Chapter 490: Chapter 368: Talent of a Prodigy, the Olive Branch from the Immortal Talisman Sect

"A sect like this, no matter how powerful in cultivation, will still be despised by the world!"

The surrounding sect disciples hurled curses at Zhou Qibai.

Yet Zhou Qibai didn’t care in the slightest.

Instead, Yu Tingting’s face flushed red from the insults, feeling extremely uncomfortable, and she grew even more displeased with Zhou Qibai.

She never expected that the Senior Brother Zhou who acted so courteous in front of her was actually like this.

Buzz——

Radiant light flickered as the second group of disciples was teleported out.

This batch included disciples from the Immortal Martial Hall, Heaven-Suppressing Sect, Immortal Palace, and the Piaomiao Sect—top ten forces in the Immortal Realm.

Soon, the third and fourth groups were sent out as well.

When the headcount reached one hundred, the first round was over.

The disciples trapped inside the grand array were one by one teleported out.

Some hung their heads in dejection, having failed to grab a spot in the top hundred.

Others, though, were still shaken, relieved just to be alive; they couldn’t even dare to think about the next rounds.

"Xiang Tian, you—you really perished—"

Luo Shang was still deeply shocked when he saw Xiang Tian’s primordial spirit return.

He never expected that Lin Chang’sheng would actually kill Xiang Tian, who possessed the Godslaying Pill.

That meant his power was probably far greater than just the middle stage of Void Refining.

"Sixth Elder, it was my incompetence that let you down. That bastard wields multiple secret techniques and has a frighteningly dominant cultivation. I suspect even those at the late stage of Void Refining would be no match for him. I—"

Xiang Tian was full of bitterness and unwillingness.

He, hailed as a prodigy of the Immortal Realm, was utterly defeated by a nobody from the Abandoned Land like Lin Chang’sheng.

Just thinking about it made him feel utter humiliation.

"Forget it, forget it!"

Luo Shang glared at Lin Chang’sheng, his eyes burning with fury. This bastard had to die.

Of course, Lin Chang’sheng had long noticed that man-eating gaze from Luo Shang, but he acted utterly unbothered.

Because Luo Shang could never attack him here.

Even if no other sect helped, just Gu Shan alone was enough for Luo Shang to be unable to do anything to him.

"Young friend, may I ask which sect you hail from? Your mastery of arrays is astonishing. My Immortal Talisman Sect sincerely invites you to join, and we’d nurture you with all the resources of our sect. What do you say?"

An elder with white hair walked up to Lin Chang’sheng and spoke slowly.

This was an elder of the Immortal Talisman Sect. He’d learned from his disciples how Lin Chang’sheng performed within the grand array. Not trying to recruit such a genius would be pure foolishness.

So, regardless of Lin Chang’sheng’s answer, they were determined to give it a shot.

This actually surprised Lin Chang’sheng a bit—recruitment offers before the contest was even over?

Still, the Immortal Talisman Sect wasn’t Lin Chang’sheng’s first-choice target.

Of course, if they gifted him a grand array to absorb, he’d gladly take it!

"Elder, I’m truly sorry. Arrays are more of a hobby for me. My main focus is to further elevate my cultivation!"

Lin Chang’sheng politely declined the offer from the Immortal Talisman Sect.

"Oh?"

Hearing this, the Immortal Talisman Sect elder was even more astonished. If it was only a hobby, but he’d already mastered arrays to such an extent, then his talent was heaven-defying!

"Your array talent is simply astounding, young friend. No matter which sect you join, we at the Immortal Talisman Sect would still like to invite you as an Honored Guest Elder to study the mysteries of arrays with us! How does that sound?"

The elder took a step back and made another offer.

He was obviously unwilling to let go of Lin Chang’sheng—he was determined to recruit this prodigy.

Even if they only got a thread of connection, he’d feel it worthwhile.

"If that’s the case, I’d be remiss to refuse. When I have the chance, I’ll certainly come to your sect to discuss with all the elders!"

Lin Chang’sheng replied with a smiling nod.

The grand arrays of the Immortal Realm surely weren’t simple—if he got the opportunity, he’d definitely go to the Immortal Talisman Sect to assimilate more arrays.

"Wonderful, wonderful! Our Immortal Talisman Sect always welcomes you!"

The elder stroked his long beard, beaming with satisfaction.

"Everyone—"

Just as Lin Chang’sheng was talking with the Immortal Talisman Sect elder, the Grand Elder of the Refining God Sect called out loudly from atop the high platform.

The crowd finally quieted down.

"The top one hundred prodigious disciples have been chosen. Next, I’ll ask each of you to come forward and draw a number for the one-on-one matches, until only ten remain."

The Grand Elder of the Refining God Sect had a disciple bring forward a huge wooden barrel packed with a hundred number tokens.

The hundred prodigies all stepped up to draw their number tokens.

Lin Chang’sheng drew Number 57, Hou Shaojie drew Number 63, and Zhao Shuang’Er got Number 16.

Once all one hundred had drawn, the Grand Elder again spoke: "Those with adjacent numbers will fight—one against two, three against four, and so on. The matches start in fifteen minutes!"

After announcing this, the Grand Elder stepped down from the stage and opened the protective array on the arena.

This prevented the aftershocks of the matches from affecting the crowd.

So they could go all out.

"If you’re overmatched, just concede—don’t force it!"

Lin Chang’sheng said this to Zhao Shuang’Er.

After all, she was only at the early stage of Divinity Transformation, the lowest cultivation among these prodigies.

If she faced someone strong, there was no chance of victory.

"Okay!"

Zhao Shuang’Er nodded obediently.

Hou Shaojie, meanwhile, clenched his fists, battle intent surging.

This time, he’d come to broaden his horizons and see how dominant the prodigies of the major sects truly were.

Lin Chang’sheng had already fulfilled his promise to the Hou Family—now, in the one-on-one matches, there was little more he could do to help.

In the distance, a few figures dressed in blood-red robes gathered and whispered among themselves.

If Lin Chang’sheng saw them, he’d recognize them instantly.

"Is that the one who killed my father?"

Liu Chengfeng stared coldly at Lin Chang’sheng in the distance, killing intent in his eyes.

These were members of the Blood Robe Sect—Lin Chang’sheng had slain one of their experts days prior, forging a grudge with them.

One among them had been the father of Blood Robe Sect prodigy Liu Chengfeng.

"That’s right, it’s him. I’d recognize him even if he was a pile of ashes. If he hadn’t run so fast that day, he’d definitely be dead."

The Blood Robe Sect elder said coldly.

They’d nearly caught Lin Chang’sheng back then, and he’d miraculously escaped. Who’d have thought they’d run into him here?

There was no way they’d let him go now.

"Fine, then I’ll make him taste what it feels like to lose someone he loves!"

Liu Chengfeng clenched his fists tightly.

By coincidence, Liu Chengfeng had drawn Number 15—his opponent was Zhao Shuang’Er.

Liu Chengfeng could tell Zhao Shuang’Er and Lin Chang’sheng were close.

In their match, there was no way he’d show mercy—he wanted Lin Chang’sheng to experience that same agony of loss.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed in a blink.

The first match officially started: a Piaomiao Sect disciple vs. a Five Thunders Mountain disciple.

The Piaomiao Sect was a top ten Immortal Realm force, and its disciples far outclassed ordinary sects.

The Five Thunders Mountain disciple came from a second-class sect—outstanding talent, but only at the late stage of Divinity Transformation.

"Piaomiao Sect, Mou Tao!"

"Five Thunders Mountain, Liu Buwei!"

Upon stepping onto the stone platform, the two announced their names and sects.

This way, everyone would know which sect the victor represented.

Once the introductions ended, the fight began immediately.

At the first clash, it quickly became a one-sided affair.

The Piaomiao Sect disciple dominated the Five Thunders Mountain disciple throughout.

The Five Thunders Mountain disciple was clearly at a disadvantage, but the moves he used were still fierce and aggressive.

Every punch he threw was imbued with a powerful force of thunder.

This power of thunder was condensed from techniques, not as strong as Lin Chang’sheng’s Power of Celestial Thunder, but still quite domineering.

Sizzle—

BOOM—

The two collided with constant explosions.

But the Piaomiao Sect disciple’s Shadowless Illusion Step and Misty Sword Technique made it impossible for the Five Thunders Mountain disciple to defend.

Several times, he was almost severely injured.

The Piaomiao Sect disciple went all out to win, holding nothing back.

Within just a few breaths, the Five Thunders Mountain disciple slipped up and was pierced through the abdomen by a flash of sword Qi from the Piaomiao Sect disciple, then knocked off the platform with a single palm strike.

Pfft—

Crashing to the ground, the Five Thunders Mountain disciple coughed up a mouthful of blood, obviously heavily wounded.

Yet the Piaomiao Sect disciple didn’t care in the slightest.

"Damn, that was harsh!"

"If you’re afraid of getting hurt, don’t step onto the arena!"

"Exactly. Surviving is already lucky—if you get killed, it’s your own fault!"

"This is just a sparring match; better not go overboard!"

The onlookers murmured continually, but no one dared criticize the Piaomiao Sect.

The Piaomiao Sect disciple took the first win.

Zhou Qibai smiled with satisfaction as he watched his junior brother claim victory.

This time, their sect had sent five contestants—four had made it through the first round.

Maybe one of the top ten spots would go to the Piaomiao Sect.

The elders of Piaomiao Sect were equally satisfied with the results, not giving their disciples a single word of warning about holding back.