Chapter 2769: 2769 **Chapter 2769: The Second Round, Heart Demon** Xiahou Yuan scrutinized Lin Moyu, "Little guy, do you know what the greatest reward of this round is?" Lin Moyu answered almost without thinking, "The Soul Ascension Secret Technique." Xiahou Yuan smiled, pleased with Lin Moyu’s correct answer. "When did you start to guess?" Xiahou Yuan continued to ask. Lin Moyu didn’t avoid the question, "I guessed it from the beginning. Although I didn’t know what the secret technique was, I guessed that the greatest reward would be a secret technique from the moment I heard the sound of the Great Dao." "However, at that time, I didn’t have the opportunity to learn and master this secret technique. Thank you, senior." Lin Moyu’s words were heartfelt and sincere. With Xiahou Yuan’s level of cultivation, he could naturally tell that Lin Moyu was speaking the truth. Xiahou Yuan laughed, "If I want you to participate in the subsequent assessments with a special status, would you agree?" Lin Moyu was slightly taken aback and glanced down, "But I’m just a Heavenly Sovereign." Xiahou Yuan shook his head, "That’s not important. What’s important is whether you are willing. You don’t need to care about others’ opinions. What they think doesn’t matter." "I only ask you, are you willing?" Lin Moyu didn’t think much, "To have the honor of competing with so many prodigies, even if I lose, it would still be my fortune. I am willing." Xiahou Yuan heard the underlying meaning in Lin Moyu’s words: even if I lose, it doesn’t mean I will definitely lose. Although he spoke humbly, he was actually full of confidence in himself. However, not many people could hear this underlying meaning. Most of the prodigies present thought Lin Moyu was admitting he was inferior to them, which slightly improved their opinion of him. Xiahou Yuan waved his hand, and everyone on the lake returned to their original positions in an instant. Their clothes dried in an instant, as if nothing had happened. Lin Moyu also flew back to his original position, still behind Lu Fengyao. Lu Fengyao gave him a thumbs up, "Little Brother Lin, you were amazing." Lin Moyu smiled, "Just lucky." Lu Fengyao asked, "That Soul Ascension Secret Technique, can you teach me?" Lin Moyu replied, "I’ll ask the senior later. If he agrees, I have no problem." Lu Fengyao didn’t expect Lin Moyu to agree so readily and smiled, "I was just joking. If I want it, I’ll ask Senior Xiahou myself." Lin Moyu was curious, "You know Senior Xiahou?" Lu Fengyao said, "Of course, I’ve known Senior Xiahou since I was a child. But Senior Xiahou doesn’t like to talk. He probably said more to you just now than he does in a year." "Senior Xiahou sees you differently. It seems your performance pleased him greatly." Lin Moyu nodded slightly and didn’t say much. Feeling someone’s gaze on him, Lin Moyu turned and met Gu Nianshui’s eyes. Their eyes met for a moment before Gu Nianshui quickly turned away. From that brief moment, Lin Moyu sensed the complexity in her eyes. It was a mix of jealousy, slight hatred, unwillingness, and other factors. It was such a complex look that even Lin Moyu couldn’t fully understand it. At this moment, Xiahou Yuan’s voice rang out, "The first round is over. All results have been recorded. Based on your performance, the seating arrangement will be adjusted." "Everyone, stay in your seats and do not move!" The seating arrangement was not fixed. As the Prodigy Gathering progressed, the seating order would constantly change. In the last Prodigy Gathering, the Holy Maiden of the Immortal Lotus started in the tenth seat. As the gathering progressed, she continuously improved her position, ending up in second place, just behind the Holy Son of the Illusory God. This time, with the Holy Son of the Illusory God absent, the Holy Maiden of the Immortal Lotus directly took the first seat. The seating order followed strict rules, calculated by Lu Lian, and no one could interfere. Beams of light descended from the sky, enveloping everyone. Each beam of light covered two seats: one for the prodigy and one for their follower. Only Lu Fengyao and Lin Moyu were different, with two beams of light covering them separately. From the conversation between Lin Moyu and Xiahou Yuan earlier, everyone knew that Lin Moyu would also participate in the Prodigy Gathering. A Heavenly Sovereign participating in the Prodigy Gathering was unprecedented and would go down in history. The light lasted for ten seconds before changing. Everyone’s seats shifted without them noticing. Some people’s positions improved, while others dropped. Some were happy, while others were not. The original hundred seats became one hundred and one. Lin Moyu was placed in the fifty-first seat on the left, the last position. Although it was the last position, Lin Moyu had no complaints. Participating in the Prodigy Gathering as a Heavenly Sovereign and competing with Dao Sovereigns was already groundbreaking. Lu Fengyao’s position changed due to her excellent performance in the first round, moving to the sixth seat on the left, eleventh overall. The Holy Son of the Myriad Scenery Holy Land moved from the third seat on the right to the second, fourth overall. Dongfang Wuwen’s position remained unchanged at the first seat on the right. The Holy Maiden of the Immortal Lotus also remained in the first seat on the left, maintaining her second position overall. Other positions changed slightly, but not significantly. Further changes would depend on the upcoming performances. Xiahou Yuan’s voice rang out, "The second round, Heart Demon!" As he spoke, the lake water surged, and water spheres flew out, landing in front of each person. Each prodigy had two water spheres, no more, no less. "Everyone, hold the water spheres and do not break them. If both spheres break, you are eliminated!" The rules were simple. Everyone held their water spheres, which were very soft and would break with the slightest force. Even a baby could break them. Everyone carefully held the water spheres in their palms, not daring to use any force. This effectively immobilized them in their seats. Any slight movement could break the water spheres. The spheres were so soft that even the gentlest force could break them. Xiahou Yuan chuckled, "The second round begins!" A hazy Great Dao appeared, and the entire venue darkened, enveloped in an indescribable light, exuding a sinister aura. Xiahou Yuan disappeared, leaving only the hazy Great Dao. The Great Dao descended slowly, bringing an indescribable pressure as it drew closer to everyone. The pressure from the Great Dao pressed everyone into their chairs, making them feel as if they would be crushed in the next moment. The chairs creaked under the pressure, seemingly on the verge of collapse. The Great Dao drew closer, and some instinctively wanted to struggle, their hands instinctively wanting to exert force. But they quickly regained clarity and stopped themselves. The Great Dao ultimately didn’t touch them but fell into the lake. The calm lake water suddenly boiled, like cold water poured into hot oil, creating towering waves. The waves transformed into fierce giants wielding weapons, charging at everyone. To resist or not to resist? All the prodigies were resolute, and the scene before them wasn’t enough to shake their Dao hearts. "Illusions, all illusions!" "Ignore them, ignore them!" The prodigies told themselves similar things, and no one moved, nor did any water spheres break.