Three days later, once the shock died out from Zhuo Fan's punch and Exalted Double Dragon's ruling, the lower three sects stage resumed. Only this time, it was just between two sects.
Even so, the delegates from every nation looked more excited than ever.
Zhuo Fan and Demon Scheming Sect had given them a nice surprise, and the news spread like wildfire to other sects.
To the point every sect was here when the fighting resumed, to this unprecedented grand occasion.
"Look, Demon Soul Sect is here!"
Han Yunfeng came with a dozen other people, taking their seats with self-important attitudes. They even had their elders along. He didn't come with his brothers alone this time, since Zhuo Fan's power concerned his entire sect, while also letting his juniors see what they would have to face later on.
They just took their seats when another cry came. The new group came right for them, in the lead was a guy with a wide smile.
"That's the strongest middle three sect, Sword God Sect!"
"Wen Tao?" Han Yunfeng squinted and fixed his eyes on the leader.
The nice and elegant young master, whose smile never seemed to fall, looked over with sharp eyes, the only feature of his face that changed. Yet the same eyes sent fear in any that met them.
Second young master Han cried, "Gentle Sword Wen Tao? He's actually in the 4th layer Ethereal Stage! Not even outdone by the geniuses of the superior three sects."
"He is another genius, the adversary in our generation." Han Yunfeng huffed.
In other words, if Zhuo Fan had been out of the picture, they would be focusing on Wen Tao, the best talent in the middle three sects.
He acted like Han Yunfeng's hostility wasn't even there, laughing as he cupped his hands, "Young master Han, it's been a while, and I see you made progress, to the 2nd layer of Ethereal Stage. Congratulations, ha-ha-ha…"
"Are you mocking me, is that it? You who have two layers over me?" Han Yunfeng was outraged.
Wen Tao waved him off, "Oh, you misunderstand me so. I was being honest here. I heard you were here when the lower three sects fought three days ago. Is that kid that got the Exalted to come for really that amazing? Will he be a threat to us?"
"Humph, watch, and you'll see!" Han Yunfeng refused to answer him.
Wen Tao scratched his nose, looking at him with glum, "I was only asking, no need to be so petty about it. Like I don't have any other means of knowing."
Wen Tao pulled a stern youth over, "Junior brother, tell them of your relation to that guy."
"I am Xie Tianshang, from Tianyu. I once fought alongside Zhuo." His face was as grave as before, his eyes flashing.
Zhuo Fan would've flipped his lid if he knew. [The hell are you doing here when you should be helping out Luo Alliance back in Tianyu!]
Wen Tao laughed, his face all smug like, "See that? I have way more info than you. How about an exchange?"
Han Yunfeng's reply was a sneer.
"Look, Heaven Trailing Sect is here!" Another cried.
"Wasn't Heaven Trailing Sect the head of Tianyu's three guardian sects? We should be asking them for info on the Demon Scheming Sect."
Wen Tao's eyes darted around, waving Han Yunfeng off as he went for Heaven Trailing Sect, "Forgive me, we'll be leaving now. We'll talk later, ha-ha-ha… "
Han Yunfeng's face sank.
Second young master Han was stunned, "Is Wen Tao really the best genius from the middle three sects? He doesn't look like much, just your average scholar- "
"You know nothing!" Han Yunfeng snapped, "Wen Tao is called Gentle Sword because he is a wolf in sheep's clothing, one that uses a heavy hand with a soft touch. You never fought him, so you don't know his style, his scholarly air hiding a savage beast. He combines two sword styles in one, which is why is called Gentle Sword, for being gentle on the outside while hiding a sword behind. Finding out you were taken out in the gentlest way is the worst! Dazzling and beautiful is what hides the power of his strikes."
Shuddering on the inside, second young master Han gasped.
"Get lost!"
Han Yunfeng's group smiled, "Superior three sects are here as well. The kid's strength touched every one of the sects. All are here to see him. They must all feel threatened, ha-ha-ha…"
Under the shock of all, Yan Mo brought Hellion Flame's disciples to his seats. Even Elder Qing Ya was here.
The people darted out of the way, not wanting to curb their lives short.
"Yu Mei, you saw him, right? Is he that strong?"
"Why else would there be so many people here?"
"How is he compared to brother Yan?"
"Er…"
Hellion Flame's disciples were all asking the only one who had seen Zhuo Fan in action. But when it came to this question, she was put on the spot, looking at Yan Mo for an answer.
Yan Mo ahemed, and that was it.
"Ha-ha-ha, Yan Mo, it's been ages, right? How have you been?" A lively voice came in time to save her from answering.
"Ultimate Clarity Sect, Wu Qingqiu!"
Yan Mo squinted, turning to the group coming over, with a youth in blue leading them.
Yan Mo cupped his hands leisurely and then mocked, "So the great best talent in western lands knows fear after all. Are you scared the kid is going to steal your precious title?"
"Ha-ha-ha, not at all. Ultimate Clarity Sect focuses on clarity. Being free and elegant, to not let fame and fortune weigh us down. The title means nothing to me. You are welcome to take it if you want to."
"Humph, I will do just that, once I beat you. Saying this now is like mocking me!" Yan Mo glared.
Wu Qingqiu sighed, "That is hardly my intention. Today's fame might be another's tomorrow's. Why should one even care? Moreover, the new always replaces the old. In this world, one can not just keep his position forever."
Wu Qingqiu glanced over at the youth in gray next to him.
Yan Mo squinted at the youth, then he felt his heart thumping, feeling danger for some odd reason.
[W-what the hell? Who on earth is he? Why do I feel so scared?]
The youth met Yan Mo's shocked eyes and smiled, cupping his hands, "I am Ye Lin, Zhuo Fan's only rival. No one else is worthy."
Yan Mo shook to the bone, staring at the youth yet nothing came out of his mouth. He was so overwhelmed he couldn't even retort.
Just like how a beast would meet the king of beasts and would instantly bow down. This was a feeling not even Zhuo Fan gave him. His scalp felt numb and soaked, his heart frantic.
The unshakable fear brought shocked him even more as to who this guy was.
"The world's justice can only come from us, Righteous Sect!"
A shout announced the coming of a dozen disciples in yellow, strutting on the scene like they owned the place. The leader was an imposing and charismatic man, tall and sturdy, "When a demon rises, my justice shall prevail it. I, Zhao Dezhu, will grasp victory!"
Wu Qingqiu's face twitched watching them strut and sighed, "This has always been Universal Righteous Sect's style, zealous in its bigotry. Taking it upon itself to purge demons from this world. Now that it knew the Demon Scheming Sect had reared its head, they came to destroy them."
"Hump, purge demons? The last of the superior three sects always ends up losing against my Hellion Flame. Yet they dare preach about purging demons?"
Yan Mo mocked, "Universal Righteous Sect only knows how to run their mouths. Zhao Dezhu? Who on earth can he take on? "
Wu Qingqiu laughed and nodded, "With his narrowed righteous path, he can't hold anyone on it. Not to mention, Exalted Hei Ran is also a demonic cultivator, ha-ha-ha… "
Whoosh!
The judging elder appeared on stage, his presence demanding silence. He bowed to no one and said, "Please take your seats, Exalted!"
Whoosh~
The Exalted Double Dragon appeared in their highest seats and the crowd bowed at once.
Bai Mei waved, "No need for courtesy, people. Are the participating sects present?"
"Mystical Heaven Sect and Demon Scheming Sect's disciples, enter!" The judge nodded and shouted.
The two sects' disciples walked in, with everyone's gazes fixed on the one leading the Demon Scheming Sect's team.
Yet Zhuo Fan did not go on stage, opting to go to the Demon Scheming Sect's resting area and plop his but down.
The crowd started, then Zhuo Fan lifted a finger and with a flash, words appeared on the wall, "Witness the peak and the pinnacle—me,
Gathering geezers three by three
The wine shall be endless, all night we could revel
If only there was one who could get on my level?"
[Such crass!]
The disciples of all sects glared in fury, while Universal Righteous Sect was positively berserk about it. Zhao Dezhu even rained down profanities, "Accursed demonic degenerate, where do you come from talking like this? My Universal Righteous Sect will crush you where you stand, pulverize your every cell!"
The other sects, who on a good day would be revolted by Universal Righteous Sect's incessant and unsound zealotry, had to agree with them on this point, with a most outstanding thumbs up.
[The punk is too outrageous. He needs some sense beaten into him, hard!]
Wu Qingqiu chuckles," He won't fight yet wrote those taunting words. He wants everyone to fight him!"
"'Witness the peak and the pinnacle—me,
Gathering geezers three by three
The wine shall be endless, all night we could revel
If only there was one who could get on my level?' I am ready, having set the wine, so throw your pesky ants at me if you got what it takes. I'll take them all on!
Ye Lin translated the lines, "Senior brother, that's his intent."
Wu Qingqiu nodded, "Ha-ha-ha, 'who can get on my level'. Junior brother won't go on stage unless there's someone challenging him. But you won't be drinking wine with him, instead, you'll have to endure all he gives you. Alas, now all sects' experts are itching to put him in his place."
Just as he said, Wen Tao and the others exploded with bloodthirst.
Yan Mo noticed as well, but he disdain, having already fought with Zhuo Fan, "Who among them will make it? It'll be easy to get him on stage, but to fight him? Wu Qingqiu, even you'll have a hard time."
Wu Qingqiu gave him a deep look, his heart tense.
It was a first to see this proud man say such words. Then he smiled, "That hardly matters. What's important is that we have someone to fight him."
Wu Qingqiu patted Ye Lin with a vague smile. Ye Lin did not mind, his eyes fixed on Zhuo Fan.
Zhuo Fan shuddered and looked among the crowd, searching.
[Him!]
The two's eyes finally met…
This feeling of meeting an age-long enemy filled them with the joy of reunion, hostility, and thirst for battle.
"I'll wait for you on the superior three sects stage!" Ye Lin mouthed.
Zhuo Fan's brow shook and nodded.
Yan Mo shuddered, noticing their fixed gazes. This only happened among people of similar power.
It only proved that this guy was as strong as Zhuo Fan, if not stronger.
Yan Mo's heart felt heavy as he sighed.
[Curses, another abomination cropped up…]
The Exalted Double Dragons chuckled on the inside.
[This kid is more outrageous than Sheng by a mile. I told him he can't go on stage yet and the brat set the stage for others to do it for him, and all by merely taunting the other eight sects.]
Such dauntless courage had them admiring him. [Only a man with true aspiration can pursue the truth!]
"Bai Mei, is he good for Double Dragon Manor now?"
"Ha-ha-ha, more than good." Exalted Bai Mei took out a roster and wrote Zhuo Fan on the very distant line.
And so, the first candidate for Double Dragon Manor's disciples was set.
"Let the drawing begin!"
The judge brought the boxes with numbers back, unaware of the exalteds' agreement with Zhuo Fan, "Demon Scheming Sect, you only have nine fighters?"
"What's the point of all fighting against them?" Fiend Yang mocked. Mystical Heaven Sect gnashed their teeth in hatred. [They're after us!]
Unaware Fiend Yang and his disciples' brains were mush.
Ever since Zhuo Fan came back with the girls, he decided all by himself that he would not go up there unless the challenger was worth his time. This stumped the three venerables.
They did not force the issue, since even without Zhuo Fan, their team had enough oomph to get them through most fights.
[Who the hell was strong enough to fight him anyway?]
"That would mean one of your fights will be a forfeit and minus two points on the evaluation." The judge reminded, "Leaving Beast Taming Sect's incident aside, Mystical Heaven Sect's fight would be an automated win. That would make their score equal to yours, at 20 points."
"It's fine."
Like a true bigshot, Fiend Yang did not care and laughed, "Let them have those measly points, we'll just get them back with interest. We'll win the remaining 18 points and that is that. 18 vs 2 points would hardly make a difference in the long run."
Mystical Heaven Sect's team was itching to punch Fiend Yang into the ground.
Though all they could do was sigh.
[They do have the power to back it up.] Only Elder Yun squinted with an insidious plan cooking in his eyes.
The judge shook his head, "Since you're so great, please draw first."
Each sect's disciple got his opponent in no time. But looking at the lineup, Elder Yun lit up, "Good, we might still have a chance. Qingcheng, I'll propose a four-on-four fight to the judge, so you can use the formation you're most familiar with. You need to pay attention to Lu Xie the most, the other three won't matter. "
Chu Qingcheng tightened her grip on the sword and nodded.
Fiend Yang was frowning, "Tie Ying, Kui Gang, Yue'er, you'll be up against their strongest fighters. The odds aren't certain of success. Then there's Jade Sword Fairy Shui Ruohua, the leader of Mystical Heaven Sect's four swords, in the 9th layer Radiant Stage. Kui Gang, can you handle it?"
"No problem, we are geared up!" Kui Gang sounded a bit forced but was not going to back down.
Fiend Yang shook his head and sneered, "And you think they aren't? Shui Ruohua's Dipper Sword is a 7th-grade spiritual weapon. In the end, it'll come down to strength after all."
Ugh!
Kui Gang paused.
Zhuo Fan smiled, "It's fine since we have six in the Ethereal Stage. We just need six wins and you three losing won't matter."
"Yes, master!" Kui Gang and Yue'er lit up, relaxing.
Fiend Yang rolled his eyes, "Speaking of, our odds would be the best if a certain bigshot would go up there, wouldn't you think?"
[What am I supposed to do after being threatened?]
Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes. He could not just spill the beans on this, or the Exalted Double Dragons would wipe them all out.
That would mean breaking their rules and, while not important, it affected their name.
Western lands' strongest's reputation had more weight than thousands upon thousands of lives.
Zhuo Fan kept mum about it, taking upon himself the role of the arrogant bastard and waving them to get a move on.
"Don't hold back, crush these ingrates!" Fiend Yang roared.
Demon Scheming Sect's team went forward with cold smiles, filled with the intent to kill. Mystical Heaven Sect's side felt a chill on their backs.
Bam!
Qi Changlong struck once and sent a Mystical Heaven Sect disciple out of bounds and out of this world.
The judge shouted, "The first fight goes to the Demon Scheming Sect! "
The Mystical Heaven Sect's team's face fell. They could feel the Demon Scheming Sect was out for their blood.
[They must be pissed for throwing them away earlier.]
"Young master Qi, what are you doing? Who told you to cut it so short? You're supposed to torture them, grind their bodies until they'll think again about crossing us!" Fiend Yang raved as Qi Changlong came off the stage.
Qi Changlong shrugged, "Sorry, I'm not a sicko with weird hobbies."
"Shit, and you call yourself a demonic cultivator? Where's your passion, the drive?" Fiend Yang sighed.
"I have none." Bai Lian came over, patting his shoulder and walking on stage. She kept it just as brief and just as casual in taking the other's life and coming back down.
"I used to be like that, but not anymore, sorry."
Gui Hu in the third match was much more reserved, no longer leaking his savagery all over the place. His heart was calmer as a result. He did not even kill his target, just send him off with a heavy wound.
Coming back he was met with Fiend Yang's baffled face. He shrugged, "I didn't feel like doing it."
"What the hell does that mean? What's that got do to with killing?" Fiend Yang was stumped.
Zhuo Fan smiled. [Elder Yuan's teaching didn't go unheard. A tiger hunts with all its strength when it's hungry. So why go all out if the situation doesn't demand it?]
"Fourth match, Mystical Heaven Sect's Chu Qingcheng against Demon Scheming Sect's Lu Xie!" The judge announced.
Elder Yun jumped to his feet, "Elder, Mystical Heaven Sect requests a four-on-four battle!"
[Four?]
Fiend Yang started, "Does that mean he has a formation for four people to use?"