Chapter 121: Long Tang Returns!

"Huh? Someone is challenging the Nine Heavens Path? And they succeeded?"

Seeing the reappearance of the Azure Rainbow Path, Ye Yuan was taken aback.

Feng Ruoqing also showed a look of shock; she hadn't expected that Long Tang would actually pass the Nine Heavens Path!

"It's Long Tang! I didn't think he would really succeed!"

Ye Yuan curled his lips and said, "Wasn't the Nine Heavens Path supposed to be a death trap? Looks like it's not that impressive after all!"

Ye Yuan himself hadn't found it too difficult, but since someone else had also succeeded, the rumors about the Nine Heavens Path must be somewhat exaggerated.

Feng Ruoqing shook her head and said, "You're wrong. The Nine Heavens Path is extremely difficult; even at my current cultivation level, it would be hard to come out unscathed. That Long Tang could pass it only shows his immense potential!"

Ye Yuan thought of the terrifying final sword strike and then agreed with Feng Ruoqing.

He could withstand that strike, but that didn't mean others could. If the formation were fully activated, even Feng Ruoqing would have no chance of survival.

"Alright, the Boundless Trial is about to start. Let's head over."

...

The Earth and Heaven rank students had already begun to gather in the central square. The square was packed with a dark mass of people, probably several thousand.

Mystic and Yellow rank students, being too weak, did not need to participate in the Boundless Trial.

If they went, they would only serve as cannon fodder.

The purpose of the Boundless Trial was to train the students, not to send them to their deaths.

The students had clearly seen the reappearance of the Azure Rainbow Path and were all stunned speechless.

The legendary Nine Heavens Path had been conquered twice in succession. Amidst the shock, many who considered themselves geniuses felt their minds stir.

Zuo Bugui stared at the tiny figure on the Nine Heavens Path, utterly astonished.

"He actually made it through! Could it be that he and I are truly no longer in the same world?" Zuo Bugui murmured to himself.

Zuo Bugui took a deep breath and couldn't help searching for Ye Yuan among the crowd.

It was that person who had changed Long Tang, causing his transformation.

What kind of magic did Ye Yuan possess? Why couldn't he sense it?

As he searched, he actually spotted Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan was walking this way, chatting and laughing with Feng Ruoqing, drawing envious glances from others.

Zuo Bugui didn't care about that, but no matter how he tried, he couldn't sense any so-called "magic" from Ye Yuan.

"Senior Brother Long is truly gifted! He actually passed the Nine Heavens Path! He is the undisputed number one of the academy!" This was a die-hard fan of Long Tang.

"Are you out of your mind? Senior Brother Long took four days to challenge the Nine Heavens Path, while Ye Yuan did it in just over half a day. There's no comparison! And Ye Yuan passed it at the Yuan Qi realm, showing limitless potential!"

"So what? In terms of strength, Ye Yuan is far inferior. Senior Brother Long could defeat him with one hand! And since both passed the Nine Heavens Path, they both have the status of core disciples of the upper sect."

"I won't argue with you, a blind fan. Senior Brother Long's lead is only temporary; Ye Yuan will surpass him before long."

As the new and old number ones, both Ye Yuan and Long Tang had passed the Nine Heavens Path, each gaining a large number of loyal fans.

On the high platform of the square, Zhang Songtao was overjoyed to see that Long Tang had passed the Nine Heavens Path.

"Haha... What a delight! Our Qin State Danwu Academy has produced two geniuses who passed the Nine Heavens Path in succession. How gratifying! From now on, when I see those bastards, let's see if they dare show off in front of me!"

Hu Changsheng stroked his beard and smiled, "Truly unexpected! Heaven blesses our Qin State Danwu Academy, giving us two peerless geniuses in a row!"

Su Yubai had long spotted Ye Yuan and sneered coldly at him.

So what if he passed the Nine Heavens Path? What's there to be cocky about! How dare he use the identity of a core disciple of the upper sect to pressure me!

Now that Long Tang had also passed the Nine Heavens Path, let's see how arrogant he could be!

Su Yubai had made up his mind to win over Long Tang at all costs!

Such a person would surely become a powerful expert in the future. With him protecting the Su family, the Su family would be stable for centuries!

As for Ye Yuan, after this Boundless Trial, he would surely become a comet that fades away, a thing of the past.

...

Long Tang arrived.

His clothes were reduced to tatters, and his aura was somewhat disordered, looking rather disheveled—a stark contrast to Ye Yuan's composure when he passed the Nine Heavens Path.

From his state, it was clear that the Nine Heavens Path was no joke; Long Tang must have endured terrifying attacks on it.

However, although Long Tang's aura was chaotic, his entire demeanor was sharp and aggressive, very different from his usual self.

In this respect, he was quite similar to Ye Yuan.

"Haha, what a Long Tang! Truly remarkable! As expected of the number one on the Martial Ranking! In my opinion, your potential surpasses even Mo Yuntian and Ye Yuan!" Su Yubai laughed heartily as he approached.

Su Yubai's words provoked disgust in many, who saw through his intention to curry favor, but no one dared to say anything.

Whether Long Tang passed the Nine Heavens Path or not made a huge difference.

Having passed it, Long Tang's future achievements would multiply exponentially.

If he hadn't, he would at most be a strongman in the Qin State, not worth Su Yubai's efforts to win over.

Long Tang showed little reaction to Su Yubai's overture, merely bowing slightly and saying, "Thank you for the praise, Elder Su. I dare not accept it!"

"You deserve it! You deserve it! Why wouldn't you? You have always been the absolute number one in the academy, and now you've passed the Nine Heavens Path. Who dares say you don't deserve it?" Su Yubai laughed.

Anyone else would at least make a perfunctory response to the head of the Punishment Hall's recruitment, but Long Tang shook his head and said, "Senior Brother Mo is a predecessor who has already left the Danwu Academy, so I won't compare myself to him. As for Ye Yuan... I am far inferior! If I hadn't passed the Nine Heavens Path, I might have been able to deceive myself, but now that I've experienced it firsthand, I realize how talented Ye Yuan truly is! I dare not claim the title of number one!"

As Long Tang spoke, Su Yubai's face grew darker.

Long Tang's words were undoubtedly slapping Su Yubai in the face in front of thousands of people!

How could the dignified head of the Punishment Hall bear such humiliation?

Ignoring Su Yubai's expression, Long Tang walked past him to Zhang Songtao, who was the highest authority presiding over this Boundless Trial.

"Dean Zhang, I have come for two matters. The first is to request not to participate in this trial. Having just passed the Nine Heavens Path, I have gained some insights and wish to go into seclusion for a while. I hope Dean Zhang will grant my request."

Given Long Tang's current state, he was clearly unfit for the Boundless Trial. Zhang Songtao was not so unreasonable and nodded, "Alright, go into seclusion and comprehend your insights. You are excused from the Boundless Trial. What is the second matter?"

"The second is to express my gratitude to someone! Without him, I would not have passed the Nine Heavens Path!"

"Oh? Is that so? Who has such great ability to help you pass the Nine Heavens Path?" Zhang Songtao asked in surprise.

Long Tang's words piqued everyone's curiosity, but no one knew the answer—except Zuo Bugui!