Chapter 448 - 235: At This Moment, Jiang Che Is Their God

’Even one more second would be enough!’

Beside him, Qin Wuya, whose pride had once been utterly shattered by Jiang Che, now seemed like a completely different person.

He suddenly rushed to the very front of the ready area, brandishing his Long Spear, and screamed himself hoarse toward the Array with every ounce of his strength:

"Jiang Che!!"

"Jiang Che!!"

"Get in there and kill!!"

Spurred on by him, everyone from Cangzhou Prefecture began to frantically chant that name!

The sound waves were like thunder, shaking the very heavens!

At that moment, Jiang Che was their god!

...

On the high platform.

In stark contrast to the fiery, almost frenzied shouts from below, the atmosphere on the viewing platform, a symbol of the highest authority, was rather quiet.

Haotian Sword Sect Elder Su Wuming’s sharp eyes, which seemed to contain myriad streams of Sword Qi, were now fixed on the name "Jiang Che" on the ranking Jade Disc.

After a long moment, he slowly let out a breath and turned to look at the nonchalant Daoist Wu Wei beside him.

"Old Daoist," Su Wuming’s voice held less of its previous arrogance and a rare trace of seriousness. "This time... I misjudged."

"This kid... is very good."

"His True Qi is abundant, his physical body is formidable, and his Divine Soul is exceptionally tenacious. A prospect so well-rounded, with no weaknesses, is truly a piece of unpolished jade."

At this, he glanced at Daoist Wu Wei, his tone tinged with jealousy:

"Your eyes are as sharp as ever."

Hearing this, Daoist Wu Wei gently flicked the Duster in his hand, a faint smile gracing his lips.

"Fellow Daoist Su, you flatter me."

He looked down at the roiling mists of the Array, a flicker of emotion in his eyes:

"Truth be told... this kid has exceeded my expectations as well."

"I originally thought that with his Realm, squeezing into the top ten—placing fifth or sixth—would be his absolute limit."

"I never expected..."

Daoist Wu Wei shook his head, the smile in his eyes deepening:

"He actually... shot straight to third place in one go!"

"At the Second Layer Peak of the True Master Realm, he triumphed over all rivals to place in the top three... such a record is rare, even in my Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect."

"Hmph."

Su Wuming snorted coldly, unable to stand the sight of the old Daoist’s smug expression, and immediately poured cold water on his parade:

"Don’t celebrate too early."

"Are you so sure... this kid will definitely choose your Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect in the end?"

His fingers tapped lightly against his sword sheath, producing a crisp CLINK, and he spoke with a half-smile:

"You and I both know that in this day and age, young people idolize combat and yearn for ultimate power."

"And when it comes to offensive power, if my Haotian Sword Sect claims to be second, no one dares to claim first!"

"Perhaps... this kid is a battle fanatic at heart and will take an interest in my Sword Dao?"

At these words, the smile on Daoist Wu Wei’s face instantly stiffened.

’He didn’t say it out loud, but inwardly... he was actually starting to get nervous!’

Just as Su Wuming had said, among the Three Top Sects, the Haotian Sword Sect specialized in combat and slaughter, boasting the most formidable reputation.

The Prajna Zen Sect had a deep foundation and was the most stable.

Only his Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect...

Because its core Cultivation Technique, the Myriad Phenomena Infinite Dao, was too obscure and difficult to comprehend, the sect had suffered a decline in talent for the past hundred years, creating a generational gap.

Although it was still one of the Three Major Sects in name, when it came to attracting young geniuses, it was decidedly... at the bottom of the list.

’If this Jiang Che really gets poached by that Old Sword Ghost Su Wuming...’

’...wouldn’t all his efforts have been for nothing?’

Just as Daoist Wu Wei was struggling with his inner turmoil,

Master Xuan Kong of the Prajna Zen Sect, who had been mostly silent until now, suddenly put his palms together and quietly chanted a mantra:

"Amitabha Buddha."

In his merciful, half-lidded eyes, there was now an unconcealed, sharp glint.

"I have observed Benefactor Jiang Che. His Qi Blood is like a dragon’s, his physical body is Vajra Indestructible, and even amidst the slaughter in the Illusion Realm, his Temperament remained unyieldingly tenacious, unmoved by external influences."

"Such Talent is a perfect match for the path of the Dharma Protector Vajra of our Zen Sect."

The old monk smiled slightly and looked at his two fellow Daoists:

"Perhaps... this child and our Buddha share a deep, unbreakable karmic bond."

"You!"

Hearing this, Daoist Wu Wei grew so anxious he almost dropped his Duster!

’Good heavens!’

’It was bad enough having Su Wuming trying to steal him away, but now even you, an old monk who looks so prim and proper, have to join the fray?!’

"Listen, you two!"

Daoist Wu Wei took a deep breath and said with frustration:

"That Xiong Tong was born with Divine Power and has already been claimed by Fellow Daoist Su. That Nalan Ruoshui possesses an extraordinary Divine Soul, and you, Master Xuan Kong, set your heart on her long ago."

"I didn’t compete with you for the top two."

"Now, a third-place finisher has finally appeared who catches my eye..."

"Can’t you... just leave one prospect for me?!"

’If the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect fails to recruit another top-tier Demon Fiend to hold up appearances, they’re going to be utterly humiliated at the next major sect competition!’

In response to Daoist Wu Wei’s complaint, Su Wuming simply shrugged nonchalantly.

"Fellow Daoist Wu Wei, that’s not right."

His gaze was sharp as he looked down at the mists below, his voice carrying the distinct arrogance of a Sword Cultivator:

"These are the rules of the Celestial Strategy Guard selection."

"The top ninety-nine candidates have the right to choose their own Sect!"

"Who he chooses is not for you to decide, nor is it for me to decide."

"When the time comes..."

A sharp glint flashed in Su Wuming’s eyes:

"We’ll each have to rely on our own means and see whose offer... is more enticing!"