Chapter 342: Reaching the Summit - Part 3
“She didn’t hurt you, so it doesn’t count.”
The Immortal Guard Commander shook his head, his gaze landing on Li Hao and the others who had just arrived at the Hall of Forgotten Hearts. He said calmly:
“She was just the thousandth person to make it. The rest of you have lost your eligibility to advance—unless, of course, you have the ability to reach the summit.”
At these words, the young man was stunned, as if doused in ice water; all the blood drained from his face.
Li Hao looked slightly surprised, but his eyes quickly swept toward the girl in the green dress.
The girl in green was wide-eyed, a mix of lingering fear and joy washing over her. She patted her chest in relief.
Noticing Li Hao’s gaze, her chin tilted slightly, and she flashed him a sweet smile.
“Little brother, sorry! I really needed this opportunity. You’re still young and talented—there’ll be plenty more chances for you in the future.”
Even her form of address had changed… Li Hao couldn’t help but find it amusing. He wasn’t angry, just entertained.
Seeing that Li Hao didn’t react in anger, the green-dressed girl was instead a bit surprised. If Li Hao hadn’t paused to wait earlier, then the last spot would’ve gone to either that young man or Li Hao himself—she would’ve missed her chance.
Even if she had used her trick to overtake Li Hao, she couldn’t have repeated it on the next person. After all, the next one would have been on guard.
“What you said earlier about your whole clan—was that true?”
Li Hao asked.
The green-dressed girl froze, not expecting him to care about that instead of wallowing in despair over losing his spot.
“That has nothing to do with you.”
Her expression tightened, clearly unwilling to speak more on it.
Seeing this, Li Hao nodded and didn’t press her, only saying, “If it’s true, then congratulations. If not, I hope it is.”
The calmness in his demeanor made the green-dressed girl’s expression shift. She stared at him and asked,
“Do you want revenge?”
“Revenge?”
Li Hao shook his head and smiled. “Hardly.”
Seeing how unconcerned Li Hao was, the green-dressed girl felt an inexplicable weight press down on her chest. It was as if, in his eyes, she didn’t even exist—so much so that he wouldn’t even bother getting angry at her.
While she fell silent, the youth beside them suddenly let out a furious roar.
“She got the last spot, so I’m out?! This… this is unfair!”
He couldn’t help but shout in outrage.
The Immortal Guard Commander shot him a cold glance and said, “If your skills aren’t enough, then be quiet. You’re not a baby in swaddling clothes—do you expect to be coddled for everything?”
“But—but she cheated! I was ahead!”
The youth’s eyes were red, his voice laced with hatred as he glared viciously at the green-dressed girl.
Seeing the look in his eyes, a chill ran through her, but strangely, she also felt relieved—this reaction felt more normal.
It was the youngest one beside her, with his unshakable calm, that left her unsure what to make of him.
“Childish.”
The Immortal Guard Commander shook his head and ignored him. Instead, he turned to the dozens who had arrived late at the Hall of Forgotten Hearts and said, “You’ve missed your chance. If you wish to advance, your only option now is to reach the summit.”
The latecomers exchanged glances, their faces sour.
Reach the summit? They weren’t confident in the slightest—just getting here had already put them behind.
“Haotian.”
At that moment, Gu Yan, Yuexi, and the others gathered around Li Hao. Their expressions were complicated and grim.
No one had expected Li Hao to miss the spot—by just a hair.
“This is all you’re capable of?”
Yin Jingcheng scoffed coldly at Li Hao. “You ranked ninth on the Dao Flame List. You were supposed to be so mighty in the True Immortal Realm, and now you’re falling behind? Laughable.”
Meng Huaiyue looked equally puzzled and disappointed as she glanced at Li Hao.
Li Hao glanced at Yin Jingcheng without responding.
Yin Jingcheng felt irritated by Li Hao’s silence, but there was something in the look he received that carried a subtle threat. He had the vague sense that if he continued mocking him, Li Hao might actually respond—so he snorted coldly, kept the sneer on his face, and held his tongue.
“Haotian, you were so close,” Yuexi said anxiously, her eyes darting toward the green-dressed girl as she bit out, “You used such despicable tricks—taking advantage of my junior brother’s kindness. Shameful!”
“All’s fair in competition. Consider it a lesson for him.”
The girl in green arched a brow and sneered.
Gu Yan shot her a cold glance. “I hope we don’t meet in the next battle.”
“Oh? And what if we do? You think you can beat me?”
The green-dressed girl laughed coldly. “If I hadn’t been delayed on the way, do you really think I’d have arrived so late?”
At that moment, others began to gather around her—disciples from her same sect.
“What? Planning to gang up on one person because you couldn’t outrun me?” a young man sneered as he stepped in front of her protectively.
Gu Yan’s face darkened, ready to speak again, but Li Hao held him back.
He was rather fond of this hot-headed, warm-hearted junior of his.
“There’s nothing more to say. What they said isn’t wrong. Can’t blame them.”
Li Hao smiled.
Seeing his relaxed expression, Gu Yan’s face changed slightly. “But you…”
“It’s fine.”
Li Hao shook his head. He believed he could reach the summit—he had the ability to back himself up. That was why he had been willing to act kindly earlier.
Without the power to protect his own path, kindness would have been nothing but stupidity.
There was a difference.
To him, this was merely a deception. It wouldn’t hinder him.
But if her words had been true, then it had been a kind gesture on his part.
“Hmph. Your junior brother at least understands the ways of the world—such clarity of thought is rare.”
The young man guarding the green-dressed girl let out a mocking laugh at Li Hao’s words.
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