But then, Elder Qin Shi of Starlight Spear Peak spoke, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Indeed, that may be the case. But there are other possibilities as well—he could be hiding his true cultivation, or perhaps he’s gained a high-grade technique, an elental manifestation."
"We can’t be certain yet, so it’s best not to jump to conclusions."
Elder Ming Rong furrowed her brows in thought.
’Yes... that’s true. We can’t simply assu his strength cos from powerful or high-lineage beasts. His own abilities may be far more profound. It’s best not to make baseless assumptions.’
Elder Qin Shi allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips.
"Regardless of how he did it, one thing is clear—he’s not the kind of person the rumors made him out to be... soone who relies solely on his artifact."
"He possesses strength of his own—depth I can’t even begin to asure."
At that, Elder Tian Sheng chuckled lightly and cast a sidelong glance at a particular elder.
"You’re right, Elder Qin. He is... quite intriguing. Wouldn’t you say so, Elder Shing Li?"
"Y-Yeah..." ca the forced reply.
Elder Shing Li of Blue Mountain Peak sat stiffly, his expression strained. Internally, his fury was boiling over.
’How... how the hell did that useless bastard suddenly beco strong?!’
His lips twitched, barely suppressing his frustration.
’Back when he was part of my peak, he was absolute trash! Weak, dull, untalented—he was nothing but dead weight.’
"Now I’m being mocked, losing face, all because I failed to recognize his potential... for filing a formal expulsion request to have him removed from my peak!’
’Damn it. DAMN it. Why couldn’t he have just stayed worthless?! Why did he have to rise now of all tis?!’
He clenched his fists tightly beneath his sleeves, trying to maintain composure as whispers of admiration continued to rise around him.
anwhile, Reon stood calmly on the platform, hands resting behind his back.
His expression was as composed as ever, but a subtle glint flickered in his eyes.
’Hmm... I’ve drawn quite a bit of attention again, huh? Well, it can’t be helped.’
’I’ve no intention of staying in the shadows forever. Sotis, you have to remind them exactly who they’re dealing with.’
Just then, another Minor Elder rushed over to the fallen judge, hurriedly helping him up and offering a healing pill.
After ensuring he was stable, the newcor turned to Reon with a furious glare.
"Hey, you! How dare you lay a hand on a Minor Elder of the Supre Dao Sect?! Do you have any idea what the consequences are for injuring one of us?!"
Reon’s gaze remained steady as he replied with a calm shrug.
"And what should I have done instead? It’s not my fault the sect sent soone that weak to evaluate my strength."
He stepped forward slightly, gaze cutting like lightning.
"A man who can’t even withstand my Spiritual Pressure dares to mock ? Such a loser has no right to assess my strength."
"You—you insolent brat—!"
Ignoring the fuming Elder, Reon turned his gaze toward the announcer standing beside the platform.
"Hey, announcer. Are you going to declare my pass to Round Three, or do I have to wait all day?"
The young Minor Elder at the announcer’s post flinched, visibly startled.
He looked around in a panic.
’Wh-What should I do? Do I declare his pass? But if I do, what if the senior Minor Elders punish ?!’
His eyes darted toward the other Minor Elders.
Most of them were subtly shaking their heads—clearly disapproving of Reon’s advancent.
A wave of murmurs rippled through the audience—mostly from Reon’s detractors.
"Haha! Even the Minor Elders know he cheated—that’s why they’re not letting him pass!"
"Serves him right for using underhanded thods to attack a Minor Elder!"
"Even if a Minor Elder has weak talent, their status in the Outer Sect is still high!"
"Xue Taiyang’s finished!"
"He’s done for sure!"
But then—
BOOM—!
A thunderous voice erupted from above, shaking the very air with dragon-like might.
"What are you waiting for, you pitiful Minor Elder?! Why haven’t you approved his entry into Round Three yet?!"
Gasps echoed from every direction. All the Minor Elders looked up in stunned silence.
The voice belonged to none other than Elder Qin Shi, the Thunder Spear Dragon of the Starlight Spear Peak.
His gaze was piercing as lightning, his words backed by no Spiritual Pressure—yet still strong enough to make hearts tremble.
"Approve his advancent imdiately. If you make us wait a mont longer—your head might roll before the audience!"
The newbie Minor Elder dropped to his knees, overwheld by the weight of the command—even though no power had been unleashed.
"Y-Yes, Elder Qin Shi!"
He scrambled up, his voice trembling as he shouted the result:
"D-Disciple Xue Taiyang has passed Round Two... and is officially approved to participate in Round Three!"
"His ranking will be determined alongside the other qualified disciples."
The crowd fell silent for a mont—then erupted in mixed roars of shock, awe, and outrage.
"A-An Elder just stood up for Xue Taiyang?!"
"And not just any Elder... it was Elder Qin Shi, the Thunder Spear Dragon!"
"That’s insane! Elder Qin Shi personally speaking in his favor... it ans he’s taken an interest!"
"Could it be? Does he want Xue Taiyang to join his peak?"
"But how?! Why would soone as powerful as Elder Qin Shi support a loser... a cheating bastard like him?!"
Several Minor Elders gritted their teeth, barely able to contain their frustration.
’Tch... That bastard actually passed...’
Though many of them were fuming, none dared raise a word of protest—not after Elder Qin Shi’s thunderous decree.
But among the angry faces, one Minor Elder smiled quietly.
’It seems... you’ve risen far, Xue Taiyang.’
’You’ve truly changed. I hope you reach heights no one else ever could.’
He was the very sa elder Reon had first encountered when he’d arrived in this world—perhaps the only one who had once looked at him with a shred of sincerity.
anwhile, on the other side—
"Kyaa~! Did you hear that?! An Elder just spoke up for Brother Taiyang!!"
"He looks even more handso now—I swear, I’m swooning!"
"Brother Taiyang... he’s a real man among n!"
Back on the platform, even Reon himself was montarily stunned.
’Elder Qin Shi... He’s a towering figure in the Inner Sect—known for his ruthless standards and terrifying strength. Why would soone like him speak on my behalf?’
A sliver of unease crept into his heart.
’This isn’t kindness. No one in the Supre Dao Sect offers favor for free...’
’What exactly do you want from , Elder Qin Shi?’
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