Three months passed like flowing water.
During those months, Lin Xuan disappeared from everyone’s sight.
While the disciples of the other peaks sought powerful martial techniques and competed for cultivation resources, he remained on the forgotten Body Peak.
Every dawn, he stood beneath the roaring waterfall, allowing its terrifying force to temper his body.
At noon, with his dantian sealed by Elder Mo, he carried a thousand-jin stone pack from the foot of the mountain to the summit.
Every evening, he practiced his sword until every slash became instinct, and every night he secretly cultivated the Heavenly Tyrant Thunder Body Art, using the body-tempering pills Zhang Sang had prepared for him.
His cultivation realm had not advanced much, but his physique had undergone a tremendous transformation.
His muscles were as tough as iron, his bones stronger than steel, and every movement contained explosive power.
One morning, the peaceful silence of Qingyun Sect was broken by the ringing of an ancient bell.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
Nine solemn chimes echoed throughout the mountains.
Every disciple immediately stopped cultivating and rushed toward the sect square.
“The Assembly Bell!”
“The Four-Sect Competition is finally beginning!”
Soon, thousands of disciples gathered before the grand platform.
The sect leader stood proudly at the front, accompanied by the peak masters.
Elder Mo leaned lazily against a stone pillar, drinking wine as though today’s event had nothing to do with him.
The sect leader slowly stepped forward.
His dignified voice spread across the square.
“Every five years, the four great sects of the South Continent gather to compete.”
“This competition determines not only honor but also the distribution of cultivation resources, spirit mines, and territory for the next five years.”
He paused before continuing.
“This year, an additional reward has been discovered.”
“The Ancient Secret Realm.”
The crowd instantly erupted.
“I heard it only opens once every hundred years!”
“They say ancient inheritances are hidden inside!”
“Even obtaining a single treasure could change one’s destiny!”
“Only the Top Ten disciples will receive the qualifications to enter the Secret Realm.”
“I hope each of you fights with everything you have.”
Soon, the participating disciples stepped forward one by one.
Blade Peak’s greatest genius—
Xie Chengxu!
Cheers immediately erupted.
Possessing a Sword Body and Low Profound Grade talent, he was recognized as the Qingyun Sect’s strongest young disciple.
Flame Peak’s Luo Ming.
Spirit Peak’s Mu Qingxue.
Beast Peak’s Zhao Feng.
Each name drew loud applause.
Finally, Elder Mo slowly walked onto the platform, scratching his messy white hair.
“Body Peak…”
“…one disciple.”
The square became silent before laughter broke out.
“Body Peak still exists?”
“They only have one disciple?”
“What a joke!”
Ignoring everyone’s ridicule, Elder Mo lazily called out,
“Lin Xuan.”
Dressed in simple gray robes, Lin Xuan calmly walked onto the platform.
Many disciples immediately recognized him.
“Isn’t he the common grade talent?”
“The disciple no one wanted?”
“He’ll probably be eliminated in the first round.”
Xie Chengxu glanced at him briefly before closing his eyes.
“A common grade talent isn’t worthy of drawing my sword.”
Nearby, Hu Tian smiled faintly.
“So… you’re actually participating.”
Lin Xuan met his gaze calmly.
“I’ll see you in the arena.”
For a brief moment, neither spoke another word, yet an invisible pressure spread between them.
The participating disciples boarded and traveled for half a day before arriving at Heavenly Martial Valley, where the competition would be held.
The valley was already crowded with tens of thousands of cultivators.
Three enormous flying ships hovered nearby as disciples from the Heavenly Sword Sect, Scarlet Flame Sect, and Moon Spirit Sect descended one after another.
Powerful geniuses radiating sword intent, blazing flames, icy qi, and beastly auras appeared, causing the spectators to gasp in amazement.
For the first time, Lin Xuan realized how vast the South Continent truly was.
An elder from the host sect stepped onto the arena.
“The rules are simple.”
“One defeat means elimination.”
“The final ten disciples will earn the right to enter the Ancient Secret Realm.”
A jade box floated into the air.
One by one, the disciples drew their lots.
“Number Three—Hu Tian.”
“Number Eleven—Xie Chengxu.”
Finally, Lin Xuan reached into the box.
He slowly unfolded the jade token.
Number Seven.
The elder announced loudly,
“Tomorrow’s seventh match.”
“Qingyun Sect’s Body Peak disciple…”
“Lin Xuan…”
“…versus Heavenly Sword Sect’s Liu Feng!”
The crowd immediately burst into discussion.
“Liu Feng is already at the Late Body Forging Realm! ”
“The Body Peak disciple is finished.”
Hu Tian folded his arms and smiled coldly.
“It seems your journey ends tomorrow.”
Lin Xuan quietly closed his hand around the token.
His eyes remained calm and unwavering as he gazed toward the towering arena.
Tomorrow…
He would make the entire South Continent remember one forgotten name—
Body Peak.