild bombardment, he flashed and sped away toward the base of the stage.
"Stop, stop, stop! Junior Brother Chinhieu, Senior Brother admits defeat. Your Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art must have already reached completion, so Senior Brother's talismans cannot cause you any damage, whereas if Junior Brother's Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art were to touch Senior Brother even a little bit, Senior Brother would have to lie in bed for quite a few days."
The dramatic scene came too fast, and the sudden outburst of Zhong Bai, who initially appeared suppressed, left the heated crowd momentarily dazed.
The gazes they directed toward Zeng Zibu also turned somewhat resentful. The Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art!
Such a good opportunity, and they had almost been able to see what the might of the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art was like, yet Zeng Zibu conceded defeat at the last minute. It truly left them hanging in the middle, agonizingly uncomfortable.
The expressions of the various elders in the spectator stands were little different from those of the disciples.
No disciples had practiced the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art for over a century, and they were also very curious about the exact differences between it and the Lightning Thunder Fist that Mount Mao already possessed.
Well, they had stripped off their pants, only to find no urine came out; it was utterly speechless...
The grand competition continued.
Scattered here and there, a few disciples remained unwilling to be ordinary and launched challenges, and without exception, the target of their challenges was Four-Eyes.
After all, persimmons should be picked where they are soft; while Four-Eyes' Spirit Summoning Technique was formidable, it was not outrageously so.
Unlike the trio of Shi Jian, Lin Fengjiao, and Zhong Bai, who left people completely incapable of generating the will to win.
Of course, the most relaxed, carefree, and outrageous one of all was Auntie Zhe.
There were virtually no female disciples on Mount Mao, for ordinary women were rarely up to the task of subduing demons and defending the Dao.
Therefore, Auntie Zhe experienced zero pressure and zero challengers throughout her time on the stage.
People all cared about their pride, especially in front of fellow apprentices.
In a daze, the grand competition ended, leaving Four-Eyes as exhausted as a dog, panting heavily and dripping with sweat.
Meanwhile, the four of Zhong Bai were relaxed and carefree, not even the corners of their garments ruffled...
Returning to the Law Enforcement Hall.
When Zhong Bai stepped into the hall, True Immortal Qianyuan had already been waiting for a long time.
"You've returned?"
"Master, this disciple has not failed my mission and has already secured the qualifications to go down the mountain and open a Daoist temple!"
Upon hearing this, the corners of True Immortal Qianyuan's mouth twitched, but he quickly smoothed his expression, his eyes growing profound.
"Good lad, you've only practiced the Thunder Escape Technique for about a year, yet you've brought it to completion. As for that Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art, in the past hundred years, you are the only one who has been able to practice it to completion before the sixth layer of Qi Refining."
As these feelings of emotion subsided, True Immortal Qianyuan began to broach the main subject.
"Tell me, do you truly wish to go down the mountain? Disciple, you must understand that turmoil in the world means demons and malevolent spirits contend to emerge. Once those demons, whether sealed or self-sealed, manifest in this world, ordinary people find it very difficult to survive... You must consider this carefully; going down the mountain after reaching the sixth layer of Qi Refining is actually much safer."
In the face of his master's earnest exhortations, though Zhong Bai was moved, in order to realize his ideal sooner, Zhong Bai could only choose to let down his master's good intentions.
"There is no need, Master. This disciple's mind is made up; going down the mountain to open a Daoist temple and exterminate all demons is a duty this disciple cannot shirk. Besides, righteousness and evil stand opposed, locked in lifelong combat. From the moment I entered Mount Mao as a disciple, I had already prepared myself."
Hearing Zhong Bai's resolute words once more, True Immortal Qianyuan completely abandoned his attempts to persuade him to stay.
"Sigh, so be it. Everyone has their own karmic affinity. Since your mind is made up, this old Daoist will simply pick a good place for you to establish your Daoist temple..."
With that, the gaze True Immortal Qianyuan cast upon Zhong Bai no longer held reluctance, but rather deep worry.
Before you continue