Chapter 2393: Grabbing a Spot

Tianshui Pavilion wasn't too far from the Great Xing Imperial City; a few hours later, the three of them arrived at the city gate.

The place was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and thousands of people were gathered there, seemingly to welcome someone.

Leading the crowd were two white-haired elders: Zhao Fangshuo of Shenjian Villa and Lei Wanjun of Lei Yun Sect.

Both were Grand Elders, holding the highest positions, even their Sect Masters stood behind them, followed by the Sect's Disciples.

The others were onlookers, unsure who these two great Eight Star Sects were waiting for.

These people were naturally waiting for Ye Bufan. With the Genius Demon Battle about to begin, they guessed Ye Bufan should return within the next few days and had been waiting at the city gate for three full days.

When Xiao Wanyi and the other two arrived and understood the situation, they also joined the group, waiting there together.

However, they felt a bit disapproving, thinking it was a bit of an overreaction for these people to wait for a Young man here.

But since even Zhao Fangshuo and Lei Wanjun were waiting, she naturally couldn't say anything.

She wasn't the only one with this thought; many of the onlookers were unaware of the situation, surprised that the three great Eight Star Sects would be so respectful towards one person.

Not only outsiders, but even some Disciples of Lei Yun Sect and Shenjian Villa didn't know what was going on. As the waiting time grew longer, some impatience began to brew.

"What's going on? Who exactly are we waiting for?"

"I heard we're waiting for a Young man named Ye. I really don't know what virtue or ability he possesses to make so many of us wait for him here…"

"Exactly. I really don't know where he gets such a big Face…"

Although these people spoke cautiously and softly, Zhao Fangshuo and Lei Wanjun were not ordinary people and naturally heard them clearly.

Lei Wanjun turned his head, his gaze sweeping across the entire scene: "All of you, shut up! If anyone utters another word of nonsense, this old man will directly expel him from the Sect!"

Seeing the Grand Elder's anger, everyone immediately shut their mouths, fearing they might inadvertently invite trouble.

However, those who were unaware became even more curious about what virtue or ability that Young man possessed to command such reverence from two Grand Elders.

After a while longer, several figures suddenly appeared in mid-air, rushing from the direction of the teleportation array towards them.

Qin Biyao said, "Is that Medical Immortal Ye returning?"

Everyone else had the same thought, believing that Ye Bufan must have returned.

The figures in the distance moved extremely fast, appearing before everyone in a few breaths, descending from mid-air, completely different from what was expected.

There were about a dozen people in total. Leading them were two white-haired elders. The one in the very middle exuded a powerful Aura, having clearly Broken Through the Refining Void Realm and reached the Great Ascension Initial Stage.

The elder standing next to him, though slightly weaker, also possessed the cultivation of Dongxu Peak.

Beside the two elders was a Young man in his twenties, wearing a white robe and holding a folded paper fan, with an arrogant expression on his Face.

The remaining seven or eight Young Men had cultivation levels no lower than the Body Integration Stage.

The leading white-haired elder glanced at the crowd present, a playful smile appearing on his Face: "Zhao Fangshuo, Lei Wanjun, are you two old ghosts here to welcome me?"

Upon seeing his appearance, Lei Wanjun's expression changed: "Hua Tianpu, why aren't you staying put in Tianwu State and instead came to my Tianluo State?"

It turned out that this group came from Huayun Sect in Tianwu State. The leading elder was Hua Tianpu, the Sect Master of Huayun Sect, and the other elder was Grand Elder Hua Tianxiong. The rest were elite Disciples of Huayun Sect.

Zhao Fangshuo and Lei Wanjun had fought with Hua Tianpu when they participated in the Genius Demon Battle years ago. However, after so many years, the other party had become a Sect Master and had suddenly arrived in Tianluo State for some unknown reason.

The most crucial point was that the other party's cultivation had improved much faster than theirs, having already stepped into the Great Ascension Stage. Although it was only the Initial Stage, it was a world apart from Dongxu Peak.

Hua Tianpu laughed heartily: "I came here to inform you of something, and that is: we'll be taking all the slots for Tianluo State in this Genius Demon Battle."

Zhao Fangshuo's expression darkened: "What do you mean by that?"

Hua Tianpu said smugly: "What, is what I said not clear enough? It means none of you need to go; our Huayun Sect will participate in the competition."

Hua Tianxiong, standing beside him, added: "That's right, your Tianluo State's strength is too weak. You're all a bunch of ants; going would only bring shame and truly waste the opportunity.

Since that's the case, why not give up your slots and let our Huayun Sect take over?"

It turned out that Huayun Sect's strength in Tianwu State was not even close to being top-ranked. With only Hua Tianpu, a Great Ascension Initial Stage Cultivator, they could at most be considered the lowest tier of a Nine Star Sect.

Under such circumstances, participating in the Genius Demon Battle was almost impossible; among the many powerful Sects, it simply wouldn't be their turn.

This year, Hua Tianpu suddenly came up with an idea: to seize the slots of Tianluo State for himself, so his Disciples would have the opportunity to participate in the Talent Demon Competition.

Thus, this fellow brought people here, his purpose being to snatch the slots.

After he finished speaking, everyone present's expressions changed. Regardless of whether they were qualified to participate in the Genius Demon Battle, this was an insult to all Cultivators of Tianluo State.

"Bah, you're dreaming!"

Lei Wanjun was furious, "Hua Tianpu, stop dreaming! These slots belong to our Tianluo State and have nothing to do with you. Get lost!"

"You have little ability, but quite a temper. Do you think you're qualified to speak to me like that?"

Hua Tianpu's Face darkened as he spoke, and a powerful Aura suddenly erupted, the pressure of a Great Ascension Stage powerhouse sweeping across the entire scene.

"Uh…"

Before this, the strongest power in Tianluo State belonged to the Eight Star Sects, and the highest cultivation was Dongxu Peak. Most people had never seen a Great Ascension Stage powerhouse in their lives.

Now, under the immense pressure, their Faces turned pale, and they retreated continuously. Although numerous, they were in disarray.

Although Zhao Fangshuo and Lei Wanjun resisted desperately, they still couldn't withstand the pressure of a Great Ascension Stage powerhouse. They retreated more than ten steps before barely managing to regain their footing.

Fortunately, Hua Tianpu's display of Aura was only for intimidation; his Aura quickly receded, and he soon returned to normal.

Lei Wanjun angrily said: "Old immortal, what do you want to do? Are you going to forcefully seize them?"

"Whether we seize them or not is irrelevant; we are merely stating a fact."

Hua Tianpu said cheerfully, "Your Tianluo State's strength is indeed too weak, not to mention the younger generation. Every time they go, they can't win a single match and end up returning in utter defeat.

Under such circumstances, there's no need to waste the slots. Just give them to us; it saves everyone from hurting their feelings."

"You…"

Lei Wanjun and the other's eyes blazed with anger, their old Faces turning a pig-liver color, but they had nothing to say.

What the other person said was also a fact; after all, Tianluo State always had the worst results in every competition.

"Sect Master Hua, what you're saying is incorrect. Weakness was in the past; this time, our Tianluo State is definitely not weak."

These words were spoken with powerful conviction, as Qin Biyao stepped forward.

"Nicely said, but do you truly possess that strength?"

Hua Tianpu scoffed: "If your younger generation can produce even one person who has stepped into the threshold of the Void Tempering Stage, I, this old man, will leave immediately without another word. But do you have one?"