In the lounge, the moment Ruan Lingzhi's voice fell, the air froze for an instant.

Footsteps sounded abruptly, exceptionally clear in the silent hall.

Everyone turned their heads in unison, following the sound.

A glimmer flashed in Gao Lingyu's eyes, yet she suppressed the turbulence in her heart, sitting upright and unmoved.

At the entrance of the lounge, Qin An, wearing the long robe of the Profound Celestial Array Gate, with a Cold Star at his waist, stepped inside.

As soon as he entered, Qin An's gaze fell on Ruan Lingzhi's face, a faint smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

"How dare a toad covet a swan? Such filthy scum as you, do you even deserve to dream of someone like Mr. Gao?"

Before he finished speaking, the hall was already filled with bursts of soft laughter.

Disciples from both the Profound Celestial Array Gate and the Celestial Solitary Array Gate couldn't help but be amused.

Especially those from the Celestial Solitary Array Gate, who had long been displeased with Ruan Lingzhi.

After all, a person of such debauchery intending to take charge of the Celestial Solitary Array Gate in the future was nothing short of absurd.

Ruan Lingzhi was slightly stunned, crushing the teacup, his face twisted with rage: "Where did this stray dog come from? Is this how the Profound Celestial Array Gate treats guests?"

Qin An flicked his sleeve and sat down, his tone indifferent: "If you were a distinguished guest, orderly hospitality would follow. As for a barking beast like you, not having your legs broken and thrown out is already giving face."

The laughter erupted once more.

Ruan Lingzhi's face flushed with anger, about to rise, but Tao Hanping held him down.

Tao Hanping frowned and asked, "Who are you?"

Qin An did not answer, seemingly disregarding this group of people.

Gao Lingyu, composed, said, "He is a disciple of my Profound Celestial Array Gate and will be competing this time. Mr. Tao, do you have any objections?"

Tao Hanping's gaze fell on the sword at Qin An's waist, especially noting Qin An's Straight Blade, feeling the palpable killing intent, his brows furrowing tightly: "Is he truly a disciple of the Profound Celestial Array Gate? Why is he carrying a Straight Blade, and why is his aura so fierce?"

Gao Lingyu calmly said, "He is kind of a half-disciple of mine at the Profound Celestial Array Gate. I have taught him the way of arrays, so he is representing the Profound Celestial Array Gate in battle. Does Mr. Tao have any objections?"

Tao Hanping's brows remained furrowed.

He sensed that Gao Lingyu had her reasons for sending an outsider to participate in the competition.

Just as he was about to find an excuse to refuse, Ruan Lingzhi interrupted him.

Ruan Lingzhi clenched his fists, his eyes blazing red, as if his anger had overtaken his reason: "Fine, I'll compete with him!"

At these words, Tao Hanping's expression changed slightly.

No matter how talented Ruan Lingzhi was, in such a solemn setting, he should not interrupt him repeatedly.

After all, he was an elder in the sect.

But here Ruan Lingzhi was, showing such disrespect to an elder.

"Alright then, since you are willing, I shall let you compete," Tao Hanping sneered inwardly.

He knew Gao Lingyu certainly had other schemes.

But Ruan Lingzhi's rude behavior this time left Tao Hanping thoroughly disappointed.

If he won, he would take the Secret Technique back with him.

If he lost, all the blame could be pinned on Ruan Lingzhi.

After all, it was Ruan Lingzhi who insisted on competing.

Tao Hanping cupped his hands and said, "In that case, let us begin immediately."

Having traveled a long way, they naturally did not want to waste time.

Gao Lingyu turned to Qin An and asked, "Are you ready?"

Qin An nodded, "Just about, I can start anytime."

After finishing this match, Qin An would have to return to practice his proficiency in another profession.

Currently, his Pill Master and dancing skills were both at level nine, and he needed to increase them quickly.

After getting a confirmed answer, Gao Lingyu signaled her disciple with a nod.

The disciple immediately stepped forward, handing a letter to Gao Lingyu.

Gao Lingyu opened it and displayed it to everyone.

"Since Mr. Tao wants us to choose an array, the array chosen shall be the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array."

Tao Hanping's heart skipped a beat.

He knew exactly what the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array was.

It was an array of the Pulse Condensation Realm.

Once set up, a boundless sandstorm could be generated at the dictated location.

This sandstorm could cover the surrounding scenery with yellow sand, impairing all senses.

Even those in the Pulse Condensation Realm would face great obstacles entering.

Moreover, this array was extremely difficult, as it consisted of hundreds of small arrays combined, requiring handling of over a hundred types of small arrays.

If even a single combination mistake occurred, its power would be greatly reduced.

Tao Hanping knew that by choosing such a complex array, Gao Lingyu believed Ruan Lingzhi would fail to set it up.

Ruan Lingzhi, upon hearing this, sneered, "Fine, the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array it is! And you have prepared the materials, haven't you?"

Gao Lingyu sneered back, "Naturally, follow me. Let's change the place for the competition."

Subsequently, without further ado, they all proceeded up the mountain path alongside the lounge.

...

At the end of the mountain path was an enormous platform.

This platform was vast and empty, a place where disciples of the Profound Celestial Array Gate often practiced arrays.

Due to its vastness, practicing array formations here would not disturb others.

As Gao Lingyu led everyone there, several disciples discreetly left.

After a period of time, a large amount of array materials was transported onto the platform by the disciples.

The materials were divided into two portions.

In this aspect, Gao Lingyu was very open, without any trickery.

Seeing the materials were ready, Tao Hanping shouted, "Start setting up the array, finish early and settle this matter quickly."

Gao Lingyu waved her hand, signaling both sides to begin the array arrangement.

As for how to determine the winner, naturally, it is decided by the power of the array.

The experts in formation arts here can tell who wins at a glance.

Ruan Lingzhi stood in front of the array materials, eyes blazing: "Kid, I'm going to defeat you in your most proud area, next, you'll witness what true talent is!"

Qin An was checking if the materials were complete, looked up and said, "A toad that can speak, truly remarkable."

Ruan Lingzhi clenched his fists: "It's just a tongue-lashing, soon I'll make you lose everything!"

"Blabber." Qin An said calmly, "Hurry up, I'm short on time."

Ruan Lingzhi realized that continuing to talk with Qin An would surely provoke the anger in his heart and affect his array setup.

So he said no more and began arranging the materials on the ground.

While the two were setting up, many disciples craned their necks, carefully watching.

The Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array is very difficult, even in the Profound Celestial Array Gate, few disciples could set it up.

So everyone wanted to see if they could learn some experience from this competition.

The speed at which the two set up the arrays was very similar; arranging over a hundred arrays was extremely difficult and naturally took a lot of time.

Gao Lingyu felt a slight tension in her heart and couldn't help but clench her fists.

She could see that Qin An's array skills had improved significantly, but she still couldn't figure out exactly where.

Tao Hanping sighed deeply: "This kid, though dissolute, has extremely strong talent. Just his speed in setting up arrays was unmatched even when I was young."

In the field, Ruan Lingzhi arranged the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array with complete orderliness and neither too fast nor too slow.

Seeing this scene, Gao Lingyu clenched her fists even tighter.

A trace of despair had already emerged in her heart because she saw that Qin An seemed to be slightly slower than Ruan Lingzhi.

"In the end... was it still too far-fetched?" A wave of sorrow surged in Gao Lingyu's heart.

She knew that Qin An's array talent was extremely strong, but seeing the situation, she also knew that within such a short time, Qin An had already given it his all.

"Forget it, forget it." Gao Lingyu sighed: "Even if we lose, it doesn't matter. It's the fate of the Profound Celestial Array Gate; Mr. Qin has already done his best, he cannot be blamed."

With this thought, the competition on the field was reaching its final stage.

As the final array was completed, the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array was assembled.

Ruan Lingzhi saw that Qin An was a bit slower and smirked, "Your talent is indeed strong, but compared to me, it's just a drop in the ocean. Now I'll show you how my Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array truly is."

With that, Ruan Lingzhi activated his True Qi, infusing it into the array.

The Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array activated as soon as it sensed True Qi.

The yellow sand appeared out of nowhere, enveloping the entire mountaintop in a sandstorm.

The array had the ability to obscure the five senses, and even from the outside, one could sense the peril within.

Cold sweat appeared on Gao Lingyu's forehead, her heart filled with total despair.

She could see that Ruan Lingzhi's array had maximized the effect of the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array, bordering on perfection.

This competition, she lost.

Tao Hanping saw Gao Lingyu's despairing look and waved his hand: "The victory is decided, should I announce the result now?"

Gao Lingyu nodded: "Announce it, I'll go get the secret techniques for you afterwards."

Her words were filled with a sense of sorrow.

Ruan Lingzhi sneered at the sight: "Kid, there's no need to continue; compared to my array, yours is just a toy. As you said before, you're just a chicken and dog."

At this time, Ruan Lingzhi didn't hide his mockery, using Qin An's words against him, feeling immensely pleased.

Qin An slightly raised his eyes: "What kind of filthy thing dares to talk nonsense?"

Ruan Lingzhi glared: "What did you say? You're nothing but a stray dog, a defeated commander, how dare you boast here, it's absurd!"

Qin An said calmly: "Who said I lost?"

Ruan Lingzhi scoffed: "Why are you still being stubborn here? My arrangement of the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array is perfect, without a single flaw; how could you possibly win?"

The conversation between the two was overheard by everyone.

Gao Lingyu, who was initially disheartened, felt a glimmer of hope flash in her eyes after hearing Qin An's words.

Tao Hanping said helplessly: "Mr. Gao, don't be stubborn; how can this be won? Even if I were to compete personally, at most, I could only set up an array with a similar effect, let alone this young man."

Gao Lingyu shook her head slightly.

Tao Hanping was stunned on the spot.

Gao Lingyu clenched her fair fists tightly and continued: "Back in Lingzhou, we were already in a desperate situation, but he could arise from such a predicament."

"If he could do it in Lingzhou, he can do it in Xunyang Prefecture too, I believe in him!"

Tao Hanping came to his senses and smiled bitterly: "Alright then, let's have this disciple of the Profound Celestial Array Gate activate the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array."

All eyes focused on Qin An.

The disciples of the Celestial Solitary Array Gate were full of disbelief, while the disciples of the Profound Celestial Array Gate were full of hope.

Qin An smiled slightly and gently flicked his finger.

A wisp of True Qi flowed into the array.

Soon, the heavens were once again filled with yellow sand.

But the sand from Qin An's array was somewhat different.

As the formidable sand array was activated by Qin An, it seemed to come to life.

The yellow sand in the air condensed, eventually forming a massive skull.

The skull opened its mouth and sucked towards Ruan Lingzhi's Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array.

Soon, the yellow sand manipulated by Ruan Lingzhi suddenly stalled, getting absorbed into the giant skull furiously.

In less than the time of burning an incense stick, Ruan Lingzhi's Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array shattered instantly, turning to void.

Meanwhile, on Qin An's side, the enormous yellow sand skull in the sky roared towards the heavens, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Ruan Lingzhi looked pale, collapsed to the ground, pointing at Qin An, his finger trembling uncontrollably: "Impossible, this is impossible! What is this array?"

"It's the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array, of course." Qin An said calmly: "But I made a few modifications. The junk you set up, in front of my array, is just a toy."

The entire area was in dead silence, only the mountain wind whipping sand and dust against the clothes of everyone.

Everyone's shocked gaze was fixated on Qin An.

Qin An turned, his garments fluttering like ink: "Announce the result."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.