The downfall of Li Xun surprised everyone.
Following that, Zhang Er Gou's subsequent matches became much easier.
Few sword cultivators could rival Li Xun, and they were acutely aware of their own strength.
Furthermore, they harbored no significant animosity towards Zhang Er Gou.
Nor would they offend a fifth-grade alchemist for a fleeting, intangible victory.
Watching Zhang Er Gou's effortless matches, Li Zhan felt a deep pang of envy.
"Brother Er Gou, aren't you having it too easy? Nineteen matches in total, eighteen opponents conceded. This first place feels so hollow..."
Li Zhan grumbled incessantly, feeling displeased as he recalled how his opponents had fought him as if they wanted to beat him to death.
Why was the gap between people so vast?
Why did they meekly bow and concede to Zhang Er Gou, only to ferociously pummel him when facing him?
The final competition was based on points. Each victory awarded two points, with draws earning none.
Zhang Er Gou ultimately secured the title of champion with an outstanding perfect record. Su Dan Fiction Network.
He was also the sole individual to achieve dual championships in the selection competition.
The peak lords on the main stage displayed varying expressions, with Dan Feng and Jian Ying's reactions being the most evident.
Observing Dan Feng's grin that stretched nearly to his ears, Jian Ying's frustration intensified.
It was bad enough that Li Xun was disappointing; what made it even more mortifying was that the subsequent sword cultivators had all surrendered when facing Zhang Er Gou.
Where was the sword cultivator's spirit of never admitting defeat?
Where was their arrogant disdain for all?
Jian Ying genuinely suspected these individuals had accepted benefits from Zhang Er Gou, which led to their pathetic performance.
Especially when he saw the meaningful glances cast by other peak lords, Jian Ying felt utterly bewildered.
...
The selection for the next few projects noticeably quickened. In just ten days, first, second, and third places were decided for each.
Ultimately, Zhang Er Gou became the only young disciple to achieve dual championships.
Such an honor was unprecedented in the history of the Guardian Alliance.
On that day, under the envious gazes of thousands of disciples and the appreciative looks of the elders and peak lords, Zhang Er Gou accepted the rewards personally presented by the elder.
The reward for alchemy was a bottle of sixth-grade Spirit Replenishing Pills, nine in total. These pills were effective in restoring a cultivator's spiritual energy.
When one's spiritual energy was depleted, a single pill could instantly restore it to its peak state.
Their potent effects were immensely superior to the third-grade Soul Revival Pills.
Clutching the bottle of pills, Zhang Er Gou chuckled foolishly for a long time. Such a valuable item was precisely what he needed most.
Not only did alchemy consume a significant amount of spiritual energy, but setting up formations also required strong divine sense support.
With the nine Spirit Replenishing Pills, Zhang Er Gou now possessed additional means of survival.
The other disciples watched with envious eyes.
Following his spar with the sword cultivators, the reward received was a top-grade defensive artifact. Originally, Jian Ying had prepared a sword, also of top-grade artifact quality.
However, as the sword cultivators proved so uninspired, he was forced to change the prize.
Zhang Er Gou smilingly accepted the artifact from Jian Ying. The artifact itself was as light as silkworm silk, devoid of any weight.
It was a defensive armor, suffused with spiritual energy all over. Zhang Er Gou put it away, planning to give it to Liu Cui Lan when he returned to the Misty Sect.
Having been away for so long, Zhang Er Gou was unaware of the Misty Sect's current state and genuinely missed his master and Liu Cui Lan.
Suppressing these emotions, Zhang Er Gou continued to observe the award ceremony for others.
The awarding of prizes was merely a minor part of the selection process after the competition. What everyone was truly concerned about was whether they would be selected by the Guardian Alliance.
If they were ultimately eliminated, they would have no face to return.
"Liu Xiao Yun, outer disciple of Sword Peak."
Instantly, a cheer erupted from the crowd. Even being retained as an outer disciple here was better than returning home to be ridiculed.
Most of the young disciples harbored similar thoughts.
As familiar or unfamiliar names were called out to become outer or inner disciples, those whose names had not yet been announced grew increasingly anxious.
"Li Zhan, inner disciple of Cheng Ying Peak."
Glancing at Zhang Er Gou in disbelief, Li Zhan rubbed his cheek in his bewilderment. Finally confirming it was his name being called, he let out a long sigh of relief.
Cheng Ying Peak was a peculiar main peak within the Guardian Alliance, primarily responsible for providing various kinds of intelligence.
This aligned well with Li Zhan's specialization.
Following that, many heard their assigned peak, and each heaved a sigh of relief, finally not being cast out by the Guardian Alliance.
Being forced to return home would be a profound embarrassment.
Fortunately, the alliance had not been entirely unforgiving, allowing everyone to remain.
Qu Yao and Li Qian were naturally chosen for Dan Peak, becoming inner disciples of Dan Peak.
Li Xun was also announced as a true disciple of Sword Peak, the only disciple to be declared a true disciple thus far.
Everyone cast envious glances his way.
Li Xun cast a triumphant glance at Zhang Er Gou.
What did it matter that he had been defeated? He still hadn't been assigned a place, while Li Xun had become a true disciple of Sword Peak.
The cultivation resources available to true disciples and inner disciples were vastly different.
With just one more year of cultivation at Sword Peak, he would be able to crush Zhang Er Gou into dust.
Zhang Er Gou narrowed his eyes, observing the triumphant Li Xun, wondering where this defeated opponent's sense of superiority came from.
Was becoming a true disciple truly so impressive?
Soon, the assignments for everyone except Zhang Er Gou were announced.
Seeing that Zhang Er Gou's destination had not yet been declared, the smiles on the faces of brothers Li Xun and Li Qian grew even more pronounced.
Their smug expressions were unmistakable.
"Haha, despite achieving dual championships, no one wants him now, do they?"
"Exactly. It seems being too arrogant has its drawbacks."
The two brothers huddled together, not bothering to lower their voices, their words naturally carrying across the entire square.
Qu Yao furrowed her delicate brows and shifted her position, quickly putting distance between herself and these two adolescent youths.
Didn't these two realize that Zhang Er Gou was simply too outstanding? The elders and peak lords had yet to decide on his assignment.
The brothers Li Xun and Li Qian mistakenly believed that no one wanted Zhang Er Gou.
Upon hearing their words, Jian Ying and Dan Feng could barely restrain themselves from slapping each brother.
If not for the crowd and their positions as peak lords, they would have done so already.
They even regretted recruiting these two individuals. Did the Li family members all lack brains?
It seemed that Li Xun and Li Qian quickly noticed the furious glares from the crowd and realized that things were not developing as they had expected.
The two of them involuntarily shriveled their necks, especially upon seeing the undisguised, murderous intent in Jian Ying and Dan Feng's gazes.
"Zhang Er Gou, which peak do you wish to join?"
As everyone waited, the elder suddenly spoke slowly.