Chương 82: Chapter 83: Battle of the Sects, Reversing Heaven and Earth Alone (1)

"What is the meaning of this, Fellow Daoist Tiandaozi? Your sect's Xuan Wending just announced that the Qingyan Sect would concede in this duel. Do you intend to go back on your word?" Dan Chenzi's face darkened, his voice laced with a frigid edge that cut through the air of the hall. Tiandaozi's expression turned icy, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the room.

"Daoist Dan Chenzi, your words are too heavy. How can there be a breach of promise? Xuan Wending is but a mere elder of the Qingyan Sect. What authority does he have to make such a monumental decision on behalf of our entire lineage?" He turned his gaze toward the elder in question, his voice booming with sharp reprimand.

"Xuan Wending, for your reckless and unauthorized speech, I sentence you to forfeit ten years of your cultivation base. Upon our return, you shall spend five years in solitary meditation at the Cliff of Reflection. Do you accept this judgment?"

"Xuan Wending... accepts," the elder replied, his face turning a ghostly pallor. Without a moment's hesitation, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He channeled a surge of spiritual light into his palm and slammed it violently against his own chest. A mouthful of crimson blood sprayed into the air, and his aura instantly withered, his vitality plummeting as his cultivation base regressed visibly. Tiandaozi nodded slightly, dismissing him with a cold wave of his hand.

He turned back to the others with a thin, predatory smile.

"Daoist Dan Chenzi, the matter has been settled. What else is there to say?"

"You—!"

"Enough. Junior Brother, there is no need for further words." Qingxiaozi stepped forward, his eyes flashing with a sharp, dangerous light. He gestured for Dan Chenzi to remain silent and addressed Tiandaozi directly.

"Since Sect Leader Tiandaozi has dealt with the 'unauthorized' party, the previous concession is naturally null and void. It just so happens that our fellow cultivators are gathered here today. Let the duel between our two sects commence immediately. What say you?" In the world of cultivation, strength was the ultimate arbiter. If the Qingyan Sect possessed the power to back their claims, none would dare whisper about their broken word. Tiandaozi's lips curled into a cold smirk.

"Very well." Boom! The atmosphere in the hall erupted. Both the Xuanxiao Sect and the Qingyan Sect boasted two Golden Core ancestors each. A clash between these titans would send ripples through the entire North Yue State. The victor would undoubtedly hold the reins of the cultivation world for the next century. The Ascension Terrace loomed ahead, a monolithic platform spanning over a thousand meters.

It was forged entirely from Azure-Square Stone, a Grade 1 smithing material, and was encrusted with dense restrictive arrays. It hovered in the void, a perfect arena for the coming storm. Surrounding the terrace were hundreds of smaller floating stones, where over a thousand cultivators sat cross-legged, their expressions solemn. Though the battle had yet to begin, an invisible, suffocating pressure began to coalesce in the air. This novel is published on a different platform.

Support the original author by finding the official source. On opposite sides of the terrace, the disciples of the two sects glared at one another. Years of rivalry culminated in this moment, their killing intent manifesting as a palpable chill.

"Our sects have clashed many times; the rules are known," Qingxiaozi said, his voice calm and steady.

"However, one condition remains absolute: no life shall be taken. Any who violate this shall have their cultivation base crippled and be handed over to the opposing party for judgment." Tiandaozi nodded. The disciples he brought were the elite of his sect; losing even one would be a grievous blow.

"Remember the words of Senior Qingxiaozi. Do not strike with lethal intent, or the punishment will be severe!" As he spoke, Tiandaozi's gaze lingered on a youth in black robes behind him. The young man appeared to be in his early twenties, his face a mask of indifference. Sensing the gaze, he opened his eyes briefly, gave a curt nod, and returned to his meditation. Tiandaozi felt a flicker of helplessness but no anger.

"Junior Brother Ming Diao, your great-grandson... keep a close eye on him. Do not let that old ghost Qingxiaozi catch him in a mistake, or even we might not be able to shield him."

"Rest assured, Sect Leader. I know what must be done." Ming Diao looked at the youth, a rare glimmer of pride softening his gloomy features. This descendant possessed an extraordinary spirit root, nearly rivaling the legendary Heavenly Spirit Root. He was the future of the Qingyan Sect.

"Li Fang, you shall be the first to represent our sect," Tiandaozi commanded.

"Do not bring shame to our name." A man in a coarse black robe stepped forward, flying onto the platform.

"Li Fang of the Qingyan Sect! I seek guidance from the Daoists of the Xuanxiao Sect!" His eyes burned with intensity; he was clearly no ordinary disciple. Qingxiaozi pondered for a moment.

"Zi Quanxin, you shall face him. Be cautious."

"I obey the Sect Leader's decree." Zi Quanxin emerged from the crowd, bowed respectfully, and blurred into a streak of light, landing across from Li Fang. Without further pleasantries, both men raised their hands, manifesting spiritual energy shields. Li Fang drew a five-foot-long azure blade. As he poured his mana into it, the weapon erupted in a brilliant emerald glow.

"Hah!" With a low shout, he swung the blade. Dozens of azure arcs of energy tore through the air, converging on Zi Quanxin. He intended to end this quickly. Zi Quanxin was a 7th level Qi Condensation cultivator, a notable figure in the younger generation. His signature weapon was the Gauze-Wrapping Sword, designed for a battle of attrition. Given time, he could weave the Gauze-Wrapping Array around the battlefield, a formation that even an Early Foundation Establishment cultivator would find troublesome.

But Li Fang gave him no such time. Startled by the ferocity of the opening move, Zi Quanxin bit his lip and crushed a jade talisman. An ochre barrier of earth energy surged upward, enveloping him just as the blades struck. Bang! Bang! Bang! The azure energy slammed into the shield. The barrier held, though its light dimmed significantly. Zi Quanxin exhaled, a cold smirk forming on his lips.

"Now, it's my turn." But the smirk froze. Across the stage, Li Fang sneered. He reached into his storage bag and produced a bone arrow carved from the remains of a powerful demon beast. It flickered with eerie white phosphorus, radiating a bone-chilling, yin-infused aura.