Chapter 533: The Commencement

Chapter 533: The Commencement

By responding this way, Jiang Yuebai managed to protect her dignity without escalating the conflict. However, the two sides remained locked in a tense standoff. It was as if two opposing auras of different colors clashed, freezing the atmosphere for what felt like an eternity.

The tension only grew when the members of the Great Astral Sect arrived. Having noticed Chu Liang's sudden departure, they were unsure of the situation, but upon seeing the confrontation, Yun Chaoxian was the first to step forward.

"Are we fighting now?" he shouted loudly. "One-on-one or a group fight?"

With a thud, he slammed the World-Dominating Halberd into the ground.

Behind him, Ren Hongdao glared coldly at Yang Shenlong, looking eager to challenge him as well.

Even though little Tang Shi appeared timid, she stood firmly behind Chu Liang, ready to support him.

Li Fujian glanced at his esteemed teacher and saw Zhang Juque glaring at him, his expression clearly saying, With these bastards from Penglai, what are you hesitating for?

"Yes..." Li Fujian muttered, immediately stepping forward to join Mount Shu Sect's side.

Chu Liang felt quite moved as he watched. Of course, it was the brothers from the Great Astral Sect he could count on. They always stepped up when it mattered most.

By now, the standoff had drawn the attention of nearly everyone around, but the Penglai Supreme Sect had backup too. The team from the Fog-Hidden Mountain of Immortals quickly sided with Yang Shenlong. However, Zhuge Guanxing, who was on friendly terms with Chu Liang, chose not to step forward from the crowd.

In fact, the relationships among the immortal sects were always complex, with many personal connections intertwined. Chu Liang had previously gotten along well with both Yang Yuhu and Xi Miaoxian, making it difficult for there to be a clear-cut opposition between the two sides.

However, conflicts between sects often overshadowed personal ties. None of them would hold back if they faced each other in the actual competition.

As more and more people gathered to watch, Feng Chaoyang shouted, rallying another group of supporters to their side.

Even if the Celestial King Sect did not share a relationship with the Mount Shu Sect, they would always support anyone willing to take on the Penglai Supreme Sect.

Meanwhile, on the Penglai Supreme Sect's side, the team from Fuyao Kingdom had also joined. The people on both sides continued to expand.

Just as the confrontation was about to extend to the entire arena and the Competition of the Hundred Sects seemed to be on the brink of starting ahead of schedule if someone said something, a stern voice rang out, "What do you think you’re doing?"

A figure landed on the ground—it was Ji Zidian, a celestial official from the Imperial Supervisory Bureau.

All the important matters of the Assembly of Immortal Sects were overseen by the Imperial Supervisory Bureau.

At this moment, it was understandable why Ji Zidan felt irritable. He had just seen the team representing the Bureau lose in the first round, and now he was watching the disciples of the immortal sects gathering.

Immediately, he landed and scolded out loud, "If you have issues with one another, resolve them during the Competition of the Hundred Sects. Step into the illusory realm and fight to the death if you must, but stop causing trouble here!"

His words were rather effective as both sides dispersed in response, and the chaos subsided.

Ji Zidian glanced around and then fixed his gaze on Chu Liang, calling out, "You, come here!"

Chu Liang, feeling puzzled, stepped forward and heard Ji Zidian asking with the use of Voice Transmission, "Was that incident at the Sword Forging Sect your doing?"

Chu Liang’s heart skipped a beat. Could Xue Yipin have given him away? But upon thinking it through, he figured it was unlikely. The Imperial Supervisory Bureau must have discovered some clues from elsewhere.

The Imperial Supervisory Bureau had been assisting the Famous Chef of the World in the search for the missing knife. They had considered the same matters as Chu Liang but they did not act fast enough.

On one hand, there were only a few swordsmiths capable of refining the Famous Yipin Knife, and the Imperial Supervisory Bureau had narrowed it down to a few around the capital of Yu.

Before long, the Emperor of the Yu Dynasty, dressed in his majestic dragon robe, ascended the high platform.

As Chu Liang gazed at his "elder brother," he felt that he seemed different from when he saw him last time in the imperial palace.

In the palace, the emperor had come across as an imposing yet more approachable figure. However, as he ascended the platform now, his aura of authority was fully unleashed. His presence radiated solemnity and grandeur.

As he stood alone on the platform, it felt as if there was a golden dragon coiled behind him.

It was clear that some divine technique was being used to exert pressure and authority. Otherwise, the feeling of pressure wouldn’t have been so intense.

The emperor's speech carried a formal tone, declaring that the Assembly of Immortal Sects was the most significant event in the Four Seas and Nine Provinces. He emphasized that the young heroes present would become the pillars of the mortal world for the next century and beyond. He also expressed his hope that everyone would perform exceptionally well.

The only useful part of his speech was the final few sentences.

"At each Commencement of the Assembly of Immortal Sects, we invite esteemed seniors to spar and showcase their skills, inspiring the younger generation to cultivate diligently. This time, it is our honor to have invited the Sword Emperor of the West Sea for a duel with the Sword Saint of the Nine Provinces!"

This announcement was met with an immediate wave of cheers.

In the history of Commencement sparring among the Eminent Ones, these two were undoubtedly among the most distinguished guests.

After all, there were few Eminent Ones willing to spar in front of an audience, and even fewer who demonstrated such high cultivation levels. For many years, the invited participants had usually been at the seventh realm, and their sparring matches had tended to be more symbolic than serious.

However, these two had dueled years ago. Back then, the Sword Emperor of the West Sea was just starting out and lost to the more experienced Sword Saint of the Nine Provinces.

Yet it was through that defeat that he had gained enlightenment. Now, he returned with renewed strength. Surely, this would be a real fight.

The Sword Emperor of the West Sea was a truly inspiring figure. His real name was Chen Erniu, and he had been born into a farming family in the Sword-Hanging Kingdom.

In the Sword-Hanging Kingdom, swordsmiths and sword cultivators held the highest status. From a young age, Chen Erniu aspired to become a sword cultivator. Despite growing up with almost no resources, he relied solely on his fighting spirit to challenge opponents wherever he could.

He eventually defeated all the powerful enemies within the Sword-Hanging Kingdom, becoming a Sword Emperor and even breaking through to the eighth realm, mastering the Heavenly Origin.

His greatest strength was his ability to improve after every defeat.

This meant that he would undoubtedly return even stronger, a hundred steps ahead of the person he had been when he lost the challenge against the Sword Saint.

The members of the Mount Shu Sect were particularly interested in this duel, as once Daoist Yan emerged from her closed-door cultivation, she would inevitably have to fight the Sword Emperor of the West Sea.

As the emperor stepped down from the platform, a figure with a sharp aura, powerful enough to tear through heaven and earth, soared into the air from the side. Even from a distance, his presence was blinding. This was the Sword Emperor of the West Sea.

On the opposite side stood the Sword Saint of the Nine Provinces from the Endless Sword Sect, presenting himself as an elder clad in white robes.

If one referred to this duel as a fight between the Sword Emperor of the West Sea and the Sword Saint of the Nine Provinces, it would sound awe-inspiring.

However, if one referred to this duel as Chen Erniu versus Old Li Ba, it would seem like two farmers bickering over a canal at the village entrance.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The thunderous sound of the cannon rang out three times.

The duel between the two eighth-realm swordsmen had officially begun!