At this moment, Jian Wudi swiftly approached the group, turning to glance at Lin Xiao with a calm tone. “They’re right. When we fight, you will die.”
“Also, your Void Sky Phoenix Wings are with me. If you want them, come take them anytime, provided you can kill me!”
“Let’s go!” With that, Jian Wudi waved his hand and darted into the Sky Imperial Boat where Zhe Renfeng was.
Then, Cao Tianchao and the others also boarded the Sky Imperial Boat, and the group promptly left the Spear Dragon Sect.
Lin Xiao’s eyes brimmed with killing intent. The Void Sky Phoenix Wings, a flying treasure he had obtained in Junzang, had been taken by Cao Tianchao and had now fallen into Jian Wudi’s hands.
It was obvious that Cao Tianchao had offered the wings to curry favour with Jian Wudi.
This was, in essence, a humiliation for Lin Xiao.
“I’ll take back the Void Sky Phoenix Wings myself!” Staring at the departing group, Lin Xiao clenched his fists, his tone icy.
“It’s a pity, nephew Zhan Lan, that you couldn’t defeat Jian Wudi. Still, your defeat is honourable, and the strength you displayed has greatly surprised us. Your power far surpasses the younger generation of our Nine Heavens Sect,” said Yang Hao, the Second Elder of the Nine Heavens Sect, addressing Yun Jing and Zhong Moyang. “Of course, we also believe that nephew Lin Xiao will help the Spear Dragon Sect turn the tables.”
“You’re too kind, Elder Yang Hao. A loss is a loss. Jian Wudi’s strength is indeed above Zhan Lan’s,” Yun Jing replied calmly. “But we, too, believe Lin Xiao will win this round for the Spear Dragon Sect.”
Yang Hao nodded, cupping his hands. “Elder Yun Jing, Elder Zhong, sect matters call. We’ll take our leave today. Please forgive us!”
“You’re too polite, Elder Yang Hao. The Spear Dragon Sect welcomes you anytime,” Yun Jing replied courteously.
Yang Hao nodded.
“Brother Zhan Lan, until we meet again!” Li Yunxiao also cupped his hands toward Zhan Lan. With Zhan Lan heavily injured, it wasn’t the time for lengthy farewells.
Then, Yang Hao led the Nine Heavens Sect members onto their Sky Imperial Boat, streaking across the sky and vanishing from sight.
“The battle of prodigies is over. Everyone, please disperse!” Yun Jing’s indifferent voice rang out, issuing a dismissal to the onlookers.
Soon, the crowd began to leave.
In no time, the spectators had completely dispersed.
Ming Tian and Xie Sheng also vanished with the crowd.
Yun Jing promptly carried Zhan Lan back to the Spear Dragon Sect’s mountain peak.
Looking at Zhan Lan, who could barely stand and whose face was pale, Lin Xiao spoke with firm reassurance. “Brother Zhan Lan, I’ll make sure to settle this score for you!”
“I believe in you,” Zhan Lan managed a weak smile before asking, “If I’m not mistaken, Brother Lin Xiao, you’re planning to climb Haoran Mountain soon, right?”
Lin Xiao nodded. “If possible, I plan to start the ascent now!”
“I’m looking forward to it. Sadly, I won’t be able to witness your brilliance, Brother Lin Xiao. I hope when I emerge from seclusion, I’ll hear good news about you,” Zhan Lan said with a smile. Gravely injured, he needed to enter seclusion to heal.
Lin Xiao nodded, saying no more.
Then, Yun Jing instructed an elder to escort Zhan Lan to another peak for secluded recovery.
Afterwards, the others followed Lin Xiao, Yun Jing, and Zhong Moyang in a grand procession toward Haoran Mountain.
Upon arriving outside Haoran Mountain, the Spear Dragon Sect disciples, somewhat demoralised by the defeat, began to show hopeful expressions.
They were eager to see how high Lin Xiao, who had cultivated Haoran Righteous Qi and mastered the third form of the Haoran Righteous Qi Spear Technique within a month, would climb.
Looking up at Haoran Mountain, Lin Xiao took a deep breath, then stepped forward into the formation. An inexplicable force enveloped him.
However, the pressure of the formation at the mountain’s base had little effect on him now, given his mastery of Haoran Righteous Qi.
After Lin Xiao entered the formation, Yun Jing, Zhong Moyang, the sect’s elders, and young disciples followed suit, stepping into Haoran Mountain’s formation.
The mountain was shrouded in a formation barrier, with increasingly dense Haoran Righteous Qi at higher elevations, making it impossible to see inside from the outside.
Even within the mountain, their divine senses couldn’t probe far.
To monitor Lin Xiao’s climbing progress, they had to follow his steps upward.
Having climbed before, they knew their own limits and could ascend to their respective heights with relative ease.
Inside the formation, at the mountain’s base, Lin Xiao murmured, “Time to climb!”
With that, he strode forward, ascending the mountain.
The group followed behind, filled with anticipation.
It didn’t take long for Lin Xiao to reach three thousand zhang.
Though he could feel the pressure on him gradually increasing, the height of three thousand zhang posed little challenge. He walked as if unhindered.
At this point, some disciples and elders stopped.
“What a pity. We can’t go further and won’t witness Brother Lin Xiao’s feat firsthand,” a disciple said helplessly, having reached his limit.
“I can’t either. My highest is five thousand zhang,” Yu Kewei said.
“My limit is five thousand three hundred zhang, but I definitely won’t see Brother Lin Xiao’s final height either,” He Qi added.
Though his cultivation was lower than Yu Kewei’s, his combat strength at this age was second only to Chen Long, allowing him to climb higher.
Still, he was certain his height wouldn’t let him see Lin Xiao’s ultimate achievement.
“My divine sense can only probe a thousand zhang above my position. I hope I won’t be able to detect Lin Xiao’s final height either,” the Grand Elder said calmly.
The others nodded in agreement.
Among those present, the Grand Elder’s limit was the highest at seven thousand zhang. But with Lin Xiao’s talent, he should surpass the sect leader’s record of eight thousand zhang. They hoped for this outcome.
That way, even the Grand Elder wouldn’t immediately know Lin Xiao’s final height.
“Brother Lin Xiao, please send word down as soon as you reach the highest point so we can know sooner,” a young disciple called out.
“Alright!” Lin Xiao nodded, then continued climbing.
Soon, he surpassed four thousand zhang, then five thousand zhang.
By now, few remained behind him.
Another five hundred zhang up, only a few ninth-stage Martial Lord elders, Yun Jing, and Zhong Moyang remained. No other disciples were left.
The elders numbered fewer than ten.
At six thousand zhang, only Zhong Moyang and Yun Jing remained behind him.
Even Lin Xiao began to feel immense pressure.
“Lin Xiao, I’ll wait here for your good news,” Zhong Moyang said with a self-deprecating laugh.
Though he was once a prodigy who reached the Martial Emperor realm, his limit was six thousand zhang.
Lin Xiao nodded and pressed on.
After six thousand zhang, his pace slowed. It took an hour to reach seven thousand zhang.
“As expected, he hasn’t disappointed us,” Yun Jing sighed in relief. Reaching seven thousand zhang surpassed Zhan Lan’s six thousand five hundred zhang and matched his own peak.
Lin Xiao’s future achievements would surely surpass his.
“Grand Elder, wait for my good news.” Glancing back, Lin Xiao’s face radiated confidence, his eyes gleaming with determination.
After Yun Jing nodded, Lin Xiao continued forward.
“Grand Elder, how’s it going?” Zhong Moyang’s voice transmission came from below.
“Heh, seven thousand zhang without using any techniques. This kid is truly a genius at cultivating Haoran Righteous Qi,” Yun Jing replied with a smile. “I wonder how high he’ll go. Nine thousand zhang shouldn’t be a problem, right? But reaching the peak…” Zhong Moyang let out a sigh of awe.
