Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Comparison of Two Sects
Glancing at the Shattered Snow Blade on the table, Shangguan Xing laughed, "The saying goes that a treasure sword belongs to a hero. Young hero, you possess an extraordinary bearing, and you have regained the Shattered Snow Blade. This blade should belong to you."
Shangguan Xing had his own calculations.
A medium grade odd blade, although valuable, was not indispensable. Rather, using it to maintain the relationship between the Will Sect and Shi Xiaole seemed a better option.
After all, it was unpredictable to what extent Shi Xiaole would improve in the future. Making an early investment would not be mistaken. Even if the other party perished midway, it would just result in the loss of a blade.
Shi Xiaole had no intention of giving back the Shattered Snow Blade, so naturally, he seized the opportunity that presented itself and continued to express his gratitude.
The two conversed for a while longer, and then Shangguan Xing, excusing himself because of pressing business, arranged for a room and led Shi Xiaole to rest.
For three consecutive days, Sun, the steward, who was also the thin-faced man, made a polite visit with the demeanor of a tour guide and company.
Shi Xiaole was amused.
Shangguan Xing was indeed cunning and probably knew that he had offended him, so he deliberately sent this man over to mitigate his resentment.
After three days, Shi Xiaole had toured all the visitable sites of the Will Sect, and he couldn’t help but admire the power of the Will Sect.
Let’s not discuss anything else for now, just the number of masters he encountered in these three days far exceeded the total of the Golden Phoenix Tower and the Thirteen Sects of Lu and Yan.
In the Will Sect, ordinary stewards have the cultivation of the third level of Qi Absorption, and elders must achieve at least the seventh level of Qi Absorption. As for Sect Master Shangguan Xing and the first three elders, it is said that they are all masters of the Xuanqi Realm, and their strength is unfathomable.
As for the disciples, there are dozens in the Qi Absorption realm. However, chances are quite low for the persons to reach it before the age of eighteen. The Will Sect also could not possibly have many proud talents like these.
In the room, Shi Xiaole spilled out a pill.
Purification Pill.
In Dongfang Haoran’s cave, Shi Xiaole had used five Purification Pills and eliminated ninety percent of the impurities. However, these few days, due to the breakthrough in his cultivation, impurities had increased.
Therefore, he planned to use these few days to clean again.
As soon as the Purification Pill was sent down, Shi Xiaole began to operate the Purple Light Divine Skill.
...
Will Sect, Sect Master’s Study.
"The Grand Competition between the Left and Right Sects will be held in five days. In my opinion, the Right Sect will probably be in trouble again."
An elder with white eyebrows shook his head and sighed, speaking in a helpless tone.
He was the Second Elder of the Will Sect and one of the four powerhouses in the Xuanqi Realm.
In the study, besides Shangguan Xing and the Second Elder, there were also seven or eight people seated, all of whom were significant elders of the Right Sect.
"Second Elder, don’t demoralize us and embolden others. Did you forget about Miss Yan?"
Another aged old lady harrumphed.
"Fifth Elder, you surely know that Miss Yan can only compete in one round. What about the other two rounds?"
The words of the Second Elder left the old lady speechless and unable to rebut.
The Will Sect seemed to be one family on the surface, but was, in reality, divided into the Left and Right Sects. The Right Sect belonged to the Shangguan family, while the Left Sect was derived from the Grand Elder’s line.
When the two sects were founded, the founders were as close as brothers, with no intention of suppressing each other. Unfortunately, over time, differences in martial arts philosophies led to conflict, resulting in competition between the two sects.
According to the rule, every two years, each sect must send three disciples for three contest rounds. Victory and defeat would determine whose philosophy was superior and who would be named the legitimate sect by receiving the Jade Bi of the Ring Mountain.
A pity that the Right Sect has had a run of bad luck in recent years. The overall level of disciples is far behind the Left Sect which produces outstanding talents one after another. The Right Sect has already lost two consecutively previous grand competitions.
And this year, the Left Sect came up with three kids, reportedly possessing talents surpassing those of previous Left Sect disciples. It was only natural for these elders of the Right Sect to worry.
If it were not for Shangguan Yan’s support, the Right Sect would have been reduced to a joke of the Left Sect long ago.
"Ah, if one person could compete in all three rounds, that would be great."
An elder sighed.
The three kids from the Left Sect haven’t been noticed for long, and their talent also can’t compete with Shangguan Yan.
"Forget it, there are some good seeds this year. It’s just a pity there’s not enough time for them to grow. We will wait for the next term. We, the Right Sect, won’t lose again."
The Second Elder shook his head, seemingly accepting the fact of defeat.
Looking at the desolate expressions of everyone else, Shangguan Xing, sitting behind the desk, showed a meaningful smile and said, "Actually, I have a candidate in mind."
"Oh?"
The elders looked over.
"Shi Xiaole."
Shangguan Xing pronounced a name.
"Is he the one who integrated with his sword into one realm and broke through the fourth level of the Iron Puppet Array?"
The Second Elder pondered and said, "That person does have high potential, but firstly, he is not a disciple of the Will Sect. Secondly, even though he comprehends the realm of man and sword as one, it only proves that he has great potential. His own realm is too low, and it might not be possible for him to defeat the three kids from the Left Sect."
"He is the inheritor of the Shattered Snow Blade. There’s no need to worry about his identity. As for his strength, since no one else can possibly win, we might as well let him give it a try."
Shangguan Xing waved his hand, thinking to himself, ’Yan’er, I hope your intuition isn’t wrong.’
After not securing the Jade Bi of the Ring Mountain in two consecutive sessions, failing to claim the legitimate sect of the Will Sect, Shangguan Xing was also frustrated. This time, he was going all out.
As for testing Shi Xiaole’s actual strength earlier. Doubting those who are employed, employing those who are doubtful, such childish actions, Shangguan Xing disdained to do it.
The elders exchanged glances but remained silent.
The decision was made by the Sect Master, so, what else could they say? Moreover, as the Sect Master said, taking a gamble on a losing horse is like seeing a dead horse as a living horse-doctor. It’s better to let the kid have a try.
...
"The Competition of the Two Sects?"
Looking at Steward Sun who was smiling like a chrysanthemum on the opposite side, Shi Xiaole was a bit perplexed.
"Young Hero Shi, your strength is well recognised by everyone. I believe you will definitely represent the Right Sect and win. The Sect Master even said that as long as you win, he will give you a chance to step onto the Inspiration Bridge."
Though the words of Steward Sun didn’t matter much to Shi Xiaole, hearing about the Inspiration Bridge stirred something in his heart.
Inspiration Bridge, one of the wonders of the Will Sect, was also a treasure land coveted by countless martial artists in the Floating River Area of the Martial World.
It was said that the bridge had the ability to stimulate inspiration in the human brain. As long as one stepped onto it, many martial arts conundrums would be readily solved.
"Fair enough, as long as it’s no issue with the Will Sect, I agree to it."
Shi Xiaole didn’t want to refuse for the sake of Inspiration Bridge. Besides, he had just used the remaining Purification Pills to remove impurities in his internal power over the past few days, making it the right moment to train.
"Ha ha, Young Hero Shi is indeed straightforward."
"The steward, Mr. Sun, breathed a sigh of relief.
The Sect Master had instructed him before he came that if he failed to persuade Shi Xiaole, he could not continue to stay in the Will Sect. Who knew how nervous he had been just a while ago?
Two days blinked past.
The early days of winter were sunny and warm.
Thickly populated figures were sitting around the square of the Will Sect. In the front row were the elders and stewards of the Left and Right Sects, while the disciples of both Sects were behind.
The massive uproar seemed ready to explode at any moment.
"This time the Right Sect has only one senior sister, ha ha, our Left Sect is sure to win."
"I just hope the remaining two from the Right Sect are tougher. They are defeated every time after a few moves, which is really uninspiring."
The disciples of the Left Sect were openly discussing, their words clearly undervaluing the experts of the Right Sect.
"Second senior brother, how many moves can you withstand from senior sister this time?"
On the left side of the square, three young men, who were strikingly distinguished, were sitting at the bottom of the elder’s seats. They were the renowned ’Three Sons’ of the Left Sect.
Upon hearing the question from the young man in red, the upright-looking man in the middle said, "Last time it was fifty-three moves, this time, seventy."
Hearing that, both young men showed admiring expressions.
Who among them could match the power of Shangguan Yan, apart from the most top-tier prodigies? The fact that the second senior brother could withstand her for seventy moves definitely placed him within the top fifteen among the first-class prodigies.
"Last night I heard the Grand Elder say that, apart from the senior sister, the Right Sect has sent that little fellow who has broken through the trials. Alas, it seems the Right Sect has been pushed to desperation by us."
The young man in red suddenly broke into a strange chuckle.
"That guy with the unity of man and sword?"
The other two were a bit surprised, but they had already heard the rumors that the opponent was the disciple of Shattered Snow Blade and could be considered half a disciple of the Will Sect.
"What about achieving the unity of man and sword? If he were in the middle stage, it might be somewhat formidable, but in the initial stage? Hmph, if he were to face me, I would make him understand that a martial artist’s cultivation is the most important."
The third young man, burly in stature, responded with some disdain.
The Left Sect emphasized internal power as the foundation of martial arts. They believed that a martial artist’s internal power superseded every technique and realm. That’s why, the disciples of the Left Sect cultivated their internal power more intensely than those of the Right Sect. As a consequence, their efforts on other aspects fell short.
The left side of the square was buzzing, but the right side appeared somewhat quiet. It wasn’t because there were fewer disciples, but due to the fact that not many people were talking.
What to say?
Having been defeated twice in a row, and since the Right Sect didn’t have any promising newcomers this time, the pattern of one win and two losses was all too familiar. For most of the disciples of the Right Sect, watching the competition was not a joy, but a torment.
If there were any enjoyable moments, it would probably only be when the senior sister made her move.
A pair of admiring, fanatical, and worshipful eyes fell on the cold woman in the front row who, seemingly oblivious to the attention, appeared as aloof as a snow lotus, detached from the world.
At the strike of the sixth hour, the scene quieted down.
The Fourth Elder, responsible for overseeing the event, rose to his feet, glanced at the jade ring in front of him, and loudly announced, "The competition between the two Sects officially begins."
There were no unnecessary words, nor was there any need to clarify any rules, as everyone knew the ins and outs and there was no need for further explanation.
"Senior sister, please enlighten me."
Li Zhongtian, the leader of the Left Sect’s ’Three Sons’, vaulted into the air.
Shangguan Yan opened her beautiful eyes. Without visible movement, her body appeared three feet away from Li Zhongtian.
"Will Technique’s Nine Strikes!"
Eighteen-year-old Li Zhongtian, who possessed the cultivation of the fourth level of the Qi Absorption Realm, had been practicing a second-class lower-grade internal power skill called the Will Technique.
Most importantly, he had almost reached the level of great accomplishment in the cultivation of the Will Technique. His internal power was no less than that of an ordinary late-stage sixth-level Qi Absorption practitioner, and he was stronger than most first-class prodigies.
So despite his less superior swordsmanship, his attack was still shocking.
Faced with the nine consecutive sword attacks, Shangguan Yan remained calm, only swinging one sword.
Clang.
The shadow of the sword shattered, and to Li Zhongtian’s astonishment, his subsequent sword technique was abruptly interrupted.
Compared with the Left Sect’s emphasis on internal power, the Right Sect paid more attention to technique and skill, particularly Shangguan Yan, who was the best among them. What was horrifying for Li Zhongtian was the shocking speed at which the opponent’s swordsmanship was improving.
"Torrential Flow Sword Technique!"
With a ferocious shout, a surge of tumultuous internal power burst out with Li Zhongtian’s sword technique, attacking Shangguan Yan like a torrential flood.
The Will Sect had a set of second-class intermediate sword technique, a second-class lower-grade sword technique, and a spear technique.
The second-class lower-grade sword technique that Li Zhongtian was performing at the moment was the Torrential Flow Sword Technique.
Boom!
In the explosive sound of the air blasting, the two swords collided without any artifice, creating sparks.
The watching crowd didn’t blink an eye.
Aside from the senior brothers and sisters who had been wandering the Martial World, the two engaging in the fight could be called the strongest disciples of the Will Sect at present. Their strength was top-notch among their peers in the Floating River Area. Who would want to miss that?
The fierce wind blasted, and the sword energy crisscrossed. Each close combat between the two made people gasp and the air seemed extremely oppressive.
However, to a few discerning individuals, the outcome was already clear.
On the forty-third move, with a clang, the violent aura came to a halt. Immediately afterwards, the long sword flew up, with one end of the sword pointing at Li Zhongtian’s throat.
