Lin Chen and Tang Bao'er were halfway up when suddenly the rope snapped with a loud bang.

The two of them were flung backwards, plummeting toward the raging river below.

"Lin Chen!" Zhao Xiaohua's face turned pale as she cried out in a panic.

Seeing the two fall from the rope, Shangguan Yunfei's face revealed a gleeful smile.

Mu Ziyu's lips curled slightly, his eyes flashing with a cold light, "Kid, you're still too green to compete for the Sect Leader position with me."

Around them, a burst of gasps sounded, but most people had mocking expressions on their faces.

With Lin Chen gone, there would be one less competitor, and because Lin Chen carried the Tianyan legacy, many held grudges against him.

"Haha, trash is just trash!"

"Serves him right, trying to get ahead without real skills!"

A series of mocking voices rose from the shore.

Lin Chen felt the wind whistle past his ears as he fell rapidly towards the river.

"Damn it!" Lin Chen knew he absolutely couldn't fall, this was his best chance to understand his own origins.

Just as his body was about to hit the water, Lin Chen suddenly thrust out a palm mid-descent, and a golden purple flame hit the water.

"Boom!"

To everyone's amazement, Lin Chen's fiery palm actually sliced through the water, carving out an empty space.

How was this possible! His fire had actually split the river water, leaving onlookers' mouths agape as if they could fit a duck egg inside.

Lin Chen's body surged with fierce flames, and he reached out to grab Tang Bao'er, who was also falling. Almost simultaneously, as his body landed beneath the riverbed, the surrounding water retreated from Lin Chen as if in worship.

"Damn, that's freaking awesome."

"To think he could use fierce flames to repel the surrounding river water, that's just too powerful."

"As expected of someone with the Tianyan legacy," sounds of astonishment echoed around.

Lin Chen, holding Tang Bao'er, walked step by step towards the opposite bank of the river.

The surrounding water automatically parted to create a path for him.

This scene was too cool, too impressive.

Mu Ziyu's floating through the air with the help of Spiritual Power had already been shocking, but it paled in comparison to Lin Chen's feat of repelling the river water with his fierce flames.

Both sides of the river fell silent, everyone quietly watching as Lin Chen slowly crossed the riverbed.

After Lin Chen reached the shore, the river was filled once again.

Yet the scene from moments ago still left everyone in awe.

Such must be the mastery over fire to command the river water to part.

Someone took the lead in clapping, and thunderous applause erupted from both banks of the river.

Mu Ziyu's face turned an ashen color; he had intended to humiliate Lin Chen and eliminate him right there, but against all his expectations, he had not only failed but instead contributed to Lin Chen's glory.

Lin Chen set Tang Bao'er down on the ground, his gaze cold as he stared at Mu Ziyu.

Thinking about how this guy had just offered to help him, Lin Chen couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly. This guy really was quite sinister!

At that instant, Lin Chen had actually noticed Mu Ziyu's movement. He also had the chance to dash to the other bank in a flash, but if he had done that, Tang Bao'er would definitely have fallen into the river.

Abandoning a woman to escape on his own was not something Lin Chen liked to do, so he could only fall into the river with Tang Bao'er and then figure out a solution.

Step by step, Lin Chen walked towards Mu Ziyu, and as he reached Mu Ziyu's side, the corners of Lin Chen's mouth twitched, "I'll remember this debt."

Hearing Lin Chen's words, Mu Ziyu's face suddenly changed. He thought his actions had been so secretive, yet the other party had still found out.

At this moment, on a high platform by the bank, an old man twisting his beard inwardly praised, "No wonder even Xu Kongzi holds him in such high regard. This young fellow is truly extraordinary."

As the bell by the riverbank rang out, the old man stood up from his meditation mat and said indifferently, "The time has come. Those who crossed the river, follow me to the entrance of the Spiritual Spring. Those who didn't make it are eliminated."

On this side of the riverbank, the young supernatural beings who had crossed were all jumping for joy. In contrast, the other side was filled with cries of despair, and many were even weeping in anguish.

When several people arrived at the entrance to the Spiritual Spring, quite a few people had already gathered there.

"Look over there, those are people from the eight major forces," Lin Chen's gaze drifted towards a high platform where a dozen or so young people were gathered.

Meanwhile, those dozen or so young people were also looking down at them from their vantage point. Among these people were the beautiful powerhouses who had just ripped through space, as well as many others whom he did not recognize.

However, the strength of these people was all above the Innate Realm. Waves of robust Spiritual Power made the crowd below shiver within.

Suddenly, Lin Chen saw a very unusual person among them. While everyone else was proudly looking down at the martial artists below, this guy was sitting on the ground playing with a cellphone.

With the help of his x-ray vision, Lin Chen noticed in an instant that this guy was actually playing a game of Fight the Landlord.

"Brother Chen, I'm going to meet up with my eldest senior brother first. I'll see you inside the Spiritual Spring," said Xu Ye, nodding to Lin Chen before leaping towards the high platform.

"Oh my, with so many powerful beings participating in the battle of the Spiritual Spring this time, it looks like we stand no chance," a young man shook his head.

"Actually, these strong ones from the big families usually disdain to come. However, I heard that the final victor of the battle for the Spiritual Spring will be awarded entry into the Tower of Prophecy, so that attracted all these powerhouses," another young man said gloomily.

Do you see that red-haired youth? He is the young leader of the Spirit Fire Valley. It's said that he wields the power of Heavenly Spiritual Fire, and his strength has also reached the peak of the Innate Realm.

Did you see that guy playing with his cellphone? That's Zhang Yu. Don't be fooled by his casual demeanor; his strength is extremely formidable. Rumor has it that he is not only a gold-element powerhouse but also adept in formations. Once you enter his Qimen Formation, no matter how skillful you are, it will be hard to make a move.

Did you see that girl? She's a space powerhouse. She can traverse space and appear and disappear unpredictably. If you offend her, you wouldn't even know how you died.

That person in the white Taoist robe over there must be Mu Ziyu, right? It's said that he is a disciple of Xu Kongzi, wielding a Kong Ling Sword that can summon the power of the five thunders. He's also someone no one dares to provoke.

Listening to the introduction of those around him, Lin Chen gained some understanding of the eight major forces' powerhouses. These few people could be said to be the strong contenders in this competition for the Spiritual Spring.

Just then, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the crowd. Dressed in a light blue silk dress, her pretty face full of hopeful glances, it was Zhou Yufei.

At that moment, Zhou Yufei also saw Lin Chen. A joyful expression appeared on her face, and she excitedly ran down.

Seeing Lin Chen, Zhou Yufei was so happy that she actually threw herself into his arms, "Lin Chen, I knew I would find you here."

Lin Chen smiled faintly, "Have you been doing well in your cultivation at Sword Mountain?"

Zhou Yufei nodded, "Mm, Elder Mu took me to Sword Mountain and introduced me to Senior Mu Yun. She takes great care of me, and now I'm very impressive!"

Lin Chen smiled, "Then we'll see each other inside the Spiritual Spring."

Zhou Yufei smiled and left, but before she went, she slipped a note into Lin Chen's palm.

Seeing that note, Lin Chen's face suddenly darkened.