Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

Qin Zi stood tall atop the battle platform, accepting challenges from various Chosen Ones. The series of challenges lasted an entire month.

Finally.

After "draining a sea of water," Qin Zi had given out all of the more than one hundred tokens from the Qingye Heavenly Sect.

But after this battle, Qin Zi's reputation took a significant hit.

Though few dared to challenge him recklessly, the awe and respect people once held for him had quietly diminished.

Originally, he was ranked first.

Now, he had fallen to a rank among the hundreds!

It's like knowing the highest peak in the world is Mount Everest, but do you know what the second highest peak is?

Yes.

It's K2!

Okay, perhaps this isn't the best analogy, but the difference between being first and second is vast. Being ranked 100th is a whole different story.

Despite this, Qin Zi wasn't disappointed. In fact, he and his father were even a bit excited.

Over the years, Qin Zi had grown indifferent to fame. What he craved more was the improvement of his own strength.

Playing the fool to catch the tiger allowed geniuses to challenge him without hesitation, turning them into his stepping stones.

Meanwhile.

Outside the Qingye Heavenly Sect's floating island in the Beast Tribe's territory.

A large group of extraordinary young talents gathered, their expressions grim and agitated.

"What's going on?"

"Didn't they say that getting a token would allow us to enter the Qingye Heavenly Sect? Why can't we get in?"

"Could it be a lack of 'lubrication'? Or... is the token useless after all? But that elder's voice was profound and dignified, he didn't seem like the lying type."

"Maybe there's a hidden secret to the token!"

These self-proclaimed Chosen Ones maintained a cautious distance from one another, each studying their blue-gold token in silence, wary of the others.

As time passed, more and more people holding tokens arrived outside the floating island.

A massive circular light screen encased the entire floating island, blocking their way in.

The light screen was transparent and thin.

It looked like a fragile membrane that could be easily pierced, yet it stubbornly barred their entry.

Their frustration grew.

Some even scratched their heads in irritation.

It was like a frustrated man returning home after two months, finally ready to reunite with his wife, only to find that his belt was tied in a dead knot he couldn't untangle!

Of course, this barrier wasn't created out of thin air.

Who set it up?

Naturally, it was the kind-hearted Qin Chuan!

And the purpose? To ensure that all 100-plus Chosen Ones would enter the Qingye Heavenly Sect together. This was sure to be a "grand gift" to Qingye Daojun—a gift he couldn't refuse or discard!

Swish!

Finally, the last Chosen One arrived from the horizon.

It was a red-haired youth from the Beast Tribe, likely a rare and fierce beast in his true form, exuding a fierce and rebellious aura.

"Why haven't you all gone in yet?"

Seeing everyone still hovering in the air, he frowned and asked.

"Are you blind?"

A white-robed youth sneered at him, a trace of mockery flickering on his face.

He was already irritated, and the red-haired youth's question—one that insulted their intelligence—only made it worse.

The red-haired youth's eyes flashed with sharp intent, as though ready to strike. But seeing how many people around him were watching closely, he swallowed his rage, unwilling to let someone else take advantage of the situation.

"Hmph, held back by a mere barrier? Weaklings."

He sneered coldly.

"This barrier is likely a test from the Qingye Heavenly Sect. Anyone who can't break through it isn't worthy of entering."

"What did you just say?!"

His words immediately darkened the white-robed youth's face, and several nearby youths also wore displeased expressions.

"Heh, facts speak louder than words. If you don't believe me, watch closely as I break through."

The red-haired youth smirked arrogantly. Before the white-robed youth could retort, he flew toward the light screen.

"Star-Crushing Barbarian God Strike!!!"

He shouted, his body transforming into a crimson streak of light, charging toward the barrier like a meteor crashing into a planet.

"Hmph, arrogant fool…"

The white-robed youth crossed his arms and smirked, fully expecting to witness a failure.

But the next moment, his smile froze, as something shocking occurred.

Boom!

A massive explosion erupted, flames blazing high, and the once impenetrable light screen shattered like glass!

Crack!

The fragments rained down, shattering upon hitting the ground before disintegrating into countless specks of light and disappearing.

"Hmph, weaklings."

The red-haired youth shot a disdainful glance at the white-robed youth, then turned and flew toward the floating island.

"This… this…"

The white-robed youth's jaw dropped, his gaze frozen in disbelief.

The barrier that he had struggled to breach had been shattered by this guy?

Did that mean… this guy was stronger than him??

He couldn't accept that!

In his heart, he was the protagonist of this era, and everyone else was just a stepping stone.

They say, "Heaven and earth are yet undecided; you and I are but beasts of burden."

Naturally, many of the others present harbored similar thoughts, as they all saw themselves as the Chosen Ones.

They were filled with pride, believing they were no weaker than anyone else, convinced that they alone would be the ones laughing in the end.

"Heh, he just got lucky."

Suddenly, a Chosen One laughed, gazing up at the sky with a lofty expression, as if enlightened.

"That barrier had already been weakened by our repeated attacks. He just happened to land the final blow."

Woosh!

His words stirred the crowd.

That one remark freed everyone from their self-doubt and frustration.

Others quickly chimed in.

"Exactly. He was just lucky, catching the right moment."

"Hmph, and he's actually proud of himself, thinking he's better than us. What a joke."

"He's just a frog in a well."

"Enough. Let's go in, too. We can't let him reap the rewards alone."

The Chosen Ones soared up to the floating island, using their tokens to pass through the protective barrier around the island itself.

They swarmed across the ruins of the Qingye Heavenly Sect like locusts, one after another.

Finally, they reached the radiant plaza filled with statues.

Buzz! Buzz!

At that moment, the blue-gold tokens in their hands began to glow, emitting a force that pulled them toward the plaza.

"This…"

"Let's go for it!"

After exchanging brief glances, the Chosen Ones, filled with determination, rushed into the plaza.

They had faith in their luck!

After all, their fortunes had been built on ruins and ancient legacies, always managing to avoid danger and find opportunity.

This time, they believed it would be no different!