Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Provocation from Hua Ying Sect

The Azure Sect was the absolute overlord of the entire Azure Mountain range, its power unrivaled and unmatched. It was said that the sect master’s cultivation had reached the final stage of the Eighth Realm of Innate, making him the foremost expert of the entire region. Jade Sword Gate and Hua Ying Gate, both considered medium-sized sects, were certainly formidable, but in comparison to the Azure Sect, they still lagged significantly behind.

Standing at the entrance of the Azure Sect, one could see its territory sprawling across dozens of mountain peaks. Even before approaching, the abundance of spiritual energy was palpable. The mountain gate itself was carved from a massive boulder, imposing and majestic.

Long Yun was relatively unfazed, having witnessed the immense power of Divine Dragon Island; the scale of the Azure Sect did not inspire much envy in him. Chang Yi and Chen Long, however, could not hide their admiration, their faces betraying their awe. Compared to the Azure Sect’s grand gate, Jade Sword Gate seemed almost impoverished. Even the usually stoic Xiao Leng found his gaze subtly changed.

Apart from Long Yun, Liu Xiaoxiao showed not the slightest surprise. She merely glanced at the Azure Sect’s gate with indifference and said nothing more.

Chen Huafei was no stranger to the Azure Sect. Seeing the expressions of Chang Yi and the others, he laughed heartily, “This is the grandeur only a great sect possesses. Boys, I truly hope one of you can lead Jade Sword Gate to restore its former glory. In those days, Jade Sword Gate was in no way inferior to the Azure Sect!”

Long Yun nodded. The fact that Jade Sword Gate possessed the Sword Stone legacy was testament to its former greatness—at the very least, it was on par with the Azure Sect, and perhaps even surpassed it.

“All right, let’s ascend the mountain. The sect master has likely been waiting for quite some time!” Chen Huafei glanced at the gate, a faint sigh escaping his lips.

Without delay, the group followed Chen Huafei up the mountain. At the entrance, duty disciples carefully verified the authenticity of their invitation, impressing Long Yun and his companions with the Azure Sect’s strict discipline.

“Welcome, friends from Jade Sword Gate, to the Hunting Tournament. The elders have instructed that Jade Sword Gate disciples are to rest at Qianxun Peak,” the duty disciple announced.

The Azure Sect’s dozens of mountain peaks served as training grounds for its core disciples. With over a hundred sects participating in the tournament, each was assigned a separate area.

Chen Huafei thanked the disciple, then led his five companions toward Qianxun Peak. Upon entering the gate, all five were struck by the sight before them. Though the Azure Sect was nestled among many peaks, the roads were remarkably broad, and the spaces between the mountains were paved with blue stone, forming expansive training grounds.

“Chu Huafei?” From afar, Chang Yi spotted Chu Huafei and his companions—standing out like cranes among chickens in the training ground crowd—and couldn’t help but frown.

Long Yun followed his gaze. At the center of the square stood a stone pillar over ten feet tall and as thick as two men’s arms. The pillar was bright red, almost seductive in its hue. Around it gathered forty or fifty people, among whom Chu Huafei, Hua Longyin, and Xiao Yucheng were prominent. As Chang Yi called out Chu Huafei’s name, Chu Huafei also spotted the Jade Sword Gate party and immediately frowned.

“That pillar is called the Sky-Supporting Pillar. It’s said to be a treasured relic passed down by the Azure Sect’s patriarch, much like our Jade Sword Gate’s Sword Stone. It contains powerful martial arts and sword techniques, and serves as the sect’s mountain-guarding treasure,” Chen Huafei explained with a smile.

Xiao Leng frowned, “If it’s such a treasure, why leave it out in the open?”

Chen Long and the others nodded, echoing the question that lingered in their minds.

Chen Huafei explained, “The Azure Sect’s patriarch perished in a great calamity of gods and demons, leaving behind his legacy. Fearing it might fall into the hands of the evil sect, he sealed it with supreme power. To this day, successive sect masters and elders have failed to break the seal, so the Azure Sect’s leader ordered it placed in the training ground, allowing all disciples to try comprehending its sword techniques. It’s said that whoever breaks the seal will be promoted directly to elder.”

“What a bold move,” Long Yun thought to himself. The Azure Sect’s openness was admirable—far superior to Divine Dragon Island, which hid the Dragon Fang Sword away.

“Disciple Chu Huafei pays respects to Elder Chen, and greets all senior and junior brothers,” Chu Huafei finally approached and bowed to Chen Huafei.

Despite the long-standing rivalry between Hua Ying Gate and Jade Sword Gate, Chu Huafei’s courtesy was impeccable. Hua Longyin and Xiao Yucheng quickly followed suit.

With such proper etiquette, Chen Huafei and his party responded in kind, laughing, “You’re early, nephews. We seem to have arrived quite late by comparison!”

Chu Huafei’s expression became slightly unnatural—Chen Huafei, ever shrewd, had subtly implied that Hua Ying Gate’s early arrival was due to a guilty conscience.

Such roundabout remarks were befitting for someone of elder status.

“Haha!” Chu Huafei laughed, “Early or late makes no difference. Master brought us here to broaden our horizons. We’re just about to try our luck with the Sky-Supporting Pillar.”

“Oh?” Chen Huafei, seeking to avoid awkwardness, asked, “Have you sensed any mysteries within the pillar?”

Chu Huafei maintained a calm smile, “With so many Azure Sect elders unable to grasp its secrets, how could we? But Longyin has gained some insights. I hear Jade Sword Gate’s seniors spent a day and night here last time—who knows if they succeeded?”

Chu Huafei’s words were sharp, deftly volleying back Chen Huafei’s challenge.

Chen Huafei smiled, “It’s said that an Azure Sect predecessor once triggered an anomaly with the pillar—red light blazed forth, a magnificent sight. I wonder, nephew Hua Longyin, what anomaly did you produce? Did you surpass those before you?”

Chu Huafei’s expression changed. Hua Longyin had indeed sensed something unusual within the pillar, but it was merely a fleeting feeling—he hadn’t truly comprehended anything, and no anomaly had occurred.

Chen Huafei’s clever words made things awkward.

“Chen Huafei, you old rascal, do you take advantage of my absence to belittle my disciples?” An irritated voice sounded, and a man in his forties suddenly appeared before them.

Seeing him, Chen Huafei laughed, “Old man, you finally decided to show yourself! I thought you’d forever hide at home, afraid to face us.”

The newcomer was Hua Zonghe, a chief elder of Hua Ying Gate, his cultivation comparable to Chen Huafei’s—both at the threshold of the Innate Realm.

Hearing Chen Huafei, Hua Zonghe snorted, “Your Jade Sword Gate suffered great misfortune and didn’t hide away. My Hua Ying Gate stands upright—why should we fear exposure?”

Chen Huafei’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected Hua Zonghe to bring up the matter, and anger flashed in his eyes as he narrowed them, “Does your Hua Ying Gate deserve to gloat over Jade Sword Gate’s troubles? Even if we’re wounded, we can still defeat you!”

Hua Zonghe sneered, “That last battle cost Jade Sword Gate two-thirds of its disciples, and many elites perished. You think you can challenge Hua Ying Gate with just these few?”

“You—” Chen Huafei felt his anger surge, about to speak when Long Yun quietly stepped forward, “Though Jade Sword Gate has suffered losses, we remain upright and walk the righteous path. Surviving calamity brings fortune. Your Hua Ying Gate brags about comprehending the pillar’s secrets, yet your chief disciple is a laughingstock!”

“Who are you? How dare a junior interrupt elders?” Hua Zonghe’s face changed, angered at Long Yun’s boldness.

“He is also an elder of Jade Sword Gate’s Heart Sword lineage. Do you mean to say he’s beneath you?” Chen Huafei retorted coldly.

Chu Huafei’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected Long Yun to use his earlier words against him. He snorted, “Just because you failed doesn’t mean others can’t succeed. You’re like frogs at the bottom of a well!”