Chapter 88: Han Daoling Feels He's Back on Top

Chapter 88: Han Daoling Feels He's Back on Top

Huntian Palace.

Tuoba Wuxiang closed his eyes, then reopened them.

"I have already contacted the Tower Spirit of the Battle Tower..." Tuoba Wuxiang spoke in a grave tone, pausing slightly as his gaze swept across the room, causing the hearts of the elders to tighten, their expressions solemn. "Chen Feng challenged the tenth rank of the Strongest Body Forging Ranking... and failed..."

It felt like a final verdict.

Many elders felt their hearts sink, their expressions darkening with disappointment.

"Sect Master, I still insist on reconsidering the decision," Elder Lin said firmly.

The elders who had previously opposed him now remained silent, no longer voicing objections.

There was no other reason—Chen Feng's performance had simply been outstanding.

With only the Twelfth Transformation of the Body Forging Realm at its limit, he had challenged the Strongest Body Forging Ranking in the Huntian Sect's history, defeating even those at the Thirteenth Transformation one after another, ultimately losing only to a true Supreme Body Forging Realm cultivator who wielded Destiny Power.

What if... Chen Feng's cultivation had also reached the Thirteenth Transformation?

Would the outcome have been reversed?

Such ability was nothing short of an Inverse Mortal Body, completely worthy of taking a gamble.

For a moment, the elders fell into silence.

The Huntian Sect's current situation was indeed dire.

Otherwise, if things were even slightly better, there would be no need for such hesitation.

"What a pity. If only that saintly herb from the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm could have been brought back, we wouldn't be in such a difficult position," one elder lamented.

They had no idea that the saintly herb had indeed been retrieved.

However, Chen Feng had given it to Wang Yuandao.

Wang Yuandao had refined and absorbed the saintly herb, repairing the damage to his Dao foundation and indirectly extending his lifespan while making another attempt to break through to the Dao Integration Realm.

Tuoba Wuxiang closed his eyes again, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the armrest of his chair.

A dilemma!

He was deeply conflicted.

Though he had previously decided to prioritize Han Daoling, the abilities Chen Feng had displayed were truly astonishing, making the choice unbearably difficult.

"Why couldn't he defeat the tenth rank of the Strongest Body Forging Ranking..."

Tuoba Wuxiang thought to himself.

If Chen Feng had defeated the tenth rank and taken its place, he wouldn't be in such a predicament.

At the very least, he could have fully sided with Chen Feng.

But Tuoba Wuxiang also understood that such a feat was nearly impossible.

For a cultivator at the Twelfth Transformation of the Body Forging Realm to defeat a true Supreme Body Forging Realm cultivator wielding Destiny Power was as difficult as reaching the heavens—even for a peerless prodigy said to possess a supreme divine trait.

After all, those capable of unlocking their body's hidden potential and wielding Destiny Power were usually endowed with extraordinary talent.

"I have decided..."

Tuoba Wuxiang finally reopened his eyes, and all the elders fixed their gazes on him, awaiting his final announcement.

"Let Chen Feng and Han Daoling make the choice themselves."

The elders were momentarily stunned, their faces filled with confusion and surprise.

"Summon Chen Feng and Han Daoling to the Huntian Palace," Tuoba Wuxiang said without further explanation.

Han Daoling, being a disciple of the Huntian Palace, received the message and arrived quickly. Chen Feng also arrived within half a quarter-hour.

"Han Daoling, Chen Feng." Tuoba Wuxiang gazed at the two of them. "One of you possesses a semi-God-Grade Divine Trait capable of evolving into a true God-Grade Divine Trait, while the other, though lacking a Divine Trait, can be considered an Inverse Mortal Body."

"In the past..."

Tuoba Wuxiang did not mince words, directly laying out the current dilemma and challenges.

"Master, the opportunity should be given to me first. Once my Primordial Spirit Dao Body evolves into a God-Grade Divine Trait, I will have absolute certainty to break through my limits, forge a Supreme Body Forging Foundation, and even awaken a Hidden Treasure to master Destiny Power." Before Tuoba Wuxiang could finish speaking, Han Daoling eagerly interjected.

Upon hearing this, the Elders couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Since the Sect Master has summoned us both, there must be a solution to this matter."

Chen Feng also desired this opportunity and wished to compete for it, but not in the same manner as Han Daoling.

Competition was necessary, but one must also see and understand clearly—compete with purpose. Blind competition would lead not only to emptiness but also to losing everything in the end.

"Correct." Tuoba Wuxiang nodded approvingly. "I called you both here to entrust this choice to you. Whoever secures this opportunity will depend entirely on your luck."

With a wave of his hand, Tuoba Wuxiang summoned a black lacquered stick tube containing nine identical iron sticks, uniform in size, width, and thickness.

"This is called the Spirit Luck Sticks, a curious artifact I obtained in my early years, originating from ancient times. Though all nine sticks appear identical in shape, color, and size, they differ in grade—ranging from the lowest Substandard Spirit Weapon to the highest Divine-Grade Spirit Weapon. Yet, once placed inside the tube, even I cannot discern their differences." Tuoba Wuxiang explained calmly, placing the Spirit Luck Sticks before Chen Feng and Han Daoling.

"Each of you will draw one stick. The outcome will be determined by the grade of the stick you draw."

"The winner will receive the sect's full support for this opportunity, while the loser must wait for the next chance."

For a moment, both Chen Feng and Han Daoling wore solemn expressions.

"Senior Brother Chen Feng, as the elder disciple, why not go first and set an example?" Han Daoling said with a smile.

Chen Feng did not decline.

After all, whether early or late, the draw was inevitable. Since there was no way to discern the sticks' secrets, it all came down to luck. He reached out without hesitation, grasping one stick and pulling it out.

The moment the stick fully left the tube, a powerful aura emanated from it.

"King-Grade Spirit Weapon!"

An Elder exclaimed softly.

Han Daoling's expression tightened, the pressure mounting instantly.

Unless he could draw an Emperor-Grade or even a Divine-Grade Spirit Weapon stick, defeat was certain. Yet, among the remaining eight sticks, six were inferior to the King-Grade.

Taking a deep breath, Han Daoling did not act immediately. Instead, he scrutinized the sticks meticulously, as if trying to uncover some hidden pattern, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

But in the end, nothing revealed itself.

Finally, Han Daoling had no choice but to select one stick. With another deep breath, he slowly pulled it out, sweat now dripping from his brow.

"Emperor-Grade Spirit Weapon!"

An Elder cried out in astonishment.

"Hahaha, Emperor-Grade! I drew the Emperor-Grade Spirit Weapon stick! My luck is truly the strongest!"

Han Daoling burst into uncontrollable laughter, brimming with excitement. He waved the Emperor-Grade Spirit Weapon stick in his hand, turning to Chen Feng with a smug expression.

"Senior Brother Chen Feng, it seems I’ve won this time. The opportunity is mine. Before long, I’ll successfully evolve my Primordial Spirit Dao Body into a God-Grade Divine Trait and break through to the Thirteenth Transformation of the Body Forging Realm. By then, you’ll have to address me as senior brother."

"Junior Brother Han, it’s too early to say that," Chen Feng replied calmly. Though an unavoidable sense of disappointment welled up inside him, he quickly suppressed and dismissed it.

So what if he didn’t secure the sect’s full support this time?

Did he absolutely need the sect’s help to make a breakthrough?

Not necessarily!

Chen Feng remained completely undeterred.

"Chen Feng, this opportunity has gone to Han Daoling, but don’t be disheartened. The sect will do its utmost to assist you," Tuoba Wuxiang said solemnly as he put away the Spirit Luck Sticks.

"Many thanks, Sect Master," Chen Feng replied with a bow.

Though he didn’t necessarily need to rely on the sect, it wouldn’t hurt to accept its aid if available.

The elders all felt deeply regretful.

But in truth, no matter who had won the draw, they would have felt the same—after all, it had been a difficult choice.

There was no denying that the Huntian Sect had indeed declined.

If this were one of the three great holy lands, they wouldn’t have faced such a dilemma—unless they had to fully support more than ten disciples at once.

"This disciple takes his leave," Chen Feng said with a bow before turning to exit the Huntian Sect.

Meanwhile, Han Daoling’s face was alight with undisguised triumph and glee.

Then—a sudden anomaly!

A resonant sword hum echoed from the boundless heavens, shaking the void and resounding across the world, its melody peerless and sublime.