"Sister Qingcheng, you believe in him that much? The next four sects are in an entirely different league than the ones before." Dan'er fluttered her big eyes.
Chu Qingcheng's expression never changed, "He is a miracle worker. If there's anything he wants to do, then nothing is impossible. I do not doubt it!"
The rest's hearts chilled looking at her. Only Xuan Shaoyu's face turned heavy and morose.
Whoosh!
The judge was back in the center of the stage. He bowed before the Exalted Double Dragons sitting in the highest spots and then shouted, "Disciples of Demon Scheming Sect and Sword God Sect, enter!"
As his words fell, the two groups walked in. Sword God Sect was led by Wen Tao, though he seemed to have lost his casual nature, now sporting a grave and serious look.
Demon Scheming Sect was led by Zhuo Fan, of course, only this time they were just nine, baring Lu Xie. It was clear that the guy got the worst wounds yesterday and could not fight.
With the two sides' disciples in the arena, the judge looked from one to another, then spoke to Zhuo Fan, "Demon Scheming Sect has only nine participants and is at a disadvantage. Do you have a replacement?"
"Thank you for your concern, elder. Demon Scheming Sect cares about quality and not quantity. We will fight even if we are missing one man." Zhuo Fan cupped his hands, striking a heroic figure and earning the respect and admiration of the crowd.
The judge nodded and turned to Wen Tao for his response.
Wen Tao simply smiled and cupped his hands to him and the Demon Scheming Sect, "My Sword God Sect is not one to take advantage of one's moment of weakness, but Demon Scheming Sect is just so strong that we have to take it seriously. Even if it had only one person remaining, brother Zhuo, we'd still fight him, all ten of us as determined as ever. That's why, ha-ha-ha, brother Zhuo, please show leniency."
"Brother Wen is too polite."
Zhuo Fan cupped his hands as well, his eyes flashing.
[Wen Tao sure is slick and charismatic. He is devoid of the arrogance that plagues those with status, bereft of a loser's cowardice. Instead, he shows a humble and steadfast attitude, his kindness hiding a ruthless nature. He does not lose his pride and does not flaunt it either. While this won't make him outstanding, he does garner respect with his amiable nature.]
[Just like they say, the Gentle Sword is sharp and smooth.]
"Since both sides agree, we will begin the match!" The judge flicked his hand and shouted, "Open the dimension! The last battle of the middle three sects challenge stage, between Demon Scheming Sect and Sword God Sect, begins!"
Whoosh~
Those two elders once again walked on stage and opened a path to the valley.
Wen Tao smiled and offered kindly, "Brother Zhuo, after you."
"Oh no, brother Wen, after you!" Zhuo Fan returned his gesture, and the two sides vanished in a white flash.
The audience was in awe.
[The Demon Scheming Sect isn't savage to everyone who walks their way. At the very least, towards the Demon Soul Sect and the Sword God Sect, one demonic and the other righteous, they look quite friendly.]
That meant Heaven Trailing Sect's brutal fate wasn't without reason.
[You're just too cocky! Why would the other give you any respect if you start threatening another?]
Soon, the people came to an understanding of the sects' demeanor. Demon Soul Sect was one to value duty and gratitude, Sword God Sect stood on ceremony, and Demon Scheming Sect responded with the same coin depending on their adversary. As for Heaven Trailing Sect…
The eyes of the crowd turned to their location to see just two people. Ren Cong, among them, looked bitter and stared at Zhuo Fan with all the hatred he could muster. This attitude earned the people's contempt.
[Showing off gets you killed off, idiot!]
Suddenly, the hearts of the people had made their choice. If the status of the nine sects shifted in this competition, some strong empires would take the initiative to invite certain sects among them.
The benefits, of course, would be greater for both sides.
While Demon Scheming Sect's cruel act on the Heaven Trailing Sect had earned their disgust, the next two matches showed how heroic they were, changing the public's view.
As for the disgust, it was all shifted to Heaven Trailing Sect. They were sure of it now that they deserved what they got.
[Who told you to be rampant?]
[A petty and unceasingly pedantic sect will never have enough!]
In this manner, the funders wrote Heaven Trailing Sect as the worst sect to have. Unless they had absolutely no choice in the matter, they'd never accept it. Otherwise, they would shoot down any attempts this sect had to come to their lands.
As if he could sense everyone's despise and disgust, Ren Cong glared at them, and they balked in fear. Then Ren Cong turned back to hating Zhuo Fan with gnashed teeth.
Wasn't he the victim here? How did he earn public ire after all he had been through? It made no sense.
Elder Qi grumbled, his face heavy.
However, just then, a faint voice reached their ears, "Elder Qi, young master Ren, my master would like to send a message to Sect Leader Ren. Would you care to talk?"
"Who are you?"
The two turned around and saw someone covered in all black, shaking and instilling a feeling of weakness. As if a light breeze could topple him.
His head hung low, blocking his face. When he rose his head, his pale face was there for all to see, shocking the two to the core. "Lu Xie, what do you want?"
Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan's team had returned to the valley. Just like last time, he jumped back and said to Wen Tao, "Like I said…"
"Who could get on my level?"
Before he finished, Wen Tao's teasing came, "I knew you'd do this, so I came up with the perfect way to deal with your eight bodyguards."
[Eight?]
Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and mocked, "You're an Ethereal Stage expert, and I have six that can match you. Though one is down with wounds, five is still enough. So where did you come up with eight? Besides, all ten of you are Ethereal Stage experts. You could easily handle them."
"Ha-ha-ha, that just won't do. Since brother Zhuo set up this trial, I must brave it myself. Won't I earn brother Zhuo's contempt by using my junior brothers to resolve problems?" Wen Tao smiled.
The other nine Sword God Sect disciples, Xie Tianshang included, nodded. They stepped back and looked solemn, determined not to get involved.
Qi Changlong squinted and grew angry, "Wen Tao, are you saying you can take us eight together by yourself? Humph, talk about arrogance. You might be in the 4th layer, but we have two in the 3rd layer, one in the 2nd layer, two in the 1st layer, and five Ethereal Stage experts. Not even you can beat us!"
"That remains to be seen."
Wen Tao sneered, "Sometimes, a difference in cultivation does not reflect a difference in strength. Brother Zhuo is the perfect example of this, always able to overcome the gap in the most overwhelming fashion. While we are just one layer apart, our strengths are another matter altogether, ha-ha-ha…"
Wen Tao chuckled and shot forth, "Brother Zhuo, you'll be fighting soon enough. This is just a warm-up. In mere moments I'll deal with these guys, who won't be able to do anything!"
"What nerve! You take us for nothing, is that it? Think you will reach Steward Zhuo that fast?"
Qi Changlong huffed and made a sign. In an instant, a seal a hundred meters high appeared overhead and slammed down on Wen Tao.
Wen Tao couldn't care less, leisurely pointing two fingers ahead.
Whoosh!
A sword wave clashed with the huge seal, sending it flying. It then disappeared midway, having returned to Qi Changlong.
Qi Changlong shuddered and spat blood. He sank to his knees, unable to get up again.
[What? Only one blow?]
The crowd was in an uproar, unable to believe their eyes. To them, Qi Changlong was second in strength to Zhuo Fan.
They never thought it possible just a layer difference, even when the soul was taken out, would still be defeated after one blow.
Such a difference made no sense!
All turned grave as they watched Wen Tao. Even Zhuo Fan, though he did not care much, he did have a vague smile…