Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 268 - 204: The World Unites in Challenge!_2

Chapter 268: Chapter 204: The World Unites in Challenge!_2

Moyun Temple’s Observatory Master, Immortal Fei He, gave Li Ping’an a blank look and announced:

"And the victor of Group D, Taoist Li Ping’an from Mount Longhu!"

"According to the rules of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master, The Four Great Noble Paths have reserved spots, meaning that the victors of Groups A, B, C, and D must each challenge a disciple from The Four Great Noble Paths to select the final top four. Only these final four will have the qualifications to compete for the Imperial Court Offering on behalf of their sects!"

Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple looked around at the cultivators present and asked:

"Everyone should be aware of this, correct?"

"Of course, we know it!"

A group of cultivators replied in unison.

Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple then looked up at the time and announced:

"I see that it’s getting late. Although we should determine the final victor tomorrow, the Imperial Court requires the outcome to be decided within two days. Therefore, I ask all the participating cultivators to wait a moment longer, as we will immediately start the final matches!"

"Good!"

"Then let’s get started quickly!"

After the cultivators agreed, Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple turned to the cultivators about to compete and invited them:

"Please welcome the victor of Group A from the Kunlun Sect, Cultivator He Zudao, the victor of Group B from Zhengyi Temple, Cultivator Nangong Zhidao, the victor of Group C from Hehuan Sect, Second Elder Bai Yuewu, and the victor of Group D from Mount Longhu, Cultivator Li Píng’an to the stage!"

The cultivators who were to compete immediately made their way to the stage. Right before stepping onto it, Ghost Taoist took hold of Li Ping’an. Watching Zhengyi Taoism’s Cultivator Nangong Zhidao ascend, he whispered a warning to Li Ping’an:

"You can choose to challenge anyone, but just avoid challenging Zhengyi Taoism’s Cultivator Nangong Zhidao at all costs!"

"Huh?"

Li Ping’an turned and asked in surprise:

"Why not? I find the strength of this Zhengyi Taoist, Nangong Zhidao, to be quite ordinary. Besides, he’s from a minor sect. I was actually thinking of challenging him!"

"Absolutely not!"

The Ghost Taoist replied adamantly:

"Absolutely not! There is an evil aura enveloping him that I find somewhat familiar, but I can’t quite identify which one it is. Additionally, not all of the spells he uses are from Zhengyi Taoism, so you must definitely not challenge him! Do you understand?"

"..."

Li Ping’an didn’t reply in haste but casually observed Zhengyi Taoism’s Cultivator Nangong Zhidao for a moment, thought it over, and finally agreed:

"Alright then, old man, I’ll take your advice..."

Ghost Taoist gave Li Ping’an a nudge and instructed:

"Kid, I wouldn’t harm you. Today is the only chance to revive the glory of Mount Longhu! You must seize it!"

"No problem!"

Li Ping’an also made a final statement:

"I’ll repeat what I’ve said before, don’t intervene on my behalf! Otherwise, if others notice, your so-called opportunity to revive Mount Longhu will be lost!"

"I understand; now, quickly get on stage."

After reaching an agreement with the Ghost Taoist, Li Ping’an leisurely made his way to the arena.

Once the victor of Group A from the Kunlun Sect, Cultivator He Zudao, the victor of Group B from Zhengyi Temple, Cultivator Nangong Zhidao, the victor of Group C from Hehuan Sect, Second Elder Bai Yuewu, and the victor of Group D from Mount Longhu, Cultivator Li Ping’an, had taken the stage, Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple immediately turned to The Four Great Noble Paths and requested:

"Please have the disciples of The Four Great Noble Paths step forward and choose their next opponent!"

Flame Cloud Sect’s Master Zhuge Junchen glanced at his eager third disciple but, seeking certainty, turned his gaze to his eldest disciple, Jiao Chujun:

"The true strength of this Li Ping’an has yet to be revealed. To ensure our Qingyun Sect’s position for the Imperial Court Offering, it is best for you, the eldest, to go up."

Flame Cloud Sect’s Eldest Senior Brother Jiao Chujun and other disciples, based on Li Ping’an’s previous performances, didn’t consider Li Ping’an a threat, hence they saw this as a guaranteed opportunity to win. They all wanted to vie for the chance, but orders from their master cannot be defied, so they had to comply.

"Watch closely, junior brothers, as I teach this Terrestrial Immortal, Li Ping’an, a lesson!"

After giving a smug smile, Flame Cloud Sect’s Eldest Senior Brother Jiao Chujun proudly entered the arena.

Leaders of the Heavenly Mist Sect, Mo Liqi, and Head of Immeasurable Sect, Taishu Yiqing, also selected their strongest disciples for the match, aiming for a sure victory.

As for Senior Brother Taishi Bao of the Qingyun Sect, representing the Sect Leader and with Zixia already defeated, the only one left from the Qingyun Sect to compete was himself.

"Junior sister, just wait for your senior brother to become the champion of this Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master!"

Zixia had just learned from Li Ping’an’s mouth that Li Ping’an was currently at the level of a Terrestrial Immortal, which meant that among the disciples of all the sects present, no one could rival Li Ping’an. However, since Li Ping’an had already agreed to take a deliberate loss to his own senior brother Taishi Bao, she went on with what Taishi Bao had said:

"Then I congratulate senior brother in advance! I will wait here for senior brother to win the first place at the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master for Qingyun Sect!"

"Hahahaha! Junior sister, just wait and see!"

Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect confidently ascended, believing he had the match in his grasp.

Thus, the final eight challengers had all taken the stage, waiting to pick their opponents.

Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple, seeing that everyone had arrived, immediately announced:

"Please, the eight sect disciples, choose who you wish to challenge next! But remember one thing!"

Observatory Master Immortal Fei He of Moyun Temple paused before continuing:

"Disciples of The Four Great Noble Paths cannot challenge each other, as per the rules of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master. This benefit was fought for by their own sects during the last Grand Ritual. No objection, right?"

"No objections!"

Although the cultivators verbally agreed, under their breath they couldn’t help but complain:

"No need to think about it, with the strength of The Four Great Noble Paths, they will undoubtedly be the victors of this Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master again!"

"An Imperial Court Offering affects the development of our sects for the next ten years. How could they easily hand it over to someone else?"

"I bet they’ve all prearranged it. First, they’ll jointly defeat disciples from smaller sects, then they’ll put on a show of competition, ranking first to fourth. After all, the top four of the Grand Ritual will all receive the Imperial Court Offering!"

"Who would have thought that our Taoist sect would end up just like the hereditary families of Great Tang, with the Imperial Court Offering monopolized by them!"

"This truly is the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer; our trip here was in vain once again!"

"What can be done about it? It’s because the seniors of our sects didn’t fight hard enough in the previous Grand Rituals that we’ve landed in this situation."

"I really hope someone can break this pattern!"

"Who? Relying on you or me? Huh?"

"Rely on Nangong Zhidao from Zhengyi Temple and Li Ping’an from Mount Longhu!"

"Nangong Zhidao from Zhengyi Temple is reliable, but that shameless defeatist Li Ping’an, forget it. If he can defeat the remaining cultivators, I’ll eat shit in front of everyone!"

"Hahahaha! You said it yourself!"

"Yes, those were my words!"

...

Eldest Senior Brother Jiao Chujun of Flame Cloud Sect pointed at Li Ping’an and loudly declared:

"I, Jiao Chujun, Eldest Senior Brother of Flame Cloud Sect, choose to challenge the cultivator Li Ping’an from Mount Longhu!"

Eldest Senior Sister Qiao Huilihui of Heavenly Mist Sect pointed at Li Ping’an, loudly proclaiming:

"I, Qiao Huilihui, Eldest Senior Sister of Heavenly Mist Sect, choose to challenge the cultivator Li Ping’an from Mount Longhu!"

Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect also pointed at Li Ping’an, loudly declaring:

"I, Taishi Bao, Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect, choose to challenge the cultivator Li Ping’an from Mount Longhu!"

Eldest Senior Brother Xianyu Shu Qinghai of Immeasurable Sect did the same, voicing his choice:

"I, Xianyu Shu Qinghai, Eldest Senior Brother of Immeasurable Sect, choose to challenge the cultivator Li Ping’an from Mount Longhu!"

"Geez! Am I that popular?"

Li Ping’an, unaware of the thoughts of Eldest Senior Brother Jiao Chujun and Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Flame Cloud Sect, thought they were all the same, looking to pick on the softest target, assuming that a disciple from Mount Longhu must be weak.

"I see the three of you are also glaring at me like tigers eyeing their prey; don’t tell me you three also want to challenge me?"

No sooner had Li Ping’an spoken than He Zudao, the first of Group A from Kunlun Sect, Nangong Zhidao, the first of Group B from Zhengyi Temple, and Bai Yuewu, the second senior brother of Group C from Hehuan Sect, raised their hands pointing at Li Ping’an and spoke in unison:

"I, He Zudao, a cultivator from Kunlun Sect, choose to challenge Li Ping’an!"

"I, Nangong Zhidao, a cultivator from Zhengyi Temple, choose to challenge Li Ping’an!"