When it was heard that the one who had slayed the Twofold Body of the Immortal Venerable was Wang Xiaoqiang, everyone was filled with shock and suspicion.

Upon further examining Wang Xiaoqiang's Cultivation Base, which incredibly had changed from the initial True Immortal Realm First Stage to True Immortal Realm Fifth Stage, the surprise and doubt in people's eyes intensified.

It was no wonder people felt this way, as one couldn't find any Spell Technique capable of concealing a Cultivation Base throughout the Immortal Realm,

Since there was no Dharma Sect that could conceal a Cultivation Base, it meant that Wang Xiaoqiang had not hidden his originally—he had genuinely been at the True Immortal Realm First Stage and now had reached the Fifth Stage, indicating that he must have made a breakthrough.

However, to ascend four levels in less than an hour,

That was utterly inconceivable!

For Cultivators in the True Immortal Realm, advancing even one level required three to five years; hence, advancing five levels within an hour was absolutely impossible.

But if it weren't for Wang Xiaoqiang advancing five levels, what exactly had happened?

Everyone drew in a cold breath in secret, increasingly suspicious at heart, feeling that this Wang Xiaoqiang was no ordinary individual, otherwise even if he had teamed up with the ice-beauty, it would have been impossible to kill off an entity with the Twofold Body of the Immortal Venerable.

Thinking this, their gaze at Wang Xiaoqiang shifted, no trace of disdain or scorn remained, replaced instead by respect and wariness.

Zhao Feiyan also found Wang Xiaoqiang very peculiar, with a Cultivation Base profound and unfathomable, yet she still held considerable trust in his character. At this moment, she pointed at the body of the Twofold Body of the Immortal Venerable on the ground and said, "Indeed, this person was a vicious betrayer, toying with everyone's lives. After failing to kill us and being killed by us instead, he got what he deserved. However, to kill this person, Young Master Wang contributed the most..."

As Zhao Feiyan spoke, she gestured toward Wang Xiaoqiang.

Wang Xiaoqiang's heart raced, hmm, this Zhao Feiyan is indeed sharp-witted. To deter the crowd, she began to campaign for me!

As expected by Wang Xiaoqiang, Zhao Feiyan continued eloquently, "This Young Master Wang is highly skilled, greatly powerful yet humble, always considering others. Now that he has eliminated this villain, I think we should all regard him as our leader..."

Before Zhao Feiyan could finish, someone responded, "That's a great idea. A group of dragons cannot be without a head; our team should also have a leader, especially since Yan Mountain is a dangerous place, where one can easily lose their life if not careful. If there's a team leader, we can stand united and prevent infighting and disagreements..."

"I agree."

"Count me in…"

...

Many responded in unison, but those who called for this were mostly of weaker Cultivation Bases. Being below the Seventh Stage in the True Immortal Realm,

these individuals, with their weak Cultivation Bases, knew that they had no hope of acquiring the Armor and that returning home alive was enough; having a team leader to protect them was of course advantageous.

Yet, half of the crowd did not respond,

These were the Cultivators above the Seventh Stage in the True Immortal Realm. With their skills and courage stemming from higher cultivation, these individuals, relying on their higher Cultivation Bases, would naturally not consent to be subordinate to others,

Wang Xiaoqiang, although profound and unfathomable, only visibly possessed the True Immortal Realm Fifth Stage, still ranking towards the end among the team,

How could such an insignificant person truly deserve the title of team leader?

Moreover, if one were to call him the leader now, what would happen when they found the Armor, would they really have to hand it over to the leader?

That was absurd!

Seeing that half of the people disagreed with him becoming the team leader, Wang Xiaoqiang waved his hand and said, "I'm of weak Cultivation Base and young; I really can't take on the role of team leader. Everyone should choose someone else!"

People began whispering to each other quietly.

Suddenly, a Ninth Stage True Immortal Realm powerhouse stepped forward, and with a clasped-fist salute to Wang Xiaoqiang said, "Young Master Wang, being able to slay a high-ranking figure in the Immortal Venerable Realm, must have extraordinary capabilities. You should lead us, everyone agrees. However, our purpose here isn't just a selection but also the Armor... What do you think of this proposal? Until we find the Armor, you'll be our leader, and once we have the Armor, we'll all compete based on our abilities..."

His meaning was clear—before finding the Armor, Wang Xiaoqiang would be the leader. After finding it, he would no longer be the leader, which essentially meant using him until he was no longer needed!

To expect the leader to ensure everyone's safety until the Armor was found, and then to turn against him afterward was only something a fool would agree to.

Wang Xiaoqiang was not foolish. With a sneer, he waved his hand, "This role of the team leader really isn't suitable for me. Please choose someone else who is more competent."

"Since Young Master Wang is unwilling to be the team leader, then I will take on this role. What do you all think?" The Ninth Stage True Immortal Cultivator offered himself with another clasped-fist.

The crowd fell silent.

This individual, being of the Ninth Stage in the True Immortal Realm and the highest in Cultivation Base in the team, yet people trusted Wang Xiaoqiang a bit more, hence no one responded to his proposal.

Wang Xiaoqiang raised his hand and said, "I agree."

Once Wang Xiaoqiang raised his hand, everyone else responded in agreement.

Seeing the consensus, the Ninth Stage True Immortal Cultivator walked smugly among the crowd and announced, "Well, since everyone agrees with me as the team leader, I won't let you down. I'll strive to lead well. Let's all set out together now. If we encounter a powerful Spirit Beast, we should cooperate to overcome it."

With that, the Ninth Stage True Immortal Cultivator led the way forward.

The group followed him.

However, they didn't stick too close, those with weaker Cultivation Bases quietly followed Wang Xiaoqiang, trying to engage him in conversation.

Especially the six female cultivators, seeing that even the ice-beauty Zhao Feiyan could become a friend of Wang Xiaoqiang, inferred that he must be a man of good character, and thus they also sought to befriending this profound and unfathomable young man, walking close to him.

Wang Xiaoqiang almost found himself surrounded by a group of men and women, quite the center of attention.

Several women all emanated strong fragrances, some with a thick scent of cosmetics, some having bathed in a rose bath which smelled somewhat better, but none matched Zhao Feiyan's natural body fragrance.

Zhao Feiyan's body fragrance was natural and real, making it irresistible!

Seeing that Wang Xiaoqiang was almost surrounded to death by a few women, Zhao Feiyan did not join the crowd and intentionally slowed her pace, walking behind.

Wang Xiaoqiang, noticing Zhao Feiyan lagging behind, also intentionally slowed his pace and fell back, walking alongside Zhao Feiyan.

Seeing that Wang Xiaoqiang wanted to walk with Zhao Feiyan, the six women all showed sour expressions and felt a bit helpless inside, resenting their own lesser beauty.

The male cultivators deeply regretted not having Wang Xiaoqiang's soul power; otherwise, they would be the ones walking with the icy beauty.

Zhao Feiyan, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang deliberately lagging behind to walk with her, felt a trace of sweetness, an emotion she had never experienced in her eighteen years, and said, "Why, you've fallen behind too?"

"Walking with you, I feel safe!" Wang Xiaoqiang said.

"Tsk! You've got it backwards! Didn't you see that group crowded around you?" Zhao Feiyan spat lightly, her shy demeanor exceptionally enticing.

The male cultivators ahead heard Zhao Feiyan and Wang Xiaoqiang flirting and felt like they were being scratched by cats.

"Hey, let's slow down a bit, I have something to say," Wang Xiaoqiang whispered.

Zhao Feiyan nodded and intentionally slowed her steps even more.

The two of them fell far behind the group.

Only then did Wang Xiaoqiang quietly ask, "Do you care much about the competition?"

"I don't really care about the competition; the Constellation Sect sent me to participate, and I wanted to take this opportunity to gain some experience," Zhao Feiyan admitted candidly.

"Then let me have the armor. If I win the armor, I'll give you half of the ten Spirit Marrows I earn," Wang Xiaoqiang said decisively.

Zhao Feiyan did not respond; she stopped walking, looked at Wang Xiaoqiang intently, and lowered her voice, "Are you that confident?"

"As long as you're willing to give up, I can definitely win the armor!" Wang Xiaoqiang declared.

"Why can you win the armor just if I agree? There are a bunch of strong competitors ahead; didn't you see that leader brother? He's even a level higher than me!" Zhao Feiyan exclaimed, her beautiful eyes wide with surprise.

Wang Xiaoqiang glanced at the group ahead, scoffed, and said, "Winning the armor doesn't just depend on cultivation base but also on brains and tactics... I'm not afraid of those people, what scares me is you..."

"Afraid I'll compete with you...?"

"Yes, I'm afraid I might hurt you!" Wang Xiaoqiang said earnestly.

"You're so sure of yourself? You think you can hurt me?" Zhao Feiyan said somewhat defiantly.

Wang Xiaoqiang said, "If I'm not mistaken, you have Dual Spiritual Roots, Fire Element Spiritual Root and Water Element Spiritual Root, right?"

"That's right, I indeed have Dual Spiritual Roots!"

"Then look at me, how many Spirit Roots do I have?" Wang Xiaoqiang pointed at himself.

"You... What? You actually have no Spirit Roots?!" Zhao Feiyan's pretty mouth opened wide, revealing the tender sweetness inside.

"Yes, no Spirit Roots, and I'm not even twenty-five years old yet, plus, I come from Earth..."

"What? You, you come from a Lower Plane? Earth?" Zhao Feiyan stuck out her cute tongue slightly.

Wang Xiaoqiang could smell the scent of orchids from her breath. Very fragrant, making someone crave to savor its fragrance.

Wang Xiaoqiang suppressed the urge in his heart and nodded, "Yes, so, although your cultivation base is higher, you are no match for me."

Zhao Feiyan nodded, conceding, "I believe that."

A youth without Spirit Roots, coming from a Lower Plane, yet managed to cultivate to the True Immortal Realm Fifth Stage by the age of twenty-five, was truly a prodigy. One must know without Spirit Roots, it is tough even to enter a Sect, not to mention the sparse Spiritual Energy on Earth making cultivation even more difficult.

This further proved Wang Xiaoqiang's extraordinary nature.

"Still want to compete with me?" Wang Xiaoqiang asked again.

"Compete!" Zhao Feiyan exhaled softly, uttering just one word.

"Then I give up!" Wang Xiaoqiang said decisively.

"Why??"

"Because I really fear hurting you!" Wang Xiaoqiang gazed deeply into Zhao Feiyan's eyes.

Zhao Feiyan also stared into Wang Xiaoqiang's eyes, seeing his seriousness, her heart trembled, touched.

Then she smiled gently, "I was just joking. I won't compete for the armor, I'll help you win it!"

"Feiyan, are you really willing to help me?"

Seeing Wang Xiaoqiang dropping her surname and calling her by her first name directly, Zhao Feiyan felt a sweetness in her heart, then nodded decisively, "I'll help you!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)

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