Although this year’s commanders’ competition was very exciting, there was no suspense and it was boring.

Everyone could already guess most of the results. They shook their heads and sighed helplessly.

People fantasized about climbing up from the bottom, passing certain tests, and entering the world of the elite to live a better life. However, in the end, they discovered that the rules were just games to those in high positions.

There was no chance for anyone to compete for the positions of commander. Just Shang Zhang, Chi Biaonu, Bai Zhaoju, and Ling Weiyang had taken up eight places. Then, both Qi Sheng and Lan Xihe continued to maintain their positions. With these, there was no place left for the others.

…

Zhu Honggong kept shaking his head. “No matter what, I don’t want to be a commander. Whoever wants to be a commander can go ahead and issue a challenge, but I definitely won’t issue a challenge.”

“I’m afraid that won’t do. The Temple Master has already requested you to take the position of commander. If you… If you don’t go, I won’t be able to explain it to the Temple Master. The Temple Master has said repeatedly that you must take the position of commander,” the cultivator said.

Zhu Honggong scratched his head. “Does the Temple Master think so highly of me?”

“Well, uh… In the entire Great Void, there are very few people the Temple Master thinks highly of, and you’re one of them. Moreover, you’re also handsome and elegant. Such an important task can only be entrusted to you,” the cultivator said.

Zhu Honggong could not help the proud expression that appeared on his face. He laughed until his eyes could not be seen. Finally, he said, “Your words are truly pleasant to the ears. Although they’re just words of flattery, they sound very sincere. You have a bright future ahead of you!”

Humans were all the same; they like listening to good words.

Contrary to the cultivators’ expression, Zhu Honggong’s smile suddenly vanished from his face. His gaze changed as he said, “Although you’re very sincere, I… I’m not a f*cking fool! Goodbye!”

After saying that, Zhu Honggong turned around to fly away.

At the same time…

“Stop.”

“…”

Zhu Honggong’s body stiffened immediately as he thought to himself in despair, ‘This is bad! It’s over! Although I’m standing in such a hidden place, I was still seen!’

At the same time, everyone was confused and turned to look at Lu Zhou who had just said, “Stop.”

Zhu Honggong turned around with a fake smile on his face as he said awkwardly, “M-master.”

“…”

As long as they were not fools, everyone could already guess that the owners of the Great Void Seeds were Lu Zhou’s disciples.

Chi Biaonu and Ling Weiyang seemed to have figured out a lot of things as well. They turned to look at the owners of the Great Void Seeds behind them with inscrutable expressions on their faces.

Chi Biaonu and Ling Weiyang remembered the huge incident when the last batch of Great Void Seeds was lost. At that time, they had already left the Great Void so they did not know much about the situation. However, they knew it was not an easy feat to steal all ten Great Void Seeds under the noses of the Sacred Temple and the ten halls.

After the Great Void Seeds were lost, the ten halls dispatched their respective experts to search the nine domains for the Great Void Seeds, but they did not find anything. In the end, they could only wait passively for them to reappear.

Who knew if it was a coincidence or not, but the ten Great Void Seeds were all in place now.

Ling Weiyang said to Chi Biaonu and Bai Zhaoju through voice transmission, “I have a feeling that something is amiss.”

“You don’t have to say it. I’ve already sensed it,” Chi Biaonu replied.

Ling Weiyang said, “If all of this is intentionally arranged by the Sacred Temple, I’m afraid we’ve all become pawns.”

Chi Biaonu scoffed coldly and said, “From the very beginning, I’ve already sensed something was amiss. The Sacred Temple is too indulgent with the ten halls. Although the Pillars of Destruction at Dunzang and Chifenruo have collapsed, the Sacred Temple that always prioritized the balance doesn’t seem to care at all. Moreover, after the Great Void Seeds reappeared, the temple doesn’t seem to care as well. In any case, they’re wrong if they think they can turn me into their pawn.”

Ling Weiyang smiled. “I remember you weren’t like that when you left the Great Void 100,000 years ago.”

Bai Zhaoju sighed. “We’ve already come this far. We can only take things one step at a time now. Put aside everything else, I believe in them.”

“Them?” Chi Biaonu asked.

Bai Zhaoju casually pointed and said, “Don’t you think they’re all very special?”

As soon as Bai Zhaoju’s voice fell, Zhu Honggong laughed sheepishly and said, “I don’t want to be a commander. I don’t think I’m cut out for it. I should give the position to someone else who’s more talented. Holy Maiden Xihe is very capable. In my opinion, she should continue being the Commander of Xihe Hall.”

“???”

Ling Weiyang and Chi Biaonu looked at Bai Zhaoju in unison.

‘I don’t know about the others, but this one is really special. How did he get the Great Void Seed? Are the heavens blind?’

At this time, Lan Xihe rose to her feet. She looked at the sky and said, “Pavilion Master Lu, we haven’t seen each other for many years. You’re much stronger than before.”

An uproar broke out following Lan Xihe’s words.

‘They know each other?!’

Lu Zhou looked at Lan Xihe. He could sense that her aura was much stronger than before so he said, “Likewise.”

Lan Xihe flew out to the center of the arena and said, “Ever since I joined Chong Guang Hall, I’ve encountered many disasters and hardships. My cultivation path is also bumpy. Thanks to the care of the ten halls and the Sacred Temple, Chong Guang Hall’s name has been changed to Xihe Hall. In everyone’s eyes, I’m Emperor Chong Guang’s successor, and I’ll definitely become the Master of Xihe Hall.”

Everyone nodded as they listened. After all, she was stating facts.

“Nonetheless, I’ll abide by the rules of the Great Void and accept challenges,” Lan Xihe said.

Upon hearing this, Qi Sheng said loudly, “The positions in the other nine halls have been taken. This is your last chance. Don’t miss it!”

No one moved.

‘Look at this brat trying to fool us!’

The various forces were in awe of the Holy Maiden. Challenging her was tantamount to committing suicide.

The cultivators of the ten halls knew how powerful Lan Xihe was so they naturally did not dare to step forward.

Time passed by slowly, and no one stepped forward.

Finally, Qi Sheng turned around and asked Zhu Honggong, “What are you waiting for?”

Zhu Honggong: “???”

Qi Sheng continued to say, “Stop looking around. I’m talking to you.”

‘F*cking Jiang Aijian! You pretended to be my Seventh Senior Brother for so long and ordered me around! When this is over, I’m going to beat you to death!’

Qi Sheng slowly said, “The Temple Master has ordered this, and it’s also… Pavilion Master Lu’s wish.”

“…”

Zhu Honggong looked up and found his master looking at him with a pair of deep and spirited eyes. Although his master did not speak, his expression clearly said, “Now that 100 years have passed, this wicked disciple of mine should’ve improved a lot. If he can’t become a commander, I’ll skin him alive.”

Zhu Honggong gulped as he sorted out his thoughts and emotions. Then, he braced himself and said loudly, “Alright! I’ll do it!”

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Zhu Honggong flew into the arena and landed across from Lan Xihe.

Everyone unscrupulously sized Zhu Honggong up.

“There’s someone bold enough to challenge Holy Maiden Xihe?!”

“With his ability, he dares to challenge her?”

“Don’t look down on him! After all, there are a few challengers who are Great Dao Saints as well. Since he dares to challenge Holy Maiden Xihe, he must be confident.”

Someone sighed. “The threshold for the competition is getting higher and higher.”

“That’s right. We can’t judge a book by its cover. If Yue Yangzi was telling the truth, then this person is also a disciple of the Evil Sky Pavilion. Apart from that, he also has the support of the Sacred Temple. Hence, he has a high chance of winning.”

After all, during this commanders’ competition, none of the original commanders of the ten halls managed to successfully defend their positions.

With this thought in mind, everyone looked at Zhu Honggong with anticipation shining in their eyes.

Even Shang Zhang, Chi Biaonu, Ling Weiyang, and Bai Zhaoju were looking at Zhu Honggong curiously.

Finally, Zhu Honggong straightened his back. His aura seemed to have changed completely as he said, “Holy Maiden Xihe, I challenge you.”

Lan Xihe nodded with an expression of approval and said, “It’s my honor.”

Zhu Honggong said again, “Before we start, I want to say that I won’t show mercy just because you’re the Holy Maiden.”

“Going all out is a sign of respect for one’s opponent and the commanders’ competition,” Lan Xihe said.

Zhu Hongggong’s body seemed to burn with fighting spirit as he said, “Very good. Today, I’ll show the entire Great Void and even the nine domains my true strength!”

Zhu Honggong’s words made the spectators’ blood boil. They were no less excited when Lu Zhou fought Hua Zhenghong.

“Please,” Zhu Honggong said in a thunderous voice as he cupped his fists together.

Lan Xihe smiled and took a step forward.

Buzz!

A white lotus bloomed beneath her feet as a blazing white light burst forth. Then, a light disk appeared.

“…”

Everyone was shocked!

Shang Zhang, Ling Weiyang, Bai Zhaoju, Chi Biaonu, and the ten halls looked at the light disk in surprise.

The light disk only appeared for a moment before it disappeared.

Everyone sized up the beautiful Lan Xihe again. At this time, they finally remembered that she was also an owner of the Great Void Seed. Moreover, she had cultivated for more than 30,000 years; she was older than the owners of the last batch of Great Void Seeds. Even if she made some mistakes when cultivating in the past, with the Great Void Seed, it was not surprising that she became a supreme being after more than 30,000 years.

Although they did not expect it, it was well within reason that Lan Xihe was a supreme being now.

Swoosh!

Everyone sensed the fluctuations of the Primal Qi.

Swoosh!

Lan Xihe frowned. “Hmm?”

At some point, Zhu Honggong had flown into the distance like a shooting star. Under the eyes of the experts of the Great Void, he had flown away from the Cloud Domain.

“???”

Some cultivators rubbed their eyes, thinking their eyes were playing tricks on them. They found it hard to believe that he had fled just like that.

As Zhu Honggong’s figure disappeared into the horizon, an awkward silence descended on Cloud Domain.

Everyone looked at each other with dumbfounded expressions on their faces.