MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 1266: Challenges

Although Tory possessed an artifact that he had obtained by paying contribution points, one capable of resisting mental intrusion, he knew that it couldn’t stop every form of it. After all, there were levels to everything.

"Sigh... this is why I wanted to comprehend the Universal Law of Fate. With it, I can hide all these things without fear of being found out," he stated aloud.

Indeed, the Law of Fate could allow someone to conceal information related to themselves while also manipulating the fates of others.

"Too bad reaching ten percent isn’t so easy, and you still haven’t even achieved one percent," Anthony replied without missing a beat.

He knew that Tory’s words were nothing more than a test, as the man wanted to know just how much Anthony actually knew. Just because Anthony knew about the ability didn’t necessarily mean he knew every detail surrounding it.

While Tory was a straightforward kind of guy... it didn’t mean he was a fool, nor someone who was all muscles and no brain.

Tory remained silent for a moment before smiling and shaking his head as he simply gave up.

The cat was out of the bag.

Although Tory didn’t say it aloud, he had already concluded in his mind that Anthony possessed at least ten Laws at the Law Embodiment Stage, as he unconsciously used himself as the basis for that assumption.

Seeing Tory give up, Anthony decided to change the topic.

"So, tell me what you know about The Sleeping Hollow, since we’ll be going there."

Tory met Anthony’s eyes before replying, "There isn’t much to say because we don’t know what we’re going to encounter, and everyone who returns loses most of the memories related to it. We can only face the unknown," he stated. After a brief pause, he added, "I’m glad you came in time. At least with you here, the chances of everyone staying alive increase." He let out a quiet sigh.

"That’s assuming we aren’t separated the moment we enter the burial ground," Anthony mused, reminding the man of that possibility.

While Anthony himself wasn’t a saint or some selfless hero, if they all remained together, he would save anyone from dying if he could.

Tory remained silent. Of course, he and everyone else had already considered that possibility, and the Core Elders had supposedly found a way to ensure everyone stayed together, even if the burial tomb possessed a mechanism that normally separated all entrants.

"I guess this is where our discussion ends... Null Anthony," Tory stated as he rose to his feet with a smile. "It’s a shame we don’t have more time on our hands. Otherwise, I’d love to fight you and see for myself just how powerful you truly are."

"And what is stopping you?" Anthony asked with an arched eyebrow.

"The Sect Master and the Core Elders wouldn’t allow it. To them, everyone is supposed to channel their full energy into becoming stronger," Tory replied truthfully.

Anthony simply nodded, as that made perfect sense.

"It was nice meeting you then, Tory Hale."

Tory sighed as he spoke. "While I would have said the same, my secret ended up being exposed here, so I’m a little conflicted about our encounter." His eyes shifted toward Anthony.

But Anthony was no longer looking at him. Anthony’s eyes were fixed on a particular point in space. Tory followed his gaze, wondering what Anthony was looking at, but he found nothing there. Just as he was about to frown in confusion and speak, space suddenly trembled as a rift tore open, and from within it, an Elder from the Challenge Hall stepped out with calm ease.

The man possessed white hair, black eyes, an average build, and wore a green robe. His gaze fell upon Anthony as he spoke.

"Null Anthony, you’ve been challenged by three hundred and five Core, Inner, and Outer disciples," he stated in a low, slightly expectant tone.

The Elder wanted to see how Anthony, the Sect Master’s descendant and a living legend among the Human Race, would respond. Whatever Anthony did from this point onward would inevitably reflect upon the Sect Master’s reputation.

"As per the rules, I am expected to read out the names of all the challengers," he stated as he opened a long scroll that immediately fell to the ground and continued rolling forward like a crimson carpet.

Both Anthony and Tory were stunned. Neither of them had expected this. For a brief moment, Tory wanted to burst into laughter at the ridiculous sight before him, but he restrained himself. While he might be an Above disciple, he still wasn’t above an Elder of the Null Sect.

Before the Elder could begin reading the seemingly endless list of names, completely unbothered by its length, Anthony spoke.

"No need to. I accept them all."

The Elder stood stunned for a moment before smiling. He hadn’t expected Anthony to accept all of the challenges... or even accept any of them at all.

"When are you free to take on the challenges?" he asked.

Anthony remained silent for a moment before asking, "Can I fight all of them at the same time instead of taking them on one by one?"

The Elder was rendered speechless by Anthony’s words. He had honestly expected Anthony to decline, and he would have accepted that decision. After all, Anthony had only become an Above disciple today and had ascended from the Lower Galaxy just three days ago. Although Above disciples normally couldn’t refuse challenges, Anthony’s situation was unique enough that the sect would likely have made an exception.

But Anthony attempting to challenge all three hundred and five disciples simultaneously... To the Elder, that bordered on madness.

Even so, he calmly replied, "you can. It’s your choice."

His calm eyes remained fixed upon Anthony.

At the Elder’s words, Anthony rose to his feet as he spoke. "I’ll take on all of them... right now," his tone remained completely unbothered.

He looked at the Elder, expecting the man to immediately lead the way. The Elder remained silent for a brief moment before smiling and shaking his head.

"I need to make the necessary arrangements first, such as informing all of the challengers that their challenges have been accepted and that the battles will be taking place today. I also have to gather them all together."

"I understand," Anthony replied as he calmly sat back down.

With that, the Elder stepped back into the spatial rift, and both he and the portal vanished without a trace.

Tory stared at Anthony for a moment before suddenly laughing, as though he were about to witness the greatest comedy performance in existence.

"It seems I at least get to watch a few disciples being thrown around before I return to seclusion," he mused before turning around and waving casually at Anthony as he headed toward the door. "See you at the battle arena, Null Anthony."

He was completely confident that Anthony would win. After all, he himself could also take on that number of disciples at once and emerge victorious.

The moment Tory stepped out of the cottage, both he and his servant vanished from sight.

Anthony remained seated in silence, a faint smile slowly appearing on his lips. He genuinely wanted to see what cultivation ranks these disciples had reached... and just how powerful they truly were.