Chapter 1630: The Spinning Top Won't Stop

"Who's that guy?""I don't know...""Since we haven't seen him before, he must be a side-branch disciple!""Honestly, I know all the famous side-branch disciples. He's such a complete stranger, he's probably not very well-known... If that's the case, why is he stepping up?""I don't know either, but he seems quite strong... Maybe he'll have a chance!"

A murmur spread through the audience as they finally got a clear look at the middle-aged man who had suddenly appeared. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, completely clueless. Among the younger generation of the same family, most of the well-known figures were familiar, but no one recognized this individual.

"You are...?" Luo Qianzhen was also startled, his brow furrowing.

"I am Luo Tianya, from the most distant collateral branch of the family. I've also been away from the family for many years, so it's perfectly normal for the Patriarch not to recognize me," Zhang Xuan stated, clasping his hands in a respectful gesture.

As his purpose for this visit was to make amends, he naturally had to seize this opportunity to help the Luo family regain their honor. Thus, upon hearing Nangong Yuanfeng's words, he didn't hesitate and flew straight onto the platform.

"Luo Tianya?" Luo Qianzhen turned to the Grand Elder, Luo Qingchen, who looked equally bewildered, utterly at a loss as to where this person had come from.

"The family has been passed down for tens of thousands of years, growing and branching out... Collateral branches don't have detailed genealogical records, so it's impossible to fully trace them. Perhaps there truly is such a junior who has been diligently cultivating in seclusion," Luo Qingchen admitted after a moment that he didn't recognize the man before him, offering an awkward smile.

This was a common issue in large families: with many disciples leaving for trials each year, no one could guarantee if they had engaged in dalliances outside. If descendants were born, it would be impossible to identify them based solely on appearance without bloodline verification.

"Indeed." Understanding this, Luo Qianzhen looked over with a hint of helplessness. "Tianya, I can understand your desire to bring honor to the family, but... they are powerful experts from the Hundred Schools of Philosophers, and the contest is specifically about spatial comprehension. Mere strength won't solve the problem..."

He didn't believe a collateral branch disciple could defeat the opponent. Even the most prominent core disciple, Luo Xuanqing, had lost so easily, let alone anyone else.

"Let me try. I'm from the most distant collateral branch, so even if I lose... it won't be embarrassing!" Zhang Xuan insisted.

Luo Qianzhen fell silent. The other party had a point; the family was already thoroughly disgraced. Whether this side-branch member succeeded or failed, the situation couldn't get any worse. Moreover, he could use the time Luo Tianya spent competing to find his daughter.

"Very well!" After a pause, Luo Qianzhen nodded and looked at Nangong Yuanfeng nearby. "Senior, this Luo Tianya is willing to compete with your junior..."

"Compete? You're sending a side-branch member of your family to compete with us?" Mo'er, the previous combatant, scoffed so hard he nearly choked. It seemed the Luo family had completely lost face and simply given up.

Nangong Yuanfeng's brows furrowed, and displeasure crossed his face. "We, the Nangong clan of the Hundred Schools, carry the bloodline of Ancient Sage Zirong. We came here with good intentions to challenge you, and according to the rules set by Master Kong, we should be treated with respect... Can't your Luo family accept defeat, or are you intentionally trying to humiliate us?"

Their core disciples weren't even a match, and now they were sending a side-branch member whom they didn't even recognize... This was utterly disrespectful!

"Humiliate?" Before Luo Qianzhen could speak, Zhang Xuan, standing beside him, shook his head, a look of profound disdain on his face. "A bunch of trash like you... are you even worthy of my humiliation?"

"You..." Nangong Yuanfeng's eyes narrowed, not expecting to be openly disdained by a collateral branch member.

"If you're scared to compete, just say so. Don't make excuses!" With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhang Xuan's expression remained calm.

"You don't know your place!" Mo'er was so enraged he nearly exploded. People from the Hundred Schools of Philosophers had come to this remote, backward place, and not only were they not shown respect, but this man dared to utter such words! Did he even know his own standing?

It wasn't just Mo'er who thought this; Luo Qianzhen, standing nearby, clutched his forehead. Did this side-branch member not understand just how powerful the opponents were? Otherwise, how could he utter such outrageous words?

"As shameless as that Zhang Xuan..." Luo Xuanqing, on the side, inwardly scoffed. As a former friend, he had a deep understanding of Zhang Xuan's shamelessness. However, Zhang Xuan's shamelessness came with genuine talent. This guy... could he really pull it off?

"If you want to compete with me, fine. If you can make this top stand up, I'll give you a chance..." Although furious enough to kill, Mo'er maintained the dignified air of the Hundred Schools of Philosophers. He pointed to the spatial top nearby and said.

"Stand up?" Zhang Xuan glanced at the spatial top. Without any discernible movement from Zhang Xuan, the top, which had been lying still, suddenly leaped up and began spinning rapidly, as if terrified of being struck down for being lazy. "You mean like this?"

Mo'er gasped, his eyes wide with shock. He could barely make the top stand, but he couldn't make it spin. Among those present, perhaps only his teacher, Nangong Yuanfeng, could do it... and even he would need to expend great effort. Yet this guy, with just a glance, made it spin... How did he do it?

Nangong Yuanfeng was also momentarily stunned. He had been completely unconcerned, thinking the other party was trying to humiliate them. Only now did he realize that this unassuming side-branch member was the real master.

Not just him, but Luo Qianzhen, Luo Xuanqing, and the others were all dumbfounded, looking as if they had seen a ghost.

"Could it be..." A thought flashed through Luo Qianzhen's mind, and he quickly looked at the Grand Elder, Luo Qingchen, nearby.

"It must be. Besides someone who has comprehended spatial sealing, I can't think of anyone else in the clan who could make this spatial top spin so swiftly!" Luo Qingchen couldn't help but nod.

"We've been searching among the core disciples, but we never expected... he's from a collateral branch!" Luo Qianzhen's face turned pale with excitement. They were on the verge of losing, and the Luo family would have been utterly disgraced, unable to ever hold their heads high. He never dreamed that the super genius they had been unable to find, the one who had comprehended the True Understanding of Sealing, would appear by himself! And he was a collateral branch member whom even the Grand Elder didn't recognize!

"To be able to make the top spin at high speed, the Luo family truly has hidden talents. It seems I misjudged you all..." Taking a deep breath, Nangong Yuanfeng suppressed the shock in his heart and snorted. He then turned to instruct Mo'er, "Mo'er, be careful. His comprehension of space is no less than yours!"

"Yes, Teacher!" Mo'er knew this person was not to be underestimated. He cast aside his disdain and returned to the center of the arena, bowing and cupping his fists. "Please tell me how you wish to compete! If it's just about making the top stand, I concede!"

"How to compete?" With his hands still clasped behind his back, Zhang Xuan made no move to adjust his stance, not even showing the slightest bit of defense. He simply looked over faintly. "You... are you even worthy of me making a move?"

"You..." Mo'er's face flushed crimson.

"Let that old man come. Otherwise... all five of you can come at once!" Zhang Xuan said with a calm expression.