69novels Chapter 92 Inviting Heroes from All Over the World
Chapter 92 Inviting Heroes from All Over the World
Chapter 92 Inviting Heroes from All Over the World
"I surrender, I surrender, I admit defeat."
This experience of twists and turns, of life and death, completely dispelled Lu Linglong's competitive spirit, replacing it with a feeling of exhaustion and a faint sense of frustration.
Seeing that Lu Lin's breathing was steady and she seemed to want to discuss things further, she immediately raised her hand, her movements swift and decisive.
Ultimately, she suffered from the disadvantage of having too short a period of cultivation. One year versus twenty years, even though she was fortunate enough to gain her master's favor and enter the sect with the "Three True Treasures Borrowing Method," possessing many rare treasures and potential, even if she fully unleashed the "Seizing the Moment of Longevity and Supporting the Flower" technique without using any great supernatural powers or talismans, she was still helpless against Lu Lin in front of her.
Lu Lin's "stats" are just too outrageous!
It's not just about defense and strength, but also includes incredible resilience, an almost despairing level of endurance, and a battle mentality that has been honed to perfection.
He is like an ultimate warrior who has maximized "survival" and "tenacity".
At this time, Lu Linglong did not yet have a good mechanism.
When Lu Lin saw her admit defeat, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He could clearly sense that his cousin seemed to have some untapped trump card.
He wanted to suggest that they have a "simple exchange" again, not involving life or death, but only to verify the Daoist teachings.
However, Lu Linglong didn't give him a chance at all.
After conceding defeat, she leaped onto the viewing platform and squeezed into the midst of Zhang Chulan, Feng Xingtong, and others.
Seeing this, the referee announced loudly: "The winner of the second match is Lu Lin!"
Zhang Chulan looked at Lu Lin, whose Taoist robe was only slightly damaged but whose aura was still unfathomable, and the expression on his face was even more unsightly than crying.
I hit Lu Lin?
Are you kidding me!
Whether he liked it or not, the reality was already set.
The final matchups for this year's Luo Tian Grand Ceremony are now set: Zhang Chulan versus Lu Lin.
This was another match that most people considered "a foregone conclusion" before it even started.
On one side is the "shameless" who stumbled into the finals with shamelessness and cleverness, and on the other side is the "human monster" Lu Lin who defeated three masters, Zhuge Qing, Wang Ye and Lu Linglong.
However, the result once again surprised everyone.
Facing Zhang Chulan, who was eager to fight and looked like he was facing a formidable enemy, Lu Lin simply glanced at him calmly after the referee announced the start of the match, then turned to the referee and said in a calm and clear tone, "I concede defeat."
The reason was shockingly simple: "The battle with my cousin Linglong just now was extremely exhausting, and my mental and physical strength are severely depleted. I am no longer able to fight."
The room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in uproar!
Exhausted? Incapable of fighting any longer?
Anyone with eyesight and a bit of cultivation could see that Lu Lin in the arena had a steady breathing, a normal complexion, and clear eyes. The heavy "aura" around her had not dissipated at all. Not to mention panting, she hadn't even sweated a few drops!
His "Water and Fire Immortal Robes" displayed extraordinary recovery and endurance, which had already been evident in previous battles, making him a universally acknowledged "perpetual motion" type of cultivator. The disciples of the Three Truths Sect are even more renowned for their long and sustained breaths, often engaging in discussions on the Dao for days on end.
Too much energy consumption? Who are you kidding?!
At this point, even the slowest person would completely understand.
This Lu Lin, just like Feng Baobao before, is clearly one of Zhang Chulan's "own people" who are specifically there to "clear obstacles" for him!
The so-called final was nothing more than a play with a predetermined outcome!
"A complete cover-up! A blatant cover-up!"
"They've already decided Zhang Chulan is the champion! What's the point of holding the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony?!"
"Longhu Mountain! Celestial Master's Mansion! Have you no shame?!"
"Is the Lu family following suit? What about the reputation of the Three Truths Sect?!"
On the stands, shouts of anger, mockery, and boos surged like a tide, the crowd was filled with indignation.
Many viewers who already disliked Zhang Chulan reached the peak of their dissatisfaction at this moment.
Standing in the center of the arena, Zhang Chulan was bathed in a cacophony of boos and countless scornful and resentful gazes. The usual fawning and guilty smile on his face froze completely. He was filled with mixed emotions, a mixture of absurd relief at his "easy win" and the stifling and humiliating feeling of being roasted on a fire.
This championship—it's a hot potato!
In the end, amidst the uproar and discontent, the referee reluctantly announced that Zhang Chulan had won without a fight, becoming the ultimate winner of this year's Luo Tian Grand Ceremony.
As the official awards ceremony and subsequent events were to be held the following day, many participants and spectators began to disperse.
This includes Lu Linglong and Wang Ye.
Wang Ye had nothing to do here, while Lu Linglong wanted to avoid Lu Jin and Lu Lin for the time being. The two decided to return to the capital together.
The two penniless individuals opted not to fly, but instead took the relatively cheaper high-speed rail.
Inside the carriage, Lu Linglong leaned against the window, gazing at the rapidly receding fields and mountains. Wang Ye, as always, kept his hands tucked in and his eyes closed, though a barely perceptible hint of wariness would occasionally flash through his eyes when he opened them.
Another malicious gaze swept over.
The two exchanged a glance and both realized that someone was following them—lurking at a distance between the crowd and the carriage, seemingly trying to encircle them.
Wang Ye sighed inwardly. He thought these people were coming for him, after all, he had already foreseen this calamity when he used the Feng Hou Qi Men technique during the competition.
It will come eventually.
Rewind to one day ago, late at night.
At the foot of Longhu Mountain, in an abandoned warehouse reeking of rust and mildew, moonlight filters through the broken roof and window frames, casting dappled and eerie shadows.
At this moment, however, a group of figures with mixed and dangerous auras have gathered here.
Xia Liuqing, Yuan Tao, Han Dan'er, Shen Chong, Dou Mei, Gao Ning, Xia He, Tu Junfang, and Lü Liang.
Almost all of Quanxing's elite members who had infiltrated Longhu Mountain gathered here, subtly surrounding the young Taoist "Xiaoyuzi" Gong Qing.
The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, with discontent and doubt spreading in the dim light.
"Boy," Yuan Tao broke the silence, toying with the dragon-shaped bead in his hand, his voice barely concealing his anger, "you were the one who summoned us here, saying we were going to make a big splash at Longhu Mountain, turn the world upside down, and take the opportunity to dig up the secrets of the Jia Shen Rebellion and the Eight Extraordinary Skills. The brothers risked their lives to go up the mountain and cooperate with your charade, and what was the result? At the last minute, you casually said the plan was canceled?"
He grew angrier with each word, his spittle almost landing on Gong Qing's face: "Are you treating us like monkeys? You really think you can control Quanxing just because you have the title of 'acting sect leader'? There's no such rule here!"
"Xiaoyuan, calm down." A hoarse, aged voice rang out; it was Xia Liuqing.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his body hunched over, his face etched with deep wrinkles, yet his old eyes held a hidden glint of shrewdness.
He slowly swept his gaze across the crowd, finally fixing it on Gong Qing. His tone was calm yet increasingly authoritative: "Let him explain. But Gong Qing, the price for toying with us—can't be overlooked with just an explanation."
Xia Liuqing spoke, and the agitation subsided slightly. This "fierce charlatan," with his extremely seniority and unpredictable strength, commanded respect even from the lawless Quanxing members.
Gong Qing's gaze remained calm. Facing his intense scrutiny and pressure, he showed no panic. Instead, he said in a deep voice, "The plan is canceled because something more worthy has emerged, something that necessitates a change in our objectives. Compared to her, the secrets of the Jia Shen Rebellion and the allure of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques are insignificant."
"Oh? That's quite the boast." Xia Liuqing raised a white eyebrow. "Who?"
Gong Qing uttered three words clearly and forcefully: "Lu Linglong".
He paused, and amidst the doubtful or scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, added: "Or rather—the true successor of the Three Truths Dharma Gate."
"What do you mean?" Yuan Tao interrupted, frowning. "Lu Linglong? That little girl from the Lu family? Isn't her surname Lu? Lu Lin is the true representative of the Three Truths Sect this generation, isn't she? What does 'true successor' even mean?"
Not only Yuan Tao, but most of the Quanxing masters present were puzzled.
Upon hearing the words "true successor," Xia Liuqing's hunched body trembled almost imperceptibly. A sharp, hawk-like glint suddenly flashed in his cloudy old eyes as he stared intently at Gong Qing. His voice suddenly turned low and serious: "Gong Qing—do you know what you're saying? Do you understand what these words mean?"
"As expected—" Gong Qing, facing the intense gaze, revealed a knowing look instead. "Elder Xia, you did indeed know the inside story. It seems my judgment was correct."
"Old Xia, Gong Qing, stop beating around the bush," Dou Mei said softly, her voice carrying a calming yet intriguing magic. "Everyone's here, so let's just speak frankly."
Xia Liuqing slowly turned her head, her gaze sweeping over the faces—some fierce, some cunning, some numb. After a moment of silence, she spoke slowly in a rusty tone, as if unearthed from the dust of time: "It's not exactly top secret, but because of the long time that has passed, those who knew it were either dead or kept silent, so it gradually faded from public knowledge—"
"You all know that the founder of the Three Truths School is the only one in modern times with a clearly documented and universally acknowledged ascension to immortality—a legendary figure. But what you don't know is that, according to the very few surviving accounts, the Three Truths School, now renowned throughout the Xuanmen (Taoist) world and hailed as the foremost school, actually—did not explicitly inherit the most fundamental mantle of that ascensionist."
A series of suppressed gasps filled the warehouse!
Yuan Tao's eyes widened: "What?! The Three Truths Method—didn't receive the true teachings? Then what is their 'feathered immortality' technique?"
""
"Perhaps it's a modified version of the Reverse Life Triple Technique, but it's definitely not that person's method." Xia Liuqing paused, then looked at Gong Qing. "So, Gong Qing, if you mean that Lu Linglong might have received that person's complete true teachings—then his statement that the Jia Shen Rebellion and the Eight Extraordinary Techniques are nothing compared to her—is not an exaggeration."
Xia Liuqing's voice echoed through the empty warehouse, each word carrying immense weight: "That's a clearly divine technique that grants ascension! No matter how miraculously the Eight Extraordinary Techniques are passed down, they're still just extraordinary techniques, the pinnacle of 'arts.' When has any technique ever been openly called a 'divine technique'?"
"That's why I'm asking you again, Gong Qing—do you even know what this means? If this is true—the resulting upheaval will likely extend far beyond the world of supernatural beings; the entire world will be turned upside down!"
He thought to himself: If that true master were to appear in the world, his allure would far exceed the Eight Extraordinary Techniques by a hundred times! It would be enough to drive any country, power, or individual mad! The consequences would be completely unpredictable.
The warehouse was deathly silent, save for heavy breathing.
The entire Quanxing group, including the four usually cynical Zhang Kuang, now had expressions of shock, greed, and a hint of fear on their faces.
Yuan Tao swallowed hard, his voice dry: "Is this true? How confident are you?"
Gong Qing straightened his back, his eyes gleaming with a desperate light: "I guarantee with my life and my position as the acting sect leader that this is 90% true! I have personally witnessed the evidence."
"Ninety percent—" Yuan Tao exchanged glances with Han Dan'er, then looked at the silent Xia Liuqing and the others. Greed finally overwhelmed his doubts, and he slapped his thigh. "Good! Ninety percent, that's enough! Sect Leader, tell us, what's next? We'll listen to you!"
"Yes! The sect leader should give the order!"
"Celestial magic—hehe—"
"If only we could actually get our hands on it—"
An aura of greed permeated the dimly lit warehouse, and pairs of eyes gleamed with a hungry, wolf-like light in the shadows.
"First, keep it a secret. Then, notify all the best fighters you can muster—remember, they must be elite. We only have one chance," Gong Qing said in a deep voice. "Capture Lu Linglong and extract the memories of the immortal techniques from her mind."
"Okay, let's do it!"
Xia Liuqing looked at the eager crowd around her and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Old Xia, what are you laughing at?" Gong Qing frowned slightly.
"What am I laughing at?" Xia Liuqing finally managed to stop laughing, wiping her eyes, but her face still wore that indescribable, strange expression. "Of course I'm happy! It's a great joy! I never thought that this old body of mine would have the chance to glimpse the legendary immortal techniques before I die," and even—maybe I could even get a little bit of luck and touch the threshold of "ascension"! How could I not be happy? Hahaha—"
He laughed heartily, but those with keen senses, such as Shen Chong and Gao Ning, could vaguely detect a different meaning in his laughter. It was not pure joy, but more like the mockery of an onlooker, tinged with pity.
However, most people are so engrossed in the words "immortal techniques" that they have no time to think deeply.
Xia Liuqing smiled, her gaze slowly sweeping over the faces scorched by greed and ambition, yet her heart remained coldly clear, even tinged with absurd pity:
A bunch of clueless idiots—this isn't the way to court death.
Longhu Mountain is one thing, but have you ever seen anyone dare to secretly access the Three True Methods?
You should know that those people in the Three True Methods are not practicing immortal techniques.
If he truly is the inheritor of immortal techniques—
Let alone you few, even if the entire Quanxing sect came out in full force, every single one of them would die.
Do you know what the word "仙" (xian, meaning immortal) means?
Xia Liuqing's smile faded, and she reverted to her old and senile appearance. Only a complex, incomprehensible light flickered deep within her cloudy eyes.
He couldn't help but recall the scene from when he first met that person—
One sword can shatter a mountain, while ten thousand swords are unleashed simultaneously.
1937 years.
"Sect Leader! Jin Feng! You can't go!"
"That guy must be trying to wipe us all out!" Xia Liuqing stood firmly in front of Wugensheng and Jin Feng, her voice filled with unusual anxiety.
Not long ago, Zuo Ruotong of the Reverse Life Sect sent out letters to invite extraordinary people from all over the world to gather at the mountain gate, claiming that there was something important to discuss.
Every sect with even a slight reputation in the world was named, and what was even more astonishing was that "Quanxing" was among them.
To some, this was truly a groundbreaking event.
After all, good and evil have been irreconcilable since ancient times, and the Quanxing and Zhengdao sects have never been on the same page. When has there ever been a precedent for them to sit together and discuss things openly?
However, what was even more unexpected was that Wugensheng, the leader of Quanxing Sect, actually responded.
He promised to arrive.
The world was shaken.
Not only was the world of supernatural beings in turmoil, but the entire secular world, including the Japan with its wolfish ambitions and designs on China, was also under close scrutiny.
Some ardent hopeful people couldn't help but have naive dreams: at this time of national crisis, could it be that the righteous and the evil in the world really put aside their past grievances and join hands to resist the enemy?
However, the vast majority of people remain pessimistic.
Integrating the righteous and the evil paths?
How difficult it is!
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