"But they say that Zhuo Fan obliterated Beast Taming Sect's disciples with one fist; even the elder. It can't be that he could not even react to my palm attack."
Elder Qi found it suspicious. Ren Cong saw it too but waved off his suspicions, "Ha-ha-ha, no need to think too hard about him, Elder Qi. Zhuo Fan is only at the 3rd layer Radiant Stage. How strong can he be? The rumors must be exaggerated. Why else would he suddenly sit out when every sect was there to see him? I bet he was scaring the middle three sects' disciples into surrendering when it came to fighting him. Only petty people resort to petty tricks."
"As for Beast Taming Sect's elder's death, Exalted Double Dragons already announced he broke the rules for attacking the guests and was executed by Exalted Hei Ran. It had nothing to do with that punk. I bet it's just another rumor he instigated to scare others. But not me, yours truly won't fall for it, ha-ha-ha…"
Elder Qi regarded Ren Cong and nodded in the end. "Young master is wise. I must've gotten too old to fall for a kid's trick."
"The new is replacing the old, ha-ha-ha…"
Ren Cong was extra full of himself, looking at the two youths, "Cong Shan, Cong Lin, in tomorrow's fights, if the others bought it, make sure you kill Zhuo Fan at once to break their spirit and show everyone what a liar he is. Leave the rest for after, alright?"
"Understood, young master." The two nodded.
Ren Cong's smile grew wider.
Tomorrow, everyone would see how they fell for the kid's inflated lies.
[Only I, Ren Cong, from Heaven Trailing Sect, saw the truth.]
[Since strength can't beat him, I'll use intelligence, he-he-he…]
On the morning of the second day, the arena was packed. Even though it was the middle three sects' challenge stage, the superior three sects also showed up.
Only this time, they were curious about two people. One was the darkest horse of all times, hailing from Demon Scheming Sect, Zhuo Fan.
The other was one who they paid even more attention to since not just him but his entire sect was the strongest among the middle three sects, Gentle Sword Wen Tao from Sword God Sect.
"Ha-ha-ha, the ever dauntless superior three sects for thousands of years are now stirred. But the one to climb isn't Demon Scheming Sect, but Sword God Sect! I wonder who is going to take the fall."
Wu Qingqiu chuckled, watching the flood of people coming in.
Yan Mo was there too, "What's the point in asking? The most likely sect to drop is the Universal Righteous Sect. That's what it gets for always being last."
"Are you so sure it's going to be last this time too?" Wu Qingqiu raised an eyebrow.
Yan Mo nodded without delay, "Of course, it has always been like this. The number one spot among the superior three sects was always fought between us two sects, while the Universal Righteous Sect was just the wheel."
"I don't mind if they were last, or even if we are last. I just hope that guy gets to fight with me already. That's all I wanted. One can never find peace unless he fights one's destined rival!" Ye Lin was bored to death, looking for his target from the audience.
Yan Mo asked, "Hey, I feel like sparring with you."
"You?"
Ye Lin mocked, "No point, now shoo!"
"You…" Yan Mo choked, and Wu Qingqiu laughed.
Whoosh!
The judge once more made his appearance on stage, bowing before the empty air, "Welcome, Exalted!"
"Welcome, Exalted!" The rest of the people bowed as well.
Exalted Double Dragons appeared in their seats of honor and gestured for them to be seated.
Exalted Hei Ran spoke, "Begin!"
"Middle three sects and lower three sects, enter the arena!" The judge shouted.
Sword God Sect, Demon Soul Sect, and Heaven Trailing Sect walked into view. After them came Mystical Heaven Sect and Demon Scheming Sect.
Seeing Zhuo Fan in his team's lead, he did not look like he would be sitting back this time. The people lit up, knowing he would be fighting.
Yan Mo, Wu Qingqiu, and the others were excited as well. Wu Qingqiu really wanted to know what this kid could do to earn his freaky junior brother's high evaluation.
Wen Tao grinned at Zhuo Fan, filled with fighting spirit, "Zhuo Fan, your reputation precedes you. We'll finally get a glimpse at your skills. I wonder if you'll live up to your name."
"Fight me, and you'll see." Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes.
Wen Tao paused, then nodded, "I'll be waiting."
Han Yunfeng stared at Zhuo Fan, then finally said, "Well met, Zhuo Fan, I am Demon Soul Sect's eldest young mas-"
"Big young Han!" Zhuo Fan cut him off, earning a few snickers from Demon Scheming Sect and Demon Soul Sect. (StarReader: play on the words big=eldest.)
Han Yunfeng coughed and said, "I am Han Yunfeng. Because of my father's harsh teachings, he only gave us three brothers names after age five, depending on our strength. Only the strongest earned his name, while the rest didn't have one. That is why only I have one. They are the second son and third son."
"Oh, your dad sure is cruel. That's a demonic sect's Sect Leader for you." Zhuo Fan nodded, then a question nagged at him.
[If the Sect Leader is cruel to such a degree, does he not feel any love for his sons?]
[Ugh, the demonic path is filled with mysteries.]
Han Yunfeng said, "I planned to fight you in the Double Dragon Gathering, but I reconsidered. It's unwise to do something you already know you'll fail. So despite some regrets, if you want to challenge us, Demon Soul Sect will have to refuse your invitation."
Zhuo Fan's brow shook, giving him another look of admiration.
[The kid knows when to call it quits, like a true man of ambition does. And he is a Sect Leader's son too. Quite unlike a certain someone…]
Zhuo Fan's eyes drifted to Ren Cong, who had a constant sneer on his face, "Fool, he has you believing a lie. You're still falling for his bluff?"
Zhuo Fan shook his head, scratched his nose, and gave him a moment of silence in tribute.
Exalted Double Dragons saw Zhuo Fan on the scene and were startled. They shared a glance and nodded.
They were under the impression Zhuo Fan was too strong this early in the competition, but after watching the middle three sects' stage, they realized the disciples this time were anything but weak.
Without Zhuo Fan's help, Demon Scheming Sect would have nothing to fight with today, effectively going against their fair judging of the sect's potential. Therefore, they allowed Zhuo Fan to fight.
Zhuo Fan glanced up and noticed their faint nod, knowing he was free to let loose.
He was on a roll!
"In the lower three sects singles, the Mystical Heaven Sect won. In the team matches, the Demon Scheming Sect won. By the Double Dragon Gathering's rules, Mystical Heaven Sect can take the initiative to challenge another sect only in the single matches while Demon Scheming Sect can only challenge other sects in the team battles. Sects, who will you challenge?"
The judge turned to the teams.
Elder Yun bowed, "My Mystical Heaven Sect has always been under the Heaven Trailing Sect's guidance. And while we had the fortune to take first place in this time's lower three sects stage, we only wish to hold our position and not offend any middle three sect. Mystical Heaven Sect refuses to make a challenge."
[Boot-licker!]
Everyone there felt like retching at this slick old man's words.
[He's kissing ass at his age? Has he no shame?]
[What Heaven Trailing Sect guiding you? You're just its dog!]
The girls blushed in shame under the contempt of the crowd. They looked at Elder Yun filled with resentment.
[We're still a sect! So why must we sell our dignity and become someone else's lapdog?]
Only Ren Cong felt like he got even more full of himself, nodding like it was natural.
Zhuo Fan found Elder Yun's action admirable.
[He has no damn ounce of shame, just like me back in the day.]
Since he turned the loss into a win, Zhuo Fan had noticed Elder Yun's patience and scheming mind.
Playing the innocent while the play was in disfavor, then striking when the moment was right.
He might look like he was ingratiating and shaming himself, but he was, in fact, the Heaven Trailing Sect's most dangerous servant.
When the master lost its focus on this dog, the dog would definitely go for the master's throat.
That's the definition of flexible!
The judge turned to Demon Scheming Sect.
Zhuo Fan stepped out before Fiend Yang could speak, "Fight, of course!"
While the Mystical Heaven Sect could only submit, the Demon Scheming Sect had gone beyond this level, ready to kick these rampant middle sects off their throne and take the crown for ruling Tianyu's three guardian sects for itself.