Chapter 118: The Duel Begins

Naturally, Lei Wei could not keep this matter hidden. He quickly reported it to the sect. Upon receiving the news, the senior leaders of the Moonwatch Sect fell into a heavy silence. Their own sect’s arena competition had unexpectedly turned into a challenge issued by an outsider. Anyone in their position would feel stifled and disheartened, yet at this moment, their hearts were gripped more by fear than anything else.

It was like two families: if both had comparable strength and the other family suddenly appeared at your doorstep to provoke you, you would naturally be furious and respond with force. But when the disparity in strength was so vast as to be incomparable, fear would overwhelm anger. This was not a matter of courage, but an instinct of human nature.

Time would not pause for anyone’s emotions. No matter how anxious the leaders of the Moonwatch Sect felt, time slipped through their fingers like sand. In the blink of an eye, the day of the arena competition arrived.

On the tenth day of the eighth month in the 774th year of the Yunhai calendar, the disciples of Moonwatch Sect, unaware of the storm looming ahead, surged toward Martial Peak at dawn with excitement. The sect’s triennial arena tournament was always held there. Martial Peak was divided into three summits, each designated for different levels of cultivators to spar.

The three summits were arranged as follows: one for Qi Refining disciples, one for Foundation Establishment disciples, and the last for Core Formation disciples.

The Moonwatch Sect had over three thousand Foundation Establishment disciples. Ten platforms were set up on the Foundation Establishment summit for their competitions. Yet, as countless disciples poured onto the peak, they found the ten platforms empty. Only five elders sat in the main viewing seats. These five hailed from the five main summits, but not a single summit master was present.

“What is going on? In previous tournaments, at least three summit masters would attend. This year, none have appeared. Not a single summit master, nor any guests from the Yunhai Royal Court, the Lanhui Sect, or the Ancient Yi Sect?” The disciples murmured in confusion, some unable to contain their whispers.

Typically, the Qi Refining contests were overseen by one outer summit elder and two inner summit elders. The Foundation Establishment tournament was the main event of the sect. The Core Formation matches usually began only after the Foundation Establishment contests concluded, making this division the focal point of every tournament. Yet this time, each summit sent only one elder.

“Silence!” Elder Mei of Thunder Peak, the third elder, called out sharply. The chatter around the arena abruptly ceased.

“Hahaha! I hear today marks the opening of the Moonwatch Sect’s arena competition. Contests among sect disciples are always dull, so the Ocean King Sect’s Yan Wei has come to liven things up and serve as the arena master. I welcome all Foundation Establishment disciples of Moonwatch Sect to step forth and challenge me. Those who can withstand a move or two from me will receive generous rewards!” As Elder Mei silenced the crowd, a youth in fiery red robes suddenly appeared on one of the central platforms.

He looked no more than sixteen or seventeen, with a tall, slender frame and an unremarkable face. Yet, when he stood on the platform, he exuded an air of supreme arrogance. However, his words and actions were most irritating. As soon as he finished speaking, the Moonwatch disciples around the platform erupted in uproar.

They were stunned that someone from the Hao Feng Dynasty had suddenly arrived at Moonwatch Sect. Even more so, Yan Wei’s arrogance infuriated them. It was true the Hao Feng Dynasty’s overall strength far surpassed that of Moonwatch Sect, but to arrogantly challenge all three thousand Foundation Establishment disciples alone was simply outrageous!

“Lord Yan, you are an honored guest from the Hao Feng Dynasty. As hosts, it is improper for us to attack visitors unprovoked. But as a guest, you have overstepped by challenging all our Foundation Establishment disciples. I, Gu Wannian, though not outstanding among Moonwatch’s Foundation Establishment disciples, will step forward to test your skill.” As Yan Wei spoke, a man in his early thirties leapt onto the platform.

Youthful and fearless, many of Moonwatch’s Foundation Establishment disciples were talented and gifted. Though they knew the Hao Feng Dynasty was a superior authority to the Yunhai Dynasty, they refused to be cowed by Yan Wei’s audacity. Gu Wannian was a disciple of Purplewood Peak and ranked among the strongest Foundation Establishment cultivators in the five summits. As he took the stage, many below shouted encouragement, “Senior Brother Gu, defeat him! Senior Brother Gu, defeat him!”

Ji Mo, who had just entered, frowned instinctively at the scene. Gu Wannian was powerful but no match for Yan Wei. If she were to replace Gu Wannian now, it might be even more humiliating than letting him perish on the platform. So she pressed her lips together and quietly made her way forward through the crowd.

Yan Wei noticed her the moment she arrived. His gaze lightly swept over Ji Mo before resting on Gu Wannian. A faint smile curled his lips as he spoke coldly, “Since you wish to challenge me, then strike.”

“Very well, Lord Yan, I shall not hold back.” Gu Wannian chuckled and waved his hand. Instantly, countless black thorny vines sprouted on the platform, surging like a tidal wave toward Yan Wei. As a wood-element cultivator, he was adept at thorn vine techniques.

Yan Wei stood motionless, merely lifting his palm. With swift flicks, a silver shuttle appeared, leaving behind countless afterimages. Within moments, the black vines were shredded to dust. Then, like a flash of lightning, the silver shuttle shot at Gu Wannian. The thorn vines were linked to his spirit. Once severed, his soul suffered damage. Seeing the shuttle hurtling toward him, he instinctively tried to dodge.

But before he could move, the shuttle pierced through his chest. In that instant, his body exploded with a bang, dissolving into a mist of blood. Yan Wei, expression unmoved, extended two fingers, catching the returning silver shuttle. He inverted its handle, allowing a single drop of blood clinging to it to slowly fall.

The Moonwatch disciples below the platform erupted in fury, their shouts like a tidal wave crashing toward Yan Wei, threatening to engulf him. Yan Wei’s lips curled in a faint, disdainful smile as he said, “Are these the disciples of Moonwatch Sect? Lacking strength, they resort to tantrums and insults to scare others away?”

His voice was low but clear enough to reach every ear present.

The crowd’s breath hitched. Mu Baiyun’s expression darkened. Raising his brows, he prepared to leap onto the platform but felt a hand pressing on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Ji Mo. She glanced at him and said, “I’ll go!” Without waiting for his response, she vanished like a graceful swan, soaring toward the platform.

(To be continued…)