Chapter Seventy: The Duel

Fortunately, an impending revelation had become the focal point of everyone's attention.

The Sword Sect was going to send representatives to the Academy to vie for the glory of the Hidden Dragon Roll.

The contest for this quota would unfold upon the majestic Sword-Casting Grand Stage, a platform historically reserved solely for major celebrations, the succession of sect masters, and other solemn ceremonies, its symbolic significance self-evident.

This trial was not merely a simple bout, but the selection of the strongest among the younger generation of the Sword Sect. The victor would shoulder supreme glory and travel to the Academy to receive a once-in-a-century heritage.

The rules of the trial were concise and clear. Unlike grand events open to disciples from all thirteen peaks, this time there were only four quotas, personally selected by Xiao You, the peak master of Northern Wander Mountain.

Feng Ning of Western Ridge Mountain, Lu Shuili of Southern Mists Mountain, Diyuan of Northern Wander Mountain, and Xia Congfeng of Azure Wing Peak—the position that originally belonged to Lin Fei had now been taken by another.

These four selected disciples would carry the honor of the Sword Sect.

However, the quota that should have belonged to Lin Fei of Eastern Roar Mountain was now occupied by Xia Congfeng, an obscure disciple from Azure Wing Peak, which sparked dissatisfaction among some formidable disciples.

Although Lin Fei was currently imprisoned in the dungeon due to certain circumstances, how could an unknown nobody so easily acquire such a crucial opportunity?

That very night, several disciples from other peaks attempted to provoke Xia Congfeng.

Yet the result was utterly unexpected. Xia Congfeng, fighting single-handedly, defeated them all in less than half an hour, casting them out of the peak and leaving them heavily unconscious.

This battle thoroughly proved Xia Congfeng's strength and qualification. From then on, no one dared to raise any objections regarding his quota.

A clear morning in May.

Viewed from the sky, the Sword-Casting Grand Stage resembled a colossal stage, with countless black threads converging from all directions, pulling at people's footsteps like the threads of fate.

Soon, the plaza at the summit of the grand stage was packed with people, resembling a gathering galaxy.

Looked at closely, there were twelve distinct crowds. Apart from the absence of Eastern Roar Mountain, the disciples of the remaining twelve peaks were arranged in orderly rows.

Xiao You, the peak master of Northern Wander Mountain, personally presided over the grand assembly. Cui Lianyun of Western Ridge Mountain and Fuling, the peak master of Southern Mists Mountain, also graced the scene in person, lending an air of tension and solemnity to the trials.

Among the crowd, the female disciples of Southern Mists Mountain were particularly eye-catching. Young, beautiful, and possessing extraordinary temperaments, their bright smiles and graceful movements resembled the most breathtaking scenery in heaven and earth, fixing the gazes of several easily distracted disciples.

On the grand stage, aside from the disciples of the Sword Sect, there were two outsiders.

Xu Tianyou stood on the right side of the grand stage, accompanied by a young monk named Wuwang. The two were conversing in low tones, a sight that surprised many, revealing that people from both the Academy and Leiyin Temple had come to watch the battle.

Xiao You stood at the absolute zenith of the grand stage, his gaze like torches sweeping across the thousands of people below. As a mountain breeze swept past, his wide sleeves fluttered in the wind, fully manifesting his ethereal, immortal demeanor.

The four individuals walked from the crowd onto the grand stage and came to a halt in the center.

After half a year of recuperation, Feng Ning's injuries had left no trace. He lowered his gaze slightly, his expression blank.

Lu Shuili remained as sharp-edged as ever, his sword Qi fierce and biting, his brows carrying a more matured air, projecting an peerless grace.

Diyuan's expression was detached; no one knew why he had stepped in to replace Chu Chanyi.

Yet, among the four, the one who attracted the most attention was still Xia Congfeng, the senior disciple of Azure Wing Peak.

Dressed in the custom cyan robe of Azure Wing Peak, with a tall, upright posture and handsome features, he exuded an indescribable charm.

Xiao You's gaze was piercing. He surveyed the crowd below, his expression solemn, and spoke in a booming voice: "Three thousand years ago, Yu Wenzhou, the founding patriarch of the Sword Sect, established the sect in the Western Sea, forging a path toward the ultimate sword Dao for all disciples aspiring to become supreme sword cultivators."

"Two thousand five hundred years ago, the army of the Endless Demon Domain invaded the Central Plains. Zhou Huayuan, a predecessor of the Sword Sect, led nine fellow sword cultivators and held the line for three days and nights before the Northern Abyss of the Western Sea! Ten sword cultivators, slaying countless demons, fighting through rivers of blood until their ancient swords snapped, not a single one retreating."

"One thousand eight hundred years ago, the seal of the Endless Wilderness trembled, and an alien demon was on the verge of breaking free. Lu Fengyao, the former master of the Sword Sect, sacrificed his entire cultivation base to seal that ancient demon beneath the abyss of the wilderness, holding on entirely by himself until practitioners from the Six Sacred Lands arrived to reinforce them."

"And eight hundred years ago..."

Xiao You's words were ringing and powerful, every single word heavy with the weight of vicissitudes, as if bringing the profound gravity of history and the sedimentation of passing years directly to the scene.

Silence fell beneath the Sword-Casting Grand Stage. Even Wuwang and Xu Tianyou, outsiders from other sacred lands, could not help but feel a surge of profound respect.

The Sword Sect, one of the Seven Sacred Lands, stood proudly at the northwest of the mainland for thousands of years, weathering storms and remaining unshaken precisely because of the indelible deeds Xiao You had just recounted.

Xiao You suddenly halted his speech, his gaze like a sword pointing straight down at the crowd, and said gravely: "As the finest disciples of the Sword Sect, no matter who wins this trial and goes to the Academy, should you commit any act that undermines the thousand-year foundation of the Sword Sect, you will be hunted down and executed by the Sword Sect no matter the ends of the earth. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the four disciples answered in unison, their voices resolute.

Xiao You nodded slightly and announced in a deep voice: "Begin."

A two-round sparring tournament was about to commence, with opponents determined by drawing lots.

Among the four, Lu Shuili and Feng Ning were universally recognized as the strongest.

However, Lu Shuili's sudden challenge caught everyone off guard.

"There is no need to draw lots. I choose Feng Ning of Western Ridge Mountain." Lu Shuili's voice was cold and resolute, echoing across the Sword-Casting Grand Stage.

Gazes turned toward him in unison, bewildered as to why he suddenly displayed such intense hostility.

In the distance, Feng Qian unconsciously clenched his fists.

Acting as the referee, Xiao You said with a calm expression: "The rules cannot be altered."

Feng Ning's voice came from the other side, tit for tat: "It matters not. We fight."

Xiao You turned to the other two. Diyuan nodded slightly in agreement.

Xia Congfeng smiled and said, "I have no objections either."

Secretly, he rejoiced; both Lu Shuili and Feng Ning were formidable rivals. If they severely injured each other, it would undoubtedly be good news for him.

Xiao You announced: "The first match: Diyuan of Northern Wander Mountain versus Xia Congfeng of Azure Wing Peak."

As his voice fell, the disciples stepped back, clearing space for the impending duel.

Feng Ning and Lu Shuili walked side by side. Feng Ning smiled faintly and said, "Are you so confident you can defeat me?"

Lu Shuili did not answer, merely walking on in silence.

A confident curve played at the corner of Feng Ning's lips as he whispered, "Lin Fei’s cultivation will be crippled in three days, after which he will be sent to the Great Tang to await trial. This news won't be made public until tomorrow, but I am telling you first."

Lu Shuili stopped in his tracks, stared at Feng Ning for a long moment, and said coldly, "It seems you still haven't learned your lesson."

"Rest assured, in a moment I'll beat you so badly your own parents won't recognize you."