"Why are you here? This is the Spirit Sect Forbidden Land," Ouyang Shangfang said to Ding Fan and i Zhi.
"The Spirit Sect is in trouble. I had no choice but to co in," Ding Fan replied plainly.
Imdiately, Ding Fan recounted to Ouyang Shangfang everything that Feng Shanxing and Gui Zhen had discussed at the forbidden area's entrance. "At the ti, Feng Shanxing wanted to kill i Zhi. With two Profound Level experts against , I couldn't ensure my safe retreat, so I had no choice but to rush into the forbidden area with i Zhi."
Hearing this, i Zhi understood that she had misunderstood Ding Fan.
Earlier, she had invited Ding Fan to the Ink Bamboo Forest. Later, when Ding Fan ran off, i Zhi had believed he had so sinister intention concerning the forbidden area. But now it seed Ding Fan had actually spotted Gui Zhen's figure.
Ding Fan's ability to use Divine Sense in the Ink Bamboo Forest surprised i Zhi, but she did not find it odd. Given he had brought her from the entrance of the forbidden area to their current location, it would have been impossible without Divine Sense guiding him.
Thinking of how Ding Fan had saved her from Feng Shanxing earlier, and how she had failed to express gratitude, i Zhi felt intensely ashad for even thinking about ambushing Ding Fan after they entered the cave.
"What did you say? How could a disciple of the Spirit Sect stoop so low as to collude with mbers of the Ghost Sect for the sake of seizing the Sect Master's position?" Ouyang Shangfang was furious.
"Ancestor, I was there. Uncle Feng and Gui Zhen were indeed scheming sothing, and later Uncle Feng tried to kill to silence ," i Zhi said from the side.
Ouyang Shangfang furrowed his brows deeply.
"Kid, how can you be so smart yet act so foolishly?"
Ding Fan looked confusedly at Ouyang Shangfang.
"This mountain is entirely made up of Adamantine Stone. After discovering it during my lifeti, I turned it into a forbidden area. At the ti, my intention was for it to contain only an entrance and no exit. This was to serve as the eventual resting place for Spirit Sect Sect Masters and Elders. But now that you two have entered, what plan do you have to leave?"
Ouyang Shangfang seed deeply troubled.
With the Spirit Sect in peril, Ding Fan and i Zhi were trapped here. Although Ouyang Shangfang worried greatly, he was rely a Soul Body.
The Spirit Sect had been Ouyang Shangfang's heart and soul. If the news couldn't be delivered and the Spirit Sect was truly undermined by the Ghost Sect, how could Ouyang Shangfang bear it?
i Zhi's brows were tightly knitted as well.
Since entering the Spirit Sect, i Zhi knew this place was entry-only, with no exit. "Ancestor, is there truly no other way to leave here?"
Ouyang Shangfang examined i Zhi from head to toe and then shook his head. "If Wen Yizhou had been the one here today, he could have left. But with the two of you here, there's simply no way out."
Wen Yizhou?
Ding Fan's eyes lit up. After all, Ding Fan possessed Wen Yizhou's legacy, and there might be a chance he could find a solution.
"Senior, why not explain the thod, and we can give it a try?"
Ouyang Shangfang said, "I might as well tell you. Within this stone chamber are six Adamantine Stone-carved steles. Spirit Sect disciples can channel powerful Inner Strength into the steles, activating the formations within them. Once all six steles' formations are activated, they will simultaneously sink into the earth, opening a passage to the Mortal Realm. This passage was prepared by long ago in case of strong enemies, intended to ensure the survival of Spirit Sect disciples."
"Ancestor, I am a Spirit Sect disciple. Could I try it myself?" i Zhi asked hopefully.
Ouyang Shangfang shook his head. "It's impossible for you. Activating the six massive steles requires powerful Inner Strength derived from Spirit Sect techniques. Although you are a disciple of the Spirit Sect, your cultivation is far from sufficient to accomplish it."
Ouyang Shangfang then glanced at Ding Fan. "Technically, he could do it. Unfortunately, he is not a Spirit Sect disciple."
"I think I might be able to give it a try," Ding Fan said, rubbing his nose.
Back when Ding Fan inherited Wen Yizhou's cultivation techniques, he not only gained imnse cultivation power but also learned the Spirit Sect's cultivation thods.
In terms of cultivation technique mastery, Ding Fan could be considered a grandmaster on Earth. With confidence in Wen Yizhou's legacy, he was prepared to activate those six massive steles.
Ouyang Shangfang looked at Ding Fan skeptically. "Even if your techniques are powerful, it's impossible for you to activate the formations in those six steles. The steles have been specially designed so that unless activated forcibly using the Spirit Sect's specific techniques, they will shatter automatically."
Unconcerned, Ding Fan said, "If we give it a try, there's at least a sliver of hope. If we don't attempt it, we will likely die here. For us, dying here is not the end of the world, but the safety of the Spirit Sect…"
Ding Fan trailed off, his gaze fixed on Ouyang Shangfang.
After contemplating for a while, Ouyang Shangfang finally nodded. "Then let's give it a try…"
As Ding Fan had said, trying might lead to survival, but doing nothing would an utter despair—and the annihilation of the Spirit Sect.
Now, there was no choice but to fight with everything they had.
Ouyang Shangfang walked directly over to the long sword and said to Ding Fan, "Twist the stone brick beside this long sword."
Without delay, Ding Fan walked over and twisted the stone brick.
Squeak… Squeak…
As Ding Fan twisted, piercing sounds reverberated throughout the stone chamber.
Not long after, six steles descended from above, appearing at six different positions within the stone chamber.
"These are the ones," Ouyang Shangfang said to Ding Fan.
Ding Fan nodded. "Leave this to …"
...
The dawn broke, scattering its light. The Spirit Sect disciples had already begun their preparations early in the morning.
Today was finally the official day of the Spirit Sect's Grand Competition.
In the Martial Arts Field, all the Spirit Sect disciples were busily working with nervous determination.
By midmorning, a thunderous drumbeat echoed, and the Spirit Sect disciples gathered in orderly rows at the Martial Arts Field, standing silently in perfect formation.
At this mont, the spectators invited to observe the event began ascending the Observation Platform. Ye Tianshi and Ruan Yuan, while stepping onto the platform, couldn't help but glance around expectantly.
After Ding Fan had left yesterday, they hadn't seen any sign of him since. Now that the Spirit Sect Grand Competition had started and Ding Fan was still absent, both of them were undoubtedly growing concerned for him.
As the spectators took their seats, another drumbeat resounded, and four of the Spirit Sect Mountain's senior mbers—responsible for the sect's governance—walked onto the stage.
Zhang Shanlian, Feng Shanxing, Zhao Shanhe, and Luv Shanqi.
When the Spirit Sect's Four Great Protectors appeared, the attendees rose to salute them, and the protectors returned the gesture according to protocol.
After the formalities, everyone sat back down.
Once the Four Great Elders were seated, Luv Shanqi scanned the crowd. "Shall we proceed with the announcent to begin?"
Luv Shanqi was none other than the Elder who had witnessed Ding Fan present the red Spirit Stone the previous day.
Among the Four Great Elders, he had joined the sect earliest, earning the designation of the Great Protector. Thus, it was only fitting for the Grand Competition's opening to be announced by him.
"Senior Brother Luv, I believe I should make the announcent this year," Feng Shanxing interjected just as Luv Shanqi finished speaking.
Zhao Shanhe raised his brows slightly upon hearing Feng Shanxing's words and closed his eyes, as if preparing to doze off.
Zhang Shanlian frowned slightly, recognizing that it was customary for the announcent to be made by the senior-most Elder. Feng Shanxing's abrupt interjection clearly carried a provocative undertone.
"Feng Shanxing, Senior Brother Luv is the one who has been with the sect the longest among us. Naturally, the announcent should be his," Zhang Shanlian said.
"What's so special about joining early? Just because he entered the sect earlier, are you all willing to crown him as our Spirit Sect's Sect Master?" Feng Shanxing scoffed coldly.
"Junior Brother Feng, today is the Spirit Sect's Grand Competition. Do not behave recklessly and disgrace the sect in front of our esteed guests," Zhang Shanlian said, raising his tone.
At this mont, the audience's attention was drawn toward them, clearly having overheard the exchange between Feng Shanxing and the other Elders.
Feng Shanxing stood up and said, "Our Spirit Sect has been without a Sect Master for centuries, and this is no secret. Those present already know this. Today, I intend to put an end to this chaos and restore the Spirit Sect's glory."
Zhang Shanlian hadn't anticipated Feng Shanxing would openly step forward.
The spectators began whispering among themselves.
"So, Feng Shanxing is using this opportunity to seize the position of Sect Master."
"I've heard rumors that Feng Shanxing's cultivation has skyrocketed recently. He seems well-prepared for today…"
"Today will certainly be a spectacle for the Spirit Sect."
Zhang Shanlian furrowed his brow tightly. "Feng Shanxing, today is the Grand Competition. Let's address this matter later in private…"
Before Zhang Shanlian could finish his sentence, Feng Shanxing interrupted him. "Later? Who knows what sort of underhanded tactics you'll play? With so many distinguished guests present today, I think it's better to resolve the Spirit Sect's affairs once and for all."
Zhang Shanlian wanted to respond, but Luv Shanqi stopped him.
Glancing at Luv Shanqi, Zhang Shanlian slowly sat down.
Feng Shanxing smirked triumphantly at Luv Shanqi and Zhang Shanlian before addressing the audience loudly.
"Your esteed presence here today ans much to the Spirit Sect. As you know, the Spirit Sect has been without a Sect Master for centuries, stagnating and lacking progress. I stand here today not for personal gain, but for the Spirit Sect's future generations and prosperity!"
Just as Feng Shanxing finished speaking, another voice rang out.
"To , Feng Shanxing is the ideal choice for Sect Master of the Spirit Sect."
The crowd turned to see who had spoken. It was none other than Gui Zhen of the Ghost Sect.
Gui Zhen was highly regarded within the Hidden Sects, and his presence at the Spirit Sect this ti represented the Ghost Sect. His words imdiately drew murmurs from the crowd.
Observant attendees quickly grasped the situation. It appeared Feng Shanxing had secured the Ghost Sect's support—an explanation for his audacity.
Gui Zhen continued eloquently, "The criteria for selecting a Sect Master should prioritize prestige and cultivation. Among the Spirit Sect's Four Great Protectors, prestige is evenly matched. But in cultivation, nobody surpasses Feng Shanxing. Thus, Feng Shanxing is unquestionably the rightful choice for Sect Master."
Feng Shanxing glanced at Gui Zhen with satisfaction, then turned to the Martial Arts Field. "Spirit Sect disciples, if I beco Sect Master, who among you will follow ?"
"I will! I will!"
"I will!"
In an instant, nearly half of the Spirit Sect disciples raised their fists and voiced their support.
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