In the Sky Taihuang Sect, inner disciples and above would find themselves involved in a variety of duels, gatherings, tea parties, wine parties, and many more that were held in the Linlang Immortal City in the Realm of Taihuang.
Linlang Immortal City was over three hundred thousand li long. The city floated in the air. Its shape resembled the Black Tortoise. Many dojos were set up in the city, and the seats of each dojo were crowded with people.
Meanwhile, one of the two biggest dojos, the Star Dojo was fully crowded.
The crowd included the Supreme Elders, Elders, and inner disciples of the Sky Taihuang Sect, the Heaven Illusionary Ancestor Sect, and the Sanqing Ancient Sect. There were also representatives of the factions that were led by Peerless Rulers, and some powerful rogue cultivators.
They were all here to participate in the Martial Art Genius Gathering.
The Martial Art Genius Gathering was first held a thousand years ago. Since then, it would be held in one of the three Supreme Daoism factions once every three years. The Peerless Geniuses of the Shangxingtian Small Immortal Realm would come and compete in it.
Unlike the Battle of the Strongest Immortal, every Peerless Genius was allowed to take part in the competition. Wan Xiao, Xu Xianzhi, Zhao Lijian, Sword God Wu Heng, and the others were all present too.
The Martial Art Genius Gathering had been going on for some time. Some of the Peerless Geniuses in the Earth Immortal Realm had been disqualified. The atmosphere was lively.
However, five Supreme Elders of the Sky Taihuang Sect suddenly transmitted their thoughts. The duel on the dojo immediately came to an end.
A Supreme Elder stepped forward and brought his fists together, “Fellow cultivators, sorry for the sudden interruption. It appears that two core disciples of our sect are asking to borrow the dojo for a duel of life and death.”
Everyone was startled by the words.
However, their faces were soon filled with excitement.
Even the Supreme Elders of the Heaven Illusionary Ancestor Sect, the Sanqing Ancient Sect, and the Heaven Immortal Realm experts were intrigued.
Normally, the core disciples of a Supreme Daoism faction were extremely important since they were the future pillars of the faction. As such, the higher-ups would never allow the core disciples to fight one another to death even if there was some conflict between them.
Things like these rarely happened, but they happened to stumble into one today.
“It looks like I’ve made the right choice for coming here. I’m able to see such an interesting fight…”
Wan Xiao who was sitting beside Xu Xianzhi wore a faint smile. However, before he could finish, he saw two figures landing on the dojo.
He was utterly familiar with one of them.
“Qin…Qin Nan?”
Xu Xianzhi’s eyes flickered with astonishment.
“The Strongest Immortal…Qin Nan?”
Everyone was dumbfounded too. Some could not even believe their eyes.
It had already been a few months since the Battle of the Strongest Immortal. They had slowly forgotten about Qin Nan, but they still knew the details of what happened back then.
Especially those who were present at the Battle of the Strongest Immortal. The unforgettable scene where Qin Nan was taking on a few tens of Peerless Geniuses on his own and overcoming the Tribulation right on the spot was stuck in their minds.
However, they had all assumed Qin Nan would disappear for at least a few tens of years. They did not expect him to return so soon.
“HAHAHA, does this Qin Nan really think he’s still the Strongest Immortal? Did he really challenge You Hong to a battle of life and death? I bet he’s tired of living!”
Zhao Lijian who was seated not far away from Wan Xiao and Xu Xianzhi burst out laughing.
Even though he did not personally hold a grudge against Qin Nan, his master, the South World Immortal Emperor had colluded with Long Xuanling to take out Qin Nan.
Therefore, he had subconsciously treated Qin Nan as an enemy too.
In addition to Zhao Lijian, Wan Xiao, Xu Xianzhi, the Peerless Geniuses, and many of the experts soon learned the details that had led to the duel.
“This Qin Nan is too naive. His Dao Foundation was already destroyed, yet he still wanted to hold onto the Dark Underworld Wood!”
“Yeah! I was wondering why the Sky Taihuang Sect would allow the core disciples to fight one another to death. It seems like the higher-ups of the Sky Taihuang Sect have permitted it too.”
“I don’t agree with it. I think Qin Nan hasn’t done anything wrong. His Dao Foundation has been destroyed, thus he would try every way possible to rebuild it. Besides, the Patriarch has given the Dark Underworld Wood to him. However, I don’t think he should challenge You Hong to a duel.”
“He’s being too reckless. Even if You Hong doesn’t want to kill him, I’m afraid he will end up in serious injuries, or even be crippled today.”
Many were uttering a hollow laugh as they assumed Qin Nan was being too full of himself. Some were letting out sighs in their hearts too.
After all, the young man was once a legend in the Nine Heavens Immortal Realm.
“Why is this happening…”
Xu Xianzhi was having troubling thoughts. She bit her lips and hesitated briefly before she rose to her feet and saluted at You Hong, “Senior Brother You Hong, Qin Nan is my friend. I hope you won’t go too far in the duel. There’s no need to hurt one another.”
Many people were astounded. They did not expect Xu Xianzhi who was about to become a core disciple of the Sanqing Ancient Sect would speak up to help Qin Nan.
Wan Xiao’s expression shifted slightly. He seemed to be struggling to make a decision.
However, he did not stand up still.
“Qin Nan, I do owe you one, but You Hong isn’t someone I can afford to offend. Good luck!”
Wan Xiao murmured in his heart. The truth was, he could have said a few words to You Hong considering his identity, yet he subconsciously believed it was not worth it.
“HAHA, Junior Sister Xianzhi, don’t you worry. I’ll make sure to go easy on him. After all, Junior Brother Qin Nan is the Strongest Immortal. I’ll make sure to leave him an intact corpse.”
You Hong spoke with a smile. However, the words immediately sent chills down everyone’s spine.
Xu Xianzhi’s expression fell slightly.
However, she was unwilling to give up. She grabbed the corner of her robe and said, “Senior Brother You Hong, is that really necessary…”
Before she could finish, Qin Nan whom everyone had placed their attention on smiled and transmitted a thought to her.
“Xianzhi, it’s fine, I can handle it.”
He was calm and collected.
Xu Xianzhi was stunned. For some reason, she felt like Qin Nan was the same as she first met him. Even though he looked ordinary on the surface, he possessed a remarkable strength inside his body.
He could defeat anyone that was trying to stop him. He was unstoppable against cultivators of the same level!
“We have to continue on with the Martial Art Genius Gathering later. I’ll be overseeing the duel. Hurry up and get on with it.”
Changkong flew above the dojo. He glanced at Qin Nan and said calmly.
Even though it was a duel of life and death, Changkong already decided to intervene and save Qin Nan’s life when necessary considering his identity.
“Sure thing, Senior Brother!”
You Hong brought his fists together and looked at Qin Nan with a faint grin, “I remember it’s only been a little more than three months since you’ve ascended as an immortal. I’ll suppress my cultivation to the same level as yours, just so you won’t say that I’m being a bully…”
Before he could finish, Qin Nan withdrew the smile on his face and unleashed a tremendous immortal glow from his body, followed by an overwhelming aura.
The cultivators were dumbfounded!