Eternal Sacred King Chapter 301 to 310
Chapter 301: Saved the Both of Them Before
“Then, I want to kill you now. What do you want?”
The emperor’s question was like a sword with a sharp edge that stabbed forth, sealing all of Su Zimo’s retreat paths.
His killing intent was almost tangible at this point.
Shrouded by that killing intent, Su Zimo could not move at all!
The Rain Admiration Pavilion fell into an eerie, terrifying silence!
Even Bai Yuhan, who was standing at the side, felt a sense of trepidation, let alone Su Zimo who was at the vortex of the storm.
The emperor’s cultivation was unfathomable to begin with. Coupled with the unique aura possessed by the emperor, this was a sort of pressure that ordinary people would not be able to endure.
Even if it was a Golden Core in place of Su Zimo, he would be kneeling with a frightfully pale expression.
However, Su Zimo stood upright, neither servile nor overbearing with a straight back.
“You want to kill me.”
Su Zimo finally spoke and paused for a moment.
Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat!
Ji Yaoxue could vaguely sense something and was so anxious that she was about to cry.
Raising his head, Su Zimo had a deep gaze that shone with a demonic glint as he stared back and said slowly, “You want to kill me, so first, I’ll kill...”
“Eh? What are you guys doing?”
Before Su Zimo could say ‘you’, a gentle and soft voice rang from outside the Rain Admiration Pavilion. It was soothing and interrupted Su Zimo’s sentence.
His heart skipped a beat – that was a familiar voice.
Everyone glanced in the direction of the voice.
A young girl in a light pink dress stood with her head tilted to the side. She had an innocent look on her face as she looked into the Rain Admiration Pavilion with a curious and pure expression.
The moment he saw that girl, the killing intent within the emperor’s eyes vanished instantly. While he was still suppressing Su Zimo with his aura, his gaze had turned extremely tender, as though he was worried he might scare the girl.
“Yan’er, why are you here?” The emperor’s tone sounded reproachful and doting.
The girl in pink wheedled, “I heard that sister has returned. I missed her so I came back to take a look too!”
“Eh? Sister, why are you standing there motionlessly and crying?”
When the girl in pink walked into the Rain Admiration Pavilion, she asked with raised brows, looking confused and innocent at the sight of Ji Yaoxue weeping at the side.
The emperor released an invisible force from between his brows inconspicuously, removing the restraints on Ji Yaoxue.
He said in a deep voice, “Xue’er, leave this place first along with Yan’er.”
“I’m not leaving.”
Ji Yaoxue looked at the emperor with teary eyes and shook her head resolutely.
“Ah!”
Right then, the girl in pink suddenly exclaimed and covered her cherry lips. She looked at Su Zimo with an incredulous expression while her eyes were filled with surprise.
“Young... Young Master Su! Is that you?”
The girl in pink ran to Su Zimo’s side excitedly and clutched his arm with a death grip, refusing to let go as though she was afraid he might disappear the next moment.
Everyone was stunned!
Apart from Su Zimo, everyone else in the Rain Admiration Pavilion gaped at the scene in astonishment.
The emperor was stunned as well, subconsciously removing the pressure he was applying on Su Zimo, afraid that the girl in pink might be accidentally injured.
Su Zimo was rather calm.
The moment she entered, he had already recognized her – this was the fiend heir of the Pure Maiden Sect, Demoness Ji!
However, she looked angelic and innocent right now. With a charming and ignorant gaze, she was like a naive and ignorant girl.
If not for the fact that they were identical in appearance, Su Zimo would not have dared to confirm it.
However, he recalled that Demoness Ji indeed had such capabilities.
Be it innocent, charming, elegant or pitiful, she was able to portray all of those images without any flaws.
It was as though split personalities were hidden in Demoness Ji’s body and could be switched at will.
Su Zimo did not reply as he did not know what Demoness Ji was up to.
“Young Master Su, I’ve been looking for you for so long. To think that you would be here.”
Demoness Ji clutched at the hem of Su Zimo’s robes and pouted her lips in an aggrieved manner.
“Yan’er, you...”
Pausing for a moment, the emperor pointed at Su Zimo with an odd expression. “You know that person?”
“No.”
Demoness Ji shook her head. “I only know that his surname is Su but I don’t know what his name is. However, Young Master Su saved my life before!”
“Ah?
The emperor opened his mouth slightly, dumbfounded. His expression froze and his mind was in a mess.
The Imperial Army soldiers at the side, Bald Vulture, Bai Yuhan and everyone else were losing their composure, watching with widened eyes and jaws that nearly dropped to the ground.
What was up with this Su Zimo?
The emperor only had two daughters and he saved both of their lives before?
Was this person born to save princesses?
Ji Yaoxue was also slightly dazed as she blinked her watery eyes and looked on.
Su Zimo had even saved her younger sister as well?
The emperor coughed gently and regained his composure, asking with a frown, “Yan’er, what’s going on? When did he save you?”
“Back in Chiyu City!”
Demoness Ji replied, “Three years ago, I went to Chiyu City with Auntie Gu. I sneaked out once while Auntie Gu wasn’t around but I ended up coming across six bad guys! If not for Young Master Su’s appearance, I would have been doomed!”
With that said, Demoness Ji puffed out a breath of air and stuck out her tongue, as though she was still experiencing lingering fears.
Her words were indeterminable – if Su Zimo had not experienced it himself, he would not have doubted her.
Furthermore, judging from the emperor and Ji Yaoxue’s expressions, Su Zimo realized that neither of them knew what sect Demoness Ji was from!
“Silly child!”
The emperor shook his head helplessly.
Demoness Ji continued, “Later on, I pressed Young Master Su for his residence and background so that father could reward him immensely. However, Young Master Su left right away and I couldn’t find him even after a long search.”
“Ah, I got it!”
Demoness Ji revealed a look of realization as she clapped her hands together and smiled. “Father, did you find Young Master Su to reward him after knowing about this matter?”
The emperor remained silent and smiled bitterly in his heart.
No matter if Su Zimo had deceived him or killed a soldier of the Imperial Army, this was someone who had saved two of his daughters after all.
Initially, the emperor’s attitude towards killing Su Zimo was complicated to begin with and he didn’t have a strong determination to kill the latter.
Now that this happened, the emperor had completely given up on killing Su Zimo.
However, he was worried about something else.
Circling his gaze between his two daughters and Su Zimo, the emperor sighed softly to himself.
He pondered for a while before saying in a deep voice, “Yan’er, I have something else to discuss with Su Zimo. It’s been a long time since you’ve met your sister. You two can leave first.”
“But, what about him? I’m finally able to meet Young Master Su and I’m not going to let him get away again!”
Demoness Ji pouted and hugged Su Zimo’s arm tightly.
Two soft mounds pressed against Su Zimo’s arm, slightly warm and extremely bouncy – he stiffened instantly.
The emperor said in an exasperated manner, “Don’t worry, I’ll let him go after saying a few words to him.”
“Thank you, father.”
Demoness Ji smiled sweetly and walked to the side with a gentle voice. Tugging Ji Yaoxue by the palm, she chuckled. “Let’s go, sister! We’ll wait outside.”
“Yes.”
Ji Yaoxue nodded.
Since the emperor was willing to say that, Su Zimo’s life was naturally not in danger. As such, Ji Yaoxue could finally feel relieved.
The two sisters left the Rain Admiration Pavilion hand in hand.
Chapter 302: Can’t Lie
“All of you can leave as well.”
After the two sisters left the Rain Admiration Pavilion, the emperor waved his hand.
Bald Vulture, Bai Yuhan and the remaining Imperial Army soldiers bowed and left, leaving only the emperor and Su Zimo in the pavilion.
“Didn’t you have no spirit root and was unable to cultivate?”
“I had some opportunities and unexpected circumstances.”
“Who imparted your abilities to you?”
“I’m a disciple of Ethereal Peak.”
“Ethereal Peak. Good, how rare.”
The emperor nodded.
While Ethereal Peak was one of the five major sects, they had produced almost zero powerhouses in terms of weapon refinement.
If Su Zimo had not admitted it personally, the emperor would not have guessed that the current number one Weapon Refinement Master in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty came from Ethereal Peak!
“Su Zimo, Mo Ling. Fufu.”
The emperor laughed and said in a self-deprecating manner, “To think that someone whom I thought to be useless was actually creating waves and grand achievements right under my nose.”
To be fair, although Su Zimo’s reputation in the capital today was in part due to his own capabilities in weapon refinement, more than half of the credit belonged to the emperor as well!
Su Zimo had truly turned famous only after the emperor’s notice.
At that moment, Mo Spirit Weapon Workshop had trampled True Fire Weapon Workshop beneath its foot entirely.
Furthermore, all the cultivators in the capital knew that Mo Spirit Weapon Workshop was backed by the Emperor of Great Zhou – anyone who dared lay a finger on Mo Ling was challenging the emperor’s authority!
Thereafter, it was also thanks to the emperor’s protection that Su Zimo was able to walk out safe and sound despite killing someone on the streets.
That was the reason why the emperor harbored killing intents towards Su Zimo. Other than the anger he felt due to the embarrassment of finding out the truth, it was also because he felt that he was deceived and made use of.
As the emperor, the immensity of his wrath could be imagined when he discovered that he was being toyed with by someone he thought of as a useless person!
Nevertheless, Su Zimo had saved his two daughters before.
The emperor’s killing intent dissipated gradually and instead, he felt a sense of lament in his heart.
The fact that a young man in his twenties could be so composed in the face of such pressure, and even muster a slight intent to retaliate, was indeed rare.
Apart from his initial prejudice, the emperor admired Su Zimo.
However, the emperor had his worries about that admiration towards Su Zimo.
On the one hand, he was worried whether Su Zimo had motives for getting too close with the two princesses.
On the other hand, he could tell that both Yan’er and Xue’er had feelings for Su Zimo judging from their expressions – how should he make a choice?
There’s no way he could let this lad take the both of them as his Dao companions – how could he enjoy such a privilege?
The emperor asked, “What happened back in Chiyu City? Who were the six people who attacked Yan’er?”
“I don’t know.”
Su Zimo shook his head. “I came across it unintentionally and rescued Demo... Miss Ji back then.”
Since Demoness Ji chose to hide the truth, there was naturally no way Su Zimo was going to reveal it.
Nodding his head, the emperor asked in a seemingly casual manner, “There are no outsiders here. Tell me, what do you feel about Xue’er and Yan’er?”
Su Zimo replied, “The third princess helped both me and the Su family, so I view her as both a benefactor and a bosom friend. As for the little princess... I’m not close with her either. We merely met by chance.”
‘He took one of them as his bosom friend and was unfamiliar with the other?’
The emperor could sense that Su Zimo was indeed telling the truth.
In other words, both his initial considerations were no longer existent.
However, Su Zimo’s attitude caused the emperor to feel somewhat indignant.
His daughters were both gorgeous and elegant. There was no way they were incompatible to Su Zimo, and yet he had no stray feelings towards either of them?
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty,” Su Zimo cupped his fists.
The emperor pondered for a brief moment before saying slowly, “Nothing is changed regarding the sect competition where I’ve invited you to be the judge for the weapon refinement segment.”
That sentence meant that the emperor no longer had any prejudice towards Su Zimo and had acknowledged all of the latter’s achievements!
Su Zimo nodded before bidding farewell.
Gazing at Su Zimo’s disappearing back view, the emperor smiled gently and lamented, “It’s fortuitous that Ethereal Peak produced someone like that to reclaim a position in terms of weapon refinement. Otherwise, they’re definitely going to be disgraced at the sect competition.”
He paused for a moment before shaking his head and muttering to himself, “However, other than weapon refinement, Ethereal Peak has no means of achieving anything for the other three ranking lists.”
...
“Yan’er, what happened in Chiyu City? Share with me how Zimo managed to save your life.”
Ji Yaoxue asked curiously outside the Rain Admiration Pavilion.
Demoness Ji blinked and surveyed her surroundings before tugging Ji Yaoxue’s hand and tugging the latter to a corner. She made sure that no one was around before whispering, “Sister, I made that up. I don’t know that Young Master Su at all.”
“Huh?” Ji Yaoxue was stunned.
Demoness Ji covered her mouth and chuckled. “I merely came over to help you because I heard that father was enraged. Hehe, to think that father couldn’t tell at all.”
“You!”
Ji Yaoxue tapped Demoness Ji’s fair and delicate forehead before laughing in an exasperated manner. “Father was not the only one. I bought your story too.”
Pausing for a moment, Ji Yaoxue retracted her smile and sighed softly. “However, if you hadn’t appeared, Zimo truly might not have survived.”
“That Su Zimo... he’s the one you fancy?” Demoness Ji blinked her eyes and asked.
Ji Yaoxue blushed slightly and chided softly, “Go away, don’t spout nonsense.”
“Hehe, it must be!”
“You’re asking for a beating, young lady!”
Just as the two of them were bickering, Su Zimo had already exited the Rain Admiration Pavilion and was heading in their direction.
When he approached, he cupped his fists. “Thank you, princesses.”
“Hey, Young Master Su! I’m called Ji Yaoyan! Remember that I’ve done you a favor and you must thank me if there’s a chance!”
After saying that, Demoness Ji gave Su Zimo an alluring smile and winked while Ji Yaoxue was not noticing.
Her smile was as beautiful as a flower and could turn the world upside down!
Her eyes resembled water, as though they could draw one’s soul into them!
Su Zimo closed his eyes hurriedly and took a deep breath of cold air as a burning sensation spread within him.
That was the fiend heir of the Pure Maiden Sect he remembered!
Ji Yaoxue was a little surprised and turned to look at Su Zimo before glancing at Demoness Ji.
By now, Demoness Ji had already returned to normal and that bewitching smile and seductive gaze disappeared in a flash as though everything was an illusion.
Demoness Ji waved and bid goodbye.
Gazing at Demoness Ji’s back view, Ji Yaoxue said to Su Zimo, “You’ve really got to thank Yan’er. She did not know you at all and specially made up a lie to deceive father.”
“Yan’er isn’t experienced in the world and she’s pure and kind. Someone like her doesn’t know how to lie at all. It was really hard on her this time round,” Ji Yaoxue sighed gently once more.
Su Zimo was speechless as he thought to himself, “If that younger sister of yours doesn’t know how to lie and is pure and kind, there would be no honest soul remaining on the face of this world.”
However, Su Zimo could not speak his mind.
After all, he had promised Demoness Ji that he would help her conceal her identity.
Furthermore, judging from the attitudes of Ji Yaoxue and the emperor, even if Su Zimo were to tell them that Demoness Ji was the fiend heir of the Pure Maiden Sect, neither of them would buy the truth at all...
“What does your sister usually do?” Su Zimo asked in a seemingly casual manner.
Ji Yaoyan shook her head. “Yan’er can’t cultivate and has been learning how to do business from Auntie Gu. She’s just all around the place.”
Demoness Ji had cultivated some sort of a technique that could conceal her cultivation realm completely, making her look like a mortal.
However, there was indeed no need for her to dirty her hands personally if she wanted to kill anyone.
She was always making use of others to do it for her!
A single gaze of hers would suffice!
Chapter 303: Sect Competition
The capital of Great Zhou was getting livelier.
Most of the sects within the Great Zhou dominion had arrived by the final few days.
Under the lead of Array Peak’s master, Xuan Yi, and Talisman Peak’s master, Liu Hui, the group from Ethereal Peak arrived in the capital as well.
Apart from the two Golden Cores, Ethereal Peak only had less than ten disciples.
“Look! They seem to be the disciples from Ethereal Peak! To think that there would be so few of them!”
“It’s good enough that they’re even able to come here. I heard that Ethereal Peak suffered a huge blow after the battle at Dongling Valley and almost all of their Foundation Establishment realm disciples are dead.”
“Yes, I reckon they’re just here to join the fun. There’s almost nothing Ethereal Peak can do for the four ranking rolls.”
Xuan Yi and Liu Hui were expressionless as they walked through the streets and could vaguely hear the discussions around them.
However, the disciples behind them let out indignant expressions.
“They’re really spouting nonsense. Senior Brother Ji is at five meridian Foundation Establishment and he’ll definitely be able to get a spot on the Spirit Ranking,” The person who spoke was round like a ball – it was none other than little fatty of Ethereal Peak.
The Senior Brother Ji that little fatty was referring to wore gray robes and he had slender limbs – he was Ji Chengtian.
Ji Chengtian was already one of Ethereal Peak’s three great legacy disciples to begin with. At the same time, he was the only legacy disciple that survived the battle at Dongling Valley.
Three years ago, Ji Chengtian was only at four meridian Foundation Establishment.
Now, his cultivation realm was at five meridian Foundation Establishment and he was the strongest of the inner sect disciples.
When Ji Chengtian heard little fatty’s words, he let out a bitter smile and his gaze darkened.
Qin Yu, who was initially lauded as the number one of the inner sect disciples and had hopes of breaking through to six meridian Foundation Establishment before the sect competition, had died at Dongling Valley.
Right now, apart from him, the strongest in Ethereal Peak was only at three meridian Foundation Establishment.
The sect did not even have any disciples at three meridian Foundation Establishment.
In other words, there was little hope for everyone else apart from him to vie for a spot on the Spirit Ranking of the sect competition.
Ethereal Peak still had some hope for the Talisman Ranking.
Leng Rou had a deep attainment in terms of talisman crafting and she was best among all the inner sect disciples.
As for elixir and weapon refinement...
Even though the sect had sent a disciple in each segment over, they were merely taking part and had no chance of retaining a position on the Elixir and Weapon Rankings.
Xue Yi said softly, “Actually, if Junior Brother Su was still alive, I’m sure he’ll be able to retain a position on the Weapon Ranking given his capabilities.”
When they heard the words ‘Junior Brother Su’, everyone from Ethereal Peak fell silent and sighed.
The two Golden Cores, Xuan Yi and Liu Hui, shook their heads and let out regretful expressions as well.
Ji Chengtian and the others had the most complicated feelings towards Su Zimo.
In that battle three years ago, Su Zimo had slain the young master of the Blood Crow Palace and sacrificed himself to lure more than half of the opposing cultivators away. By doing so, he caused huge chaos in the ranks of their opponents. If not for that fact, all of them would have perished in Dongling Valley!
Leng Rou lowered her head and her gaze was cold. However, there was a flash of sadness in her eyes.
“Get your spirits up!”
Xuan Yi hollered, “Xue Yi, part of the reason why you’re here is to take part in the sect competition. But more importantly, it’s for you to witness the magnificence of the number one Weapon Refinement Master of the Great Zhou Dynasty!”
“That’s right.”
Talisman Peak’s master, Liu Hui, nodded. “It’s said that Mr. Mo will appear during the sect competition as one of the judges for the weapon refinement segment. If you can obtain a couple of insights through Mr. Mo’s opinions, you might be able to save yourself ten years of hard work!”
“Yes!”
Xue Yi nodded heavily.
Many Weapon Refinement Masters within the Great Zhou dominion idolized Mo Ling almost blindly and it was the same for Xue Yi as well.
In his opinion, Mo Ling’s rise to prominence was like a miracle that left everyone in awe!
Throughout history, there had never been a Weapon Refinement Master who could customize supreme-grade spirit weapons like Mo Ling!
Every single Weapon Refinement Master wanted to see for themselves what the legendary Mo Clan’s Spirit Gathering Technique was like.
...
This day, the capital was already bustling with people by the time the sun rose.
There were more than a thousand sects together, let alone the number of disciples each sect had.
At a glance, it was packed with people as the crowds snaked through the streets and alleys, rushing towards the southwest corner of the capital.
Today was the day of the sect competition.
All eyes were on him!
Every sect competition would always be held at the southwest corner of the capital where there was a large and spacious venue that could accommodate hundreds of thousands of people with ease.
The Scarlet Vulture, Azure Falcon and White Hawk guards were all mobilized, all of them riding their spirit beasts as they circled the skies, maintaining order on the streets.
Apart from some itinerant cultivators, most of the sects had Golden Cores leading the teams.
There was a sunken area in the middle of the square where the cultivators taking part in the sect competition would refine weapons and elixirs or create talismans to decide the eventual victors.
There were four huge jade pillars erected in the four corners of the sunken area. White as ivory, they shone with a mysterious luster.
Those four jade pillars represented the four ranking lists for spirit, talisman, elixir and weapon of the sect competition!
Each jade pillar had ten slots for names.
In other words, after the sect competition ended, the forty names shown on those four jade pillars would be the eventual victors of the sect competition!
The sunken area was squarish with four faces, three of which were spectator zones provided for the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the various sects to watch the sect competition.
The final area had a golden carpet paving the ground and it ascended upwards with 999 steps towards an exquisitely supreme throne right at the top!
That was the seat of the Emperor of Great Zhou!
On both sides of the golden carpet, there were several rows of seats and tables. They were filled with spirit fruits, immortal peaches and jade liquid, giving off a fragrant scent.
Those seats were prepared for the Golden Cores of the various sects.
As Golden Cores, there was naturally no way they could squeeze together and watch the sunken area like the rest of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Naturally, the proximity towards the seat of the emperor was indication of a Golden Core’s fame, strength and background!
The seats at the furthest ends were filled mostly with itinerant cultivators.
While they were also Golden Cores, they were weaker and were purely there to join in the fun and expand their horizons.
The commanders of the three city guard squads, Bald Vulture, the bearded man and Bai Yuhan, guarded the edge of the golden carpet – all Golden Cores who wanted to get a seat had to go through the three of them.
The three of them would size the Golden Cores before making the appropriate arrangements.
The group from Ethereal Peak arrived at the sunken area. Turning around, Xuan Yi said in a low voice, “Don’t feel pressured for this sect competition. Just do your best.”
“Understood!”
Little fatty and the others responded.
Even though they replied readily, every single disciple of Ethereal Peak looked slightly nervous.
The scene before them was way too grand and the number of cultivators surrounding the sunken area increased as more streamed in constantly!
Xuan Yi and Liu Hui exchanged glances – both could tell of the helplessness and worry in the other’s eyes.
Before the battle even began, the disciples were already showing fear.
They were without a leader.
The battle at Dongling Valley had dealt way too much damage to Ethereal Peak.
While they had a five meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Ji Chengtian, he lacked sturdiness and dominance. He did not possess the type of fearless confidence that could always push forth.
“If he was alive, perhaps... things would be different.”
Scenes flashed through Xuan Yi’s mind.
It was a green-robed cultivator with exquisite features. Although he was young, he always maintained his composure – the number one of four peaks who could refine elixirs, weapons, clear the Ten Formations Pagoda and defeat all his foes!
Chapter 304: Who Said That There Is No One From Ethereal Peak That Can Refine Weapons?
The spectator area on both sides of the golden carpet were already starting to fill with Golden Cores. After giving a couple more reminders, Xuan Yi and Liu Hui crossed the sunken area and headed for the spectator area as well.
When they arrived, Xuan Yi and Liu Hui handed their respective sect badges to the bearded man and Bai Yuhan.
This was not Xuan Yi’s first sect competition and he already knew the three commanders. However, he still had to go through a symbolic check.
The bearded man smiled and asked, “Fellow Daoist Wen Xuan didn’t come this time round?”
When he heard that, Xuan Yi’s expression dimmed as he shook his head gently.
There was sadness and anger in Liu Hui’s eyes as well.
The bearded man pondered for a moment and vaguely guessed what happened.
It was said that Ethereal Peak suffered heavy casualties for the battle at Dongling Valley and several Golden Cores had perished as well – only one of them managed to survive.
Judging from Xuan Yi and Liu Hui’s expressions, Wen Xuan was most likely dead.
Xuan Yi forced out a smile. “Three years ago, Ethereal Peak was attacked and many of our disciples were injured or killed. This time round, we only brought a couple of them over so that they can broaden their horizons. As for the four ranking lists, we don’t harbor any hope of taking any positions.”
The bearded man shook his head and replied hurriedly, “You’re being humble, fellow Daoist. Who would dare look down on any disciple of Ethereal Peak? Even if it’s just one person, he’s enough to crush all the other prodigies!”
“That’s right.”
Bai Yuhan smiled as well. “Congratulations. Ethereal Peak’s about to become famous again.”
“Ah?
Both Xuan Yi and Liu Hui were stunned for a moment.
The two of them immediately thought that the bearded man and Bai Yuhan were being sarcastic and mocking Ethereal Peak.
In the previous sect competitions, Ethereal Peak would occupy at least three of the ten spots on the Spirit Ranking alone. At its prime, Ethereal Peak could even occupy half of the rankings!
However, for this sect competition, Ethereal Peak could only obtain two of the forty spots on the four ranking lists at the very most.
It would already be fortuitous if they did not embarrass the sect, let alone make it famous.
Liu Hui harrumphed coldly in displeasure.
Xuan Yi frowned, feeling perplexed.
He looked at the gaze and expressions of the bearded man and Bai Yuhan – neither of them seemed like they were being sarcastic. They sounded sincere, as though they were implying something else.
“This way, please.”
The bearded man nodded with a smile as he added.
Because there were other Golden Cores lining up behind them, it was inappropriate for Xuan Yi to linger further and he could only enter the spectator area with his doubts.
...
“Look, the peak masters have already sat down.”
Beside the sunken area, little fatty pointed at the spectator seats a distance away and said, “The seats of the two peak masters are rather decent. They’re quite close to the emperor’s throne.”
The spectator seats could roughly be divided into several major areas.
The first area only had a single seat – the emperor’s throne.
Beneath the emperor’s throne, there were not many seats in the second area. Till now, they were empty without a single person.
The third area was where Xuan Yi and Liu Hui were seated.
Apart from the two of them, the Golden Cores from the other four major sects, Iridescent Clouds Palace, True Fire Sect, Southern Mountains Sect and Azure Frost Sect were also seated.
Following that was the fourth area where Golden Cores of the other sects within the Great Zhou dominion were seated. This was the largest area with the most seats.
The fifth area comprised of itinerant cultivators at Golden Core realm.
“How ignorant. Even if your Golden Cores of Ethereal Peak are seated in the third area, what can that prove?” Right then, a sneer sounded from the side in a mocking manner.
Another sarcastic voice rang out. “In my opinion, Ethereal Peak’s most likely going to be removed from the five major sects after this sect competition.”
Little fatty and the others frowned and turned to their sides.
The two people who spoke were disciples of True Fire Sect.
Also as one of the five major sects, True Fire Sect sent more than a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Of the two leaders, one of the men had a sharp face and high nose bridge. His lips were thin and he exuded a sinisterly ruthless aura.
The other man wore maroon robes and had a haughty expression.
“Whether or not we’re removed is not decided by True Fire Sect. Just mind your own business!” Xue Yi was upset and retorted.
The maroon-robed man turned around and sized Xue Yi up before asking with a smirk, “Fellow Daoist, you seem to be indignant? You’re only at mid-stage Foundation Establishment so I reckon you must be here for the talisman, elixir or weapon ranking lists? But, the Elixir and Weapon Refinement Masters of Ethereal Peak... haha, I can’t comment much about you guys.”
Upon hearing that, everyone burst into laughter.
In previous sect competitions, Ethereal Peak disciples had never gotten a spot on the elixir and weapon ranking lists.
To everyone else, Elixir and Weapon Refinement Masters from Ethereal Peak were nothing but a joke.
Upon hearing the mocking laughter, everyone from Ethereal Peak looked terrible.
The maroon-robed man continued asking with a smile, “So, you’re a Talisman Master?”
“No!”
Xue Yi declared loudly, “I’m not afraid of letting you guys know either that I’m a Weapon Refinement Master and I’m here for the weapon refinement segment!”
“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”
The maroon-robed man dragged his voice and let out an enlightened expression before giving a fake smirk. “So, you’re a Weapon Refinement Master. A Weapon Refinement Master of Ethereal Peak to boot. I’ve been impolite, please excuse me.”
Everyone could hear the mocking tone of the maroon-robed man.
He continued, “What a coincidence. I’m Tao Feng, also a Weapon Refinement Master.”
“So, he’s Tao Feng!”
“Who is Tao Feng?”
“The number one Weapon Refinement Master of True Fire Sect! Even though he’s only 30 years old, he has already managed to refine a superior-grade spirit weapon successfully and is an Advanced Weapon Refinement Master!”
“The rumors out there are saying that Fellow Daoist Tao Feng is the number one Weapon Refinement Master of the younger generation!”
Tao Feng could feel the envious gazes of the surrounding cultivators as he listened on to the discussions. Brimming with pride, he raised his chin slightly and looked at Xue Yi in a smug, taunting manner.
“How do I address you, fellow Daoist? I wonder what grade of spirit weapon you’re able to refine?”
Xue Yi blushed and did not say anything.
With his capabilities, he could only refine inferior-grade spirit weapons. Since he could not even refine middle-grade spirit weapons, he was naturally inferior and could not compare to Tao Feng who was before him.
Tao Feng raised his brow and scoffed. “Oh, so you’re a nobody.”
“You...!” Xue Yi glared at him.
“What’s there to be cocky about?”
Little fatty pouted. “Mr. Mo, the number one Weapon Refinement Master of Great Zhou is a hundred, thousands times better than you! If you’ve really got what it takes, go compete with him!”
Tao Feng declared proudly, “Rumor has it that Mr. Mo is a Golden Core so he must have lived for a few hundreds of years. I dare to say that when he was at my age, Mr. Mo was definitely not at my level!”
None of the cultivators present had the right to refute.
“Additionally...”
Tao Feng looked at Xue Yi and scoffed coldly. “Are you even qualified to call yourself a Weapon Refinement Master? Let me advise you, from now on, don’t make a fool of yourself by coming forth like this anymore. Scram home and stay right there!”
“F*ck...!” Little fatty’s blood surged and he was about to lash out.
“Junior brother!”
At the side, Ji Chengtian frowned and held back the enraged little fatty before shaking his head. “Forget it, let’s not argue with them. Let’s... sigh.”
When they heard Ji Chengtian’s sigh, everyone from Ethereal Peak went silent as a sense of helplessness surged through them.
No matter what, the current Ethereal Peak was indeed inferior to others.
When he saw that, Tao Feng was even more smug as he burst out laughing. “There’s no one in Ethereal Peak that can refine weapons such that any Tom, Dick and Harry could call themselves Weapon Refinement Masters. What a joke! Hahaha!”
“Who said that there is no one from Ethereal Peak that can refine weapons?”
Right then, another voice rang out from the crowd, even revealing a trace of killing intent!
Chapter 305: You’re Not Qualified
“Hmm?”
Many cultivators turned in the direction of the voice with curious expressions.
Upon hearing that voice, little fatty, Leng Rou and Xue Yi froze for a moment as confusion flashed across their eyes.
After a brief pause, little fatty widened his eyes and exclaimed softly, “It’s bro!”
Leng Rou’s expression changed as waves stirred in her eyes.
There could only be one person that little fatty referred to as bro – Su Zimo!
She could naturally tell that the person’s voice was extremely similar to Su Zimo’s. However, it was impossible. Su Zimo was clearly already...
With a trace of anticipation and uneasiness, everyone from Ethereal Peak turned around.
Not far away, a green-robed cultivator walked over from the crowd with Ethereal Peak’s sect badge hanging at his waist. He had delicate features and exuded an elegant aura, making him look like a frail scholar.
However, for some reason, as he walked through the massive crowd, the surrounding cultivators gave way to him subconsciously.
It was as though there was an invisible field of pressure surrounding the green-robed cultivator!
After he walked over, everyone regained their senses with lost expressions, wondering why they gave way to him in the first place.
“Ah!”
At that moment, Leng Rou’s cold demeanor underwent a drastic change as she exclaimed and covered her mouth.
Ji Chengtian was stunned and his eyes were filled with disbelief.
“J-Junior Brother Su! Y-You’re alive?!” Xue Yi’s voice was trembling with excitement.
Little fatty pushed through the crowd and rushed in front of Su Zimo in the blink of an eye. He pounded on Su Zimo’s chest which gave off a resounding echo before grinning foolishly. “It’s real, it’s real! Ha... hahaha!”
Su Zimo smiled gently and his gaze swept past Leng Rou, Xue Yi, Ji Chengtian and the others before nodding his head.
Even though he had asked about the outcome of the battle at Dongling Valley, Su Zimo felt a sense of sadness when he saw the small number of people arriving from the sect.
This should not have been the case.
Ethereal Peak should have had more than a hundred elite Foundation Establishment Cultivators and a majestic form.
Even disciples of True Fire Sect should not have dared to speak so rudely to disciples of Ethereal Peak.
But now, everyone from Ethereal Peak could only lower their heads in helplessness and choose to retreat against the provocations from disciples of True Fire Sect.
Su Zimo was enraged but his expression turned colder.
“Bro, where have you been for the past three years? Why haven’t there been any news of you at all? How did you manage to survive back then?” Little fatty had countless doubts and was waiting for Su Zimo to resolve them.
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you in the future if there’s a chance.”
Sweeping his gaze across the many disciples of True Fire Sect, Su Zimo asked in a cold manner, “Who was the one who said that there is no one from Ethereal Peak who can refine weapons?”
“I did.”
Tao Feng sized up Su Zimo, twisted his neck and scoffed, “Why? Are you unhappy?”
“You even said that the Weapon Refinement Masters of Ethereal Peak are jokes?” Su Zimo did not answer and continued asking.
“That’s right, I said that!”
Tao Feng laughed. “Also, I’m telling you that it is the truth! If you’re unhappy, it’s easy to settle things. Just come and compete against me!”
“Junior Brother Su, compete against him! We believe in you!” Xue Yi clenched his fists.
Even though Xue Yi had not seen Su Zimo for three years, he believed that the latter’s skill in weapon refinement was still stronger than his. In fact, Su Zimo might even be able to refine middle-grade spirit weapons by now.
“Do you dare to compete, huh?” Tao Feng glared at Su Zimo in a provocative manner.
Su Zimo did not even look back and remarked indifferently, “You’re not qualified to compete with me.”
The crowd quietened down instantly.
In an instant, it became even noisier.
“Haha! This kid is really funny! He’s the first one who dares to say that Tao Feng isn’t qualified!”
“Who is this guy? He really doesn’t know his place.”
“He should be inexperienced and ignorant. To think that he would dare spout of such nonsense without even knowing who Tao Feng is, he’s really an embarrassment to Ethereal Peak.”
Laughter erupted from the crowd and many cultivators pointed and gossiped about Su Zimo.
Tao Feng was very pleased as he smiled at Su Zimo smugly, as though he was looking at a joke.
“Su Zimo?”
Suddenly, a girl’s voice that carried some doubt in it came from the other side of the crowd.
Su Zimo turned around and their eyes met.
There was a slight pause before the two of them peeled their gazes away and returned to normal.
It was Shen Mengqi!
The crowd at that side was filled with disciples from Iridescent Clouds Palace and Shen Mengqi was amongst them!
Ever since they parted ways in the capital of Yan Country, Su Zimo no longer felt any stirs in his heart now that he was seeing Shen Mengqi again.
She came to Su Zimo’s side and frowned. “It’s indeed you. Even after three years, you’re still so arrogant!”
“Do you know who he is?” Shen Mengqi pointed at Tao Feng and questioned Su Zimo.
Su Zimo shook his head. “I don’t.”
With a tinge of reprimand in her tone, Shen Mengqi said in a deep voice, “He’s Tao Feng, a Weapon Refinement Master of True Fire Sect! True Fire Sect is renowned for their ability to control flames and they will occupy at least three spots on the elixir and weapon rankings each time. As for Ethereal Peak, you guys can’t even get a single spot! How can you compete with him in terms of weapon refinement?”
“I’m not intending to compete with him. Like I said, he’s not qualified,” Su Zimo’s tone was still as calm and natural, as though he was stating a fact.
However, Su Zimo’s words only attracted even more ridicule.
Shen Mengqi laughed out of anger. “Fellow Daoist Tao Feng is lauded as the number one Weapon Refinement Master of the younger generation. Saying that he’s not qualified only exemplifies your ignorance and arrogance!”
“Indeed, truly ignorant,” Su Zimo nodded with a mocking look in his eyes.
“I believe in Junior Brother Su!”
Right then, Leng Rou spoke all of a sudden. Even though her tone was cold, it was extremely firm.
“If he says that Tao Feng isn’t qualified, Tao Feng definitely isn’t qualified!”
When he heard that, Su Zimo smiled faintly at Leng Rou and nodded his head.
Shen Mengqi felt inexplicably vexed when she saw that.
“Fellow Daoist, I can understand how you want to support your fellow sect mate. However, you can’t do it blindly or it’ll only bring shame to Ethereal Peak!”
Shen Mengqi glared at Leng Rou and sneered, “Let me tell you, there’s only one person in the capital of Great Zhou who can say that Tao Feng is not qualified. That is none other than the number one Weapon Refinement Master of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Mr. Mo, Mo Ling!”
The crowd fell silent upon hearing the words ‘Mr. Mo’.
That name indeed carried a strange magic to it.
Tao Feng nodded as well. “If Mr. Mo is here, I’m willing to listen to his teachings.”
He paused for a moment before glancing askance as Su Zimo. “But, who do you think you are!”
When Shen Mengqi saw how indifferent Su Zimo was towards the words ‘Mr. Mo’, she could not help but shake her head and sigh gently. “Seems like, you’ve never even heard of Mr. Mo before.”
Her sigh revealed a sense of superiority, as though it was an honor worth bragging about to know of Mr. Mo.
Chapter 306: Gathering
Su Zimo turned and asked with a fake smile, “Are you very close to Mr. Mo?”
“I...”
Shen Mengqi was stunned by his question and looked flustered.
As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, how would she have the chance to know Mr. Mo?
Su Zimo smiled. “Seems like you’re not close to him. In that case, have you met him before?”
Su Zimo’s gaze seemed to have a deeper meaning and it made Shen Mengqi feel inexplicably frustrated.
Composing herself, Shen Mengqi raised her chin and replied smugly, “I’ve never met Mr. Mo before but I took part in his auction once! Without experiencing and seeing it for yourself, it’s impossible for you to imagine how much influence a Weapon Refinement Master can possess!”
Su Zimo remained silent as he looked at Shen Mengqi with a faint smile on his face.
“You don’t have to look at me like that.”
Shen Mengqi harrumphed. “Who do you think Mr. Mo is? It’s only normal that I haven’t seen him before. Even among the thousands of Golden Cores sitting at the spectator area, few of them have seen the true face of Mr. Mo!”
Smiling, Su Zimo looked at Shen Mengqi quietly. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
“I just want to tell you that even though you’re here to take part in the sect competition, it doesn’t mean anything!”
Shen Mengqi clutched her fists tightly. “You’re still as brazen, arrogant and ignorant as ever! You haven’t even heard of Mr. Mo before! I advise you to not compete later on lest you embarrass yourself!”
There was something else that Shen Mengqi did not say.
Su Zimo, even though you’ve entered the cultivation world and are here at the sect competition as well, you’ll never be able to beat me!
Shen Mengqi only wanted to prove one thing.
That one single thing that she had never been able to let go for the past few years.
That year, that day, in that small town... she did not make the wrong choice.
“Your master is here too, right?” Suddenly, Su Zimo asked.
“What do you want?”
Suddenly, Shen Mengqi became nervous and frowned. “Su Zimo, I advise you to calm down. Do you have a death wish? My master was truly angered over what happened three years ago!”
Three years ago, in the capital of Yan Country, Su Zimo severely injured a group of disciples from Iridescent Clouds Palace and even killed one of them.
That matter naturally could not be hidden from Perfected Being Cang Lang.
Su Zimo smiled and said slowly, “I heard that your master, Perfected Being Cang Lang, is on good terms with Mr. Mo. In fact, Mr. Mo is even willing to customize a supreme-grade spirit weapon for him for free on just a single condition.”
Shen Mengqi’s expression changed.
That incident was an absolute humiliation for Perfected Being Cang Lang and had spread through the entire capital in less than a day.
No one in Iridescent Clouds Palace dared to discuss that matter!
With a profound gaze, Su Zimo said meaningfully, “Shen Mengqi, have you ever thought about why Mr. Mo would propose that condition?”
Almost everyone knew that the condition was for Perfected Being Cang Lang to kneel down.
At that moment, Shen Mengqi seemed to have thought of something. Just as she was in deep thought, she heard a call by her ear, interrupting her train of thought.
“Junior sister, he is Su Zimo?”
A man wearing the robes of Iridescent Clouds Palace strode over. He was handsome and extraordinary, carrying an elegance in his graceful steps as he stared at Su Zimo with a hint of killing intent.”
“Ah, he is...” Shen Mengqi replied instinctively.
She had vaguely thought of an answer to Su Zimo’s question but after being interrupted by Senior Brother Si Yutang, she could not recall anything.
“You were the one who killed one of our disciples, huh?” Si Yutang closed in to Su Zimo and asked coldly with an unfriendly expression.
“That’s me,” Su Zimo replied indifferently.
“This punk is really daring to kill cultivators of Iridescent Clouds Palace!”
“This time round, Ethereal Peak is already weak to begin with and yet they have a disciple who has so many enemies. In an instant, he offended both True Fire Sect and Iridescent Clouds Palace! I think Ethereal Peak is doomed.”
The surrounding cultivators discussed fervently at the side.
Frowning, Shen Mengqi dissuaded softly, “Senior brother, forget it. We’re in the capital of Great Zhou.”
“Forget it? Fufu.”
Si Yutang was unmoved and sneered coldly, “Si Zimo, do you dare to participate in the competition for the Spirit Ranking?”
Before Su Zimo could reply, a shout from the crowd drew away everyone’s attention.
“Look, over there!”
“He can actually fly in the capital? Who is he?”
“From the looks of it, they should be the princes!”
In the sky not far away, five men flew through the air under the escort of powerful Imperial Army Golden Cores. They were dressed in rich clothes, descending slowly onto the spectator area with a graceful bearing.
Arriving beneath the emperor’s throne, the five of them took their seats in the second major area and nodded to their surroundings.
Before long, there was another commotion among the crowd.
Not too far away, two women appeared in midair.
The woman in front had an extraordinary appearance. She had a smile on her face and body was full of curves, exuding a mature and alluring aura.
The other girl wore a pink dress and had a petite yet exquisitely shaped body. The only pity was that she was wearing a veil and her face could not be seen clearly.
Si Yutang coughed gently and declared proudly, “If I’m not wrong, the person in front should be Chief Steward Gu of the Sky Treasure Auction House!”
“Chief Steward Gu is truly a seductress,” Another cultivator looked infatuated as he gulped.
“Who is the girl behind her? Even though she’s wearing a veil, her eyes are really pretty and seem like they can speak.”
As everyone discussed, the girl in pink suddenly turned around and looked towards them.
Her big and clear eyes blinked before curving into a pair of crescents as she beamed widely.
“Look, that girl in pink is looking at me!”
“Don’t talk nonsense. She’s definitely looking at me!”
The surrounding cultivators started arguing.
Tao Feng of True Fire Sect sneered internally but he pretended to be calm and nodded towards the girl in pink.
It was the same for Si Yutang who hurriedly nodded and gestured, thinking that the girl in pink had noticed him.
When Su Zimo saw that, he sighed internally – Demoness Ji’s methods were truly formidable. If she were to grow further in the future, she would definitely be someone who could overturn the world with her fingers!
Under everyone’s watchful gazes, Gu Xi and Demoness Ji descended slowly, arriving at the second spectator area and sat down together with the princes!
Most of the cultivators were unsure who the second area was reserved for. But now, everyone was enlightened!
The second area was occupied either by the royal family or the most influential cultivators in the capital!
There weren’t many seats in the second area and there were only two remaining after Gu Xi and Demoness Ji took their seats.
“Look!”
Someone in the crowd pointed into the distance and exclaimed.
In the sky far away, a group of palace maids flew through the air. They wore thin veils with ribbons around their necks, looking extremely ravishing.
They seemed like they were treading on the clouds as they escorted a graceful and luxurious carriage over.
Within the carriage, a slender and exquisite figure sat – her appearance was faintly indiscernible under the guise of the bead curtain.
“This is...”
There were more than 100,000 cultivators surrounding the sunken area. At this moment, all of them watched with agape mouths and shocked expressions.
Chapter 307: Very Beautiful
“That must be the third princess of Great Zhou!”
“I heard that the third princess entered Azure Frost Sect for cultivation under the name of Yaoxue. Now that she has regained her identity, she will most probably not return to Azure Frost Sect.”
“I heard that the third princess is beautiful and ravishing. If only we could take a closer look at her.”
A commotion broke out among the crowd.
Pondering for a moment, Tao Feng’s eyes lit up in realization. “So, it’s Fellow Daoist Yaoxue. In that case, I’ve met the third princess before.”
“Amazing, Senior Brother Tao!”
“Senior Brother Tao, is the third princess really as beautiful as the legends say?”
Many True Fire Sect disciples beside Tao Feng revealed looks of envy as they fought to ask questions.
Tao Feng was delighted.
On the other side, Si Yutang smiled leisurely and said, “I was fortunate enough to have conversed with Fellow Daoist Yaoxue before. Back then, I already had a feeling that she was unique and had an extraordinary aura. So, this is her true identity. It’s no wonder then.”
Si Yutang’s sentence was extremely particular. On the one hand, he was boasting that he had once chatted with the third princess of Great Zhou. On the other hand, he was subtly praising himself for his keen observation.
Naturally, his words attracted flattering from a group of cultivators as well.
Apart from Iridescent Clouds Palace, Ethereal Peak and True Fire Sect, there were hundreds of Foundation Establishment disciples from Azure Frost Sect.
When they heard the discussions over at the side of Tao Feng and Si Yutang, many Azure Frost Sect disciples scoffed coldly.
One of them said, “Senior Brother Jun and Senior Sister Yaoxue are close friends and yet he isn’t even saying anything. Yet, you guys are bragging over seeing her or talking to her once. How laughable!”
“Isn’t that right! Only Senior Brother Jun is worthy of Senior Sister Yaoxue!”
The Senior Brother Jun that the Azure Frost Sect disciples were mentioning was Jun Hao, the number one of all Foundation Establishment Cultivators in Azure Frost Sect!
He had courted Yaoxue painstakingly for many years but her attitude towards him had always been neutral.
At that moment, Jun Hao was standing in front of the many disciples of Azure Frost Sect. Hands behind his back, he looked dignified and merely smiled faintly without saying anything upon hearing the comments.
As everyone discussed, the carriage that was originally headed for the spectator area suddenly paused. Changing directions, it moved towards them slowly.
“This...”
“Could it be that the third princess is coming over?”
Tao Feng suddenly straightened his clothes, feeling a little nervous.
Si Yutang’s heart also started thumping and his mouth was dry.
A thought flashed across their minds at the same moment, “Could the third princess be here to see me?”
The carriage in midair was clearly about to descend in front of them!
“Senior Sister Yaoxue is coming over!”
“Senior Brother Jun, the third princess is definitely here for you!”
A few Azure Frost Sect disciples said excitedly.
Jun Hao of Azure Frost Sect smiled and looked at the person inside the carriage with a gentle gaze.
Splash!
A white lotus-like arm reached out and lifted the bead curtain, revealing a refreshing and flawlessly beautiful face.
Everyone’s breathing stopped.
Ji Yaoxue was wearing a faint yellow long robe; it was made of unique materials and had intricate patterns carved on it, looking extremely gorgeous as though it was created by the heavens.
“So beautiful!”
The crowd gasped.
In truth, Ji Yaoxue’s appearance could not be considered as peerless nor could she match against Die Yue. She was merely comparable to Leng Rou and each had their own merits.
However, she was the princess of Great Zhou after all.
The light yellow robe on her today was extraordinary and fit her perfectly, accentuating her slim and graceful figure as well as adding a layer of class and elegance.
A Weapon Refinement Master’s eyes flickered as he said in a deep voice, “This robe is not simple. It seems to be an extremely high-graded defensive spirit weapon!”
“That’s the princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty for you. Even a single robe is a high-graded defensive spirit weapon. By the looks of it, that seems to be customized for her.”
Many cultivators revealed looks of envy.
Some of the female cultivators were even feeling jealous, fantasizing about how the pale yellow robe would look on them instead.
With light steps, Ji Yaoxue walked towards the crowd.
The crowd subconsciously parted to make way for her.
Jun Hao of Azure Frost Sect cupped his fists and said sincerely with a smile, “Junior Sister Yaoxue, it’s only been a few days since we last met but you’re really becoming prettier...”
Jun Hao could not continue.
Initially, he thought that Ji Yaoxue was here for him.
However, she merely glanced at him nonchalantly and nodded her head as a form of greeting.
Brushing by him, Ji Yaoxue did not say a single word at all.
In fact, she did not even pause for a moment.
A gust of fragrant wind blew past, leaving Jun Hao with his hands that were hovering in midair and a slightly stiff expression on his face.
Tao Feng was overjoyed when he saw that!
Although he was looking forward to it, Tao Feng did not bear much hope – after all, he had only met Ji Yaoxue once.
But now, Ji Yaoxue did not bother about Jun Hao from Azure Frost Sect and was headed in his direction!
When he saw Ji Yaoxue approaching, Tao Feng coughed lightly and revealed a bright smile. “Greetings, third princess, I am Tao...”
Tao Feng could not continue either.
Ji Yaoxue glanced at him and walked past without even nodding her head.
She looked as though she was glancing at a stranger.
Little fatty seized the rare opportunity and could not help but laugh. “My, the princess doesn’t even know who you are and yet you’re bragging about meeting her once.”
Tao Feng’s expression darkened as he snorted.
Si Yutang took a deep breath of air and calmed himself down when he saw the third princess headed towards him. He took a few steps forward and bowed slightly, cupping his fists. “I am...”
Ji Yaoxue walked past him without even glancing once at him.
Flushing red with embarrassment, Si Yutang looked awkward and wished he could dig a hole and hide in it.
“Who is the third princess looking for?”
“I don’t know.”
As Ji Yaoxue walked, the crowd dispersed to both sides and only a single person did not budge, looking extremely striking.
“Su Zimo, what are you still standing there for? Make way!”
Shen Mengqi frowned and hollered.
Su Zimo did not say anything.
Scoffing coldly, Shen Mengqi continued, “Su Zimo, perhaps no one could do anything to you in the capital for offending True Fire Sect and Iridescent Clouds Palace. However, if you offend the third princess of Great Zhou, no one can save you!”
Su Zimo remained silent.
“Why are you still as stubborn as when you were young? You refuse to kneel when you’re asked to and now, you refuse to move away as well!”
Shen Mengqi gritted her teeth and walked towards Su Zimo, wanting to push the latter away.
Right then, Ji Yaoxue had already arrived in front of Su Zimo and stopped in her tracks.
Shen Mengqi was also rooted in her tracks instinctively.
The originally noisy crowd quietened down.
Everyone’s gaze was on Ji Yaoxue while her gaze was on Su Zimo.
Their eyes met.
Ji Yaoxue turned her body slightly, causing her pale yellow dress to flutter slightly – she looked like a young girl in love.
Blinking her bright eyes, Ji Yaoxue asked with a smile, “Zimo, how is it?”
Everyone was stunned and their jaws nearly dropped to the ground.
Shen Mengqi’s mind was in a state of chaos.
Zimo?
The third princess was referring to him as Zimo?
Why was she calling him so intimately?
What rights did she have?
Ji Yaoxue’s question was vague and no one understood what she was asking.
However, she knew that Su Zimo would definitely understand.
After all, that pale yellow dress was personally gifted to her by this person.
Su Zimo nodded. “Very beautiful.”
The next moment.
She smiled like a flower.
Chapter 308: It’s Over for Ethereal Peak
In this woman’s heart, no amount of praises from anyone else could compare with the two words he had just said.
The woman’s smile stunned everyone, causing their hearts to flutter.
Many cultivators froze on the spot, unable to recover from their shocks.
There was something wrong with the conversation.
What were those two doing right in front of everyone?
Many cultivators initially had fantasies towards the third princess of Great Zhou. But now, they felt a sharp pain in their chests as though they had been severely injured.
Xue Yi muttered in disbelief, “This... Junior Brother Su actually knows the third princess?”
“Hehe.”
Little fatty pinched his chubby chin as the flames of gossip burned in his eyes. With a perverted smile, he said, “From the looks of it, their relationship isn’t simple at all.”
Tao Feng’s face darkened as he looked at Su Zimo with obvious hostility.
Si Yutang had long returned to the crowd after his utter embarrassment. He had a glum expression and snorted.
“What’s going on? She isn’t here for Senior Brother Jun?”
“Who is that man? Why is he so close to Senior Sister Yaoxue?”
Many of the Azure Frost Sect disciples frowned and whispered among themselves.
Jun Hao took a deep breath and lowered his eyes. His hands behind his back were clenched so tightly that veins popped out of them for a brief moment before disappearing thereafter.
Ji Yaoxue was delighted upon receiving Su Zimo’s acknowledgement and said softly, “Wait here for a while. The sect competition is about to start.”
“Yes.”
Su Zimo nodded.
“I’ll head over first then.”
Smiling for a moment, Ji Yaoxue waved at Su Zimo before turning to leave in front of everyone.
Her actions earlier were rather bold and she had mustered up her courage. Now that she thought about it, her heart was still pounding.
In addition to the burning gazes around her, even though she was a princess, she could not help but feel a little shy and embarrassed to continue staying.
Ji Yaoxue noticed the occasional shyness and gentleness revealed by Ji Yaoxue. He could not help but frown with a subtle sadness in his eyes.
Right after, his expression changed and his eyes flickered in thought.
Something was not right!
There was something off about what Ji Yaoxue said!
She said that the sect competition was about to start and asked Su Zimo to stay here for a while – what was she going to do after that?
Or rather, what was this Su Zimo going to do?
Wasn’t he merely going to take part in the sect competition?
“I’ll head over first then.”
That was Ji Yaoxue’s second sentence. It did not sound like much at first glance but after thinking about it carefully, there was more to it.
As a princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the place where Ji Yaoxue was headed was the second spectator area – why would she tell Su Zimo that she was heading over first?
Unless... the reason why Ji Yaoxue said that was because Su Zimo was going to head over to the same place?
But, was that possible?
What rights does a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like him from Ethereal Peak have compared to the status of the other people seated at the second spectator area?
Subtly, Jun Hao surveyed his surroundings.
Many cultivators were excited as they discussed fervently about the peerless beauty of the third princess as well as her relationship with Su Zimo.
There were also some people who were still immersed in the previous scene and were in low spirits, unable to extricate themselves.
Apart from him, no one else noticed the abnormality in Ji Yaoxue’s words.
“Perhaps I’m overthinking it.”
Jun Hao muttered to himself.
“I’ve got it!”
Right then, a cultivator in the crowd suddenly said something as though he had discovered a huge secret.
“What?” Someone else asked.
The person said slowly, “Have you guys noticed that there’s a seat left in the second spectator area after the third princess took her seat?”
“Yeah, so what?”
The person smiled smugly and replied, “I dare to bet that the seat is reserved for Mr. Mo!”
Many cultivators pondered for a while before they came to a realization.
“That’s right, it must be Mr. Mo!”
“Yes, only Mr. Mo is qualified.”
“That seat is alongside the princes and princesses and is merely beneath a single person. Indeed, only Mr. Mo is able to suppress every other Golden Core out there.”
When he heard the discussions around him, Jun Hao let out a long breath and burst out in laughter.
“Since that seat is reserved for Mr. Mo, it has nothing to do with Su Zimo. In that case, I have indeed been overthinking things.”
...
In reality, among the spectators, the elders of True Fire Sect had seen how Mr. Mo looked like in the palace.
However, there was a huge distance between the spectator area and the sunken area. Furthermore, there were more than a hundred thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators, making the crowd seem like a black patch – the elders were not paying attention to that side at all.
Most of the Golden Cores at the spectator area were chatting merrily as they toasted one another.
Even though the sect competition was between the Foundation Establishment Cultivators, it was also an opportunity for many Golden Cores to expand their networks and influence.
“Senior brother, what are you thinking about?”
Xuan Yi was staring at the large crowd of Foundation Establishment Cultivators in a daze with a hint of melancholy on his face. When Liu Hui saw that, she could not help but feel worried and asked.
Retracting his gaze, Xuan Yi shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
A commotion broke out in the crowd from afar earlier. In that confusion, he seemed to have caught sight of the sleeves of a familiar looking set of green robes. However, it was drowned in the crowd in the blink of an eye.
Xuan Yi sighed gently, knowing that he was merely hallucinating out of mental exhaustion.
“Fellow Daoist Xuan Yi.”
Right then, a greeting sounded from the side. Glancing over, Xuan Yi caught sight of the person who spoke – Perfected Being Cang Lang of Iridescent Clouds Palace.
Perfected Being Cang Lang raised his glass and asked with a smile, “I heard that Ethereal Peak has an inner sect disciple called Su Zimo. I wonder whose disciple he is?”
Xuan Yi frowned. “Why the question, Fellow Daoist Cang Lang?”
“Fu, nothing much.”
Perfected Being Cang Lang laughed gently. “I’ve got some grudges with that kid and I want to ask for him from Ethereal Peak. I wonder if you could do me the favor.”
“No!”
Xuan Yi rejected him without thinking twice.
Perfected Being Cang Lang narrowed his long eyes slightly. He said slowly with a darkened expression, “That person killed two of my sect’s disciples. How should we settle that debt?”
“They have no one to blame for dying due to their inferiority in skills. Don’t you find it shameful for a Golden Core like yourself to come seek revenge?” Xuan Yi sneered.
Perfected Being Cang Lang replied leisurely, “Xuan Yi, let me advise you not to ruin the relationship between Iridescent Clouds Palace and Ethereal Peak over a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator!”
“Are you representative of the entire Iridescent Clouds Palace, Perfected Being Cang Lang?”
With just a few words, the both of them were already at odds!
Right then, someone beside laughed sinisterly. “Brother Cang Lang, there’s no need to engage in a verbal battle with him. Ethereal Peak is already declining and yet he is so tough with his words? He’s only asking for trouble!”
“Sima Zhi, what are you trying to do?!” Xuan Yi’s expression changed slightly.
Perfected Being Cang Lang laughed. “Brother Sima, what do you need from me?”
Sima Zhi of True Fire Sect remarked casually, “Ethereal Peak merely brought a couple of people this time round. As long as our sects join forces for the Spirit Ranking competition, Ethereal Peak can do nothing even if they have a five meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivator!”
“Very well, we’ll let Ethereal Peak return empty-handed without a single spot this time round!”
A look of mockery flashed in Perfected Being Cang Lang’s eyes as he laughed. “One of the five major sects? Fufu, it’s over for Ethereal Peak!”
Chapter 309: Please Head to the Spectator Area
“Despicable!”
Xuan Yi clenched his fists and cursed through gritted teeth.
To begin with, Ethereal Peak was already weaker for this sect competition with only a single five meridian Foundation Establishment Cultivator who could compete. If he was specifically targeted, they would stand no chance at all.
“Roar!”
Right then, a heaven-shaking roar could be heard from the distant horizon, shaking the entire void in an extremely imposing manner.
Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat as they looked over.
Five massive and ferocious lions rushed over side by side with an aggressive momentum. They were covered with golden fur from head to toe without any impurities, as though their bodies were burning with golden flames.
“Those are Golden Lions!”
“Golden Lions are ancient remnant beasts that are at Golden Core realm!”
The five Golden Lions were tied with iron chains and dragged an ancient war chariot behind them.
On it, a middle-aged man stood wearing a long golden robe. His eyes were like lightning, exuding authority by themselves and he exuded a domineering aura that swept across the world!
The man on the chariot was none other than the Emperor of Great Zhou!
“Greetings, Your Majesty!”
All the Imperial Army soldiers knelt on one knee and roared in unison. They were so loud that it was terrifying!
All the Golden Cores at the spectator area got up hurriedly and cupped their fists, nodding in acknowledgment.
“Soldiers, please rise. Everyone, please sit.”
The emperor’s tone was calm as he leaped down from the war chariot. Arriving at the highest seat of the spectator area, he sat down.
...
“I finally caught sight of the Emperor of Great Zhou. We didn’t come for this sect competition in vain.”
“What a strong aura. I almost knelt down because of it too!”
Around the four jade pillars, many Foundation Establishment Cultivators were impressed by the magnificence of the emperor as they discussed excitedly in hushed voices.
Su Zimo’s expression was indifferent and his eyes were calm as water – it was as though he was unaffected by the emperor’s arrival.
Shen Mengqi swept her glance over and asked in a seemingly casual manner, “Su Zimo, how did you know the princess of Great Zhou?”
“What has it got to do with you?” Su Zimo asked instead without even looking at Shen Mengqi.
She harrumphed coldly. “Shen Mengqi, don’t be smug. What’s so great about knowing the princess?”
“Besides, let me remind you that you were already enemies of Iridescent Clouds Palace and True Fire Sect to begin with. Now, even the disciples of Azure Frost Sect are showing signs of hostility towards you because of the princess!”
Scoffing coldly, Shen Mengqi continued, “The princess’s actions have unknowingly established many powerful foes for you. Let’s see how you deal with things later on!”
Su Zimo smiled calmly.
Spectator area.
The emperor pushed his hands down the air and the crowd gradually quietened.
In a low voice, the emperor said, “The sect competition’s about to begin soon. Before this, I want to introduce a Weapon Refinement Master that I believe everyone has heard of.”
“The number one Weapon Refinement Master of Great Zhou!”
“Mr. Mo, Mo Ling!”
“Of course we know about him!”
Many Golden Cores at the spectator area smiled and nodded with anticipation in their eyes.
The emperor continued, “Although all of you have heard of his name, not many have seen his true appearance.”
“That’s right.”
Perfected Being Yi Ning smiled bitterly. “Previously, I wanted to thank Mr. Mo personally. It’s a pity I didn’t get to meet him.”
Perfected Being Yun Shan of Southern Mountains Sect nodded as well. “That’s right. Mr. Mo is way too mysterious.”
The emperor smiled and said, “I invited Mr. Mo here to be the judge of the weapon refinement segment for the sect competition this time round. Soon, all of you will be able to meet him.”
Many Golden Cores were shaken.
Which Golden Core wouldn’t want to befriend a Weapon Refinement Master who could customize supreme-grade spirit weapons?
Perfected Being Cang Lang narrowed his eyes and scanned the surroundings.
He wanted to see who exactly this Mr. Mo was and what grudges they had such that the latter humiliated him in public!
Around the four jade pillars, many Foundation Establishment Cultivators stared at the distant sky with widened eyes, wanting to see the legendary Mr. Mo at the first instance.
“How do you guys think Mr. Mo’s going to arrive?”
“Don’t worry, his entrance will definitely not be lesser compared to the princes and princesses.”
“Given Mr. Mo’s status and strength, I believe he can even ride a pure-blooded ferocious beast over.”
Everyone discussed excitedly.
Little fatty turned around as well and asked excitedly, “Bro, how old do you think Mr. Mo is? How does he look like?”
Su Zimo replied, “In his twenties...”
“Hahaha!”
The moment Su Zimo spoke, everyone burst into laughter. Many people looked at Su Zimo as though they were looking at an idiot.
Tao Feng’s eyes were filled with mockery as he chuckled. “Weapon Refinement Masters of Ethereal Peak are truly jokes! Fufu!”
Shen Mengqi frowned. “Su Zimo, if you don’t know, just say that you don’t know. Nobody is going to blame you for that. By spouting nonsense, you will only attract ridicule by others and expose your ignorance!”
“Oh?” Su Zimo raised his brow.
Shen Mengqi continued in a low voice, “Mr. Mo can customize supreme-grade spirit weapons. Do you think that someone in his twenties can do that? Even someone like me who doesn’t know how to refine weapons know of that logic.”
At that moment, the emperor’s voice sounded once more.
“In fact, Mr. Mo has long arrived and he’s amongst you guys!”
“Ah?
“Mr. Mo is already here? Where?”
At the spectator area, all the Golden Cores turned around instinctively, only to realize that the people around them were also looking back with confused expressions.
The emperor raised his voice, “Mr. Mo, please head to the spectator area.”
The moment he finished speaking, more than a thousand Golden Cores and more than a hundred thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators fell silent suddenly.
Everyone scanned their surroundings constantly with bated breaths.
Everyone from Ethereal Peak, Tao Feng, Jun Hao, Si Yutang and Shen Mengqi were searching instinctively as well.
All of a sudden!
A figure moved past the crowd, attracting the attention of everyone.
“Su Zimo, what are you doing?!”
Shen Mengqi frowned and yelled.
Su Zimo was unmoved.
Tao Feng laughed coldly. “This guy really doesn’t know any better. He’s even acting brazenly before the emperor!”
“They’re calling for Mr. Mo, not you...” Shen Mengqi shouted again. However, her expression changed starkly, as though she had suddenly realized something.
Seemingly oblivious to everything, Su Zimo continued to walk forward. He patted little fatty who was dumbstricken on the shoulders and smiled faintly before exiting the crowd.
Jun Hao of Azure Frost Sect shuddered as he looked at Su Zimo’s back view, guessing a vague possibility.
It did not matter how absurd or crazy that possibility was.
In the blink of an eye, Su Zimo was exposed in the midst of more than a hundred thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators!
Under everyone’s scorching gazes, Su Zimo did not look uneasy at all. Instead, he walked forward calmly with his hands behind his back.
Crossing the sunken area, he headed towards the spectator area.
“Who is that person? Why is he heading there?”
“He’s only in his twenties, he can’t be Mr. Mo!”
“That’s right! How can Mr. Mo be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!”
Many cultivators in the crowd sneered.
After sneering, everyone looked at Su Zimo who was getting further away from them. Suddenly, a strange silence filled the crowd.
A weak voice sounded, “None of us have ever met Mr. Mo before. Why can’t he be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in his twenties?”
No one replied.
Everyone was waiting for an answer.
Chapter 310: All Eyes Were on Him!
In the spectator area, the many Golden Cores started scanning their surroundings and discussing the moment the emperor finished his sentence – all of them wanted to spot Mr. Mo right away.
Some Golden Cores noticed a green-robed cultivator approaching from afar but they did not take it to heart.
That was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in his twenties after all and no one paid attention.
However, as time passed by, no one within the spectator area stood forth. However, the green-robed cultivator who was headed over approached closer and closer.
More Golden Cores were starting to notice this.
Elder Zhang of True Fire Sect had met Mo Ling in the palace before. When he caught sight of the green-robed cultivator heading over, he merely harrumphed.
However, Elder Zhang focused his gaze immediately after and it remained stuck on the sect badge that was hanging on the green-robed cultivator’s waist.
While he had indeed caught sight of Mo Ling’s appearance before, he did not know of the latter’s true identity, let alone know what the latter had to do with Ethereal Peak.
Sima Zhi frowned and asked, “Elder Zhang, haven’t you met this Mo Ling before? Where is he?”
“How could this be? How could this be!”
“H-He’s from Ethereal Peak...”
Elder Zhang did not seem to have heard anything as he muttered to himself in a lost manner.
Golden Cores of the five major sects were seated in the third spectator area.
All of them noticed Elder Zhang’s abnormality and looked down in the direction of his gaze.
The Golden Cores of Azure Frost Sect and Southern Mountains Sect did not have much of a reaction, merely frowning – they were puzzled as to why this Foundation Establishment Cultivator of Ethereal Peak was walking over.
However, Perfected Being Cang Lang narrowed his eyes and there was a flash of killing intent in them!
Su Zimo!
Do you think that I won’t be able to lay my hands on you because you have Ethereal Peak backing you?
Perfected Being Cang Lang sneered and finished his wine in one gulp.
“Ah!”
Liu Hui gasped and looked at the green-robed cultivator who was afar in disbelief.
Xuan Yi’s expression changed as well. In the midst of his emotional turmoil, he leaped up with joy in his eyes!
He’s not dead!
He was indeed still alive!
At that moment, Xuan Yi suddenly felt much relieved.
The fact that Su Zimo wasn’t dead meant that he would have a successor for his sword formation techniques.
Perhaps, if Su Zimo were to head back and cultivate for another ten years, with his talent, he might be able to leave his name on the Weapon Ranking for the next sect competition!
Or perhaps... if he were to train for another ten years, Su Zimo might even be able to vie for the Spirit Ranking!
At that thought, Xuan Yi could not help but smile to himself.
It did not matter even if Ethereal Peak did not obtain a single spot for the sect competition this time round – Su Zimo’s survival meant that there was still hope for Ethereal Peak.
“If Wen Xuan knew that you were still alive, perhaps he would feel better...”
Xuan Yi lamented internally.
...
Many Golden Cores frowned in displeasure as they watched the approaching green-robed cultivator below the spectator area.
After all, the seats were only meant for Golden Cores and not any random Foundation Establishment Cultivators; even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Ethereal Peak was not spared from the rules!
The discussions in the spectator area grew louder as many Golden Cores were upset.
At the entrance of the spectator, the three guard squad commanders, the bearded man, Bai Yuhan and Bald Vulture were calm and ignored everyone.
“Hey!”
One of the Golden Cores drank quite a bit and his cheeks were red. With alcohol bolstering his courage, he stood up and shouted to the three commanders.
“Fellow... Fellow Daoists! Who is that!” The man raised his wine glass and pointed to Su Zimo unsteadily while burping.
The three commanders lowered their eyes and remained silent.
The person’s body swayed and looked intoxicated as he shouted, “This is the spectator area for Golden Cores! What’s that person doing here? You guys are guards of the capital and Imperial Army soldiers! Why aren’t you chasing him away!”
The three commanders remained motionless, as if they had not heard anything.
The discussion in the spectator area quietened gradually.
Some of the sharper cultivators slowly regained their senses.
The three commanders were not stopping the green-robed cultivator who was approaching and the emperor was being silent about it as well!
What did that mean?
Psst!
Many cultivators gasped and their expressions changed.
Could it be...
Could that young Foundation Establishment Cultivator be...
The drunk Golden Core sobered up a little as well. Shaking his head, he struggled to open his eyes and look at the approaching person.
At that moment, the gazes of more than a thousand Golden Cores and more than a hundred thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators landed on that green-robed cultivator who was about to step on the golden carpet!
All eyes were on him!
Su Zimo arrived before the spectator area and the three commanders on both sides bowed with cupped fists. “Please take your seat, Mr. Mo.”
Nodding his head, Su Zimo stepped on the golden carpet and walked up with a calm expression!
Boom!
Those words fell as if a gigantic rock was thrown into the middle of a calm lake surface, causing a storm to brew in everyone’s hearts!
The massive square was completely silent at that moment, as though everyone was strangled by an invisible force and could not breathe.
It was the same at the spectator area as well.
Above and below, time seemed to have stopped.
Everyone was petrified on the spot motionlessly and the green-robed cultivator on the golden carpet was the only one who was continuing with his footsteps one by one!
Clang!
The wine glass in the hands of the drunken Golden Core fell to the ground with a resounding clash.
That sound seemed to break the frozen time.
Breaking out in cold sweat, that person sobered up instantly and shuddered at the thought of what he had just said. He cupped his fists and bowed hurriedly, saying with a frantic expression, “G-G-Greetings, Mr. Mo!”
The cultivators at the bottom spectator area were all itinerant cultivators.
Most of the itinerant cultivators had not experienced massive events and coupled with how prominent Mo Ling’s name was, they were shocked – some of them even jolted up instinctively.
“Mr. Mo!”
“Mr. Mo!”
As Su Zimo advanced, rows of Golden Cores stood up on both sides of the spectator area, bowing with cupped fists – it was a spectacular sight.
It was a formidable event!
At that moment, everyone forgot about the age and cultivation of that man before them.
All they could feel was shock and awe coming from the green-robed cultivator. He had an aura superior to everything that was impossible to resist!
The higher the stairs, the greater the strength and status of the Golden Cores on both sides.
Initially, some of the Golden Cores at the back had no intention of standing up to greet because of their statuses.
However, they were helpless against the hundreds of Golden Cores before them who were standing up. They would seem like eyesores if they continued sitting.
With almost no time to contemplate, coupled with the fact that their minds were in a mess, they stood up automatically when Su Zimo approached.
As Su Zimo walked, the Golden Cores at the spectator area had all turned into part of the background.
“Well, well, well!”
Xuan Yi’s heart skipped a beat as he remarked repeatedly.
Even as a Golden Core, Liu Hui covered her mouth with reddened eyes. Finally, she could not contain her emotions and cried.
When they arrived in the capital, they had suffered too much ridicule and mocking gazes.
News of how Ethereal Peak was weakened, how Ethereal Peak could not hang on anymore and how they were about to be kicked out of the five major sects spread endlessly.
She had no way of refuting all of that.
But at this moment, all of those rumors were gone with the wind!
She finally understood why the three commanders told them that Ethereal Peak was about to become famous again!
From this day forth, who would dare claim that Ethereal Peak has nobody worthy!
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