32: Well-deserved, the best in the world!

Aside from the Profound Heaven Dao Sect, the Seven Sects—the Five Elements Sect, Yu Ling Sect, Sacred Sword Sect, Immortal Shadow Sect, Medicine King Valley, Tiangong Pavilion, and Heavenly Mystery Pavilion—were all looking at each other in dismay.

If!

If Su Yang had only obtained a single golden Magical Artifact, they wouldn't have hesitated for a moment to challenge for the title of the number one Sect in the world.

After all, whoever won would have the chance to become the world's number one Sect.

This was not merely a matter of fame or reputation; once a Sect became the world's number one, the intangible benefits behind it were countless.

But now!

Su Yang had gained the recognition of the only Divine Artifact in the Burial Immortal Valley, becoming its holder.

The nature of the situation had undergone a drastic change.

For over thirty thousand years, no one had ever been able to gain the recognition of the divine sword. Even the Sect Masters of these Eight Sects had tried to wield the divine sword in their youth, as had the Elders and Grand Elders within their Sects. They all tried this sword in their younger days, and all ended in failure.

Yet Su Yang gained the divine sword's recognition!

This meant that Su Yang, this young man, had a great chance in the future to become a powerful figure who would shake the entire Myriad Spirits Realm.

And the Profound Heaven Dao Sect, where he belonged, would inevitably continue to hold the prestige of the world's number one Sect for a long time, and it was even highly likely that the Profound Heaven Dao Sect would reach an unprecedented peak under his leadership.

Under these circumstances, continuing to contend for the so-called world's number one Sect was clearly somewhat foolish.

What's more, Su Yang's strength was already the strongest among everyone this year. Coupled with his recognition by the divine sword and the divine sword's enhancement, the possibility of defeating him was minuscule.

"Sect Leader Wen is joking."

"The Profound Heaven Dao Sect truly deserves the title of the world's number one Sect! Truly deserves it!"

"Originally, in this year's treasure hunt, the Profound Heaven Dao Sect was already the first place with the most harvests and the best quality. Plus, our little nephew Su Yang gained the recognition of the divine sword. Do we still need to compete? Our Heavenly Mystery Pavilion withdraws from the competition!"

"The Sacred Sword Sect also withdraws from the competition. Only the Profound Heaven Dao Sect is qualified to be the world's number one Sect!"

"The Immortal Shadow Sect also withdraws from the competition for the world's number one Sect."

"The Yu Ling Sect never intended to compete for the title of the world's number one Sect, so it naturally continues to support the Profound Heaven Dao Sect."

Ye Canglong of the Yu Ling Sect was in a good mood at this moment.

The Yu Ling Sect and the Profound Heaven Dao Sect were already forming a marital alliance. The stronger the Profound Heaven Dao Sect became, the less it was a bad thing for the Yu Ling Sect.

Now, among the Seven Sects, except for the Five Elements Sect, the other six Sects all voluntarily gave up the upcoming challenge.

This directly put Zhao Shengdao on the spot.

Zhao Shengdao was so angry his lungs were about to explode.

He wouldn't have been so angry if anyone else had obtained the only Divine Artifact, but it had to be a Disciple of the Profound Heaven Dao Sect.

Did he want to challenge?

Of course he did!

He wanted it desperately!

But he was, after all, a Sect Master, and his mind was still very clear.

Because of the reappearance of this Divine Artifact, the situation had completely deviated from his original expectations. At this point, contending for the title of the world's number one Sect no longer held any meaning.

Even if Luo Junjie could defeat Su Yang in the challenge, as long as the divine sword remained in Su Yang's hands, the Five Elements Sect would never truly become the world's number one Sect.

This was a fact he didn't want to admit but had to.

"Old Wen, your luck is truly unparalleled! Where did you find such a Disciple who could gain the recognition of the only Divine Artifact!"

"Alright, alright! I surrender! The title of the world's number one Sect still belongs to your Profound Heaven Dao Sect!"

"And from now on, I won't bring this up again!"

"Later, I'll treat you all. How about we brothers gather at my place for a drink? Will you do me the honor?"

Zhao Shengdao was, after all, a Sect Master. Once the anger in his heart dissipated, the expression on his face immediately changed. He admitted his defeat in a joking manner, without too much damage to his dignity.

Wen Yuheng smiled.

At this moment, he was in an exceptionally good mood!

Su Yang, with his own power, won against the Seven Sects without a fight.

This made Wen Yuheng unable to resist putting his arm around Su Yang's shoulder and laughing heartily.

"Old Zhao, if you're willing to treat, how could I not accept your invitation!"

Wen Yuheng, also a Sect Master, and moreover the head of the Eight Sects, how could he be a petty-minded, short-sighted commoner?

Since Zhao Shengdao had already conceded, how could he not give him a way out?

After some thought, Wen Yuheng added, "After the trip to Burial Immortal Valley, everyone should first handle matters within their Sects, and then we'll gather at your place to discuss important matters, how about that?"

"Alright!"

"Then it's settled!"

"The eight of us gather annually in Burial Immortal Valley, but a private gathering seems to be something from over two hundred years ago. It's indeed time for a good get-together."

With Wen Yuheng agreeing to Zhao Shengdao's invitation, the other Sect Masters naturally wouldn't refuse.

The Eight Sect Masters once again chatted and laughed, as if all the previous unpleasantness had never occurred.

However, Luo Junjie of the Five Elements Sect couldn't get over this hurdle in his heart.

"Sect Master, I have an impolite request!"

Luo Junjie stepped forward, interrupting the pleasant atmosphere of the Eight Sect Masters' conversation.

Zhao Shengdao frowned slightly, "What do you want to do?"

"Sect Master, this Disciple wishes to challenge Su Yang in his personal capacity!"

"If this Disciple loses, the prestige of the world's number one Sect will still belong to the Profound Heaven Dao Sect. If this Disciple wins, it likewise will not hinder the Profound Heaven Dao Sect's prestige as the world's number one Sect."

"This is merely an exchange and sparring between Disciples of the Five Elements Sect and the Profound Heaven Dao Sect. Please, Sect Master, permit it!"

Luo Junjie, coming from an aristocratic family, naturally understood that the overall situation was set. The Sect Master had already given up contending for the world's number one Sect, and even if he defeated Su Yang, the Sect Master would not possibly accept the title of the world's number one Sect.

But Luo Junjie was simply unwilling; he was simply unconvinced.

From beginning to end, he never believed he was inferior to Su Yang.

Having no gains from the Burial Immortal Valley treasure hunt only meant he had bad luck. And while Su Yang gaining the divine sword's recognition might mean he would be very strong in the future, at this very moment, Luo Junjie did not believe he possessed invincible strength.

All he wanted was to prove himself!

"Nonsense!"

"This matter is concluded. Stop here and don't cause any more trouble!"

Zhao Shengdao said with a stern face.

"Sect Master, this is merely this Disciple's personal action, unrelated to the Sect."

Luo Junjie's desire to win was high at this moment. How could he listen to so much? He threw down a sentence and directly rushed towards Su Yang, with such speed that it caught everyone off guard.

Su Yang naturally wouldn't wait for Luo Junjie to reach him.

Since he was willing to challenge, Su Yang wouldn't shy away from a fight. Moreover, Luo Junjie wasn't using a weapon, so Su Yang wouldn't use the divine sword he had just obtained to bully an unarmed person.

Su Yang's true essence circulated within his body, and he likewise charged towards him.

Luo Junjie thrust both palms forward, and a surging earthy yellow true essence erupted. Two mighty earthen Dragons, like sand, broke out of the ground, charging directly at Su Yang with the Aura to crush mountains!

This was his Five Elements Sect's direct lineage "Cracking Earth Dragon Palm," its power fierce and unparalleled.

Su Yang was not intimidated. He formed hand seals and directly cast an intermediate-level water-element Spell—Vast Ocean.

Behind him, turbulent waves instantly rose, and a ten-meter-high giant wave directly crashed down.

"Don't you know that earth counters water!?"

Luo Junjie sneered. The earthen Dragon charged forward without dodging.

In the clash between earth-element Spells and water-element Spells, the water-element Spell naturally suffered a disadvantage. Luo Junjie broke Su Yang's Vast Ocean at the cost of only one earthen Dragon, and the other earthen Dragon fiercely charged directly towards Su Yang.

Did Su Yang not know that water counters earth?

How could that be!

Although he was not from the Five Elements Sect, the mutual generation and counteraction of the Five Elements was basic knowledge in the cultivation world.

After attracting the first wave of the earthen Dragon's attack, Su Yang suddenly accelerated, transforming into a series of afterimages as he rushed towards Luo Junjie. At the same time, true essence gathered in his right fist, and he punched out.

Luo Junjie's expression changed dramatically. He hadn't expected Su Yang to react so quickly, not intending to engage in a Spell duel at all, and instead going straight for a decisive battle based on true essence.

But he was not one to shy away from trouble.

If it was to be a true essence duel, then so be it!

Luo Junjie shifted his true essence, gathering it in his right fist, and likewise stepped forward, punching towards Su Yang.

"Boom—!"

The two true essences collided violently, emitting a deafening explosion.

Qi waves rolled, and yellow sand swirled. The Disciples who were close by were sent staggering backward, covering their faces from the aftermath of the true essence.

Amidst the yellow sand, a figure flew backward, retreating more than ten steps before barely stabilizing himself, each step leaving a deep imprint on the ground.

In the brief exchange, he only felt an irresistible, powerful true essence surge along his arm, shaking his Qi and blood.

"Pfft..."

As soon as Luo Junjie stood firm, a mouthful of Qi mixed with a bloody taste gushed out from his chest...