On one of the spirit peaks where the Prime One Church’s direct disciples reside, a sudden explosion of terrifying spiritual pressure swept rapidly in all directions.
For a moment, direct disciples from all the surrounding spirit peaks glanced over in curiosity.
Next, dozens of figures flashed by and landed one after another on a small hill several hundred meters from the spirit peak—all of them direct disciples of the Prime One Church.
One of the mid Deity Transformation direct disciples frowned and said, "I think Derek Ying lives on this spirit peak. He’s been in closed-door cultivation for a hundred years—could he be coming out today?"
"That’s possible."
A female direct disciple said, "Back when Derek Ying went into seclusion, he’d already reached peak early Deity Transformation—almost equal to Warren Tang at the time. If he hadn’t suddenly retreated, he might’ve taken the Saint Son title last round. Now he’s been in seclusion for a hundred years, he’s probably reached mid Deity Transformation. With Warren Tang gone and the sect about to choose a new Saint Son, he missed his chance last time—this time, he definitely won’t let it slip away!"
"Cultivation realm doesn’t equal real strength!"
Another mid Deity Transformation direct disciple retorted, "He’s been shut away for a hundred years—he’s probably rusty, short on battle experience. No way he can dominate everyone!"
The first mid Deity Transformation direct disciple grinned, "Eric Sima, before Derek Ying went into seclusion, you hadn’t even reached Deity Transformation. Sure, you broke through two realms in the last century and made it to mid Deity Transformation, but you’re definitely not Derek Ying’s match!"
"Caleb Zhao, what’s that supposed to mean? Just because you don’t dare challenge Derek Ying doesn’t mean the rest of us won’t!" Eric Sima shot back with a cold laugh, a hint of disdain in his voice.
Only true prodigies can become direct disciples of the Prime One Church. Eric Sima fought his way up from the Outer Sect, was exceptionally admitted as a direct disciple, broke through to Deity Transformation, and then, within a hundred years, advanced another step to mid Deity Transformation.
Later, he even defeated three direct disciples in a row, all of whom were at mid Deity Transformation.
That’s why, seeing everyone praise Derek Ying, he couldn’t help feeling resentful.
Caleb Zhao sneered, "Heh, Eric, do you really think beating three mid Deity Transformation disciples makes you king of the direct disciples? Those top experts just didn’t bother with you. You should know, back when Warren Tang and Derek Ying were only early Deity Transformation, they already defeated a whole group of mid-stage peers. Now that Derek’s reached mid Deity Transformation, his battle power could easily suppress even late Deity Transformation!"
"That’s right, we all saw Derek Ying’s prowess back then. He and Warren Tang were called the Twin Prides of the direct disciples." Another direct disciple drawled.
Hearing this, Eric Sima’s heart sank and he felt stifled. Listening to everyone praise Derek, he grew more and more uncomfortable, and resolved that when Derek appeared, he would challenge him.
He’d show everyone that the so-called Twin Prides were a thing of the past!
Seeing his expression, Caleb Zhao and the others secretly smirked. This was exactly what they wanted—to provoke Eric into challenging Derek, so they could judge Derek’s true strength.
Now that Warren Tang is dead and the Saint Son seat is vacant, countless eyes are fixed on that position. No matter how strong Derek is, they’ll all be fighting for it.
As Derek Ying’s spiritual pressure spread wider and wider from his spirit peak, more direct disciples gathered on the hill—at least two hundred now. At the same time, four especially strong figures occupied four surrounding peaks.
These four are all standouts among the direct disciples.
Back when they lost to Warren Tang in the Saint Son contest, they spent a hundred years cultivating bitterly and all reached late Deity Transformation. This time, they’re determined to win the Saint Son title, but Derek Ying’s emergence puts them under serious pressure, so they’ve come to observe and size up his strength.
The spiritual pressure lasts for half a quarter-hour before gradually fading away.
At last, the stone chamber door atop the spirit peak booms open, and out steps a tall, bright-eyed, long-haired man with a lofty, pristine aura.
"Ah!"
He stretches lazily, muttering to himself, "A hundred years have drifted by. I wonder how that kid Warren Tang is doing?"
Suddenly, his gaze sharpens as he sweeps the surroundings, and he says lightly, "I never thought my emergence would alarm so many people. What a sin, what a sin!"
On the four surrounding peaks, the four direct disciples narrow their eyes, shock and unwillingness flashing across their faces.
They’ve just realized Derek Ying has broken through to late Deity Transformation.
Back when he was still early Deity Transformation, he could suppress their whole group at mid-stage. Now that he’s reached late Deity Transformation, just how terrifying is his combat power?
Any direct disciple at Deity Transformation from the Prime One Church can easily suppress their peers, and killing across realms is routine.
Just then, a figure flashes by—Eric Sima lands atop the spirit peak, staring intently at Derek Ying. Word by word, he declares, "Derek Ying, I challenge you!"
The four late-stage Deity Transformation elites all smirk coldly at this.
Recently, Eric Sima has been riding high and eyeing the Saint Son seat, but the truth is, none of the real heavyweights have bothered to crush his momentum. If they had, he wouldn’t be strutting around now.
"You’re one of the new direct disciples from the last century?" Derek Ying looks Eric Sima up and down with interest.
"That’s right. I’m Eric Sima, became a direct disciple after you went into seclusion. Please give me some pointers!"
Clang!
Eric draws his long sword and points it at Derek Ying.
"All right, I haven’t fought in a hundred years—my bones are practically rusting. I’ll use you to stretch a bit!"
"Arrogant!"
Hearing Derek’s words, Eric Sima flies into a rage. His spirit sword becomes a bolt of lightning, stabbing straight out.
Thud!
The sword light pierces the void, reaching Derek Ying’s chest in a split second.
Just then, Derek Ying slowly raises his right hand and flicks his finger.
Clang!
His finger taps the tip of Eric’s sword with perfect precision. Instantly, Eric’s whole body shudders; his palm goes numb, and he nearly loses his grip on the sword. Shocked, he unleashes his full true essence and uses his strongest sword technique to attack again.
Seeing this, Derek Ying’s eyes flash with disappointment. Compared to the mid-stage disciples he defeated long ago, Eric is even weaker—he can’t stir Derek’s fighting spirit at all. Derek flicks his right hand several times in a row.
His movements are elegant, his posture graceful—like an immortal descending to the mortal realm.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
His finger taps, as delicate as an orchid, land again and again on Eric’s sword, sending shockwaves through his body. Finally, Eric can’t hold onto his weapon—it flies from his grasp. At the same time, a burst of finger force strikes his body, sending him flying backward, blood spraying from his mouth.
Derek Ying doesn’t press his advantage. Smiling faintly, he watches Eric Sima steady himself and says, "Brother Sima, thanks for letting me win!"
Eric’s face darkens at this. He retrieves his sword, bows to Derek, and says, "Brother Ying, your reputation is well deserved. I admit defeat. I’ll come challenge you again another day!"
With that, Eric Sima strides away, too embarrassed to linger.
The other direct disciples all sigh to themselves at the sight—Derek Ying has grown even stronger, defeating Eric Sima in a single move. The four late-stage Deity Transformation elites turn cold; none of them could have beaten Eric so effortlessly.