Whether it was before the revival of Heaven and Earth, or after it, Yu Zhenzi's talent and strength was far inferior when compared to those, like Zhao Baiyang, who were hailed as the supreme strongmen of the martial world.
Even when they both were at the First-grade Realm, Yu Zhenzi had to look up to those strongmen, their levels of power were simply not comparable.
But now, things were different. As he had pledged allegiance to Pei Xuanjing, he became Pei Xuanjing's confidant, received his full support for cultivation, and now stood on par with those he once had to look up to. This was undoubtedly a cause for admiration.
Looking at the current situation, Yu Zhenzi's future probably might not stop there. With the backbone-like support of the strongest cultivator, Pei Xuanjing, his future might at least reach the Seventh Level of the Spirit Realm.
Many independent practitioners were highly jealous of Yu Zhenzi's position. Their envy was much stronger than that towards Pang Hong, who was a direct disciple.
However, even amid their jealousy, they had to sigh, admitting that it was truly a matter of timing and destiny. In the past, Yu Zhenzi was also a strong cultivator, but his ability to identify and humble himself under Pei Xuanjing's command, thus gaining importance, was indeed a type of talent.
"Hahaha, I, Yu Zhenzi, never expected to have such a day." Yu Zhenzi stood there, his face calm, but in his heart, pride welled up.
Who could have imagined that in the past when he had to back away when facing people like Zhao Baiyang, he now had the qualifications to be on equal footing with them? There was no doubt how gratifying it felt to reflect on his initial choice.
Sometimes, a person's choices are even more important than their hard work.
The Lord of Shenxiao Gate was once so formidable. But after many years, his bones had turned to dust. Not only did he still exist but also stepped into the Spirit Realm, reached where he was today, and might even continue to move forward following his mentor's footsteps, exploring the Immortal Path in the future. For Yu Zhenzi, this was something unimaginable.
The others, such as Zhao Baiyang, viewed Yu Zhenzi with complicated expressions. After all, the old Yu Zhenzi had been far inferior to them. But now, he was on par with them.
The one who used to be on par with them was now unreachable. They could only gaze at his back from a distance, unable to touch it.
Even though they had long accepted the reality, they still felt a bit complicated when they truly stood here with Yu Zhenzi.
Under Pei Xuanjing's thoughts, they actually didn't need to participate in these competitions. However, Zhao Baiyang and the others didn't see it that way. At this point, they lacked experience in fighting against opponents of the same realm. This firsthand experience would help them grow faster in their cultivation. So, how could they pass on a chance to fight cultivators of the same realm?
Regarding this, Pei Xuanjing could only let them participate.
"Master Pei, won't their moves reveal their secrets?" Zhu Houji frowned and asked Pei Xuanjing.
As an emperor, he was instinctively accustomed to hiding many secrets, let alone concealing their secret weapons – something he had learned without being taught.
So, in his mind, he was reluctant to have these people reveal their hand, because he saw that these people were about to participate in the upcoming competitions. Revealing their secret weapons now would unquestionably expose themselves, only to be detected by others.
Pei Xuanjing was indifferent to this. He retorted, "Your Majesty, do you think if they didn't make a move, others wouldn't know their strengths? Isn't that underestimating them?"
Pei Xuanjing thought that Zhu Houji's worries were unnecessary. A secret weapon has to be well-hidden to be called a secret weapon.
Given the current situation, the local powerhouses of the Daming World are just these few. These forces would definitely have a deep understanding and investigation of each of the powerhouses unless they were fools.
Given the current situation, the only people they could send in the competition were Zhao Baiyang's group. Apart from some of their killer moves, others have a clear understanding about them. There was no need to hide. Instead, they should seize the opportunity and reveal their hand now.
In Pei Xuanjing's eyes, among the local powerhouses of the Daming World, probably only Wang Boan's powers were unknown to those in the Sky Wasteland. He was the only one who could be used as a surprise attack.
Therefore, Pei Xuanjing did not let Wang Boan appear immediately, but waited for the right time.
"…" Zhu Houji fell silent, seemingly unable to refute Pei Xuanjing's words immediately.
Indeed, over so many years, the forces of the Sky Wasteland have been around for a long time. How could they not collect relevant information? Everything was exposed under the eyes of the other party.
Pei Xuanjing's attention was on the competition area of the arena. At this moment, the cultivators had entered their respective competition areas and started the combat.
Among the competition areas, the most fierce competition was for the cultivators in the Spirit Realm Onefold to Threefold. After all, there were the most people here, and accidents were frequent. Even disciples from large forces and cultivators hailed as geniuses were never confident that they could definitely be named within the ranks.
The reason was simple – there were too many people. Unless one's strength was dominant enough to sweep across everything, there was a high possibility of getting caught in group attacks.
Especially since the locations within these areas were randomly assigned, those famous cultivators would naturally draw the most attention and attract many people. To clarify their opponents, they naturally faced the most difficulties.
So sometimes, powerful cultivators with great fame, if they were unlucky, might not only fail to rank as they expected, but also be eliminated by a group of other competitors.
Pei Xuanjing and the other rule-setting powerhouses knew about such situations. They had the ability to cover up such loopholes, but neither Pei Xuanjing nor other strong cultivators cared about it. In fact, they deliberately left this loophole.
Sometimes, luck was part of one's strength. Apart from their talents that needed to be considered, they valued even higher these descendants' wisdom and instantaneous response ability.
Under such circumstances, if one could instantly turn the tables, it would be a proof of their ability, even if they couldn't exhibit leadership abilities and rally a group of people, but only if they were able to protect themselves.
At this moment, things were chaotic within the combat areas of the Spirit Realm from Onefold to Threefold. It was mixed and messy. Although the cultivators' strength wasn't as splendid as that of the other cultivators who possessed divine powers and skills, they were equally eye-catching.
Within the arena of the stage, countless cultivators are revealing their wisdom and abilities, using all sorts of methods to strive for fame and recognition here.
After all, those observing them now are the most powerful beings in the world. If one could catch their eye and gain their favor in this event, it would be equivalent to a carp leaping through the dragon's gate, ascending the ladder, and changing their fate.
Some independent practitioners who are aware of their weak powers unite with their companions to deal with disciples of more significant strength.
Disciples from large sects, leveraging their prestige and alliance with sect mates, quickly gather a considerable number of people and suppress disciples from opposing forces they had conflicts with before, striving to eliminate them.
Also, just as Pei Xuanjing and others had imagined, those individuals with remarkable talent and robust fighting strength display their authority, even when facing multiple opponents at once, proving their dominance.
In short, the situation within the arenas of the three locations is ever-changing. Emerging talents stir up the wind and clouds, creating an exciting spectacle that attracts many eyes.
Especially for the powerful practitioners from many top-tier forces—they are particularly interested in the outstanding ones, especially those with wisdom and organizational capabilities.
Pang Hong enters the battling arena for cultivators at the Fourth Level of the Spiritual Realm. In this area, there are less than ten thousand people. The moment he steps in, he suddenly finds that the arena is truly a forbidden place, as his master had said.
At this moment, he feels as if he is in the wilderness, surrounded by lush forests and meandering mountain ranges, full of vitality.
Frightening waves of Qi continuously surge into the sky and collide with each other. Clearly, there are cultivators battling, causing the forest to shake and Primordial Qi to circulate freely.
However, Pang Hong is not the least bit surprised by the ripples caused by the duels. His years of presiding over the Shenxiao Sect have taught him to maintain a poker face, whether in joy or anger.
He does not rush to find an opponent but leisurely walks around with the Shenxiao Sword in his hand, experiencing the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi and landscape of the forbidden blessed land at the moment.
Huh?
While Pang Hong is leisurely strolling, a sudden sharp sword Qi rises ominously and sweeps around. This sword intent is incredibly dominating, seeming to suppress the surrounding cultivators and offering them only one choice—to submit.
"You, from the Sword Sect, are quite presumptuous! Do you truly believe that once you've cultivated the divine power of the Sword Sect, you can sweep over all the heroes?" a cultivator roars reproachfully.
With these voices emerging, several cultivators take action in succession, challenging this sword intent, trying to break down this sword intent.
Unfortunately, no one is strong enough to suppress the other party. When the sword light passes by, some cultivators are continuously eliminated and leave the dueling area, losing their qualifications for the duels.
"The Sword Sect, huh?" There is a flash of divine light in Pang Hong's eyes.
As a top-tier force in the Sky Wasteland, able to contend with the Xuantian Sect, which claims to be the top of the Righteous Path, he has naturally heard of them. He knows that the disciples of this Sword Sect are always overbearing when they have their swords in hand.
However, it is indeed better to see once than hear a hundred times; this disciple of the Sword Sect is even more overbearing than Pang Hong had imagined. He thought if this Sword Sect weren't a top-tier force with several strongest cultivators sitting among them, they might not be able to bear offending people like this!
Just as he was contemplating, he could sense a sword light falling toward him. Faced with this horrible sword light, Pang Hong wasn't afraid at all; he simply smiled, flicked his finger, and shot a sword Qi, which knocked it into oblivion.
Pei Xuanjing's swordsmanship is famous in the world, which Pei Xuanjing relies on to march across the world and win repeatedly. As his disciple, how could Pang Hong's swordsmanship be weak?
"Hmm, there's actually someone who can block my sword."
The sword light was blocked, and the disciple of the Sword Sect naturally reacted. He immediately headed towards the place where Pang Hong was.
"So, it's the disciple of the National Advisor. I am Jian Wuying, I have heard much about you," Jian Wuying, the disciple from the Sword Sect, spoke to Pang Hong.
Clearly, as the direct disciple of Pei Xuanjing, Pang Hong's name and appearance were deeply remembered by everyone, giving the impression of a person known to all.
Looking at the opponent whose eyes were full of desire to fight, Pang Hong lightly said, "Taoist Friend, are you intending to take action against me?"
Ever since this Jian Wuying appeared, with the flow of Primordial Qi on his body, and the unabashed war intent in his eyes, Pang Hong naturally understood the other party's thoughts.
"That's correct. If I hadn't encountered you, I might let it pass, but since I have met you, I definitely want to experience your strength for myself, given that you are the disciple of the National Advisor," Jian Wuying bluntly replied.
The disciples of the Sword Sect believe in seeking the straight path rather than the winding one, naturally he would not beat around the bush. He also doesn't hide his intention to make a move.
Pang Hong advised, "With your strength, you may not be unable to compete for the final reward. If you act now, you won't have a chance."
His meaning is clear—if he makes a move and eliminates his opponent, Jian Wuying will certainly have no chance to stay.
Jian Wuying naturally heard Pang Hong's words. He was displeased with Pang Hong's attitude, "Are you this confident?"
As a disciple of the Sword Sect, he was already rather proud. Hearing Pang Hong's words now, he was rather angry.
"In that case, take action!" said Pang Hong, without saying anything more.
He had already given his advice, but the other party didn't appreciate it, so there was no need for him to hold back.
"Good!"
Jian Wuying no longer wasted words and drew his sword.
As the divine sword is thrust out, countless sword lights appear immediately. Floating shadows and fleeting lights flood the Heaven and Earth, as if everything has been covered by sword light.
Looking at the Sword Light flying from all corners of the sky, Pang Hong lightly shakes his head, disappointment flashing across his eyes. While the opponent's sword technique is not bad and even considered a strong contender among his peers, if he were to face an average cultivator at Fifth Level of the Spirit Realm, he might have actually put up a good fight.
However, unfortunately, he encountered Pang Hong, the disciple of Pei Xuanjing, who, even though Pei Xuanjing did not particularly focus on teaching Pang Hong, benefited greatly from listening to a supreme cultivator's teachings and experiences.
Before Heaven and Earth fully revived, many cultivators from the Sky Wasteland arrived. Pang Hong, standing at the Second Layer of the Spirit Realm and following Pei Xuanjing's orders, had already defeated numerous cultivators at the Third and Fourth Levels of the Spirit Realm, not to mention himself stepping into the Fourth Level of the Spirit Realm after decades of cultivation, right?
Jian Wuying's fierce sword light might be perceived as a formidable sword move in the eyes of others, but in Pang Hong's eyes, it is merely flamboyant.
Pang Hong shook his head, and the Shenxiao Sword in his hand let out a soft humming sound and was drawn out in an instant.
Sword Drawing Skill!
This technique, which Pei Xuanjing once relied upon to gallop across the world, defeating countless experts and causing the astonishment of the world's strongest individuals, appears once again. As the direct disciple of Pei Xuanjing,
This sword technique reappears in Pang Hong's hands, in the eyes of all powerful beings in the Heaven and Earth.
Though he had a grandmaster as his teacher, who seemed capable of mastering any martial art with ease, Pang Hong was aware his natural talent did not rank in the exceptional. Hence, when countless advanced martial techniques lay before him for selection, he did not burden himself with learning too many. Instead, he specialized in a handful of them.
The Sword Drawing Skill was his best skill. After decades of cultivation, his mastery of the skill had already encompassed about seventy to eighty percent of Pei Xuanjing's original charm, but it had a distinct style, unique to Pang Hong. He had carved out his own path, not merely imitating Pei Xuanjing.
Clang!
Shenxiao Sword was unsheathed.
Gripping the sword, drawing it out, unsheathing it, and slashing all flowed as smoothly as a drifting cloud, without any pauses!
A brilliant flash of sword light appeared. In the instant that the sword left its sheath, an intense and deadly sword intent seeped through.
Threat of a single sword, seemed as if it had the power to tear the sky and cleave the earth.
The freezing sword light, paired with the violent sword intent, even cut through the space, breaking Jian Wuying's all-encompassing sword light and obliterating it, despite there being just a single stroke of sword light.
Pang Hong's sword intent was not majestic and dazzling like Pei Xuanjing; instead, it was full of his unique style, no less violent than the Shenxiao skill he cultivated, bearing a striking resemblance to the thunder in the sky.
The Sword Drawing Skill in his hands did not pursue the extremity of speed like Pei Xuanjing had, but it was full of violence and a sense of destruction.
The smile on Jian Wuying's face, who just launched a sword attack, froze. He never expected that his sword skills would be so easily broken by his opponent.
Moreover, the destructive sword light continued to fall towards him, swift as thunder. Even as he prepared to raise his sword in defense, it was too late.
Boom!
After the sword flash passed and dissipated, Jian Wuying's figure disappeared from the ring, reappearing outside of it.
Even after reaching the outside world, droplets of sweat the size of soybeans dripped from Jian Wuying's forehead, and cold sweat soaked his back. His mind was filled with the horror of that one sword.
"The disciple of the Royal Advisor really lives up to his reputation. I'm afraid that many cultivators at the Fifth Level of the Spirit Realm would find this sword hard to defend against. Even cultivators at the Sixth Level of the Spirit Realm would find it challenging." All feelings of jealousy towards Pang Hong disappeared from Jian Wuying's mind.
No matter what, he knew that the comparison was not meaningful anymore. He could not challenge or defeat Pang Hong at his current level.
"I guess only the few prodigies within the Sect could suppress him!" Jian Wuying thought to himself.
Pang Hong's sword attack just now reminded him of the strongest few prodigies within his Sword Sect, real masters who were born with an innate talent for swordsmanship.
Thinking of his own presumptous challenge against such a prodigy, Jian Wuying's face revealed a hint of bitterness. He had truly brought this hardship onto himself. The substantial rewards were unfortunately out of reach for him.
It wasn't just Jian Wuying, the eliminated participant, who came to know more about Pang Hong. After his sword strike, many cultivators around him also revealed shocked expressions.
Just moments ago, after learning of Pang Hong's identity, many cultivators ignited their will to challenge, wanting to make a name for themselves by confronting the direct disciple of such a powerful figure and hence gain fame.
But after witnessing that sword strike, many of them instantly retreated, aware that they were not Pang Hong's match.
But of course, where the weak retreat, the strong only became more eager to face a challenge. Knowing how strong this direct disciple of the Royal Advisor is, young powerhouses from some top-ranked forces also began showing interest.
These people were born into privilege and natural talent. They didn't pay much attention to Pei Xuanjing since he was not very famous; even the fact that he was the direct disciple of a grandmaster didn't impress them. In their eyes, only the truly powerful of their generation were worth fighting.
However, now that Pang Hong has displayed strength not less than them, they suddenly became interested. After all, it only made sense to defeat and suppress such an opponent.
Thus, after Pang Hong defeated Jian Wuying with a single sword strike, it instantly attracted many real prodigies from amongst their peers. Among them were young powerhouses from the Sword Sect, who were also those "innate sword bone" prodigies mentioned by Jian Wuying.
Pang Hong, however, didn't know this yet.
And of course, even if he did know, he would not be afraid. In fact, he would be even happier.
After all, his reason for being here was not for resources. As a disciple of Pei Xuanjing, he did not need to worry about cultivation resources. Even though these resources were precious, he did not hold them in high regard.
His real intention was to challenge these powerhouses of his generation. Only by defeating them could he prove to the world that his master's choice was right and he hadn't let his master down.
"The disciple of the Royal Advisor seems to be quite extraordinary!" a cultivator from the Sword Sect who was at the Eighth Level of the Spirit Realm, said to Pei Xuanjing with a smile.
Due to his position as the direct disciple, Pang Hong naturally attracted a lot of attention from many powerful individuals. They wanted to see if he really had some of Pei Xuanjing's abilities.
From Pang Hong's previous sword move, these powerhouses could easily discern that he clearly walked his own path. Such talent, even among cultivators in the Sky Wasteland, was extraordinary.
Fate is not as fearsome as Ancestors.
For cultivators above the Seventh Level of the Spirit Realm, this sentiment was firmly embedded in their hearts.
They deeply understood that in this world there were only the strongest cultivators, but there was no such thing as the strongest skill.
Any skill, even if taught by a grandmaster themselves, cannot be completely replicated. After all, doing so would only lead to walking the same path others have taken before. Even if they were prodigies, their potential would inevitably be limited. Only those who truly walk their own path, can compensate for a lack of talent.
At this moment, Pang Hong, at only the Fourth Level of the Spirit Realm, had already started to walk his own path. It was something many even at the Sixth Level of the Spirit Realm were unable to do, which understandably garnered astonishment from others.
"It's nothing more than luck!" Pei Xuanjing humbly shook his head, laughed, and said, "The disciples of the Sword Sect are remarkably gifted. The true powerhouses have yet to make their move."
Regarding Pang Hong's victory over Jian Wuying, Pei Xuanjing didn't care much, feeling it was to be expected. After all, despite Jian Wuying being somewhat capable, he still fell short compared to the real young powerhouses and prodigies of the Sword Sect. Given that he had personally trained Pang Hong, it would be strange if Pang Hong did not come out on top.
"Speaking of swordsmanship, Kingdom Teacher, yours is impressive. If the opportunity arises, this humble monk would like to experience it." An ultimate powerhouse of Sword Sect addressed Pei Xuanjing with a smile.
The Sword Sect cultivators devoted their lives to only the sword. They were very fond of the swordsmanship and sword techniques displayed by Pei Xuanjing. If it weren't for the different situations, these ultimate powerhouses of Sword Sect would have probably already initiated a request for sword competition.
"Of course, I am also curious about the exquisite sword techniques of the Sword Sect," Pei Xuanjing replied, not rejecting the request.