The remaining extraordinary talents without opponents were all from Dongzhou.

Yang Yan, Kong Xuan, Ao Tian, and the like.

The words from the Sole Heavenly Sect Master were apparent not only to Yang Yan and his companions but also to the cultivators from Central Continent.

It was clear that he wanted Yang Yan and the others to fight among themselves!

"Grandson, you are too unfilial, bullying your grandfathers like this!" Li Wan Hua said coldly.

He could no longer endure and directly voiced his anger, not caring who was on the other side!

"Bullying? You overestimate yourself.

This is the rule, the legitimate rule of the Heavenly Qualification Battle!

It's the same whether it was the last event or the next one!" the Sole Heavenly Sect Master replied adamantly.

At this, Ao Tian spat contemptuously.

"Rules? I see you're deliberately targeting us Dongzhou geniuses.

Otherwise, why is it that the only ones left are the Dongzhou geniuses?

Not a single genius from any other continent!

You've gone too far, too blatant!

*Do you really take us for blind fools?*"

He could no longer tolerate it!

*It was unimaginable how something could be so hard to accept.*

The observing Central Continent cultivators began murmuring among themselves.

"Indeed, it's a bit excessive."

"The tasks for Dongzhou are already quite dangerous, and now so many Dongzhou geniuses are left to eliminate each other.

It just feels unfair, like there's some inside information!"

"Wasn't the Heavenly Qualification Battle supposed to be fair and just?"

If it was not fair and just, then what courageous genius would participate in the Heavenly Qualification Battle?

And if there was inside information in the Heavenly Qualification Battle, others would worry about being targeted themselves in the future!

*If you don't speak out now, it might be your turn to suffer later!*"

The Sole Heavenly Sect Master listened, his face darkening.

"We have not targeted the Dongzhou geniuses. We have always maintained fairness and transparency.

As for why the remaining talents are all Dongzhou geniuses,

it's probably because you've done something universally denounced and just happen to be unlucky!"

He simply refused to admit it!

Unless there was evidence!

But where would that evidence come from?

Everything was under his control, and if he didn't admit it, who could produce evidence?

"Enough talk is useless.

The Heavenly Gate was opened by us, the Central Continent forces. If you think there is unfairness or inside information,

then don't participate. Or let the forces above take you to heaven.

There's no need to come to Central Continent to participate in what you see as an unfair Heavenly Qualification Battle!" the Sole Heavenly Sect Master said coldly.

His words had a deeper meaning!

The crux was simple and clear.

The Heavenly Gate was opened by the forces from Central Continent in heaven. Even if there was inside information, if you have the ability, don't participate.

If you do participate, you must abide by their rules!

"You..." Li Wan Hua said, engulfed in rage.

He wished he could step forward and cut down the Sole Heavenly Sect Master.

A hand pressed on his shoulder; it was Yang Yan.

"No need for more words. We will participate.

Bring it on!

You can assign opponents now!" Yang Yan said.

Li Wan Hua was bewildered. He didn't understand why Yang Yan had agreed.

But thinking that Yang Yan was his master and that Yang Yan's actions always had a deeper meaning,

*they wouldn't be aimless!*"

So he fell silent and retreated behind Yang Yan.

*No wonder he is the Yang Saint Emperor; knowing when to adapt shows true genius, enduring what others cannot!*" the Sole Heavenly Sect Master thought secretly.

"But the more you endure, the more you fall into my trap.

*You're doomed!*"

He coughed lightly.

"Alright, Yang Yan, since you agreed, I will assign each of you opponents."

The Sole Heavenly Sect Master extended his hand.

"Ao Tian against Yang Yan!

Kong Xuan against Li Wan Hua!

Yun He against Yanyu Xun..."

He assigned opponents to Yang Yan, Ao Tian, and the others one by one.

This time, who was paired with whom did not matter.

Because all the Dongzhou geniuses had to compete against each other, who won or lost didn't matter!

"Alright, the opponents have appeared.

You can get on the platform and start your duels." the Sole Heavenly Sect Master withdrew his hand and said.

Li Wan Hua's face turned ashen, and he was deeply upset.

*Fighting Kong Xuan?*

*Who wins and who loses means they all lose!*"

"Stop there!" he shouted angrily.

The Sole Heavenly Sect Master glanced at Li Wan Hua.

"What? Is there more?"

"Yes!"

"I advise you not to cause trouble, or I will immediately expel you from Central Continent for disturbing the Heavenly Qualification Battle, making you lose the qualification to ascend!" the Sole Heavenly Sect Master threatened sternly.

Li Wan Hua clenched his fists and shut his mouth.

"Hmph!" the Sole Heavenly Sect Master snorted coldly.

*He sneered internally!*

*Do you think you can make waves when the qualification to ascend is in my hands?*"

Then, with a wave of his hand, he urged,

"Hurry up and start!"

Li Wan Hua and Kong Xuan exchanged looks.

One by one, without hesitation, they ascended the platform.

Ao Tian raised his hand and spoke.

"I concede. I am not as good as the master!" he said.

*Opposing Yang Yan?*

*He didn't have the courage or the skill.*"

"Alright, Yang Yan has passed the test.

Now you can ascend the Heavenly Ladder and go to heaven!" the Sole Heavenly Sect Master said.

"Congratulations, Yang Yan!"

Yang Yan stood with his hands behind his back, without moving.

"Alright."

He did not ascend the Heavenly Ladder.

"Yang Yan, are you not ascending?" the Sole Heavenly Sect Master asked when he saw Yang Yan standing still.

"What's the rush? Anyway, I am ranked last.

*I might as well stay here and wait for them together,*" Yang Yan replied calmly.

The Sole Heavenly Sect Master nodded.

"You do know your place. Fine, you can ascend later!"

On the platform, Kong Xuan and Li Wan Hua were battling each other, their Abnormal Phenomena clashing with Profound Skill, creating waves that some of the observing Central Continent cultivators couldn't bear to look at directly.

"They're so strong!" someone exclaimed in amazement.

About an hour later, victory and defeat were determined on the platform.

Between Kong Xuan and Li Wan Hua, Li Wan Hua was slightly superior.

He extended his hand to lift up Kong Xuan, saying,

"If you weren't suppressing the devil in your heart, we might have only tied!"

Kong Xuan smiled.

"Losing is losing. This humble monk knows the gap between us.

Don't worry, I will catch up with you!"

"Good!"

The two exchanged a smile; they were brothers with no hatred, and winning or losing was of no consequence.

Yun He and Yanyu Xun also determined the victory, with the Fairy Sect's inheriting Saintess Yanyu Xun winning!

Yun He was not disheartened.

"I will catch up with you in the future!"

"Alright, keep it up," Yanyu Xun said with a smile.

The Heavenly Sword Sect's inheriting Saintess Sheng Chuqing and Zhou Xuan also determined the victory.

The loser did not feel too lost.

Instead, there was an unwillingness, deciding to cultivate diligently in the future to surpass the opponent.

"Now that victory and defeat have been decided, you may ascend the Heavenly Ladder," the Sole Heavenly Sect Master announced.

Yang Yan glanced at Li Haoran and Li Wan Hua, who followed behind him.

"Follow me!"

"Yes."

Yang Yan led them to the base of the Heavenly Ladder, then suddenly stopped.

The people following him also halted.

Time ticked by slowly.

"Master..." Li Wan Hua and the others were puzzled as to why Yang Yan wasn't moving.

The Sole Heavenly Sect Master's brow furrowed.

"*Could he have discovered our plan? No, impossible!

Only a few know of it; how could he know?*"

He immediately dismissed his thought and spoke up.

"Yang Yan, what are you waiting for? Why aren't you ascending the Heavenly Ladder!"

Yang Yan raised his head, looking at the figures of Saints behind the Heavenly Gate.

"You control the Heavenly Gate, manipulating us!

You even want me to ascend, to head to my death.

*I find you oppressive and too deceitful!*"

The Sole Heavenly Sect Master's expression changed.

"Yang Yan, what nonsense are you talking about? You're ascending for cultivation, who would kill you!

And we are so fair..."

A sardonic smile appeared at the corner of Yang Yan's mouth.

"*Do you truly think I can't see through it?

If so, then you are too full of yourselves!*"

The energy within him swirled, rising continually.

A Heaven-reaching Sword Form slowly emerged, enveloping him.

*Today, he would enter the Sword Dao!*"

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