The South Emperor had not appeared.
「Wu City, tavern.」
A refined middle-aged man sat by the window. The wide street, usually bustling, was now devoid of pedestrians.
On the table lay a bowl of tea and a gold-inlaid jade plaque with a dragon and phoenix design.
Two large, gilded characters were engraved on it: Anning.
It seemed to have been made overnight, as one could still see the shine of the gold tracings.
Mist wafted from the bowl of tea as the man's eyes quietly observed a tender leaf floating within.
An unknown amount of time passed. The tea in the bowl had completely cooled, and the tender leaf had sunk to the bottom.
The middle-aged man rose indifferently, looking out the window.
The person he was waiting for ultimately did not come.
Perhaps, just like decades ago, she had also not waited for him.
"My lord, it's getting late. It's time to go to the Ascension Platform," the slender man with a hoarse voice spoke.
The refined man stood up, nodded faintly, and turned to leave.
The tea bowl remained where it was. Anning.
「Azure Cloud Mountain, Ascension Platform.」
BOOM—
Terrifying sounds echoed continuously throughout the heavens and earth as Su Bei surveyed the cultivators on the arena stages of the tenth competition area.
The battles were swift. Initially, hundreds of sects participated. However, under the new regulations of the Sacred Land, only those at Divinity Transformation Realm or higher were allowed to fight. This significantly reduced the number of participants.
The night had deepened. Soon, on the ten arena stages in the tenth competition area, only ten sects remained.
A Sacred Land Elder observed the concluded matches and nodded. He looked at the sect representatives remaining on the stages, his gaze sweeping over the mountaintop. His plain yet majestic voice boomed like thunder, resonating in everyone's ears:
"Congratulations to the remaining ten sects of the tenth competition area!"
"You have earned the right to challenge the defending sect of the tenth competition area, Sword Sect!"
"..."
Hearing the Sacred Land Elder's words, the representatives of the various sects on the stages breathed a collective sigh of relief, their eyes shining with excitement.
They had never imagined they could overcome Sword Sect. However, now that they remained on these stages, the title of being among the top hundred sects was guaranteed!
"Next, the sects that I name, come forward immediately!"
The Sacred Land Elder cleared his throat heavily and then spoke loudly:
"West State, White Crane Sect!"
Instantly, two figures at Mid Stage Refining Void Realm emerged and nodded towards the Sacred Land Elder.
Countless people atop the mountain turned their envious gazes towards this sect, chattering among themselves:
In midair, the Sacred Land Elder paused. Then, his eyes, full of profound meaning, turned to look at the beautiful woman who stepped out as he finished speaking.
"Elder Shui Tianyi! She's at the Half-Step into Dao Integration Realm!"
All around, the murmurs of amazement intensified. Gazes full of astonishment turned towards the graceful, veiled figure, her features indistinct. Yet, every movement she made exuded a mature charm.
Shui Tianyi smiled, stepped forward, and stood quietly. Water Cloud Valley had fought until only she remained.
Finally, the representatives from the ten qualifying sects all moved forward—eighteen people in total!
Perhaps it was because an Elder at the Half-Step into Dao Integration Realm had appeared in the tenth competition area that a large portion of the cultivators present were instantly drawn to the proceedings.
This was a battle involving someone at the Half-Step into Dao Integration Realm! It was originally thought such a spectacle would only be witnessed in the final battles; no one had expected it to occur so soon!
At this moment, the tenth competition area had undoubtedly become the focal point of the entire venue. Even the elders on the high platform and Saintess Key Smoke began to focus their gazes there.
"I never expected Sword Sect's first arena battle to be under such tremendous pressure," an elder on the high platform said, stroking his beard and shaking his head.
"Yes, these eighteen individuals—especially with one at Half-Step into Dao Integration Realm, one at Peak Refining Void Realm, and more than ten others at or above Refining Void Realm—this lineup is comparable to that of the Ten Great Sects!" Wang Tong said with a cold sneer, looking at the tenth competition area.
"I'm afraid Sword Sect might not even be able to defend its place in the finals!"
"..."
Saintess Key Smoke glanced at Wang Tong meaningfully but said nothing.
Everyone present was obviously extremely curious about the outcome of Sword Sect's upcoming clash...
At the Sword Sect's residence, Wenren Pingxin's expression was solemn as he watched the eighteen people on the challenger platforms. He took a deep breath and turned to say,
"This will not be easy. Our Sword Sect has six elders participating. On average, each of us will have to fight three arena battles!"
"Xi Qingyi, you will face Shui Tianyi. You must not prolong the fight; the quicker it's over, the better!"
"As for the one at Peak Refining Void Realm and the one at Late Stage Refining Void Realm—Xingjian, Zi Yu—you two must give it your all. There are eighteen opponents; do not let them draw you into a war of attrition!"
"..."
Several Sword Sect Elders nodded in agreement. Wenren Pingxin's gaze then shifted towards Dan Wulan and Dan Wuque.
"Both of you are at Mid Stage Refining Void Realm. There are quite a few opponents at this level in the arena. In short, do your best!"
"The faster you win, the better, but do not get injured. If you can stall, do so. Your objective is to buy time until Xi Qingyi finishes his battle!"
"..."
Finally, Wenren Pingxin turned to Su Bei, his expression still grave.
"Especially you, Su Bei. Remember to proceed with utmost caution!"
"You only recently entered the Refining Void Realm. You must be extremely careful, understand?"
"If you can't win, admit defeat!"
"..."
Su Bei acknowledged Wenren Pingxin with a nod, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd.
Wenren Pingxin was unaware that Su Bei had already reached Mid Stage Refining Void Realm. Truthfully, Su Bei himself was quite eager to test the true extent of his current strength!
"Go for it, Elder Su!!"
"Elder Su, the disciples of Sword Sect fully support you!!"
"..."
Behind them, the Sword Sect disciples, visibly excited and agitated, shouted in unison. Recently, Elder Su's status within the Sword Sect had become incredibly prominent!
For the Sword Sect, this series of battles was undoubtedly going to be a tough fight!
Su Bei smiled faintly, clearly feeling the fervent gazes around him. He took a deep breath and then, amidst the sea of expectant eyes, leaped into the arena!
The crowd was abuzz.
On one of the arena stages, a man at Mid Stage Refining Void Realm stood with his arms crossed, wondering who his opponent would be.
Would it be Sword Sect's Eighth Elder, Dan Wuque? Or the Ninth Elder, Dan Wulan?
Just then!
A streak of rainbow light shot violently through the sky, crashing onto the Ascension Platform with a BOOM—
A cloud of dust billowed into the air!
As the dust settled, the spectators saw a slender figure standing on the Ascension Platform. He was dressed in white, his black hair secured by an Azure Crown, and a sword hung at his waist.
It was the Treasure of Sword Sect, the Qingping Sword.
The night wind rustled his begonia-embroidered white robe. A gentle smile touched his handsome face, but his eyes clearly conveyed an eager desire for battle!
The long-overdue protagonist had finally made his appearance.
Su Bei looked at the sturdy, black-clad man before him and said calmly,
"Sword Sect, Su Bei!"
"I look forward to your guidance!"
"..."