Upon hearing He Yiming’s words, the five youths, all except for Shen Haoran, fell into deep thought. This choice would determine their futures; they had to consider their own strengths and needs, as well as which Sect would be the right fit.

"I choose the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace!" Before long, the only woman among the five was the first to make her choice. The Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace only accepted female disciples, so her decision was expected.

Hearing the young woman’s choice, the Rose Fairy nodded. The envoys from the Three Great Sects had been closely monitoring the hunting competition, and this young woman had demonstrated considerable Talent, so the Rose Fairy did not refuse her.

With the young woman breaking the ice, the others began making their choices. "I choose the Spirit Crane Sect!" Ge Jian said. His family had spent the past two days currying favor with He Yiming, who, having received plenty of benefits, did not turn Ge Jian away.

"I choose the Sword Sect!" Liu Yu of the Liu Family also made his choice. He was known for his speed and Body Technique; if he were to combine that with the Sword Sect’s Swordsmanship, his combat power would multiply several times over.

Jian Wuxin of the Sword Sect was also very pleased with Liu Yu’s performance in the hunting competition and nodded in satisfaction. ’I can’t believe I came down the mountain and found such a talented disciple in a small place like this!’

Finally, Qing Hai from the City Lord’s Mansion also chose the Spirit Crane Sect, leaving Shen Haoran standing alone on the platform.

"And what is your choice?" Jian Wuxin asked, looking at the still-unmoving Shen Haoran.

"Esteemed envoys," Shen Haoran said, cupping his fist respectfully, "I do not plan to join any of the Sects."

The moment his words fell, the entire arena was in an uproar. Joining one of the Three Great Sects was a life-changing opportunity. It meant an endless supply of Cultivation resources, access to powerful Martial Skills, and the chance to reach far higher realms of power. It was an opportunity others could only dream of, and Shen Haoran had just rejected it!

The Rose Fairy and Jian Wuxin were stunned by Shen Haoran’s reply. An invitation from the Three Great Sects had been rejected. This was the first time in many, many years!

"Are you certain you won’t join any Sect?" Jian Wuxin asked, his brow furrowed in a well-intentioned warning. "You have considerable Talent. It would be a shame to waste it."

"Thank you for the advice, Elder Jian Wuxin," Shen Haoran replied modestly. "However, I’m afraid I’m not yet prepared to join a Sect." But anyone could hear the finality in his tone.

"Heh heh, Jian Wuxin, don’t waste your breath," He Yiming sneered, his cold gaze fixed on Shen Haoran. "Even if he wanted to join us, fate wouldn’t allow it. He’s about to disappear from this world entirely!"

Jian Wuxin and the others stared in astonishment at He Yiming’s words. At the same time, the crowd in the square was suddenly reminded of the two-year pact between Shen Haoran and Zuo Chuan, the genius disciple of the Spirit Crane Sect.

Zuo Chuan vaulted down from the stands, landing lightly before striding slowly toward Shen Haoran.

"I must admit, you have courage. And Talent," Zuo Chuan began, his tone light but his arrogance undisguised. "Jumping from Spirit Tempering Tier Seven to a Tier Seven Spirit Pupil in just two years is enough to surprise—even to make me jealous. A genius like you has only two possible fates: either you become a peerless hegemon, or you’re crushed underfoot by others. And unfortunately for you, I’ve crushed more than my fair share of geniuses like you. You will be no different!"

"Heh, we’ll see who crushes who," Shen Haoran retorted, raising his chin. His aura was every bit as powerful as Zuo Chuan’s.

"Shall we, then?" Zuo Chuan shrugged, turning and backing away.

After taking a dozen steps back, Zuo Chuan stopped. Clasping his hands behind his back, he addressed Shen Haoran, "Don’t say I’m bullying you. I’ll fight you without using my arms. Go ahead, make your move."

Shen Haoran simply smiled at Zuo Chuan’s arrogance, saying nothing. ’On the surface, it looks like I’ll be crushed,’ he thought. ’But appearances can be deceiving. I’ll make him use his real power!’

Feeling the volatile tension on the Martial Arts Arena, the crowd below held its breath, afraid to disturb the coming battle. In the viewing stands, He Yiming and the others fixed their gazes on the two combatants. The only one who seemed uninterested was the scruffy old man from the Five Elements Sect. He shot them a single glance before closing his eyes once more, seemingly content to continue sunbathing.

BOOM! With a muffled explosion, Shen Haoran struck first. An incredible burst of power shattered the bluestone pavers under his feet as he launched himself toward Zuo Chuan like a cannonball, his right fist aimed squarely at his opponent’s chest!

As Shen Haoran charged forward menacingly, Zuo Chuan simply raised his legs and effortlessly blocked the punch.

Shen Haoran wasn’t surprised his first attack failed to connect. He pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of punches. The sheer force of his assault whipped up the dust on the Martial Arts Arena!

Yet, against Shen Haoran’s furious onslaught, Zuo Chuan defended himself using only his legs. He didn’t retreat a single step.

"Is this all the strength you have? If so, I’d advise you to just surrender," Zuo Chuan said coldly after blocking another of Shen Haoran’s heavy fists. Simultaneously, his right leg snapped out like a whip, striking viciously at Shen Haoran’s face!

BAM! Zuo Chuan’s kick was incredibly fast. With no time to evade, Shen Haoran could only cross his arms to block. The tremendous impact sent him flying, his body sliding more than ten meters across the ground before he came to a stop, lying prone and motionless.

The crowd erupted at the sight. So this was the difference between a Spirit Pupil and a Spirit General! Shen Haoran had attacked relentlessly without pushing Zuo Chuan back a single step, yet a single, seemingly casual blow from Zuo Chuan had left him unable to even get up. The gap between them was immense!

Up in the stands, Jian Wuxin and the others shook their heads; they should have anticipated this result. He Yiming, in particular, shot Shen Haoran a look of utter contempt, mocking his foolishness. Only the scruffy old man murmured a soft, "Oh?" before closing his eyes again. This time, however, he couldn’t relax. His Heart Spirit remained focused on the Martial Arts Arena.

"Hmph. Utter trash," Zuo Chuan sneered, looking down at the unmoving Shen Haoran.

*Cough, cough...* Just as the crowd was murmuring with pity and disappointment, the prone figure of Shen Haoran let out a few soft coughs. He slowly got to his feet, patted the dust from his clothes, and looked for all the world like he hadn’t just been grievously wounded.

"Damn, that hurt," Shen Haoran muttered, wincing as he clutched his arm. Zuo Chuan’s kick had certainly packed a punch; it had taken him a moment to get his bearings.

Seeing Shen Haoran acting as if he were completely fine, Zuo Chuan’s face grew grim. ’So he was just playing possum!’

"Good. Very good," Zuo Chuan snarled, his expression turning vicious. "You’re not as useless as I imagined. Bring out your true strength, because you won’t get another chance!"

"Mmm... okay. Warm-up’s over," Shen Haoran said, a wide grin spreading across his face as he settled into a combat stance. "Time to get serious!" He was thrumming with excitement; every cell in his body yearned for this fight. All other thoughts vanished from his mind, replaced by a single, all-consuming word: "Fight!"