Chapter Ninety-Three: The Grand Competition of the Three Sects

After chatting with Han Meng, he learned that Lin Hu and the others had been in seclusion these past few days, attempting breakthroughs, and he was finally able to put his worries to rest. He had previously been concerned they might encounter danger within the secret realm, but now realized his fears were unfounded.

Liu Feng and Brother Jiuchi were also meditating quietly, conserving their energy in preparation for the finals three days hence.

In the courtyard of the western wing, Lin Cheng met Xu Xin’er and Xiao Cui. After reminiscing for a while, he gave each of them two hundred thousand spirit stones, stunning the two women into speechless astonishment. They couldn’t help but wonder if Lin Cheng had robbed a certain Taibai Pavilion.

With nothing pressing to do, he strolled amidst the pavilions and temples of Ziyang Sect, surrounded by immortal clouds, admiring the majestic scenery of what was reputed to be the foremost of the three sects. Lin Cheng sighed with praise at every turn.

The location of Ziyang Sect truly seemed a place of rare fortune; as he walked, he sensed that the spiritual energy here was far richer than that of Qingyang Sect. Moreover, he inadvertently felt several deep, unfathomable presences from within, which made his heart race wildly.

Atop a solitary peak, a young man in yellow quietly watched Lin Cheng walking along the mountain path below, his eyes flickering with an unusual light, as if murmuring to himself.

It was him!

Not only had Huangpu Kong failed to kill him, but had lost his own life instead. Clearly, Senior Brother Si Miao’s death must also be connected to this man.

The youth in yellow withdrew his gaze and drifted away.

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At the summit behind Ziyang’s main peak, Master Hidden Edge was playing chess with an elder clad in a red brocade robe.

Slowly placing a white piece, Master Hidden Edge spoke, “Could this matter be laid to rest?”

The elder in the brocade robe picked up a black piece, twirling it between his fingers in contemplation. “What do you think, Brother Hidden Edge?”

Master Hidden Edge raised his gaze slightly to look at the elder. “Brother Ziyang, do you suppose I am unaware that you sent someone to assassinate my disciple Lin Cheng?”

Ziyang Master: “Si Miao is dead. Has your Qingyang Sect ever accounted for it?”

Master Hidden Edge: “Shouldn’t I be the one to demand an explanation from your Ziyang Sect? Si Miao colluded with bandits at the foot of the mountain, wreaked havoc on the common folk, and even pursued my sect’s disciple with the intent to kill. Such a miscreant, not only did your Ziyang Sect fail to restrain him, you even indulged him… Do you truly believe Qingyang Sect is easy to bully?”

Ziyang Master: “All I know is that Miao’er is dead. You must be aware of how dearly his grandfather loved him. If there is no explanation, when the Grand Elder emerges from seclusion, it will mark the beginning of war between our sects!”

“Your disciples brought harm upon themselves, lacked skill, and suffered the consequences. It is not their fault, but yours for failing to teach them properly. If you wish for war, then let there be war!” Master Hidden Edge placed another white piece, slowly rose, and a fierce sword aura shot forth.

“You have lost!”

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Watching Master Hidden Edge’s figure vanish atop the mountain, Ziyang Master lowered his head to scrutinize the chessboard, his narrowed eyes flashing with contemplation.

Soon after Master Hidden Edge departed, the youth in yellow appeared.

“Master, as you instructed, I have conveyed your orders to Senior Brother Wuwang…”

He paused, then spoke again, “There’s another matter: just now, I saw Lin Cheng within the sect.”

“Lin Cheng? How could he suddenly appear? Wasn’t he trapped in the secret realm?” Upon hearing the name, a murderous glint flashed in Ziyang Master’s eyes.

“I do not know. According to the disciples guarding the gates, he arrived at the sect at midday today,” the youth replied respectfully.

Ziyang Master stroked his beard, lost in thought.

“Go for now. Keep a close watch on his movements.”

“Master, should I find an opportunity…” The youth gestured a cutting motion.

“There’s no need for you to interfere. Just monitor him. Everything will wait until the Grand Elder emerges from seclusion…” Ziyang Master shook his head slowly.

Three days passed in a blink.

On this day, the weather was clear and bright, with endless blue skies.

At the main peak of Ziyang Sect, the jade-inlaid plaza displayed five martial stages. Four smaller stages stood at the corners, encircling the immense central platform.

A glow of formations rose, and the five platforms were enveloped by a blue barrier, reinforcing the space within.

Around the plaza, figures entered in waves; before long, it was a sea of people.

At the center above, ten large chairs carved from white jade were arrayed side by side.

After three chimes of the bell, streaks of rainbow light descended before the jade chairs.

“Brother Ximen, your sect truly hides its talents well. To have such gifted disciples, yet no previous fame, you’ve kept us guessing…”

“It’s been decades since we last saw a dual-element spiritual root…”

“Brother Qingyang, you needn’t say that. Who doesn’t know your sect has produced two disciples with special spiritual roots…”

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“To be honest, we’re all most envious of Brother Qingyang…”

“You two needn’t flatter each other. Think of my Dongfang clan: after dozens of generations in Zhao, we still haven’t produced a single prodigy…”

“Dongfang, have you no shame? Never mind Dongfang Hao, who now stands out among the younger generation with his third-level Profound Pill cultivation. Even his brother, Dongfang Yu, is called one of Qingyang’s Twin Stars…”

“To have a pair of distinguished siblings in one family, and still complain? Are you trying to make us all jealous?” Beside Dongfang Han, Zhao Kuo, clad in golden dragon robes, spoke loudly.

“Brother Zhao Kuo is right, this old Dongfang is just here for attention…” the head of the Changsun family chimed in.

As they joked, none seemed to notice that only Huangpu Zun wore a gloomy expression. He thought bitterly of his clan’s only promising youth, Huangpu Kong, who had died tragically, his body not yet cold. He yearned to tear the murderer apart.

The six each took a jade chair, quietly watching the crowd below.

A commotion arose among the masses; from the east of the square, the crowd parted to form a path.

At the front stood Liu Feng, Dongfang Yu, and Jiuchi; behind them walked Han Meng, Xu Xin’er, and Xiao Cui, followed by Lin Cheng, Fat Lin, Pang Bo, and the others, chatting as they went. As they passed fair-skinned, beautiful female disciples, they whistled and made faces, unable to resist.

Niu Shisan shook the few hairs on his forehead and said, “I must admit, Ziyang Sect has a lot of girls!”

Pang Bo: “You scoundrels only care about the girls…”

Seeing Pang Bo’s disapproving look, Fat Lin slung an arm around his shoulder and pointed ahead with a sly grin, “Don’t pretend to be pure with us… Look at that girl up front: big hips, great figure—she’d suit you well…”

“Most importantly… look up slowly, what do you think? Isn’t she something special?”

Fat Lin encouraged him, his eyes twinkling like twin moons, their light never fading.

Pang Bo swallowed nervously, his blushing face reddening even more.

Niu Shisan quickly hooked Pang Bo’s other shoulder, winking, “Brother Pang, want to go and say hi?”

Seeing their antics, Lin Cheng couldn’t help glancing over as well, shaking his head and murmuring, “Marvelous.”

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