Ch. 132 - The Gathering

"I understand," the Third Grand Elder nodded in response.

"Also," Xu Qingshan added calmly, "I’m well aware of my son Zimo’s strength, save a spot for him as well."

The Third Grand Grand Elder paused for a moment, but nodded in agreement. The other Grand Elders didn’t voice any objections either.

Most of their personal disciples were already over thirty, many of whom had participated in the previous tournament.

Only the First Grand Grand Elder looked displeased. He had originally wanted to recommend his grandson, but considering Shao Xingyu’s recent state, he knew it was unlikely. His grandson had clearly missed the chance to become a Holy Son.

…

The day after Xu Zimo returned to South Goose Mountain, the Third Grand Elder came to see him. He personally tested Xu Zimo’s strength.

Upon discovering that Xu Zimo had already reached the peak of the Desolate Meridian Realm, the Third Grand Elder was practically stunned.

Although Baili Xiao had advanced rapidly as well, she had inherited the Grand Empress’ legacy, her growth was expected.

But Xu Zimo had always kept a low profile in the sect, and yet somehow he’d reached such a high level in secret.

The Grand Elder wasn’t sure if it was due to the Vice-Lord’s influence or if Xu Zimo’s talent was simply monstrous.

Either way, Xu Zimo now qualified for the upcoming tournament.

After the Third Grand Elder left, Yan Buhui came to South Goose Mountain to visit Xu Zimo.

He looked far more mature than before. His sword aura was restrained, and his white robes gleamed like snow. Gone was the brash edge from their first meeting.

"You’ve changed a lot," Xu Zimo said with a smile.

"I inherited the legacy of the Sword God," Yan Buhui replied frankly, not hiding anything.

Xu Zimo chuckled, drew his blade Shadow Tyrant, and struck. The surging waters of a flood surged with blade aura, splitting the ground before them like a great chasm.

Yan Buhui quickly drew his sword to block. Though he had seemed calm earlier, the moment his sword was unsheathed, a sharp light burst forth, blindingly white and filled with killing intent.

When sword met blade, Yan Buhui’s expression changed. He grunted and staggered back a few steps, while Xu Zimo stood calmly, unmoved.

Xu Zimo laughed softly, sheathed Shadow Tyrant, and turned to leave the courtyard.

“Work hard to catch up to my shadow, otherwise, you won’t even have the right to look up to me.”

…

Over the next few days, the Hidden Dragon Ranking in the inner court underwent massive changes. Competition was fierce.

Many long-standing inner disciples were knocked out of the top ten, replaced by previously unknown dark horses rising to the top.

Three days later, the True Martial Sacred Ground finalized the list of disciples who would participate in the Seven Holy Lands Gathering.

…

A few mornings later, purple energy rose in the east. A gentle breeze carried yellowing leaves across the sky above the True Martial Sacred Ground.

Willow trees on either side of the sect swayed in the wind. Autumn had stripped them bare, their lonely branches mourning the lushness of the past.

Suddenly, a sharp cry shattered the peace.

From the east, it looked like the sun itself was falling from the sky.

Boundless flames engulfed the heavens, crimson like a sunset curtain descending across the sky.

But upon closer inspection, it wasn’t the sun, it was a Golden Crow, shining even brighter than the sun itself.

Radiating dazzling golden light, a group of young men in golden robes stood proudly atop the Golden Crow’s back.

Their eyes were bright, their expressions calm with a hint of excitement. Bathed in golden light, they looked like warriors clad in celestial armor.

At the same time, another shrill cry rang out from the west.

A pure white Blue Luan bird flapped its wings slowly as it flew over. It radiated a sacred glow, and with every beat of its wings, a few feathers floated gently down.

On its back stood a group of young women dressed in white robes, their skin fairer than snow.

Their long hair fluttered in the wind. Each radiated an ethereal presence, like goddesses descending from the heavens.

“Look, it’s the girls from the Fairy Spirit Sect!” a disciple shouted in surprise.

The Fairy Spirit Sect was famous for producing beautiful women, a dream sect for many male cultivators. Unfortunately, it didn’t admit any men.

…

A demonic sword sliced through the silence of the sky, its sonic boom echoing across the heavens.

From the south, dark demonic energy surged, covering the sky in black.

The massive demonic sword stretched a hundred meters long. A group of black-robed youths walked along the blade, their gazes calm.

An aura of endless killing intent radiated from them. The longer one looked, the more it felt like falling into a hellish sea of blood.

Emblazoned on the back of their robes was the character "Hell".

They were from the Purgatory Sacred Ground, second only to the True Martial Sacred Ground in the Western Region. An Imperial Lineage with two Grand Emperors.

Under the darkened sky, the soft sound of flowing water suddenly rose.

A waterfall descended from the heavens, cascading down in radiant light.

Water, though formless and colorless, danced through the void, at times transforming into an ancient divine tree, then a towering titan, then a primeval beast.

Eventually, the waterfall returned to its original form, and atop it stood a group of blue-robed youths.

On the back of their robes was embroidered the character "Spring", they were from the Sacred Spring Sect.

"Now it’s just the Yin-Yang Sect left," a disciple murmured.

As if on cue, a resonant hum swept across the world, like some ancient force had awakened.

A black and white pair of light dots appeared in the very center of heaven and earth, entwining in a spiral. In an instant, laws flowed and light surged.

The sky split into halves, one black, one white.

The poles of yin and yang stretched across the heavens. In this moment, it was as if cosmic laws reverberated, as if day and night had reversed.

A river of time surged from nothingness, then morphed into a sea of fire.

Atop the two glowing points stood youths in black-and-white robes, each bearing the Yin-Yang emblem on their backs.

Leading them was none other than the current sect master of the Yin-Yang Sect, Wu Shaoqing.

As everyone stood stunned by the overwhelming entrances of the six great sects, a loud, hearty laugh echoed from within the True Martial Sacred Ground.

"Welcome, everyone, to our Sacred Ground!" came the booming voice.

With that, Xu Qingshan stepped out of the void, every step shaking the heavens and earth.

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