68 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Regret served no purpose now. Huang He and Yu Jing took the stage one after another, only to be effortlessly defeated in a single move. Thus, Chu Qin Sect became the laughingstock of the elite martial arts tournament, a peculiar joke among the formidable contenders. Some mischievous folks even started placing bets on how quickly Chu Qin's disciples would lose, and to everyone’s amusement, there were actual takers. Next, it was Qin Weiyu’s turn. He stepped onto the stage woodenly, but before he could even summon [Wujing Zelan], his opponent, a female cultivator from the Southern Chu Sect, had already pressed her sword to his neck. The sight left the onlookers collapsing in laughter. Some female cultivators even forgot their manners as they clutched their stomachs, bent over with mirth, exclaiming “Oh my!” between bouts of giggles. Qi Xiu covered his face in embarrassment, a rare feeling for him, and consoled himself repeatedly, “Don’t be angry, it’s no big deal.” He tried to stabilize his emotions by activating his innate [Clear Mind] ability. “You... just go and take a rest.” Wang Guan wanted to offer a critique but found himself at a loss for words. Qin Weiyu didn’t seem to find anything shameful in his defeat, disappearing quietly into the shadows of his fellow sect members, seemingly invisible once more. “From the Spirit Medicine Pavilion, Jiang Chuanyi, versus—cough—versus Chu Qin Sect! Yu Denuo!” A few rounds later, when it was time for another Chu Qin disciple, the announcer couldn’t help but pause before loudly calling out Yu Denuo’s name, as if introducing someone significant. The audience sensed the underlying mockery and erupted into laughter again. “Denuo... you...” Qi Xiu grabbed Yu Denuo’s hand, unsure of what to say. As the highest-ranked cultivator in their sect, he couldn't afford another swift defeat. Meeting Qi Xiu’s hopeful gaze, Yu Denuo gave a firm pat on Qi Xiu’s hand, reassuring him, “I understand, don’t worry.” Yu Denuo leaped onto the stage, a small golden sword in hand, confronting a young cultivator of similar skill. Mimicking the earlier opponents, the cultivator struck a confident pose and launched a green seed into the air. The seed burst open mid-flight, and a spirit vine sprouted, aiming to bind Yu Denuo. “Well done!” Yu Denuo shouted coldly, wielding the golden sword against the vine. Despite only slicing through its outer layer, the vine, like a living creature, wrapped around the sword, then aimed to ensnare Yu Denuo himself. Yu Denuo roared again, his spiritual energy pouring forth as his sword glowed bright gold, halting the vine’s advance and stabilizing the situation, though he struggled visibly compared to his opponent’s ease. “He lasted more than one move!” an excited bookie shouted from below the stage, causing those who had bet on a single-move defeat to groan in unison. “Hmph!” Despite failing to defeat his opponent, a Spirit Medicine Pavilion cultivator felt his pride wounded and flicked a black-and-red seed toward Yu Denuo. The seed expanded in mid-air, brimming with destructive fiery energy that would unleash immense devastation upon detonation. “Yu Denuo will win,” Wang Guan casually commented. Qi Xiu, anxious and curious about Wang Guan’s confidence, turned just as Yu Denuo made his move. “Go!” Two golden beams shot from his hand, one targeting the red-and-black seed, the other heading straight for the opponent. “Boom!” The seed exploded with a loud bang at the arena's center, engulfing it in flames and smoke. When the smoke cleared, Yu Denuo stood unharmed, hands raised in triumph, while the Spirit Medicine Pavilion cultivator looked utterly shocked. A tiny golden spike hovered mere inches from his eyes; had the Southern Chu Sect’s supervising Golden Core cultivator not intervened, the opponent would likely have perished then and there. “I-I lost!” The Pavilion cultivator’s face turned beet-red, then ghostly white, before finally conceding defeat in a low voice. The audience was astonished, having not anticipated Chu Qin Sect's unexpected victory amidst the intense exchanges. Those who bet on Chu Qin’s defeat cursed their losses loudly. Amidst congratulations, the victorious Yu Denuo returned to the cheering Chu Qin Sect members, who surrounded him with celebratory fervor. “That was a sly tactic, pretending weakness to lure the enemy,” Wang Guan said with a chuckle. Yu Denuo nodded honestly, admitting, “Yes, his strength surpassed mine. Had he not underestimated me, victory would’ve been unlikely.” “Well, your sect mates’ earlier performances certainly played a role,” came a sarcastic voice from afar. Qi Xiu glanced towards the source, seeing Su Wen-Tai, who wore a lazy grin. The comment could only have come from him. Seeing him, a sense of dread washed over Qi Xiu. What’s this rogue doing here? As if sensing Qi Xiu’s thoughts, Wang Guan leaned in to murmur, “Shandu Sect is participating too, with a Golden Core and five Foundation Establishments. Not easy to contend with.” His words meant Qi Xiu should let it go. “I understand,” Qi Xiu replied, swallowing his indignation and ignoring Su Wen-Tai. Despite Qi Xiu’s restraint, a Foundation Establishment cultivator behind him couldn’t hold back a cold snort, “A loss is a loss. Does it matter? Who do you think you are to meddle in Spirit Medicine Pavilion’s affairs?” Embarrassed, Su Wen-Tai didn’t dare provoke an organization as influential as the Qi Yun Merchant Guild and shrank back, pretending not to hear. Qi Xiu and Wang Guan quickly acknowledged the righteous Spirit Medicine Pavilion cultivator, who nodded back in acceptance and acknowledgment. “It seems our sect folk are always a bit more upright and kind-hearted,” sighed Zhang Shishi nearby. Wang Guan chuckled at this, responding, “Not always.” He didn’t elaborate further. Qi Xiu knew Wang Guan faced internal pressures related to passing benefits to younger members at [Martial Station], but it wasn't his place to get involved. Skillfully, he changed the subject, letting the moment pass lightly. As the tournament resumed, one of Wang Guan’s juniors met a far superior opponent from Guanghui Sect, resulting in an inevitable defeat. “Chu Qin Sect’s Qi Xiu versus Duo Bao Pavilion’s Wen Ren Shang.” Finally, it was Qi Xiu’s turn. Wang Guan patted his shoulder, offering no earnest encouragement, playfully saying, “Take care!” With no high expectations, Qi Xiu hadn’t prepared much. However, he couldn’t abandon his composure as the sect leader. Adjusting his attire, he leaped up onto the stage. Learning from Yu Denuo’s example, the spectators didn’t cheer recklessly this time. His opponent, serious-faced, wielded a Buddhist monk’s staff—a formidable weapon from Duo Bao Pavilion. Qi Xiu calmly launched a wind blade talisman at his opponent, then enveloped himself in a [Golden Element Defense Barrier], activating the [Black Wind Banner] to summon a gust toward him. The sequence was swift and practiced, showing style if lacking in power, unable to breach the opponent’s defenses. Seeing through Qi Xiu’s abilities and readying a powerful spell, Qi Xiu conceded, “Wen Ren, you’re formidable. I surrender.” With that, he gracefully descended from the stage, his hairstyle unruffled. The Duo Bao Pavilion cultivator hadn’t anticipated such a slick move, leaving him momentarily flustered before regaining composure. As he retreated, he replied dryly, “My surname is Wen Ren…” Qi Xiu stumbled slightly, earning a chorus of jeers from the onlookers.