Chapter 848: Accepting the Challenge
The crowd from the Tian Xuan lineage all had complex expressions, especially a beautiful woman among them, Tianchi Xue, whose eyes flickered as she sighed inwardly.
Once, she had been regarded by the outside world as the Tianchi Saintess, but everyone in Tianchi knew she was merely one of the candidates for the Tian Xuan lineage's inheritance, possibly becoming its successor. However, ever since Lin Feng and the others joined the Tian Xuan lineage, her talent no longer seemed so outstanding. Whether it was Lin Feng, Huangfu Long, or those who appeared later like Jun Moxi and Tang Youyou, none of them had simple talents.
At that time, she had already understood that if Lin Feng and the others remained in Tianchi, the inheritance of the Tian Xuan lineage would not fall to her. Yet, she never expected that the Tian Xuan lineage would decide on its successor so early, not even giving others a chance to compete, directly establishing Lin Feng as the future leader of the Tian Xuan lineage and even handing him the sacred inheritance artifact, the Tian Xuan Stone.
Jun Moxi, Tang Youyou, and the others stepped forward one after another, watching Lin Feng receive the inheritance. Surprise flickered in their eyes, but smiles also appeared on their faces. This was what they called finding a way out of a desperate situation. When those people wanted to seize Lin Feng's treasures, Snow Venerable had established Lin Feng as the successor of the Tian Xuan lineage. Now, Lin Feng's status was completely different. He was the future leader of Tian Xuan, possessing the sacred artifact of the Tian Xuan lineage. Presumably, the other six main peaks would no longer be able to touch him.
Even if some ill-intentioned people wanted to make a move, they would not dare to do so openly.
Seeing Lin Feng accept the inheritance, Snow Venerable also revealed a hint of a smile on his face, as if a great burden had been lifted.
Turning his gaze, Snow Venerable looked at the experts of the six main peaks and slowly spoke: "Now that Lin Feng has become the successor of my Tian Xuan lineage and possesses the sacred artifact, he is the future leader of Tian Xuan Peak. Moreover, he will have the opportunity to compete to become the leader of the entire Tianchi, becoming one of the seven ultimate successors. His will is the will of the Tian Xuan lineage. Unless he is guilty of betraying Tianchi, no one has the right to touch him."
So, obtaining the inheritance sacred artifact of the Tian Xuan lineage not only meant that Lin Feng had become the successor of Tian Xuan Peak but also that he had been designated as one of the ultimate successors of the entire Tianchi. He would compete for the leadership of Tianchi with the six ultimate successors from the other six snow peaks who had obtained their respective snow peaks' sacred artifacts.
Lin Feng was deeply moved. Snow Venerable had designated him as the successor of the Tian Xuan lineage with great care and thought, giving him an identity that no one else had the right to touch. Moreover, when external enemies came to deal with him, they would have to protect him. He was one of the seven ultimate successors.
"I still have something to say." Tianshu Zi's gaze was icy cold. He had never expected Snow Venerable to do this, causing him to lose the excellent opportunity to seize the Martial Emperor's treasure.
Raising his head, Tianshu Zi's gaze fell on Tianji Old Man in the void and said: "Senior Brother, the decision of Tianchi's ultimate successor cannot be so hasty. The actions of Tian Xuan Peak are no longer just about the Tian Xuan lineage; they involve the entire Tianchi. If Lin Feng walks outside, he will become one of Tianchi's representatives. I cannot stand by and watch the Tian Xuan lineage degrade itself and act recklessly, ruining Tianchi's reputation."
"You mean my judgment is poor, and the successor I have chosen is a hasty decision, a degradation that will disgrace Tianchi?" Snow Venerable's gaze turned cold as he stared at Tianshu Zi. This fellow still refused to give up.
"That's right. If your Tian Xuan lineage wants to designate Lin Feng as one of the seven ultimate successors, that's fine, but he must first pass the tests of the other six snow peaks and gain our recognition. Lin Feng must prove that he has the qualifications to claim to be a part of Tianchi and one of its leaders when walking outside."
Tianshu Zi spoke, still unwilling to let go, wanting to interfere in this matter.
"Ridiculous. When your Tian Shu Peak designated its successor, did you also have the other six main peaks test him?" Snow Venerable said sarcastically.
"Your situation is different." Tianshu Zi's voice grew heavier. In the void, the starlight still shone. After a long silence, Tianji Old Man finally spoke again, asking Tianshu Zi: "Then what do you think should be done to test Lin Feng?"
"Now that the seven snow peaks of Tianchi have all preliminarily designated their successors, Tian Ji Peak has Yu Tianji, my Tian Shu Peak has Zi Yunqing, and Lin Feng has become the successor of the Tian Xuan lineage. If he wants to become one of Tianchi's successors, he must not be weaker than these people. I suggest that the seven preliminarily designated successors of Tianchi's seven snow peaks gather here. Lin Feng will fight the six of them. This will show Lin Feng's talent and whether he has the qualifications to become Tianchi's ultimate successor."
Tianshu Zi suggested.
"Why don't you suggest fighting Lin Feng yourself?" Sword Lunatic cursed coldly: "Aside from Tian Xuan Peak, among the temporarily designated successors of the other six snow peaks, four have already entered the Heavenly Martial Realm. Add to that Yu Tianji, who also recently entered the Heavenly Martial Realm. Among the six snow peaks, only one successor is still in the Mysterious Martial Realm. You want Lin Feng to fight five Heavenly Martial Realm experts and one Mysterious Martial Realm peak expert? Don't you find that ridiculous?"
"Since your Tian Xuan lineage has directly designated him as the successor and given him the qualifications for Tianchi's inheritance, he must have extraordinary qualities. Otherwise, wouldn't that prove my point? The Tian Xuan lineage is treating the inheritance as a joke and should be vetoed." Tianshu Zi argued, unwilling to let this go.
"You are deliberately making things difficult for Lin Feng." Sword Venerable said coldly: "If you want to fight so badly, I'll fight you."
"Senior Brother can have the other six suppress their cultivation to the First Layer of Heavenly Martial Realm and fight Lin Feng. As long as Lin Feng can hold out for the time it takes an incense stick to burn against the successors of the six main peaks, I will recognize Lin Feng's qualification for inheritance. Otherwise, I will consider that Tian Xuan Peak is doing this deliberately to protect him, treating the inheritance as a joke."
Tianshu Zi ignored Sword Venerable's provocation and continued.
"Moreover, now that Lin Feng has obtained the inheritance sacred artifact of the Tian Xuan lineage, given how much the Tian Xuan lineage values him, if he can't even hold out for the time it takes an incense stick to burn by relying on the sacred artifact, what qualifications does he have to receive the inheritance?"
"This is utter nonsense. How can someone in the Mysterious Martial Realm contend with the Heavenly Martial Realm?" Snow Venerable's expression was ugly. He hadn't expected Tianshu Zi to be so shameless, forcing a battle onto Lin Feng. The successors of the six snow peaks were all formidable, with extraordinary talent. Forcing Lin Feng, who was at the Mysterious Martial Realm, to fight six of them, even if all six suppressed their cultivation to the First Layer of Heavenly Martial Realm, was almost impossible.
As for Lin Feng relying on the sacred artifact, that was even more treacherous. Everyone knew that the Tian Xuan lineage's sacred artifact, the Tian Xuan Stone, was extremely mysterious. Many Venerables had spent their entire lives studying it without gaining much, only grasping the surface. Lin Feng had just obtained the Tian Xuan Stone; what power could he possibly unleash?
"Indeed, your Tian Xuan lineage has no confidence in Lin Feng at all. Could it be that the inheritance is just an excuse for you to protect Lin Feng?" Tianshu Zi taunted, trying to pressure Lin Feng.
"The time it takes an incense stick to burn. I agree to fight."
Just then, a voice slowly rang out, causing the crowd's eyes to narrow. The speaker was none other than Lin Feng.
Lin Feng agreed to fight, to accept the test, to battle five Heavenly Martial Realm experts and one Mysterious Martial Realm peak expert.
"Excellent. It seems I misjudged you. You have courage. If you pass the test and hold out for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, my Tian Shu Peak will absolutely recognize your inheritance. I believe the other main peaks will do the same." Tianshu Zi immediately seized the opportunity and said: "However, if you fail the test, then I must ask Senior Brother to reconsider whether there is any conspiracy behind this inheritance."
"Lin Feng!" Snow Venerable and the others looked at Lin Feng, thinking that he was being impulsive. Tianshu Zi had already abandoned all pretense, determined to find a breakthrough. But as long as their Tian Xuan Peak didn't relent, Tianshu Zi would have no chance. They hadn't expected Lin Feng to agree, giving Tianshu Zi another excuse.
"My blood has already become an oath. Now, I carry the burden of the Tian Xuan lineage and have obtained the inheritance of the Tian Xuan sacred artifact. If I cannot protect Tianchi's glory, I have not yet earned the qualification for inheritance. Let them suppress their cultivation to the First Layer of Heavenly Martial Realm. I am willing to accept the test."
Lin Feng reached out and grabbed a corner of the massive Tian Xuan Stone, lifting it up. Then, he slammed it heavily to the ground beside him, causing a thunderous roar as the earth trembled violently. A dazzling light shot from Lin Feng's eyes. His test to become the successor of the Tian Xuan lineage would be the first battle in the rise of the Tian Xuan lineage!