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Chapter 274: The People of the Superlative Spirit Sect, the Decisive Battle Approaches
Chapter 274: The People of the Superlative Spirit Sect, the Decisive Battle Approaches
Cui Huayu leaned against the maid, appearing frail and weak. Sickly red flushed his pale cheeks intermittently. He patted Zheng Huang on the shoulder and asked, "What's this about the Battle of Heaven's Pride? I heard about it while playing in Luozhou and came over to check it out."
"It's like this..."
Zheng Huang hurriedly recounted the whole story, including Xu Yan's sudden rise, the destruction of the Dai family, the Duan Yu Shenzong, and the sudden appearance of a mysterious loose cultivator force.
"Lord Cui, do you intend to intervene and suppress the loose cultivators?" Zheng Huang finally asked.
"This Xu Yan is interesting," Cui Huayu said. "As for the loose cultivator force, they won't amount to much. They can only harass useless sects like the Yu Shenzong.
"I've always believed that worthless spirit sects like the Yu Shenzong don't deserve to be called spirit sects.
"Never mind. The rules of the Spirit Domain have already been set, and changing them now would be pointless. I don't have the time or inclination anyway.
"That Lu Xinting is still quite capable. Let's see if he'll be killed this time. If he is, the Chi Ming Zong will have a good show." Cui Huayu seemed to enjoy watching the spectacle.
Zheng Huang heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Zhengguo had always maintained a neutral stance, staying out of martial disputes regardless of the conflict. They would only act upon orders from the Superlative Spirit Sect.
And the Superlative Spirit Sect would never command Zhengguo to involve itself in such conflicts.
What Zheng Huang feared most was Cui Huayu, whose moods were unpredictable. If he suddenly took a fancy to something, he might order Zhengguo to act, which would put them in a difficult position.
Zhengguo dared not disobey, as this would be tantamount to defying the Superlative Spirit Sect.
"Old Zheng," Cui Huayu said, "what do you think Xu Yan's chances of victory are?"
Zheng Huang was perplexed. He didn't know what Cui Huayu meant—was he hoping for Xu Yan to win or lose?
"Based on my judgment, Xu Yan's strength is not bad. I'd say it's a fifty-fifty chance," he replied thoughtfully.
"That's a bit low," Cui Huayu said, stroking his chin. He turned to a maid beside him and said, "Bring me that sword."
"Yes, young master!"
The maid retrieved a sword from a storage bag and presented it to Cui Huayu.
Cui Huayu tossed the sword to Zheng Huang and said, "This is a high-grade spiritual artifact. Xu Yan, as a lone cultivator, may not have a decent sword, which would put him at a disadvantage against Lu Xinting.
"Deliver this sword to him and tell him to do his best to finish off Lu Xinting."
Zheng Huang was bewildered. This didn't make sense—Cui Huayu was a true disciple of the Superlative Spirit Sect, one of the true transmissions of the Spirit-Taming Palace. Shouldn't he be siding with Lu Xinting, a fellow member of the spirit sect camp?
Why was he supporting Xu Yan, a lone cultivator? This man's actions were truly inscrutable!
"Yes, yes, I will make sure the sword is delivered!" Zheng Huang hurriedly agreed.
"Good!" Cui Huayu nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "This Spirit Domain needs more excitement. If Lu Xinting is killed by a lone cultivator, things should get more interesting, don't you think? I love being in the middle of all the excitement!"
Cui Huayu's face shone with anticipation.
"Lord Cui, if there are no further instructions, I will make the necessary arrangements to deliver the sword to Xu Yan," Zheng Huang said, his heart still pounding.
"Go ahead," Cui Huayu waved his hand.
Zheng Huang felt as if he had just received a pardon and hurriedly bowed before leaving. He immediately instructed his son to attend to Cui Huayu, who looked as if he'd just swallowed a fly.
Attending to Lord Cui was no easy task—one wrong move could cost you your life!
"Remember," Zheng Huang said solemnly, "if you please Lord Cui, you know the kind of rewards that could come your way. The risks are great, but so are the rewards!"
"Yes, Father!" His son gritted his teeth and entered his father's chamber to attend to Cui Huayu.
...
The outside world was abuzz with the news of the Battle of Heaven's Pride, and countless martial artists prepared to witness this epic clash.
However, influenced by prevailing notions, most people believed that Lu Xinting was destined to win and Xu Yan to lose.
Meanwhile, in a mansion outside the capital of Zhengguo, an unexpected calm prevailed.
Xu Yan was immersed in his usual routine of contemplating the martial path and cultivating.
Su Lingxiu was refining pills.
Meng Chong and Fang Hao were discussing the creation of a treasure knife.
No one was concerned about the Battle of Heaven's Pride, as Lu Xinting was already as good as dead in their eyes.
"Junior Brother," Meng Chong said, "I need a knife that can change size. As you know, when I use the Six-Meter Golden Body, a regular-sized knife becomes useless to me.
"Having a knife that can adapt to my size will enhance my knife techniques and overall strength."
"I understand what you need, Second Senior Brother," Fang Hao said. "Creating a knife that can simply change size is easy, but it's not suitable for you.
"Let me ponder on how to forge a knife that is not only stronger but also adaptable to your needs."
Fang Hao nodded, appreciating the challenge.
"Thank you, Junior Brother. I appreciate your help," Meng Chong said.
The next day was the day of the decisive battle. As Xu Yan and his group prepared to set off, Yu Gao and Wen Yong rushed in, looking flustered.
"What happened?" Fang Hao asked, his brow furrowing at the pair's anxious expressions.
"Zheng Huang contacted one of our bases in Zheng Kingdom's capital through an intermediary," Wen Yong said gravely. "He has entrusted us with delivering something to Brother Xu."
It wasn't surprising that Zheng Huang knew about the Thousand Worlds Alliance's base in the capital—what was unexpected was that he had asked them to deliver something to Xu Yan.
Could it be that the royal family of Zheng Kingdom intended to involve themselves in the Battle of Heaven's Pride?
"What is it?" Xu Yan asked, puzzled.
Yu Gao took out a box and opened it, revealing a sword within.
"Zheng Huang sent a message," Yu Gao said, his expression strange, "saying that a noble wishes to gift this sword to Lord Xu... and that he wants Lord Xu to finish off Lu Xinting!"
Xu Yan and the others were taken aback. What did this mean? Finish off Lu Xinting? Was this a gesture to ensure that Xu Yan wasn't at a disadvantage in terms of weaponry, providing him with a much-needed boost?
"Perhaps this so-called noble is just an excuse, and it's actually Zheng Huang himself?" Fang Hao speculated.
"That's possible!" Yu Gao nodded.
With a wave of his hand, Xu Yan summoned the sword from the box.
"A high-grade spiritual artifact. Quite a generous gift," Fang Hao remarked, even more puzzled as he examined the sword.
Xu Yan glanced at it and tossed the sword back into the box. "Send it back. I don't need his spiritual artifact. Lu Xinting challenged me, and I will fulfill his wish to meet his end." Accepting this gift would only mean owing someone a favor.
"Good!" Yu Gao nodded and closed the box.
Just then, Shen Haizhou arrived.
He didn't appear with Xu Yan and the others, of course. Given his secret collaboration with them, he couldn't afford to be seen together.
"Brother Shen, do you happen to know if there's any grudge between Zheng Huang and Lu Xinting, or the Chi Ming Zong?" Xu Yan asked.
As a young master of a Spirit Sect lineage, Shen Haizhou was naturally more informed about such matters.
"What makes you ask that?" Shen Haizhou wondered.
Xu Yan pointed to the box in Yu Gao's hands and briefed him on the situation.
Shen Haizhou's expression changed upon hearing this. "A noble? This... someone from the Superlative Spirit Sect has arrived in Yuzhou!"
"Why are you so sure it's someone from the Superlative Spirit Sect?" Xu Yan asked, puzzled.
Shen Haizhou took a deep breath and explained, "Zheng Kingdom holds a unique position, directly under the command of the Superlative Spirit Sect, answering only to them. For Zheng Huang to refer to someone as a noble, it can only be a member of the Superlative Spirit Sect!"
Xu Yan and the others finally understood.
"So that's how it is. But why would someone from the Superlative Spirit Sect send me a sword and ask me to kill Lu Xinting?" Xu Yan became even more perplexed.
If someone from the Superlative Spirit Sect held a grudge against the Chi Ming Zong or Lu Xinting, they could just take action themselves. Why involve a third party?
Shen Haizhou was also puzzled. The Superlative Spirit Sect was lofty and held true dominion over the Spirit Domain. While the Chi Ming Zong was a top-tier Spirit Sect, it was insignificant compared to the Superlative Spirit Sect.
"I don't understand either, but we can be certain that someone from the Superlative Spirit Sect has made an appearance," Shen Haizhou said gravely.
"Let's not dwell on this. Send the sword back," Xu Yan shook his head.
What was the big deal about the Superlative Spirit Sect? They might seem overwhelmingly powerful and high above, but compared to his master, they were nothing but insignificant. In terms of background, he was the one with the strongest backing.
Shen Haizhou shared all the intelligence he had gathered, including the Spirit Sect lineages' plan to refine gods and their intention to ambush Meng Chong once he appeared.
After divulging this information, Shen Haizhou hastily departed.
"Hmph, ambush me?" Meng Chong scoffed coldly.
"Let's go. The Battle of Heaven's Pride is about to begin!" Xu Yan said calmly.
This battle would be his first step towards fame in the Spirit Domain.
Li Xuan sat atop the red cat, with Shi Er, Zhou Ying, and Meng Shushu finally allowed to join him.
With Xu Yan leading the way, Su Lingxiu by his side brewing tea, and Meng Chong and Fang Hao following closely, the group made no attempt to conceal their tracks as they headed straight for the site of the Battle of Heaven's Pride.
Yu Gao and Wen Yong had already left ahead of them.
In the royal palace of Zheng Kingdom's capital, Cui Huayu, supported by a maid, emerged from the Zheng Huang's bedroom, ready to witness the spectacle.
Zheng Huang, his hands clasped around a box, ran over with a nervous sweat on his face, afraid that he would be punished for failing to please Cui Huayu.
"He refused the sword," Zheng Huang said, his voice shaking slightly.
"He's got spirit!" Cui Huayu smiled, showing no signs of displeasure, and gestured for the maid to take back the sword.
Zheng Huang breathed a sigh of relief.
Outside the capital of Zheng Kingdom, at the site of the decisive battle.
The surrounding area was already bustling with people, all awaiting the commencement of the Battle of Heaven's Pride.
Perched on a branch of a tall tree, Yue'er swung her legs back and forth as she waited.
The old man stood silently on a nearby branch, his eyes fixed on the direction of the royal palace.
A small palace flew out from the royal palace of Zheng Kingdom and landed on the tallest tree near the battleground.
"Is that him?" The old man wondered aloud.
Su Zhen and the other god-refining warriors from the Spirit Sect lineages had already surrounded the battleground, ready to strike and form an encirclement. They were waiting for their targets to appear—Meng Chong and the god-refiners from the Thousand Worlds Alliance.
The sect master of the Jade Spirit Sect, accompanied by the sect's elders, had also arrived.
As noon approached, three figures appeared in the sky. One of them had a cold demeanor, eyebrows like golden leaves, and held a golden spear.
It was Lu Xinting, the true disciple of the Chi Ming Zong!
"So this is the true disciple of a Spirit Sect. How formidable!"
"The Divine Brilliance Body! Just looking at him makes one want to bow down. Xu Yan is in trouble!"
"I'm also at the peak of the Grand Human stage, but in front of a true disciple, I feel like an ant. How can a solitary cultivator compete with a Spirit Sect?"
Among the onlookers were many solitary cultivators at the Grand Human stage, and they couldn't help but feel dejected and awestruck.
In the face of Lu Xinting's power, they couldn't muster any rebellious thoughts.
The gap was just too vast.
"I should look for an opportunity to join a Spirit Sect lineage. The idea of a solitary cultivator rising to prominence is just a joke."
"Exactly. That so-called solitary cultivator alliance, thinking they can rival the Spirit Sect lineages, is just a pipe dream. Xu Yan may be strong, but he's still just a solitary cultivator. How can he compare to a true genius of a Spirit Sect?"
Amidst the discussions, Lu Xinting had already taken his place in the center of the battleground.
"Xu Yan, come out and die!" Lu Xinting's voice was cold as he brandished his spear.
No one responded.
"Is Xu Yan backing down?"
"Maybe he's too scared to face Lu Xinting."
Mocking voices could be heard from the crowd.
Lu Xinting's eyebrows furrowed, and he was about to speak again when a crisp female voice interrupted him: "Hey, it's not even noon yet. What's the rush?"
The battleground fell silent for a moment.
Everyone turned their eyes towards the source of the voice.
Lu Xinting's face turned red with anger, and he glared at Yue'er.
Zhu Liang, ever mindful of his superior's moods, immediately ordered, "Capture her!"
In an instant, two elders from the Jade Spirit Sect moved to seize Yue'er.
(End of Chapter)
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