Li Wei and his disciples reached the imposing gates of the Murim Alliance headquarters, a grand structure that stood as a testament to the power and influence of the organization. As they approached, two guards clad in ornate armour stepped forward, their expressions stern and unyielding.
"State your business," one of the guards commanded.
"We are participants from the Mount Hua Sect," Li Wei replied calmly.
The guards exchanged a glance and then pointed towards a small office off to the side. "You need to register at the office and then wait at the preparation house," the guard said dismissively.
Li Wei took a step forward, his demeanour calm but authoritative. "I am Li Wei, the Sword of Mount Hua."
The guards burst into laughter. "The Sword of Mount Hua? You?" one of them scoffed. "Mount Hua's standards must have fallen if someone like you is their representative."
Before Li Wei could respond, a tall, imposing figure appeared. The man was in his mid-thirties, with sharp features and an air of authority. Li Wei's eyes narrowed as he recognized him instantly. This was Zughe Jang, the prodigy of the Zughe Clan who had become the assistant to the head of the Murim Alliance.
"My name is Zughe Jang," the man said, his voice commanding. He turned to the guards, his gaze icy. "Is this how you treat the representatives of the Nine Great Sects?"
The guards paled, their arrogance evaporating. "W-we apologize, sir," they stammered, bowing deeply.
Zughe Jang nodded and turned to Li Wei. "I pay my respects to the Mount Hua Sect. Please, follow me, my honourable guest."
Li Wei acknowledged him with a respectful nod. "Thank you, Zughe Jang. My disciples will be participating in the conference."
The trio of disciples, Jian Yu, Mei Lin, and Liang Shen, looked at each other in shock but quickly masked their surprise with determination. "We will not let you down, Master," Jian Yu said, his voice filled with resolve.
Zughe Jang smiled. "You have disciples at such a young age? Impressive. Follow me."
As they walked through the grand corridors of the Murim Alliance headquarters, they passed by representatives from various sects, their eyes widening in surprise and curiosity at the sight of the young Sword of Mount Hua. In the VIP section, influential figures murmured among themselves, casting speculative glances at Li Wei.
Li Wei's gaze hardened as he spotted the representatives of the Crimson Lotus Sect and the Iron Fist Clan. Their presence was a stark reminder of the enemies he needed to confront. He vowed to remain vigilant and focused.
The competition began with a series of matches, showcasing the incredible skills and techniques of warriors from all over Murim. The first fight featured a powerful warrior from the Iron Fist Clan against a swift swordsman from the Golden Dragon Sect. The clash of strength and speed was intense, with the Iron Fist Clan warrior eventually overpowering his opponent with sheer brute force.
Li Wei and his disciples watched intently, learning from each match. When it was finally time for Jian Yu to fight, he stepped into the arena with a determined look. His opponent was a lithe and agile fighter from the Shadow Moon Sect.
The fight began with a flurry of swift strikes from the Shadow Moon Sect warrior, who attempted to overwhelm Jian Yu with speed. But Jian Yu had been trained well. He used the Equilibrium of Six to maintain perfect balance and control, parrying each strike with precision. With a powerful counterattack, he disarmed his opponent and landed a decisive blow, winning the match.
Next was Mei Lin's turn. Her opponent was a fierce martial artist from the Fire Dragon Clan, known for their aggressive style. Mei Lin danced around her opponent with the Fluttering Shadow Petals, her movements graceful and elusive. She exploited her opponent's overreaches and delivered quick, precise strikes, winning the match with elegance and finesse.
Liang Shen's match was against a strategic fighter from the Silver Wolf Sect. The two engaged in a tactical battle, each move carefully calculated. Liang Shen's understanding of qi and his strategic mind allowed him to outmaneuver his opponent. He used the Seven Blossom Blades technique to create openings and land critical hits, securing his victory.
As the competition progressed, the disciples of Mount Hua continued to impress the audience with their skills and determination. Each match they won brought them closer to the finals and garnered more respect for their sect.
In the quarter-finals, Liang Shen faced a particularly tough opponent from the Thunder Strike Sect. Despite his best efforts and strategic prowess, he was ultimately overpowered and lost the match. He bowed respectfully, accepting his defeat with grace.
Mei Lin reached the semi-finals, where she encountered a formidable warrior from the Azure Phoenix Sect. The fight was intense, with both fighters displaying incredible speed and technique. In the end, Mei Lin was narrowly defeated, her opponent's experience giving them the edge. She bowed deeply, her face set with determination to improve.
Jian Yu made it to the finals, where he faced a powerful fighter from the Crimson Lotus Sect. The match was highly anticipated, and the tension in the arena was palpable. Jian Yu fought with all his might, his movements a perfect blend of strength and precision. He seemed to have the upper hand, landing several critical strikes.
However, his opponent resorted to cheating, using a hidden weapon to gain an unfair advantage. Jian Yu was struck down, his victory stolen from him. The crowd gasped, and whispers of outrage spread through the arena.
Li Wei's eyes blazed with fury. "Master is enraged!" his disciples exclaimed, recognizing the dangerous look on his face.
Li Wei's presence commanded immediate respect and fear. The atmosphere grew heavy as he displayed a fraction of his true power, bringing many great warriors to their knees. He dashed into the arena, his speed and strength overwhelming. He was about to deliver a fatal blow to the cheating opponent when the representative of the Crimson Lotus Sect, a 43-year-old man, intervened.
A fierce battle ensued between Li Wei and the representative. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the two masters clashed. The representative attacked with a flurry of strikes, his movements fast and aggressive. Li Wei countered with the Plum Blossom Strike Sword Technique, his blade moving with deadly precision.
The representative unleashed a powerful qi attack, but Li Wei used the Equilibrium of Six to deflect it. He followed up with the Plum Blossom Tempest, a series of rapid strikes that forced his opponent back. The representative struggled to keep up, his defences faltering under Li Wei's relentless assault.
With a final, decisive strike, Li Wei disarmed the representative and knocked him to the ground. The crowd erupted in applause, but Li Wei's anger had not subsided. He raised his sword, ready to end the man's life.
"Li Wei, stop!" Zughe Jang's voice cut through the tension. He stepped forward, his expression calm but authoritative. "Please, do not stain this honourable event with bloodshed."
Li Wei hesitated, his eyes locked on Zughe Jang. Slowly, he lowered his sword. "Very well," he said, his voice cold. "But let it be known that dishonour will not be tolerated."
The crowd murmured in agreement, their respect for Li Wei growing. He had shown both incredible strength and righteous restraint, earning him the title of the Righteous Plum Sword.
As the sun set over the arena, casting a golden glow on the gathered warriors, Li Wei stood tall, his presence commanding and his determination unwavering. The Sword of Mount Hua had been seen as a righteous and strong warrior, and he had earned his recognition as the Righteous Plum Sword.