Chapter 57

Chapter 57 The martial arts grand competition of the four major sects became the focus of the disciples for a while. The generous rewards and the opportunity to exchange martial arts skills and meet fellow practitioners from other sects were the main attractions. Meanwhile, in the imperial palace of Jimo City, a man dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe sat on the dragon throne, with his favorite son, the third prince, Gao Cheng Xuan, standing beside him. "Cheng Xuan, how is that matter being handled?" the old emperor asked as he reviewed the memorials. "In response to Your Majesty, the rewards for the martial arts grand competition have been widely publicized. According to recent intelligence reports, all four major sects are determined to secure these rewards, even to the extent of making backup plans," the third prince respectfully replied. "Well, the arrogance of the four major sects is too much. This is a good opportunity to keep them in check. Otherwise, it will be detrimental to the royal family sooner or later," the old emperor said with a serious tone. "I understand, the more chaotic the martial arts grand competition, the better," Gao Cheng Xuan said with a knowing expression. "I trust in your capability. Your exceptional talent is suitable for cultivating immortal arts. In the future, these sect powers will need you to manage. As for the Crown Prince, he can be in charge of internal affairs. With your support, the Crown Prince will certainly benefit greatly," the old emperor remarked. "Rest assured, Father. I will do my best to assist my elder brother. I will take my leave now," Gao Cheng Xuan bowed to the old emperor. The old emperor nodded, permitting his departure. As Gao Cheng Xuan stepped out of the imperial palace, the humility on his face had long disappeared. He couldn't understand why his father favored his useless older brother, Wen Tao. Both in literary and military strategies, he should be the one favored. Several days later, the martial arts grand competition took place as scheduled. However, this time, the competition venue was the special martial arts field of the royal army in Jimo City. There were dozens of arenas, and each participant held a spirit stone displaying their name and number. Participants with the same number were matched up for the competition. Song Zhi Xia's first match was scheduled for the morning against a junior disciple from Lingjiang Sect. The disciple was still in the foundational stage, and his cultivation level was nowhere near Song Zhi Xia's. Therefore, she defeated him with a single strike, sending him off the stage before he even had a chance to speak. Wu Lue and Zhou Qing Xue had similar experiences. With their Nascent Soul stage cultivation, they effortlessly defeated the junior disciples without even drawing their weapons. Song Wei Zhi's match was in the afternoon. She found the martial arts grand competition peculiar and, coupled with the incident with the mysterious cloaked individual, she was cautious. She was determined to obtain the fragments of the Xuan Bird's soul. Her opponent was a junior disciple from Xuantian Sect who had just reached the Foundation Establishment stage. The disciple, seeing a beautiful female cultivator, attempted to strike up a conversation with Song Wei Zhi. "Sister, are you called Song Wei Zhi? What a beautiful name. Can we get to know each other after our match?" the junior disciple asked. Before he could say another word, the sound of a gong signaled the start of the match. With a single strike, the junior disciple was sent flying and coughing up blood, making it one of the few matches to draw blood on the first day of the competition. After her match, despite the gossip and stares, Song Wei Zhi returned to her disciples' residence with her younger sister. The martial arts grand competition focused on matches, so injuries or even fatalities were considered normal. After more than ten days, the number of eliminated participants increased, including some who died during the competition. All sects suffered losses, and in the end, only 16 participants advanced, including Song Wei Zhi and her companions. Entering the top 16 brought not only a large audience but also the personal appearance of the third prince, Gao Cheng Xuan, who came to watch the matches. The sect leaders approached him, acknowledging the formidable strength of the royal family and its indispensable support for the sects' development. Song Zhi Xia faced Wang Xian from the Yufeng Valley, who had just reached the Golden Core stage with a single wood-element spirit root. His spiritual beast was a giant elephant. Although Song Zhi Xia had a higher cultivation level than Wang Xian, his spirit beast posed a challenge for her. When the gong sounded, she took the initiative. Using her Flaming Sword technique, she sent a sea of flames towards Wang Xian. In response, Wang Xian channeled his spiritual energy to draw all the leaves and vegetation around him towards himself, simultaneously launching an attack. Thanks to Song Zhi Xia's ample spiritual power, the vegetation attack had no effect and was instead consumed by her flaming sword. She pressed closer to Wang Xian, who had to reluctantly call upon his spiritual beast to attack her from behind. Sensing the threat, Song Zhi Xia dodged the elephant's attack, mounted the beast, and pierced it with her spirit sword, causing it to convulse and collapse. At this point, Wang Xian, panicked and distracted by his injured spiritual beast, made mistakes in his sword techniques, which ultimately led to his defeat by Song Zhi Xia. However, a senior from Yufeng Valley berated Song Zhi Xia for injuring his disciple and attacked her. Unable to evade due to her recent use of substantial spiritual power and the opponent's higher cultivation, Song Zhi Xia was saved by Song Wei Zhi, who intercepted the attack. As the confrontation ensued, the other sects united to condemn the elder's behavior: "It's disgraceful to be unable to accept defeat. Leave now, elder." The shouting in the arena grew louder and more fervent, prompting an apology from the Yufeng Valley's sect leader to Gao Cheng Xuan, averting further disgrace for the sect. Gao Cheng Xuan, smiling, nodded in understanding and signaled for the competition to continue. Meanwhile, Song Wei Zhi comforted her younger sister and then ascended the stage. Her earlier actions had been observed by many, leaving the opponent somewhat apprehensive due to Song Wei Zhi's display of strength. Gao Cheng Xuan's gaze lingered on Song Zhi Xia and Song Wei Zhi, and he inquired about the victorious female cultivator. "Zhou Sect Leader, what's the name of the woman who just won the match? She possesses exceptional beauty and strength," he remarked. "Your Highness, it is Song Zhi Xia, a recent recruit from our Cold Mountain Sword Sect's inner disciples. Her aptitude is commendable, and I didn't expect her to make it to the top sixteen," Zhou Qing Xue promptly responded. Gao Cheng Xuan nodded, more shooting a look in the direction of the sisters. Song Wei Zhi lightly patted her sister's hand to provide comfort before she returned to the stage. She had sustained internal injuries due to the fierce confrontation, yet she persevered, as obtaining the Xuan Bird's soul fragments was crucial to her. "Xiaoxiao, I'm fine. Don't act recklessly. The Xuan Bird's soul fragment rightfully belongs to you, and we must retrieve it," Song Wei Zhi assured her sister, embracing her and wiping away her tears. Xiaoxiao sniffled, "But Sister, what about your injuries? Are they serious? Maybe we should forfeit the match? I don't want the soul fragment anymore." "How could this be considered reckless? It's a part of your body. I can't let others obtain your soul fragment. Trust me, if my injuries were serious, how could I still be standing and talking to you?" Song Wei Zhi replied, gazing sympathetically at her sister. "But, but..." "Let's not dwell on that. We're almost there. Let's go," Song Wei Zhi said, leading her sister back to the stage. Gao Cheng Xuan's attention remained focused on Song Zhi Xia and Song Wei Zhi. Later, he inquired about the victorious female cultivator. "Zhou Sect Leader, what is the name of the woman who just won the match? She possesses exceptional beauty and strength," he remarked. "Your Highness, it is Song Zhi Xia, a recent recruit from our Cold Mountain Sword Sect's inner disciples. Her aptitude is commendable, and I didn't expect her to make it to the top sixteen," Zhou Qing Xue promptly responded. Gao Cheng Xuan nodded, more shooting a look in the direction of the sisters. Song Wei Zhi lightly patted her sister's hand to provide comfort before she returned to the stage. She had sustained internal injuries due to the fierce confrontation, yet she persevered, as obtaining the Xuan Bird's soul fragments was crucial to her. "Xiaoxiao, I'm fine. Don't act recklessly. The Xuan Bird's soul fragment rightfully belongs to you, and we must retrieve it," Song Wei Zhi assured her sister, embracing her and wiping away her tears. Xiaoxiao sniffled, "But Sister, what about your injuries? Are they serious? Maybe we should forfeit the match? I don't want the soul fragment anymore." "How could this be considered reckless? It's a part of your body. I can't let others obtain your soul fragment. Trust me, if my injuries were serious, how could I still be standing and talking to you?" Song Wei Zhi replied, gazing sympathetically at her sister. "But, but..." "Let's not dwell on that. We're almost there. Let's go," Song Wei Zhi said, leading her sister back to the stage. Gao Cheng Xuan's attention remained focused on Song Zhi Xia and Song Wei Zhi. Later, he inquired about the victorious female cultivator. "Zhou Sect Leader, what is the name of the woman who just won the match? She possesses exceptional beauty and strength," he remarked. "Your Highness, it is Song Zhi Xia, a recent recruit from our Cold Mountain Sword Sect's inner disciples. Her aptitude is commendable, and I didn't expect her to make it to the top sixteen," Zhou Qing Xue promptly responded. Gao Cheng Xuan nodded, more shooting a look in the direction of the sisters. Such is the way of martial arts; facing a stronger opponent, Song Wei Zhi had sustained severe internal injuries and needed proper rest. As long as her opponent prolonged the match, her stamina would diminish. However, the opponent remained hesitant and refrained from attacking, giving Song Wei Zhi an opportunity. With a rare burst of spiritual energy, she channeled it all into her Departed Moon Sword and unleashed a strike with a formidable force capable of swallowing mountains and rivers. The intimidated disciple, seeing the overwhelming momentum, made no attempt to counter and voluntarily conceded defeat by leaving the stage. Stepping back, Song Wei Zhi suppressed the excruciating pain coursing through her body. Bearing fresh injuries caused by her recent exertion of spiritual power, she concealed her condition, forcibly containing the blood in her mouth. With steady steps, she walked onward. Reaching out to grab Song Zhi Xia's arm, she covertly shifted her weight onto the young girl, establishing a concealment barrier and quietly instructed, "Zhi Xia, support me and don't let others notice." Enduring the tears in her eyes, Song Zhi Xia guided Song Wei Zhi away to a more secluded area, and with her on her sword, they departed. Author's Note: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or supported me with nutrient solutions. Gratitude to the nurturing angels: 宁言许 2 bottles