Chapter 244: A Sect Called Dust Valley
The mock battle continued in full swing. The Dust Valley Sect had set the stage for many new sects. While they had proven themselves, it also brought along much jealousy.
Standing on the stage, a tall, beautiful girl looked in a certain direction.
"Does the Dust Valley Sect only have a single disciple that can fight?" She taunted.
With many people talking about the Dust Valley Sect disciples, defeating their disciples would make anyone famous while also reducing the Dust Valley Sect’s brilliance.
Watching the show, the other sect masters, elders, and disciples stared at the Dust Valley Sect, waiting for their reaction under Qiao Lian’s taunts.
Qiao Lian was from the Hidden Pine Sect. A reclusive sect that focused on swift swords.
This Assembly Summit, they came to show the world their swordcraft while also recruiting fresh disciples.
And what was the best way to make their name known? By trampling on others’ glory.
They wouldn’t have targeted the Dust Valley Sect if they were a strong sect.
However, looking at their sect master and elders, they realized they were weak and would satisfy their hidden agenda.
The Sect Master of the Hidden Pine Sect was an old woman with a withered face. She looked at Qiao Lian with satisfaction.
They might not be able to compare to the strong sects of the central region, but they could still handle some weak sects from other regions.
Under the gaze of various sect masters and disciples, the Dust Valley Sect knew they couldn’t avoid this battle.
"Let Zou Mei fight her." Mo Jian said.
He might have left the western region, but he still received updates from everything that went on there.
Everyone’s battle records in the Blood Arena were sent to him before the Assembly Summit.
Everyone looked at Mo Jian, who was under a disguise, in confusion. Who was he to decide who fought or not? They thought.
"Zou Mei, go ahead and fight her." The Sect Master commanded.
The elders and disciples were puzzled. Just when an elder wanted to ask a question—
Mo Jian added. "Defeat her clean, decisively, and leave the stage. No more showing your strength."
Zou Mei was confused, her gaze moving from the sect master to the unknown boy.
Still, she nodded and jumped to the stage.
Watching Zou Mei land on the stage, a sardonic smile crept up Qiao Lian’s lips.
The fish had taken the bait.
This was also the thought of everyone from the Hidden Pine Sect. Slowly, a bright smile tugged at the corner of their lips.
Qiao Lian was a Foundation Realm stage-6 warrior while Zou Mei only had a cultivation of Foundation Realm stage-5.
To them, the victory was already in their bag.
Standing on the stage, Zou Mei did not show any courtesy. She unsheathed her sword and took a battle stance.
The crowd stared at the girls in anticipation. Could the girl from the Dust Valley Sect replicate their first disciple’s overwhelming strength?
This question burned in their hearts.
Or, would the Hidden Pine Sect disciple trash them and show them how it was done?
Qiao Lian pointed her sword at Zou Mei and vanished from her spot.
Her speed was too fast.
Many disciples at the Foundation Realm couldn’t follow her speed. It was a blur in motion.
Clang! Clang!
Quickly, the two had exchanged tens of moves. Qiao Lian’s sword strikes were fast, but Zou Mei seemed to guess every move and defended with minimal effort.
How is this possible?
The Hidden Pine Sect master and elders widened their eyes in puzzlement.
Only a handful of sects could match their sect’s swift sword strikes.
Ahhh!
While they were lost in confusion, a miserable scream came from the battle stage.
Qiao Lian held her waist, blood gushing as she retreated, confusion marring her face.
But how could Zou Mei let her go?
Whoosh!
She covered the distance using her movement skill and appeared before her.
What!
She widened her eyes only to welcome Zou Mei’s cold brutal punch!
Bang!
Ahhhh!
She flew out of the stage and crashed heavily on the cold hard ground.
Without looking in her direction, Zou Mei sheathed her weapon and jumped off the stage.
For a moment, no one reacted. The fight ended too quickly, leaving most of the crowd grappling in shock.
"I knew it! The Dust Valley Sect would not have a single top fighter." A voice said, breaking the silence.
Quickly, the crowd around the third arena descended into chatters. Everyone was talking about the Dust Valley Sect.
Their ability to fight above their stage was outstanding.
However, some were not convinced. Like the Hidden Pine Sect, many wanted to use the Dust Valley Sect as a stepping stone.
One after the other, the Dust Valley Sect were challenged.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
On the third stage, disciples were seen flung backward, crashing heavily to the ground.
People from other stages couldn’t help but look in their direction and wonder what was going on.
Spies from the powerful clans quickly sent messages to their clans and sects.
Meanwhile, on the stage, two girls were fighting. Jing Wang, the Dust Valley Sect’s eldest disciple, was locked in battle with a Frost Moon Sect disciple.
Both had the same cultivation realm: Foundation Realm stage-6.
But looking at the battle, each strike contained the power of a Peak Foundation Realm.
Against Lan Fen’s frost, Jing Wang was having difficulty breaking through her defense.
Also, she was a tad bit slow to touch Jing Wang’s swift movement. She danced with the wind, making it impossible for Lan Fen to touch her.
Watching the battle, Mo Jian shook his head. The Sect Master and his wife saw their son shaking his head and were confused.
"Son, what happened?" She asked.
"She’s too weak. Her strikes lacked power." Mo Jian responded. "She would have ended the battle in two strikes if she had not gone for something fancy flashy."
Supreme Elder Zhao nodded, and all the elders couldn’t agree more.
"Then how do you suggest she do it if she is going to win..." Peng Zhao asked, looking in Mo Jian’s direction.
Without looking at Peng Zhao, Mo Jian responded. "She needs to focus her attack on a single position."
The sect master and elders nodded in agreement.
"I guess she has realized her mistake." Elder Duan Jie said, bringing everyone’s attention to the battle.
And indeed, Jing Wang had begun to concentrate her attack on a single spot.
Lan Fen was overwhelmed. She tried to disrupt Jing Wang’s rising momentum, but she could not. She could not match her speed and intensity.
Bang!
Her defense shattered and she puked a mouthful of blood but was not ready to give up when a punch slammed into her jaw.
The world went blank, and she crashed heavily on the ground.
....
....
Inside a grand hall, a middle-aged man stared at the man before him.
"Are you saying my daughter is back in the capital?" His voice was not loud but filled with power.
"Yes, clan leader. She’s with her husband and their sect is gaining attention as we speak at the summit ground." The man responded.
"Alright, you can leave."
The man left, leaving the clan leader alone in the grand hall. His expression unreadable.