Chapter Ninety-Eight: Officially

Master Cloud-Punishment’s face darkened even further. How could he, one of the proud Six of Cloud Heaven, bear such ridicule and still keep his dignity? Yet the situation had been far too dangerous just now. Golden Tianzuo was a veteran schemer, and he had nearly fallen into the man’s trap.

Then he saw grains of golden sand hurtling toward him like cannonballs. Master Cloud-Punishment barked a command, his black robe flicking sharply as four black spirit shields instantly took shape before him. To conjure four shields in a single breath showed just how profound his cultivation truly was, and it also proved that he had grown more cautious.

“A mere little spirit shield and you think it can block my golden sand? Burst!”

Golden Tianzuo pressed his advantage without mercy. Seeing that Cloud-Punishment had been forced onto the defensive, he launched into a frenzied assault. The thousands of grains of sand in the air began to swell continuously; the dozens in front had already reached the brink of explosion. With Golden Tianzuo’s thunderous roar, those grains detonated one after another, battering relentlessly at Cloud-Punishment’s spirit shields.

The pressure on Master Cloud-Punishment mounted at once. At this point he no longer hesitated. With a sweep of his hand, he recalled the Great Yu Sword of the Heavenly Way, which had still been entangled with the golden blade in the sky. The instant the Great Yu Sword vanished, a surge of powerful spiritual energy poured into the shields. No matter how violently the golden sand exploded, the black spirit shields held firm before him.

Golden Tianzuo drove his sandstorm attack forward with manic intensity. He knew opportunities to force Cloud-Punishment into a corner were rare; if Cloud-Punishment found even the slightest opening and truly unleashed the overbearing spiritual power of the Heavenly Way, victory would no longer be certain. So he concentrated all of his energy into those grains of sand. Above the Spirit Rise Arena, the sky seemed to erupt in a rain of explosions. The many cultivators below watched with hearts in their throats, thinking that only someone as formidable as Master Cloud-Punishment could withstand such a storm of attacks; anyone else would have long since been blown to pieces.

Master Cloud-Punishment’s brows knitted into a knot. Since the day he had taken up his name, he had never once been forced into such a disadvantage. He shouted, and his imposing aura surged violently. The black shield before his chest vanished into thin air. Golden Tianzuo was just beginning to rejoice when he suddenly saw a gigantic black sword descend from the heavens. It carried an utterly domineering presence, and the spiritual force radiating from it directly blasted his golden sand scattering in all directions.

“Golden Tianzuo, die!”

This time Master Cloud-Punishment was truly enraged. What he had unleashed was none other than the legendary righteous sword of the Heavenly Way, the most miraculous technique of the Cloud Heaven Sect in the outside world. Boundless spiritual force followed the sword’s overwhelming descent, shaking the entire Spirit Rise Arena to its core.

Even Guihai Heart on the viewing platform could not help frowning. He thought to himself that he had not expected the Cloud Heaven Sect to send such a troublesome figure. He wondered whether Golden Tianzuo could possibly endure it.

Golden Tianzuo’s golden beard quivered wildly beneath the crushing force of the Heavenly Way righteous sword. Gritting his teeth, his pair of golden eyes flashed fiercely. In the next instant, he flung up a hand. A streak of golden light shot out, and with a deafening boom, the mighty Heavenly Way righteous sword was somehow punched through by a gaping hole. Master Cloud-Punishment staggered back four or five steps, his face full of shock. He looked up coldly at Golden Tianzuo, only to discover that at some unknown point, blood had already begun to stream from Golden Tianzuo’s left eye. Yet the old man still stood unyielding in place, refusing to retreat even a single step.

Suddenly, Cloud-Punishment felt blood and energy roiling in his chest. He knew that even if he fought with everything he had, he might still be unable to kill Golden Tianzuo. Golden Tianzuo understood as well that he could no longer unleash any further offensive techniques. That previous strike, a spiritual art that had injured both sides, had already consumed too much of his strength.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

A clear round of applause rang out.

“Two old friends, you have truly broadened my horizons,” said Guihai Heart at last.

The true master had finally spoken. Guihai Heart slowly rose from the viewing stand, clapping as he said, “The Cloud Heaven Sect and the Falling Leaf Sect are indeed the leaders among the current spiritual sects. Your cultivation today has proven it beyond doubt. This exchange has shown all cultivators under heaven what a true cultivator is. I think that after this battle, both the Cloud Heaven Sect and the Falling Leaf Sect will rise in tremendous power and recruit disciples in great numbers.”

Having said that, he turned to the opposite viewing stand and declared, “As for the disciples of the Flower Gate, I, having decided to establish a sect, will naturally not bully the weak. I will put my words here today: this Spirit Rise Arena has only just begun, and I will not make a move. If the Flower Gate dares accept my invitation, then within seven days, please have Master Ancient Dream come and contend with me here on the Spirit Rise Arena. As for your younger disciples, if any of you also wish to come up, then my son, Guihai One Blade, will certainly accompany you to the end.”

With those words, Guihai Heart swept his robe with practiced ease and returned to his seat, closing his eyes to rest.

The many cultivators of Guihai City immediately broke into cheers. This was the Guihai clan’s official challenge to the Flower Gate, and it also meant that if Master Ancient Dream failed to appear, Guihai Heart would consider himself to have entered the ranks of the Five Great Sects.

Lan Ruoting and Huang Wan’er, the two little beauties, had long since been unable to bear it any longer. This old Guihai was far too arrogant. They had originally wanted to take the stage and fight, but Red Forest Woman knew that since Guihai Heart had dared to place his own son in the front line, Guihai One Blade must possess astonishing skill.

She shook her head at her two junior sisters and said, “Be patient. Since they have already challenged our Flower Gate, it is naturally for me, as your senior sister, to meet them. Stay here obediently and wait for Snow Girl to return. As long as I defeat this Guihai One Blade, that old man Guihai Heart will have no choice but to act. Hmph. He thinks he can force my teacher to come? I wonder if he is truly worthy.”

With that, Red Forest Woman flicked her sleeves and soared onto the Spirit Rise Arena like a wild goose taking flight.

Facing the cultivators all around, she cupped her hands and said in a clear voice, “On the Long-Affinity Continent, the five great spiritual sects have stood for a hundred years, always at peace. Yet someone now seeks to shatter this stability. Still, my Flower Gate has never been a sect that fears trouble. We will not go out of our way to bully other spiritual sects, but if anyone believes we are merely a group of women and wishes to target us, then I, Red Forest Woman, will be the first to object. Since Senior Guihai Heart has spoken to this extent, my Flower Gate naturally accepts. In this secluded corner of the Long-Affinity Continent, perhaps there can only be one great spiritual power left standing. But I must remind Senior Guihai that even if you defeat our Flower Gate, it does not mean you may simply step into the ranks of the Five Great Sects. The Five Great Sects of cultivation are not merely a title.”

Neither humble nor overbearing, Red Forest Woman accepted the challenge of the Guihai clan with calm grace.

With a ringing dragonlike cry, a young man flew directly from the viewing stand onto the Spirit Rise Arena. It was Guihai One Blade, appearing for the second time on stage. He smiled proudly and said, “Red Forest Woman, you are mistaken. Since ancient times, the strong have been revered. This world has always been made for those who are stronger. My Guihai clan has a hundred years of heritage behind it, no less than your Flower Gate. It is perfectly natural for us to establish a sect. Our Guihai faction has simply worked hard and steadily risen; we will not remain obscure forever. So becoming one of the Five Great Sects is only proper.”

Then his tone shifted.

“Besides, did your Flower Gate not also crush another great spiritual sect a hundred years ago? If we do the same today, why is it that you cannot accept it?”

Red Forest Woman smiled serenely. “Human beings are not creatures that can be controlled at will. They have minds of their own. Since your Guihai clan believes it has matured, then come at me. I, Red Forest Woman, can only tell you this: if you wish to become one of the Five Great Sects, you may, but you must first step over my corpse.”

Guihai One Blade lovingly stroked the long saber in his hand as though caressing his beloved. The blade was narrow and shallow, exuding a chill that made one’s skin crawl.

“Red Forest Woman, draw your weapon.”

At once Red Forest Woman felt the killing intent in Guihai One Blade. Her nature was usually bright and lively, but at this moment she had no choice but to become grave. With a crisp clatter, a thirteen-section chained spear was shaken out from somewhere on her person. Silver light shimmered along the chain spear, dazzling to the eye.

A great shout rose from below the stage. The true contest between the Guihai clan and the Flower Gate had finally begun.

Outside the secret chamber, Snow slowly drew her sword. It could hardly be called a true sword; it was more a weapon shaped like one, wreathed in wisps of white mist. Guihai Rong’an watched with a cold expression, and without thinking he took a step backward.

That faint inclination to flee before the fight had already sealed his defeat.

“Will you still resist?” Snow asked quietly.

“I have never liked fighting women,” Guihai Rong’an said. “Women are often the least rational creatures. Just like my father, who insists on fighting the Flower Gate for a seat among the Five Great Sects. I never understood it. For a hundred years, our Guihai City has lived peacefully with all the great sects on the Long-Affinity Continent. How carefree and comfortable that has been. Ah, what a pity. I am merely a son, and I cannot rule my own father.”

Snow frowned slightly. “What are you trying to say?”

“I am saying that it is such a shame for a beautiful woman like you to be dragged into this catastrophe.”

Snow shook her head in frostbound indifference. “You can still walk away from this calamity. If you get out now, I will spare your life.”

But Guihai Rong’an suddenly revealed a strange smile. “I wonder whether, if I add a hostage like you, my plan will go more smoothly. Spare my life? Perhaps those should be my words to you.”

In that instant, Guihai Rong’an’s hand moved sharply. Snow felt as if something had clamped around her throat all at once, and her breathing instantly became strained. Guihai Rong’an burst into triumphant laughter.