From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 581 Overt and covert schemes, the battle for first place (Welcoming the Mid-Autumn Festival, three more updates to come)
Li Chengqian returned from Guixu, and not only did his cultivation break through to the Wind and Fire Tribulation, but the news of his defeat of Fan Qingying, the top candidate on the Longevity Candidate List, was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

Especially in the Immortal Ascension Sect, it's getting worse and worse!
Initially, the news circulated only among some high-ranking members and well-informed disciples, but it quickly spread at an illogical speed, sweeping across the entire inner and outer sects of the Feathered Ascension Sect.

"Have you heard? Senior Brother Li Chengqian of Lanyue Peak defeated Fan Qingying, the Abandoned Heaven Thief, overseas!"

"Fan Qingying? The one who ranked first on the Longevity Candidate List, the leader of the Forty Great Thieves who even slightly surpasses Senior Brother Hua Tiandu, a giant of the demonic path?" someone with inside information asked in surprise.

"It's absolutely true! It's said that even her signature Dao artifact, the Great Chaos Thunder Sword, was taken by Senior Brother Li and given to Senior Sister Fang of Purple Lightning Peak!"

"Hiss... Senior Brother Li has only been a disciple for a few years? And he already possesses such terrifying strength?!"

"In that case, shouldn't the title of the number one true disciple of our Feathered Ascension Sect be changed to someone else?"

"Be careful what you say! Senior Brother Hua has cultivated for many years, and his cultivation is unfathomable. How could he be so easily surpassed?"

"That's not how it works. Strength is what matters! Senior Brother Li's ability to defeat Fan Qingying is far more impressive than any ranking on the Longevity Candidate List..."

Such discussions were constantly heard among the disciples during their cultivation, travels, and even breaks from missions. The initial shock caused by Li Chengqian's survival of the Wind and Fire Tribulation paled in comparison to his victory over Fan Qingying. After all, while the Wind and Fire Tribulation was difficult, many in the history of the Feathered Ascension Sect had survived it, but to defeat Fan Qingying, the undisputed number one among the younger generation, with only an eighth-level Divine Power cultivation, was truly an astonishing feat.

The most important thing is the competition for the first true successor; this is the most pressing gossip they have in mind!

As a result, Lanyue Peak became even more popular, with countless disciples yearning to join its ranks. Xu Wenyuan, Yuan Zhi, and others were extremely busy, but their brows were filled with pride and excitement.

However, in contrast, the atmosphere on Tiandu Peak and within the sphere of influence of Hua Tiandu was somewhat oppressive.

Inside the secret hall of Tiandu Peak.

Hua Tiandu stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the churning sea of ​​clouds. His expression was calm, but deep within his gentle eyes, a dark current seemed to be surging. Behind him, Wan Luo and Ling Xiao stood with their hands at their sides, their expressions not very good.

"Senior Brother, the rumors outside are getting worse and worse! Many disciples are talking in private, saying that Li Chengqian is the number one true disciple of our sect. If this continues, it may damage Senior Brother's prestige!" Wan Luo's tone was filled with resentment. He already had a grudge against Li Chengqian, and now seeing his momentum, he felt even more jealous and resentful.

Lingxiao also said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother, Li Chengqian has risen too quickly, and now, riding the wave of a great victory, the people's hearts are unsettled. If we don't curb this now, I'm afraid..."

Hua Tiandu slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, his voice still calm: "Oh? Then, in your opinion, how should we stop this?"

A ruthless glint flashed in Wan Luo's eyes: "Why not find a pretext to invite him to the Heavenly Execution Platform and defeat him honorably in front of the entire sect! As long as our senior brother wins, all the rumors will fall apart on their own!"

Lingxiao shook his head slightly: "That's not advisable. Senior Brother's status is so noble, how can he easily step into the fray? Besides, Li Chengqian is currently riding high. If we don't have absolute confidence, what if... it backfires? Furthermore, he has already survived the Wind and Fire Tribulation, his strength is probably..." He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear: even Fan Qingying had been defeated, and even if Hua Tiandu was confident, he wouldn't dare say he could reliably defeat Li Chengqian now. After all, the ranking on the Longevity Candidate List wasn't an absolute measure of strength, especially at their level.

Hua Tiandu remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled softly, though there was little warmth in his smile: "Where do you think these rumors originated?"

Wanluo and Lingxiao were taken aback and exchanged a glance.

Lingxiao hesitated and said, "I have also secretly investigated, and the source seems to be very scattered. It is mostly disciples of small and medium-sized forces who are talking about it, and it is difficult to trace it back to specific individuals."

"Dispersed?" Hua Tiandu shook his head, his eyes becoming profound. "It's precisely because it's dispersed that it seems deliberate. If someone hadn't been stirring things up, how could the news of Li Chengqian defeating Fan Qingying have spread so quickly and so widely? And why was it aimed directly at the number one disciple?"

Wan Luo suddenly realized: "Senior Brother means... someone is deliberately trying to sow discord between you and Li Chengqian? They want to sit back and watch the tigers fight?"

Hua Tiandu nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Indeed. The timing of these rumors is far too coincidental. The person behind them is utterly despicable."

He paused, then his tone shifted to one of unquestionable authority: "However, this suits me just as well."

Wanluo and Lingxiao were both taken aback, not understanding what he meant.

Hua Tiandu paced back and forth, slowly saying, "Li Chengqian is indeed a prodigy with a strong destiny. I originally intended to observe the situation quietly and wait for him to grow before making a decision. However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. Now, rumors are rampant, and this is no longer just a matter for me alone. It concerns the stability of the sect, the prestige of me, Hua Tiandu, and even more so, who can truly lead the masses when facing the great calamity of the gods in the future!"

His voice gradually rose, carrying a resolute air of authority: "If I were to retreat and avoid battle now, wouldn't the disciples of the sect, and the immortal and demonic paths, laugh at me, Hua Tian, ​​for being afraid of a rising star? How could I command respect in the future? How could I lead the Feathered Ascension Sect?"

"The Feathered Ascension Sect can only have one voice, one core! That core was me in the past, is me now, and must be me in the future!" Hua Tiandu's gaze was sharp as a sword as he swept over Wan Luo and Ling Xiao. "Li Chengqian is a variable, a challenge, but he is also the best whetstone. This opportunity will allow everyone to see clearly who is the undisputed leader of the Feathered Ascension Sect!"

"I am about to attempt to break through to the Longevity Realm. If I back down this time, my mind will not be complete. If my mind is incomplete, attempting to break through to the Longevity Realm will be certain death. No matter who is behind this, it is an open conspiracy that leaves me no choice but to retreat!"

Wanluo and Lingxiao were awestruck by the determination in Hua Tiandu's words, and bowed simultaneously: "Senior Brother is wise! We are willing to fight to the death!"

Hua Tiandu nodded slightly and instructed, "Since some people want to see me compete with Li Chengqian, then so be it. Wanluo, Lingxiao, you two give the order to have our people... not suppress the rumors, but instead guide them slightly. Make the competition for the first true disciple even more intense. Make everyone feel that this battle between me and Li Chengqian is inevitable!"

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "What I want is not a simple victory or defeat. It is to crush him with absolute strength under the watchful eyes of everyone! To completely establish my supreme authority! To make him, and all those with ulterior motives, understand that the future of the Feathered Ascension Sect is in my hands, Hua Tiandu!"

"Yes!" Wan Luo and Ling Xiao perked up and left to carry out the order. They understood Hua Tiandu's intention—to leverage the situation, turn the tables, and use an indisputable victory to shatter all doubts and solidify his supreme position.

(End of this chapter)