22: The battle for the number one in the world!

Zhao Shengdao stood in the air.

His gaze was not on the Eight Sects Disciples, but on the seven Sect Masters below him.

"Before the Burial Immortal Valley Treasure Hunt begins, I want to speak up for the Yu Ling Sect, Sacred Sword Sect, Immortal Shadow Sect, Medicine King Valley, Tiangong Pavilion, and Heavenly Mystery Pavilion — the Six Sects, excluding the Profound Heaven Dao Sect."

"A thousand years ago, the Profound Heaven Dao Sect was lauded as the Number One Sect in the world for its meritorious service in resisting the Demonic Path. At that time, the Profound Heaven Dao Sect's prestige and strength were beyond doubt, truly deserving of being the Number One Sect in the world, the head of the Eight Great Sects."

"But today, the Profound Heaven Dao Sect's strength declines year by year, which is an undeniable fact. Putting aside other matters, just take the Burial Immortal Valley Treasure Hunt of the past five years: the Profound Heaven Dao Sect has been defeated by my Five Elements Sect for five consecutive years. If new blood is the fresh blood of a Sect, the foundation for maintaining a Sect's strength, then the current Profound Heaven Dao Sect has already lost its powerful fresh blood. This once-mighty Sect body is decaying and declining. At this point, if the Profound Heaven Dao Sect still holds the prestige of being the Number One Sect in the world, it would probably be inappropriate and unfair to the other Sects."

"Today, a thousand years later, reports of Demonic Path activities are common in all twenty-seven states of Kyushu. The Demonic Path shows signs of resurgence, and I believe that at this time, our Eight Sects should elect a more powerful Number One Sect in the world to lead the Righteous Path to victory in the potential wars of the future. This is the first point."

"Secondly, in the more than thirty thousand years since the end of the First Era, there have been many changes among Sects, but what remains constant is that only Sects with strength are worthy of the title of Number One Sect in the world. Therefore, the position of Number One Sect in the world has never been specially designated for any one Sect; rotation is a common occurrence."

"The Profound Heaven Dao Sect has held the prestige of being the Number One Sect in the world for a thousand years. I think it's time for a change."

Zhao Shengdao looked down at Wen Yuheng and said to all the Sect Masters present, "How about we take this year's Burial Immortal Valley Treasure Hunt as an opportunity for the Eight Great Sects to compete on the same stage? Whichever Sect emerges victorious will enjoy the title of Number One Sect in the world. What do you all think?"

Zhao Shengdao usually appeared conceited and not very clever, but in reality, he was quite shrewd.

If he had said that if the Five Elements Sect won against the Profound Heaven Dao Sect, then the Five Elements Sect would replace the Profound Heaven Dao Sect as the Number One Sect in the world, the other Sects would certainly not agree.

But now he directly involved all Eight Great Sects, giving every Sect a chance to win the prestigious and honorable title of Number One Sect in the world. Who wouldn't be willing?

Was he afraid of competitors?

Of course not!

The Five Elements Sect had been victorious for five consecutive years, and he was confident that he could win again this year.

As expected.

The Sect Masters of the Seven Sects all looked thoughtful upon hearing Zhao Shengdao's words.

"I think Sect Leader Zhao makes sense."

"The Number One Sect in the world can't always be the Profound Heaven Dao Sect, can it?"

"I accept Sect Leader Zhao's proposal. I think it's a very good proposal."

"..."

Five of the Seven Sects' Sect Masters directly expressed their support for Zhao Shengdao's proposal. Only Ye Canglong, the Sect Master of the Yu Ling Sect, raised an objection.

"I say, Old Zhao, everyone knows you want to be the Sect Master of the Number One Sect in the world, but isn't what you're doing a bit too childish?"

"The Profound Heaven Dao Sect earned its position as the Number One Sect in the world a thousand years ago through death and bloodshed, sacrifice and glory. It was unanimously elected as the Number One Sect in the world."

"Now you want to take away the prestige of the Number One Sect in the world with just a Burial Immortal Valley Treasure Hunt event. What's the difference between this and Mortal children playing house?"

Zhao Shengdao was clearly prepared; he did not directly answer Ye Canglong's questioning.

Instead, he aimed his attack directly at the displeased Wen Yuheng: "Sect Leader Wen, why aren't you speaking? I heard the Profound Heaven Dao Sect is preparing to form a marriage alliance with the Yu Ling Sect. Could it be that the Profound Heaven Dao Sect has weakened to the point where it needs to consolidate its position through such means? Regardless, the Profound Heaven Dao Sect is still the Number One Sect in the world. I believe Sect Leader Wen should have the magnanimity of the Number One Sect Master in the world and wouldn't dare to refuse a challenge, right?"

Zhao Shengdao had directly cut off all of Wen Yuheng's escape routes.

His words had cornered Wen Yuheng into a situation where he had no choice but to openly accept the challenge.

"Sect Master...!"

Several Stewards from the Sect around Wen Yuheng shook their heads at him, signaling him not to accept such a childish challenge.

Given the Five Elements Sect's strong performance in the Burial Immortal Valley in recent years, accepting the challenge would place immense pressure on the Profound Heaven Dao Sect, and the final outcome would most likely be a loss.

However, Wen Yuheng understood that refusing the challenge would be an admission that the current Profound Heaven Dao Sect had indeed lost the strength and courage to be the Number One Sect in the world.

Not daring to even accept a small challenge would not just be a source of ridicule; even if it retained the title of Number One Sect in the world, other Sects would find it difficult to continue treating the Profound Heaven Dao Sect as a truly powerful Number One Sect in the world.

Wen Yuheng stood with his hands behind his back, feigning composure and calmly accepting the challenge: "A fierce tiger taking a nap, and you truly think it's sick and dying!? Old Zhao, Old Zhao, you're a bit too impatient! But since you've said so, I don't seem to have a reason to refuse the fight. My Profound Heaven Dao Sect accepts your challenge!"

Zhao Shengdao, who was also standing with his hands behind his back in the Void Realm, finally revealed a victorious smile.

He was about to speak when Wen Yuheng spoke again: "However, I have a proposal. Regardless of which Sect achieves the final victory, its leader, who is the Disciple representative, must accept challenges from the leaders of the other Sects. If he can defeat the leaders of the other Sects, only then can his true strength be proven. Do you all accept this proposal?"

Was Wen Yuheng a fool?

A fool could not be the Sect Master of the Number One Sect in the world!

His words were an attempt to create an opportunity for the Profound Heaven Dao Sect to turn defeat into victory!

Based on previous years' experience, the Five Elements Sect would most likely still take first place, and the Profound Heaven Dao Sect had a very high probability of losing.

But among this year's Eight Sects Disciples, Su Yang of the Profound Heaven Dao Sect was undoubtedly the most powerful. Adding this condition gave the Profound Heaven Dao Sect a chance to turn the tables.

Would the other Sects refuse?

No!

They would not!

Because they also knew that the Five Elements Sect had too great a chance of winning the treasure hunt. His proposal also gave them a chance to turn defeat into victory.

"Sect Leader Wen's proposal is good!"

"After all, we are vying for the prestige of the Number One Sect in the world. Simply hunting for treasure involves too much luck. It's best to prove it with strength."

"I support Sect Leader Wen's proposal. I believe this proposal must be included, otherwise, I will not accept the previous challenge proposal!"

At this moment, the various Sect Masters were naturally considering their own interests.

This made Zhao Shengdao a little displeased. Wen Yuheng's move was something he hadn't quite anticipated, causing his gaze to subconsciously fall upon Su Yang in the Profound Heaven Dao Sect's team.

He wondered if this was a Genius or a good-for-nothing!?

But regardless of whether Su Yang was a Genius or a good-for-nothing, he could only agree to Wen Yuheng's proposal. Of course, he also had absolute confidence in Luo Junjie.

"Of course, no problem! Sect Leader Wen's proposal is excellent! The ownership of the Number One Sect in the world should indeed be decided by strength! Are there any other questions?"

Seeing that everyone had no other questions, Zhao Shengdao finally turned his attention to the Eight Sects Disciples participating in this year's Burial Immortal Valley Treasure Hunt.

He was already eager for this year's Burial Immortal Valley Treasure Hunt to begin.

"Since all the Sect Masters have no further questions, then next, I will briefly explain the rules of the Burial Immortal Valley Treasure Hunt to the Disciples of the Eight Sects."

"Simply put, this event has never had any rules! You will have three days after entering the Burial Immortal Valley. Within these three days, what you need to do is to find as many ancient Magical Artifacts as possible that are willing to recognize you. This is the Sect's requirement for you, and it is also your own pursuit!"

"Everything that needed to be said has been said. I now officially announce that the Burial Immortal Valley Treasure Hunt has officially begun!"

"If any Sect Masters have instructions to give, please do so quickly and let the Disciples enter the Burial Immortal Valley!"