Lei Gangyang saw that no one opposed the idea and nodded, his tone solemn and resolute: "In that case, I propose we take action to suppress him. From today onward, each sect will put forward two people to take turns challenging other martial artists until we reach that mortal martial artist. Once we've drawn him as an opponent, I trust everyone knows what to do?"
Two people from each sect—four major sects meant eight people total. Eight people issuing challenges every day meant the odds of drawing Jiang Chen were extremely high.
Maybe not on the first day, but on the second, the third…
After ten or twenty days, they were bound to eventually face him.
When everyone heard Lei Gangyang's ruthless words, they all drew a sharp breath. His intention was unmistakable—to kill.
Long Juxue was once again the first to stand up in support: "I support Senior Brother Gangyang. That brat's arrogance must not be encouraged. If we take turns challenging, sooner or later we'll draw him. I, Long Juxue, declare that if I draw him, I will use everything in my power to obliterate him on the arena—leaving him absolutely no chance to leave the stage alive!"
"I'm willing to join as well!" Zeng Shi stepped forward to declare.
Lei Gangyang smiled faintly: "I'm the one who proposed this, so naturally I can't sit on the sidelines. I'll take the lead on this matter, and I'll be out there myself. What about your three sects?"
With three people from the Purple Sun Sect already volunteering, the other three sects were effectively cornered. The Purple Sun Sect was being this proactive—would they really dare sit back and reap the benefits?
Lian Canghai pondered for a moment, then raised his hand: "Count me in."
Tie Dazhi saw Lian Canghai step up and said: "Add me as well."
When Lei Gangyang saw Tie Dazhi volunteer, he wasn't particularly pleased. After all, among the four great talents of the Treasure Tree Sect, Tie Dazhi was nothing more than the weakest link. He had hoped Xie Yufan would step forward.
But at a time like this, enthusiasm was needed, and with Tie Dazhi being so eager, Lei Gangyang couldn't exactly discourage him.
From the Flowing Cloud Sect, Shi Yunyun chuckled: "Since Brother Gangyang puts it that way, I, Shi Yunyun, will reluctantly give it a try. However, I can't guarantee any particular result."
Lei Gangyang felt a twinge of displeasure. They hadn't even started the challenges yet, and she was already planning her escape route—this was clearly the attitude of someone going through the motions.
From the Myriad Spirit Sect, Luo Xi pointed to the two people beside him: "I have no particular interest myself. Let these two junior brothers of mine participate."
Lei Gangyang, seeing one of them being evasive and the other outright refusing to cooperate, grew irritable. He sneered: "Brother Luo, are you planning to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor?"
"Sit back and enjoy?" Luo Xi smiled faintly. "Brother Lei is perfectly free to call this off. I, for one, am genuinely curious to see just where this mortal genius's limits lie."
"Hmph. His limits end here."
Although Luo Xi wouldn't participate, Lei Gangyang didn't push the matter. There were already more than enough willing volunteers, and every single one of them was a top-tier fighter from the Heavenly Spirit Area.
Any one of them would crush that mortal genius if they met.
Just then, Tang Hong burst into loud laughter: "Wonderful, truly wonderful! Every one of you showing your ugly faces—how laughable, how utterly laughable!"
"What a pathetic Summit. Persecuting those who are different, pure selfishness. So-called geniuses—all of it is rubbish!"
Tang Hong threw his head back and laughed, then strode toward the door.
He could hold back no longer. This so-called Summit had been nothing from start to finish but a group of selfish geniuses conspiring to suppress anyone who didn't fit their mold.
Tang Hong was ashamed to share a label with any of them.
Lei Gangyang's brow arched upon hearing this, and a murderous gleam surged into his eyes.
"Lian Canghai, is there truly no one among your Treasure Tree Sect's geniuses who can bring this fool to heel?"
Lian Canghai replied coolly: "He has always been one to go his own way. I have no connection to him whatsoever."
"Hmph. If you put it that way, then the next time he runs afoul of my Purple Sun Sect, your Treasure Tree Sect had better not have anything to say about it." Lei Gangyang's voice was cold as ice.
"If he runs afoul of you, he's asking for death. What does that have to do with me?" Lian Canghai's voice was utterly indifferent.
Luo Xi also gave a light laugh and cupped his fists toward everyone: "Gentlemen, carry on with your deliberations. I won't be part of this. If you'll excuse me."
"Then we shall take our leave as well." Those who hadn't volunteered quickly followed suit with their farewells.
Before long, only the people who intended to participate in the challenges remained.
Lei Gangyang's gaze swept across every face: "Everyone, since we've decided to act, let there be no soft-heartedness. With seven or eight of us issuing challenges every day, even though the opponents are selected randomly, we're bound to draw him eventually. All I hope is—"
Before Lei Gangyang could finish, his ear twitched abruptly. A sharp beam of light shot from his eyes into the void as he barked: "Who's there?"
"So you're Lei Gangyang?" A cold, detached voice drifted from the empty air.
A figure materialized out of thin air, lounging casually atop the wall with arms wrapped around his knees, the very picture of leisure.
"How dare you trespass on my residence! Get down here and die!"
Lei Gangyang's eyes erupted with frigid killing intent. His great palm swept forward, and a powerful surge of Gangyang qi erupted outward like a seething flood dragon.
Woven into that fierce blast of yang energy were threadlike wisps resembling electric serpents, pulsing with the unmistakable power of the way of thunder.
"That's the Gangyang Lightning Serpent!" the Flowing Cloud Sect's genius girl Shi Yunyun cried out. "Everyone says Senior Brother Gangyang was born with a Thunder Spirit physique—the rumors are no exaggeration!"
The figure on the wall watched this overwhelming strike hurtling toward him and simply smiled. He reached out casually, as if intending to catch the torrent of power with his bare hand.