With six-tenths of his strength, Zhang Ergou finally managed to lift the black iron ball.
The Snow Mountain Elder also sensed the extraordinary nature of the black iron ball, but he couldn't identify it.
After retrieving the iron ball, the two cautiously left the area, following the safe passage detected by the Snow Mountain Elder.
Upon breathing the fresh air of the outside world, Zhang Ergou almost let out a shout of joy.
The Grand Sect Competition had already begun. This competition was not just between the disciples of the Liuhai Sect and the Misty Sect.
Disciples from some smaller sects would also be sent to compete with the disciples of the two main sects.
The battle stages for the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core realms were separate.
At this moment, on the Foundation Establishment stage, a cultivator at the late stage peak of Foundation Establishment from the Liuhai Sect was fighting, his strength nearing half a step into the Golden Core realm.
His opponent was a disciple from a small sect called the Qingyang Sect, also at the late stage peak of Foundation Establishment.
The difference in their strength was not significant, and for a while, they fought to a stalemate.
Lin Yichen and a few others watched the Foundation Establishment realm battles intently. Anyone on those stages could potentially be their opponent, so they paid extra attention.
"Sigh, I wonder where Ergou has gone. Why hasn't he returned yet!"
Suddenly, Lin Yueru sighed. Despite the heated atmosphere, the morale on the Misty Sect's side was noticeably low.
This was most evident among the friends who were close to Zhang Ergou.
"Let's wait a bit longer. That kid always surprises us. Maybe this time too!"
Wang Teng tried to comfort them, but he didn't have much confidence in his own words.
Zhang Ergou's disappearance was too bizarre, happening without a sound or a trace.
Chiyu had searched for so long without any news.
Even though their eyes were fixed on the duels on the stage, everyone's mood was somber.
"Brat, disappearing without a word. When you get back, this old woman will definitely teach you a lesson!"
Chiyu searched, her heart growing increasingly anxious.
To this day, there was no news from Zhang Ergou. Though she grumbled, her worry for Zhang Ergou never lessened, only intensified with the passing of time.
An entire morning passed, and Chiyu found nothing.
Emerging from the secret chamber, Zhang Ergou did not immediately head to the Grand Sect Competition venue.
Taking advantage of being unnoticed, he first sought a hidden spot to study the mysterious black iron ball.
It was only fist-sized, yet its weight far exceeded imagination. He truly wondered what material it was made of.
Compared to that black ball, the treasures Zhang Ergou had plundered from the secret chamber were far inferior.
Although he didn't know what the mysterious black ball was, he had a feeling that it was definitely not an ordinary item.
Behind an inconspicuous small mountain peak, Zhang Ergou hid in a cave, the mysterious black iron ball placed before him.
More than two hours had passed, and Zhang Ergou had made no progress. The unremarkable black ball remained as it was.
He tried everything: smashing, knocking, stabbing with spears, hacking with swords – but there was no reaction.
Finally, he even used his spiritual fire to roast it, still without any movement.
Zhang Ergou then tried to cut his finger and drip a few drops of blood onto it, but there was still no reaction.
Seeing the dead, silent black iron ball before him, Zhang Ergou stared at it, at a loss.
"What is this ghost thing? It doesn't react to being hit, or burned, or even dripped with blood. Truly strange."
Zhang Ergou stood up and circled the inconspicuous black ball twice, but couldn't find anything peculiar about it.
"But it'd be good for smashing people, hehe!" Unable to figure it out, Zhang Ergou suddenly had an idea.
Why hadn't he thought of such a good idea earlier? Although the black iron ball wasn't large, it was incredibly heavy.
Getting hit by it would surely be a painful experience.
A sly smile appeared on Zhang Ergou's face. Those scoundrels from the Liuhai Sect dared to plot against him, so he would use the treasures they obtained to give them a surprise lesson.
With this plan in mind, and having no better method for the black iron ball at the moment, Zhang Ergou composed himself.
Putting away the black iron ball into his storage ring, Zhang Ergou stretched.
"Old man, where are we? How far is it from the venue of the Grand Sect Competition?"
He summoned the Snow Mountain Elder. With Zhang Ergou's current cultivation, his spiritual sense couldn't cover the entire Liuhai Sect.
Moreover, even if he wanted to use his spiritual sense to probe, he would have to be prepared for discovery by the Nascent Soul stage mighty figures of the Liuhai Sect.
Zhang Ergou certainly wouldn't do something so foolish.
But the Snow Mountain Elder was different. He was a natural spiritual body born from heaven and earth, with a special affinity for the earth.
Anything within a thousand-mile radius, the Snow Mountain Elder could know clearly with his eyes closed.
And without alerting anyone.
The Snow Mountain Elder didn't complain about being called upon again to do manual labor; he was rather happy to do so.
After being trapped by the formation of Lu Tianqi, the first sect master of the Misty Sect, for so long, he was eager to get out and see more of the world.
The Snow Mountain Elder opened his eyes and pointed southeast. "About thirty miles in that direction."
Zhang Ergou nodded, and the Snow Mountain Elder returned to his sea of consciousness.
At the Grand Sect Competition venue, not only Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators but also the Nascent Soul stage mighty figures of the two major sects were present. Zhang Ergou had to proceed with caution.
On the Liuhai Sect's main square, the two stages were filled with swirling light and shadows, swordplay and blade work. The competing disciples were already fired up.
"Get down!"
On the Foundation Establishment stage, a Liuhai Sect disciple struck the other disciple from a small sect, who was covered in blood, with a punch.
The punch landed heavily on his chest. A cracking sound echoed as bone broke.
The blood-covered youth spat out a mouthful of blood, lost his strength, and fell off the stage.
"Good!"
Cheers erupted from the Liuhai Sect disciples' section. The sect of the blood-covered youth had fewer members, and seeing their strongest disciple defeated, their spirits sank even lower.
"Next match, Lin Yichen of the Misty Sect versus Chen Cai of the Liuhai Sect."
Chen Cai was the Liuhai Sect disciple still on the stage. Upon hearing his name, Lin Yichen slowly walked out from the spectator area towards the stage.
Chen Cai gave him a dangerous feeling. Although that person appeared arrogant on the surface, Lin Yichen had watched his previous match from beginning to end with great care.
His conclusion was that Chen Cai had been toying with his opponent the entire time, and had not used his full strength.
"Hey, Lin Yichen, beat that guy hard!"
Just as Lin Yichen was about to step onto the stage, a familiar voice called out.