Chapter 1367: The Jin Zhao Lineage Produces a Violent Seed, Master and Nephew Confront Each Other with Deadly Hands

In Jin Huang Guangchang, heroes from all walks of life gathered.

At the center of the square stood a grand platform, constructed through the collaboration of earth and wood attribute Lian Ling Shi from Sheng Gong. Though temporary, the platform was built with meticulous care. Set against the backdrop of the renowned Golden Gui sculpture from the central domain, it featured coiled phoenixes and phoenixes, with a base of striking blue and white tones that exuded immense majesty. Upon closer inspection, one could see array patterns and Tianji Dao patterns etched into the surrounding wood and stone. Clearly, it was protected by exclusive spirit arrays, incorporating elements of Tianji techniques for added safety.

Hidden within the Dao principles in the air above the platform's four sides—perceptible only to a few—lurked the auras of multiple Sheng Gong guardians. Sheng Gong had made thorough preparations for this trial announcement. Beneath the Golden Gui sculpture, Hua Sui sat cross-legged on her Dan Ding. The lid was on, and inside, things stirred restlessly; an outsider might think she was refining pills, but it was merely holding some people.

"What a lively scene..."

The last time she had seen such a crowd was in the Yun Lun mountain range of Dong Tian Wang City. Of course, the participants in that Wang City trial were nowhere near the quality of those here. After all, the talents before her were the top-ranked or among the top few from the major Wang Cities of the five domains, with a few exceptional ones from the top dozens.

Even so...

"I wonder if I can find a suitable successor this time." Hua Sui was deeply troubled. She had come with a mission. The Jin Zhao lineage needed to be passed down and expanded, so every year, they scoured the five domains for the most outstanding prospects, whether through Sheng Gong trials or other channels. An innate physique that could withstand the Jin Zhao fire seed was rare, and the candidate had to excel in all other aspects as well. Such individuals might take decades to find. So, in her second year as a disciple, Hua Sui had already begun searching for an apprentice, but she had yet to succeed.

Precisely because the Jin Zhao lineage's selection process was so unique, the Sheng Gong trials seemed a bit extreme. Participants in the trials had to be at the innate realm only. Anything beyond that—even entering the initial Zongshi Tianxiang realm—was not allowed. A Zongshi could typically endure the Jin Zhao fire seed without dying or being crippled. This highlighted the dominance of the Jin Zhao lineage.

If anyone else had set such rules, they would have been criticized by the geniuses of the five domains and collapsed within a year. Yet the Jin Zhao lineage ignored all criticism. Rules set by one of Sheng Gong's five authorities were that absolute—you either played by them or left. That was it.

In the early days of these rules, the average strength of Sheng Gong trial participants did indeed weaken. But before long, the strict regulations forced out some extreme anomalies. There were cases of innate realm fighters defeating Zongshi, challenging Wangzuo, or even counter-killing them. With so many talents in the five domains, some had figured out paths like comprehending the Dao before breaking through, deliberately suppressing their realm even when they could surge straight to Zongshi or Wangzuo... Others steadily built their strength, honing themselves in the innate realm, staying silent at first, accumulating power, and then stunning everyone by defeating higher realms.

All paths of Lian Ling were equal in their own way. Sheng Gong viewed the world with a forward-looking perspective, unwilling to miss any genius. They only cared about a Lian Ling Shi's skill level, potential, and deep understanding of the term "Lian Ling." This approach to nurturing talent was the fundamental reason for Sheng Gong's flourishing diversity and competition among schools of thought. The eternal legacy of Sheng Gong's five inheritances and the existence of figures like the four Sheng Gong sons in each generation were the best proofs.

"But this generation seems rather ordinary..."

Hua Sui looked at the geniuses crowding around the platform and sensed a mix of talent levels. Among them, those highly praised by the world didn't impress her much. Ultimately, it was because of her experience in the Dong domain's Yun Lun mountain range, where she had met her Shibo Xu Xiao Shou. To put it bluntly, she believed only a prodigy like Shibo Xu Xiao Shou was worthy of inheriting the Jin Zhao lineage and becoming her apprentice.

But measuring this generation by Shibo Xu Xiao Shou's standards...

"When will I ever find someone?" Hua Sui's head ached, so she pinned her hopes on a dark horse emerging from this group. As she pondered, the person in charge of Jin Huang Guangchang approached respectfully and reported, "Hua Sui Sheng Shi, the time has arrived."

"Very well!"

Hua Sui shouted, pressed down on the Dan Ding's lid, and leaped down with full momentum.

"Stay quiet, all of you!"

She turned back fiercely and kicked the Dan Ding as a warning, only to realize her voice had been amplified across the entire square through the spirit array. The once noisy square fell instantly silent. Countless eyes converged on the spirited woman under the Golden Gui sculpture, each gaze filled with surprise and doubt.

This Sheng Gong envoy was a bit too domineering, wasn't she?

"Is that Hua Sui?"

"I hear she's from the Jin Zhao lineage— no wonder she's so fiery. Sheng Nu Wu Xiu seems to be her Shibo..."

"Shh! You'd better not say that. The Sheng Nu Wu Xiu lineage has already split from Sheng Gong."

"But it's still from the same roots! Sheng Nu has even dared to take on Rao Jianxian. Her scolding just now made me feel empowered— I'm thrilled."

Hua Sui's face flushed with embarrassment. She had only been reprimanding those restless individuals captured from He Ting Mountain, but she hadn't expected the spirit array to broadcast her words. She'd blow up those troublesome Lian Ling Shi sooner or later...

Fortunately, the discussions were mostly from outsiders and spectators around the square's edges. The true trial participants inside remained silent, waiting solemnly. Hua Sui wasn't one to get stage fright. Shaking off the moment, she strode forward to the platform's center and declared:

"Everyone, as you can see, the Sheng Gong trial is about to begin. This trial will take place in the Si Xiang secret realm. I'll skip the small talk and explain the rules first."

She paused, scanning the silent crowd, ready to continue.

Then, from the group below, a voice suddenly broke the silence:

"Apologies for interrupting."

"May I ask a question, Sheng Gong envoy?"

Jin Huang Guangchang erupted in a wave of murmurs. Nothing had even started, and someone already had a question? All eyes followed the voice, searching for the bold individual.

"Who's the fool daring to interrupt me?" Hua Sui frowned, displeased, and looked toward the source.

Soon, everyone saw the crowd part as a handsome, refined young man walked in, standing out like a crane among chickens. He was accompanied by two stunning attendants. Even so, the two women's beauty was overshadowed by his own. Amid the square's crowd, he seemed like an immortal in the mortal world, making everything around him seem insignificant.

"Speak!"

Hua Sui said, eyeing him. She had seen her share of good-looking people and was used to it— he was about on par with Shibo Xu Xiao Shou. But he had no trace of Lingyuan aura, yet carried an extraordinary presence, suggesting he might have unique insights.

Outside the square, Li Laohan leaned against his carriage, watching from afar amid the sea of heads. The voices carried clearly to him, inside and out. Hearing the young man's words, Li Laohan couldn't help but chuckle, recalling the most accurate intel he'd seen on the young man: "A master of drawing attention, taken to the extreme." It was even more striking in person!

"Receiving gazes— passive value, 9999."

"Receiving suspicion— passive value, 6255."

"Receiving admiration— passive value, 663."

Just from that single remark, his passive value skyrocketed. This was on par with what he'd gain from braving the Yan Wuse light world on Void Island or enduring the Wangze Shengdi Wu Feng belt.

"And now, I just need to say something untimely at an untimely moment." Xu Xiao Shou didn't want to play the role of an attention-seeking clown, but the passive value gains were too tempting to ignore. At that moment, he couldn't suppress a smile creeping up.

If not for maintaining his image as the sickly young master Xu, he might have jumped up and shouted, "I am an innate realm expert." But that would be even crazier...

Of course, Xu Xiao Shou still had some dignity. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he continued playing the part of the sickly young master, walking gracefully, his steps unhurried. It took him a full ten or so breaths to cross the square, as if strolling in his own courtyard.

"What on earth is Xu Gongzi doing?!"

Yingying and Queque's faces burned red, their toes practically digging into the ground. They were used to grand scenes, yet they couldn't handle this level of scrutiny. It felt like thorns on their backs! Like something stuck in their throats! Even their walking posture grew awkward, as if they'd forgotten how to walk.

This was Jin Huang Guangchang! Filled with talents from the five domains! How could they embarrass themselves like this? Weren't they supposed to stay silent and leave after the Sheng Gong envoy finished? Xu Gongzi hadn't mentioned any questioning session! They were completely unprepared... The two exchanged glances, seeing the ultimate awkwardness in each other's eyes, and lowered their heads as if trying to bury them in their chests, almost walking with their eyes shut.

"Receiving anticipation— passive value, 9999."

"Receiving glares— passive value, 6886."

On the platform, Hua Sui was waiting so long the flowers might wilt! She was furious enough to almost summon an explosive flower and plant it on the sickly young master's head, but she kept reminding herself: This is Sheng Gong envoy time— stay calm, or Shizun will punish me!

"You there, trial participant, what's your question? Make it quick— my time is very, very limited!" Hua Sui gritted her teeth.

"Apologies, this young master isn't good at walking..."

His first words stunned everyone, then drove them mad: "This young master usually travels by carriage."

Jin Huang Guangchang exploded in an instant. Everyone realized—he was here to cause trouble!

"Damn you..." Someone leaped from the crowd, drawing a sword mid-air.

But before the sword could leave its sheath—

"Bang!"

A massive explosion rang out. The person, sword and all, was sent flying through the air, vanishing from sight. The Dao principles in the sky above the square flickered slightly, as if figures might emerge.

The geniuses on and around the platform were startled. They hadn't seen any sign of the attack! It was as if the strike hadn't come from the sickly young master at all, but from...

"His guard?"

Even Hua Sui couldn't tell who had struck. But it was undoubtedly at least a Taixu level—either the young master was hiding his strength, or someone behind him was. Hua Sui gestured to summon her Dan Ding to her side and signaled the guardians in the void not to intervene; this wasn't a full-blown chaos, just some minor disruption. It was easy to handle.

If you can't come up with a good question, I'll turn you into a meat pill later... Hua Sui suppressed her anger and asked kindly, "So, what's your question?"

"Receiving awe— passive value, 6514."

"Receiving reverence— passive value, 2264."

"Receiving disgust— passive value, 7125."

Xu Xiao Shou felt as if that slap had just taken out a half-saint expert. He slowly fanned himself and said leisurely:

"Hua Sui Sheng Shi, rumors say the Ran Ming ruins are about to emerge in the Si Xiang secret realm. Yet Sheng Gong ignores this and still sets the trial there— that's as dangerous as the skies above Dong domain! May I ask if this treats the lives of us trial participants as a joke? After all, we're merely innate realm."

His words ignited the crowd. The legends of the Ran Ming ruins had been circulating for some time, and most had heard of them. They thought it was a secret for higher powers, involving something like ancestral source energy. But now, someone was bringing it up openly, directly challenging the Sheng Gong envoy at Jin Huang Guangchang.

Hua Sui hadn't expected this. She scoffed coldly and replied:

"Sheng Gong has its own plans, and the Sheng Gong trials have their rules. Since the trial is in the Si Xiang secret realm, you needn't worry about your safety."

She leaned on her towering Dan Ding, a disdainful smile on her lips, eyeing the sickly young master like a human meatball waiting to be refined—though she hadn't tried that yet.

You wretched thing, once the announcement ends, your life is over! Hua Sui thought bitterly. Some hidden veteran guardians sighed, thinking: Young people are so naive, falling for the schemer's trap. This troublemaker's words are full of pitfalls!

My dear Shizhi, you're too easily deceived... Sure enough, the sickly young master smiled and said, fanning himself behind his paper fan with feigned surprise:

"So, does that mean the Ran Ming ruins emerging is true?!"

He hammered it home as fact, then shifted gears to dig deeper:

"But does Sheng Gong really have the ability to protect the trial participants?"

"Won't it be like last time, where a saint just passing through Dong domain wiped out all the trial officials?"

Xu Xiao Shou had already learned everything about the Yun Lun mountain range incident on Void Island through chats with Li Laohan. His words silenced Jin Huang Guangchang entirely. The representatives of major forces felt a storm brewing.

The Sheng Gong envoy had just confirmed the Ran Ming ruins' emergence and location in front of everyone! And this "Inferior Xu Gusheng"... well, he was audaciously bold! He dared ask anything, stabbing straight at the deepest wound from the Dong Tian Wang City trial!

The upcoming trial participants didn't see the issue; they were ready to take on gods or Buddhas. But the major forces' representatives only hoped this "Inferior Xu Gusheng" would live a bit longer. He was a perfect mouthpiece! He was asking all the questions they wanted to but didn't dare.

"Receiving fear— passive value, 8511."

"Receiving concern— passive value, 4836."

"Receiving curses— passive value, 1."

Hua Sui realized she'd been tricked, but it was too late! She nearly flung open the Dan Ding's lid to release its contents and stuff this wretched "Inferior Xu Gusheng" inside, adding some seasoning to get rid of his foul stench. Through gritted teeth, she said: "The death of the Dong Tian Wang City trial officials is our greatest regret, but the trial participants there weren't caught in the crossfire— most of them survived."

"So, that means a small part unluckily died? Their lives were cheap... oh, sorry, I misspoke. They were fated to it, right?" The sickly young master's fan waved steadily, but the square filled with gasps.

Yingying and Queque's legs went weak, nearly collapsing together. Stop this... Xu Gongzi, please! They grabbed at his robe, but he didn't even turn, just flicked their hands away with his fan.

"Receiving curses— passive value, 2."

"You brat..."

Hua Sui's chest heaved with anger, her eyes turning red. Suddenly, a string in her mind snapped without warning.

"I'll let you cause trouble!"

"Get down here!"

She bent her legs, scooped up the massive Dan Ding with one hand, and under the stunned gazes of everyone in the square—including the Sheng Gong guardians—lunged forward like thunder.

She aimed to smash him into a pulp first and deal with the rest later.