CHAPTER 240: ONLY ONE REMAINS [3]

"Talismans are forbidden in this trial!" Wu Tianjian said.

Jun Zha turned to face him with that same mild expression, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve.

"Ah, that’s where you’re mistaken, Fellow Daoist," he said in a voice that somehow managed to sound both calm and smug.

"It’s not that all talismans are forbidden. Only the ones crafted by others. Those made by your own hands are part of your personal strength. This space has rules, we just need to follow them."

He tilted his head, the faintest hint of mockery in his gaze.

"And, I simply am always prepared."

Wu Tianjian’s jaw clenched. The realization was both enlightening and infuriating.

’So that’s how he’s been staying calm... he’s using talismans he made himself.’

It wasn’t against the rules — but knowing that didn’t make it any less irritating.

And judging by the smirk tugging at Jun Zha’s lips, the man knew exactly how much it was getting under his skin.

Wu Tianjian’s aura flared again, golden radiance cracking the ground beneath his feet.

"You talk too much, simple man. Let’s see if your tricks can hold up against this."

Jun Zha simply smiled.

***

"This Jun Zha is not simple, he’s even using the newly learned evasion technique," Wuji muttered, his gaze narrowing as he watched the ongoing battle between his disciple, Wu Tianjian, and the deceptively calm Jun Zha.

Fang Wu, standing beside Wuji, observed quietly before speaking.

"Senior Wuji, that boy... he’s said to be a rising genius of the Celestial Heaven Peak. But how could someone like him possess an affinity for the Ancestor’s Path?"

Wuji’s brows furrowed slightly.

"Affinity with the Ancestor’s Path..." he repeated softly, tone unreadable.

Then, exhaling a long sigh, he said, "It seems this generation is truly full of monsters."

His eyes softened briefly as old memories surfaced.

’Alas... if this had happened a century earlier, in the Immortal Realm, my peak would have stood unrivaled.’

His heart grew heavy.

The Martial Heaven Peak had once produced a disciple so extraordinary that even now his name echoed through the sect — a cultivator who had ascended to immortality and become a Holy Son candidate of the Heaven Immortal Sect.

’Truly... fate enjoys its cruel games,’ Wuji thought, his hands clasped behind his back.

He could already tell; his disciples, though talented, stood at a disadvantage before these freaks of nature.

Still, his pride as a high elder refused to yield. His expression hardened.

’No matter how gifted these childrens are, I will never allow the Martial Heaven Peak’s legacy to fall in their hands.’

Beside him, Baotian, the Grand Elder, broke the silence.

"Ancestor, who do you think will win in the end?"

The Martial Ancestor, who had been silently observing all the battles below, turned his head slightly toward Baotian.

Instead of answering, he posed a question of his own.

"Tell me, Baotian who do you think will win?"

Baotian stroked his beard thoughtfully, eyes still on the battlefield.

"That Yu Xuan... clearly possesses some kind of immortal physique — one tied to devouring. If the others were to band together and strike him down first, his chances would drop significantly. But if they fail..."

He hesitated, watching Yu Xuan standing unbothered in the chaos below.

"Then his victory is almost certain. As for the Death Clan child, Li Shen... he’s a monster in his own right. Those two are easily the strongest among the nine. It’s a pity about the dragon girl — her loss is unfortunate. She had the strength to contend for the top."

The Martial Ancestor remained silent, his ancient gaze unreadable.

In truth, he already knew more than any of them.

’Immortal physique?’ he thought.

’No... what that boy carries is likely a celestial grade.’

His eyes lingered briefly on Yu Xuan, who stood motionless, his calmness like the eye of a storm.

’A Celestial-grade physique, how long has it been since such a being appeared?’

Even for him, it was a rarity among rarities. But if the Martial Ancestor knew that there was another possessor of the Celestial-grade physique in the sect now, he would truly freak out.

Still, he said nothing aloud. In time, everything will be known.

Not far behind them, the artifact spirit Tianling, who was the Mini Heaven Immortal Sect, smiled faintly — a knowing, almost mischievous expression crossing his face.

Neither the Martial Ancestor nor the Elders noticed it.

Below, the battlefield roared more as spiritual energies clashed and mountains trembled.

***

Wu Tianjian and Jun Zha broke apart from their furious exchange, both momentarily turning their attention towards the new arrival.

From across the shattered battlefield, Li Shen was calmly walking forward — each step deliberate, each movement filled with a quiet menace.

Behind him floated a dark-blue specter, faintly transparent yet unmistakably humanoid — Piao Ling. Her once serene aura had been replaced by the cold stillness of the grave.

A murmur of irritation escaped Wu Tianjian’s lips.

"Hmph. Controlling the dead, manipulating souls, I really hate people like you." His tone carried both disgust and disdain.

Jun Zha tilted his head, his expression unreadable as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Fellow Daoist Wu sounds quite reasonable for once," he said lightly.

"How about we form a temporary alliance, then? The enemy of my enemy, and all that."

Wu Tianjian scoffed, his sword gleaming with golden light.

"Like hell I would! You think I can’t handle you both?"

Despite his bravado, his eyes flickered warily. He wasn’t foolish — he could already tell this was going to be troublesome.

Now, not only did he have to deal with Jun Zha’s strange tricks, but also with Li Shen and his ghostly follower.

Still, Wu Tianjian straightened his back, radiating confidence.

He was, after all, the disciple of High Elder Wuji — a prodigy of one of the most ruthless peaks of the sect, the Martial Heaven Peak.

He knew this was no simple test.

To him, this wasn’t just about survival — it was about victory, honor, pride and proving his peak’s supremacy.