Hao Ren looked at Tian Teicong who had just issued the decree of how the five weapons would be tested. The invigilator said, "Grandmaster Ling Shihao, you finished first, so you can take the first position and select any of your rivals."

The people all looked at Hao Ren with interest. Although the level of artifact refining on the spirit siphon continent was high, but the people monopolizing their power and status. This caused a great decline as well. Almost none of the grandmasters were around Hao Ren's age. Some were even century old relics, like Tian Teicong himself.

The young man looked at the invigilator and replied, "Anyone can step forward. They are all strong and I am not sure whom I should call first. They can decide among themselves."

His response surprised the people, both the audience and the participants looked at Hao Ren with approval in their gazes. In the world of cultivation everything was simple, if you don't offend people, they don't usually come after you. Yes, that was not the general trend. After saying that, Hao Ren moved forward and stood in the center of the ground.

The four participants discussed with each other and one of them stepped forward. Just when Hao Ren was wondering who this guy was, the surrounding audience cheered, and Hao Ren caught what they said.

One man cheered, "Thats the second elder of the Iron Blood Gate, Grandmaster Solar. He is very good. I didn't expect that he would be coming here to fight."

Another person replied, "Yes, I heard that he wishes to step into the saint realm. To be honest, his skills are above that of the Iron Blood Gate master, and also the first elder."

Hao Ren raised his brows, to think that these spectators could channel such comments without worrying about the aftermath or offending some big guy. However, all he cared for was the fact that he got the information.

As Grandmaster Solar came forward and stood fifty meters away from Hao Ren. The two people greeted with each with cupped fists before the invigilator said, "Bring out your weapons."

The two men took out there weapons, and two swords levitated in the void before them. After a few moments, Hao Ren looked at the sword refined by Grandmaster Solar and remarked, "What an exquisite work."

Grandmaster Solar smiled and replied, "It still lacks when compared to your weapon. Simply a work of art."

Hao Ren smiled and the invigilator replied, "Now, when I give you the signal, please attack and make sure that your weapons collide. The collision must take place at full force that the both of you can produce."

The two people nodded and the invigilator said, "Three, two, one! Go!"

Hao Ren's sword lit up with all the runes, and the next moment, his sword shot through the void. On the other hand, Grandmaster Solar also shot through the void, but with only five runes.

Someone noticed something unique, and commented, "Why is the void around, Grandmaster Ling's sword bending and why does it feel so sharp? My eyes are stinging."

An Expert replied, "That is because the sword is engraved with three sword intent Dao Runes. This Rune is very new, but even then, it is really crazy. The void is tearing up from the impact of the sword."

As the weapons neared each other, the void trembled, before they collided. The impact didn't create any big waves in the surroundings. However, Grandmaster Solar opened his eyes wide, as he remarked, "No resistance at all. To think that the gap between us would be so wide."

The invigilator made a helpless smile and walked over to the center. Hao Ren's sword was embedded inside Grandmaster Solar's sword. It had cut into the blade and the invigilator gulped as he said, "Grandmaster Ling, you pass the first test."

Hao Ren bowed, and the people cheered while some were still in denial. The invigilator removed the two swords and returned them to the owners, before he passed a message to Grandmaster Solar, "Had he not held back, your sword would have split right from the middle. Old Solar."

Grandmaster Solar took a deep breath before he looked towards Hao Ren and bowed his head. The latter replied with a smile and a bow as well. Before the invigilator called over the other contestants. However, the result was the same. All of their weapons were destroyed with ease.

Even though, Hao Ren defeated them, these people didn't bear any grudge against him because he didn't give them a complete wipe out, or broke their weapons like they were twigs. This saved a lot of their face. Yet, Hao Ren was not on the losing end. Many rich experts were discussing if they should approach Hao Ren to purchase the sword off his hand.

In the void, Tian Teicong watched the scene unfold and he raised his brow before he said, "Well, now the time for the last round has come."

The rest of the elders nodded, and Tian Teicong replied, "Grandmaster Ling, would you like to proceed to the final round?"

Hao Ren was confused and asked, "Council Head, could you please elaborate, what it means by if I wish to proceed? Is that not normal for the finalist to go ahead?"

Tian Teicong smiled faintly as he descended from the void and asked, "If you decide to stop here, then you would be given the status of an honorary elder in the council and get to access all the scriptures that are stored in the archives."

The people were surprised, they didn't expect for such terms to be allowed before the rest of the world. However, Tian Teicong continued, "If you continued to compete then you will have to go against me, and if you lost, you won't get anything I just mentioned. Only a gilded Hammer which will have your name on it."

Hao Ren suddenly smiled and asked, "Acting Council Head, what would I get if I won the competition against you?"

The buzzing arena fell silent, in all the years that went by, none of the people have ever addressed Tian Teicong as the 'acting' Council Head. However, there he was, challenging his authority right before the entire city. Tian Teicong took a deep breath and smiled, his eyes brimmed with great rage.

He took a deep breath and replied, "If you won, I will give you my authority seal."

Hao Ren chuckled, and his smile turned into loud laughter. This was a blatant act of disrespect and he said, "Are you sure you want to take a call that big?"

Tian Teicong felt as if someone had just walked all over his pride and ego. However, he was trying to calm down so that whatever of his image was left wouldn't get tarnished. Hao Ren waved his hand and said, "Fine, please come then. Tell me, what would you like us to do? How shall we compete?"

Tian Teicong landed on the ground and said, "How about we spar using the weapons that we have refined?"

Hao Ren looked at him with interest as he played with the sword in his hand and said, "Sure, come. I won't even ask you to prove that the weapon you have is refined by you."

Tian Teicong grit his teeth before he landed on the ground and took out a halberd. As he channeled his spiritual energy through the weapon, the people found that there were fifty runes lined up from the bottom of the shaft to the tip of the spike. Hao Ren smiled and remarked, "That is a good weapon you have, Acting Council Head."

Tian Teicong smiled and replied, "Let's see, what is sharper, your sword or your tongue."

The taunting was finally getting to him, and with that said, Tian Teicong looked at the crowd and said, "The first to lose the capability to fight back, or has a damaged weapon will lose."

The people nodded subconsciously, and the invigilator went to a safe distance and said, "With the heavens as witness, swear that you both will not use any other weapon than the one you are holding at the moment."

Hao Ren was quick and he replied, "Yes, I agree. I swear on heavens."

Tian Teicong looked at the young man before him and then did the same. However, after that, the invigilator said, "Then let the battle begin."

The two people vanished from their places, and suddenly a dust cloud rose from the center of the arena. Many people cast spiritual shields to protect the onlookers. However, half of those shields were broken.

Amira appeared beside Grandmaster Flaming Hammer and Serene Storme as she remarked, "To think he would go to such lengths. This is crazy."

Flaming Hammer snorted and said, "This is the way of a man. He had been laying low and honestly working toward his wishes, and all his effort was put down by Tian Teicong because he is an insecure asshole, how can he stand and take that? I say, how about we bet how long can Tian Teicong would last?"

The trio exchanged gazes and then they really began to bet. While the rest of the crowd was shocked, as the void reverberated as the sound waves from the exchange in the dust cloud spread around.