Sword Evasion Sect.
At this moment, the Sword Evasion Sect was bustling with activity. Disciples flushed with excitement cheered for the young man on the dueling platform.
The young man wore flamboyant, gaudy clothing, exuding an air of wickedness as he elegantly manipulated an ice spike in his hand. A bone-chilling ice-blue hue spread across the high platform, and his opponent nearby was frozen to the point of pale lips. Before the words “I surrender” could even be uttered, he was humiliatingly chased off the platform by the icy assault, as if being taunted like a dog.
No one paid attention to his embarrassment. Thousands of disciples raised their hands in jubilation, waving frantically as they shouted at the top of their lungs:
“Senior Brother Xu Yimeng!”
Xu Yimeng, possessing a mutated ice Spiritual Root, had reached the fifth level of the Mystic Realm at the age of twenty-five. He was a once-in-a-century prodigy for their Sword Evasion Sect.
He would represent the Sword Evasion Sect in the Four Sects Grand Competition.
As long as Xu Yimeng achieved an outstanding ranking in the Four Sects Grand Competition, the Sword Evasion Sect would receive additional resources for the next five years, along with one thousand slots to enter the Secret Realm left behind by a King Realm powerhouse.
A King Realm powerhouse! Even a single hair left behind by such an existence could be considered a divine weapon. For disciples who were only at the Yellow Realm or Mystic Realm, the Secret Realm was filled with unknowns but also brimming with opportunities.
If one were to obtain some kind of inheritance, they would soar to greatness in an instant.
Thus, in the eyes of the Sword Evasion Sect disciples, Xu Yimeng was the key to their pursuit of opportunities. For a “key” that could bring them benefits, they naturally offered unconditional adoration. Perhaps if Xu Yimeng was in a good mood, he might even grant them a slot to enter the Secret Realm.
Thinking of the numerous treasures within the Secret Realm, the disciples shouted Xu Yimeng’s name even more fervently.
Xu Yimeng stood high above, arms spread wide like an emperor looking down upon the dense, dark crowd.
His sense of superiority inflated his ego.
He proudly toyed with the ice spike in his hand, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Such an excellent Spiritual Root talent—fortunately, he had seized it from that little beggar. That beggar was so poor he couldn’t even afford food, let alone the resources to cultivate!
It was just a pity that the little beggar had managed to escape.
Thinking of the little beggar’s deep, bone-exposing wounds, Xu Yimeng wasn’t worried about him causing any trouble.
A little beggar on the verge of death from severe injuries, with no power, no influence, and no cultivation—what could he possibly use to contend with Xu Yimeng, the young sect master of the Sword Evasion Sect?
Xu Yimeng dispersed the ice spike and opened his palm, staring at the tiny spark of flame in his hand. His arrogant and proud expression gradually darkened.
His innate Spiritual Root talent was a fire Spiritual Root.
Fire Spiritual Roots possessed strong offensive capabilities and were a common Spiritual Root many cultivators in the Cultivation World hoped to awaken.
However, even among the same Spiritual Roots, there were differences in quality. For example, his fire Spiritual Root seemed stunted—no matter how much he improved his cultivation, the attacks he could unleash were always just a tiny spark.
In contrast, the mutated ice Spiritual Root he had seized allowed him to freely cover vast areas with spiritual power. Every strand of spiritual power carried the cold, hard essence of ice, freezing opponents into helpless submission.
In comparison, Xu Yimeng’s innate talent seemed like a pile of worthless trash.
This was deeply humiliating for Xu Yimeng, whose pride was exceptionally strong.
Xu Yimeng dispersed the tiny spark and condensed another ice-blue spike, his displeased mood lifting once again.
So what if his innate talent was trash? In the end, wasn’t this exceptional talent still his?
The tip of the ice spike reflected the sunlight, dazzling and eye-catching.
The disciples below the dueling platform watched with burning envy.
A mutated ice Spiritual Root—one might not see a single awakening among millions.
If they had such a Spiritual Root, they would be celebrated wherever they went, right?
They might even be fought over by the sect leaders of various sects to be taken as disciples.
Xu Yimeng loved the feeling of being the center of attention. He looked down disdainfully at yet another disciple stepping forward to challenge him, his nose held high as he said, “A mere Mystic Realm third layer dares to come up?”
The Mystic Realm third-layer disciple, dressed in a black robe, lightly brushed his thick bangs with his fingertips and spoke in a voice only Xu Yimeng could hear, “Why wouldn’t I dare? Senior Brother Xu, surely you don’t think that just because you stole someone else’s talent, you’re invincible?”
Xu Yimeng’s eyes widened. “You… how do you know…”
It couldn’t be. He had kept this matter hidden. Only a few trusted followers by his side knew about it. His father was in seclusion, and he hadn’t even told him.
The Mystic Realm third-layer disciple’s voice remained calm. “You don’t actually think those few are truly loyal to you, do you? Behind your back, they sold the information to several sects. The organizers of the Four Sects Grand Competition have already privately barred you from participating.”
Xu Yimeng was stunned. “They have nothing to gain by betraying me! If I’m not allowed to participate in the Four Sects Grand Competition, our sect won’t get any resources or Secret Realm slots, and they won’t get any either!”
The Mystic Realm third-layer disciple sneered coldly. “Naive.”
“You didn’t even notice that the people around you have been replaced.”
Xu Yimeng suddenly realized, clenching his fists. “Are you saying all those people were swapped out?”
“Was it the Four Sects who did it?”
The Mystic Realm third-layer disciple admitted without hesitation, “Yes.”
“Your Bi Jian Sect disciples are notorious. The Four Sects have long wanted to deal with you.”
“Removing you from the Four Sects Grand Competition is a warning from the Four Sects to your sect.”
Xu Yimeng felt as if someone had grabbed him by the throat, unable to speak.
All his arrogance vanished in an instant.
The Four Sects—any one of their elders could wipe out the entire Bi Jian Sect.
Being targeted by the Four Sects meant their Bi Jian Sect was finished.
Xu Yimeng’s face turned pale. “How do you know all this?”
The Mystic Realm third-layer disciple sneered, suddenly releasing the aura of Earth Realm first layer. “Let me introduce myself. I am Hua Xu, an inner disciple of Qing Hua Sect.”
Qing Hua Sect was one of the Four Sects, ranked second among them.
Xu Yimeng’s face grew even paler, now believing nine-tenths of what he said.
With this level of strength, he truly deserved the status of an inner disciple of the Four Sects.
Seeing Xu Yimeng hesitate to attack his opponent, the fervent disciples below grew puzzled.
Why wasn’t Senior Brother Xu Yimeng showing off his mutated ice Spiritual Root?
They still wanted to see the spectacle of ice spikes tormenting someone.
An impatient disciple shouted, “Senior Brother, go on! Make this fool who dares to challenge you cry!”
“He’s only at Mystic Realm third layer!”
The disciples of Bi Jian Sect were not normal in temperament—they were all bloodthirsty and cruel.
When watching competitions, they loved nothing more than seeing one side suffer miserably.
Hearing these words, Xu Yimeng’s calves trembled.
He wanted to crush his opponent too, but the opponent was at Earth Realm first layer. How could he possibly do that?
The Spiritual Root talent he had stolen was powerful, but with a whole major realm between them, there was no way he could stand against him.
Even if he could, he wouldn’t dare. After all, this was an inner disciple of Qing Hua Sect. What if his master was protective and came to Bi Jian Sect seeking revenge…
Bi Jian Sect wouldn’t even have a chance to survive!
Xu Yimeng’s eyelid twitched. To preserve his dignity, he shamelessly said, “Brother Hua, I am deeply grateful that you are willing to tell me all this. Could you be a good person to the end and let me knock you off the stage?”
Fu Ruheng, hidden beneath his black robe, remained cold and indifferent.
He parted his lips slightly, his tone gentle and amiable. “Of course. In fact, I greatly admire Brother Xu. I disguised myself as a disciple of the Sword-Avoiding Sect and came onto the stage precisely to befriend you.”
What a lie—he was here to kill Xu Yimeng.
The idea that the four sects were plotting against the Sword-Avoiding Sect was pure nonsense, all fabricated by Fu Ruheng.
Why did he make it up?
Simply to disgust Xu Yimeng.