Si Shi's face was gloomy and dark.
He'd only gone on stage because he couldn't stand Jun Wen's arrogance.
After Jun Wen's words, it now seemed as though he bullied the weak and feared the strong.
"I'm in late fifth layer of Condensed Origin Stage. Which human prodigy in the sixth or seventh layer of Foundation Establishment Stage will spar with me?"
His words were extremely arrogant, clearly intending to challenge across ranks.
Lu Xiuhan leapt onto the arena.
He was in mid sixth layer of Foundation Establishment Stage and felt confident he could defeat Si Shi.
Among Baili Muchen's disciples, although he ranked second, his cultivation was inferior to his third and fourth junior brothers.
Thus, he'd always wanted to prove himself.
Especially since he'd been tricked several times by Feng Xi before, causing Baili Muchen's impression of him to plummet. He urgently needed a victory to regain Baili Muchen's favor.
Only after starting to fight Si Shi did he deeply regret it.
Although Si Shi was in late fifth layer of Condensed Origin Stage, he possessed Innate Demon Pupils.
During battle, his originally black eyes turned purple, looking intimidating and capable of launching divine sense attacks.
Lu Xiuhan's divine sense was attacked, and his moves became scattered. In less than half a quarter of an hour, he had completely fallen into a disadvantage.
Fearing serious injury again, he directly admitted defeat.
Si Jichuan, Elder of the Dun Demon Clan, smiled, "Sect Master Baili, this disciple of yours certainly knows how to read the situation."
Baili Muchen nearly died of anger!
But in front of so many people, he couldn't say anything. He could only ask who wanted to go up and fight Si Shi.
For a moment, no one responded.
It wasn't that they feared Si Shi. The main reason was that many of the direct disciples present had been seriously injured on the Extreme Cold Ice Plains and hadn't recovered yet.
Those uninjured were only at around the third or fourth layer of Foundation Establishment Stage and would lose if they went up.
Mu Zihuai and the others had absolute confidence in victory, but they were all in Golden Core Stage and couldn't step forward.
The scene became somewhat awkward.
At that moment, a white figure approached gracefully.
Baili Muchen's eyes instantly lit up, "Zhilan, you have come out of seclusion?"
After returning from the Extreme Cold Ice Plains, Shen Zhilan had entered seclusion shortly thereafter.
Her cultivation was now in late fifth layer of Foundation Establishment Stage.
After saluting, Shen Zhilan said, "Master, this disciple is willing to fight this demon prodigy!"
Baili Muchen was a bit worried, but seeing her eyes full of confidence, he agreed.
Shen Zhilan leapt onto the arena.
Her expression was icy and indifferent.
Si Shi sized her up, "You are Shen Zhilan?"
Shen Zhilan nodded indifferently, "Words are useless on the arena. Make your move!"
A trace of scrutiny flashed through Si Shi's eyes as he nodded, "Good!"
The two immediately began fighting.
Shen Zhilan, in white robes like an immortal, wielded the Feihong Sword flashing with seven-colored radiance, weaving up and down.
Si Shi was no less formidable. The fierce tiger formed of demonic qi was extremely ferocious, and his demon pupils repeatedly attacked Shen Zhilan's divine sense.
For a time, the fight was evenly matched with neither side gaining the upper hand.
Si Shi grew impatient after fighting for so long. Gritting his teeth, he used his ultimate move, "Tiger Grows Wings".
The tiger formed of demonic qi instantly sprouted wings and descended from the sky toward Shen Zhilan.
Shen Zhilan didn't dodge. In that instant, the Feihong Sword emitted sword radiance and slashed at the tiger!
The tiger was cut into two halves and turned into nothingness.
The sword radiance didn't dissipate and shot straight toward Si Shi.
Just as Si Shi could not evade, Shen Zhilan withdrew the sword radiance.
Si Shi looked at her deeply and stepped off the arena.
Shen Zhilan looked toward the demon's side, "Who will come up to fight?"
There was no movement from the demons.
Those in Demon Core Stage were embarrassed to step up, and those in Condensed Origin Stage were wary of Shen Zhilan's sword radiance.
On the arena, Shen Zhilan's face remained indifferent, but inside she was overjoyed.
The Feihong Sword was indeed extraordinary!
With the sword radiance added, she was invincible at the same rank and could even challenge across ranks!
Her efforts hadn't been in vain!
Many people gave Shen Zhilan a thumbs up, she had actually cultivated sword radiance in Foundation Establishment Stage!
As expected of a genius with a supreme-grade water spiritual root!
If Baili Muchen didn't still retain a shred of restraint, he would've smiled like an old walnut!
Zhilan really lives up to expectations!
See? Aptitude was what matters most!
That Feng Xi might be clever, but what use was that?!
Now she's even missing, perhaps transmitted to some rat hole somewhere!
Seeing that the demons had no one stepping forward, Li Nanshi's eyes flickered, "Sect Master Baili, everyone, this kind of sparring isn't very interesting. How about we change the format?
Here, I have an ancient secret treasure usable by both humans and demons."
As he spoke, Li Nanshi took out a small black flag that appeared ordinary.
Elder Gu of Hunyuan Sect cried out, "This… this is the Heaven-and-Earth Banner?"
Li Nanshi smiled, "Elder Gu is indeed knowledgeable. Yes, this is the legendary Heaven-and-Earth Banner.
It contains many trials, those below Nascent Soul Stage and Demon Nascent Stage may enter.
Each time a trial is passed, there are many rewards, heavenly materials, earthly treasures, spiritual artifacts, demonic artifacts, everything.
Moreover, it is said that the Heaven-and Earth Banner contains Heavenly Dao qi mechanism. If someone can discern the heavenly secrets, the benefits are immeasurable.
How about we let the prodigies of both races enter to train? What do you think?"
Baili Muchen and the other three exchanged glances.
When did good fortune ever fall from the sky?!
If it was truly so beneficial, would they allow the humans to share it?
Li Nanshi saw through their thoughts and said, "To be frank, the Heaven-and-Earth Banner must be opened with the cooperation between humans and demons, and requires three Soul Transformation Stage cultivators from each side.
We cannot gather three human Soul Transformation Stage cultivators, so we wish to take this opportunity to let the young prodigies of both races train inside.
Of course, the final decision rests with you. If you think it is inappropriate, then we will forget it."
Baili Muchen and the other three were troubled.
Go in, but they're afraid there's something fishy.
Not go in, but they're afraid of missing an opportunity.
To enter or not?
At this moment, Shen Zhilan said, "Master, this is a rare opportunity to gain experience. This disciple wishes to enter and try!"
Hearing her words, many others also expressed a desire to try.
Cultivation was never a smooth path. If one hesitated and looked forward and backward, one was destined not to go far.
Seeing this, Baili Muchen and the others steeled their hearts. Very well. After all, this was human territory, surely Li Nanshi wouldn't dare to play tricks!
A trace of concealed joy flashed through Shen Zhilan's eyes. She was determined to obtain the Heavenly Dao qi mechanism inside the Heaven-and-Earth Banner!
Seeing that the humans agreed, Li Nanshi said, "Since it's our Demon Clan's secret treasure, the number of you entering cannot exceed ours. Any objections?"
Baili Muchen and the others thought the request was reasonable and agreed.
The demons prepared twelve people to enter. On the humans' side, each sect had three slots.
Xuantian Sect only had Jiang Ji and Jun Wen, so they gave the extra slot to Beast-Taming Sect.
Xing Wu very much wanted to enter, but his injuries hadn't healed yet. Hu Wankui didn't consider giving him a slot at all.
Xing Wu thought, if Little Junior Sister were here, she would've definitely found a way to bring me in.
Sigh!
The fifty-eighth hour of missing Little Junior Sister!