At the same time.
Across the Nine Provinces, the reactions of the various factions came far earlier than Shushan's.
The news of the sect Grand Tournament had been released for over a month. The real game had long since begun in the shadows.
Daoist Sect.
Inside the Grand Hall of the Sect Master, three disciples in Daoist robes stood shoulder to shoulder.
An elderly man with white hair and beard sat at the head, flipping through a Jade Slip in silence for a long while.
After some time, he set the Jade Slip down.
"Shushan's chosen participants have been confirmed. Chen Changqing, Lu Tian, and a new face named Chen Yuan."
"Chen Yuan?" The young man standing at the front frowned. "Never heard of him."
"Neither have I. But for Daoist Wuxing to give him his natal Immortal Artifact, he cannot be underestimated." The old man's voice was calm.
The young man fell silent for two breaths.
"Master, Shushan's generation... is too strong."
The old man raised his eyes to look at him.
"Scared?"
"Not scared." The young man shook his head. "Clear-eyed. Chen Changqing hasn't lost once since the Golden Core Realm. A Spirit Transformation killing a Tribulation Transcendence, a Tribulation Transcendence suppressing a True Lord—someone like that..."
"Enough." The old man cut him off. "If you are admitting defeat before even stepping onto the field, give your spot to someone else."
The young man shut his mouth.
Beside him, a burly young man folded his arms and snorted with laughter.
"Senior Brother, you think too much. Chen Changqing, Chen Shortqing, whatever his name is—once we're in the arena, fists do the talking. I'd like to see whether that mouth of his can stop my hammer."
The old man glanced at him. He did not reprimand him, only