"What are you all doing here?" No sooner had the words left his mouth than a voice rang out. Upon hearing it, the Du Clan members turned their heads—and when their eyes fell on Lin Tian, they were utterly stunned.
At that moment, Lin Tian's hands were adorned with more than a dozen ribbons.
Time within Xiangye Mountain was limited; most disciples hadn't even managed to secure a single ribbon. Even Du Yuejiao, with her Qi Refining Stage Seven cultivation, had only obtained one. Yet here stood Lin Tian, brandishing over ten ribbons—an astonishing sight that left everyone dumbfounded.
Among them, Du Yuefen's face twisted from blue to purple. No sooner had she spoken her sharp words than Lin Tian appeared with this bounty. Though he said nothing, his mere presence felt like a pair of resounding slaps across her face, leaving her utterly humiliated.
"Here, take these ribbons and divide them among yourselves," Lin Tian said, removing the ribbons from his hands and offering them to the Du Clan members. Over the past days, he had received considerable care from Du Yuejiao; now, it was only natural to lend a hand to the others.
"Really? That's wonderful!"
"Lin Tian, you're incredible!"
Hearing his words, the Du Clan members' faces lit up with delight. According to the assessment rules, only those with enough ribbons to rank in the top one hundred would qualify to enter Xuanwu Sect. Thus, the ribbons were invaluable. Lin Tian's generous gesture was akin to snow upon embers, significantly boosting their chances of success.
After distributing the ribbons, Lin Tian called Du Feng and Du Yuejiao over. Finding a secluded spot, he carefully produced another set of ten or so ribbons from his bosom.
Both were left dumbfounded. Their eyes fixed on Lin Tian in bewilderment. Despite their utmost effort, they had only managed to secure a single ribbon each, yet Lin Tian had gathered so many in such a short span of time. Who exactly was this boy?
"Do you two want to come with me and get some more?" Lin Tian smiled, a strange glint tugging at the corners of his mouth. The two immediately nodded eagerly.
Thus, the three set off together. Du Yuejiao, already Qi Refining Stage Seven, was virtually unrivaled on Xiangye Mountain. Du Feng, though Stage Six, was nearly at Stage Seven, and with his mastery of the Rainstorm Pear Blossom technique, he could contend even with Stage Seven cultivators.
With their assistance, Lin Tian grew increasingly audacious. As his spiritual energy radiated outward, more twin-tailed spirit cats were drawn to him. After repeating the process several times, the trio had amassed over fifty ribbons. Barring unforeseen events, securing a spot in the top one hundred was almost guaranteed.
Yet Xiangye Mountain was teeming with cultivators. The conspicuous display of ribbons on the three drew attention quickly. Soon, a group appeared before them.
"Xu Song?" Du Yuejiao's eyes sharpened. Xu Clan had long been the Du Clan's bitter rival, causing countless troubles over the years, escalating in recent months. Xu Song was the undisputed young prodigy of the Xu Clan, having reached Qi Refining Stage Seven two years prior. Though not yet Stage Eight, he was perilously close. What concerned her most, however, was that Xu Song was accompanied by seven others, three of whom had already attained Stage Six.
Their combined strength made them formidable, virtually untouchable across Xiangye Mountain. Against such odds, Lin Tian and his companions had little hope of victory.
"Du Yuejiao, long time no see. Didn't expect your illness to be cured so quickly," Xu Song greeted with a smile. Yuejiao's talent had always exceeded the ordinary, and coupled with her beauty, she had long captured his youthful attention. Rebuffed and humiliated back then, Xu Song had nurtured a subtle desire for revenge, taking secret satisfaction in her prior inability to cultivate.
"None of your business," Du Yuejiao replied icily, her tone sharp and unyielding.
"Your health is your own concern, but these ribbons you carry? They belong to me now," Xu Song sneered, addressing the three.
The ribbons on Lin Tian and his companions were numerous. If Xu Song could seize them, entry into the top one hundred would be secured without doubt.
"Want these ribbons? You'll have to earn them," Du Yuejiao said, her sharp temper flaring. Though tempered over the past days due to her prior inability to cultivate, she was not someone Xu Song could bully. His words were an affront, dismissing her entirely.
"Oh, really?" Xu Song's lips curled into a sneer as he activated his spiritual energy. The instant he did, a deep, resonant roar echoed from the surrounding forest.
Following the sound, a spirit cat appeared, approaching them slowly. Unlike the twin-tailed cats of Xiangye Mountain, this one had three tails and emanated an aura of Qi Refining Stage Eight.
The moment it spotted Lin Tian, its eyes glimmered with savage intensity.
Feeling the ferocity in its gaze, Lin Tian's heart skipped a beat. Yet as his hand brushed against an item in his backpack, a sly smile lifted the corners of his mouth.