Chapter 531: The Most Shocking Turn of Events

Chapter 531: The Most Shocking Turn of Events

As Chu Liang stepped out of the Celestial Observatory Pavilion, a wave of relief finally washed over him.

Originally, all he'd planned to do was enjoy the banquet, say a few nice words, and make some connections. That would've been enough to wrap up his evening. Yet somehow, the night had spiraled out of control, leaving him feeling as if he'd just been grilled over hot coals.

He hadn't taken more than a couple of steps when he suddenly heard a voice calling from behind, "Young Hero Chu."

The sound made Chu Liang's back stiffen. He turned slowly, and just as he'd expected, it was Shen Qingyan. A faint, wry smile tugged at his lips as their eyes met.

What now? Why did you follow me out?

"I know this is a bit abrupt," Shen Qingyan said, "but there are things I need to ask you..."

"It's about this jade pendant, isn't it?" Chu Liang raised his hand, holding out his half of the jade pendant.

"That's right." Shen Qingyan responded, her fingers opening to reveal the other half of the pendant in her palm.

As they brought the two halves together, they clicked into a perfect, seamless fit.

The two halves of the pendant fused together in an instant, as though made of living flesh. When it fell back into Shen Qingyan's palm, it began to emit a soft glow.

A realization dawned on Chu Liang—it was no ordinary pendant. This was an enchanted tool, likely used to verify bloodlines.

Wealthy families sometimes crafted such artifacts to confirm their lineage and avoid potential scandals, a safeguard against pretenders.

"I only came across this pendant by chance..." Chu Liang said, glancing at her.

Although Shen Qingyan was incredibly beautiful, Chu Liang had no intention of being too involved with matters related to her. And so, he decided to reveal everything he knew about the abandoned Shen family residence.

But before he could speak, a sudden gust of black wind burst from the shadows, snatching the jade pendant from Shen Qingyan's hand in an instant and left at lightning speed!

Someone dared to rob them in broad daylight on the streets of Yu!

Moreover, this person had an exceptionally high level of cultivation and had been able to conceal their presence so skillfully that neither Chu Liang nor Shen Qingyan noticed anything, even with their strong cultivation levels.

"Who's there?"

In that moment, Shen Qingyan felt a surge of shock and fury. This pendant was her only proof of identity from birth. As soon as the two halves were combined, it was taken from her. Without hesitation, she rushed forward to chase after it.

With a burst of speed, she raced forward, her red dress swirling around her, and in no time, she had traversed the long street.

Chu Liang was reluctant to get involved in this, but the thief's high cultivation level made him anxious about Shen Qingyan's safety. Therefore, he had no choice but to leap forward and pursue her.

The black wind rushed through the streets and alleys, finally soaring out of the city, with both of them in close pursuit. The shadowy figure darted nimbly, occasionally blending into the shadows, and in the blackness of night, they could easily lose track of him.

Now that they were out of the city, Shen Qingyan had no further reservations. She immediately took out a flute and brought it to her lips.

The sharp notes of the flute resonated like ten thousand arrows raining down from the sky. Suddenly, the forest was filled with rustling noises, leaves shattered, and trees collapsed. It was a sweeping attack that affected everything in its path.

The sudden and powerful divine technique caught Chu Liang off guard. Earlier, when he saw Xue Lingxue, he thought the members of the South Melody Conservatory played a supportive role in battles. But now, he realized that even musicians could unleash strong attacks.

Despite this, the shadowy figure showed no sign of retreat, breaking past the attacks of her divine technique and swiftly moving through the dense brush.

By the time Chu Liang caught up again, the battered forest was marked with bloodstains scattered across the ground, suggesting that the thief had been injured.

Chu Liang instantly recognized the flame as the same furnace fire he had encountered that night at the Sword Forging Sect. It was clear that the contestant on stage was a disciple of the Earthfire Sect.

The Earthfire Sect, which had a close affiliation with the Sword Forging Sect, was part of the Chancellor's Sixteen-Faction Alliance.

It was a strong sect that appeared out of nowhere and had recently risen to a position of prominence.

The contestant facing him was a disciple of the Imperial Supervisory Bureau.

The young disciples raised by the Imperial Supervisory Bureau were few, yet they were all incredibly gifted and no less impressive than the brilliant prodigies from the sects in the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten.

Based on historical records, the Imperial Supervisory Bureau was recognized as stronger than the sects within the Terrestrial Ten. Their team would often make it to the third round—Battle at the Imperial City—and would stand shoulder to shoulder with the immortal sects in the Divine Nine.

However, from the conversations around him, Chu Liang discovered that both the Imperial Supervisory Bureau and the Earthfire Sect had won one match each, and this final duel would be the decisive round to determine which side would advance.

If the Imperial Supervisory Bureau lost, they would be eliminated in the first round!

Boom—

The Earthfire Giant lunged fiercely, delivering a punch that cracked the ground at the center of the stage. At the same time, the young disciple of the Imperial Supervisory Bureau leaped into the air, his sword transforming into a dazzling array of shimmering light shadows.

Whizz, whizz, whizz—

The figure dressed in white zipped back and forth, thrusting his sword into the Earthfire Giant until it was filled with holes. His divine technique resembled that of Li Chengfeng, indicating that he must be his disciple.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, the Earthfire Giant healed all its injuries and lunged at him with even greater strength!

Boom—

The disciple of the Imperial Supervisory Bureau slashed the air with his sword, creating this black rift in the void. When the Earthfire Giant punched into it, a deafening roar echoed.

However, the giant did not back down; instead, it charged forward with even greater ferocity.

Boom—

With most of its arm engulfed by the black rift, the hole started to tremble with fierce intensity!

Bang!

With a thunderous boom, the Earthfire Giant's fist broke through several zhang beyond the black hole!

This was sheer power, overwhelming enough to break the limits of the disciple's divine technique and pierce right through it!

Rumble—

The Earthfire Giant, undeterred by the black hole, punched the Imperial Supervisory Bureau disciple, sending him flying through the sky like a shooting star!

"Roar!" With a proud roar, the giant's flames swirled away, unveiling the tiny, thin figure of a young boy.

A wave of shocked gasps swept through the audience!

He won!

Twelve years ago, the Earthfire Sect didn't even exist. This was their first time competing in the Assembly of Immortal Sects following the establishment of their sect. Although each Assembly of Immortal Sects brought its fair share of unexpected endings, there hadn't been one this shocking in years.

The Imperial Supervisory Bureau, in whom the audience had placed such high hopes, was unexpectedly eliminated in the first round, defeated by the Earthfire Sect!