"This time, if not for Wang Tengfei, he would surely have entered the inner sect. But with Wang Tengfei's appearance, he… it's truly difficult…"
He Luohua cast a gentle gaze towards Meng Hao. As a Core Formation cultivator and the Sect Master of the Reliance Sect, he naturally wouldn't concern himself with the fortuitous encounters or good fortune of a group of Qi Condensation disciples; he certainly possessed that much magnanimity.
The more fortunate a disciple was, the happier he became. However, regarding Meng Hao, precisely because of Wang Tengfei's appearance, He Luohua couldn't discern how much chance of victory he truly had.
"It's a pity that at this moment, the jade has already been carved into three parts… A spot has long been reserved for Wang Tengfei. Otherwise…" He Luohua shook his head, pondering for a moment. If Meng Hao were to fall into a life-or-death situation, should he intervene to save him? A moment later, he let out a soft sigh.
Time slowly passed. Grand Elder Ouyang had always been observing Meng Hao, and seeing the spiritual energy in Meng Hao's body gradually recovering, he didn't announce the next match. With such obvious favoritism, no one dared to say anything.
As for Wang Tengfei, he held no one in his eyes. Meng Hao's sudden surge in cultivation slightly surprised him, but he attributed it to Grand Elder Ouyang's interference on that day, so he didn't dwell on it further. In his heart, he didn't believe Meng Hao was the one who had taken his supreme treasure, for he was certain that the dim speck of light was the true culprit who had stolen everything from him.
Thinking of this, his heart ached incessantly, as if he wanted to spit blood on the spot. He no longer had any connection to that inheritance; he couldn't feel it at all, as if he had become an outsider. Even if the one who obtained the inheritance stood right before him now, he wouldn't be able to detect it.
"The inheritance doesn't belong to me. But that supreme treasure…"
Wang Tengfei secretly clenched his fists. That sword, he had seen it a few times, and after researching its descriptions in ancient texts, even its exact function remained unclear. However, the ancient texts also mentioned that this sword was unique in all the world, imbued with the spiritual power of heaven and earth, and utterly indestructible.
He had originally intended to study it after acquiring it, but by today, that had become a mere pipe dream.
Wang Tengfei slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, making everyone feel as if he was still calmly sitting cross-legged there, seemingly oblivious to anything happening around him.
"I am Wang Tengfei. Even if the supreme treasure inheritance has been taken by someone else, the inner sect of the Reliance Sect is still mine, that is my second contingency. Even without the supreme treasure inheritance, I must still enter this inner sect of the Reliance Sect, which I despise, all for the sake of the second fortune that belongs to me."
"What is one failure? I am Wang Tengfei!"
His heart surged with endless waves. Gradually, not only did his exterior become still, but his inner self also quieted, as if he had pushed all the blows and failures out of his mind. Pride, because he was Wang Tengfei, he was the favored son of heaven – he was the darling of heaven and earth.
He was indifferent, because this inner sect trial was opened entirely for him; it was merely a performance to adhere to the sect rules. From the moment he entered the Reliance Sect, he was already different from everyone else. Though seemingly an outer sect disciple, in reality, he had long been an inner sect disciple.
He remained calm, for he disdained even the Reliance Sect, a mere minor sect. He believed his clan only needed to casually dispatch one person to completely wipe this place clean, leaving no trace behind. If he hadn't deliberately chosen this place, with his status, how could he possibly have come to this remote Zhao Kingdom? He should have remained within his powerful clan in the Southern Domain, reigning supreme over a region.
Therefore, he was arrogant, aloof, and calm, letting time pass slowly, as if he was waiting for that person whose name he couldn't recall to recover their cultivation...
The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed. Meng Hao's eyes suddenly opened, sparkling with light, his battle intent burning ceaselessly. After killing the big man at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, and then killing Han Zong, today was the day he had killed the most people. Therefore, at this moment, he yearned even more to crush Wang Tengfei beneath his feet, to return all the humiliation he had suffered before.
In silence, Meng Hao slowly stood up.
"– The final trial battle, Meng Hao, Wang Tengfei. The victor will be promoted to an inner sect disciple."
Grand Elder Ouyang looked at Meng Hao, full of encouragement, and slowly spoke.
When Meng Hao's figure appeared, all eyes focused on him. As he leaped onto the martial stage, Wang Tengfei also opened his eyes and indifferently followed, while among the outer sect disciples, a continuous buzz of commentary suddenly erupted.
"– Does he really dare to go up? Even if this Meng Hao's cultivation isn't ordinary, for him to challenge Senior Brother Wang is truly not knowing his own limits."
"– The path of a powerful cultivator will always have stepping stones, and he is one of those stepping stones that Senior Brother Wang will tread upon on his path to ascendancy."
"– I remember last time this guy snatched a magic treasure that Senior Brother Wang had given to someone else. The result was that in front of everyone, Senior Brother Wang took it back. At that time, he was no different from an ant in front of Senior Brother Wang."
The sounds of chatter continuously spread, all sorts of mocking voices echoing everywhere. It wasn't that they harbored any deep hatred for Meng Hao, but that Senior Brother Wang, in everyone's hearts, was a revered, unchallengeable figure.
"– If he dies by Wang Tengfei's hand, that storage bag will be hard to get a hold of."
Shangguan Xiu still frowned, looking towards Meng Hao.
While everyone was still disparaging Meng Hao, setting him up as an opponent, suddenly, a not-loud but sharp voice rang out...
"– Meng Hao will surely win, Meng Hao will surely win, the inner sect disciple will be Meng Hao!"
The fat guy stood there and shouted loudly, his voice extremely sharp, echoing into every corner of the plaza.
All the chaotic sounds from outside, to Meng Hao who had already stepped onto the stage, seemed incredibly distant. He stood there calmly, his cold gaze fixed on Wang Tengfei. Meng Hao understood that from the moment he began cultivating until now, his opponent was the strongest, and this was also his most arduous battle.
But Meng Hao did not retreat; he wanted to fight, he wanted to make his move. There are some things a man in this world must do, for a certain spirit that endures between heaven and earth.
The past days and months flashed through his mind, causing Meng Hao to gently touch his storage bag.
Inside, he still kept a few blood-stained fingernails he had pulled out.