Fu Haotian finally revealed his trump card with overwhelming confidence, sending waves of heated discussion through the crowd.
Among the seven distinguished guests on the stage, so already wore knowing smiles, their expressions suggesting they had anticipated this outco. Given Fu Haotian’s status, they had long expected such a hidden advantage.
As the decisive mont approached, Palace Master Nanli Qingming remained expressionless.
"Recount the demon corpses once more to determine the victor."
Tens of thousands of disciples watched with mixed emotions, their gazes converging once again.
The presiding elder, composed and dignified, bowed in acknowledgnt before turning to Fu Haotian with a command.
"Fu Haotian, since you claim to possess additional demon corpses, present them now for counting."
Fu Haotian smiled gracefully, exuding refined elegance as he bowed slightly.
"Please grant a mont, Elder. I have already sent soone to summon Elder Wei."
His confidence was unmistakable, and his words, spoken before the entire assembly, carried the air of a victor. The presiding elder had no choice but to nod in acquiescence.
"Very well. We shall wait briefly."
With just a few words, Fu Haotian had seized complete control of the situation.
The gathered disciples waited with varying expressions—so eager, others resentful. Among them, Zhong Ling and her allies wore looks of bitter resignation, though they could do nothing.
Yet as ti passed, the initially triumphant disciples began to grow uneasy.
"It’s been nearly an incense stick’s worth of ti. Why hasn’t Elder Wei arrived yet?"
"Could it be that Fu Haotian is rely putting on a show?"
"Nonsense! Senior Brother Fu’s status is beyond reproach. How could he resort to deception?"
"Then explain why Elder Wei is still nowhere to be seen?"
"Well…"
Whispers and debates spread like wildfire beyond the martial arena, filling the air with doubt.
The murmurs reached Fu Haotian’s ears, and though he maintained a forced smile, his expression darkened. The pointed remarks felt like sars on his dignity, stripping him of the glory he had expected.
This should have been his mont of absolute triumph, yet Wei Zhenfang was conspicuously absent.
Even if the final outco remained unchanged, the delay stoked Fu Haotian’s irritation.
Standing alone before the massive assembly, Fu Haotian’s patience wore thin. Anger simred in his chest, and he could no longer resist sending a covert ssage.
"What is the aning of this?!"
"Why has Wei Zhenfang not appeared yet? How dare he act so arrogantly at such a critical mont? What is his ga?"
An elderly attendant, visibly nervous, hurriedly replied via the sa thod.
"Young Master, please calm your anger. I dispatched soone to fetch him, but Elder Wei’s cultivation has advanced significantly. No one dares to press him too hard—perhaps he is still ditating. He will surely arrive soon."
Hearing this, Fu Haotian’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening further.
That old fool Wei Zhenfang, growing more insolent by the day with his newfound power! Lately, he had been putting on airs constantly. If not for the fact that Fu Haotian still needed his support to secure the position of Chief Disciple, he would never tolerate such disrespect!
That wretched old man!
Let him revel in his arrogance for now. Once Fu Haotian claid the title of Chief Disciple and no longer required external aid, he would make sure the old dog groveled at his feet in apology!
A cold glint flickered in Fu Haotian’s eyes, bordering on murderous intent.
Just then, the sea of disciples parted like a tide, clearing a path.
Both inner and outer sect disciples stepped aside respectfully.
"Elder Wei has arrived!"
A reverent announcent rang out as Wei Zhenfang finally strode into the martial arena, hands clasped behind his back.
Though nominally a guest elder, Wei Zhenfang’s recent feats—his cultivation breakthrough and his legendary battle against eight demonic entities—had spread far and wide. Tens of thousands of disciples regarded him with awe.
Now, with his arrival poised to decide the outco of the Chief Disciple competition, his entrance in plain gray robes drew every eye in the arena.
Outer disciples, high-ranking sect elders, honored guests on the platform—all turned their attention to him.
Wei Zhenfang exuded an aura of unshakable calm, the bearing of a true master. With one hand behind his back, he walked forward steadily, his gaze fixed ahead.
His presence alone was enough to leave the crowd breathless.
Fu Haotian imdiately stepped forward, clasping his hands in salute.
His face was all warmth and humility, the earlier hostility nowhere to be seen.
"Elder Wei, I had no choice but to trouble you to erge from seclusion for the sake of determining the victor in this competition. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience."
Wei Zhenfang rely glanced at him indifferently and gave a slight nod.
"Hm."
The overwhelming aura of a true expert radiated from him once more, silencing any lingering doubts. Many were now convinced that Wei Zhenfang’s cultivation had indeed reached new heights—otherwise, he would never dare treat Fu Haotian with such aloofness.
Fu Haotian, for his part, showed no offense, maintaining his pleasant smile.
Even the presiding elder regarded Wei Zhenfang with newfound respect, bowing slightly as he inquired,
"Elder Wei, it is said that you possess an additional thousand demon corpses. Is this true?"
Wei Zhenfang nodded again.
"Indeed, it is."
The mont these words were spoken, the disciples’ reactions beca starkly divided.
A single glance revealed the outco written across their faces—while Zhong Ling and her faction still wore expressions of unwillingness, her junior brothers had gone deathly pale.
Unfazed, the presiding elder continued,
"In that case, please present the demon corpses for imdiate counting!"
Under Fu Haotian’s expectant gaze, Wei Zhenfang raised two fingers.
A streak of light shot from his storage ring, coalescing into a towering mound in the center of the arena.
As the brilliance faded, the horrifying pile of demon corpses ca into view—towering half again as high as the two smaller mounds beside it. Even a rough estimate confird it far exceeded eight hundred.
The count of a thousand was beyond dispute.
Staring up at the grueso mountain of remains, Zhong Ling’s clenched fists slowly loosened, her face drained of all color.
Behind her, her fellow disciples stood in utter despair, crushed by the sight of the thousand-corpse mound.
"What… what do we do now?"
"It’s over… completely over…"
Whispers of resignation filled the air, and Fu Haotian savored every word.
His eyes swept over the crowd, lingering on the varying shades of defeat etched into their faces. The sight filled him with satisfaction, and he finally allowed himself a triumphant smirk, shedding his earlier facade of modesty.
Zhong Ling’s silence, in particular, filled him with a deep sense of accomplishnt.
Flicking open an ornate jade fan with practiced ease, Fu Haotian cast a mocking glance her way.
"Senior Sister Zhongli."
"Ah, forgive —I misspoke. You’ll soon no longer be my senior sister. From now on, I should address you as ‘Miss Zhongli,’ shouldn’t I?"
His laughter rang out, sharp and derisive. Zhong Ling and her brothers could only grit their teeth in silence.
Fu Haotian’s lips curled further, his expression feigning pity.
"What a sha."
"It seems your tally was a re eight hundred, while mine stands at eighteen hundred. You didn’t even manage half of my count. As per our agreent, Miss Zhongli, you must relinquish all claim to the Chief Disciple position—and leave the Cangyun Heavenly Palace forever."
"However, I am a magnanimous man. Out of respect for our forr camaraderie, I am willing to lend you a flying vessel for your departure."
"What say you? Hahaha—"
His laughter grew louder, bordering on grating.
Zhong Ling’s face twisted in humiliation, the cruel reality leaving her no room for rebuttal. Her brothers seethed with helpless fury, no longer caring about the murmurs of the surrounding crowd.
With the outco all but sealed, the presiding elder ascended the jade steps.
Standing before the palace master and the honored guests, his voice bood across the arena.
"The victor of this Chief Disciple Grand Ceremony is—"
His proclamation, thunderous and final, was poised to etch glory and sha into history.
Yet just as the verdict was about to be delivered, a deep voice cut through the air.
"Hold!"
The entire assembly froze. Even the presiding elder frowned in irritation.
More trouble?
But when he turned toward the speaker—Wei Zhenfang—he suppressed his annoyance and asked sternly,
"Elder Wei, what further matter requires attention?"
The sudden turn of events shocked everyone into silence.
As the center of attention, Wei Zhenfang remained composed and spoke calmly.
"Are you certain the announcent wasn’t a mistake?"
"When did I ever say these thousand demon corpses were ant for Fu Haotian?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers