Chapter 43: Confident Qin Tian

Lu Xingchen checked his system panel once again.

[Host: Lu Xingchen]
[Realm: Eight-Star Martial Master]
[Experience Value: 500/900]
[Exchange Points: 2220]
[Talents: Eagle Eye (20), Heavy Strike (20), Berserk (36), Blade (30), Shattered Jade (50), Devour (30)]
[Profession: Tier 2 Alchemist (500/1000), Tier 3 Spirit Array Master (0/10000)]
[Mount: Nether Dragon (Tier 3)]

Splendid, Xiao You has also evolved into a Tier 3 demonic beast!

The effortless manner in which Lu Xingchen had struck down his opponents left the disciples of the other three sects utterly dumbfounded.

"Damn, Lu Xingchen actually had the guts! He wiped out all the elite disciples of the Five Elements Sect in one go. Gu Yuan is going to be furious enough to drop dead!"
"Killing so many people without even blinking an eye. He's a total beast, even more ruthless than a ruthless person!"
"What the hell, no way? He actually killed them? I thought winning the duel was enough, but he straight-up put them in the grave."

Closing the attribute panel, Lu Xingchen chuckled lightly, "Since everyone has gained something, let's move forward!"

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

The group proceeded deeper into the secret realm.
The disciples of the other three sects followed closely behind.

Half an hour later, Lu Xingchen led the group to a grand hall.
Though a layer of dust covered the interior, it failed to conceal its former splendor and majesty.

At first glance, eleven puppets came into view, each possessing the strength of the Great Martial Master realm.
The puppet standing deep within the hall even possessed the strength of a Five-Star Great Martial Master.
Behind it sat a golden chest the height of a man, practically radiating the presence of hidden treasures.

Lu Xingchen cast a glance around; apart from the disciples of the Five Elements Sect, Blood Garment Sect, and Nine Ghosts Sect whom he had already eliminated, disciples from the remaining five major sects had all arrived.

Unwilling to stand out as a target, Lu Xingchen hid within the crowd, coldly observing how the others intended to deal with the puppets.

A quarter of an hour later, a delicately handsome man stepped forward.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists, I am Qin Tian, the Holy Son of the Demonic Heaven Sect."
"Everyone understands the current situation, right? Only by defeating these eleven puppets will we have a chance to touch that chest. However, these puppets are exceptionally powerful, and it is impossible for any single faction to succeed alone. Therefore, we must join forces."

Lin Jing was about to retort angrily, but Lu Xingchen waved his hand to stop her.

Lu Xingchen spoke indifferently, "Don't be hasty. Someone else will make the first move."

Sure enough, a disciple of the Vast Heaven Sect flew into a rage.

"Our five major sects and the Demonic Heaven Sect are irreconcilable enemies. Forget about cooperation; it's already a mercy we haven't teamed up to execute you on the spot."
"Besides, what gives you the right to call the shots?"

Qin Tian smiled faintly and released his Dou Qi, fully revealing his realm as a Three-Star Great Martial Master.

"Although I am a disciple of the Demonic Heaven Sect, I am not infringing upon your interests at present, so there is no need to fight to the death. I possess the highest cultivation among those present, so presiding as the leader should be entirely appropriate, shouldn't it?"

Everyone present was shaken by his formidable strength.
Although the Holy Sons of the Vast Heaven Sect, Nine Heavens Sect, and Heavenly Derivation Sect had also reached the Great Martial Master realm, they were only at the One-Star level.

Seeing that no one else spoke up, a smug look crept onto Qin Tian's face as he continued, "I propose gathering all the Great Martial Masters present to jointly confront these eleven puppets."
"Once the treasure chest is opened, we will distribute its contents equally based on value. What do you all think?"

Lu Xingchen was the first to speak up, "Our soaring Cloud Sect has no objections!"

The Holy Sons of the other three major sects hesitated for a moment before agreeing as well.

"Our Vast Heaven Sect has no objections!"
"Our Nine Heavens Sect has no objections!"
"Our Heavenly Derivation Sect has no objections!"

Hearing this, Qin Tian felt immensely gratified.
The feeling of plotting overall strategies and taking charge of the situation was simply exhilarating.
Yet, he harbored a lingering doubt.
Where had the disciples of the Blood Garment Sect, Nine Ghosts Sect, and Five Elements Sect gone?
If they were also here, defeating these puppets would have been even easier.

Pushing the thought aside, he shouted aloud, "Then let the Great Martial Master experts of each sect step forward!"

Lu Xingchen whispered, "Senior Sister Lin Jing, you go up first. Just put on a show and don't exert too much effort. I'll hide in the background, ready to seize the treasures inside the chest at any moment."

"Mn!" Lin Jing replied softly.

Just then, Hu Junfeng stepped forward.
"Junior Brother Lu, I've also broken through to the Great Martial Master realm. Let me go!"

Hearing this, Lu Xingchen felt a surge of joy.
With one more Great Martial Master, the team's combat effectiveness would increase significantly.

Lu Xingchen smiled, "That's fantastic! However, Senior Brother Hu Junfeng, you should stay behind and help me snatch the treasure chest later."

Hu Junfeng frowned, "I finally broke through to the Great Martial Master realm and planned to show off properly. Junior Brother Lu, let me take the spot!"

Lu Xingchen said in a deep voice, "The real battle hasn't even begun yet. Once the puppets are dealt with, you'll have plenty of opportunities to show off."

"Alright then." Hu Junfeng nodded and stepped back.

Ultimately, ten Great Martial Master experts stepped forward, all of them at the One-Star level.
The members of the three major sects felt deeply unsettled inside.
As disciples of Tier 3 sects recognized by the Righteous Alliance, their strength actually fell short of a demonic sect disciple.
However, there was no time to dwell on that now—they had to deal with the puppets first!

Qin Tian was shrewd; instead of charging forward recklessly, he went alone to provoke one puppet, lured it to the edge of the hall, and let the group unleash their attacks together.
While this method was somewhat slow, its advantage lay in preserving their strength to clear monsters without sustaining injuries.

Lu Xingchen nodded slightly.
This Qin Tian at least had some brains!

Half an hour later, all ten puppets were eliminated.
Aside from consuming some Dou Qi, the group emerged completely unscathed.

Qin Tian shouted loudly, "Fellow Daoists, keep up the effort! Only the last puppet remains. Defeat it, and we claim the treasure chest."

Lin Jing said coldly, "Easy for you to say. That's a Five-Star Great Martial Master puppet. Who dares to face it head-on?"

Qin Tian lifted his proud chin, "I dare! I'll draw its attention, and you all can unleash your attacks from the rear."

Hearing this, even Lin Jing was left speechless.
Qin Tian was truly exceedingly confident, and he indeed possessed the strength to back it up.

The great battle commenced, with eleven Great Martial Masters pitted against a single Five-Star Great Martial Master puppet.
Qin Tian proved himself to be a true hero among men; he withstood the attacks of a Five-Star Great Martial Master head-on without dying, sustaining only minor injuries.
With him holding the frontline, the other ten members frantically poured out their attacks from behind.

A quarter of an hour later, the Five-Star Great Martial Master puppet was finally defeated, collapsing heavily to the ground.

Qin Tian roared with laughter, "Hahaha, many thanks for your assistance, fellow Daoists. I shall retrieve the treasures in the chest now, and we will distribute them according to contribution shortly!"

Lu Xingchen spoke in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Hu, get ready. The real battle begins now!"