Soon, three groups of people entered the headquarters of the Tianyuan Sect and converged upon the grand plaza where the competition was being held.
"Hahaha, Brother Shi, is this the hospitality of your Tianyuan Sect? We've traveled such a long distance to get here, yet you didn't even come out to greet us," a tall, ruddy-faced elder laughed heartily as he strode into the plaza.
He was the Sect Master of the Ziyang Sect!
Behind him followed five disciples and a middle-aged man.
This middle-aged man was surrounded by a terrifying aura of sword light. He was none other than Elder Wu of the Ziyang Sect!
Last time, he had been the one sent to Yuanyue City as the Ziyang Sect's representative.
Next, a middle-aged elder with slightly greying hair, who exuded authority without any show of anger, also entered the plaza.
He was the Sect Master of the Zhencang Sect.
Behind him were five disciples and an old man with a stooped posture and disheveled hair falling past his shoulders.
This disheveled old man was Elder Zhuo of the Zhencang Sect, who had previously been sent to Yuanyue City to recruit Qin An for the sect.
Finally, a middle-aged man dressed in white robes, waving a folding fan, walked into the plaza with an elegant demeanor.
He was the Master of Xiaoyao Pavilion.
Behind him also followed five disciples and a middle-aged female Daoist nun.
This middle-aged female Daoist nun was none other than Elder Ding of Xiaoyao Pavilion. It was she who had enrolled Qin An as a core disciple of Xiaoyao Pavilion back in Yuanyue City.
Seeing the leaders of these three major sects arrive simultaneously, the upper echelons of the Tianyuan Sect dared not be negligent. One by one, they rose and went forward to welcome them.
After all, they all belonged to the Four Great Sects of the Great Qin Empire, with comparable statuses.
Finally, all these unexpected guests were ushered onto the elevated platform on the east side of the plaza and seated one by one.
"Everyone, what is the purpose of your sudden visit to our Tianyuan Sect today?" asked the Tianyuan Sect Master directly, after the customary pleasantries between host and guests had been exchanged.
"Haha, since Brother Shi has asked, we'll get straight to the point and avoid any unnecessary talk," the Master of Xiaoyao Pavilion said, speaking up.
"Our three sects received word that your Tianyuan Sect would activate the Heaven Ascension Ladder today and hold a ladder climbing competition. So, after discussing it, we decided to bring our own disciples along to join in the fun," the Xiaoyao Pavilion Master explained.
"That's right. Sect Master Shi, as you know, this time, each of the Four Great Sects of our Great Qin Empire will select five elite disciples to enter the Tianying Small World. However, those entering the Tianying Small World won't just be disciples from our Four Great Sects. Reportedly, this time, contingents from over a dozen different empires will simultaneously enter the Tianying Small World. By then, those from different empires are sure to be in direct competition with each other. Therefore, it's necessary for the five elite disciples selected by each of our Four Great Sects to meet and get to know one another. Furthermore, Sect Master Shi, the elite disciples from our three sects would also like to participate in this ladder climbing competition. What do you think?" the Sect Master of the Zhencang Sect also spoke up.
"Oh? Your three sects' disciples also wish to join the ladder climbing competition?" Shi Zongyang, the Tianyuan Sect Master, couldn't help but be taken aback.
"Indeed, Sect Master Shi, that is precisely our intention. Today, let's have the disciples of our Four Great Sects compete on the same stage. On one hand, it will foster camaraderie, and on the other, the competition will serve to motivate the disciples of each sect. Sect Master Shi, such a meaningful undertaking—you wouldn't refuse, would you?" the Sect Master of the Ziyang Sect also declared in a clear, loud voice.
Hearing the words of the three sect masters, Shi Zongyang was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. After hesitating for a moment, his gaze shifted toward the Hidden World Elder.
"Let them," the Hidden World Elder nodded.
"Very well. Since the three sect masters are in such high spirits, then let the elite disciples from your sects ascend and join the competition," Shi Zongyang gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.
"All of you, go up now," the masters of the three major sects signaled to the five elite disciples behind them.
Whoosh whoosh…
Over a dozen sharp figures moved simultaneously, charging toward the stage in the center of the plaza.
At this moment.
On the Heaven Ascension Ladder, eight talented disciples of the Tianyuan Sect were still striving to climb.
They were Long Yingying, Li Chaofan, He Houfeng, Ling Tianyu, Wu Yan, Xiao Lin, along with one disciple each from Water Peak and Earth Peak.
Of course, if Ye Yunfei was added, the Tianyuan Sect still had a total of nine disciples remaining on the Heaven Ascension Ladder.
However, everyone chose to ignore Ye Yunfei.
They simply regarded Ye Yunfei as a joke.
Because, up until now, Ye Yunfei was still stuck on the first step!
Quickly.
Elite disciples from the other three sects appeared one after another on the stage and began their ascent.
Each of these elite disciples had been meticulously selected, possessing extremely high martial arts aptitude!
Consequently, their climbing speed was incredibly fast.
One after another, they strode up the steps, eliciting waves of gasps and admiration.
"Ye Yunfei!"
A youth clad in purple stopped beside Ye Yunfei, roaring at him.
The gaze this purple-clad youth directed at Ye Yunfei was filled with boundless, infinite venom!
His eyes were bloodshot, glaring fixedly at Ye Yunfei as if he wanted nothing more than to pounce on him and fight to the death.
This was none other than Qin An!
Now, he was a core disciple of Xiaoyao Pavilion and the personal disciple of the Xiaoyao Pavilion Master!
He had already learned of the extermination of the Qin Family in Yuanyue City.
During this period, at the demand of the Xiaoyao Pavilion Master, he had been in seclusion cultivating, so he hadn't had the time to go back and exact revenge.
Now, unexpectedly encountering Ye Yunfei, it was truly a case of enemies meeting, with eyes blazing red with hatred!
"Ye Yunfei, I swear, I will utterly eradicate the Ye Family of Yuanyue City and avenge the sea of blood owed by my Qin Family!" Qin An's eyes, brimming with venom, remained fixed on Ye Yunfei. He gritted his teeth, enunciating each word, nearly crushing his teeth in the process.
However, Ye Yunfei was currently at the most critical juncture of refining the Heaven Ascension Ladder. Distractions were inadvisable, so he simply paid no heed to Qin An.
Directly ignoring him!
"Qin An, climb the ladder first. Matters of revenge can wait until later," the Xiaoyao Pavilion Master sent a sound transmission to Qin An.
Profound Realm masters could preliminarily transmit messages.
"Ye Yunfei, now, open your dog eyes wide and watch carefully what a real genius looks like!" Qin An shouted fiercely.
Then, he began to climb.
His climbing speed was like an arrow!
Whoosh whoosh…
He left behind afterimages on the first twenty steps, so fast that it was almost impossible to see clearly!
In the blink of an eye, Qin An's figure appeared on the twentieth step.
The entire plaza instantly fell deathly silent.
Almost everyone was stunned, mouths agape, utterly bewildered.
Countless shocked gazes stared at Qin An, finding it inconceivable.
"Is… is that Heavenly Spirit Body, Qin An, from Yuanyue City?" The Tianyuan Sect Master, Shi Zongyang, swallowed hard, asking with difficulty.
"Haha… Indeed, he is Qin An! The Heavenly Spirit Body! The elite disciple with the highest martial arts aptitude in our Xiaoyao Pavilion!" The Xiaoyao Pavilion Master's proud laughter resonated throughout the entire plaza.