Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi
Chapter 835 - 833: Pitiful Child

"Is it really him? What does he plan to say?"

Yu Huaxian squinted his eyes, looking towards the figure emerging from the crowd.

The speaker was none other than Mao Bufan.

He had quite an impression of Mao Bufan, who before passing the first assessment, was the most high-profile participant.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mao Bufan said in a deep voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe after passing the first two assessments, everyone has seen that Xiaoshanhe Institute did not intend to make things difficult for us in the assessments. I personally think that we shouldn't regard each other as competitors in this third assessment; we should work together!"

"Work together? Mao Bufan, what do you mean by that?"

"They clearly said only the first thousand to arrive can enter Xiaoshanhe Institute. You don't mean to ask us to make sacrifices and give up our places, do you?"

Ling Sanxiao scoffed and stared at Mao Bufan, "Bufan, don't bother with them. Let's hear your thoughts!"

His face bore a gentle smile.

With Ling Sanxiao's reputation being significant, people dared not offend him too much.

Therefore...

Everyone ceased speaking and just quietly looked towards Mao Bufan.

Gratefully glancing at Ling Sanxiao, Mao Bufan continued, "I've observed that path, and it can barely accommodate two or three people walking side by side. We can absolutely walk shoulder to shoulder, and when we're near the summit, we can use the 'Stacking Arhat' method to enter the summit together!"

The crowd exchanged looks.

Although the Xiaoshanhe Institute had a 'ban on aerial movement' Array that prevented them from flying.

Yet, the 'Stacking Arhat' method was feasible!

"What do you think?"

The crowd looked at each other.

After a moment of contemplation, Ling Sanxiao spoke, "I agree!"

"I also agree…"

Suddenly.

The vast majority of the strong expressed their agreement, though, of course, some had other ideas.

The three Sheng brothers all came from the secondary Sheng Family in the Nantian Dynasty; the strongest one among them was also at the Human Venerate Realm Peak, serving as a regional governor and held some significant influence in the Nantian Dynasty.

Sheng Shuixiang casually said, "Mao Bufan, Ling Sanxiao, how could you be so naive? Look at the assessments of Nantian Holy Institute, where all the assessors compete against each other. Work together and cooperate wholeheartedly? Please drop your naive thoughts!"

"Big brother is right!"

The second brother, Sheng Huoxiang, said sarcastically, "Since ancient times, it has been the victor who becomes king; where's there room for cooperative success?"

The youngest, Sheng Jinxiang, said impatiently, "Big brother, second brother, why waste words with them? Let's just charge!"

Suddenly.

A full third of the strong followed the two and charged towards the nine pathways.

Mao Bufan sighed softly.

Ling Sanxiao patted his shoulder and smiled, "Let them go, I trust your judgment!"

Mao Bufan nodded firmly, and then walked shoulder to shoulder towards the summit with the people beneath him.

Watching their departing figures.

Yu Huaxian's lips slightly curled up, adding a mischievous smile, "This change in Mao Bufan is truly significant. Having just passed two assessments, he has already undergone such a drastic change in mentality. Dean Xiao's methods are indeed marvelous!"

With that thought.

Yu Huaxian leaped towards the summit.

...

Atop the summit.

Xiaoshanhe Institute was situated right there.

At that moment…

Excluding Xiao Yi, Yang Ling, the Shadow Demon, and others, there was also the leader of the new delegation from the Nantian Dynasty, Nantian Ao. This man had taken over the command of the imperial guards from Nantian Bao; his cultivation was genuinely at the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm. According to the information Xiao Yi had, Nantian Ao had served as the supreme commander of the imperial guards a hundred years ago.

Since stepping into the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm, he had always stayed behind the scenes.

It was only now, following the successive deaths in battle of Nantian Lie and Nantian Bao,

that he had no choice but to come out of retirement.

And take control of the imperial guards once again!

At the same time…

Nantian Ao's identity was also that of Nantian Bao's grandfather. With him serving as the leader of the Nantian Dynasty's delegation, the dynasty's intentions were as clear as Sima Zhao's heart, known to all.

However,

at least for now, Nantian Ao hadn't made any moves.

He continuously smiled as he looked forward, making it difficult for others to gauge his thoughts.

Seemingly noticing Xiao Yi's intense gaze, Nantian Ao looked toward him. His eyes, dark and deep as the night sky, curved slightly upwards, forming a faint smile. He nodded in acknowledgment. Xiao Yi was momentarily stunned, then also nodded and shifted his gaze toward another side where a strong practitioner from the Nantian Holy Institute was.

This expert sent by the Nantian Holy Institute was also a top-tier fighter at the Peak of the Earth Revered Realm, Qiu Yiyun.

Ever since Xiao Yi had executed Gao Dian, shattered Po Jun Elder's avatar, and publicly declared war on the Changsheng Sect,

Qiu Yiyun had submitted a formal visitation card to him, marking their second meeting.

Noticing Xiao Yi's focused gaze, Qiu Yiyun slightly nodded, then smilingly said, "Xiao, your first test examines the heart towards martial arts, and the second tests the will. What mysteries does the third hold?"

Everyone also looked toward Xiao Yi.

The three tests were all devised by Xiao Yi, but few could truly see the profound insights contained in them.

Xiao Yi smiled slightly and said, "Elder Qiu, haven't you already figured it out?"

"Some clues, but…"

Qiu Yiyun smiled, leaning back slightly, his eyes narrowing into slits, "Not quite sure if my guess matches the arrangement of Xiao!"

Xiao Yi looked toward the silent Nantian Ao, saying, "Nantian Commander, surely you have figured it out, right?"

"Humph!"

Nantian Ao let out a soft, cold snort, with sharp glints flickering in his eyes, "If I'm not mistaken, this third test must be examining whether these individuals understand the importance of unity, right?"

Unity?

Everyone was taken aback.

Qiu Yiyun slightly nodded, his expression reflecting a sense of heroic agreement.

However, many found this difficult to comprehend: "The Xiaoshanhe Institute is only recruiting disciples, testing an individual's intelligence and will can be understood, but what's the point of testing for unity?"

"If one's talents are strong enough, doesn't that make them the best choice as disciples?"

"Whether it's the Nantian Holy Institute or the Holy Land, don't they test disciples the same way? Talent, cultivation level, combat power… What's the use of testing unity? This isn't the army…"

Nantian Ao, with a face full of derision, swept his gaze over the speaking crowd, scoffing coldly, continuing, "A bunch of fools, for a sect, what truly matters is not talent or cultivation level, but whether the members of the sect are united from top to bottom. As for combat power… with Xiao presiding over, it's completely sufficient…"

"What Nantian Commander said is right!" Qiu Yiyun smiled and nodded.

Everyone was startled, then slowly pondered the words of Nantian Ao, each revealing a moment of realization.

As Nantian Ao had said…

For a sect, as long as the high-end combat power is strong enough, it can indeed deter all sides.

The disciples under it would then have ample time to grow!

But what really allows a sect to endure isn't the deterrence of high-end combat power, but whether the sect is united!

With this thought.

Everyone finally understood why Xiao Yi set up the three tests. At that moment, everyone looked sympathetically and pitifully at Sheng Shuixiang and others, who because they were proudly taking the lead in the corridor, "Poor kids…"

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