Qingyuan Main Peak
On a hill not far from the council hall.
“Hey, young master, the head of the Upturned Sect is summoning us to a meeting.”
The helmsman bowed his head and whispered.
“Ah, Qingyuan Sect, truly a place where things have changed…”
The bl**d-robed young master of the Red Whale Gang gazed down at the vast and misty Qingyuan Mountain Range, seemingly moved to make a heartfelt remark.
“In what way are you referring to, young master?”
The helmsman asked, puzzled.
The gang leader had said to treat this mysterious young master with utmost respect but hadn’t shared much else.
It was only natural he’d think that the young man might be from some affluent family in the Eastern Wilderness or perhaps a scion of powerful elites from other provinces.
From what the young master implied, it seemed he had visited the Qingyuan Sect before?
“In every conceivable aspect,” the bl**d-robed young master continued as he walked ahead, hands clasped behind his back. His mood seemed rather pleasant, eager to chat a bit more:
“What do you think about our amazing Red Whale Gang?”
“My Red Whale Gang has many disciples, with eyes and ears spread throughout Ziyang Mansion. Wherever the Red Whale goes, it commands the Jianghu, naturally thriving.”
The helmsman couldn’t hide a hint of pride in his voice.
“Hmm…”
The bl**d-robed young master just chuckled noncommittally and then whimsically asked:
“How does it compare to the Qingyuan Sect?”
“Not far off,” the helmsman replied firmly.
If we’re being honest about the influence in the Jianghu, the Qingyuan Sect could barely keep up with the Red Whale Gang.
However, having seen the abundance of talent at the Nine Peaks Martial Meet, he gave a lukewarm acknowledgment; otherwise, it’d be hard to measure up.
“What if I said that in the past, any peak of the Qingyuan Sect could crush the Red Whale Gang with a flick of the wrist?”
“Um…”
The helmsman gasped in shock.
He had heard about the past glory of the Qingyuan Sect but didn’t think it was to this extent.
Before he could respond, the bl**d-robed young master pointed casually:
“Look at these Nine Peaks of Qingyuan.”
“Forging weapons, concocting pills, taming beasts, documenting ancient texts, establishing rules, trading, and cultivating—everything is covered.”
“Tell me, which sect in the world has all these aspects mastered?”
The helmsman pondered.
Sects around the world usually had their focuses.
Those renowned for pill-making were usually known for just that, while those who forged weapons carved their names in that field, each with their own specialty.
A comprehensive sect like Qingyuan was indeed a rarity.
Was the bl**d-robed young master hinting at the secret behind the Qingyuan Sect’s enduring legacy? But it didn’t quite feel like it.
“Honored guest, please forgive my humble welcome.”
Ahead stood a giant of a man resembling an iron tower, cupping his hands in greeting.
It was Fu Tu.
Beside him stood the head of Ziyang Mansion and Elder Yin Huaxuan from the Rare Beast Peak.
“With a few people here to welcome you, it’s an honor for our Red Whale Gang, how could there be any negligence?” the helmsman returned the greeting.
He felt a bit flattered but, upon seeing the Ziyang Mansion head, it all clicked into place.
The group proceeded to the council hall.
Upon entering, they noticed members from various sects were already present.
Shangguan Wencang sat at the head seat, still dressed like an old farmer, puffing on a dry smoke, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with a kind of imposing presence.
Once everyone was assembled, he slowly began:
“Everyone should be familiar with the infiltration trials of Misty Rain Tower.”
“A short while ago, one of my sect’s disciples came down from the mountain on duty and seized an iron swallow from the front hall.”
As he spoke, a little iron swallow landed on the long table with a metallic clang.
Many people frowned in the hall.
Every time the infiltration trials were mentioned, chaos was bound to follow. Though it was Misty Rain Tower’s initiative to scout and train assassins, the events always stirred up a considerable ruckus.
There were always those looking to muddy the waters.
“This is something I reported,” the mansion head spoke up loudly.
“The mansion city is a crucial hub; it cannot be chaotic, so I kindly ask everyone to lend a hand.”
Everyone nodded, willing to help, turning their gazes toward the head seat.
Shangguan Wencang, still tapping his smoke bowl, slowly added:
“Our Qingyuan Sect will send a few true disciples and an elder to assist.”
“Is that… a bit too few?”
“Which disciples will Sect Leader Shangguan send, and which elder?” someone asked.
The middle-aged man in a Confucian robe from the Fen Yu Lin opened his mouth.
Shangguan Wencang shot him a glance:
“Let’s choose the top few from the martial meet of the Nine Peaks, as for the elder…”
“Shang Wu just volunteered himself to get involved,” he added.
Gasp…
A collective intake of breath echoed through the room.
The purple-cloaked leader’s expression froze.
Shang Wu was a lot scarier than the infiltration trials.
…
In the afternoon.
The Nine Peaks Martial Meet resumed as expected.
Ke Mo had just bumped into Wang Hao at the cafeteria; no need to delve into details, it was a typical affair.
In brief:
“Have you met the underhanded ones?”
“Don’t let me encounter you in the arena; otherwise, I’ll have to yank your sword away!”
Pretty much that’s the gist.
Ke Mo noticed that Wang Hao seemed rather keen on the Yinxiao Sword, but oddly enough, Wang didn’t appear to be much of a swordsmanship expert?
Guess what happened next.
During the afternoon’s draw, the first match-up was set.
“Inner Gate Disciple Wang Hao vs. True Inheritor from Qunyu Peak, Ke Mo!”
Qian Bufan announced loudly, holding two identity tokens.
Wang Hao was arguably the closest disciple to the elite rankings of history at the martial meet, with a realm that could be counted among the highest in the contest.
Most disciples who had reached the Observation Realm had long surpassed the age limit.
Not to mention the Observation Realm; even those in the Xuanji Realm were seldom seen at these meets.
“Heh…”
Wang Hao landed on the arena with a thunderous thud, exuding the aura of the Inner Breath Jade Liquid Realm, radiating confidence.
He glared coldly at Ke Mo, his fists making cracking sounds as he clenched them tight.
On the opposite side, Ke Mo also stepped up.
The atmosphere in the arena grew slightly heated.
Seeing Wang Hao’s demeanor, it seemed like he was ready to devour Ke Mo whole.
No way around this one, right?
With the opponent’s true inheritor having surrendered three times in a row, they had to make a move this round.
Moreover, to outsiders’ eyes…
Wang Hao was Inner Breath Jade Liquid Realm while Ke Mo was merely in the Qi-bl**d Realm.
The difference in realms was pretty overwhelming.
On the high platform, the elders lowered their gazes, pondering.
They didn’t doubt Ke Mo’s fighting prowess, but Wang Hao had several stages’ advantage.
There was a bit of a bully-the-small dynamic here.
“This is going to be tough.”
“If Ying Bing activates her shocking bloodline, she could match Inner Breath Jade Liquid with Qi-bl**d full circle.”
As the elders debated, Shang Wu’s gaze fell on Ke Mo. She realized she hadn’t paid attention to her disciple’s progression in a while.
Yet, an inexplicable confidence brimmed inside her; she felt as if…
Her precious disciple had the upper hand somehow?
“Ke Mo, you’re amazing! Go Ke Mo!”
Xiao Qian shouted loudly.
Next to him, Lin Jiang and Murong Xiao appeared slightly embarrassed, as Xiao Qian’s trumpet voice had put all three in the spotlight.
Xiao Qian even turned to ask:
“Why aren’t you shouting?”
“Brother Ke will definitely win; we shouldn’t be needed to cheer, right?” Lin Jiang muttered quietly.
“That’s way too obvious!” Murong Xiao wished he could sink into the ground.
“But if we don’t cheer, how will everyone know we’re not taking a dive?” Xiao Qian’s words might just have woken them up.
The two leaned back a bit, some clarity hitting them like a lightning bolt.
Thus, they all shouted together:
“Brother Ke is mighty!”
“Brother Ke will prevail!”
With that, the embarrassment didn’t feel so bad anymore.
