Chapter 356

Chapter 356: Chapter 355 Flying Knife Sect, Ancient Tomb Sect, Yaochi, Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect—the strongest among the younger generation of female disciples from these four great Ancient Martial Sects will enter into a great battle. This is the duel of the Ancient Martial Sects!

The initiator was the Yaochi Sect because within their Sect, Qing Chengyue was hailed as the most rare martial arts prodigy in hundreds of years. At the mere age of twenty, she could already exchange dozens of moves with her master, the Sect Leader of the Yaochi, without defeat. Such battle strength truly amazed many people.

"I only hope that the Martial Arts World can have fewer disputes and no more excessive slaughter. Whether I win or lose, I hope everyone will adhere to the alliance’s agreement and stop the senseless fighting!"

Dongfang Meng sat cross-legged on a large rock, adjusting herself to her best state. The upcoming battle was unimaginable—Qing Chengyue, a mysterious woman whose appearance was unknown to almost everyone, was so powerful that no one dared to underestimate her.

"Oh, so Dongfang Meng, you actually have a heart full of benevolence. I heard that when your master died, she was still thinking about the Ancient Martial Sect Alliance. You truly share one heart with your master!"

Tianshuang seemed to disdain Dongfang Meng and was always targeting her with her words.

"Now that you’re the only one left in the Ancient Tomb Sect, is it going to be disbanded?" Xie Yuhe also spoke with a light smile.

Dongfang Meng glanced at Tianshuang and Xie Yuhe. Their sharp and harsh words made her uncomfortable, yet she still held back from striking out. After all, Qing Chengyue had not yet arrived, and it was very likely that she would be Dongfang Meng’s most formidable opponent in this competition. There was no need to waste Inner Strength on Xie Yuhe and Tianshuang—otherwise, she would stand no chance against Qing Chengyue when the time came.

It could not be said that Tianshuang and Xie Yuhe were being unduly harsh. After all, the four female disciples from the Ancient Martial Sects came to the city for the purpose of martial competition—it was a fight where life and death were determined by fate. Being kind and pleasant to others wouldn’t stop them from killing you, so what was the point? It was better to speak your mind freely and be ready to strike with full force later.

"You two better shut up and conserve your energy. I think Qing Chengyue will arrive soon. Don’t die without even knowing how it happened!" Dongfang Meng still spoke in a cold voice.

"You... I want to see the Jade Maiden Heart Scripture of the Ancient Tomb Sect for myself. It’s said to be on par with Shaolin’s Yijin Jing—I want to know if that’s true!" Tianshuang glared fiercely at Dongfang Meng as she spoke.

"Without a man for Dual Cultivation, the Jade Maiden Heart Scripture can never reach Great Perfection. In other words, Dongfang Meng, your Jade Maiden Heart Scripture has at best reached the Ninth Level, unable to attain the Tenth Level of Great Perfection. You can’t possibly be the final victor in this battle!"

Xie Yuhe glanced at Dongfang Meng, then sat down on the ground to adjust her body’s condition, aiming to reach her peak state.

The four great beauties of the Ancient Martial Sects were already present, with only the legendary Qing Chengyue yet to arrive. Although the other three had verbal disputes, none of them were foolish enough to strike first. Whoever did would exhaust their Inner Strength, and when the real battle erupted, they would surely be at a disadvantage. Facing opponents no weaker than themselves, that would be tantamount to suicide.

Ye Tianchen crouched on a large tree, observing everything below. He hid his presence completely, knowing that if Dongfang Meng and the other two women discovered him now, he would likely be the one surrounded and attacked.

This time, Ye Tianchen had not anticipated stumbling upon the competition between the four great beauties of the Ancient Martial Sects. Actually, it was Yang Yi and the senior officials’ intention for him to closely monitor the battle of the four beauties while also protecting Dongfang Meng—to prevent her from killing others and from being killed. He really didn’t understand what the senior officials were thinking. Although a bit perplexed, after hearing the conversation between Dongfang Meng and the others, Ye Tianchen could guess a thing or two.

First of all, the Ancient Martial Sects had never ceased their lineage from ancient times to the present. They had survived countless dynastic changes and stood unshakeably, which was nothing short of a miracle. Many Sects had histories far longer than that of the modern nation.

Furthermore, no dynasty had ever been able to control the Ancient Martial Sects, and the current nation was no exception. Therefore, the nation could only monitor and control some information. Over the years, the Ancient Martial Sects must have undergone many upheavals, with much bloodshed and unrest. It just hadn’t spilled over to affect the common people yet, but this was also a national concern, which was why there was a desire to closely monitor everything.

Secondly, from Dongfang Meng’s words, it was evident that the Ancient Tomb Sect truly aspired for a grand alliance of the Ancient Martial Sects. To put it bluntly, it was like the past, establishing a Martial Arts Alliance to elect an Alliance Hierarch to lead the Great Sects. This could at least reduce some conflicts and killings. The national leadership would certainly approve, as it would spare the nation a lot of trouble. Thus, another reason for Ye Tianchen to protect Dongfang Meng was precisely this.

Not allowing Dongfang Meng to kill or be killed, Ye Tianchen now understood the meaning of that phrase. If Dongfang Meng were killed, it would mean the loss of a person who hoped for peace in the martial world. If Dongfang Meng killed Xie Yuhe, Tianshuang, or even Qing Chengyue, it would inevitably provoke the Flying Knife Sect, the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect, and the Yaochi Sect.

None of these three major Ancient Martial Sects would let such actions go unavenged, and it was very likely that it would lead to the first major conflict among Ancient Martial Sects in hundreds of years, potentially endangering ordinary people.

Thus, Ye Tianchen realized his mission: to ensure the four great beauties of the Ancient Martial Sects dueled, without letting any of them die; this would be the best way to handle the situation.

Even if all four were gravely wounded and had to return to their respective Sects to recover, it would still be much better; at the least, it wouldn’t trigger a war among the Sects. And since each of the Sects had agreed on a life-and-death contract for this duel, no Sect would forego their honor and start a full-scale war, although they might engage in underhanded retaliation.

Ye Tianchen looked up at the sky, where the bright moon hung full and luminous, its light extending to the point of illuminating the dense woods behind Longteng University. He waited until close to five o’clock in the deep of night, when Tianshuang and Xie Yuhe both started getting impatient, as Qing Chengyue had yet to make an appearance. The time and place for their duel, a life-or-death challenge, had long been set, and her absence raised the question: was she planning to break the agreement by not showing up?

"Why hasn’t Qing Chengyue arrived yet? We’ve been waiting for such a long time; I think once she arrives, we should join forces to kill her first!" Tianshuang voiced her displeasure.

"Dawn is approaching, and if she doesn’t show up, our duel will be broken. Could it be something has happened?" Xie Yuhe asked, puzzled.

Logically, Qing Chengyue would not fail to appear. The life-and-death challenge was critical for the honor of the Four Great Sects. If she didn’t appear, Yaochi’s status among the many Ancient Martial Sects would greatly diminish, and the Sect would face scorn, being accused of cowardice and that Qing Chengyue was nothing but an empty name.

For those in Ancient Martial Sects, their reputation was often more important than their life. They would honor an arrangement, especially something as significant as a duel, unless they encountered truly extraordinary circumstances.

"We have less than two hours until sunrise. It seems Qing Chengyue will not come. I don’t have time to play with you. If you want to fight, I’m up for it; otherwise, I’m leaving..."

Tianshuang stood up, turned, and prepared to leave.

"Sister Tianshuang, why not stay for a while and fight? We still have over two hours; how about it?" Xie Yuhe suddenly blocked Tianshuang’s path, looking at her coldly.

Tianshuang’s brow furrowed instantly, not expecting Xie Yuhe to dare block her path. She rotated her right palm gently, and a wave of frigid air capable of freezing everything in its path enveloped her, turning her whole being bitterly cold.

Ye Tianchen, from his vantage point in the tree, couldn’t help but frown. This woman’s Inner Strength was filled with bone-chilling coldness. It was a mystery which Sect’s Internal Cultivation Methods she had practiced to retain such cold within her body and turn it to her advantage.

Although Qing Chengyue might not arrive, or indeed, perhaps wouldn’t come at all, the planned duel of the four beauties of the Ancient Martial Sects could not unfold without her. Yet, here were Dongfang Meng, Tianshuang, and Xie Yuhe, and their own duel had not begun. To end now would not sit well with Xie Yuhe who was, just like Tianshuang, never one to shy from battle. The most composed among the three was Dongfang Meng, who had been quietly sitting cross-legged on a nearby boulder all along, adjusting her state to its optimal condition.

"If you want to fight, then I’ll accommodate you!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Tianshuang sent a palm strike towards Xie Yuhe, instantly generating a massive apparition of a hand emblazoned with a cold glimmer. Before it even reached Xie Yuhe, it had already frozen everything within a radius of ten meters!

Watching, Ye Tianchen was taken aback, not expecting Tianshuang to possess such powerful offensive techniques. The Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect, founded on the pursuit of life’s enigmas, held such deadly skills; it was indeed not to be underestimated.

Whoosh!

A Flying Knife shot forward, aimed directly at the heart of the icy palm descending upon her...

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian, where your support is my greatest motivation.)