Almost as if by conditioned reflex, these words first surfaced in everyone’s minds, followed by the crowd finally taking notice of the newcomer’s appearance. He was a thin, withered old man, unremarkable in looks, yet the power he displayed carried an undeniable aura.
However, upon clearly seeing the person’s face, the disciples of Fubo Mountain could scarcely believe their eyes; they froze for a moment before snapping back to reality as if waking from a dream.
“Is that… the Sect Master?”
“Sect Master! It’s really the Sect Master!”
“The Sect Master is back!”
“……….”
In an instant, an earth-shattering cheer erupted before the Spirit Reverence Hall. Even Mi Luo, Feng Hu, and Yan Luo, who had been severely wounded by Gong Teng, shook off their previous weakness. Supported by several disciples, they managed to stand, looking at the figure descending through the wind with overwhelming joy.
Previously, the Heart Devourer Sect, Wind Hunter Valley, and Yin Soul Sect loomed over the Fubo Mountain disciples like three colossal mountains, suffocating them. Especially the presence of Gong Teng, a Sixth-Rank Black Spirit Master, who posed an imminent, existential threat, kept them constantly terrified.
It could be said that ever since Gong Teng and his entourage appeared, everyone’s nerves had been taut. Even Nie Kong’s successive victories over Fu Shang, Fu Yuan, and Li Ji failed to bring relief; instead, they became even more anxious, fearing Nie Kong’s actions might provoke the intruders.
Yet, what no one expected was that the Sect Master, who had been gone for a month, would return to Fubo Mountain at this critical juncture. And upon his return, he immediately rescued Nie Kong. What was even more astonishing was that during his absence, the Sect Master had broken through to the Sixth Rank!
Now that both Zhuo Yue and Gong Teng were Sixth-Rank masters, the opponents’ greatest advantage had vanished. Under these circumstances, if the Heart Devourer Sect, Wind Hunter Valley, and Yin Soul Sect still wished to monopolize the “Black Armor Vein” and the “Dead Spirit Cave,” or even annihilate Fubo Mountain, they would have to reconsider.
The surrounding Fubo Mountain disciples felt as if the three great mountains pressing down on them had vanished without a trace. For a moment, they experienced an exhilarating sense of vindication. At this moment, the three elders of Fubo Mountain—Mi Luo, Feng Hu, and Yan Luo—were even more energized. When Zhuo Yue appeared, the disciples only thought that the immediate crisis of Fubo Mountain was averted and their lives saved. But the three elders thought further ahead.
The Sect Master’s expression now was vastly different from before. Could it be that the matter he had been handling had yielded results? Mi Luo, Feng Hu, and Yan Luo exchanged glances, unable to suppress the excitement surging in their chests, their eyes instinctively darting towards Nie Kong standing nearby.
Sensing the gazes of the three, and looking at Zhuo Yue, who was only dozens of meters from the Spirit Reverence Hall, a hint of surprise flashed in Nie Kong’s eyes. Today, Zhuo Yue was radiant, his brow filled with undisguised joy, completely free of worry—a stark contrast to his appearance a month ago.
Nie Kong’s heart skipped a beat; he vaguely sensed that the purpose of Zhuo Yue’s departure from Fubo Mountain might be connected to him in some way.
“He actually reached the Sixth Rank!”
Fu Cheng’s face was grim, and Ao Lang could no longer manage the calm, easy smile he previously held.
For the past few decades, Fubo Mountain, Heart Devourer Sect, Wind Hunter Valley, and Yin Soul Sect had enjoyed a relatively equal standing because the strongest cultivators in the four sects were merely Fifth-Rank. But the situation shifted after Gong Teng broke through to the Sixth Rank. Ao Lang and Fu Cheng showed Gong Teng a degree of deference, which is why they followed his lead in today’s action. Unexpectedly, not only did they fail to achieve their objective today, but they discovered Zhuo Yue had also broken through to the Sixth Rank. As a result, among the four subordinate sects of the Black God Sect, the Wind Hunter Valley and Yin Soul Sect had ironically become the weakest!
Originally, the combined strength of the Heart Devourer Sect, Wind Hunter Valley, and Yin Soul Sect could easily oppress Fubo Mountain. While the three sects’ combined might was still superior to Fubo Mountain’s, it was now nearly impossible for them to utterly crush Fubo Mountain as before, unless the main sect, the Black God Sect, intervened.
Under normal circumstances, that was highly unlikely. Although the Black God Sect might tacitly allow the three sects to suppress Fubo Mountain, which had lost much of its utility, they rarely took action themselves. While such occurrences were not uncommon in the history of the Netherworld, they were always met with criticism. What made the situation hardest for Ao Lang and Fu Cheng to accept was the possibility that Fubo Mountain, now possessing a Sixth-Rank Black Spirit Master, might regain the attention of the higher sect. If the Wind Hunter Valley and Yin Soul Sect were to align against the Heart Devourer Sect, and without Gong Teng’s support, the two sects might find themselves marginalized by Fubo Mountain.
What a reversal of fortune that would be for Ao Lang and Fu Cheng!
“Sect Master Zhuo, I am surprised to see you have also broken through to the Sixth Rank in the year since we last met. Congratulations.” Gong Teng released his clasped hands, and the thick, long black arrow dropped to the ground with a thwack. He suddenly burst into loud laughter, though his expression held no hint of congratulation.
“Compared to Sect Master Gong, I am far behind.”
A blur of green light flashed, and Zhuo Yue landed before the Spirit Reverence Hall. Upon seeing Li Ji lying on the ground with no breath left, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. But his gaze paused only a moment before settling on Gong Teng, where he let out a cold sneer without restraint, “I welcome the visit of the three Sect Masters, but for Sect Master Gong, the head of an entire sect, to poison my disciple here in Fubo Mountain, it hardly befits your status.”
Fu Cheng suddenly interjected, “Sect Master Zhuo, you only saw Sect Master Gong strike at Nie Kong, but did you not see that the one lying on the ground is Sect Master Gong’s beloved disciple?”
Hearing Fu Cheng’s words, Gong Teng’s eyes narrowed slightly. In all these years, he had taken only five disciples, and Li Ji was his favorite. He brought him to Fubo Mountain precisely to gain experience, yet the boy was killed by Nie Kong right under his nose!
Yan Luo stated in a deep voice, “In a spar, there are no grievances over life or death—a standard reportedly set by the messenger, which we heard came from Sect Master Fu himself. If that were not the case, Sect Master Gong’s beloved disciple would only be injured, not dead. Tell me, Sect Master Fu, do you wish to retract those words now?”
With Zhuo Yue having broken through to the Sixth Rank, Fubo Mountain essentially possessed a pillar of support. Yan Luo’s tone was significantly firmer. However, due to his severe injuries, his face paled slightly after speaking, his breathing grew more rapid, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
“You…”
Fu Cheng was furious but was choked into silence by Yan Luo.
His face flushing slightly, Fu Cheng secretly glanced at Gong Teng beside him. Seeing Gong Teng look his way with a barely concealed hint of displeasure, Fu Cheng’s heart sank. He had intended to provoke Gong Teng, but instead, he had stirred up trouble for himself.
“Li Ji died because he was inferior in the spar. What happened just now was merely a misunderstanding. Since it is over, let us not mention it again.”
Gong Teng laughed heartily, pretending to be unconcerned. He glanced at Nie Kong, who had returned to the ranks of the Fubo Mountain disciples, and said to Zhuo Yue, “I did not expect Sect Master Zhuo to quietly take such an outstanding apprentice. To possess the strength of the Third-Rank peak at such a young age—it has truly opened my eyes.”
“You flatter me.”
Zhuo Yue smiled, his eyes also turning towards Nie Kong, his face alight with unconcealed joy beaming from his features.
As the subject of the two sect masters’ discussion, Nie Kong stood quietly at the rear of the Fubo Mountain disciples, like an old monk in meditation. He seemed not to hear the voices of Gong Teng and Zhuo Yue, nor did he register the gazes filled with amazement and envy surrounding him.
At this moment, Gong Teng suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled, “Sect Master Zhuo, since breaking through to the Sixth Rank, I have never sparred with a Black Spirit Master of equal cultivation. Coincidentally, today you have also become a Sixth-Rank Black Spirit Master. Why don’t we have a match? If you win, the three veins the Heart Devourer Sect, Wind Hunter Valley, and Yin Soul Sect put up as stakes will henceforth belong entirely to your Fubo Mountain.”
“Yes! Yes!” Ao Lang and Fu Cheng were momentarily stunned, then instantly understood Gong Teng’s intention, and almost simultaneously voiced their agreement and support.
“Sect Master Zhuo, what do you say?” Gong Teng pressed.
“This…” Zhuo Yue frowned. Could he not see Gong Teng’s intention when Ao Lang and Fu Cheng could? This Gong Teng was utterly insidious, clearly aiming to injure or even kill him under the guise of a spar, counting on the fact that Zhuo Yue had only recently broken through to the Sixth Rank and his cultivation might not be stable. However, in this setting, if he, the Sect Master, showed fear of battle, it would undoubtedly deal a massive blow to Fubo Mountain’s newly bolstered morale.
“Inappropriate, inappropriate.”
Just as Zhuo Yue was pondering how to refuse, Mi Luo spoke with a smile, “Those three veins were already within our Fubo Mountain’s grasp. Yet the three Sect Masters are generously offering what belongs to us as stakes. Wouldn’t that become a laughingstock if word got out?”
“Elder Mi, what is the meaning of this?”
Fu Cheng’s expression darkened. “Do not forget, your Fubo Mountain only won three matches, one less than us. According to the agreement, the victor should be determined by the number of wins.”
Mi Luo smiled, “Sect Master Fu, do not forget that in this challenge, both sides fielded five combatants. Winning five consecutive matches still secures victory. Currently, the Heart Devourer Sect, Wind Hunter Valley, and Yin Soul Sect still have two participants who have not yet fought. How can Sect Master Fu be so certain that Nie Kong cannot win two more matches?”
“……”
Fu Cheng was rendered speechless, his expression shifting between shades of uncertainty.
Among the three sects, the strongest among the younger disciples was arguably Li Ji of the Heart Devourer Sect. Now that even Li Ji had perished by Nie Kong’s hand, if the remaining two matches were to proceed, the defeat of the three sects would be certain, and the three veins would naturally fall into Fubo Mountain’s possession.
Mi Luo continued, “In my humble opinion, we should first complete the current challenge. As for the spar between Sect Master Gong and Senior Brother Zhuo, it is a major event for our four sects and should not be rushed. Perhaps we should select an auspicious day and invite an envoy from the higher sect to witness it.”
Zhuo Yue smiled and nodded in agreement, “Precisely. What does Sect Master Gong think?”
“This…”
Gong Teng stared at the plump Mi Luo, a trace of suppressed anger flickering in his eyes. His scheme had been neutralized by this stout elder, yet he could find no suitable rebuttal. If he agreed to the other party’s proposal, the three sects were certain to lose the mineral veins today, and when he finally faced Zhuo Yue in a ‘spar’ later, Zhuo Yue’s Sixth-Rank cultivation would surely be stable. Winning might not be an issue, but killing him would be exceedingly difficult.
At this moment, an uncanny silence fell over the area before the Spirit Reverence Hall.
His gaze sweeping past the smiling Zhuo Yue and Mi Luo, and the grim-faced Gong Teng, Ao Lang, and Fu Cheng, two pairs of eyes settled upon the Fubo Mountain base. A strange, thin smile suddenly curved Nie Kong’s lips: “It seems the good show is about to begin…”
…………