Facing Shangguan Wudi's sword strike, Zhao Jiu said nothing. He merely raised a hand, and a terrifying aura surged forth as a Spiritual Energy Spear condensed into existence.
"Kill."
With that single word, the Spiritual Energy Spear stabbed toward Shangguan Wudi.
At the same time, Shangguan Wudi's sword strike came down.
A fierce burst of light flared, shattering parts of the space, though it swiftly repaired itself.
When everything settled, the entire arena was in ruins. Only the small patch of ground where Zhao Jiu stood remained completely intact.
On the other side, Shangguan Wudi knelt on one knee atop the arena, his clothes somewhat tattered.
He panted heavily.
"Damn! He's this strong?!"
"You're not bad." Zhao Jiu looked at Shangguan Wudi across from him and spoke.
There seemed to be a hint of appreciation in his tone.
"Really? I think so too!"
At those words, Shangguan Wudi sprang to his feet with a grin.
The corners of Ye Chang'an's, Shangguan Shi's, and Zhao Jiu's eyes all twitched.
Shangguan Wudi did not care about that. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he flashed over to Zhao Jiu's side.
Zhao Jiu froze, having no idea what this guy intended to do.
The next moment, Shangguan Wudi grabbed Zhao Jiu's hands with both of his own, his face full of excitement.
"Big Brother, take me as your little brother!"
Zhao Jiu: ???
"Big Brother, are you unwilling? I'm actually very strong. It wouldn't be embarrassing to have me as your little brother."
Seeing that Zhao Jiu did not respond, Shangguan Wudi said earnestly.
"Ahem, ahem."
At that moment, Ye Chang'an outside the arena pretended to cough twice.
Just as Ye Chang'an was about to speak, the system's voice suddenly rang out in his mind.
[Host can recruit Shangguan Wudi into the Primordial Divine Hall. His potential is immense.]
Ye Chang'an was stunned.
He had actually considered this before, but he felt that Shangguan Wudi still needed to be observed for a while longer.
He had not expected the system to remind him directly.
Then he would take him in.
At this moment, everyone's gaze turned toward Ye Chang'an.
"Shangguan Wudi, I have decided to accept you into our Primordial Divine Hall."
"Primordial Divine Hall?"
Shangguan Wudi's face was filled with curiosity.
Bai Wenxuan and Tian Xuan were the same.
"I am the Primordial Divine Hall Master, and Zhao Jiu is a disciple of the Primordial Divine Hall," Ye Chang'an explained.
"Big Brother is a disciple of the Primordial Divine Hall? Great! I want to join the Primordial Divine Hall too!"
Upon learning that Zhao Jiu was a disciple of the Primordial Divine Hall, Shangguan Wudi did not hesitate in the slightest.
At that moment, he had yet to realize that everyone in the Primordial Divine Hall was a freak as terrifyingly powerful as Zhao Jiu.
What would shock him even more later was that even Zhao Jiu, whom he admired, ranked only ninth among the disciples.
"Alright, this matter is settled. It's time to move on to the next step."
As he spoke, Ye Chang'an looked toward Bai Wenxuan again.
"Right, shouldn't the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking be changed now?"
Bai Wenxuan smiled. "It will be updated shortly."
The atmosphere inside the tower was harmonious, but outside, an uproar had already erupted.
It was not just the appearance of the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking and the changes in rank. There was something even more exciting.
The battle between Zhao Jiu and Shangguan Wudi had been projected outside for all to see.
"Was what we just saw fake? How is that possible? Zhao Jiu didn't even move a single step!"
"I'm going crazy—no, the Heavenly Realm has gone crazy! How is this possible?! Shangguan Wudi actually lost, and by such a huge margin!"
"Maybe Shangguan Wudi is the one who's gone crazy?"
"Didn't you see Shangguan Wudi's sword strike? Such a powerful strike—I've never seen him use it before."
"Then doesn't that mean Zhao Jiu is far too terrifying? Who in the world is he?"
"Look! The ranking information has changed. Zhao Jiu's faction is the Primordial Divine Hall?"
"Primordial Divine Hall? What kind of faction is that?"
"I have a feeling the heavens are about to change..."
Because the information on the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking only revealed names and factions, with cultivation realms left unlisted.
The world missed another chance to be shaken to its core.
At this moment, within the Shangguan Clan.
As they looked at the enormous Heavenly Prodigy Ranking in the sky, every clansman wore an expression of disbelief.
The battle they had just witnessed made them wonder whether their Young Clan Leader had staged the whole thing.
Every one of them was utterly bewildered.
But judging by the Young Clan Leader's performance, it could not have been more real.
"The Young Clan Leader actually... lost?"
"Looks like that's what happened. I never expected there to be someone even more monstrous than the Young Clan Leader among the younger generation."
"What kind of faction is this Primordial Divine Hall? How come we've never heard of it?"
"No idea, but judging from this, it definitely isn't simple."
Within the Shangguan Clan, inside a central grand hall.
A middle-aged man gazed thoughtfully at the distant Heavenly Prodigy Ranking.
"Primordial Divine Hall... Zhao Jiu... just who in the world are they?"
"Perhaps this is not a bad thing for Wudi. With someone to look up to, he can move forward even better."
"Wait! No, that brat joined the Primordial Divine Hall?"
Seeing that the faction listed behind the second-ranked Shangguan Wudi had become the four words "Primordial Divine Hall," the middle-aged man's eyes instantly widened.
"That brat is far too impulsive. He joined without even knowing what kind of faction the Primordial Divine Hall is?"
"Forget it. We'll talk once he returns..."
The middle-aged man shook his head and sighed.
At the same time, everyone across the Heavenly Realm learned that Shangguan Wudi had joined the Primordial Divine Hall.
For a time, every major faction secretly speculated over what kind of force the Primordial Divine Hall truly was.
Tianxing Dao Domain, Fengtian Sect.
A middle-aged man abruptly slammed his palm onto the table and stood up.
The table shattered instantly.
"What a Primordial Divine Hall! They wiped out the Elders and Sect Master of the Sacred Heaven Sect, and even killed the Sect Master of my Fengtian Sect! Just you wait!"
"Vice Sect Master, it seems we can't afford to provoke them..."
An Elder spoke hesitantly.
"Can't afford to provoke them... Fine, then we can't afford to provoke them. Can't I even say a few words?"
The middle-aged man glared at the Elder.
Heavenly Mystery Tower.
"Ninth Senior Brother, is that true?! You're considered among the bottom ranks in the Primordial Divine Hall?!"
Shangguan Wudi shouted in astonishment.
"Mm."
Zhao Jiu nodded.
Having been at the bottom alongside Shangguan Shi for many years, he no longer cared.
"What about him?"
Shangguan Wudi glanced at Shangguan Shi and asked curiously.
"I'm your Tenth Senior Brother, Shangguan Shi."
Before Zhao Jiu could speak, Shangguan Shi came over and introduced himself.
"Greetings, Tenth Senior Brother."
Upon hearing that, Shangguan Wudi immediately saluted him.
He was no fool. Anyone capable of becoming a disciple of the Primordial Divine Hall had to be a freak.
Besides, he could tell Shangguan Shi's situation.
Not yet twenty years old, yet already in the Heavenly Human Realm.
He had not been this strong when he was under twenty.
Could it be that I wouldn't even be able to defeat Tenth Senior Brother at the same realm...?
"Judging from your battle with me just now, you indeed wouldn't be able to defeat him at the same realm."
Zhao Jiu seemed to see through Shangguan Wudi's thoughts at a glance and stated it bluntly.
Shangguan Wudi: Tenth Senior Brother is badass!
"It's time to handle proper business."
At that moment, Ye Chang'an spoke.
Before you continue