Chapter 1608: The Space Top

"Very simple. I have here a space top that can measure the stability of space and one's understanding of it. Whoever can make this top stand the longest has the deepest comprehension of space."

Nangong Yuanfeng smiled faintly, pointed a finger forward, and a top about a foot long appeared before the crowd, landing motionless on the platform. Although no power was released, numerous fine spatial cracks still appeared around the top.

The presence of such cracks indicated unstable space. To make it stand, one must stabilize the surrounding space or repair the fractured areas.

Though this was the simplest form, it still involved the fourth level of the Void Creation Scripture—Creation—and was indeed not easy.

"This..."

Luo Qianzhen also noticed this, and his expression immediately turned grim.

The other party made it sound simple, but it was actually extremely difficult.

Although the Luo family disciples had a deep understanding of spatial laws and possessed special talents, accomplishing this was still no easy feat.

"Mo'er, come up first and demonstrate for the esteemed members of the Luo family."

Seeing his expression, Nangong Yuanfeng said nothing, smiled faintly, and beckoned.

"Yes..."

The young man called Mo'er, appearing twenty-seven or twenty-eight, swayed and stepped out from the crowd. With an arrogant demeanor, he approached the space top and grabbed the air with his palm.

Hum!

The air hummed as strands of special spatial force shot straight toward the top.

The shattered space around the top was instantly repaired, and the object lying on the ground gradually stood up. However, in less than three seconds, it wobbled twice and fell back down.

Whoosh!

After doing this, Mo'er broke out in a sweat, gasped for breath, cupped his hands, and retreated into the crowd.

"That's how to make the top stand. Mo'er is the weakest among my juniors, so he found it somewhat difficult. Please forgive my presumption..."

Nangong Yuanfeng smiled faintly and looked over: "Patriarch Luo, please begin."

Luo Qianzhen's face turned ashen.

Clearly, the other party was forcing his hand.

First, they had their own man demonstrate in front of everyone, then issued a challenge. The Luo family had no choice but to accept, even if they didn't want to.

"Patriarch, let me try."

A middle-aged man who had previously stepped forward cupped his hands.

"Thank you, Elder Luo Fu."

Luo Qianzhen nodded.

"Mm."

Elder Luo Fu said nothing more, stepped forward, took a deep breath, raised his eyebrows, and, like Mo'er before him, grabbed the air.

Hum!

The space around the top hummed as well. The object wobbled like a drunkard but ultimately did not stand.

Sweat poured from his head. After persisting for a moment, he spat out a mouthful of blood, staggered back several steps, and his face turned as pale as paper.

"Forgive me, Patriarch..."

His body swaying, Elder Luo Fu was filled with disappointment.

Seeing a young man in his twenties do it so easily, he thought it would be simple. Unexpectedly, even with all his effort, he could not succeed. No wonder the Hundred Schools of Thought had come to challenge them—they indeed possessed extraordinary skills.

"Let me try."

A second elder also approached. Moments later, he too spat blood and, like Elder Luo Fu, could not make the top stand.

Without experiencing it firsthand, one might think it simple. But when actually applying spatial force, one realized that this small top was heavier than a great mountain. Without sufficient understanding of space, making it stand—or even move—was extremely difficult.

Seeing two clansmen fail in succession, Luo Qianzhen's expression grew even darker.

The other party wanted to take their family's hereditary celestial talisman. Under normal circumstances, the Luo ancestors had worked hard to find it and would not give it away. But... the other party had produced the ancient sage's decree left by the Hundred Schools of Thought and invoked the rules set by Confucius. Forced into a corner, they had no choice but to compete.

He had thought that even if none of his clansmen had comprehended the True Solution of Sealing, their understanding of space would at least allow them to avoid defeat. He never dreamed they would lose so easily.

It was simply terrifying.

"Heh, Patriarch Luo, is there anyone else who can make the top stand? If not, we'll reluctantly accept it." As if expecting this outcome, Nangong Yuanfeng stroked his beard and smiled faintly.

"Hold on!"

Before he finished speaking, a shout rang out. Luo Xuanqing stepped forward: "This treasure is yours. Who knows if you've tampered with it to prevent my clansmen from succeeding? What's the use of spatial comprehension if it's not applied in battle? That's where it truly matters! So, let's compete at the same level. If you can defeat us in combat, then you win. If not, it's all fake!"

"You mean a martial contest?" Nangong Yuanfeng looked at him.

"Exactly."

Luo Xuanqing nodded.

The purpose of mastering space was to improve cultivation and combat strength. If fists could settle the matter, why go through all this trouble spinning a top?

"Since you have such confidence, the Hundred Schools of Thought are happy to oblige."

Nangong Yuanfeng smiled lightly, his face brimming with confidence.

The Hundred Schools of Thought were personally taught by Confucius, and their heritage had never been broken. These juniors were all students of the Great Confucian Hall, capable of fighting a hundred opponents. They feared combat the least. To challenge them... was simply asking for trouble.

"Patriarch Luo, is what he said valid?"

He looked over again.

"Of course."

Luo Qianzhen nodded.

Given the current situation, making the top stand was something not even he could do, let alone clansmen under a hundred years old. Rather than waiting to lose, it was better to compete in combat.

Perhaps there was still a chance of victory.

"In that case, Mo'er, you continue."

Hearing his agreement, Nangong Yuanfeng nodded: "Mo'er was slightly injured while driving the space top earlier, but competing with your juniors shouldn't be too much of a strain."

Hearing this, Luo Qianzhen's face nearly fell off, and he was furious.

This was outright contempt!

First, the Zhang family slapped them in the face, and now the Hundred Schools of Thought came to slap them again... Was heaven determined to bring down the Luo family?

"Come on, let me see your skill!"

Luo Xuanqing, also nearly exploding with rage, could no longer hold back. With a roar, he stepped to the center of the platform.

"Heh."

The young man called Mo'er smiled faintly, swayed lightly, and appeared before him: "You are at the early stage of the Void Cave Realm, the eighth level of the Saint Domain. I won't bully you. I'll suppress my cultivation to the same level."

Rustle!

As he finished speaking, his power rapidly declined, and in the blink of an eye, it matched Luo Xuanqing's.

"Begin."

Seeing him suppress his cultivation, Luo Xuanqing swayed and struck out with a palm.

Crack!

The air thundered as immense force surged forward.

Compared to when he taught Zhang Xuan a lesson at the Saint Son Hall, his strength had improved again. Though he hadn't broken through, he was not far from the mid stage of the Void Cave Realm.