Liang Dong picked up a brush in front of the Earth Gate and briskly wrote his na and sect affiliation on the registration sheet at the gate. He let out a cold laugh and strode boldly through the "Earth Gate" path.
Behind him were three fellow disciples traveling together, also walking proudly into the mountain gate.
The Nanhua Sect had sent a total of fifty-seven people this ti, including seven entry-level disciples, while the rest were registered disciples and servants. The Guangyuan Sect, in contrast, brought forty-two individuals, with five entry-level disciples. Nearly one hundred were mounted on horses and carriages, arriving in an imposing display of force.
However, they did not imdiately rush to the summit. Instead, they first sent Liang Dong and a few other disciples up the mountain to test the Mingcang Sect's position.
If they ascended unhindered, the disciples from both sects would waste no courtesy and proceed to humiliate the East Master outright. On the other hand, if Liang Dong and the others were stopped along the way, they could use that information to prepare themselves and avoid being caught off guard.
After passing the main mountain gate, Liang Dong noticed the unusual desolation of the surroundings. His gaze traveled up the mountain path, which was eerily empty, devoid of a single soul—an intense contrast to the bustling scene of disciples from all sects entering the outer mountain gate. He couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "A retribution it is! Now it's finally Guangyuan Sect's turn to tarnish Mingcang Sect's reputation. The humiliation I faced three years ago will surely be avenged today!"
The disciples behind him nodded in agreent.
Feeling triumphant, Liang Dong waved his sleeve grandly and declared, "Junior disciples, follow in ascending the peak! Let's pave the way for Senior Wen Jun!"
Believing the path ahead unguarded, he raised his voice loudly as he advanced up the mountain. His words echoed along the winding path, until a clear and chilly voice ca from atop an enormous rock nearby, "Are you disciples from Guangyuan Sect?"
Liang Dong was startled. He looked up and saw a figure sitting atop the large rock, gazing down at him from a commanding height.
The man's condescending position filled Liang Dong with displeasure. He snorted coldly, saying, "Indeed, who are you?"
The figure stood up and said in a deep voice, "I am Zhang Yan from Mingcang Sect."
Liang Dong instinctively took a step back. With Zhang Yan's silhouette against the sunlight, his face was montarily obscured, forcing Liang Dong to squint as he asked, "What do you want?"
Zhang Yan chuckled freely and said, "Nothing more than an invitation to a duel."
Liang Dong hesitated briefly before asking, "A contest of words or combat?"
A word duel ant an intellectual sparring in Erosion Text Inference, similar to Mo Yuan's expertise, while physical combat would test martial prowess directly.
After achieving the Foundation Building stage, cultivators gained the strength to move thousands of pounds, fight lions and tigers, and shatter stones or tablets. Practitioners of the Xuann Sect cultivated the Supre Dao; before opening their ridians, they trained in martial arts to prevent physical decay during years of sedentary ditation.
The Xuanwen Conference primarily emphasized scholarly pursuits, but it was not without deadly competition. Upper Court cultivators often fought ferociously over pri territory and Immortal Pills, resulting in violent clashes during the Dharma Assembly.
Nonetheless, so disciples looked down on physical combat. Once they opened their ridians, they could learn superior skills, such as slaying foes with Flying Swords or compressing soil into steel. Cultivators' true power was often demonstrated through Dharma Treasures and Flying Swords, rendering martial techniques a minor pursuit.
However, for disciples outside noble families, obtaining treasures or resources like Immortal Pills and talismanic scripts was a rarity. Thus, they could only rely on their physical abilities, which made martial prowess more valued among them.
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "Either is fine."
Liang Dong suddenly felt a renewed vigor and replied eagerly, "Then combat it shall be!"
Liang Dong was not born into a noble family and had little talent in Erosion Text. He wouldn't dare to challenge soone verbally. As a registered disciple, the only way for him to stand out at the Dharma Assembly was by showcasing his martial skills, so he did not hesitate in choosing combat.
In this domain, Liang Dong felt confident. He often ventured out into remote mountains and marshes to collect Five Elents Divine Sand, fighting tigers and wolves in the process. Though his skills couldn't rival those of senior masters specialized in martial arts, he assud handling an unknown disciple from Mingcang Sect would be no issue.
However, his confidence wavered when Zhang Yan leaped down from the large rock. Seeing him standing upright, Liang Dong exclaid inwardly, "This Zhang Yan is exceptionally tall!"
Standing there, Zhang Yan was a head taller than most n, and his imposing presence alone made it impossible to dismiss him lightly.
But Liang Dong was sharp and opportunistic by nature. His eyes flickered with thought as he seized the mont before Zhang Yan made a move. Without uttering a single word, he lunged forward and threw a punch, hoping to catch Zhang Yan off guard.
With heightened sensory perception, Zhang Yan saw Liang Dong's slight movents—his toes lifting and shoulders tensing—and imdiately detected his intent. From the angle of Liang Dong's force exertion, Zhang Yan could predict the trajectory of the punch. Without even dodging, Zhang Yan widened his eyes and let out a sharp shout. His fist exploded with a deafening whoosh, striking first at Liang Dong's face.
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