Chapter 2703 Trouble

Li Zhongyuan had been defeated. He was the only gatekeeper who had soundly lost so far in the second round. At the same time, he was also the strongest of the nine gatekeepers!

This also meant that this supreme Emperor Ancestor, who was worthy of being ranked in the top ten of the core disciples in the Nine Great Peaks of the Origin Sect, had been defeated. Furthermore, he had lost to Lin Xun, a supreme Emperor Ancestor who had not yet become an Origin Sect successor!

Previously, some had thought that Lin Xun could hold on through the allotted time frame and pass the assessment that way. After all, his performance in the first round was truly outstanding. Others had also thought that, no matter how powerful Lin Xun was, he might only be able to fight Li Zhongyuan to a standstill.

However, no one had imagined that Lin Xun would defeat Li Zhongyuan, the strongest gatekeeper, in this duel!

Those nine devastating punches not only defeated Li Zhongyuan’s strongest ability but also shattered his mindset. If it hadn't been for Li Zhen's timely dao sound, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

At this moment, the arena and the audience was completely silent. Everyone was stunned. Even the Immortal-level figures were quiet as it took them a decent period of time to calm down again.

Ye Chunjun had watched the entire battle unfold. Aside from being shocked, a bitter feeling had welled up within him. He finally understood that his unwilling surrender in the Mystic Forbidden Realm had been justified. He even felt fortunate that Lin Xun's opponent this time wasn't him. Otherwise, it might not have been Li Zhongyuan in the shoes of the defeated.

At this moment, Lin Xun felt a slight pang of regret. After his opponent's powerful attack, he had intended to shatter his mind in one fell swoop, but it was clear that the Origin Sect Ancestral Court wouldn't allow it. Li Zhen's timely intervention had imperceptibly helped Li Zhongyuan stabilize his dao heart.

Of course, he was a core disciple of the Second Peak, a supreme Emperor Ancestor worthy of being among the top ten of the Nine Great Peaks. If he had crumbled now, Li Zhen would probably not be able to explain himself to the sect.

However, Lin Xun also understood that while Li Zhongyuan's state of mind had remained intact, it had been left with a shadow, which was enough to hinder his path to immortality!

Without further thought, he decided to leave. However, at that moment, the oppressive silence within the arena was shattered by an old, cold voice, "Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer! You are the descendant of Luo Tongtian!"

It was Donghuang Qiong who spoke. His face was sullen, and his eyes were brimming with murderous intent. A single stone stirred a thousand ripples. The arena erupted in an uproar, creating a sensation.

Luo Tongtian!

The Omega Lord!

Everyone knew that he, who had been in the Seventh Heaven Domain, had once dared to challenge the Eighth Heaven Domain’s Ten Immortal Giants! His innate talent involved the forbidden laws of time. Long ago, it had brought countless of his formidable enemies to their doom!

"A disciple of Fangchun Mountain, and the descendant of Luo Tongtian... Just who...is he?"

Some people trembled in disbelief. A successor of Fangchun Mountain was considered a public enemy by the Ten Immortal Giants. In addition, Luo Tongtian had been a thorn in their side and had been hunted down by them. However, Lin Xun possessed both of these identities. Who wouldn't be shocked?

"So he possesses the innate talent of the Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer..."

Many of the older generation’s eyes flickered. In the past, the Luo Clan had once stood tall in the Seventh Heaven Domain. They had boasted an incredibly glorious past and were arguably the foremost power there. This was because they had the Omega Lord at their helm!

Back then, Luo Tongtian was a master of a million, with his might so overwhelming that it made all other Immortals pale in comparison! Those of his generation were destined for a bleak period. No matter how powerful they were, they could only serve as his foil, living in his shadow. It could be said that at that time, he had single-handedly dominated the Immortal Stage!

Unfortunately, this legendary giant of the Seventh Heaven Domain had later died while seeking the Eternity Door. From that moment on, the Luo Clan fell into decline, and their past glory was swept away by the wind and rain!

Now, the Luo Clan lingered in the Sixth Heaven Domain, almost forgotten by the Seventh Heaven Domain. Despite that, in the Origin Sect Ancestral Court, the innate talent Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer had reappeared!

Furthermore, it had come with a disciple of Fangchun Mountain, so who could not be surprised and shocked by this twist?

"Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer! This evil creature deserves to be chopped into pieces!"

"What a calamity!"

"No wonder he's so anxious to seek refuge in the Origin Sect Ancestral Court. He knows that as long as he continues to cultivate in the Eternal True Realm, his identity will inevitably be discovered, leading to a catastrophic disaster."

At this moment, Immortals like Qi Tingzi, Zhongli Chong, and Mu Cangjia also spoke out coldly. As veterans among the Eighth Heaven Domain’s Ten Immortal Giants, they naturally had ample reason to hate and slander Lin Xun.

The situation was turbulent, showing signs of being completely out of control. Jun Huan was about to speak up when Lin Xun shook his head and said, "Senior Sister, let them bark. When we've conquered their clans later, we'll settle accounts with them one by one!"

His voice was cold and resolute. This made people tremble. Didn’t this mean that Lin Xun, who was a disciple of Fangchun Mountain and a descendant of the Luo Clan, was declaring war on the Eighth Heaven Domain’s Ten Immortal Giants?

Wasn't he worried about retaliation? Even within the Origin Sect Ancestral Court, there were many who belonged to the Ten Immortal Giants or the forces allied to them!

"Junior Brother, you're absolutely right." Jun Huan smiled. Her expression was calm, her eyes clear, and she stood there casually, with an air of fearlessness and a look of disdain.

This time, neither she nor Lin Xun intended to hide anything during the selection process. So what if their identities were revealed? After years of forbearance and dormancy, a confrontation with the Ten Immortal Giants was inevitable!

The situation grew increasingly turbulent and shifted rapidly.

"Silence!" Li Zhen shouted, like a resounding bell, silencing all voices in the room.

"Fellow Daoist, does the Origin Sect Ancestral Court truly intend on protecting this evil remnant? You all should know that if this evil creature is allowed to remain within the sect, it would cause countless disasters!" warned Qi Tingzi coldly.

Li Zhen frowned, "Do you think we in the Origin Sect would be anxious about these matters?"

His voice radiated immense authority.

Qi Tingzi's expression changed slightly as she said, "I've made it clear what I needed to say. If Fellow Daoist can truly represent the Origin Sect Ancestral Court’s perspective, then I have nothing more to say."

She was clearly hinting that Li Zhen wasn’t qualified enough to represent the entire Origin Sect Ancestral Court’s stance. If he dared to defend Lin Xun, then he would likely be implicated with whatever happened in the future.

The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly oppressive, and a murderous aura permeated the entire place. This was a dispute between the Ten Immortal Giants of the Eighth Heaven Domain and the Origin Sect Ancestral Court, so no one else dared to intervene.

"Everyone, in my opinion, it's best to disqualify this participant, Lin Xun, from the selection. If he were to truly enter Origin Sect Ancestral Court, it would undoubtedly cause a host of unexpected disasters." At this point, Donghuang Qing also spoke up, looking at Fang Daoping, Li Zhen, Xiao Wenyuan, and the others. He continued in a deep voice, "It might even displease some important figures."

He had emphasized the phrase ‘important figures.’

Donghuang Qing believed that Fang Daoping and the others would clearly understand the stakes involved. For the sake of a single remnant of Fangchun Mountain, there was a high possibility of unrest within the Origin Sect Ancestral Court.

Was it really...worth it?

Donghuang Qing's opinion stunned many. If the Origin Sect Ancestral Court chose to abandon Lin Xun now, then would he and his senior sister still be able to leave this place alive today?

Li Zhen’s frown became even more prominent as he said coldly, "I just want to ask you, when has our Origin Sect Ancestral Court ever made such an exception in our rules before?”

The corners of Donghuang Qing's lips twitched.

You're still talking about the rules at a time like this? Do you, Li Zhen, really not understand what’s going on, or are you just pretending to be ignorant?"

He glanced at Xiao Wenyuan.

Xiao Wenyuan's usual smiling countenance had vanished. After a moment's silence, he calmly declared, "This is the examination for the successor recruitment process at our Origin Sect Ancestral Court. The entire world is watching. I'd like to ask Elder Donghuang: if we eliminate Lin Xun now, how will the world view our Origin Sect Ancestral Court?"

A gloomy look crossed Donghuang Qing's brow. Just as he was about to speak, Xiao Wenyuan challenged him again, "I'd like to ask Elder Donghuang again: when did the opinions of the Ten Immortal Giants ever override the rules of the Origin Sect Ancestral Court?"

This made Donghuang Qing stiffen, his expression changing dramatically. "Elder Xiao, I've never said that!"

This pointed statement was utterly devastating to him. Once the public got word of this, the Ten Immortal Giants themselves might not be greatly affected, but Donghuang Qing would undoubtedly be the first to become the sinner of the Origin Sect!

"So, you agree that we should act according to the rules?" asked Xiao Wenyuan.

Donghuang Qing's expression shifted wildly as he almost lashed out from fury. Xiao Wenyuan had elevated the issue of expelling Lin Xun from the selection process to a level comparable to the relationship between that of the Origin Sect Ancestral Court and the Ten Immortal Giants. This left him speechless, daring not to even utter a word of disapproval!

In the distance, the expressions of Donghuang Qiong, Zhongli Chong, Qi Tingzi, and the others darkened. Li Zhen’s and Xiao Wenyuan's attitudes had also infuriated them.

"What do you think, Brother Fang?" Undeterred, Donghuang Qing glanced at Fang Daoping, who had remained aloof.

Fang Daoping glanced back at him and said, "What did I say before the selection process began?"

Donghuang Qing fell speechless again. At that time, Fang Daoping had declared that everyone needed to follow the rules! This was his attitude, the attitude of the Origin Clarity Pavilion, and even the attitude of the Origin Sect Ancestral Court!

Seeing this, the expressions of Donghuang Qiong, Qi Tingzi, and the others grew even darker. The other spectators in the audience were filled with admiration and respect. The Origin Sect Ancestral Court was truly a transcendent force. What could even the Ten Immortal Giants do? On the Origin Sect's turf, the rules still had to be followed!

Was this protecting Lin Xun? No! These were the rules of the Origin Sect, and they must not be challenged or violated. Everyone had their own standards. In this situation, the attitudes of Fang Daoping and the others undoubtedly revealed the heritage and style of the Origin Sect Ancestral Court.

Li Zhen continued in a deep voice, "The assessment continues. For the next few days, don’t blame me for being rude if you dare to disregard the rules!"

This was a warning, directed at those from the Immortal Giants like Donghuang Qiong. It was at this moment that the controversy surrounding Lin Xun, sparked by his innate talent, Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer, had subsided. For him, the worst scenario had not yet occurred.

To everyone present, the Origin Sect Ancestral Court had proven its strength and transcendence. However, for the Immortal Giants, this outcome was undoubtedly deeply embarrassing!