Lin Ya's battle had just ended. Only then did the other arenas seem to awaken from a dream and continue their fights.
But several battles clearly became half-hearted.
Originally, everyone thought this would be a one-sided, crushing fight.
And it was one-sided and crushing…
It's just the winner wasn't who they expected.
Lin Ya actually won.
And not only did he win, he did so with an absolutely overwhelming presence.
While everyone was shocked at how deeply Lin Ya had hidden his plans, their hearts also began to stir.
Lin Ya was the strongest offensive sword immortal, and back then, he had been on par with Zhao Wuji. Now he had silently cultivated to late Fusion Stage.
Zhao Wuji was also at late Fusion.
But if those two fought now, most believed Lin Ya would win.
Which meant.
If the few Grand Elders remained in seclusion, Lin Ya would now be the strongest person in all of Tianxing Sect.
However.
Raw power wasn't enough to change everything.
Zhao Wuji's talent was actually quite mediocre. If not for his father, he likely wouldn't have even reached Fusion Stage. Everything he had today was the result of endless resources being poured into him.
Resources that ordinary people could never touch, Zhao Wuji could obtain with just a word.
He wanted to be Sect Leader, so his strongest competitor, Lin Ya, conveniently suffered a major injury.
In other sects, that might not have been so easy, but in a mid-tier sect like Tianxing Sect, Zhao Wuji could get whatever he wanted.
Lin Ya had been hiding for so long, enduring hardship and biding his time, his thoughts were profoundly deep. Being able to reach late Fusion Stage was indeed beyond many people's expectations.
And Zhao Wuji? His cultivation hadn't advanced at all, but he could casually summon a Tribulation Crossing Stage expert from Qingxiao Pavilion! And his father might break through to Mahayana Stage at any moment.
This is what having a background means.
No matter how powerful Lin Ya was as an individual, how could he compete against such an overwhelming background?
Sure, Lin Ya won today.
But given Zhao Wuji's petty, vindictive personality, the days ahead for Lin Ya might only get harder.
Yet Lin Ya?
He chose this moment to reveal his strength. And with thoughts as deep as his, could he really have no other preparations?
Now, many were starting to believe that maybe Yun Jin's rapid growth also had something to do with Lin Ya's support behind the scenes.
Could it be that Lin Ya had some secret force backing him as well?
In that instant, everyone began to raise their estimation of Lin Ya even higher.
In this invisible struggle, Zhao Wuji had clearly held the advantage. And on the surface, he still did.
But now, people couldn't help but feel a glimmer of expectation for Lin Ya.
Maybe, even against a Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator, he had a plan.
At this moment, Lin Ya still wore a mysterious smile on his face.
He knew.
Zhao Wuji had worked hard to invite this "Li Heng," and it wasn't just for show.
That Li Heng would almost certainly make a move.
But so what?
Had none of them heard the saying: A Master's worth is raised by the value of their disciples.
If Li Heng truly threw away all shame.
He could just shout for help!
Could Older Brother Qing Yun and the others ignore that?
Family members, this kind of backing was something someone like Zhao Wuji could only envy from afar.
Picking good disciples takes good vision.
Lin Ya wasn't worried at all. In fact, he still had the time to think about all sorts of random things.
Below the platform.
The disciples from Heavenly Sword Peak were surprisingly calm. Only Yun Jin still looked a little tense.
She furrowed her brows slightly.
She had already expected Zhao Wuji to bring in outside help.
Her original plan had been to ask Elder Ming to rouse the three Grand Elders from their seclusion.
Yun Jin glanced at Elder Ming, he gave a subtle nod in return, indicating that if Li Heng truly tried anything disgraceful, the Grand Elders were already paying attention, they wouldn't let it slide.
Back then, all three Grand Elders had actually supported Lin Ya to become Sect Leader. Whether in contributions or popularity, Lin Ya had been the better candidate.
But then Lin Ya was suddenly severely injured. And behind Zhao Wuji stood his influential father, applying enormous pressure. That was the only reason Zhao Wuji claimed the position of Sect Leader in the end.
The three Grand Elders couldn't stop it, so they simply remained in long-term seclusion. For many years now, they hadn't appeared in public. But even so, their very existence continued to intimidate Zhao Wuji, preventing him from going too far publicly.
Now that Lin Ya had recovered his strength, they would likely be the happiest of all. Yun Jin had already asked Elder Ming to invite them to watch the match in secret.
She didn't reveal that Lin Ya had fully recovered, but the Grand Elders already had high hopes for him. With Yun Jin passing along the message, they would surely come.
Compared to Zhao Wuji, even though he was part of Tianxing Sect, he always acted superior because of his powerful father. He'd never truly cared about the sect.
But Lin Ya? He was cultivated from within the sect itself.
If not for being suddenly crippled back then, the elders would've chosen him without hesitation.
Now that he was fully recovered and had grown even stronger.
Would the Grand Elders really let him be killed by Li Heng?
Yun Jin mentally reviewed everything again. She felt that, with all their current forces combined, it should be enough to withstand Li Heng.
Only then did she relax a bit.
At the same time, she felt a tinge of frustration.
Having powerful backers really does make a difference.
Zhao Wuji just had to snap his fingers, and a Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator from one of the Four Great Holy Lands would appear.
Meanwhile, she had to plan everything carefully, coordinating every force she could muster just to barely resist.
The difference in background really was maddening.
As the Peak Master Challenge neared its end, Yun Jin quietly leaned over to her senior brothers and sister. In a hushed voice, she said, "Senior Brothers, Senior Sister, I'm afraid that Li Heng might attack. Even though the Grand Elders will probably intervene, everyone should still be alert. The next battle might be brutal."
Her expression was grim.
The others didn't know how to respond.
Oh right.
Yun Jin was the only one who didn't know.
That a bunch of bigshots were already fighting over her.
Compared to them…
Maybe Li Heng wasn't that big of a threat after all?
"Don't worry, Junior Sister." Yue Zhao didn't explain too much and just comforted gently.
Yun Jin nodded, still serious.
Li Heng was currently the biggest obstacle.
If they could make it past this, Heavenly Sword Peak would temporarily be secure.
As the final challenges ended.
Zhao Wuji stood expressionless and announced, "The Peak Master Challenge is now concluded."
He said in a calm voice, "All ten Peak Masters have successfully defended their positions. Especially Lin Ya, Peak Master Lin, who advanced rapidly and defeated Luo Yi in one move. He is truly worthy of this position."
Zhao Wuji was actually praising Lin Ya?
Many people couldn't help but look confused.
"Congratulations, Peak Master Lin." Zhao Wuji smiled without warmth.
Lin Ya was just about to respond, when a voice rang out.
"Hold on—" Li Heng slowly stood up. "This Lin Ya has a problem."