NOVPUBXu Zimei lifted his head and looked at the huge object that lay silent in this part of the world, his heart filled with emotion.
It seemed no matter how much he wandered outside, this place was like his home, where he had grown up since childhood, and where his parents were.
When the Dark Heaven Tiger entered the sect gate, the disciples guarding the entrance immediately stopped it.
"Halt, who are you?"
Xu Zimei slowly lifted his head from the back of the Dark Heaven Tiger, and those two disciples were immediately stunned in place.
"Saint Heir, you’ve returned."
Xu Zimei nodded slightly.
"Greetings to the Saint Heir," the two disciples quickly saluted and allowed him to pass.
Watching Xu Zimei’s retreating back, the two disciples whispered to each other.
"The Saint Heir has returned at this time, I wonder if he will participate in the grand competition."
"He probably won’t. The competition is probably almost over by now."
...
Indeed, the sect took this competition very seriously, as the time for destiny to manifest was drawing ever closer.
Although it seemed that only the Sixth Elder and the Seventh Elder were officiating the competition.
At Heaven Origin Peak, where Sect Master Xiao resided, several of the core elders, including Xu Qingshan, were present.
There was a very large mirror placed in front of everyone, projecting the scene of the competition clearly before them.
Watching the situation of the competition, several core elders also made comments one after another.
"This Gao Xiong has the bloodline of an Ancient Power Bear, a fine seedling, with boundless potential.
Too bad his bloodline has only awakened halfway, he’s probably going to lose this fight."
"Ji Baiyu is not simple. I heard she’s a descendant of Emperor Feiyu, and she has learned much of what the emperor left behind. She has a promising future."
"That disciple brought back by the Sect Master is also extraordinary.
His talent and temperament are first-rate, even stronger than those of our disciples."
"And then there’s Dugu Ao. In recent years, he’s undefeated in our True Martial Holy Sect, already having whispers of being the number one figure in the sect.
It’s just unfortunate that every time I’ve wanted to take him as a disciple, he’s refused.
They say his master is a reclusive expert, and I would indeed take the opportunity to meet him," the Fourth Elder said with a hint of regret.
Hearing the Fourth Elder’s words, Sect Master Xiao glanced at Xu Qingshan and then smiled, "Shouldn’t the number one person in the sect be our dear nephew Zimo?"
"That’s not incorrect, but nephew Zimo has been away from the sect in recent years.
The newer disciples haven’t even seen him; after all, seeing is believing. So, many would probably have forgotten him if it weren’t for his position as the Saint Heir," the Fourth Elder replied.
Xu Qingshan maintained a calm expression and said lightly, "My son’s actions need not be proven to others."
"The Deputy Sect Master is quite confident," the Fifth Elder said with a laugh.
"My son has the makings of a Great Emperor," Xu Qingshan replied in a succinct manner and then fell silent.
Everyone could hear the confidence Xu Qingshan had in his son, and his disregard for others’ opinions.
...
Xu Zimei walked within the True Martial Holy Sect, originally planning to head straight to Azure Mountain Peak to see his parents.
However, the distant cheers that sounded like the roar of waves caught his attention.
It was rare for the True Martial Holy Sect to be so lively.
He slowly walked towards the source of the cheering.
Before him was a dense crowd of people packed together, almost every young disciple of the sect was gathered there.
He could even hear the noisy discussions from the crowd.
"It’s unexpected; the outcome of this competition is really surprising."
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"All the direct disciples of the several Great Elders have been eliminated; it’s understandable that Meng Chenxue, who is a direct disciple of the Sect Master, could have made it this far.
But this Dugu Ao, without even having a master, actually managed to make it to the final step."
"It seems to be the Sect Gate’s grand competition," Xu Zimei surmised with a hunch in his heart.
Remembering Meng Chenxue, it seemed that the last time he had returned to the Sect, she had challenged him.
As for this Dugu Ao, he didn’t leave a strong impression; at that time, he must have still been an Inner Sect Disciple.
"Young Master Xu, what are you doing here?" Just then, a voice suddenly interrupted Xu Zimei’s reverie.
He turned around and saw Ji Baiyu standing beside him, looking somewhat surprised to see him.
"I’ve just come back," Xu Zimei replied.
Ji Baiyu’s complexion was somewhat pale, clearly having sustained significant injuries from the recent competition.
While Xu Zimei and Ji Baiyu were talking, passing disciples also noticed the scene.
Ji Baiyu was quite popular within the Sect, with no shortage of admirers.
At this moment, looking at Xu Zimei, some disciples seemed to recall something.
They hurriedly exclaimed in surprise, "The Saint Heir, the Saint Heir has returned."
"That’s right, it must be the Saint Heir, I saw him with my own eyes in the last Sect’s grand competition."
Some new disciples also looked towards Xu Zimei and discussed in low voices.
"That is our True Martial Holy Sect’s Saint Heir, isn’t it? He doesn’t seem to be any different."
Originally, the battle between Dugu Ao and Meng Chenxue on the arena had reached an intense stage, with both fighters unleashing their true power.
However, Xu Zimei’s appearance also caused a small disturbance within the area.
Ten Thousand Arrays Elder looked at the crowd below and frowned, saying, "What’s all this commotion about?"
The disciples below hurriedly bowed their heads, not daring to speak; a few cautiously said, "Elder, the Saint Heir has returned."
Soon, the crowd automatically parted, and Xu Zimei calmly emerged from the back.
Seeing Xu Zimei, who seemed to have grown a lot over the years, Ten Thousand Arrays Elder felt a touch of emotion.
He glanced at Xiao Yuexuan beside him out of the corner of his eye, as he was aware of the grudge between the two.
Xiao Yuexuan’s expression remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
"Zimo, come over here."
In the crowd of Core Disciples ahead, Xia Zihe and Meng Kuo were waving at Xu Zimei.
The two were the eldest and third disciples of his father, Xu Qingshan, and could be said to have grown up playing together with Xu Zimei.
Xu Zimei smiled faintly and walked towards the front.
Several direct disciples had varying expressions; Jiang Xier appeared indifferent, not even looking at Xu Zimei.
And Xiang Qianheng and a few others wore smiles, though what they truly thought remained unknown.
...
At this moment, the battle on the arena had reached a decisive point, with Dugu Ao wielding the halberd and using the Heavenly Transforming Halberd technique in broad sweeping moves.
An endless aura of Holy Power surged from his body, the side of his combat halberd striking Meng Chenxue’s abdomen, blasting her straight off the arena.
"Brother Dugu is mighty!"
...…
Disciples below were shouting loudly.
Dugu Ao looked domineering, surveying his surroundings, the halberd in his hand erupting with sky-reaching power.
Many around him dared not even look him in the eye.
"The True Martial Holy Sect’s number one amongst the younger generation, am I worthy?"
Dugu Ao looked up, his gaze fixed on the Seventh Elder as he asked loudly.
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