392: lucky draw

Li Cen stood tall like a sword, his gaze sharp like lightning,

staring fixedly at Ye Wushang on the bone boat, his voice as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice:

“Vice Gate Master Ye, how many pounds of garlic did you eat before heading out this morning? Your breath is so foul it could stink a ghost to death!

A visitor is a guest; if you wish to take a seat and observe the ceremony, my Yin Yang Sect will naturally treat you with courtesy! But if you wish to cause trouble...”

At some point, he had already grasped a golden longsword made entirely of red gold, radiating a righteous aura,

the tip of the sword pointed diagonally at the ground, a terrifying Sword Intent capable of splitting the heavens ready to strike,

“...this Li doesn't mind accompanying you to the Void Realm above to showcase some ‘talent’ in advance for this ceremony!”

The Haoyang Sword Intent at the Peak of the Late Void Refining Stage was extremely yang and firm, the perfect nemesis for the Nine Nether Sect’s sinister Cultivation Techniques!

Although Ye Wushang's cultivation had reached Void Refining Perfection, one minor Realm higher than Li Cen's,

facing this sun-like Sword Intent lock, a trace of wariness flashed across his pale, sinister face.

In a hard fight, he might not necessarily gain an advantage, and his main target today was not Li Cen.

“Hmph!”

Ye Wushang snorted coldly, forcibly suppressing his anger. His dark green pupils swept over Li Cen,

finally landing back on Yao Delong, his mouth curling into an even more sinister arc:

“Peak Master Li has quite the temper. This seat was merely speaking the truth.”

He no longer looked at Li Cen and signaled to a withered, corpse-like Elder with a sinister aura beside him.

The Elder understood and stepped forward, his voice dry like the grinding of withered bones:

“The Nine Nether Sect congratulates True Disciple Yao... on his promotion! We present our gifts: ten pieces of ‘Netherworld Ghost Jade,’ a hundred pounds of ‘Yin Fiend Stone,’ and a peck of ‘Resentful Soul Pearls’!”

As soon as these gifts were announced, a wave of suppressed sneers immediately erupted in the square.

Netherworld Ghost Jade, Yin Fiend Stone, and Resentful Soul Pearls, though somewhat precious, were all local specialties of the Nine Nether Sect with sinister attributes.

They were of limited use to Cultivators of other Sects, and their value simply couldn't compare to the Moyang Sect’s supreme grade heavenly artifact or the Myriad Sword Valley’s High Grade Sword Pills!

Rather than gifts, this was more like blatant perfunctoriness and humiliation!

“The Nine Nether Sect is indeed still the Nine Nether Sect, purely out to disgust people!”

“This is clearly looking for trouble!”

“Just wait and see, the good show is yet to come!”

The guests discussed animatedly, their gazes toward the Nine Nether Sect people filled with disdain.

White Cloud Master’s expression remained calm, as if he hadn't seen the shabby gifts. He waved his hand for the welcoming Disciples to accept them and said indifferently:

“This seat accepts the Nine Nether Sect’s well-wishes on behalf of Delong. Vice Gate Master Ye, please take a seat.”

Ye Wushang led the Nine Nether Sect group toward the guest seating area reserved for them, amidst countless disdainful and wary looks.

Wherever they passed, the surrounding guests instinctively moved away, as if afraid of being tainted by the Death Qi on their bodies.

The ceremony continued. Celestial music rose again, and fairies dressed in Rainbow-colored Feathered Garments danced gracefully, while spiritual fruits and delicacies were served in a steady stream.

However, after the Nine Nether Sect’s performance, the atmosphere was ultimately a bit subtle.

At the Nine Nether Sect’s seats, the young disciples’ eyes were sinister. Looking at the dancing and singing in the field, their faces were full of impatience and contempt.

Ye Wushang held a cup of blood-red spiritual wine, sipping it slowly,

but his gaze was like a venomous snake, always sweeping over Yao Delong on the high platform from time to time.

Finally, when a piece of celestial music ended and the dancers withdrew, in the brief moment of silence—

“ Hehehe...”

Beside Ye Wushang, that withered Elder who had previously presented the gifts,

let out a grating dry laugh and stood up once more, his voice spreading throughout the field:

“Fellow Daoists! At today’s ceremony, though the celestial music is wonderful and the celestial dance is beautiful, listening and watching too much of it inevitably becomes a bit bland and uninteresting!”

His cold gaze swept across the field, finally landing on White Cloud Master:

“I have long heard that the Yin Yang Sect is the champion of the Eastern Region’s immortal path, with talented Disciples emerging in succession.

Today happens to be your Sect’s new True Disciple ceremony, with heroes gathered from all over. Why not take this good opportunity,”

“to let the Disciples under our Sects meet through martial arts and exchange pointers?”

“Firstly, to add some fun to this ceremony, and secondly, to let us witness the style of the Yin Yang Sect’s younger generation!”

“I wonder what Sect Leader Bai’s thoughts are?”

It's here!

Everyone's heart skipped a beat! The Nine Nether Sect indeed couldn't hold back and was going to make their move!

“As expected! I knew they were up to no good!”

“They want to slap the Yin Yang Sect’s face in public!”

“Let's see how the Yin Yang Sect responds!”

The guests’ spirits were lifted, and their gazes simultaneously turned toward the high platform.

Qing Ya Zi, the Sect Head of the Moyang Sect, still wore a warm smile, as if he were admiring the scenery.

Li Wangsheng, the Sect Head of Myriad Sword Valley, closed his eyes to rest his mind, his fingers lightly tapping on his knees as if playing a silent sword melody.

Both of them looked as if they were staying out of it, waiting to see how things would develop.

White Cloud Master’s brow furrowed imperceptibly.

From the beginning, Ye Wushang's attitude showed that the Nine Nether Sect’s trip was definitely not out of goodwill.

This so-called ‘exchanging pointers’ must harbor malicious intent. However, as the Sect Head, how could he show weakness?

It was also a good opportunity to see the background of the Nine Nether Sect’s younger generation!

Before he could speak, the hot-tempered Peak Master of Thunder Marsh Peak, Lei Zhenzi, slammed the table, his voice like a great bell:

“Senior Brother! Just accept it! Is our dignified Yin Yang Sect afraid of his Nine Nether Sect?”

“We should let these guys who can't stand the light see the methods of our Sect’s Disciples!”

“Correct! My Heavenly Sword Peak Disciples are ready to fight at any time!” Li Cen said coldly.

“My Luoxia Peak also has no fear of a challenge!” Leng Yuekui’s clear and cold voice rang out, with an unquestionable firmness.

The other Peak masters also nodded one after another, their Battle Intent high.

Seeing this, White Cloud Master felt settled. He slowly rose and looked at the Nine Nether Sect Elder with a calm gaze:

“Since your Sect has such an interest, my Yin Yang Sect will naturally accompany you. I wonder, Elder, how do you wish to exchange pointers?”

A ghostly light flashed in the withered Elder's eyes as he said hoarsely:

“If the cultivation is too low, fighting is like child's play, and it’s boring to watch.”

“How about... two Golden Core Disciples, two Nascent Soul Disciples, and... two Spirit Transformation Cultivators!”

“No restriction on status; Disciples or Elders are both fine! Three matches, stopping once the point is made. How about it?”

He deliberately emphasized ‘no restriction on status’ and ‘stopping once the point is made,’ but the malice in his tone was unconcealed.

Two each for Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformation! And the Spirit Transformation group actually allowed Elders to participate!

This was clearly intended to make an issue of high-end combat power, and they might even send out experienced and ruthless Elders,

to heavily injure or even cripple the Yin Yang Sect’s geniuses under the name of ‘exchanging pointers’!

A low clamor broke out in the square. This Nine Nether Sect was indeed insidious enough!

White Cloud Master’s gaze swept over the Peak masters and Elders on his side,

then looked at the sinister individuals on the Nine Nether Sect’s side, quickly weighing things in his mind.

A meaningful smile suddenly appeared on his face:

“Fine! We shall do as the Elder says! However...”

He shifted his tone, his voice suddenly rising with an unquestionable majesty:

“Since it's an exchange of pointers, there must be some stakes to make it more interesting,”

“and better stimulate the Disciples' fighting spirit. Vice Gate Master Ye, wouldn't you agree?”