Champion! The Pope's Recruitment! Immovable Heart!

Phoenix Flame Slash!

A crimson-gold flaming blade slashed toward Yu Tianheng.

Yu Tianheng raised an arm covered in dragon scales to take it head-on. The flaming blade left a charred mark across his scales but failed to break through his defenses.

"Your attack power may be strong, but it is not enough to break my dragon scales."

Yu Tianheng sneered and charged at Zhao Tian again.

Thunder Dragon Claw struck out in rapid succession, every claw carrying terrifying lightning power.

Zhao Tian kept dodging, but Yu Tianheng's attacks grew faster and fiercer.

Several more wounds soon appeared on his body, and lightning burned holes through his clothes.

"Zhao Tian is getting beaten back!"

"Yu Tianheng's attacks are too fierce. He can't block them at all!"

"A six-year-old child has already done amazingly well to reach this point. There's no shame in losing to Yu Tianheng."

The spectators discussed it heatedly.

But Zhao Tian did not give up.

His eyes remained fixed on every one of Yu Tianheng's attacks, searching for an opening.

Then, he found one.

Every time Yu Tianheng used Thunderous Might, there was a brief period when his Soul Power flowed back. During that interval, his attack rhythm slowed slightly.

It only lasted an instant, but for Zhao Tian, that was enough.

Thunderous Might!

Yu Tianheng unleashed his second soul skill again, and countless electric serpents swept toward Zhao Tian.

This time, Zhao Tian did not dodge. He charged straight into them!

Phoenix Holy Light Blast!

A pillar of light blasted out and collided with the lightning.

Boom!

The explosion rang out. Zhao Tian was knocked back by the shockwave, but the instant he retreated, his second soul ring lit up.

Phoenix Flame Slash!

The crimson-gold flaming blade pierced through the lingering shockwaves of the explosion and slashed precisely at Yu Tianheng's chest!

Yu Tianheng was caught in the gap while his Soul Power was flowing back. He had no time to dodge and could only barely raise his arms, crossing them before his chest.

Boom!

The flaming blade struck both his arms. Dragon scales shattered, and blood splattered!

Yu Tianheng was blasted several steps backward, the charred wounds on his arms a shocking sight.

"You..."

Yu Tianheng gritted his teeth and stared at his bleeding arms, his eyes full of disbelief.

Zhao Tian was panting heavily as well. That chain of attacks had drained over half his Soul Power.

But he did not stop.

He rushed at Yu Tianheng, his right fist gathering the last of its light power.

Phoenix Holy Light Blast: Fist Imprint!

He threw a punch!

Yu Tianheng hastily blocked, but the blow sent him staggering backward again and again. At last, he reached the edge of the arena, stepped into empty air, and lost his balance.

"Not good!"

Yu Tianheng tried to steady himself, but Zhao Tian's next strike had already arrived.

Phoenix Flame Slash!

The crimson-gold flaming blade struck his chest and blasted him straight out of the arena.

Boom!

Yu Tianheng crashed heavily onto the ground outside the arena, spraying a mouthful of blood.

The entire venue fell silent.

A moment later, the referee's voice rang out.

"Yu Tianheng, out of bounds! Zhao Tian wins!"

The entire arena erupted in thunderous cheers.

Zhao Tian stood on the arena platform, covered in wounds and with his Soul Power nearly exhausted, yet his back remained straight.

Yu Tianheng climbed to his feet and stared at Zhao Tian on the arena for a long time in silence.

Then, he lowered his head.

"I lost."

Zhao Tian stepped down from the arena, walked over to Yu Tianheng, and held out his hand.

Yu Tianheng looked at his hand, gave a bitter smile, and took it.

"You won, Zhao Tian."

"I'll remember your name."

Zhao Tian smiled faintly. "You're very strong too."

The two stood side by side as the cheers from the stands continued for a long time.

This battle was destined to be recorded in the history of the continent.

The cheers inside the arena continued without end.

Zhao Tian and Yu Tianheng walked down from the arena side by side. Though both were wounded, the light in their eyes outshone everyone else's.

This battle was destined to become the hottest topic in Spirit City for a long time to come.

Six-year-old Zhao Tian, with the strength of a level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster, had defeated the level twenty-eight Yu Tianheng and claimed the championship of this Preliminary Selection Tournament.

This news would spread across the entire continent at the fastest possible speed.

However, just as Zhao Tian was preparing to return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's viewing stand, a dignified voice suddenly rang out from the raised platform.

"Wait."

The voice was not loud, yet it reached every ear clearly, instantly silencing the entire arena.

Everyone looked up.

On the raised platform, a figure in purple rose to her feet.

She wore magnificent papal robes, a Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown upon her head, and held a scepter in her hand. A powerful, icy aura radiated from her body.

Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong.

One of the continent's most powerful beings, a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo.

She stood there with her gaze resting on Zhao Tian. No emotion could be seen in her violet eyes.

"Zhao Tian."

Bibi Dong spoke, her voice cool and imposing.

"I have seen all of your performance."

"Six years old, a level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster, a Radiant Phoenix Spirit, and you defeated an opponent six levels above yourself."

"Your talent is worthy of my speaking personally."

The entire arena was silent. Everyone held their breath, awaiting what she would say next.

Zhao Tian stopped and turned to face Bibi Dong on the raised platform, his expression calm.

"Your Holiness overpraises me."

The corners of Bibi Dong's lips lifted slightly, revealing a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

"I have always spoken plainly. A genius like you is indeed somewhat wasted in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

The entire venue erupted in an uproar.

On the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's viewing stand, Ning Fengzhi's brows immediately furrowed. Chen Xin and Gu Rong both rose to their feet, sharp light flashing in their eyes.

Ignoring their reactions, Bibi Dong continued, "Zhao Tian, I can offer you an opportunity. Join Spirit Hall, become one of its core disciples, and receive Spirit Hall's finest resources and training."

"I can personally guide your cultivation. All of Spirit Hall's cultivation methods, soul skills, and resources will be yours to use as you please."

"Your future achievements will far surpass what you have accomplished today."

She paused, her violet eyes meeting Zhao Tian's directly.

"Are you willing?"

The entire venue fell utterly silent.

All eyes focused on Zhao Tian.

He was only six years old, yet he faced a personal invitation from the continent's most powerful Pope.

Any other child would likely have agreed without the slightest hesitation.

But Zhao Tian did not.

He was silent for a moment, then gave a slight bow, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

"Thank you for your favor, Your Holiness."

"But I am doing very well in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. My three teachers treat me like family, and Rongrong treats me like a close friend."

"I have already come to regard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as my home, and I have no plans to leave for the time being."

"Therefore, please forgive me for being unable to accept."

A nearly imperceptible glint flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes, but her expression remained calm.

"Are you certain?"

Her voice remained gentle, yet everyone could hear the weight behind it.

"I am certain."

Zhao Tian answered without the slightest hesitation.

What a joke. In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he was a Title Douluo's disciple, already standing at the very top.

If he went to Spirit Hall, he could only become a prized core disciple?

The difference was simply too great.