Chapter Ninety-Seven: How Should I Lend a Helping Hand?

The first to arrive at the edge of the Abyss was a familiar face.

It was Zhou Qian.

Old acquaintances meeting again, emotions inevitably surged.

Zhou Qian informed the three of them of the results from the second phase of the selection.

Although Jiang Yue had already told Wang Li and Yun Jingzi the outcome, the three still listened attentively.

Strictly speaking, seventy-three people had qualified for the third stage. Yun Jingzi and Jiang Yue, whose presence severely affected the balance of the Chosen, along with Wang Li, the so-called “trash,” had all arrived at the final destination ahead of time.

Among the remaining seventy-three, only eleven disciples from Pure Yang Temple were left—this included the trio of Wang Li, Jiang Yue, and Yun Jingzi. The others were Lin Zuo, Ling Xiao, Luo Heng, Zhou Qian, Zhang Zai, Nan Qi, and a female disciple named Qiong Zhi.

Lin You, one of their top fighters, had lost his mind in the final grand formation and been eliminated. Lin Zuo, on the other hand, managed to break through to the Spirit Transformation Realm during the arena battle and barely scraped together enough points to make it to the last stage.

Yet, success didn’t solely depend on a cultivator’s strength; luck played a crucial role as well.

Both Ling Xiao and Zhou Qian were fortunate enough to advance with only a third-level Nascent Soul cultivation. Incredibly, Zhou Qian even ranked first in points and was the very first to reach the Abyss—an astonishing feat, proving he was no ordinary backup.

Luo Heng and Nan Qi, by some unknown fortuitous encounter, broke through to the Spirit Transformation Realm ahead of Lin Zuo and seized the last wave of opportunities to gather enough points for the third stage.

Zhang Zai, still at the Golden Core Realm, swept the field to accumulate his points. He carefully exited the labyrinth in three steps and entered the final challenge without error. He avoided Yun Jingzi’s mistake—once he had enough points, he didn't return to the arena.

As for Qiong Zhi, she was a master who had quietly prepared for her moment; before entering the labyrinth, she broke through two major realms in succession. With the peak power of a first-level Spirit Transformation cultivator, she defeated three peers and secured enough points.

“Seventy percent of the seventy-three are Spirit Transformation cultivators… How are we supposed to lend support in this situation?”

Yun Jingzi frowned deeply, sending a voice transmission to Wang Li.

The situation was far from optimistic.

“It’s nothing. I’ll hold off the others—just assist me from the side,”

But Wang Li was untroubled. He believed that no matter how many masters there were, it wouldn’t affect the outcome. After all, there was only one divine artifact, and with Ling Xiao, the true child of destiny, present, Wang Li was confident he could achieve his goal.

This was what it meant to follow the flow of fate. After all, the event was designed to bestow fortune upon the chosen.

Moreover, Wang Li himself had already been excluded from the final trial. He could easily stall the other competitors, ensuring that only Ling Xiao had the chance to enter the Abyss.

Having studied the laws of space for so long, he now had absolute confidence in his own strength.

The first person he needed to “persuade to withdraw” was Zhou Qian.

Zhou Qian was one of Ling Xiao’s designated backup candidates—he posed the greatest obstacle to Wang Li’s plan.

Still, Zhou Qian was one of their own; brute force was out of the question. Wang Li would have to find another way.

Jiang Yue said nothing, her gaze toward Zhou Qian full of pity.

Poor child, destined to be led astray...

Yun Jingzi, on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to beat sense into him and force him to give up. The memory of being tricked by him before, triggering the hidden rules, still made her fume.

But since Wang Li only needed her as support, she restrained her impulse.

Zhou Qian soon noticed the odd looks the trio were giving him, especially Yun Jingzi’s barely contained aggression. He couldn’t help but shudder.

“Deacon Wang, Senior Sister Yun Jingzi, Senior Sister Jiang Yue—if you have something to say, please just say it. The way you’re looking at me… you’re making me nervous!”

Wang Li patted his shoulder, his voice gentle. “You are a disciple of Pure Yang Temple and have been by my side for some time. I ought to look after you. But the world is unpredictable, and now it seems you are fated not to be connected with the sacred artifact beneath the Abyss.”

Zhou Qian blinked in surprise. “I never said I intended to claim the artifact!”

“There’s no need to give up on yourself… What? What did you say?”

Wang Li meant to offer him a few words of comfort, but sensed something odd and stared at Zhou Qian in surprise. “You don’t want the artifact? Why?”

Yun Jingzi and Jiang Yue also stared, faces full of confusion.

“Is Zhou Qian an idiot? Why so forthright? What’s he playing at?”

The two exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Zhou Qian gave a wry smile. “I know my own limits. To be honest, Deacon Wang, your favoritism toward Senior Brother Ling Xiao is clear for all to see. Though you never said anything directly, I could feel it—you’ve always been wary of me, though I don’t know why. So I realized long ago that the sacred artifact was not meant for me, and I see no point in fighting for it.”

Wang Li awkwardly rubbed his nose. “Since you’re so candid, I won’t beat around the bush either.”

Now that Zhou Qian had spoken plainly, Wang Li decided it was best to be direct, so there would be no lingering doubts in Zhou Qian’s heart.

“Ling Xiao is not only someone I favor; let me state clearly, from the very beginning of the Chosen Trials, it was destined that the artifact would belong to Ling Xiao. The exact reason is not for you to know, but you should understand that no one else may touch it. The outcome is foreordained, and anyone who tries to interfere will suffer for it.”

Wang Li’s words were half true, half false, but they sounded terrifying.

He wasn’t just speaking to Zhou Qian—he was also addressing Yun Jingzi and Jiang Yue. Though they knew he intended to help Ling Xiao win the artifact, they didn’t know the specific reason. Now, telling them would reassure them in supporting his plan.

Wang Li himself didn’t know what would happen if someone other than Ling Xiao obtained the artifact, but considering Ling Xiao’s aura of destiny, he felt it best to scare everyone else away.

As expected, the three of them turned pale at his words.

Yun Jingzi asked, “Deacon Wang, isn’t that… a bit much? How did you know the Chosen was meant to select Ling Xiao?”

She wasn’t doubting his word—Wang Li was unfathomable, certainly capable of ensuring only Ling Xiao could approach the artifact. Still, he hadn’t forced the Pure Yang Temple disciples to withdraw, and she was simply curious why he’d reveal such a secret when he held all the cards.

Wang Li was a little embarrassed.

If he didn’t say something arcane, how could he maintain his aura of a true master?

He replied gravely, “The secrets of fate cannot be divulged. Telling you any more would only bring you harm.”

Since he meant to frighten them, he might as well go all the way.

“Especially regarding Ling Xiao—don’t inquire any further. Even the sect master would not dare meddle.”

“Yun Jingzi, your master stands at the peak of this world. When you return, ask him if he dares get involved.”

Once he invoked the name of the sect master and the former sect leader, the three dared not press further.

Noticing Zhou Qian’s unease, Wang Li understood his thoughts.

“Hand me your cultivation method. I’ll help you complete it. When we return to Pure Yang Temple, I’ll further refine and upgrade it for you—as compensation. Do you accept?”