Meanwhile, outside the Hidden Dragon Abyss Secret Realm.
More and more disciples were eliminated, one by one covered in injuries, looking dejected. Even surrounded by their own sect elders, they didn't dare to speak for a while, keeping their heads down in silence.
The elimination rate this time is unprecedented in the history of the Hidden Dragon Competition. No other cultivation level has seen such an outrageous elimination rate and speed...
Before the water mirror, the elders of various sects were speechless, their faces grim as they looked at Shen Changlin sitting on the head of the giant snake.
Especially the elders of the Longevity Palace who have lost even their eldest disciple.
His face turned ashen, and his gaze fell on the long sword that Shen Changlin was holding. The more he looked at it, the more familiar it seemed. Finally, the elder suddenly remembered: "I was wondering how he could be so powerful. The sword that this kid is holding is clearly Ruan Qing'an's sword!"
"I never expected that even when Ruan Qing'an was seriously injured and unconscious, he still paved a way out for his disciple by giving him his personal sword to help him safely pass through the secret realm."
"But when it comes to the ranking matches, without Ruan Qing'an's sword to help him, let's see what he can use to fight!"
The elder sneered, refusing to believe Shen Changlin's strength, and even more so, refusing to believe that his own misjudgment had led to his sect's eldest disciple also being devoured by snakes and dying in the secret realm.
Regardless of the circumstances, he will still be held responsible once he returns to the Palace of Longevity!
...
However, just half a day later, the Nascent Soul stage competition of the Hidden Dragon Grand Competition ended hastily to everyone's disbelief. This was also the first time that only one person remained in the secret realm after elimination, and the competition could not continue, so the secret realm was forced to be closed.
Above the Hidden Dragon Abyss stands a towering black stone tower that almost reaches into the clouds, standing between heaven and earth.
All the winners of the Hidden Dragon Grand Competition can leave their names on this black stone tower, and on the side for Nascent Soul cultivators, their names will gradually appear as the secret realm ends.
It should have been a densely packed area, but this time—only Shen Changlin's name remained, all alone.
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
Just then, as the Hidden Dragon Abyss flashed with light, Shen Changlin emerged from it, carrying a long sword in one hand. Without even glancing at the black stone tower, he turned to leave.
"Shen Changlin, there's still the ranking for the arena. Do you think you can run away?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Changlin paused in his steps and turned to look at the Elder of the Longevity Palace who had spoken: "Is there still a need for a competition?"
To be honest, after his innate Dao body was restored and he merged with the black mist, Shen Changlin was a little unsure of his own strength, which far exceeded that of a normal Nascent Soul cultivator—he could even feel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth flowing towards him at all times.
Before the elder could answer, Shen Changlin planted his longsword directly into the ground. As the tip of the sword sank into the ground, the aura that rippled out was particularly astonishing. He looked at the disciples who had their heads bowed and said, "My master is waiting for me to go back and take care of him. Don't waste my time."
"Anyone who thinks they can beat me can come at me, of course—if the arena of the Hidden Dragon Grand Competition allows it, I don't mind."
Hearing his arrogant words, the elder's face turned even uglier: "What are you all standing there for?"
"Once he's in the ring, he won't have that knife to protect him anymore!"
But in the heart of the entire Three Peaks City, only the voice of the Elder of the Longevity Palace could be heard. Not a single disciple who had come out of the secret realm dared to speak. Even the disciples of the Longevity Palace itself remained silent.
Even the eldest disciple has failed, so why are they still going to fight?
It probably wouldn't even be enough to fill a tooth gap!
Although half of them surrendered on their own, that was only because they were sure they couldn't win. Look at those people who were beaten black and blue; that was something that could be done with just a knife.
The entire audience remained silent; not a single disciple stepped forward to be the fool.
The elder who had spoken turned green with rage, and then someone finally stepped forward—he was a top genius from another sect, and originally a favorite to win the Nascent Soul stage championship.
Several other geniuses also stepped out at the same time.
Just when everyone thought it was going to be another fierce battle, the first person to step forward bowed to Shen Changlin and said, "Since Fellow Daoist Shen has other matters to attend to, why don't you leave first? I hope Elder Ruan is safe and sound."
"Yes, friendship comes first, competition second. What's the point of striving for first place? It's just an empty title!"
"That's right, we'll compete for second place today!"
The ordinary disciples watching from the sidelines: ? ? ? Your attempt to save face has only made you look a little bit pathetic.
Seeing Shen Changlin put away his longsword, those who had spoken couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Their injuries were still throbbing. Shen Changlin didn't care what they said. He chuckled, picked up his longsword, and turned to leave. This time, no one dared to stop him.
Even the elder who initially spoke up to stop them turned pale.
Few in the cultivation world possess such a sense of oppression, and the last one who made people afraid to even utter a word was Ruan Qing'an.
In the dead silence, the boy's clear voice rang out.
"After you finish the competition, send over the reward for the top scorer."
"If you're dissatisfied, feel free to come find me at the inn."
Those geniuses who only dare to compete for second place: they're fucking arrogant...
But no disciple dared to utter a word to challenge them. Only after Shen Changlin's figure disappeared did someone finally dare to leap onto the arena and begin vying for the rankings after first place.
The first one to step forward was none other than the one who had initially declared he would fight for second place. He made a hand seal and asked, "Gentlemen, are you ready to fight?"
"Ha, just a coward."
His reply was a harsh and mocking female voice.
The man's face darkened with anger. He looked up abruptly and, following the sound, discovered that it came from a high platform where a beautiful young woman sat, her face full of mockery.
Seeing this, the person who was about to lash out snorted coldly and stopped making a fuss—the person on the high platform was a "famous" person.
Her name is Gao Yue'er, and she is the daughter of the city lord of Sanyue City.
However, despite having only a Golden Core stage cultivation level and average talent, she had a good father who spoiled her all the way up. She was spoiled and willful, and her temperament was extremely bad, so no one wanted to argue with her.
On the high platform, Gao Yue'er rolled her eyes after being glared at, then turned to look in the direction where Shen Changlin had left.
She gestured to the maid beside her.
"Go and gather information about him, and while you're at it, tell Father that I've already chosen someone—among the younger generation, no one can compare to him."
The maid was taken aback: "Miss, what's wrong?"
Gao Yue'er glanced at him and said, "Do you have the right to ask questions? Go tell Father that it's him."
"The man I, Gao Yue'er, want to marry is a genius one in ten thousand, a future unparalleled powerhouse, the most outstanding man ever!"
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