Chapter 261: Dao Heaven Origin Spring
With Xuanxian's breakthrough to the Late Immortal Emperor Realm, Lu Tianyuan's thinking shifted accordingly.
Since Xuanxian had already broken through to the Late Immortal Emperor Realm, he would absolutely possess the strength to defeat Wang Teng, even though Wang Teng stood at the Peak of the Immortal Emperor Realm.
After all, back when Xuanxian had only been at the Mid Immortal Emperor Realm, he could already fight Wang Teng to a standstill.
Now that he had reached the Late Immortal Emperor Realm, there was no reason he wouldn't be a match for Wang Teng.
Moreover, Lu Tianyuan had absolute confidence in Xuanxian.
"Xuanxian, be honest with this Clan Elder -- do you still have hidden cards up your sleeve?"
Lu Tianyuan turned to Xuanxian, his expression deadly serious.
But Xuanxian merely shrugged. "Clan Elder, I already used every card I had last time."
One look at Xuanxian's demeanor, however, and Lu Tianyuan could tell this fellow definitely still had cards he hadn't played.
That was fine, though. If he wouldn't even tell him, they probably weren't anything weak.
Taking down Wang Teng shouldn't be much of a problem.
After a round of instructions, Lu Tianyuan departed, leaving the remaining time for Xuanxian to arrange as he saw fit.
Watching the Clan Elder leave, Xuanxian's expression grew solemn. He gazed toward the Wang Family's direction and murmured to himself.
"Seize the championship of the Three Hundred Forces Grand Tournament? Would the Wang Family really just stand by and watch Wang Teng get defeated?"
But that wasn't something he needed to worry about.
If the Wang Family's Peak Dao Venerables made a move, he trusted the Lu Family's Patriarch wouldn't stand idly by either.
After all, what he represented now was the Lu Family's honor and reputation.
Besides, the Peak Dao Venerables from the other forces probably wouldn't sit back and watch either. If the Wang Family could kill the Lu Family's prodigy today, they could kill their prodigies tomorrow.
With that, Xuanxian put the matter out of his mind and closed his eyes to rest.
Time flew by, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Xuanxian's eyes snapped open as he gazed toward a Lightning Tribulation in the distance beyond the Dao Vessel.
𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
The tribulation gradually dissipated, and a golden radiance emanated from Lu Fenggu's body. Even from within the Dao Vessel, Xuanxian could see it with perfect clarity.
Everything had unfolded exactly as Xuanxian predicted -- the Immortal Emperor Tribulation had failed to kill Lu Fenggu.
Before long, Lu Fenggu's proud voice rang out across the entire Dao Vessel.
"Hahaha, Brother Xuanxian, come out and see! I've broken through to the Immortal Emperor Realm!"
Lu Fenggu's voice carried from outside the Private Room.
Xuanxian pushed open the door, intending to head out for the final stage, and happened to see Lu Fenggu standing right there.
Lu Fenggu had been planning to brag to Xuanxian. After all, he hadn't let Lu Xunxian down -- he had broken through to the Immortal Emperor Realm.
But the moment he sensed Xuanxian's cultivation, his eyes went wide and his entire body froze in place.
After a long pause, he swallowed hard and spoke in utter disbelief.
"Brother Xuanxian, you broke through to the Late Immortal Emperor Realm?"
"Mm, a few days ago I had an epiphany and broke through to the Late Immortal Emperor Realm."
Xuanxian's expression was one of complete nonchalance, as though breaking through were as simple as eating or drinking to him.
Hearing this, Lu Fenggu fell silent, then seethed with frustration until his teeth itched.
Nothing kills faster than comparing yourself to others.
If he remembered correctly, Brother Xuanxian had broken through to the Immortal Emperor Realm only a little over a hundred years ago. Breaking through two minor realms in just over a hundred years -- in the entire vast Dao Realm, no one had ever heard of something so terrifying.
"Brother Fenggu, is there anything else? If not, I'm heading off to participate in the final competition."
"Go on, go on. Be careful out there."
Lu Fenggu spoke with the look of a man who had been dealt a blow so devastating he had lost all will to live.
But the moment the words left his mouth, it dawned on him -- this fellow had already been able to fight Wang Teng to a standstill when he was at the Mid Immortal Emperor Realm.
Now that he had reached the Late Immortal Emperor Realm, Wang Teng probably wasn't even his match anymore.
By the time Lu Fenggu came to that realization, Xuanxian had already left.
"Forget it. I'd better just keep working hard. Brother Xuanxian is way too freakish."
"I'm starting to suspect he might break through to the Dao Practitioner Realm before he's even ten thousand years old."
Lu Fenggu thought to himself, then returned to his Private Room to consolidate his cultivation.
As for Xuanxian, a single step carried him before the Small World.
Around the Small World, aside from Xuanxian, Lu Xuanyuan, and Wang Teng, seven other people were present.
All of them were disciples from the remaining top-tier forces.
At this moment, every last one of them wore solemn expressions without exception.
After all, what came next was the most brutal stage of the Three Hundred Forces Grand Tournament. A single moment of carelessness could very well mean death.
At that moment, the Peak Dao Practitioners from the Ten Great Forces stepped forward and addressed Xuanxian and the others, their expressions grave and serious.
"What follows is the final stage of this Three Hundred Forces Grand Tournament."
"Your rankings will be determined by how long you endure."
"The longer you hold out, the higher your ranking. The last person standing will be the champion of this Three Hundred Forces Grand Tournament."
"Of course, as prodigies who have persisted to the final stage, every one of you will receive the opportunity to enter the Dao Heaven Origin Spring. However, depending on your ranking, the amount of time you may spend inside will differ."
"So do your utmost to last as long as you can. Ideally, seize the championship."
As they spoke, the breathing of everyone present grew involuntarily heavier.
Even Xuanxian couldn't help but feel a spark of interest.
"The Dao Heaven Origin Spring, hm? Looks like I'll have to claim the championship."
The Dao Heaven Origin Spring was a Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land monopolized by the ten top-tier forces of the Dao Realm. Each time it was opened, it required an enormous expenditure of power.
Its benefits were abundant as well. Entering the Dao Heaven Origin Spring allowed one to draw as close as possible to the Dao and comprehend it.
Virtually every cultivator who emerged from the Dao Heaven Origin Spring could be said to have a guaranteed breakthrough to the Dao Practitioner Realm -- or more precisely, at worst they would reach the peak of the Dao Practitioner Realm.
Of course, for Xuanxian in his current state, the Spring probably wouldn't be of much use.
All he wanted was to go inside and see for himself what this so-called Dao Heaven Origin Spring actually was.
"Furthermore, only Natal Immortal Weapons are permitted in the final stage. No other hidden cards may be used, including talismans, pills, and the like. The moment any are used, you will be immediately disqualified."
As he spoke, Lu Tianyuan cast a pointed look toward Wang Teng, letting out a cold snort.
Wang Teng's brow creased. Why was he looking at him? He didn't rely on things like talismans.
"Alright, get in there. Let's get this over with."
At that moment, Wang Daofeng spoke with a calm expression, looking utterly confident.
In his eyes, the championship of this Three Hundred Forces Grand Tournament was already predetermined -- the Wang Family's Young Lord would be first, without question!
As Wang Daofeng's words fell, Xuanxian sensed something and looked toward Wang Teng.
Wang Teng drew his thumb across his own throat in a slicing motion, as if telling Xuanxian: you're dead.
Xuanxian paid it no mind.
Even using only his Mid Immortal Emperor Realm power, he could kill Wang Teng -- let alone now, when he could wield Late Immortal Emperor Realm power.
Wang Teng was as good as dead.