The loose cultivators lack unity, which is an undeniable fact.

Otherwise, they wouldn't make up over ninety percent of the population yet be suppressed and even enslaved by less than ten percent of the sects and aristocratic families.

But at this moment, Jian Wuheng's words are like a knife, piercing their long-numbed hearts.

Is it fated for loose cultivators to be oppressed and bullied?

Are sect and noble family descendants truly born superior?

Humans are not livestock, why must they be identified by their blood? Are nobles indeed bred?

In those ear-piercing yet deafening shouts, the usually humble and timid loose cultivators were finally awakened and stirred.

Looking at these eager loose cultivators, Jian Wuheng was utterly furious, as if maddened, and hysterically shouted:

"Defeat these loose cultivators, remove them completely, leave no spot for them!"

Now, after a series of skirmishes, there are still seven or eight hundred people left on the Ascending Dragon Platform.

Whereas, the total number of loose cultivators is only about a hundred, one seventh of the total.

Hence, when Jian Wuheng roared, the elite disciples of the great sects and aristocratic families quickly allied and launched an assault on them.

The humiliation suffered at Li Chen earlier was something they wanted to exact upon these loose cultivators, maintaining psychological balance.

The battles on the Ascending Dragon Platform were unusually fierce, going out of control several times.

Loose cultivators, often seen as scattered like sand, were exceptionally united this time. Especially those like Zhenmeng, fervent men who charged with the thought of risking one for something worthwhile and risking two for a gain, launched frenzied attacks on those lofty sect and family elites.

At this moment, they all share one common name: Loose Cultivators!

In almost every instant, someone falls and exits the stage, yet no one retreats.

At this moment, rankings and futures are thrown to the winds.

Now, their minds hold only one thought:

"Charge, fight!"

Through their actions, they prove that loose cultivators are not sheep waiting for slaughter, nor are they unfamiliar with solidarity.

They forge ahead, like moths to a flame, writing tragedies with their own blood!

The number of loose cultivators ultimately is still too small, and their quality is far inferior compared to these elites nurtured with vast resources by sects and families.

In just fifteen minutes, aside from Lian Hongshang, Li Chen, and a few others, the rest have mostly been eliminated.

The sects and aristocratic families also paid the price of close to a hundred people out.

This was the most brutal event in the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition, reaching back two thousand years.

Now, the Ascending Dragon Platform has four to five hundred people remaining.

The leaders and prodigies from ordinary sects, seeing many spots available, begin pondering their calculations.

In fact, it's not difficult to choose.

Compared to elites from Heavenly Level sects and super families like Jian Wuheng, the ordinary sects' representatives have little loyalty to the entire hierarchy, only managing their own spaces.

Additionally, from a certain perspective, these ordinary sects are also exploited by top sects.

Li Chen's strong rise as a loose cultivator first tampered the prestige of these top prodigies, rather than the faces of these ordinary sect disciples.

Thus, unless they've lost their minds, they should not rush forward to clash against the monster Li Chen or become cannon fodder for Jian Wuheng and the top prodigies.

Moreover, they're on the Ascending Dragon Platform now, competitors among the same level, even between fellow disciples.

In fact, not only do ordinary sect prodigies think this way, but some non-chief Heavenly Extreme Sect disciples with decent talent and strength have this kind of calculation.

Some of them even see Li Chen's disruption as a chance for a meteoric rise.

Now, the loose cultivator layer has mostly exited, leaving Li Chen to fight alone.

Sect prodigies, leaders, each with their own motives. Some scramble for empty spots, and others exert little effort, only Jian Wuheng and about ten other prodigies wish to fight Li Chen to the end.

Lian Hongshang sees the situation clearly, spinning into the air, landing steadily next to Li Chen, joining him to break the siege.

At this moment, the most awkward person is undoubtedly Zhao Yuqing.

Not only is she the Holy Daughter of the Moon God Palace, but she also has a past with Li Chen, their relationship exceptional. Earlier, she blocked Heavenly Sword Mountain's Ye Xing for Li Chen, which was the best proof.

But now, the conflict has escalated, even spiraling out of control. Personal honor and grievances have ascended to fundamental conflicts between sects and loose cultivators.

Now, in the face of Li Chen and her sect, she must choose.

Choose the sect or choose her feelings?

However, before she makes a decision, Ling Shuanghua suddenly leaps to the number "2" Gold Stone Platform next to Li Chen.

"云海宗 occupies this spot, anyone dissatisfied can challenge!"

A stone stirs up a thousand waves!

Ling Shuanghua's move muddles the clear situation once more.

The key is, she's doing nothing wrong, no one can criticize her. After all, here is the Ascending Dragon Platform, everyone comes to compete, to capture positions and rewards in the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition by defending and attacking.

Zhao Yuqing, previously tormented, brightens instantaneously upon hearing Ling Shuanghua's words.

While everyone's eyes are on Ling Shuanghua, she lightly leaps, landing firmly on the number "3" Gold Stone Platform.

"This third place is claimed by my Moon God Palace. Anyone dissatisfied, fight on stage!"

Her voice is small, but cold and resolute.

Instantaneously, the crowd is again in uproar.

Zhao Yuqing and Ling Shuanghua occupy the Gold Stone Platforms just below Li Chen's Jade Platform.

The Ascending Dragon Platform is relatively narrow, with so many people, simultaneous attacks aren't possible.

Thus, to approach and engage Li Chen, you must pass through the positions of Zhao Yuqing and Ling Shuanghua.

Yet neither Zhao Yuqing nor Ling Shuanghua are rootless loose cultivators. They both have powerful sect backgrounds supporting them.

Especially Ling Shuanghua, a treasure of the Cloud Sea Sect's Sect Leader. Hurting her carelessly means an endless feud with Cloud Sea Sect.

Even disciples from the Heavenly Level sect wouldn't commit such harmful acts.

Instantaneously, the situation hits deadlock again.

Jian Wuheng sees the woman he likes standing with an opponent at this crucial moment, making him furious as if to vomit blood, his hawk-like eyes burning with rage.

Immediately, he glares at Ling Shuanghua, hysterically questioning: "Ling Shuanghua, what do you mean by this?"

Ling Shuanghua's clear eyes flash with disdain, coldly replying: "Isn't the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition about defending and attacking? I'm defending a stage now, is that wrong?"

"You…"

Jian Wuheng is speechless, his face flushed, only managing to utter the word "you."

Ling Shuanghua is entirely correct; for thousands of years, the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition's rules have always been about defending and attacking. With her adhering to the rules, there's nothing to criticize.

Looking at the angry Jian Wuheng, as if his rage wasn't enough, Ling Shuanghua adds fuel to the fire.

"Jian Wuheng, remember what I told you a few days ago? If you win the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition crown, I'll marry you. But now…"

"Hehe…"

Ling Shuanghua suddenly changes her tone, substituting her unspoken second half with a sneering laugh. The implied meaning is clear.

...

This chapter's narrative technique is somewhat messy, mainly introducing the conflict between layers, due to the conflicting interests of elite and grassroots classes, setting the stage for a series of ensuing plots.

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