As for the nine disciples of the Evil Sky Pavilion, they felt a sense of helplessness when they heard Lu Zhou and Qi Sheng’s words that seemed to indicate that Si Wuya was truly… gone.

Qi Sheng asked, “Senior, you’re the Pavilion Master of the Evil Sky Pavilion. Why are you here today?”

Lu Zhou briefly swept his gaze across his disciples. He did not call them out, and they did not step forward either. His disciples did not know what to do so they thought it was better to wait and see.

At this moment, Shang Zhang said, “Pavilion Master Lu came with me to watch the commanders’ competition.”

At this time, Little Yuan’er and Conch stepped forward.

Upon seeing the two girls, Qi Sheng nodded. “Very well. Time is precious. Let’s continue with the commanders’ competition.”

There was another possibility for Hua Zhenghong’s disappearance. She might have gone back to call for reinforcements. If the Templars attacked at this time, the entire Evil Sky Pavilion might be annihilated. It was best not to delay the commanders’ competition anymore.

At this time, Shang Zhang said, “I want to appoint the Commander of Shang Zhang Hall.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Sheng shook his head and said, “Your Majesty, this is too last minute. We should proceed as planned.”

Shang Zhang said seriously, “I know that you’re in charge of the commanders’ competition, but I want to appoint the Commander of the Shang Zhang Hall.”

Qi Sheng said, “No.”

“If I say yes, then it’s a yes.”

“This is my suggestion. I hope Your Majesty will consider it,” Qi Sheng said as he tossed a piece of paper over.

Shang Zhang was about to destroy it without looking at it when Lu Zhou asked Qi Sheng meaningfully, “Are you serious?”

“My biggest flaw is that I like to tell the truth,” Qi Sheng replied with a straight face.

“…”

Lu Zhou nodded. “I’ll believe you once.”

Qi Sheng nodded as well before he turned around and said in a clear voice, “The commanders’ competition will now resume! Is there anyone who would like to challenge me, the Commander of Tu Wei Hall?”

Qi Sheng’s voice resounded through the entire place.

No one dared to challenge Qi Sheng. The Silver Guard was like an indestructible mountain standing in front of Qi Sheng. If his subordinate was already so strong, how much stronger was he?

15 minutes passed without anyone stepping forward to challenge Qi Sheng.

Qi Sheng smiled and said, “Alright. Then, I’ll retain my position as the Commander of Tu Wei Hall.”

Following that, Qi Sheng did not stand on ceremony and sat down.

Suddenly, Shang Zhang flew into the center of the arena.

Everyone looked at each other, wondering what Shang Zhang was trying to do.

‘It can’t be that Emperor Shang Zhang is going to accept challenges, right?! Isn’t that too domineering and embarrassing?!’

Chi Biaonu, Bao Zhaoju, and Ling Weiyang were puzzled as well.

Shang Zhang stood silently with his hands on his back for a few seconds before he said in a clear voice, “I’m here to announce two things. First, Shang Zhang Hall already has a commander..”

Everyone was curious.

Who could it be?

Shang Zhang disregarded the curious looks and continued to say, “I once made a huge and unforgivable mistake. This mistake caused me to toss and turn for hundreds of years, unable to sleep at night.”

Everyone was shocked and curious at this time.

How much courage would it take for a divine emperor to admit his mistakes in front of so many people?

A hint of admiration could be seen on the faces of Ling Weiyang, Chi Biaonu, and Bai Zhaoju. They had been in high positions for a long time, and they had never admitted to certain mistakes even if they knew clearly they were in the wrong. There were even instances when they had to find scapegoats to cover up their mistakes. As time passed, they had even forgotten the essence of being human. To be human was to feel all sorts of emotions and desires like compassion, shame, and resignation.

Shang Zhang’s voice was loud and clear as he said, “For the past few hundred years, I’ve been trying to atone for my mistake. In hopes of comforting my heart, I wandered Shang Zhang Hall, the Unknown Land, the nine domains, the Endless Ocean, and the Lost Lands. I thought about it over and over again. If she were around, would she forgive me?”

Shang Zhang smiled as he shook his head. “No. I don’t think so. I won’t ask for forgiveness either. I only hope she can continue to live well…”

Shang Zhang stopped speaking. He did not turn around to look at Conch’s reaction.

Lu Zhou did not turn around either; his eyes were trained on Shang Zhang.

As for the others, although they felt sorry for him, they were bewildered as well. After all, they did not know about the past. They did not understand why he would say such things during the commanders’ competition.

Shang Zhang’s expression turned serious suddenly as his aura rippled out. Then, he said in a tone that brooked no argument, “The Commander of Shang Zhang Hall is the person behind me… Miss Conch!”

Everyone turned to look at Conch.

Conch had been frozen in place for a long time. Her eyes widened. Confusion, anger, disappointment, and all sorts of emotions could be seen swirling in her eyes.

Little Yuan’er’s mouth was slightly agape. It was already decided that she was going to be the Commander of Shang Zhang Hall so she was caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. Nonetheless, she did not say anything. After all, she knew about Conch’s identity.

Shang Zhang said, “I’ve already made up my mind. Miss Conch has to be the Commander of Shang Zhang Hall.”

Someone raised his hand and asked, “Can we challenge her?”

Upon hearing this, Shang Zhang’s aura and expression changed immediately, displaying his might as a divine emperor. His eyes were cold as he said, “Shang Zhang Hall will not be accepting any challenges.”

“This is against the rule of the Great Void. As per the rules of the commanders’ competition…”

Shang Zhang interjected, “Then, I’ll break the rule! Whoever is dissatisfied, step forward now. No matter who the challenger is, I’ll fight on her behalf.”

“…”

Needless to say, there was an uproar.

Chi Biaonu, Bai Zhaoju, and Ling Weiyang glanced at Conch and could vaguely guess something. They knew how Shang Zhang had lost his beloved daughter, and they also knew how he had spent the past few hundred years.

At this moment, Conch said before she left the deck of the flying chariot, “I don’t need you to do this.”

Shang Zhang sighed heavily. He had already expected this.

Regardless of Conch’s words, who would dare to step forward at this moment to challenge Shang Zhang Hall?

Qi Sheng said, “Since Shang Zhang Hall has confirmed its commander, we’ll now proceed with the other halls.”

Little Yuan’er was in a dilemma.

At this time, Lu Zhou called out, “Yuan’er.”

Business was more important. Shang Zhang and Conch’s matter was their private matter. It was meaningless for outsiders to interfere. Moreover, the knots in their hearts were not so easy to untie.

“Oh.” Little Yuan’er nodded before she flew to the center of the arena. Then, she asked loudly, “Master, who am I challenging?”

Lu Zhou pointed in a specific direction and said, “The Commander of Zhao Yang Hall.”

The cultivators of Zhao Yang Hall instinctively retreated.

‘What the f*ck!’

‘What a bully!’

‘This girl is his disciple, who’ll dare to fight with her? If her master is unhappy, he might unleash a few palm strikes at Zhao Yang Hall!’

“What should we do?” The Commander of Zhao Yang Hall felt like crying at this moment.

“We… We can only blame this on our bad luck.”

“There’s no justice at all!”

“If we think about it from a different perspective, it’s not a bad thing that the disciple of such an expert is the Commander of our Zhao Yang Hall.”

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the Commander of Zhao Yang Hall lit up immediately. Then, he said decisively, “I admit defeat. Zhao Yang Hall acknowledges her as its new commander!”

Everyone: “…”

The crowd did not know how to react for a moment. This year’s commanders’ competition was different and filled with excitement, but the battles for the competition itself made them feel hopeless, helpless, and bored.

These people were undoubtedly powerful, but could they not at least pretend to go through the proper process? Why are they choosing someone so directly? What was the point of the commanders’ competition then?

“Very good.” Lu Zhou nodded.

Qi Sheng said, “Continue.”

At this time, Mingshi Yin smiled and said, “I want to challenge Qiang Yu Hall.”

Following that, Duanmu Sheng said, “I choose Xuanyi Palace.”

The people from Qiang Yu Hall shook their heads helplessly when they saw the challenger was the Scarlet Emperor’s subordinate.

‘How’s this still a challenge? You might as well say you want to rob the position!’

…

At the same time.

Zhu Honggong thought to himself that things were not looking good.

The cultivator next to him said, “Mr. Zhu, at this point, only Xihe Hall is left. You need to challenge Xihe Hall’s Holy Maiden. Originally, it was called Chong Guang Hall. Emperor Chong Guang fell 100,000 years ago and has been without a master since. Since before, the Holy Maiden has been regarded as Emperor Chong Guang’s successor. If you defeat her, you’ll essentially be the Master of Chong Guang!”

Zhu Honggong’s expression was very unsightly at this moment. He said in a low voice, “So much nonsense! Can I withdraw from the competition?”

“Ah? Withdraw from the competition?”

“I don’t want to be a commander anymore!” Zhu Honggong said.