Ethereal Sect, Sect Meeting Hall.
Few higher level elders are sitting here alongside the Sect Leader. The Holy Maiden of the Ethereal Sect, Ji Changchen and his new protector, a Rank 7 peak Warrior named Chu Xin are also present.
Ji Changchen smiled calmly as if everything is under his control. "What do you think Sect Leader? This deal is not bad, is it?"
Su Zun, the Sect Leader of the Ethereal Sect was struggling inside.
'How did this brat know about my illness? I have been hiding it for past 50 years. Unless there is some traitor here. I think it is more likely Hong Tian obtained some treasure that allows him to spy on Heavenly Dao Secrets.'
How could he know about the existence of System!
Holy Maiden, named Gu Xing looked at Ji Changchen coldly and clenched her fist. Ji Changchen was aware of her gaze but he didn't care. He smirked.
'How can I let go daughter of destiny so easily?'
He looked at Gu Xing's status.
Name: Gu Xing
Age: 48 years
Identity: Holy maiden of Ethereal Sect, Daughter of Destiny
Physique: Yin-Yang Dual Body
Cultivation: Rank 5 peak stage
Soul Cultivation: Rank 5 peak stage
Talent: A grade
Spiritual Imprint: Grade 8 Aqua Portal
Battle Strength: Rank 6 early stage
Cultivation Technique: Ethereal Ascendance Technique
Ji Changchen murmured inwardly. 'System, explain what is Aqua Portal'
Ding! Answering to the host. This is a very powerful Water type Spiritual Imprint which allows user to have not only the awareness of entire water body they are in contact with but they also allow them to control it and even traverse anywhere in this water body.
Ji Changchen was surprised. 'Its quite powerful ability, but it has major disadvantage. Without water, she doesn't have any strong combat ability. But if she somehow entered an Ocean, then no one can defeat her. Even Rank 6 peak stage Warriors can't defeat her!'
Su Zun at this time spoke. "Even though you are Celestial Sect's holy son, I won't sell Xing-er."
Ji Changchen expected this and replied. "I know. But, what if I say, I have something that can cure you!"
Su Zun narrowed his eyes. "It seems you came prepared."
Ji Changchen smiled and didn't speak.
Su Zun remained calm. "I would still not sell her."
Ji Changchen looked at Su Zun and said calmly. "I am not asking you to sell her. Why don't you let her decide?"
Su Zun looked deeply at Ji Changchen and said. "You think too highly of yourself. Even your father wouldn't have to ask my opinion regarding this. If I said no, then I don't have to ask her opinion."
Ji Changchen frowned. 'This old fox. It seems he saw through me. I need Destiny points, and for that conquering her is necessary. Father did say that anyone who has become Monarch is not simple. Only Emperors are capable of fooling them.'
He said deeply. "What do you want?"
Su Zun smiled. "You are not half bad, and I don't mind giving her to you. But, you have to prove yourself. You have to show that you are worthy of her. How about this, you fight the top ranker of this Entrance Exam, and if you win, I will let you marry her. But, you have to give the treatment method, whether you win or not!"
Chu Xin immediately interfered. "This is completely unfair..."
But before he could continue, Ji Changchen replied. "Ok Uncle Chu, it's fine. You know that no one can defeat me under Rank 5."
Su Zun didn't explain but smiled. "Then I would bother you to tell me how I can get cured. At least I need to know that you truly have the treatment method."
Ji Changchen replied. "Our sect possesses a Rank 9 Sacred Revival Pill."
Su Zun narrowed his eyes. "I don't believe they would be willing to take out the pill."
Ji Changchen opened his Space Ring and took out a pill. He broke it into two half and threw one to Su Zun and said.
"Half would be given after she marries me as a concubine."
Su Zun corrected him. "After you fight the number one person."
Ji Changchen smiled. "Does it matter? I would win anyway."
Sacred Revival Pill is a very strong pill. It is said that it is able to revive even dead person. It's healing power is unrivalled in this world. This also shows it's preciousness. In fact, what Ji Changchen possess is only quasi Rank 9 Sacred Revival Pill. Su Zun noticed this, but didn't speak because a complete quasi Rank 9 was enough to heal him.
Ji Changchen rose from his place and left. He went to the room assigned to him by the Ethereal Sect.
Chu Xin looked at him and said. "But young master, there are even Rank 5 early stage in this competition."
Ji Changchen replied calmly. "It doesn't matter. The sword father gave me is able to harm even Rank 6 Warriors. It has a very strong spirit that he enslaved in his early years. Even without using it, I can win."
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At this time, Su Zun looked at Gu Xing and asked softly. "Are you disappointed in me?"
Gu Xing replied calmly. "How can I get disappointed in you. You are like my father. You are the one who nurtured me and taught me. In fact, I know you used this method to not only save me but also get that Sacred Revival Pill. Even if Ji Changchen knows there are Rank 5s here now, he can't go back anymore."
Su Zun sighed. "If only this were true. I am afraid Ji Changchen has some trump card prepared. The confidence he showed at that moment can't be recklessness."
Gu Xing's face finally turned pale. "Is it true?"
Su Zun smiled and said meaningfully. "Don't worry, I won't let him succeed. If he has methods, then can't I also provide them with one?"
"He is too naive if he thinks he can fool me."
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Entrance Exam of Ethereal Sect
Soon, The Sect Leader of the Ethereal Sect came. There were many elders alongside him, holy maiden and even Ji Changchen was present.
"Isn't this Holy Son Ji Changchen of Celestial Sect?"
"I heard he is the greatest genius of all times!"
"Celestial Sect also revealed that he would become the strongest holy master that was ever born!"
Few disciples of Ethereal Sect soon announced.
"Be prepared, it would begin in an hour! This time the entrance exam would be simple and straightforward. This time, it would be a knock out battle tournament. In order to win, either you force your opponent to admit defeat or you force him out of the arena where you are fighting."
"Our Sect Master would witness your battle with his own eyes, so it is a good opportunity to make an impression!"
Li Gang frowned. 'This is bad. I wanted to solidify my position before making contact with this Sect Leader. Even Ji Changchen is here. There are also many higher level Elders present. All of them are capable of seeing through my identity. I don't know how, but this Ji Changchen guy could even know my name. This is really beyond my imagination. I don't even know if any treasure is capable of doing this.'
"The one who wins the battle this time would have the chance to fight the holy son of Celestial Sect, Ji Changchen. Even though he is only Rank 4 early stage, anyone who can defeat him will be rewarded heavily."
Li Gang's eyes became sharp. 'Even though I know they won't give core technique about increasing the talent with just this, but still, why should I miss benefits when I am short of even Spirit Stones.'
What Li Gang doesn't know is the stake of this battle. If he can defeat Ji Changchen, then the sect leader might even reward him as he wishes.
Soon, the battle started. According to the rules, each person can have at most one fight every day.
Li Gang's first match was on 3rd day.
He immediately went to the resting area and slept for 2 more days. He is not worried that he will lose, but what he is worried about is his disguise would be seen through.
1 month later
Li Gang has already fought around 12 opponents. All of his opponents were only Rank 3 peak or Rank 4 early stage, there was one in Rank 4 mid stage. He won pretty easily and in straight forward manner.
There are only 2 rounds left now. Many top contenders like Cheng Kun and Murong Sisi have already been eliminated in the previous round.
Cheng Kun was defeated by Xin Long and Murong Sisi was eliminated by Qin Yuanzhi.
Li Gang and Xin Long has emerged as a dark horse in this tournament. Many people are still talking about it.
"I never expected Cheng Kun to be defeated by Xin Long. Xin Long is just a Rank 4 peak, but he is able to fight a level above him and still achieve victory. He is quite lucky!"
"No, Xin Long is strong not lucky. If someone is lucky then it is that guy Zhang Hao. He is only Rank 4 early stage and still made it here somehow. All his opponents were weaklings. Who is he anyway?"
"Don't make me laugh, he is not lucky, he even defeated Rank 4 middle stage with Rank 4 early stage cultivation. I think they made match ups where strong played strong and weak fought against weak."
"No, if this were so, then there would have been two strong and two weaklings. But, there is only one weakling here."
At the same time, an elder transmitted his voice to Su Zun. "That Zhang Hao seems suspicious."
Su Zun replied calmly. "Don't worry, he is only hiding his identity. He must have some reasons. His cultivation is genuinely Rank 4, which is no threat. Let Qin Yuanzhi battle him in this one. Xin Long seems to have some secret. He was able to fight even Rank 5 early stage, he is not simple. Let Wen Rong test him."
Soon, one of the disciple announced next battles.
"In the next battle, Qin Yuanzhi would fight Zhang Hao and Xin Long would fight Wen Rong."
The crowd immediately cheered for Qin Yuanzhi and Wen Rong. Some cheered for Xin Long. There were even some who supported Zhang Hao.
Ji Changchen looked at the battle and murmured inwardly. 'System. Show the status of Zhang Hao'.
A status window opened in front of him
Name: Li Gang
Age: 20
Identity: A mediocre villain in the early stage
Physique: None
...
Ding! Warning, Warning! System feels the spying of Heavenly Dao.
Ding! Emergency protection is turned on.
Ding! System is entering in a deep slumber to stop itself from getting detected.
Ji Changchen's heart turned cold. He looked at Li Gang and killing intent flashed in his eyes. Even though he hid it immediately, but how could it escape from Su Zun.
Su Zun suddenly has a realization. 'It seems this Ji Changchen also faced something untold.'