Chapter 1881: Descendant of the Ancient Sage Zilu

Zhong Qing was a descendant of the ancient sage Zilu. In this elimination round, the person in charge of the Great Confucian Hall—the middle-aged Immortal Realm cultivator who had previously read the rules aloud in the air—was none other than him.

Unlike other teachers, after activating the mountain's formation, he returned to his room and did not wait in the elimination area.

It was just a freshman selection; knowing the outcome was enough. Given his status, it was not worth his constant attention.

Picking up the brush, he slowly wrote on the desk, the fragrance of ink spreading, his characters neat yet imbued with charm. One could tell at a glance that his mind was as calm as water, without a single ripple.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared in the room. Seeing him writing leisurely, the newcomer frowned: "Second brother, why are you still here? Go take a look quickly—something's off about this assessment..."

If Zhang Xuan were here, he would surely recognize the person who had just entered as an old friend... Nangong Yuanfeng!

"Yuanfeng, you're getting anxious again! I've always told you that your state of mind isn't steady enough, but you never believed me. It's just an assessment for the younger generation—what's there to be nervous about? If you can't change this situation, in the long run, it's almost impossible to advance further!"

Without lifting his head, he already knew the identity of the person before him. Zhong Qing's brush never stopped, his tone unhurried.

"Brother Zhong's lesson is well taken... but right now, I simply can't calm my mind! The elimination rounds have completely fallen into chaos..."

Nangong Yuanfeng hurriedly said.

"Chaos? What's there to be chaotic about?" Still without looking up, Zhong Qing said calmly.

"They're being eliminated too quickly, too many of them. I'm afraid it won't last three hours before it's over... Moreover, many of those we previously favored and were strong have been eliminated. Those who remain may not necessarily be among the top hundred in strength..."

Nangong Yuanfeng was somewhat worried.

He was on site and saw it all clearly.

Even Yan Yixiao, a top seed, had been eliminated, and other previously favored experts had also fallen from their horses...

There was only one reason... they had encountered the descendants of the ancient sage Zichi!

As long as they encountered them, they would surely be eliminated—this had become an iron rule. In this way, selecting a hundred people was no longer fair, but depended on luck as to whether they would run into them...

A single assessment had turned into this—how could he not be anxious?

Oh? Wouldn't that be even better!

Seeming to have known this long ago, Zhong Qing was not surprised. He dipped his brush in ink again, his strokes flowing like dragons and phoenixes, and smiled lightly: "The many descendants of the Hundred Schools of Thought are not much different from each other. We only need a quota of a hundred people—who they are is not important! As long as they pass the assessment and receive training at the Great Confucian Hall, they will go further and further..."

That's true...

Seeing the other's composure, Nangong Yuanfeng's tense mood also eased.

All they wanted was the top hundred—as for who they were... was that important?

The elimination round was fair; if you were eliminated, it only showed that your strength was insufficient, and you couldn't blame others.

"Although that reasoning is sound, now most cultivators are being eliminated by the same group of people, and more and more are joining in—the eliminated have even formed a fellowship..."

Nangong Yuanfeng continued.

"Eliminated by the same group of people? Who? Yan Yixiao, or Duanmu Xiao?" Zhong Qing asked.

"Neither, it's the descendants of the ancient sage Zichi..." Nangong Yuanfeng said.

"Descendants of the ancient sage Zichi?"

Clearly not expecting this, Zhong Qing was taken aback: "Fan Xiaoxu, Fan Xiaofeng, and the others?"

He had specifically looked at the quotas submitted by the Hundred Schools of Thought and remembered the names of every participant in the assessment.

"Yes..." Nangong Yuanfeng nodded.

"Zichi, a descendant of the ancient sage, never had much of a lead before. Being able to stand out this time can be considered a case of accumulating over time! Forget it, let them do as they will. Everyone has limits. Leading now doesn't mean leading forever! What we need to do is... just watch, no need to meddle!"

After a sigh, Zhong Qing's expression remained unchanged as he continued writing with his brush, a piece of calligraphy nearing completion.

"Alright, since you say that and your mind is so steady, I have nothing more to say..."

Seeing the man before him so composed, Nangong Yuanfeng breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned around: "Oh, by the way, the president of the Zichi Ancient Sage Descendants Elimination Fellowship seems to be your own grandson, Zhong Zixun!"

Swish!

The brush stabbed sharply into the white paper, leaving a black ink streak. Zhong Qing looked up.

His own grandson was also taking the assessment this year. He had thought for sure he would last until the end. This... Elimination Fellowship president, what did that mean?

"Was he eliminated?"

Though he couldn't believe it, he still maintained a calm expression as Zhong Qing couldn't help asking.

"Yes, eliminated early on, so he's very proud. Plus, as one of the organizers, most of them follow his lead!" Nangong Yuanfeng explained.

"Bastard!"

Zhong Qing clenched his fist.

How did he produce such a disgraceful offspring?

Eliminated, not only not ashamed but proud of it...

When he got back, he would teach him a good lesson!

"Forget it, let him be!"

Anger flashed by, then Zhong Qing shook his head: "Anyway, I sent as many as eight juniors for the assessment this time. Zhong Zixun, spoiled by me as usual, has this unsteady behavior. The others certainly won't have such problems..."

"Others?"

Nangong Yuanfeng twitched his mouth: "You mean Zhong Zifeng, Zhong Ziyu, Zhong Zixuan and the like?"

Zhong Qing nodded: "They are steady..."

"They were eliminated long ago and were among the first to join the fellowship. If not for their votes, how could Zhong Zixun have become president..."

Saying this, Nangong Yuanfeng sighed: "To be honest, you Zilu lineage is really too united, and your minds are too steady. Being eliminated, others are sad, but you can organize a fellowship. I truly admire that..."

Crack!

With a crisp sound, the brush in Zhong Qing's hand snapped, his face green as grass: "A bunch of brats, I'll go kill them right now..."

Whoosh!

In an instant, Zhong Qing's figure vanished from the room.

"Uh..."

Watching the brother Zhong, who had been as steady as ice moments ago, explode and fly away, Nangong Yuanfeng scratched his head, speechless.

After all that fuss, the so-called steady mind was only when it didn't concern him. When it did, he couldn't stay steady...

Still, he had to admit, Fan Xiaoxu, Fan Xiaofeng, and Fan Xiaoxing were truly interesting characters.

In one go, they eliminated all eight from the Zilu ancient sage's assessment, neatly and completely. What a ruthless move!

And most importantly, no matter who it was, regardless of connections, if they met, they were eliminated, without any mercy. Weren't they afraid of being given a hard time when they entered the Great Confucian Hall?

After all, the Great Confucian Hall, though jointly established by the seventy-two ancient sages, with each sage's descendants distributed within, was not balanced in strength.

Not to mention others, like the lineage of Zilu ancient sage where Zhong Qing belonged, they had a lot of say and many strong members.

Eliminating at will, without care... things wouldn't go smoothly afterward. But judging by the actions of these three, they wouldn't suffer any loss. What would happen next was truly worth looking forward to!