At that moment, everyone was in awe as they gazed at the golden figure in the sky, unable to remain calm.
One move! It only took a single move to defeat the Lu family's young master, piercing through his fusion of seven laws.
Many people had heard the jokes about the "pillar of heaven" and had even secretly mocked it. But now, no one was laughing. Instead, their hearts were filled with shock and fear.
Too terrifying!
When Jin Zhi made his move, his qi and blood surged like an ocean, almost drowning the sky, making it hard for anyone to breathe.
"Invincible!!"
That was the thought that filled everyone's mind. At least within the younger generation of the Ziyun Domain, he was peerless.
"Jin Zhi, mark my words!!"
Lu Qian slowly raised his head, growling like a beast before standing and soaring into the sky.
The members of the Lu family hesitated for a moment before reluctantly leaving. They didn't want to go, but with their young master retreating, staying behind would only make them seem foolish.
"You all..."
Jin Zhi showed a warm smile on his face. But the moment he turned around, the smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression as he said, "Everyone, come up."
His facial control was flawless.
Because he had been facing away from the crowd, when he turned with a serious expression, everyone assumed he had always looked that way.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
"Senior Brother Jin is mighty!"
The members of Ziyun Academy looked at him with admiration as they flew onto the massive main lotus leaf.
Jin Zhi, seeing that no one had noticed his momentary smile, silently breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he also felt a twinge of disappointment…
"Rumble!"
"Splash!"
In the distance, more people arrived, all from prominent forces of the Ziyun Domain, including the ten great families.
Each time a new genius made their entrance, gasps of amazement echoed through the crowd, and many showed expressions of awe.
In every crowd, there are always sycophants, not for the sake of mere commentary but because it serves a practical purpose.
People have vanity, and by praising those with high status, they are also implicitly elevating themselves—claiming that they, too, are familiar with these important figures.
In short, status is capital.
After a long while, the lotus pond was filled with distinguished guests, and the air buzzed with excitement. Heavenly talents were everywhere.
Some girls who were skilled in dance even began performing on the lotus leaves, their flowing garments creating a breathtaking scene.
"Everyone, since we're all gathered here today, why don't we spar and test our progress?"
Someone finally suggested a duel.
In gatherings of scholars, reciting poetry and essays is expected. For warriors, naturally, they must compete in martial arts.
"Good!"
"No problem!"
"Count me in!"
Voices rose in agreement, and the decision was made.
"I'll go first!"
A bald man wearing a bright red monk's robe stepped forward and addressed a woman. "I've heard Miss Jiang's 'Ruyi Ring' is formidable. This humble monk has a staff, and I hope we can spar for 300 rounds."
"Hehe, get through one incense stick's time first!"
The woman giggled, then flew into the air. The two revealed their weapons and began a fierce duel under the gaze of the crowd.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The monk's staff clashed with the woman's jade ring.
Sweat flew as they fought furiously!
Not everyone was interested in such matches. Some found it unsavory, and so more upright individuals took to the field.
"Brother Luo, care to spar?"
"Why not?"
"Han Xiao, dare to fight?"
"I'll defeat you in ten moves!"
In no time, many people began to engage in duels, with explosions echoing across the lake and splashes of water rising into the air.
It was a scene of flourishing competition.
Young talents from various great forces challenged each other freely, but no one dared to challenge the disciples of Ziyun Academy.
Qin Zi turned to a nearby senior brother and asked, "Senior Brother, isn't it a bit strange that no one is challenging us?"
"There's nothing strange about it," the senior brother responded calmly. "In fact, it's normal. At events like this, no one ever dares to challenge us. Our status is well-established. We're here to observe from above."
"Then why are we even here?"
Qin Zi was puzzled, staring blankly.
The senior brother glanced around and then leaned in, whispering, "We're just here to make an appearance. After all, if a force remains inactive for too long, it loses face."
"Exactly, face."
A senior sister also leaned in, whispering, "Since Ziyun Academy sends disciples to nearly every gathering, always sitting at the head table, over time, all the major forces have come to automatically leave the main seat for us."
Qin Zi was stunned again. "But what if they don't cooperate? Like the Lu family earlier?"
The senior sister blinked and asked in return, "Didn't you see what happened to the Lu family?"
Qin Zi suddenly understood.
He couldn't help but admire the academy's leadership—they had truly mastered the art of maintaining presence and prestige.
The academy's thousands of disciples were divided into many groups, with one group going out today and another tomorrow, and sometimes several groups went out simultaneously, ensuring constant activity across the Ziyun Domain.
Reputation and status must be carefully maintained.
Accumulation is key—just like in certain intimate moments, when there's enough buildup, you instinctively know when to switch positions.
"So that's how it is. It seems this mission isn't dangerous after all. The academy just wanted me to confront my inner demons and overcome my fear…"
Qin Zi thought, but before he could finish the thought, the lotus leaf beneath him suddenly trembled, and the entire lake began to shake.
"Splash!"
Huge waves surged up from the center of the lake as if something enormous was about to emerge from the depths.
"What's going on?!"
"This is..."
The crowd was stunned. In the blink of an eye, a massive black shadow shot up from the water like a rising mountain!
Splash!
Water cascaded down like a waterfall from the shadow, revealing a gigantic flower bud.
A pinkish bud, towering like a colossal peach, stood atop a thick green lotus stem, radiating a dazzling light.
And from the top of the flower bud's slightly parted petals, a fragrant scent wafted out, refreshing everyone's minds.
"A fortuitous opportunity!!"
In an instant, the thought crossed everyone's mind. They held their breath, warily eyeing the others around them.
Where there's fortune, there's conflict.
Anyone who approached might end up stabbed in the back.
"Whoosh!"
The next moment, the enormous flower bud dove downward, its petals spreading wide like a giant mouth, aiming straight for Qin Zi!
It was too fast.
So fast that no one had time to react. The flower engulfed Qin Zi in an instant, piercing through the lotus leaf like a massive serpent diving back into the water.
Jin Zhi was the first to react, his eyes flashing with anger as he shouted, "Demon!!"
He struck out with a palm, unleashing a terrifying force that severed the thick lotus stem in one blow.
"Splat!"
White liquid spurted from the cut, resembling the flower's lifeblood.
Jin Zhi then grabbed the severed stem with both hands and, with a mighty roar, began pulling the flower back out of the water.
"Squelch!!"
Because of the flower bud's shape, a loud squelching sound accompanied its reemergence, along with a torrent of water.
"Hehehe, after waiting for 10,000 years, this 'Mountain Root Mother Lotus' has finally appeared! The heavens are truly on my side!"
An eerie, malevolent laugh echoed through the air, and in the next moment, black clouds began gathering from all directions.
Whoosh!
A terrifying pressure filled the air as thunder and lightning crackled.
A massive black hand reached out from the clouds, like the hand of a god, grasping for the giant flower bud.
"Do you dare?!!"
Jin Zhi roared in fury, his entire body glowing with intense light as a massive blood-colored figure formed behind him.
But the black hand descended with overwhelming power, suppressing Jin Zhi effortlessly before calmly seizing the flower bud.