Inside the main hall, Old Ancestor Zhao, Ancestor Zeng, Old Ancestor Pang, and Old Ancestor Feng Fan sat in the front row at the center.
Zeng Zifang stood on the left, and Zhao Yanran stood on the right, both looking very serious.
Seeing Qian Duoduo arrive, Zeng Zifang's face lit up with joy, and she waved him over, signaling him to stand behind her.
After Qian Duoduo finished his bow to the Old Ancestors and took his place, he realized that all the Cultivators behind Zeng Zifang and Zhao Yanran were at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, and he was the only one at Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
Old Ancestor Zhao frowned slightly when he saw Qian Duoduo being conscripted by Zeng Zifang.
"Although Qian Duoduo is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he ranks among the top three in the Feng Fan Battle and belongs to the Ba Ling Sect Elder, so he can choose not to participate in the Zongshi War."
Just as Zeng Zifang was about to speak, Qian Duoduo quickly stepped forward to explain: "The Grand Elder has been as kind as a mountain to me; I voluntarily participate in the Zongshi War."
Old Ancestor Zhao and Zhao Yanran were both stunned.
Old Ancestor Zhao paused for a moment, then continued, "The Zongshi War is a battle to the death; except for the Grand Elder and the Second Elder, the losing side will not have a single survivor."
Upon hearing that the losing side would have no survivors, Qian Duoduo's body trembled, and he cursed inwardly, "Damn it! Zeng Zifang never told me this rule. I guarded against everything, but I still couldn't prevent it; this wicked woman tricked me again!"
Only then did he remember that Zeng Ruohai was also at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.
Logically, Zeng Zifang should have sought help from her own brother, as he would be the most reliable, and Zeng Ruohai was also the sect's most Xiong Jun.
The reason Zeng Zifang didn't seek Zeng Ruohai's help was because the Zongshi War was so brutal that if one didn't succeed, one would become a martyr.
But since things had come to this, he had no way of turning back.
Qian Duoduo raised his head and declared loudly, "A true man's word, once spoken, cannot be unsaid."
His magnanimity made Ancestor Zeng look at him a few more times.
Old Ancestor Pang and Old Ancestor Feng Fan, as neutral Old Ancestors, showed no expression on their faces, clearly not participating in the dispute between the Zeng Family and the Zhao Family.
Upon hearing Qian Duoduo's bold words, Zhao Yanran, however, gave a disdainful smile, as if she saw through his insincerity.
The Cultivators behind Zhao Yanran all cast meaningful glances at Qian Duoduo, and several even looked at his crotch, as if mocking him:
"Don't think your words sound righteous; in fact, we've long known you're just a pretty boy, a prisoner beneath Zeng Zifang's crotch."
The disdainful, hostile, and lewd gazes fell upon Qian Duoduo's face, making his teeth itch with irritation, wishing he could rush over and beat them up.
Zeng Zifang flicked her finger, and a Jade Slip flew into Qian Duoduo's hand.
Qian Duoduo's Spiritual Awareness read it, and his spirit sharpened.
The Jade Slip contained an introduction to the Zongshi War and information on the opposing Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Qian Duoduo collected his thoughts and began to examine the intelligence carefully.
"Everyone's here. Let's go." Old Ancestor Zhao waved his hand, leading the way out of the main hall and flying north.
Ancestor Zeng, Old Ancestor Pang, and Old Ancestor Feng Fan were half a step behind him.
Zeng Zifang and Zhao Yanran each led their own guards, forming two camps, one left and one right, following closely behind.
Passing directly between the two eye peaks and through the Right Eyebrow Peak, they arrived at Zongshi Ridge.
Zongshi Ridge was just as Qian Duoduo had seen it last time, filled with Formations and eight giant stones, dozens of meters high.
The four Old Ancestors descended from the sky, stood before the Formation at the ridge, respectfully bowed towards the front, and each pointed forward, conjuring a Jade Token.
The four Jade Tokens were embedded in the center of the four giant stones in the middle of Zongshi Ridge.
Old Ancestor Zhao poked his forehead, and a stream of fresh blood flew out, outlining the shape of a Nose Peak on the Formation.
At the same time, Old Ancestor Zhao bowed deeply, "Reporting to the Ancestral Founder, Zhao Jiazun, the Peak Master of Nose Peak, requests to open the Zongshi Hall and begin the Nose Peak Zongshi Trial."
"Granted."
A muffled voice rang out.
Zongshi Ridge began to tremble violently, as if there was an earthquake.
The eight giant stones, like eight spheres, also vibrated slightly up and down.
Zeng Zifang and Zhao Yanran both looked a little pale.
Qian Duoduo was surprised and looked up slightly at the Old Ancestors.