Before long, representatives from various Taoist Sects were dispatched to the Central Heavenly Realm.
Consequently, Yanlan Pass has beco exceptionally lively, becoming a focus for cultivators from the Six Domains.
Everyone wants to know how this far-from-insignificant "farce" will ultimately conclude.
Can that young Sword Sect Master really defend the na of Sword Sect, and will the Sword Cleansing Pool get its wish through their "kick while they're down" maneuver?
At Yanlan Pass, guests are all present.
Yet, one of the "protagonists," Sword Sect, has yet to arrive.
As ti goes by, so rumors, whether coincidental or intentionally spread, begin to circulate in Yun Pass and rapidly fernt.
In fact, this is precisely where Bai Shuang Sword Master shows his insidious ruthlessness.
Whether Sword Sect cos or not to the assembly, neither is a good choice.
If they co, how should they co?
If just one person attends, given that young sect master's cultivation, how could he possibly quell the murmuring of the crowd?
If he brings other Peak Masters, it may only prove that Sword Sect no longer has the might of a Taoist Sect — that the honorable Sect Master cannot even have an equal conversation with the Sect Master of Sword Cleansing Pool, then why should this Taoist Sect remain such?
Should Lu Qingshan not attend, it would not only defy regulations and show disrespect to Ancestral Daoist Xia but also be seen by many as a sign of cowardice.
Either way, it pleases neither side.
This dilemma is all due to Lu Qingshan being "unfit for the role."
.....
At Yanlan Pass, in the assembly hall.
Due to Sword Sect's delay, seeing the representatives from various Taoist Sects losing patience, Bai Shuang Sword Master directly invited everyone in.
"Since Sword Sect doesn't even have the courage to attend the assembly, I personally believe my sect's request for promotion can already be settled."
"If a sect doesn't even have the courage or stability to face the challenger, how can you all believe they can guard an entire domain?" he asked.
This question imdiately sparked a clamor within the great hall, with representatives from the five Taoist Sects each showing peculiar expressions.
Bai Shuang Sword Master glanced at the cultivator from the Dragon Elephant Temple in Western Domain.
As if understanding each other implicitly, the Dragon Elephant Temple cultivator stepped out calmly and said, "Lord Xia, I agree with Bai Shuang Sword Master; the rits of Sword Sect cannot be erased, but the position of Taoist Sect master should belong to the capable, as it concerns the safety of our Human Race in this domain. We must not act based on sentint."
Bai Shuang Sword Master's lips curled up slightly, but he said nothing.
With such a significant matter as promotion to a Taoist Sect, he certainly wouldn't co unprepared; he had already arranged multiple preparations privately.
Seeing the Dragon Elephant Temple taking the lead to support Bai Shuang Sword Master, the expressions of others changed even more frequently.
At this mont, the representative from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion snorted coldly, not only stepping out but also purposefully giving the Dragon Elephant Temple cultivator a contemptuous glance before saying, "Sword Sect guarded the Central Spirit Domain, and their contributions to our Human Race are unparalleled; no one can match them.
Though their strength has drastically declined due to the western expedition in Central Spirit, they still have Xia Daoyun, Yu Canghai, and Xue Wujian.
Though Sect Master Lu Qingshan's cultivation is still weak, his talent is unmatched, and his future holds unlimited potential.
No matter how you look at it, the position of Taoist Sect still fits Sword Sect better; could we let those who 'kick others when they're down' take the lead?"
With differing voices, things beca even more tumultuous.
Bai Shuang Sword Master's face looked unpleasant, clearly showing so anger at being labeled as soone who 'kicks others when they're down' by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion representative.
But Heavenly Secret Pavilion is, after all, a Taoist Sect. Having already offended Sword Sect, he naturally wouldn't dare offend another Taoist Sect.
So, he could only pretend not to hear the words of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion representative and shifted his gaze to Xia Zhao seated on the main seat.
"Lord Xia, what do you think?"
Xia Zhao cast a cold eye, staring without expression at Bai Shuang Sword Master.
"Bai Shuang Sword Master, who told you that Sword Sect doesn't even have the courage to attend the assembly?"
"Hmm?" Bai Shuang Sword Master showed a look of surprise, but his heart stirred as he turned his head.
A woman in green robes walked gently into the hall.
"Are you the one who wants to replace Sword Sect?" the green-robed woman looked at Bai Shuang Sword Master, raising her eyebrows slightly, her voice chilling to the extre.
"Xia Daoyun!" Bai Shuang Sword Master frowned, recognizing the identity of the green-robed woman.
Though Xia Daoyun only had the cultivation of the Sixth Tribulations Realm, weaker than him, he dared not disregard Xia Daoyun because of her accomplishnt at requesting a Sword Immortal's sword on the walls of Yun Pass and severely injuring Chi Venerable.
"Is this all the ambition the Sword Cleansing Pool's millennia of heritage amounted to?" Xia Daoyun asked.
Bai Shuang Sword Master's expression stiffened.
He could tolerate the sarcasm from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion cultivator, but since he was already thoroughly offended by Sword Sect, there was no need to swallow his pride.
"What's the ambition of your Sword Sect when Peak Master Xia speaks so insolently?"
"Why bother with these useless argunts?" Xia Daoyun was disdainful of further debate with Bai Shuang Sword Master, as sword cultivators prefer action over words.
"You want to replace Sword Sect, right?" she sneered, "A frog in a well doesn't know how vast the sky is, so you speak boldly."
"rcifully, I'll let you understand the gap between you and a Taoist Sect....."
"Co, today I'll teach you how to wield a sword."
The sect master of the world's second-ranked sword cultivator sect, Sword Cleansing Pool, was pointed at by a woman who said, "I'll teach you how to wield a sword."
This scene, if not witnessed personally, who would dare to believe it?
Even with the best upbringing, Bai Shuang Sword Master couldn't maintain deep composure at this mont.
"Xia Daoyun, don't be too arrogant!"
"A gentleman uses deeds, not words." Without a sound, Ox Ear Sword was held in Xia Daoyun's hand, pointing slantingly at Bai Shuang Sword Master.
Bai Shuang Sword Master looked at the Ox Ear Sword with full apprehension.
Just with this sword alone, he dared not assert he would definitely win against Xia Daoyun.
This in turn caused him to calm down significantly.
"Sect Master Lu?" Bai Shuang Sword Master's face gradually regained calmness, "This matter affects the ranking between Sword Sect and Sword Cleansing Pool. As the Sect Master of Sword Cleansing Pool, attending the assembly, according to regulations, Sword Sect should also be presented by their Sect Master."
"Could it be your Sect Master Lu doesn't even dare to show up, and had no choice but to let Peak Master Xia present herself as the façade?"
It's like in a martial arts hall challenge; if the hall master doesn't dare to step forward to accept the challenge, they can only invite an elder from the previous generation to step in.
Regardless of whether they win or lose, the montum is inherently weakened.
This is the current flaw of Sword Sect.
No matter how strong or domineering Xia Daoyun might be, she cannot work around this flaw.
Bai Shuang Sword Master continued, "How can the master of a Taoist Sect be soone so incompetent and cowardly?"
"If Sect Master Lu doesn't dare to step forward, then the duel between and Peak Master Xia would an nothing, and it should be a duel between Sword Sect and Sword Cleansing Pool."
His aning was simple.
It could either be a duel between the Sword Sect Master and Sword Cleansing Pool Master, or a fight between Sword Sect and Sword Cleansing Pool.
Nothing else would be accepted by him.
Following procedure was also Bai Shuang Sword Master's greatest confidence.
After all, nobody wishes to see a battle occur between Sword Sect and Sword Cleansing Pool, and so does he.
But a duel with Lu Qingshan, he had no doubts about victory.
Xia Daoyun naturally couldn't be unprepared, but just as she was about to speak, a calm and familiar voice preceded her.
"Master, let it be as Bai Sect Master desires."
She turned her head to look.
No one knew when, a man appeared at the entrance of the great hall, dressed in a black sect master robe with an embroidered pattern of a dark golden Azure Dragon on the long robe.
Majestic, nacing.
"Qingshan..." Xia Daoyun's gaze revealed a very faint touch of surprise, clearly indicating she hadn't expected Lu Qingshan to appear at this mont.
Yes, the man who appeared at the entrance of the great hall was none other than Xia Daoyun's disciple, the newly appointed sect master of Sword Sect, Lu Qingshan.
"Went to fetch sothing, got delayed a bit, unexpectedly allowing Bai Sect Master to gain considerable confidence for nothing." Lu Qingshan strode forward, until he reached Xia Daoyun's side, speaking only then.
His casual deanor left nobody to think that what he ant by "got sothing" was the twenty thousand swords of Sword Cleansing Pool.
"Since Bai Sect Master refuses to accept my Sword Sect, re words are of no use," Lu Qingshan smiled at the visibly changed Bai Shuang Sword Master and said, "As my Master said, very simply, actions speak louder than words."
Upon hearing this, all eyes flashed, unable to fathom on what basis Lu Qingshan assud such confidence.
"Are you sure about this?" Even Xia Daoyun, at this mont, slightly furrowed her elegant brows.
She knew Lu Qingshan's combat power was extraordinary, but Bai Shuang Sword Master was, after all, a Sword Cultivator of the Seventh Tribulation Realm, with cultivation higher than hers.
Lu Qingshan smiled without directly answering Xia Daoyun's question, but instead queried, "Master, do you want to win?"
This familiar dialogue rendered Xia Daoyun, who once extended her sword causing even a being like Chi Venerable to tremble, stared at Lu Qingshan like a little girl for a mont, then looked at him steadily, blinked, and smiled, ".....Of course."
"Then I'll say," Lu Qingshan gazed at Xia Daoyun's phoenix-like eyes, answering as he did on Sword Coming Peak years ago, softly saying:
"I will definitely win against him."
User Comments
0 comments from readers