The Remnant Wood Burns Out

"Daoyuan Mountain, direct disciple Chu Hao, Qi Gathering ninth layer. Who dares to fight?"

Chu Hao stepped onto the Dao Discussion Platform, his gaze sweeping across the cloud boats in the sky, his eyes entirely devoid of fear.

There was, in fact, an interesting anecdote from when he first joined the sect ten years ago.

Chu Hao possessed an affinity for both Fire and Wood. Originally, he was a cultivation seedling favored by the Myriad Transformations Sect.

But the cloud boat carrying that batch of children back to the mountain encountered trouble halfway.

As luck would have it, they were spotted by an Elder from Daoyuan Mountain who was out recruiting disciples.

Seizing the opportunity, the Daoyuan Mountain Elder launched a practiced round of "belittling one to praise the other," and amidst the indignant curses of the Myriad Transformations Sect Elder, he successfully coaxed the children onto his own vessel.

And so, Chu Hao entered Daoyuan Mountain by sheer happenstance.

Daoyuan Mountain is renowned for its Wind and Thunder techniques, but it is not without other Five Elements inheritances. Chu Hao had studied a Spirit Communion technique for the Fire and Wood paths within the sect.

His talent was beyond question. It was merely a pity that he started on the path at thirteen, which was somewhat late; otherwise, he would surely be at the Qi Gathering Perfection stage by now.

In a sense, Daoyuan Mountain had struck a bargain, gaining a disciple of exceptional talent. But for Chu Hao, it meant missing the opportunity for guidance from a truly compatible master.

Shua-

A ray of moonlight descended. From the cloud boat of the four northwestern sects, a white-robed female cultivator with a luminous countenance drifted down.

"Lone Moon Mountain, Mountain Lord's direct disciple Yu Tingzhi, ninth layer. Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

As a subordinate sect of the Moon-Grasping Sect, Lone Moon Mountain had been drawn into this venture.

When it was announced that she hailed from Lone Moon Mountain, the gazes of two people in the arena sharpened instantly.

Xiao Yize was leisurely preparing to watch the proceedings when he sensed a brief, subtle change in the aura of his Junior Brother beside him.

"Lone Moon Mountain?"

He muttered the name, his thoughts drifting back to the treasure ground secret realm incident from a few years ago.

He had heard He Shenglai mention that the event was a turning point for the Yang family's selection as a reserve noble clan.

But the cost had been steep. Two Yang family cultivators had perished beneath the Moonfall, one of whom was a cousin of Yang Lingshu.

The enmity between Lone Moon Mountain and the Yang family was substantial. Xiao Yize said nothing more, merely noting the matter. If he were to encounter anyone from Lone Moon Mountain in the future, he would need to express his own sentiments on his Junior Brother's behalf.

In the first-class seats, Lü Fangxuan's fists clenched unconsciously, his breathing growing labored.

Just then, a hand rested on his shoulder.

"Fangxuan, calm yourself. Still your heart."

At Yang Lingrui's voice, Lü Fangxuan's eyes cleared. He slowly suppressed his rage, his expression returning to composure.

"Thank you, Second Young Master!"

"The time is not yet right. Remain vigilant; do not give those with ulterior motives any leverage."

Lü Fangxuan was young, and hearing that his opponent was from Lone Moon Mountain-the sect responsible for his ancestor's death-made it difficult to quell his anger. But Yang Lingrui's own heart had been tempered through many trials. After witnessing Zi He and Li Qingwan honor Li Yuande's fall, his inner stability had only deepened.

Yang Lingrui said gently, "When strength is lacking, one must endure. Rest assured, with me here, this matter will not be delayed for long."

Lü Fangxuan showed his gratitude and nodded heavily.

As the two conversed, the three supervisors on the field announced the start of the match.

The pace was blistering. After a few probing exchanges, both realized that victory would require their full strength. They stopped holding back and activated their Spirit Manifestation States.

A wave of scorching heat surged around Chu Hao, his body partially covered in a layer of wood scorched to an orange-red glow. With every slight movement, tongues of flame erupted from the charred gaps.

Yu Tingzhi's Spirit Manifestation State resembled the ribbons of moonlight Yang Lingrui had once seen Wang Weiming wield, though hers were far longer and broader. Once manifested, the light nearly enveloped her entire form.

With their states active, both figures blurred into motion.

In an instant, Scarlet-Wood Flowing Fire and gray-white moonlight intertwined across the Dao Discussion Platform.

Their techniques pushed past the late-stage threshold, reaching the level of Qi Gathering Perfection. The residual force of their clashes sent ripples across the spectator stands' defensive formations.

Yang Lingrui watched without blinking, missing nothing.

Chu Hao held the top spot in the ceremony rankings and had demonstrated his prowess in the Martial God Tower, becoming one of the few second-tier cultivators to trigger a manifestation from the Dao Comprehension Stone. His duel against this Yu disciple represented the pinnacle of late-stage combat within the current Zhuhu Wangchao.

"That child's talent in the Fire and Wood paths is truly remarkable," remarked an Elder from the Myriad Transformations Sect, sighing as he watched the crimson flames dance.

"Alas! You snatched him up that day; it was truly ungenerous!"

Several Daoyuan Mountain Elders nearby merely smiled in silence. Because of Chu Hao, the late-stage disciples of the Myriad Transformations Sect had been completely suppressed. Once disciples like Qiu Ran and Xiao Yize achieved the Condensed Origin realm, Chu Hao would surely dominate the scene for the years to come.

On the platform, the battle remained deadlocked. Ingenious moves were unleashed only to be countered with equal cleverness. Chu Hao held a slight edge in raw power, but the innate Five Elements resistance of the moonlight path neutralized his flames, leveling the playing field.

The spectators realized that unless they risked their trump cards, the match would remain indecisive.

Bang!

After a sharp exchange, both figures retreated.

Chu Hao's pupils were suffused with crimson. He made a grasping motion, condensing a piece of burning wood. Yu Tingzhi's fingers danced, and a phantom of a bright moon rose behind her.

"If it will not burn, then let the fire grow stronger!"

Chu Hao shouted, plunging the burning wood into his own heart.

Rumble!

Using his body as fuel, he ignited a raging fire. In that instant, his aura surged, pressing toward the eleventh layer of Qi Gathering!

Fear rippled through the young disciples in the stands. Even the Myriad Transformations Sect Elder on the high platform twitched, his expression darkening. First the Thunder-Swallowing Method, now this; the reckless, self-immolating spirit of Daoyuan Mountain was truly a legacy from their ancestor Mu Lei.

On the other side, the Daoyuan Mountain Elders watched with expressions of certainty.

But a single breath later, their faces froze.

A thin, insidious wisp of pale-white dharma light suddenly emerged from Yu Tingzhi's manifested moon.

Before Chu Hao could react, the light pierced his chest, silent and lethal.

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