256: Chapter 255 The Gamble!!

The Sword Discussion Assembly arrived as scheduled.

The triennial highest-specification Inner Sect grand event of the Dragon Abyss Palace's seven Peaks and twenty-four caves officially opened today.

Before dawn, the mountain paths of Red Fire Peak were already bustling with people. Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, deacons of various Peaks, Loose Cultivator Guest Elders, and even messengers sent by the major families of Donghai Prefecture and the Black Jade Mansion were all surging along the winding mountain paths toward the "Sword Discussion Platform" at the center of Dragon Abyss Palace.

The Sword Discussion Platform, located in the central canyon surrounded by the seven Peaks, was a white jade arena suspended in mid-air.

The arena spanned a hundred zhang and was constructed entirely of ten-thousand-year cold jade, its surface engraved with dense defensive runes. Those runes were dark gold, slowly flowing in the morning light; with each rotation, a thin curtain of light rose from the edge of the arena, enveloping the entire platform.

The light curtain was translucent, allowing those outside to see every move and technique on the arena, yet the aftershocks of the battle on the stage could not escape in the slightest.

Around the arena, a row of viewing seats was set on the cliffs of each of the seven Peaks. Red Fire Peak was in the east, Heavenly Sword Peak in the west, Bibo Pool in the south, Black Tortoise Peak in the north, while Tianji Peak, Danxia Peak, and Zixiao Peak were arranged at the four corners. Every viewing seat was filled with Disciples from various Peaks, their attire different and their auras varying, but without exception, everyone's gaze fell on the center of the arena.

There, it was empty of people.

But everyone knew that the two people standing there today would determine the future direction of Dragon Abyss Palace's Inner Sect.

Jiang Hanzhou.

Han Qing.

A newcomer who had entered the Sect less than half a year ago, who had defeated Ao Zhan with overwhelming force, possessed four types of True Intent simultaneously, had unpredictable Divine Soul attacks, and had recently broken through to the Dragon Fetus Realm.

A veteran Prodigy who had cultivated for seventeen years, refined half a Sword Seed, cultivated the Sword Gu Secret Technique, and taken a blood gu pill to forcibly break through to the Peak of the Early Stage of the Dragon Fetus Realm, vowing to cut off Jiang Hanzhou's head today.

This battle was not just a life-and-death duel between two people, but also a direct collision between Red Fire Peak and Heavenly Sword Peak, who had harbored grievances for many years.

On Red Fire Peak's viewing seats, Master Xue Mu sat at the very front. Today, he had changed into a scarlet-gold Daoist robe, with that crimson longsword hanging at his waist and his long hair tied up with a fire jade hairpin, making his entire being appear several degrees sharper than usual.

But his expression was very calm.

So calm that it made one somewhat uneasy.

Behind him, the Inner Sect Disciples of Red Fire Peak were gathered together—Zhou Lie, Liu Ningshuang, Su Waner, Zhao Yuanjing... tension was written all over everyone's faces.

“Master Xue,” Zhou Lie couldn't help but speak up, “Junior Brother Jiang, he—”

“Shut up,” Master Xue Mu said without looking back. “Watch.”

Zhou Lie choked on his words and sheepishly shut his mouth.

Liu Ningshuang did not speak, but her cold eyes were fixed intensely on the arena, her fingers unconsciously clutching the corner of her clothes.

On Heavenly Sword Peak's viewing seats, Cold Frost Master sat at the very front. Beside him were two Inner Sect Elders of Heavenly Sword Peak, both with cultivation at the Dragon-Elephant Intersection Realm. The expressions of the three were identical—cold, gloomy, and determined to win.

Behind Cold Frost Master, the Inner Sect Disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak were gathered together, intent to kill written on every face.

“Senior Brother Han will surely slay Jiang Hanzhou today,” a Heavenly Sword Peak Disciple whispered. “No matter how strong that Jiang Hanzhou is, he is just a newcomer who has just broken through to the Dragon Fetus Realm. Senior Brother Han has refined half a Sword Seed, cultivated the Sword Gu Secret Technique, and has the enhancement of a blood gu pill—how can he compete with Senior Brother Han?”

“Exactly,” another Disciple chimed in. “The people of Red Fire Peak are just a bunch of boors who play with fire. The orthodox way of the sword is, after all, the domain of our Heavenly Sword Peak.”

“Enough,” Cold Frost Master spoke, his voice not loud but containing an indescribable chill. “Watch closely. After today, I will make it so that Red Fire Peak never dares to lift its head again.”

The Disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak fell silent in unison, their gazes turning toward the arena.

On Bibo Pool's viewing seats, Master Qingxuan sat at the very front. Beside him were Teng Yuzhi and the lead Disciple of Bibo Pool, Senior Brother Su Jingyuan. The expressions of the three were different—Master Qingxuan was as calm as water, Teng Yuzhi was expressionless, and Senior Brother Su Jingyuan was pale.

“Junior Sister,” Senior Brother Su Jingyuan whispered, “who do you think will win?”

Teng Yuzhi was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “I don't know.”

Senior Brother Su Jingyuan glanced at her and did not press further.

On Tianji Peak's viewing seats, Grand Elder Great Elder Xuanjizi sat at the very front. Beside him were two Elders of Tianji Peak, both with cultivation at the Dragon-Elephant Intersection Realm. The expressions of the three were identical—calm, profound, and showing no emotion.

But in Great Elder Xuanjizi's deep eyes, a sharp light occasionally flashed.

He was watching.

Watching everyone.

Watching Cold Frost Master, Master Xue Mu, Han Qing, and Jiang Hanzhou.

Watching the invisible undercurrents behind this Sword Discussion Assembly.

On Danxia Peak's viewing seats, Fairy Ziyun sat at the very front. Beside her were the lead Disciple of Danxia Peak and two Inner Sect Elders. The expressions of the four were different—Fairy Ziyun had a smile on her lips, seemingly full of anticipation for this duel; the lead Disciple's face was solemn, as if sensing something unusual; the two Elders were expressionless, just quietly watching the arena.

On Zixiao Peak's viewing seats, Immortal Master Zixiao sat at the very front. Beside him were the lead Disciple of Zixiao Peak and two Inner Sect Elders. The expressions of the four were identical—calm, indifferent, and detached from worldly strife.

But everyone knew that Zixiao Peak was never truly detached from worldly strife.

They were just waiting.

Waiting for an opportunity.

On Black Tortoise Peak's viewing seats, Immortal Master Xuanwu sat at the very front. Beside him were the lead Disciple of Black Tortoise Peak and two Inner Sect Elders. The expressions of the four were identical—steady, heavy, and as unmoving as a mountain.

Besides the Elders of the seven Peaks, there were also messengers from various major forces of the Donghai at the viewing seats.

The messenger from Black Jade Mansion was a Middle-aged Scholar with a lean face and half-closed eyes, his body surrounded by faint fluctuations of spirit essence. Beside him stood two True Disciples of Black Jade Mansion, both with cultivation at the Early Stage of the Dragon Fetus Realm.

The messenger from the Sea Quelling Department was a general wearing dark black battle armor, with a resolute face and eyes like torches, and a pitch-black battle saber hanging at his waist. Beside him stood two Black-Armored Colonels of the Sea Quelling Department, both with cultivation at the Peak of the Primal Elephant Realm.

The messengers of the three major families of Donghai Prefecture were each stationed in their own area; the messenger of the Li Family was a handsome young man, the messenger of the Zhou Family was a white-haired old man, and the messenger of the Wang Family was a middle-aged woman who still retained her charm.

Everyone's gaze fell on the center of the arena.

They were waiting.

Waiting for those two people.

———

Three quarters into the Hour of the Dragon.

A melodious bell toll sounded from the center of the Sword Discussion Platform; the toll was deep and far-reaching, echoing nine times among the seven Peaks.

After the nine tolls, the entire venue fell silent.

Grand Elder Great Elder Xuanjizi slowly stood up from the viewing seats, his aged face showing no expression. His gaze swept across the venue, finally landing on the center of the arena.

“The triennial Dragon Abyss Palace Inner Sect Sword Discussion Assembly,” his voice was not loud, but with the enhancement of spiritual power, it clearly reached the ears of everyone present, “begins today.”

“In this Sword Discussion Assembly, a total of thirty-six Inner Sect Disciples will participate, divided into four groups for a knockout tournament. The top two from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, after which it will be single-elimination until a champion is decided.”

“But—”

He paused, his gaze turning toward the viewing seats of Heavenly Sword Peak and Red Fire Peak.

“Before the official competition begins, there is a special duel.”

The atmosphere of the entire venue instantly tightened.

“Heavenly Sword Peak's Inner Sect Lead Disciple Han Qing, against Red Fire Peak's Inner Sect Disciple Jiang Hanzhou.”

Great Elder Xuanjizi's voice remained calm, but every word was like a thousand-jin hammer, weighing on everyone's heart.

“In this battle, there are no rules, no limits on methods, and life and death are disregarded.”

The whole place was in an uproar.

Although most people had already heard of this wager, hearing the words “life and death disregarded” from the Grand Elder's own mouth still sent a shock through their hearts.

“The reason for this battle,” Great Elder Xuanjizi continued, “is a wager between Heavenly Sword Peak and Red Fire Peak.”

His gaze turned to Cold Frost Master.

Cold Frost Master slowly stood up and said expressionlessly, “If Han Qing loses, Heavenly Sword Peak will no longer interfere in matters related to Blood Shark Island, and the Sect will immediately dispatch troops to wipe out Blood Shark Island.”

His voice was calm, but every word contained an indescribable chill.

The whole place was in an uproar again.

Wiping out Blood Shark Island. Heavenly Sword Peak had finally relented.

This meant that Heavenly Sword Peak had absolute confidence in this duel.

Great Elder Xuanjizi's gaze turned to Master Xue Mu.

Master Xue Mu stood up, looked directly at Cold Frost Master, and said word for word, “If Jiang Hanzhou loses, he will cripple his own cultivation, be expelled from the Sect, and hand over all intelligence related to the ancient flood dragon remains to Heavenly Sword Peak.”

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Crippling one's own cultivation and being expelled from the Sect.

This was a punishment more cruel than death.

For a Martial Artist to have their cultivation crippled and be expelled from the Sect, in this world where the weak are prey to the strong, even surviving would be difficult.

After Master Xue Mu's voice fell, the entire venue was silent for a full three breaths.

Then, a wave of discussion rose like a tide.

“Heavenly Sword Peak is trying to drive them to a dead end...”

“How does Red Fire Peak dare to accept such a wager? No matter how strong Jiang Hanzhou is, he is just a newcomer who has just broken through to the Dragon Fetus Realm. Han Qing has refined half a Sword Seed, cultivated the Sword Gu Secret Technique, and has the enhancement of a blood gu pill—this is simply not a duel on the same level.”

“You don't understand. Master Xue Mu never fights a battle he isn't sure of. If he dares to accept this wager, it shows he has absolute confidence in Jiang Hanzhou.”

“Confidence? Can confidence be eaten? Han Qing's Sword Gu Secret Technique specifically devours the opponent's martial Dao True Intent. With Jiang Hanzhou possessing four types of True Intent simultaneously, he is a sitting duck in front of Han Qing.”

“It's hard to say. Didn't you see the Inner Sect Minor Competition? Jiang Hanzhou's single saber strike even cracked Ao Zhan's spirit sword. After breaking through to the Dragon Fetus Realm, his strength will only be greater.”

“What's the use of being strong? Han Qing has also broken through to the Dragon Fetus Realm, and his Sword Gu Secret Technique is a secret art of Heavenly Sword Peak that is not passed to outsiders, specifically countering True Intent Fusion. In front of Han Qing, Jiang Hanzhou won't even be able to draw his saber.”

The discussions rose and fell, buzzing in the air above the square.

Great Elder Xuanjizi raised his hand, and the venue fell silent once more.

“The wager is set; life and death are left to fate,” his voice was as calm as water. “Now, please, the two of you—”

“Wait.”

A cold voice rang out from Red Fire Peak's viewing seats.

Master Xue Mu stood up and strode toward the arena. His steps were steady and powerful, each step landing on the white jade floor with a faint “thud-thud” sound.

The sound was not loud, but like a drumbeat, it struck the hearts of everyone present one by one.

He walked to the center of the arena, turned around, and looked directly at Heavenly Sword Peak's viewing seats.

“Cold Frost Master,” his voice was calm, yet contained an indescribable power, “before Jiang Hanzhou and Han Qing duel, this old man has one thing to clarify in front of the entire Sect.”

Cold Frost Master's brow furrowed slightly: “What is it?”

Master Xue Mu took out a stack of letters and several Jade Slips from his sleeve and held them high.

“This is the evidence that Red Fire Peak Disciples Zhou Lie and Liu Ningshuang spent half a month investigating.”

His voice was not loud, but with the enhancement of spiritual power, it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

“Fang Demao, a deacon of the Alchemy Hall, under the instruction of Elder Li Daoyuan—a confidant of Heavenly Sword Peak's Elder Cold Frost Master—tampered with the auxiliary materials of the spirit essence pill, intending to cripple my Disciple Jiang Hanzhou's cultivation.”

The whole place was in an uproar.

Cold Frost Master's expression changed abruptly: “Xue Mu, you are slandering me!”

“Slander?” Master Xue Mu sneered, tossing the letters and Jade Slips into the air.

Under the pull of spiritual power, those letters and Jade Slips turned into streaks of light and slowly unfolded in the center of the arena.

The contents of every letter were clearly presented before everyone.

“Fang Demao, among the auxiliary materials of the spirit essence pill, the Ice Soul Stamen is the most critical. Take three genuine portions from the storehouse and replace them with the inferior ones I purchased from the Flying Fish City black market. If this succeeds, Heavenly Sword Peak will not treat you poorly.”

“Rest assured, Elder Li, the Ice Soul Stamen has already been replaced. It's just that old fellow Pharmacist Qu Fengchun is watching very closely, I'm afraid—”

“You don't need to worry about Qu Fengchun. He is just a Third-Rank Apothecary from Canglang Water Dock with no roots or foundation in the Alchemy Hall. If he knows what's good for him, then so be it; if he doesn't—Heavenly Sword Peak has plenty of ways to make him shut up.”

“Elder Li, Qu Fengchun seems to have discovered something. He has been hanging around the alchemy material storehouse recently and even secretly checked the inventory of the Ice Soul Stamen. I'm afraid—”

“Keep a close eye on him. If he really discovers something, tell me immediately. Remember—if this leaks, neither of us will have a good end.”

“Qu Fengchun cannot be allowed to stay. Within three days, I want him to shut up forever.”

One letter, two letters, three letters...

Each one had clear handwriting and was well-organized, with the personal seals of Fang Demao and Li Daoyuan clearly stamped at the bottom.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Everyone's gaze fell on those letters, on those shocking words.

Cold Frost Master's face was ashen, and the Sword Intent around him surged, almost condensing into substance.

“Xue Mu!” He stood up abruptly. “You are framing me! My Heavenly Sword Peak acts openly and honorably, how can we allow you to—”

“Open and honorable?” Master Xue Mu laughed, his smile full of sarcasm. “Fine then, tell me, where is Li Daoyuan?”

Cold Frost Master's pupils constricted slightly.

Master Xue Mu continued: “Three days ago, after Fang Demao confessed, Li Daoyuan disappeared. Cold Frost Master, tell me—did he flee to avoid punishment, or was he silenced by you?”

Cold Frost Master's expression became even more unsightly: “Xue Mu, don't you dare slander me! I only found out about Li Daoyuan's disappearance yesterday—wait, what do you mean by that? Are you saying I instructed Li Daoyuan to harm your Disciple? What evidence do you have?!”

“Evidence?” Master Xue Mu sneered, taking out a Jade Slip from his sleeve and tossing it into the air.

The Jade Slip turned into a light screen, showing a scene of a video recording.

In the image, Li Daoyuan and Fang Demao were having a secret discussion in a secret room behind the Alchemy Hall's mountain. Their conversation was clearly audible, and every word was like a sharp blade piercing into the hearts of everyone present.

“Fang Demao, how are you coming along with the matter of the spirit essence pill's auxiliary materials?”

“Rest assured, Elder Li, the Ice Soul Stamen has already been replaced. It's just that old fellow Qu Fengchun is watching very closely, I'm afraid—”

“What are you afraid of? He is just a Third-Rank Apothecary with no roots or foundation in the Alchemy Hall. If he knows what's good for him, then so be it; if he doesn't—Heavenly Sword Peak has plenty of ways to make him shut up.”

The recording ended there.

The whole place was deathly silent.

Cold Frost Master's face was already as pale as paper.

“Cold Frost Master,” Master Xue Mu's voice was as calm as water, yet contained an indescribable power, “what else do you have to say?”

Cold Frost Master was silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly spoke, his voice hoarse: “This recording is forged.”

Master Xue Mu laughed: “Forged? Cold Frost Master, do you think the image-recording formations of my Dragon Abyss Palace are just for show? This recording was captured by the image-recording formation of Tianji Peak. If you don't believe it, you can ask the Grand Elder to personally verify it.”

Everyone's gaze turned toward Great Elder Xuanjizi.

The Grand Elder was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: “This recording is real.”

The whole place was in an uproar again.

Cold Frost Master's expression completely changed.

“Grand Elder—” he spoke, his voice trembling, “I—”

“Enough.” Great Elder Xuanjizi interrupted him, his aged face showing no expression. “Today is the Sword Discussion Assembly, not a courtroom. This matter will be handled after the Sword Discussion Assembly concludes.”