Chapter 41: Heaven-Obliterating Seal

Lu Xingchen let out a cold snort. "My actions, Lu Xingchen's actions, require no explanation to others. Today, you and the seven disciples of our High Heaven Sect will each obtain a stone stele."

"You can either maintain your state and prepare to seize the remaining three stone steles, or I will cripple you, cutting you off completely from the Dao Enlightenment steles. Decide for yourself!"

Hearing this, the one-star Great Martial Master of the Vast Heaven Sect felt a jolt in his heart and took a few steps back.

Yet, gathering his courage once more, he stepped forward and shouted loudly, "Lu Xingchen, do not be so arrogant! If we all swarm you together, it is impossible for you to defeat us all!"

Lu Xingchen remained utterly unfazed, offering a faint smile. "And so? Do you wish to be the first bird to stick its neck out?"

Hearing this, the one-star Great Martial Master of the Vast Heaven Sect froze, then retreated unwillingly.

The five major sects were mutual competitors; who would be willing to strike first and draw the full hatred of Lu Xingchen?

The other disciples also silently dispersed, gathering around the final three stone steles.

Though they had mentally cursed Lu Xingchen's entire lineage, not a single one of them dared to step forward and provoke him.

Half an hour later, the steles were distributed.

The seven disciples of the High Heaven Sect had each acquired a stele, while the remaining three were secured by the holy sons of the three other major sects, excluding the Five Elements Sect.

As all ten individuals took their seats, the steles began to emit a brilliant glow.

Hesitating no longer, the ten of them placed their palms directly onto the steles. The scenery around them instantly shifted and transformed, resembling an overturned palette of colors.

When the surrounding environment stabilized once more, he found himself inside a room.

There were two doors in the room, with two expressionless men standing before each.

Seeing this scene, Lu Xingchen had already guessed what trial the master of the secret realm had left behind.

Sure enough, an aged and profound voice echoed in the space.

"There are two doors here: one is true, and the other is false. A guardian stands before each door; one always tells the truth, and the other always tells lies. You may ask one of the guardians a single question to identify the true door."

"If you find the correct door, you shall obtain my legacy. Otherwise, get lost and scram!"

Lu Xingchen smiled faintly.

He had heard of this riddle back on the Blue Planet. It seemed unsolvable and entirely dependent on luck, but in truth, it was a puzzle that tested lateral thinking.

Without hesitation, Lu Xingchen walked up to one of the guardians and asked softly, "If I were to ask the other guardian which door is the true door, what would he say?"

The guardian replied without the slightest hesitation, "He would say that the door on the left is the true one."

Lu Xingchen strode toward the door on the right without a second thought.

"Oh?"

A low whisper echoed within the room.

Stepping through the door, the surrounding scenery shifted once more, and Yi Wenhao found himself back before the stone stele.

A scroll titled the "Heaven-Destroying Seal," an Earth-rank low-grade martial skill, emerged within Yi Wenhao's mind.

Joy surged in Lu Xingchen's heart.

An Earth-rank low-grade martial skill, even within the High Heaven Sect, was a peerless and unique treasure.

With the "Heaven-Destroying Seal," his combat power would increase by leaps and bounds.

To say nothing else, if those three holy sons of the Five Elements Sect were to return, he wouldn't even need to resort to "Jade Shattered" to make them stay here forever.

Lu Xingchen was the first to pass the trial; the other nine had yet to return.

Wasting no time, Lu Xingchen sat down upon a prayer mat to study the spirit array diagrams.

Half an hour later, flashes of white light flickered, and the others successively returned to the front of the steles, their expressions a mix of joy and concern.

Lu Xingchen guessed that the trials they encountered must have been different from his own; otherwise, merely choosing a door would not have taken so long.

The seven of them gathered together.

Lu Xingchen smiled and asked, "Did you all make gains?"

The other five had all gained something, leaving only Ning Feng with a bitter expression.

"Boss, I didn't pass the trial."

Lu Xingchen retrieved a martial skill scroll from his storage ring and tossed it to Ning Feng.

"Take this Mysterious-rank mid-grade 'Scarlet Fire Slash.' It matches your primary weapon and belongs to the blade-category martial skills. Consider it compensation."

Catching the "Scarlet Fire Slash," Ning Feng was ecstatic, expressing his gratitude repeatedly, "Thank you, Boss! Thank you, Boss! Following the Boss truly yields great rewards!"

The other five cast sideways glances in shock.

Giving away a Mysterious-rank martial skill so casually—Lu Xingchen's actions were simply overwhelmingly generous!

"Alright, since everyone has made gains, let us press onward!"

"Understood!" the six of them shouted in unison.

Through these days of companionship, they had developed complete trust in Lu Xingchen.

Especially the way Lu Xingchen had fought to secure the Dao Enlightenment steles for them, leaving them filled with deep gratitude.

Just as the seven reached the edge of the plaza, an angry roar rang out from afar: "Lu Xingchen, get your ass out here!"

Lu Xingchen frowned slightly.

That voice sounded like Qin Hao's.

He had nearly been killed by him earlier; how dare he return now?

The disciples of the other three major sects, who were just about to disperse, heard the shout and halted, standing at a distance to watch the spectacle.

"What is going on? Has Qin Hao made a comeback?"

"He was almost killed by Lu Xingchen just a moment ago, yet he actually dares to return?"

"He must have called for reinforcements."

"But I haven't heard of any other experts in the Five Elements Sect. They only have three holy sons."

"The Five Elements Sect and the High Heaven Sect are old rivals. First Fu Xin provoked a massive battle, then they hunted down Lin旭, and then Lin Jing assassinated disciples of the Five Elements Sect. This time, blood is bound to flow once again!"

"The more fiercely they fight, the better it is for us. That way, we get a chance to pick up scraps."

Lu Xingchen raised his hand slightly, and the other six immediately stopped, drawing their weapons and gazing forward with solemn expressions.

A breath later, Qin Hao approached, flanked by four disciples of the Five Elements Sect.

Aside from Jiang Qing and Sun Wen, there were two other ten-star Martial Masters.

Lu Xingchen grew even more puzzled.

With just these two additional ten-star Martial Masters, Qin Hao dared to come back and provoke him?

Lu Xingchen said indifferently, "Qin Hao, are you here to throw away your life?"

Qin Hao proudly lifted his chin. "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; do not bully the young and poor! Lu Xingchen, now that the five of us senior and junior brothers are gathered, prepare to meet your doom!"

Lu Xingchen calmly replied, "Can you tell me what gives you such confidence? I am genuinely curious."

Qin Hao declared, "It is time to showcase the Five Elements Sect's unique secret technique, the Five Elements Array!"

Wielding his Shadow Sword, Lu Xingchen smiled. "Very well, let me witness your Five Elements Array!"

Qin Hao and the other four instantly erupted with battle Qi, forming a pentagram shape as five streams of white light linked their bodies together.

Their collective momentum surged dramatically in an instant, rivaling that of five-star Great Martial Masters.

Lu Xingchen frowned.

A secret technique capable of raising one's realm?

If it elevated the realm of everyone involved, that would be truly terrifying!

Without hesitation, Lu Xingchen charged forward, unleashing the "Heaven-Swallowing Technique" and executing the "Shattered Rock Palm," striking directly toward Qin Hao.

Qin Hao shouted aloud, "Well struck! Lu Xingchen, today's humiliation can only be washed away with the lives of your High Heaven Sect disciples!"