Jin Ze was ecstatic. He was the first to reach the peak, so he should be the one to smoothly obtain the Crown and become the Rookie King.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but laugh aloud. But just as quickly, his laughter came to an abrupt halt, as if his throat was being choked. His eyes widened as he stared dead ahead. He discovered that, besides himself, there was actually another person on the peak. And this person was closer to the Crown.

This meant that person had reached the peak before him. How could this be? I wasn’t the first one to reach the summit? Someone was actually faster than me! Who is it? Who could it possibly be?

He stared intently at the figure, but in the next moment, he froze with an expression of someone who had just seen a ghost.

"It’s you, Lin Xuan!"

"How could it be you?"

He had considered countless people, but he had never imagined it would be Lin Xuan. Isn’t this guy just an ant? He should have been killed by a Demon Beast as soon as he entered the mountains. How could he have possibly reached the peak? Not to mention, he was even faster than me! He was dumbfounded. At this moment, he was completely and utterly flabbergasted.

Ahead, Lin Xuan turned his head to look. He was slightly surprised to see it was Jin Ze. Huh, this guy is pretty fast too. But so what? He’s still a step too slow.

He said indifferently, "You’re late. This Crown belongs to me."

"How did you reach the peak? How could you possibly be here?" Jin Ze roared furiously.

Lin Xuan replied, "I walked here, of course. I told you long ago, my strength is beyond your imagination. No one can stop me. Even a three-star Demon Beast can’t stop me, much less you. So I advise you, it’s best not to make an enemy of me. Otherwise, your end will be miserable."

What? Jin Ze was stunned by these words. The people at the foot of the mountain were equally stunned.

There was an Array at the summit, allowing those at the foot of the mountain to clearly see and hear the events and conversations taking place on the peak. Upon hearing Lin Xuan’s words, they were all dumbstruck.

What is this kid saying? A three-star Demon Beast couldn’t stop him? Could it be that Lin Xuan was the one who fought the three-star Demon Beast earlier? Is that for real?

"Ha! This kid really knows how to boast, doesn’t he?" Gu Xinghe laughed out loud.

Elder Lei rolled his eyes. "You fought a three-star Demon Beast? Are you worthy? You probably couldn’t even withstand a single glance from a three-star Demon Beast."

This kid really can brag. His boasting has reached the heavens. In Elder Lei’s view, Lin Xuan must have simply been lucky to be the first to reach the summit. If he had encountered a three-star Demon Beast, he would have been defeated long ago.

So it was all just boasting. The others came to a sudden realization. They also didn’t believe Lin Xuan could contend with a three-star Demon Beast. After all, it was already incredible that Lin Xuan could fight a two-star Demon Beast. It was impossible for him to also take on a three-star Demon Beast.

On the summit, Jin Ze froze for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter. "You fought a three-star Demon Beast? Don’t be ridiculous! Who do you think you are, to be able to contend with a three-star Demon Beast?"

Just then, three more talented newcomers arrived at the summit. They weren’t surprised to see Jin Ze, but when they saw Lin Xuan, they were stunned.

It’s like we’re dreaming. How is Lin Xuan here? After hearing what Lin Xuan said, they were even more dumbfounded. Was it really Lin Xuan who fought the three-star Demon Beast? Is that true?

"That’s impossible," one of the newcomers said, shaking his head. "Lin Xuan can’t possibly have that kind of strength."

"Exactly! Lin Xuan, you’re such a braggart. Even though you’re a Dragon Warrior, you’re only a five-star Grandmaster. How could you possibly cross so many cultivation realms to fight a three-star Demon Beast?"

"Among all the newcomers, only Jin Ze can fight a three-star Demon Beast," another newcomer stated.

"That’s right. Jin Ze has a quasi-Saint Body. Only he can contend with a three-star Demon Beast. It’s absolutely impossible for you! Just stop boasting. You were just lucky to get here."

"How ridiculous!" Lin Xuan sneered coldly. "Who told you that Jin Ze was the one with the quasi-Saint Body? I am the quasi-Saint Body."

The newcomers were stunned by his words. Below the mountain, the crowd was also dumbfounded.

Lin Xuan has a quasi-Saint Body? Is that for real?

"That’s utter nonsense!" Elder Lei was enraged. "A Dragon Warrior from a thousand years ago could evolve into a quasi-Saint Body. But after a thousand years, the path of the Dragon Warrior has been severed. Even if someone is lucky enough to become a Dragon Warrior, they are suppressed by heaven and earth. They have no future. Under these circumstances, how could he possibly evolve into a quasi-Saint Body?"

On the summit, the three newcomers rolled their eyes upon hearing this. One of them, a girl named Zi Su, offered some sincere advice. "Lin Xuan, stop boasting. I suggest you give up now. It’s impossible for you to seize the Crown. You’re no match for Jin Ze."

Lin Xuan, however, just laughed. "Give up? Why should I give up? I’ve never even considered Jin Ze a threat. I possess the combat power of a three-star Grandmaster. In my eyes, this Jin Ze is no different from an ant."

These words stunned Zi Su, the other newcomers, and everyone watching from below.

His combat power is equivalent to a three-star Grandmaster! What kind of joke is that? Weren’t we told his power was only equivalent to a two-star Grandmaster? Hmph, he couldn’t possibly fight across eight minor realms!

No one believed him. Even Ning Xue and Lu Jiu found it hard to believe.

Lu Jiu whispered, "Junior Brother Lin is certainly formidable, but he really does love to boast. He’s clearly only at the level of a two-star Grandmaster, yet he claims to have the combat power of a three-star Grandmaster. He’s laying it on a bit thick."

"What did you say?" Hearing Lin Xuan’s words, Jin Ze’s face turned utterly grim.

This kid boasting about being a quasi-Saint Body and having the strength of a three-star Grandmaster was one thing, but to completely disregard me and call me an ant... This is intolerable! I am invincible among two-star cultivators! How could I be an ant? I’ve disliked this Lin Xuan from the start. Now is the perfect time to deal with this brat.

"I will trample you underfoot, make you kneel before me, and lick my shoes!"

With that, Jin Ze made his move. He shot a palm forward, his hand carrying a terrifying Thunderous Power as it fiercely struck out at Lin Xuan.

Sensing this power, the other three newcomers on the peak paled, their bodies trembling involuntarily. They were also at the two-star Grandmaster level, but they felt an overwhelming threat from this single palm strike. After all, there was a huge gap between an ordinary two-star Grandmaster and someone who was invincible among two-stars. They were simply no match for Jin Ze.

"I bet Lin Xuan can’t stop that," one of the newcomers said.

"Of course not. If we can’t stop it, how could he possibly?" another added. "Just watch, he’s in for it now."

Seeing the attack, Zi Su called out a kind warning, "Lin Xuan, quick! Dodge! Just surrender!"

However, Lin Xuan stood his ground, not dodging at all. He simply let the palm strike him.

BANG!

The palm slammed into Lin Xuan’s body. The thunder erupted, completely engulfing his figure.

Oh no! Zi Su’s expression changed at the sight.

The other two newcomers shook their heads and sighed. "How foolish!"

"He was hit. He’s doomed."

Below, the crowd gasped when they saw this. He was hit?

"It’s over. That kid is going to have a miserable end."

Gu Xinghe laughed heartily. "He’s bound to lose!"

Elder Lei snorted coldly. "Foolish thing."

Jin Ze’s lips curled into a cold sneer. "Pathetic."

It seems the battle is over. I’ve won.