Chapter 345: The Battle for Spirit General!

Chapter 345: The Battle for Spirit General!

"The Year-End Competition for the Fire Branch begins now!" With Branch Chief Fen Cang's announcement, the excitement on the massive mountain peak soared to its peak. The crowd roared, voices merging into a wave that seemed to tear apart the clouds high above.

At the center of the mountain was an unusual, expansive venue—a vast cone-shaped arena, broad at the base and narrowing toward the top. Hundreds of enormous platforms crisscrossed its surface, and as competitors climbed higher, the number of platforms dwindled, leading to a single peak stage at the top. Those who wished to compete would need to battle their way upward, confronting their final opponents on that ultimate stage.

Already, figures were flashing across the platforms, and waves of formidable energy surged, marking the beginning of the annual competition.

"Personal disciple, Li Ming, wins!" "Reserve disciple, Zhu Jin, wins!"

The enormous arena was abuzz with fierce competitiveness, and as this Year-End Competition represented an annual performance review, every disciple fought with all their might to prove their progress. The intense duels resulted in frequent injuries, yet the judges on the platforms and senior members, including Fen Cang, watched calmly, entirely accustomed to the bloodshed.

Suddenly, a powerful clash erupted on one of the platforms, and two figures crossed paths. One of them was thrown back, sent sprawling out of the arena to crash to the ground below.

"Disciple Mo Tie wins! Disciple Lin Luo loses!"

Although this announcement was minor in the sea of duels, it caught the attention of Lin Langtian, seated above. Seeing Mo Tie manage to defeat a seasoned Fire Branch disciple, despite his struggle, Lin Langtian nodded approvingly. Though Mo Tie had only recently joined Yuan Gate, he had survived the ancient battlefield alongside Lin Langtian, so his foundation and willpower were above average. With the resources Lin Langtian had gifted him, Mo Tie had reached the Six-Seal Nirvana Stage—not exceptionally strong but enough to secure a good rank in the competition.

Scanning the crowd, Lin Langtian noticed that Ling Zhi and Liu Yuan had also advanced, each defeating their opponents. Many of Lin Langtian's old companions from the Flame Alliance had also won their first rounds, making an impressive showing for new disciples.

"Hmm, the new disciples joining the Fire Branch this year are decent," observed Fen Cang, watching the competition. "In the past, such promising talent would likely have been scooped up by the Sky Branch."

"Yes, quite promising," agreed a Fire Branch elder, adding, "In fact, about a hundred reserve disciples may qualify for promotion to regular disciples this time."

Fen Cang nodded. Although there were many reserve disciples, the true strength of a sect lay in its regular disciples. A hundred new disciples wasn't extraordinary compared to the other branches, but it was still a decent number.

"By the way, didn't Lin Langtian set his sights on the position of Spirit General?" said Yan Ba, watching the eight top personal disciples on the highest platform. "Maybe he'll challenge Ling Chi during this competition."

"That seems unlikely. Lin Langtian is a newly joined disciple, and making personal disciple already is a feat," replied another Fire Branch elder after a moment of hesitation. "Challenging the Spirit General's position might be too ambitious. Maybe he'll have the chance in a competition or two down the line."

"Not necessarily," Fen Cang interjected, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully at Lin Langtian. "That boy made it out of the Blood Horn Region alive and was summoned by the Sect Leader himself. He's full of surprises. We're talking about a genius who rose from a low-ranking dynasty to make it this far—anything's possible with him. If Lin Langtian really does take on Ling Chi's Spirit General position, I'd be curious to see if he could subdue the Primal Chaos Demon Flame."

"Him?" scoffed Yan Ba, his gruff face full of skepticism. "What generations of our Fire Branch ancestors couldn't do, a newcomer like him could?"

Fen Cang closed his eyes without a reply, keeping his thoughts to himself. Although he was just speculating, Lin Langtian's potential couldn't be ignored.

As time passed, the competition on the platforms gradually wrapped up, and the arena fell quiet. Results were tallied, with many reserve disciples promoted to regular disciples, and some regular disciples were elevated to personal disciple status. As for promotions to personal disciple, that was rare indeed. Lin Langtian's swift rise had already shocked the sect, but achieving the Spirit General's position was an even more difficult feat and seldom seen in the Year-End Competition.

Seated on his high platform, Lin Langtian narrowed his eyes as the competition drew to a close. Then, without a word, he stood, leaping gracefully onto the central arena platform.

A rush of wind echoed as all eyes instantly turned to him, expressions ranging from shock to curiosity. There, on the central platform, stood Lin Langtian, the Fire Branch's youngest-ever personal disciple. His name was widely known throughout the branch, and as disciples, they watched him with admiration and respect.

Zhang Hao noticed Lin Langtian's actions and paused, then smirked with a mocking grin, "What an arrogant guy, thinking he can take the senior brother's place as Spirit General so quickly. Hmph, I was already planning to deal with him, but if he wants to walk into his own doom, that's fine with me. Senior Brother recently fused a powerful new flame with his Emperor Flame Technique. This time, Lin Langtian's met his match!"

Lin Langtian remained oblivious to Zhang Hao's scheming. With all eyes on him, he stepped forward through the air and landed gracefully in the center of the platform. With a respectful nod toward the senior leaders like Fen Cang, he spoke with a hint of a smile, "I believe this Year-End Competition isn't over yet."

"Oh? And why would that be?" Fen Cang slowly opened his aged eyes, glancing over Lin Langtian with a calm but keen gaze.

Lin Langtian wasted no time, replying directly, "Branch Head, it isn't over because I wish to challenge Senior Brother Ling Chi."

"Whoa!"

As his words fell, the entire arena erupted in stunned exclamations! The atmosphere on the platform grew tense; countless Fire Branch disciples looked at each other in shock. It had been years since anyone had dared to challenge Senior Brother Ling Chi at the Year-End Competition.

As Spirit General of the Fire Branch, Ling Chi held a status second only to the Three Young Kings. His strength placed him comfortably among the top four of the Eight Spirit Generals. Although both Lin Langtian and Ling Chi were personal disciples, the other disciples felt there was still a significant gap in their strength.

Below, Mo Tie and others looked on with worry. They saw Lin Langtian as their central figure and wanted to see him rise in rank, but challenging the Spirit General so soon? Was it too ambitious? Ling Chi's reputation in the Fire Branch was formidable compared to Lin Langtian's…

Under the gaze of thousands of Fire Branch disciples, Lin Langtian's expression remained calm, as though he had everything under control. On the grand platform, Fen Cang cast him a look, his expression unbothered as if he had anticipated this moment all along.

"As a personal disciple, you have the right to challenge Spirit General Ling Chi," Fen Cang stated. "According to the competition rules, if you win, you take his position. But if you lose, you won't be allowed to challenge for another three years. Are you certain you're prepared?"

"Yes, Branch Head, I'm ready," Lin Langtian replied without hesitation.

Fen Cang gave a slight nod, not pressing further. On another platform, Ling Chi stood slowly, fixing Lin Langtian with a look of barely concealed hostility and a twisted smile.

"Junior Brother Lin, I thought you'd wait until the next Year-End Competition to challenge me."

Lin Langtian's smile was easy as he replied, "A year is too long to wait, and I'm rather interested in the position of Spirit General."

"Hmph, well, wanting and having the strength to back it up are two different things. Becoming one of the Eight Spirit Generals isn't something you can just decide," Ling Chi sneered. With a quick step from the stone platform, he soared across the air and landed before Lin Langtian, his power erupting around him. A wave of awe spread over the crowd.

As Ling Chi's formidable energy radiated outward, Lin Langtian's expression remained unchanged. After the battles he'd fought in the Blood Horn Region, even against higher-level Life Profound Realm opponents, Ling Chi's peak Nine-Seal Nirvana strength didn't faze him.

Seeing the two face off, thousands of Fire Branch disciples began to murmur.

"Wow, Senior Brother Lin is fearless, joining the sect less than half a year ago and already challenging the Spirit General."

"Hmph, you don't know the half of it. They say Senior Brother Lin fought his way to win the Great Tournament of the Hundred Dynasties, all the way from a low-ranking dynasty. He even defeated Senior Brother Zhang Hao, so maybe he really is capable."

"Maybe, but Ling Chi's power is among the best of the Eight Spirit Generals. Lin Langtian might be pushing his luck here."

"Guess we'll find out!"

The platform's murmur of voices spread, but Lin Langtian stayed focused, intent on seizing the Spirit General position.

On the main platform, Fen Cang observed the two, then addressed them with a solemn voice, "It's been some time since we've had a personal disciple challenge a Spirit General. In our sect, the Eight Spirit Generals are esteemed, akin to the Princes of any royal dynasty. But here in Yuan Gate, the Eight Spirit Generals are for the most capable only! This match may even catch the attention of our Three Masters, so you two had better do your best. Make sure not to bring shame to the Fire Branch."

At this, Fen Cang made a dismissive gesture, signaling for them to proceed. "Your duel begins now!"

Lin Langtian nodded, turning calmly to face Ling Chi. "Senior Brother Ling, I ask for your guidance."

With Lin Langtian's words, a hush fell over the crowd. Thousands of eyes fixed on the scene, the tense atmosphere heavy.

"If you want to replace me as Spirit General, getting past me won't be easy," Ling Chi sneered.

"Then I'll have to defeat you, won't I? After all, the Branch Head just said, only the capable can hold the title of Spirit General!" Lin Langtian's mouth curved in a confident smile, his words bold and clear.

Ling Chi's face twisted with anger. Without further warning, he took a fierce step forward, unleashing a torrent of energy that roared out from his body, determined to show Lin Langtian a crushing defeat and make him regret his ambition to seize his position.

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