Chapter 228: Chapter 225: The Assembly Begins, Celestial Sword Grand Canyon
"The Qing Province Tournament is tomorrow. If the Ninth Elder doesn’t finish his seclusion by tonight, we’ll have to leave without him."
In the Death Mountain Range, Tang Lin, Zi Yunfei, and a third disciple were under orders to wait for Ning Jiang.
The Qing Province Tournament was starting tomorrow. As one of the Five Great Sects, the Yanyue Sect naturally wouldn’t miss such a grand event.
And Ning Jiang’s presence was crucial for the now-weakened Yanyue Sect.
"Let’s wait a little longer."
The three of them waited until nightfall, but there was still no sign of Ning Jiang.
"We have no other choice. We’ll leave a letter for the Ninth Elder and hope he can hurry over tomorrow."
The three gave a letter to the White Ape and departed.
...
「The next morning.」
THOOM! THOOM! THOOM!
The deep, booming sound of the War Drums resounded through the heavens. The sound rolled out in wave after wave, traveling for thousands of miles and covering nearly half of Qing Province.
The drumming came from the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon.
The canyon stretched for over thirty miles and was nearly two miles wide.
The canyon’s origins were legendary. It was said that a Celestial Martial Realm King had carved it with a single sword strike, leaving an eternal, indelible scar upon the land.
"Every time I come to the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon, I’m reminded of my own insignificance. A Celestial Martial Realm King... what an immense power they must possess."
Figures began to appear one after another in the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon. The one who had spoken was a powerful expert of the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm, his voice filled with awe as he gazed at the canyon.
What did a length of over thirty miles even mean?
It meant splitting a city in two with a single strike.
This meant that a Celestial Martial Realm King could destroy an entire city with a single, casual swing of their sword.
"It’s no wonder those at the Celestial Martial Realm are called Kings. They comprehend the Laws, live for ten thousand years, and a single one of them can found a Super Sect. Take the Seven Great Super Sects of the Six Eastern Provinces—they reign supreme over the six provinces, and all Seventy-Two Sects must live by their whims."
"How many years has it been since Qing Province produced a Celestial Martial Realm King?"
"Forget Qing Province—it’s been a century since a King has emerged in all of the Six Provinces."
Everyone, without exception, spoke of Celestial Martial Realm Kings with the utmost respect.
The Star Sword Sect may have an Earth Martial Realm expert and seem high and mighty, but before a Celestial Martial Realm master, they are no more than an ant that can be crushed with a flick of the wrist.
"Sect Leader Tu, long time no see."
"Sect Leader Lu, you’ve come as well."
"Of course. While the Five Great Sects are the stars of this grand event and we smaller sects are merely their backdrop, bringing our disciples here to witness the prodigies of the Five Great Sects will surely inspire them."
"Indeed, that was my thought as well. I don’t expect them to fight for any rankings. I just want them to see what true top-level geniuses look like, so they understand that there are always bigger fish in the sea."
Members of the numerous smaller sects arrived one after another, gathering in small groups to converse.
Meanwhile, the younger disciples they had brought along were furtively sizing one another up, gauging each other’s strength.
This tournament was a grand affair for the younger generation. Everyone hoped to make a name for themselves, so they paid particularly close attention to any powerful rivals.
THOOM! THOOM! THOOM!
The drums thundered, their rumbling sound spreading far and wide. The ones beating them were from the Star Sword Sect.
A high platform had been erected on one side of the Celestial Sword Grand Canyon, and upon it sat the War Drum.
This War Drum also had a storied past. It was a Top Level Magical Treasure belonging to the Star Sword Sect, roughly at the Earth Martial Realm Level.
"There are so many people. I wonder if any dark horses will emerge this year."
"Dark horses? You mean people at the Young Giant Level? Qing Province is a vast place. A few might just show up."
Each of the Five Great Sects has its own Young Giants. Even the seemingly degenerate Yanyue Sect produced Ning Jiang not long ago.
And with over a hundred sects in all of Qing Province, there were bound to be some hidden masters—a few dark horses ready to make their charge.
"Here come the Five Great Sects."
Soon, everyone’s attention was drawn to the sky.
Several groups made a grand entrance in the sky.
The members of the Fire Cloud Sect rode on vicious flying lions, their presence imposing.
The members of Floating Snow Hall rode white cranes. Their ranks consisted mostly of women, and the few men among them were exceptionally handsome.
A gathering of handsome men and beautiful women, they were a sight to behold. The Hall Master of Floating Snow Hall and Liu Bingxue in particular—a pair of beauties, one mature and one youthful—drew the most attention.
The War Elephant Sect arrived atop a single Giant Elephant. The creature was as large as a mountain and carried an entire hall on its back. With every step it took, the ground shook violently.
As for the Yanyue Sect, they arrived on Iron-Winged Eagles. Of all the Major Sects, their procession was the most modest, and they had brought the fewest experts.
But the most astonishing entrance, of course, belonged to the strongest of them all: the Star Sword Sect.
SHREEE!
A colossal sword tore through the void. Its Sword Qi was sharp and piercing. Atop it stood numerous disciples, hands clasped behind their backs, each one radiating an imperious aura.
"As expected of the Star Sword Sect. They truly have experts as numerous as the clouds."
The moment the Star Sword Sect appeared, a palpable tension filled the air.
They could sense the auras of many top-tier experts, some of whom were even approaching the Young Giant Level.
"Among the Five Great Sects, the Star Sword Sect is the strongest," the crowd judged. "Floating Snow Hall, the War Elephant Sect, and the Fire Cloud Sect are all roughly equal. The Yanyue Sect is the weakest."
The Yanyue Sect’s top-tier experts only consisted of Tang Lin and two others—a pitifully small number.
’The Yanyue Sect is just a handful of nobodies. Today, they’ll be knocked from their perch among the Five Great Sects,’ some who were hostile to the Yanyue Sect sneered inwardly.
The arrival of the Five Great Sects brought the atmosphere to a fever pitch.
Everyone knew the tournament was about to begin!
"Everyone, please take your seats," a member of the Star Sword Sect announced.
Five viewing platforms rose majestically from the ground beside the canyon, towering over the surroundings. These were reserved for the Five Great Sects.
Without hesitation, the Star Sword Sect entered the central viewing platform and took their seats.
The other Four Great Sects followed suit, taking their seats in turn.
When it was the Yanyue Sect’s turn, just as Grand Elder Meng Nanfeng and his contingent stepped onto their viewing platform, a sneer came from the adjacent Fire Cloud Sect’s platform. A voice boomed out, "Yanyue Sect! Cherish this last time on a viewing platform. After today, you will lose this position forever!"
At this, many in the crowd revealed amused, speculative expressions.
The tournament hadn’t even started, and the Fire Cloud Sect was already picking a fight with the Yanyue Sect. It seemed the animosity between the two Major Sects ran deep indeed!
"Enough. Why waste words on a declining sect?" Having delivered their taunt, the members of the Fire Cloud Sect paid them no further mind.
"Those bastards."
Tang Lin and the other young disciples were furious, their fists clenched tightly.
But a bitter feeling settled in their hearts. They knew that after today, they might very well lose their position.
Their strength was inferior. That was a plain and simple fact, and no amount of anger could change it.
"I hope the Ninth Elder gets here soon." At this point, their only hope rested on Ning Jiang.
Once the Five Great Sects were seated, the smaller sects filed into the pavilions lining the canyon’s edge.
"Mr. Ge, it is about time. If you would please," said someone from the Star Sword Sect.
"Very well." A white-haired elder rose to his feet and announced in a resonant voice, "Everyone, I am Ge Changming. I am honored that the Five Great Sects have entrusted me with hosting this Qing Province Tournament."
The host of the Qing Province Tournament has always been chosen jointly by the Five Great Sects, with the stipulation that the chosen person cannot have any ties to the Five Great Sects themselves.
This was to prevent the host from showing secret favoritism toward any particular sect.
"Mr. Ge’s reputation for being fair is known throughout Qing Province. Everyone knows he is an impartial and selfless man. With him hosting this tournament, we can all rest easy."
"Indeed. Mr. Ge is just and has no personal agenda. We trust him."
The crowd voiced their agreement, showing their approval of Ge Changming.
Ge Changming was a powerful expert of the Primordial Body Fourth Tribulation Realm. Moreover, his reputation was impeccable, completely free of scandal, making him more than qualified to host this tournament.
"I am humbled by your praise, so I shall not refuse the honor. However, I am not enough to preside over the Qing Province Tournament alone. These gentlemen are good friends of mine and will serve alongside me as judges for the event."
Ge Changming said, cupping his fists. Several others stood by his side.
"We trust anyone Mr. Ge brings with him."
It was clear that Ge Changming held an excellent reputation in Qing Province. Among the tens of thousands present, not a single person questioned his integrity.
"Very well! I declare the first trial... has begun!"
