They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 343 The Heavenly Scroll is Obtained

The next day, as the morning light pierced through the thin mist, the huge venue seemed rather deserted.

Most of the extraordinary people who came from afar have chosen to leave. They either lost all their savings or exhausted their enthusiasm and had no interest in staying.

Watching that shameless guy smugly give his remarks? Isn't that just making things difficult for himself?

As a result, those who remained were mostly people who were truly involved in the situation.

Zhang Chulan and Zhuge Qing walked side by side up the stone steps leading to the venue.

The mountain breeze in the early morning carried a bone-chilling coolness, but Zhang Chulan felt as if his mind was a tangled mess of glue, impossible to unravel.

He glanced at Zhuge Qing beside him; the other man looked calm and composed, as if he wasn't the one who had mysteriously "fallen ill" amidst everyone's anticipation yesterday.

"Brother Qing,"

Zhang Chulan finally couldn't hold back any longer, his voice lowered to a whisper, "Yesterday... what exactly happened? My master..."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Qing turned his head. He didn't answer directly, but simply smiled.

"Don't rush, we'll talk about it later."

The phrase "we'll talk about it later" did not reassure Zhang Chulan; instead, it made him even more anxious.

The two walked into the center of the venue one after the other. On the high platform, all ten elders had already arrived.

Their gazes all fell on the two who walked in, each with their own thoughts.

Zhang Chulan steeled himself and stepped to the front of the stage, accepting the scrutiny of the crowd.

However, the first person to speak was not targeting him.

"Hehe, the young man from the Zhuge family is indeed a man of outstanding talent and a dragon among men."

Lu Ci suddenly spoke, his small eyes darting around Zhuge Qing.
"I wonder... if you've ever had someone you've been interested in?"

The atmosphere in the room instantly became subtle after these words were spoken.

Before Zhuge Qing could respond to this sudden "checking of household registration," another cheerful voice interrupted.

"Give me a break, you old Lu! Everyone knows the rules of your Lu family. You think you can get someone to be your live-in son-in-law?"
Besides, look at your girls, which one of them is good enough for him?
If you really want me to say something, why don't you come and be my grandson-in-law? My Linglong kept talking about you yesterday..."

Lu Jin blew on his gray beard and said with a disdainful look.

"Forehead……"

Seeing the two old men arguing, Zhuge Qing was momentarily at a loss for words.

He spent the entire day yesterday checking the Qimen Dunjia arrangements on Longhu Mountain at his residence, preparing for his late-night meeting with the Old Celestial Master. As far as he could remember, he had no interaction with that feisty eldest daughter of the Lu family.

What was she muttering about herself?
Standing to the side, Zhang Chulan's expression instantly turned extremely strange, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably as he desperately tried not to laugh out loud.

He actually knew about this.

Yesterday, during the semi-finals, the eldest daughter of the Lu family bet all of her living expenses for several months on Zhuge Qingsheng, and even used loan tools such as "Huabei" and "Baitiao" in order to make a fortune by betting on Zhuge Qingsheng.

Who would have thought that this Zhuge Liang, who was favored by countless people, would actually forfeit at the last minute and lose decisively?

Now, that young lady has no chance of making a profit; she'll probably be eating dirt to pay off her debts for the next few months.

In this situation, wouldn't she have to keep the name of this "culprit" on her lips, repeating it over and over again?

Just thinking about that clenched-teeth look made Zhang Chulan's back teeth ache.

"Okay, just say a few words."

Seeing that he had gained the upper hand, Lu Jin stopped pressing the issue. He cleared his throat, steered the conversation back on track, and turned his gaze to Zhang Chulan.

"Let's get back to the main point. According to the previous agreement, this Heavenly Scroll is yours..."

As he spoke, Lu Jin solemnly pulled out a thread-bound booklet from his large Taoist robe.

In an instant, everyone's attention was drawn to the booklet.

That is one of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques, the Heavenly Talisman!
The ultimate skill that countless extraordinary individuals dream of, one of the sources of the Jia Shen Rebellion, lies so lightly in Lu Jin's hands, about to be handed over to Zhang Chulan.

Zhang Chulan's heart skipped a beat. He looked at the booklet, his breathing becoming rapid.

However, at that moment, an old and calm voice rang out.

"Old Lu, don't worry. Chu Lan has only just mastered the thunder magic of my Celestial Master's Mansion. Where would he find the time to practice talisman techniques?"

"Even if this extraordinary skill is given to him, it would probably be a waste of his talent."

Zhang Zhiwei's tone was completely calm, as if he were stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

"Um?!"

Lu Jin's hand hovered in mid-air. He turned back to look at Zhang Zhiwei in surprise, his face full of confusion.

What is this? To publicly say that their own heir is incompetent? What's going on here?
Upon hearing Zhang Zhiwei's words, Zhang Chulan's taut nerves jolted.

He understood instantly...

Zhang Chulan bowed deeply to Lu Jin, his voice low but resolute. "Grandpa Lu, esteemed seniors... this Tongtian Talisman is not for me."

These words stunned not only the sparse audience in the stands, but also Lü Ci and Wang Ai in the Ten Elders' seats.

Those are the Eight Extraordinary Skills!

How many people have lost their families and fought tooth and nail for it? This shameless kid went to great lengths and used every trick in the book to win the championship, and now he's just going to give it up like that?

"Boy, do you know what you are talking about?"

Lu Jin frowned deeply; he hated these roundabout tricks the most.

"Of course I know. But these eight extraordinary skills are not an opportunity for me, but a huge problem."

I don't have any grand ambitions; I just enjoy peace and quiet. I'm already quite content to be able to return to the Longhu Mountain sect this time.

With this hot potato on my back, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep peacefully anymore.

Zhang Chulan raised his head, a wry smile on his face, and shrugged, looking every bit the bachelor.

These words were half true and half false, but they were consistent with the image he had always projected.

"Holy crap, so my Heavenly Talisman won't be able to be transmitted today after all!"

Lu Jin said irritably, "Although Zhang Zhiwei is right, these are the Eight Extraordinary Skills!"
"If we don't want first place, we can give it to second place."

"This child from the Zhuge family has a solid foundation, and what's even more remarkable is that he is blessed by the Marquis of Wu and can communicate with the gods."

Talismans are a method used by Taoists to borrow the power of heaven and earth and the gods. He can directly possess the gods, which shows that he has a talent in this field that is difficult for ordinary people to match.

This skill, when applied to him, is not a disgrace.

Zhang Zhiwei said again.

Once these words were spoken, the logic immediately became clear.

It is perfectly reasonable for the champion to forfeit and the prize to be awarded to the runner-up.

Moreover, the Celestial Master himself endorsed it, highlighting the "compatibility" between Zhuge Qing and the Tongtian Talisman.

But these words took on a different meaning in Zhang Chulan's ears, as if his advisor and Zhuge Qing had reached some kind of agreement.

"That's true..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin's tightly furrowed brows relaxed.

He had always thought Zhuge Qing was a promising talent, and when he used the Tongtian Talisman as bait, it was perhaps with the intention of finding a good successor for him.

Now that Zhang Chulan has voluntarily given up and Zhuge Qing has taken over, it seems to be a win-win situation.

“Indeed, Lao Lu, times have changed. You should pass on this skill. Don’t keep clinging to it.”

Just then, a chubby figure chimed in, none other than Wang Ai, one of the Ten Elders.

"..."

Lu Ci, who had been silent all along, suddenly narrowed his eyes the moment he heard Wang Ai speak, a hint of suspicion flashing across the depths of his gaze.

He knew Wang Ai, that fat old man, all too well.

"No one gets up early without a reason" is a belief ingrained in this guy's bones.

He knew perfectly well how many things the Wang family had secretly done over the years in order to capture spirits and command generals.

But now, facing another of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques, the Heavenly Talisman, Wang Ai not only showed no covetousness, but also took the initiative to speak up for Zhuge Qing, which was simply illogical.

Just who is this Zhuge Qing?

Lu Ci's gaze swept back and forth between Wang Ai, Zhang Zhiwei, and Zhuge Qing, as he secretly plotted in his mind.

Zhang Chulan was fully aware of the undercurrents on stage, but at this moment he could only play his role well, keeping his head down and acting as if "this has nothing to do with me".

With the old master's suggestion and Wang Ai's agreement, Lu Jin's slight displeasure vanished. He looked at Zhuge Qing again, becoming more and more satisfied.

"Okay, kid."

Lu Jin laughed and turned the booklet in his hand toward Zhuge Qing.
"To have two of the Ten Elders speak up for you at the same time, that's quite an honor. You truly deserve to be the successor."

Moreover, given the methods and background of your Wuhou Sect, you surely have nothing to fear from the covetous eyes of petty villains.

He paused for a moment, then handed over the "Tongtianlu," a book that had witnessed countless trials and tribulations.

"Then this technique is yours!"

Zhuge Qing stepped forward, his expression calm, and bowed deeply to Lu Jin.

He didn't say anything extra, nor was he overly excited. He simply reached out his hands and steadily accepted the thin booklet.

"Then thank you very much, Senior Lu..."

(End of this chapter)