In the realm of the Moling Star, there truly was no one whose understanding surpassed that of Zuo Dao. When it came to the depth of magical power, Nan Xinyuan could easily outclass him by several streets. However, in the realm of "intent," he would never be able to surpass Zuo Dao.
The hidden killing intent stirred Zuo Dao's anger, transforming his fist intent from the melancholic and desolate aura of Fading Glory into the gentle yet lethal aura of Human-Faced Peach Blossom.
No longer confined to the hundred-foot stone platform, it enveloped the entire arena, overshadowing all. Those who exuded killing intent were particularly targeted.
On the stone platform, Nan Xinyuan appeared dazed and drenched in sweat. This was still Zuo Dao holding back, aiming to break rather than attack, focusing on others rather than himself.
The pervasive pink killing intent stunned everyone present. This was merely a fraction of Zuo Dao's power; the sword strike before the Immortal Sect had indeed drained much of his energy.
Yet now, Zuo Dao aimed only to intimidate, not to provoke conflict.
His fist intent surged forth and then receded just as quickly. What remained in everyone's eyes was merely a fleeting blush, strikingly beautiful.
"Young Master, why not let this be the end? Let's call it a draw." It was wise to know when to stop and give others an out, especially since Zuo Dao did not harbor any dislike for Nan Xinyuan.
"Thank you for your mercy, but let's not speak of draws. Winning is winning, losing is losing; I, Nan Xinyuan, am not someone who cannot accept defeat."
At this moment, Nan Xinyuan finally regained his composure. He understood clearly that as long as his opponent wielded "intent," victory or defeat held no significance for him.
He considered himself talented and had grasped the essence of gold's intent. However, understanding was one thing; applying that understanding in practical combat was another matter entirely.
He was proud but not arrogant. The Strike of Intent belonged to the strongest attacks beneath immortals and did not depend solely on one's own strength. An ancient ancestor from his clan had risen swiftly in status due to a mere brush with the Strike of Intent, securing their position as the first Grand Elder.
Nan Xinyuan was not stripped of confidence by Zuo Dao's strike; instead, it solidified his resolve even further.
He took a deep breath and faced Zuo Dao.
"Southern New Family, I apologize for my earlier rudeness towards you."
With that, he straightened his posture, the demeanor of a noble scion returning to him, his face betraying no hint of the defeat he had just suffered. Losing under the "Strike of Intent" was not shameful; just look at the Ancient Ancestors present—who could guarantee they would withstand it completely? Who could say that this was Zuo Dao's ultimate strength?
The battle had ended, leaving a feeling of anticlimax yet also a sense of exhilaration. Everyone's hearts were filled with contradictions.
Zuo Dao had transformed his image among the public through his own strength. Aside from those in the Immortal Sect, few had actually witnessed Zuo Dao's battles firsthand. Most believed it was merely self-aggrandizement by the Immortal Sect. Yet now, Zuo Dao had firmly established his reputation.
The title of "Prodigy" was now fully accepted by all.
At this moment, Nan Xinyuan felt the "noble aura" surrounding him dim and lose its color. The pressure from the young man across from him was immense, driving him to strive harder.
Anyone thinking of stepping forward to provoke Zuo Dao needed to seriously consider whether they could withstand a single strike from him. If they couldn't, it would be better not to embarrass themselves.
Meanwhile, many young disciples present felt the weighty gazes of their elders upon them, each regretting not being there at that moment. Even Nan Xinyuan couldn't help but feel resentment.
What business do you have challenging others if you're incapable? Well, are you satisfied now? Now we’ll have to return and face even heavier training tasks. As for Zuo Dao and these young Cultivators, they felt no anger whatsoever. What was there to resent when they were not even on the same level?
With a smile on his face, Nan Xinyuan stepped down from the stone platform, leaving Zuo Dao standing alone atop it.
Sensing the complex gazes from the crowd, Zuo Dao smiled calmly.
Since emerging from the Mirror Realm, his strength and perspective had changed entirely. The Moling Star felt like an empty void to him; breaking through it was only a matter of time. No, it should be about when to break through.
On the stage, Zuo Dao, filled with righteous indignation, set his sights on those who dared to unleash murderous intent against him.
In an instant, the refined young man transformed into a fierce warrior radiating killing intent.
"Zuo Dao, a disciple of the Immortal Sect, seeks to spar with the disciples present from Yuxian Sect, Eight-Foot Gate, Ancient Leak Mountain, War Palace, Guile Alliance, Meteor Pavilion, Eastern Literary Family, Changhe Clan, Liu Family, Chen Family, and Windy Sect."
The crowd erupted in an uproar; this was instant karma! Those with grudges against these sects wore smiles on their faces, secretly rejoicing.
The leaders of the more than ten sects named looked grim.
It was a slap in the face—one that was particularly harsh. Whether they accepted or declined the challenge, their reputation had already taken a hit.
Yao Ming and Fire Rush sat calmly on the stage, appearing indifferent to the situation. However, Jiang Chuan, as the host, felt compelled to intervene.
"Zuo Dao, do not be unreasonable; guests are here..."
Before Jiang Chuan could finish his sentence, Zuo Dao interrupted him.
"Sect Leader, I merely wish to seek guidance from my senior brothers; there is no other intention. It is precisely because they are guests!"
The implication in his tone was clear: it was precisely because they were guests that he sought to spar; otherwise, it would have been a fight to the death.
Unfazed by Zuo Dao's interruption, Jiang Chuan was preparing some conciliatory words when suddenly a voice rang out.
"So this is the style of a second-rate sect? A disciple dares to interrupt the Sect Leader? I wonder how your sect trains its disciples?"
Jiang Chuan's expression darkened at that moment.
The speaker was clad in a long black robe, their entire face concealed in the shadow of the hood, exuding an eerie aura. It was clear without guessing that the only faction in the hall with such attire was the Guile Alliance.
"How we train our disciples is our own business. But how that old monster taught you is quite strange. Do you really think I wouldn't dare to do anything to you?"
Jiang Chuan felt a surge of anger. To think someone would dare to plot against a disciple of the Immortal Sect on his own territory, especially one of the most outstanding disciples in millennia, was infuriating enough. Now, they had the audacity to provoke him further; even a clay figurine would have some fire in it.
"Leader Jiang, please calm down. My disciple is just being foolish; I ask for your understanding."
The leader of the Guile Alliance this time, Elder Night Observer, quickly stepped forward, secretly cursing the speaker in his heart.
"Do you have no sense at all? How could you say something like that? If this matter gets out because of your words, then Leader Jiang will truly have been wronged."
He thought this but knew that the speaker was a direct descendant of the alliance leader and one of the most outstanding among many juniors, deeply favored by the leader himself. He couldn't afford to be too harsh.
"Elder Night, I did nothing wrong and don't need to apologize to him." Gui Wushuang was furious at this moment. In the Guile Alliance, he was someone who walked with confidence, often referring to himself as "the next one." There was no one among his peers who could defeat him. Even his grandfather, the leader of the Guile Alliance, praised him highly.
This time, he had merely wanted to clear his mind by following along but ended up witnessing Zuo Dao's strength, which was beyond his reach. The jealousy and resentment bubbled within him. After hearing Zuo Dao's challenge, he couldn't help but let slip those words.
He regretted it afterward, but with his elder stepping forward to apologize, it only ignited what he considered his pride, prompting him to respond defiantly.
Zuo Dao on the stone platform glanced at him sideways and knelt with one knee while cupping his fist towards Jiang Chuan.
"This senior is correct. According to our sect rules, disrespecting elders warrants punishment by breaking one's cultivation. Today, I, Zuo Dao from Zuo Wang Peak, have violated sect rules and will self-punish by dispersing my power."
Without waiting for anyone to react, a muffled sound echoed from the stone platform as Zuo Dao was enveloped by a gust of wind that swept around him, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead to the ground.
The crowd was bewildered. What was he doing? If he was dispersing his energy, what was this all about?
Before Jiang Chuan and the others could comprehend the situation, they saw Zuo Dao on the platform had already dispersed his energy. Panic set in as they rushed to his side. At the same time, they extended their Divine Sense and discovered that Zuo Dao's body had become completely empty, with not a trace of spiritual power remaining, and his meridians were in disarray.
A furious roar erupted.
"Does the Guile Alliance really think there is no one in the Immortal Sect?"
The members of the Immortal Sect surged forward with overwhelming momentum.
Night Observer hurriedly shielded Gui Wushuang behind him, struggling against the immense pressure while stammering, unsure of what to say, feeling a deep sense of despair.
Some cultivators seated near the Guile Alliance were quick-witted enough to dodge aside as Zuo Dao dispersed his energy. Others who couldn't escape in time were knocked down to the ground by the pressure exerted by the Immortal Sect members.
"If the Guile Alliance wants war, then let it be war!!!"
Another sharp shout rang out, filled with boundless anger and killing intent that resonated in everyone's ears.
"Sect Leader, wait! I have something to say."
A breathless voice came through.
At this moment, Zuo Dao was being supported by the Yan Sisters, his face slightly pale.
"Disciple has made a mistake and deserves punishment; it has nothing to do with others."
"Daozi, even if you were to tear down the mountain gate, no one would blame you. Why go to such lengths?" Jiang Chuan said, his voice tinged with pain. The most outstanding disciple of the Immortal Sect had fallen right before his eyes.
"Guile Alliance, I will make that strange being aware of how foolish his grandson is!"
"Sect Leader, enough. This is a matter for the disciple to bear; he will remember this lesson in the future."
An exceptional disciple of the Immortal Sect had fallen before them, evoking mixed feelings. Some felt regret, others smirked, some were angry, and some simply watched the spectacle.
Yao Ming and Fire Rush were particularly furious. Damn it, they were being pushed to their limits! Just after making a solemn vow, their vow master had now been rendered useless. Not only did it threaten their lives, but it also slapped them in the face.
With a sinister glare fixed on Gui Wushuang, they had never taken the strange being seriously, but now they found themselves outmaneuvered by his grandson. Just as their anger began to rise, Zuo Dao raised a hand to stop them.
"The internal matters of the Immortal Sect have concluded, but my business is not finished." He gently brushed aside the support of the Yan Sisters. Under the worried gazes of Yan Zhen and others, he stepped into the center of the stone platform.
"Zuo Dao, a junior disciple of the Immortal Sect, seeks guidance from the disciples present from Yuxian Sect, Eight-Foot Gate, Ancient Leak Mountain, War Palace, Guile Alliance, Meteor Pavilion, Eastern Literary Family, Changhe Clan, Liu Family, Chen Family, and Windy Sect."
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