The Elder furrowed his brows in thought for a moment before nodding, "Many strong individuals indeed have peculiar personalities. Since he doesn't want you to disclose it, then don't say anything to avoid offending that senior, which could be detrimental to you!"
Mo Yang changed the subject, saying, "Old man, just tell me what you want."
The Elder was taken aback, glaring at him. In the entire Lingxu Sect, no one dared to call him that. Mo Yang, however, casually referred to him as "old man" and "old fellow," sounding increasingly familiar with each passing day.
"You brat, do you even know what it means to respect your elders?" he said while glaring at Mo Yang, snorting.
"Just get to the point; don't disturb my training!" Mo Yang replied impatiently. He knew that this old fellow wouldn't come without a reason, especially this early in the morning.
"You brat, the martial arts grand meeting of the four sects is approaching..."
Before the Elder could finish his sentence, Mo Yang directly shook his head and replied, "What does that have to do with me? I'm not participating!"
"You... don't forget you are also part of the Lingxu Sect. As you know, every time there's a martial arts grand meeting, the Fourth Elder always leads us there. For the past five years, the other three sects have been mocking our Lingxu Sect from behind. If the Fourth Elder were still alive..."
The Elder sighed as he trailed off, knowing that mentioning the Fourth Elder would dampen Mo Yang's spirits.
Mo Yang's expression darkened. Although he knew the Elder was intentionally trying to provoke him by mentioning the Fourth Elder, it was also a fact that the Fourth Elder had always led the disciples of Lingxu Sect to the martial arts grand meetings in the past. He remembered the Fourth Elder's disappointed face every time they returned.
Moreover, the period of mourning he had committed to was nearing its end, and he might not be able to stay in Lingxu Sect for much longer.
"Fine, consider it a way to make up for Master's regrets. I'll go!" Mo Yang said, turning around and closing the door with a bang.
"You reckless brat..." The Elder was momentarily stunned, cursing under his breath as he turned to leave. However, he finally felt relieved. Although he hadn't figured out Mo Yang's exact cultivation level, he sensed that Mo Yang had become significantly stronger compared to before, at least reaching the peak of the Earth Profound Realm's third stage.
With Mo Yang participating, the chance for Lingxu Sect to win the championship was quite high. After all, many disciples had made breakthroughs in their cultivation recently due to Mo Yang exchanging medicinal pills, even Xu Xin had entered the Earth Profound Realm. The strength of the Lingxu Sect disciples had increased considerably.
Two days later, the Second Elder unexpectedly made a breakthrough, surprising all the Elders.
The Second Elder hadn't made any progress in over ten years, and due to his advanced age, he had shown signs of regression in his cultivation over the years.
Even more astonishing was that within two days after the Second Elder's breakthrough, the Grand Elder, who had also entered seclusion, surprisingly made a breakthrough too.
Now the Elders of Lingxu Sect were completely astounded. The Grand Elder's cultivation was two minor realms higher than the Second Elder's, yet their situations were almost identical. The fact that they both broke through in such a short time was clearly not coincidental.
"Those two old fellows must be overjoyed now; they definitely sought out Mo Yang for medicinal pills in secret. Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental? Usually, they hold a grudge against Mo Yang, and I wonder how they managed to drop their old faces!" The Fifth Elder was discussing this matter in the main hall.
"Tsk, I can't wait any longer. I need to exchange a few pills too. I feel like my cultivation can still be salvaged. That little guy's pills are incredibly potent; I can't miss this opportunity!" The Third Elder looked eager and seemed keen to give it a try.
Days passed, and the martial arts grand meeting of the four sects was approaching, with only ten days left.
That day also marked the one hundred days since the Fourth Elder's passing. Early in the morning, Mo Yang prepared food and wine and changed into plain clothes before heading to the back mountain.
As one hundred days went by, the grave had become overgrown with grass, and many vines climbed the tombstone...
Mo Yang stood before the tombstone, feeling dejected. They say a person's life is like a candle extinguished; now, Lingxu Sect would never see the Fourth Elder's figure again. All traces gradually vanished, leaving only a small mound of earth sitting there alone.
"Master, the martial arts grand meeting of the four sects is approaching. You can't go this time, so I'll go in your place!"
"All those years you returned in disappointment; don't worry, I'll fulfill your wishes and make up for your regrets..."
"Master, I've broken through to the Heavenly Profound Realm... After the martial arts grand meeting, I'll leave Lingxu Sect. You always said you never truly saw the dazzling world outside. I'll go see it for you, and when I avenge you in the future, I'll come back and tell you all about it..."
"Rest assured, I will protect myself..."
...
After returning to Wood Peak, Mo Yang began his preparations. With only a few days left until the martial arts grand meeting, he planned to calm himself and ponder the Xing Character Scroll and the incomplete sword techniques he had been practicing. Although it was only the first layer, its power was enough to serve as a killer move.
He intended to participate in the martial arts grand meeting not only because of the Fourth Elder but also to see how the other sects' talented disciples compared in cultivation and combat strength. After all, he had never attended before; this would be his first time.
The Elders also began their busy preparations, selecting disciples to participate in the martial arts grand meeting. Unconsciously, the atmosphere within the Lingxu Sect grew tense.
In addition to the two seniors, Qi Heng and Xu Xin, who had already entered the Earth Profound Realm, Su Fei Er, who had recently made a breakthrough to the peak of the third stage of the Spirit Realm, was also selected. Besides them, six others, all at the third stage of the Spirit Realm, were chosen.
Qi Heng felt a bit puzzled. Previously, ten people were selected, but this time there were only nine. He vaguely guessed that the missing spot might be reserved for Mo Yang, but he still asked, "Third Elder, why are only nine selected this time?"
The others also showed confusion, but they all understood that, within the Lingxu Sect, there was an uncrowned king among the disciples!
Once known as a waste, he wasn't recognized as the top disciple like Qi Heng and Xu Xin, yet even Qi Heng had been defeated by him with a mere flick of his hand.
"Since you've guessed, why bother asking? This time, Mo Yang will accompany you!" The Third Elder, who was usually friendly within the sect and didn't put on airs in front of the disciples, directly informed them.
Upon hearing this, Su Fei Er secretly rejoiced, feeling that Mo Yang was more powerful than anyone else. If they hadn't allowed him to participate, she would have been the first to object.
Qi Heng fell silent for a moment. Although he acknowledged Mo Yang's fighting strength, he found his character unpredictable. He was somewhat worried that Mo Yang's participation might backfire, especially since three months ago, Mo Yang had directly fought with several Elders and even declared he would leave the sect.
Xu Xin frowned slightly. Mo Yang gave her a mysterious feeling. Clearly an ordinary disciple, yet he seemed shrouded in mist. The only reason she had broken through to the Earth Profound Realm in such a short time was due to the pills she had exchanged from Mo Yang.
Hearing that Mo Yang would accompany them, she felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
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