"System, I choose three!"

Glancing briefly at the system options, Xiao Ming made his choice without hesitation.

As the saying goes, never refuse a free benefit. This time, as long as he wins against Feng Xianhuang, he gets the Saint King secret technique and the system reward—it's a win-win!

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for making a choice. You have received the reward: [Primal Fire Seed]!"

"The reward has been automatically placed in the system space. Once the host completes the choice, it can be extracted and inherited with one click."

[Primal Fire Seed]: A mysterious fire seed born from the chaotic void, capable of devouring all kinds of exotic flames and inheriting their attributes to continuously evolve!

"Another great item!"

Seeing the treasure he obtained this time, Xiao Ming was overjoyed.

It can devour all kinds of exotic flames and inherit their attributes.

That sounds awesome!

Along with the Life Substitution Teleportation Talisman he got earlier, this empress really brings good luck!

"Alright, I agree."

"But don't back out if you lose, or I'll pester you endlessly."

In high spirits, Xiao Ming agreed readily.

Such arrogant words made Feng Xianhuang's forehead darken; she hadn't expected this guy to be so cocky.

"Since you're so confident, let me see your limits later."

With that, Feng Xianhuang headed towards the Fuyou Sacred Land, and Xiao Ming followed with a laugh.

"Hahaha, Brother Wang Xuan, I didn't expect to meet you here. Could it be that a certain elder from Fuyou Sacred Land has taken a liking to you, and you received a token to come for the assessment?"

"Hahaha, it's Brother Mo Yu from the renowned Mo Yang City. I didn't expect to see you here."

"I was fortunate to be noticed by Elder Zhou Tianlin from the Formation Peak. Unfortunately, Elder Zhou had urgent matters at Tianbao Mall and couldn't personally bring me to Fuyou Sacred Land, so he gave me a token for the assessment."

"That's quite a coincidence. We can compete once more this time..."

As Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang approached the mountain gate, the flattery from some prodigies followed.

And on the side.

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There were quite a few prodigies waiting here, hoping to snag a spot in their trial, leading to a round of insincere mutual flattery.

This left Xiao Ming somewhat surprised.

But after hearing Feng Xianhuang's explanation, Xiao Ming understood that each prodigy with a token could bring an additional prodigy for the assessment.

If the additional person could climb five hundred steps of the Fuyou Heavenly Ladder, they would also qualify to become a disciple of the Sacred Land.

No wonder.

When they met in the forest earlier, Feng Xianhuang suggested they go together.

"Ignore them. We just need to notify the gate guards to open the trial for us."

After explaining the reason to Xiao Ming, Feng Xianhuang looked towards the Fuyou mountain gate.

As for those prodigies flattering each other, honestly, none of them caught her eye.

True strong ones are often aloof, and those who flatter are usually not very strong.

"Hey, that person looks familiar..."

"Whoa, isn't that the little princess of the Phoenix family from Sky Demon City? It's said her phoenix bloodline purity reaches ninety-seven percent, with a chance to awaken the ancient phoenix bloodline!"

"She's here for the Fuyou Sacred Land assessment too?"

"Is it her? It's said she's only eighteen and has reached the fifth level of the Spirit Sea, enough to rival some inner disciples of the Sacred Land!"

"Who's the guy next to her? Why does he look familiar too?"

"......"

As Xiao Ming and Feng Xianhuang got closer, they attracted the attention of many prodigies.

When everyone's gaze focused on Xiao Ming, someone seemed to recall something and couldn't help but let out a sharp exclamation.

"Whoa, it's him!!"

"The traitor of the Xiao family in Liuyun City, also the brother of the one in Taiyi Sacred Land who has a chance to become the Heavenly Sword Peak's holy son. I've seen his wanted poster!!"

With those words, the crowd's expressions changed drastically, and all eyes turned to Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming's expression also darkened.

As expected.

The Xiao family was indeed hunting him.

He just didn't expect the news to spread so widely in just a few days, even reaching the prodigies attending the Fuyou Sacred Land assessment.

To know.

Fuyou Sacred Land is tens of thousands of miles away from the Xiao family, so it seems the Xiao family has spent a fortune on this bounty.

"What?!"

"He's Xiao Ming?!"

"The one who attempted to violate his cousin and framed his brother, and after being exposed, dared to commit a crime openly, having his cultivation abolished by the Xiao family head."

"But this guy secretly had a backup plan, using a space teleportation talisman to escape."

"Didn't expect him to show up at the Fuyou Sacred Land's gate? Could it be he also wants to take the entrance assessment?"

After the prodigy exclaimed, another one began to spill more shocking details.

This made Feng Xianhuang's gaze turn a bit strange.

Attempted to violate his cousin, framed his brother, and had his cultivation abolished?!

She didn't know if the first two were true.

But having his cultivation abolished...

That's pure nonsense!

She saw Xiao Ming punch back several Spirit Sea experts right after teleporting.

How does that look like someone with abolished cultivation?

"Brothers, get him!!"

"The Xiao family has spent a fortune this time. Anyone providing information on Xiao Ming can get an Earth-grade spiritual treasure."

"If someone captures Xiao Ming, they can get a Heaven-grade spiritual treasure plus a million spirit crystals!!"

While Feng Xianhuang was in shock, another smart one got excited, eyes greedily fixed on Xiao Ming.

Heaven-grade spiritual treasure!

Even Tongtian realm experts would covet such a treasure, not to mention the additional bounty of a million spirit crystals.

If they could capture this Xiao family traitor, wouldn't they rise to the top instantly?

"Kid, hand it over to me!!"

Some were still shouting, while others had already taken action.

The prodigy known as Wang Xuan had already unleashed his cultivation and charged at Xiao Ming, reaching out to grab him.

The cultivation aura he unleashed reached the sixth level of the Spirit Sea!

"Hahaha, Brother Wang Xuan, it's not ethical to hog it all. Leave this person to me!"

As Wang Xuan made his move.

The prodigy named Mo Yu also joined in, his cultivation aura also reaching the sixth level of the Spirit Sea.

But in the next moment.

Before the two could get within three meters of Xiao Ming, a cold light flashed in Xiao Ming's eyes, and he threw a punch at them.

With a resounding explosion.

Wang Xuan and Mo Yu let out screams, both flying back like trash.

Their arms twisted and broke, blood spewing from their mouths.

Their bodies plowed a trench on the ground, looking almost as if they were dead or at least crippled.

The scene fell into dead silence.

Everyone stared at Xiao Ming in shock and disbelief, like ducks with their necks squeezed, eyes wide open but unable to speak.

Whoa, he took down two prodigies with one punch, and this is supposed to be abolished cultivation?!

Does the Xiao family have some misunderstanding about what it means to have abolished cultivation?

"Anyone else?"

Looking at the two prodigies lying far away, unsure if they were dead or alive, Xiao Ming's cold gaze swept over the others, the terrifying pressure making many prodigies step back.

Not a single one dared to utter a word.

But Xiao Ming didn't plan to let them off easily, his gaze locking onto the loudmouth from earlier.

"Was it you shouting just now?"

Thud!

"Father, it was your son who was blind. Please, sir, spare me..."

Without any hesitation, the loudmouth dropped to his knees, continuously kowtowing to Xiao Ming as he spoke.

But before Xiao Ming could respond.

A voice echoed at the mountain gate, followed by a terrifying pressure erupting.