The heavens were in a good mood; today was a splendid sunny day.
Under the Qingyuan Main Peak, different caravans surged like rivers flowing into the sea, with stewards everywhere maintaining order.
What a grand scene!
The atmosphere radiated the grandeur of Ziyang Mansion, the head of the three sects.
“What’s all this ruckus about?”
Li Mo lifted the curtain of his carriage, surveying the outside spectacle.
He had only been down the mountain once for a mission, which didn’t really count as stepping into the martial worlds.
Old Ba, who was driving the carriage, chuckled:
“Our Qingyuan Sect’s Nine Peaks Martial Meet is the stage for our younger generation to showcase their skills. Naturally, the surrounding smaller sects, along with the other two major ones, have to send people to observe.”
“I see!”
Li Mo nodded, finally getting a grasp of why the Nine Peaks Martial Meet was such a big deal.
New bl**d replaces the old; the new generation will eventually become the backbone of the sect, representing its future strength.
Strength means status, and that affects how other sects behave moving forward.
Moreover, not long ago, Qingyuan Sect had a significant event that lit up the skies, causing quite the stir.
There were quite a few folks who had come to check out the real deal.
As Old Ba spoke, he pointed ahead:
“That over there is the Fen Yu Lin’s team, led by one of their top chairs.”
Li Mo looked in the direction.
The group from Fen Yu Lin wasn’t large, maybe only a dozen people, but their presence was quite significant. Each disciple was dressed splendidly, and their weapons were notable treasures, clearly setting them apart from the surrounding small sects.
A white-clad disciple stood at the forefront, hands behind his back, exuding a sense of arrogance.
“Fen Yu Lin is located to the west of Ziyang Mansion, bordering the Central Divine Continent, so some of their disciples come from distinguished backgrounds,” Old Ba explained.
“And over there?” Li Mo inquired further.
Old Ba glanced over and cheerfully replied, “That’s the Yi Jing Gang.”
“They’re the biggest gang in Ziyang Mansion and also fairly prominent in the Eastern Wilderness. On the surface, they rank at the bottom among the three sects, but underneath, the waters are deep with all sorts of fish and dragons mingling.”
The Yi Jing Gang was significantly more lively.
They had connections with many small sects, leading to a flurry of greetings and mingling.
Hearing this, Li Mo slightly nodded.
He squinted at the leading figure of the Yi Jing Gang, but what caught his attention wasn’t him, but the bl**d-clad young man beside him.
This young man gave him an odd vibe.
Before he could activate his Divine Eye, a familiar figure blocked his view.
The Lord of Ziyang Mansion.
That esteemed figure, whom he had met once, started conversing with the leading gang leader.
The carriage moved along.
Soon, they reached halfway up Qingyuan Main Peak.
“Precious disciple, get up!”
Shang Wu stretched, lightly leaping up to a high platform.
The elders of the peak were already seated, and a few extra seats awaited the guests from outside sects there to watch the match.
The center focus was on the one and only, Shang Wu, who cast a glance toward Ying Bing, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Not just the sect leader was looking intently.
Many eyes in the crowd were now fixated on her.
Shang Wu’s sole disciple, the recognized next sect leader of Qingyuan Sect, a standout among peers due to remarkable talent.
The gleaming aura around her, coupled with the solitary grace of a mountain snow lotus, made it nearly impossible to ignore.
“Hmm?”
Little Li frowned.
His keen senses picked up on many hostile gazes directed at him, as he was the only one standing beside Ying Bing.
Moreover, he had the Crimson Sky Sword that paired well with Tian Shuang.
Facing those eyes, Little Li smirked:
“Ying Bing, I brought some tea, want a sip?”
“Sounds good!”
Ying Bing loved tea, regardless of its cost.
With a delicate hand, she took the tea set and skillfully began to brew, her movements quick and pleasing to the eye, creating a scene so beautiful that many were captivated.
“Ah!”
Li Mo lifted a small cup of Dragon Well tea.
Those hostile gazes intensified; if looks could harm, he would probably be punctured a thousand times over.
He savored a sip, praising, “Your tea tastes the best!”
At that moment, the voice of the Qingyuan Sect leader echoed:
“Today at the Nine Peaks Martial Meet, I’ll keep it brief.”
“Esteemed colleagues, heroes, today’s gathering mainly has a few key focuses…”
……..
An hour later.
The elder’s voice finally slowed, showing he had more to say.
It seemed the quiet sect leader had been saving his breath for this moment.
“Alright, let’s wrap it up here.”
Shang Wu nodded gently, signaling the beginning of the next segment.
Mostly because if he went on, half the people would have dozed off by now.
Next up was the drawing of lots.
Qian Bufan asked a steward to collect all the competition tokens from the participating disciples and placed them in a bronze bull in the center. Then he used his energy to pat the back of the bull.
A series of metallic clangs sounded, and the bronze beast spat out two tokens.
Looking at them, he loudly proclaimed, “Xiao Qian against Xie Lan’ai.”
First match is Brother Xiao?
Li Mo looked up at the platform.
Old Xiao’s aura was stronger than when he last saw him, a clear sign of a breakthrough. Carrying a broken sword on his back, he wore a determined expression, embodying the spirit of a true warrior.
His opponent was no ordinary person either.
The girl had remarkably beautiful features, with high cheekbones that accentuated her already aloof demeanor, making her look even sharper.
Li Mo activated his Divine Eye to take a peek.
【Name: Xie Lan’ai】
【Age: 23】
【Root Bone: Twisted Plum Hand.】
【Realm: Inner Breath Jade Liquid Realm.】
【Destiny: Blue with Grey】
【Evaluation: True disciple of the Falling Sunset Peak, expected to take over a peak in the future, fate brings emotional tribulations, prone to become venomous due to her character.】
【Recent Encounter: Learned that her crush, Yin Huacheng, wanted the Crimson Sky Sword and is plotting for Tian Shuang.】
Old Xiao’s luck wasn’t too great today.
“Yin Huacheng wants my Crimson Sky Sword?”
Li Mo raised an eyebrow.
He remembered the elder at the Precious Beast Peak had the dual surname of Yin Hua.
As the command “begin” was called, the duel was officially on.
Xiao Qian clearly knew he shouldn’t drag it out against an opponent one level above him.
Whoosh—
Grabbing the giant sword, as he swung it, the damaged part of the sword seemed to mend, and its blade shimmered brilliantly, spreading several circles of sword energy.
His opening move was impactful.
A rushing sword light descended.
Xie Lan’ai’s eyes flickered slightly in surprise but she neither dodged nor avoided it.
The flexible sword at her waist coiled around her arm like a silver snake.
She didn’t retreat or strike; instead, she moved in close.
Xiao Qian’s pupils narrowed.
He just didn’t understand her strategy.
Even with a realm higher, there was no way she could withstand his sword strike with mere flesh, right?
But the next moment.
Xie Lan’ai’s form became fluid, as if she were a leaf swirling down from the wind, impossible to grasp.
Xiao Qian’s massive sword met her like it was striking a pile of cotton, not even making contact.
Then, a cold light shone in his face.
Before Xiao Qian could react, that serpentine soft sword, with an unexpected trajectory, was suddenly right in front of him!
In her grasp, the soft sword truly seemed to come alive.
The crowd couldn’t help but gasp in shock.
This was clearly the renowned “Spirit Serpent Sword Technique” of Falling Sunset Peak, a top-tier martial art!
Moreover, Xie Lan’ai had mastered it to perfection.
