Chapter 261

Meng Zhangqing narrowed his eyes slightly.

Not sure if it was from the sacred scripture or the effect of that "Starfall Shadow Step."

He withdrew his gaze.

Meng Zhangqing couldn't help but analyze Shi Guang's earlier words.

The Sanzong Society Martial Gathering.

Final ranking determined by the top thirty.

Not only must we take first place, but we must also have the most students in the top thirty.

Both conditions are indispensable.

This is interesting.

And based on the recent changes in the Qilong Ranking.

It was hard not to smell a conspiracy.

The other factions have truly gone to great lengths to prevent Zhitaixuan Sect's promotion.

He didn't dwell on it.

Meng Zhangqing activated the formation and resumed his cultivation.

To participate in the Martial Gathering, one must at least have attained the Creation Realm, and this time the opponents won't just be our own disciples—they'll be the top prodigies of the other two factions!

Truly a gathering of all the elite!

Though he had absolute confidence in himself, it was still better to prepare for the worst.

――

Several days later.

A piece of news spread from deep within the Zong Sect.

"The Seven Veins Martial Trial is temporarily postponed."

"The Sanzong Society Martial Gathering will be held in two months..."

"..."

This news instantly shook the entire Zong Sect!

On the Zong Sect plaza.

"No wonder we've heard nothing lately—it was postponed after all!"

"The Sanzong Society Martial Gathering? This is an even greater event than the Seven Veins Martial Trial!"

Someone murmured.

The Seven Veins Martial Trial is merely an internal, periodic affair.

But the Sanzong Society Martial Gathering is not.

It determines whether the sect can overpower all rivals and ascend to the top rank!

"The clash of the three sects' prodigies—just imagining the scene is thrilling!"

"Exactly!"

"Even when there are disputes, they're always private—this kind of open, collective gathering is rare!"

"With the top prodigies from all veins fighting, we'll easily win this gathering!"

"The sect's path to promotion is unstoppable!"

Many were highly confident.

But some poured cold water.

"Don't be too optimistic—look at the promotion conditions: besides securing first place, we must also have the most students in the top thirty."

"If Juling Sect deliberately lets Yan Yang Valley win, Yan Yang Valley could easily claim the most top-thirty spots!"

At these words, the entire plaza fell silent.

"Damn, now I get why the Qilong Ranking changes seemed so strange!"

"The mighty Nie family of Fengyun City? Only one left on the list!"

"So that's what they were waiting for!"

"These damn bastards—can't beat us, so they pull these underhanded tricks. So shameful!"

Many faces turned grim.

"Why does the sect's promotion have to be so complicated?"

"Why can't it be simple?"

"No choice—it's the rule set by the Central Plains' holy seat: both current strength and future potential must be demonstrated, neither can be missing."

"If you can't show absolute dominance in future potential, the holy seat won't allow your promotion—after all, other factions' potential isn't low; they're worth cultivating further."

"And once you're promoted, it's a devastating blow to other factions—they'll have to cede most of their territory and resources."

People continued discussing.

"Enough—this is settled. Let's talk about who the sect will send to compete!"

"Each sect sends fifty Creation Realm disciples—so for our seven veins of Zhitaixuan Sect, that's roughly seven per vein."

"It's not divided like that—it depends on strength. Some veins are weaker and can't send many."

"And the Master Peak? There's only one true disciple total."

When mentioning the Master Peak, everyone's mind turned to Shi Guang.

After all, the current Qilong Ranking's number one is that senior brother from the Master Peak.

And he also seems to be the only disciple Master Zhang has taken in all these years!