Chapter 70

The gathering place for the sect meeting was set on the halfway point of the mountain behind the Nine Profound Sword Sect’s gate.

A spacious green stone square, three hundred feet in diameter, was surrounded by a green light, indicating that an array formation had been set up for protection.

This light was somewhat similar to the golden light enveloping the Sword Pavilion, but much dimmer.

Around the green stone square, Nine Profound Sword Sect disciples were stationed to ensure the safety of the venue.

Han Muye arrived at the entrance of the venue and saw it filled with cultivators wearing various attire.

Most of these cultivators were young, but they all exuded a rather solemn aura.

After all, they were the elites from over eighty sects, with no shortage of cultivation.

At that moment, everyone in the audience looked at the stone platform in the center of the square, which was three feet high and five feet in diameter, with varying expressions.

On the stone platform, two figures were engaged in a fierce battle, moving like flowers in the wind.

"Senior Brother, please follow me." At the entrance, a disciple of the Three Stones Studio, who had been waiting, led Han Muye through the crowd and up to a platform with seating arrangements.

In the center of the platform sat the owner of the Three Stones Studio, Elder Toba Cheng of the Nine Profound Sword Sect.

Beside him was a tall and robust bald man with a cold expression, Zhao Pu.

Below Toba Cheng and Zhao Pu, there were a few other cultivators who, by their attire, were not from the Nine Profound Sword Sect. It seemed these were the strong figures from various sects.

Zhao Pu turned his head, nodded to Han Muye, and then whispered a few words to Toba Cheng.

Toba Cheng's expression changed, his eyebrows raised, and he looked at Han Muye.

Han Muye hurriedly clasped his hands and bowed to Toba Cheng, saying softly, "Greetings, Uncle Toba."

Toba Cheng nodded and his gaze returned to the arena.

"You have comprehended the White Tiger Scroll, so you are no longer an outsider in our Three Stones Studio. Please sit." Zhao Pu pointed to the large chair beside him.

"From here, you can see clearly."

Indeed, when Han Muye sat in the large chair and watched the battle, he could see everything clearly.

"This is the arrangement for the sect meeting participants' battles."

"I had the lineup reordered last night."

Zhao Pu placed a thick book in front of Han Muye and said softly, "Lu Qingping and Lin Yuxia will not face the true elites of the various sects in the first ten matches."

Han Muye looked up at him. Last night, Lin Shen hadn't told Zhao Pu that his sister was also participating in this sect meeting.

Zhao Pu smiled lightly. "Lin Junior Brother didn't mention it, but I should still pay attention, right?"

Han Muye nodded.

He hadn't realized that Zhao Pu was so meticulous.

Lowering his head to flip through the book, Han Muye found that the records in it were much more detailed than what he had heard from Bai Suzhen yesterday.

The strength of various sects, the ranking of elite disciples, their cultivation levels, and their specialties were all recorded.

According to the lineup in the book, it would be easy to ensure that Lu Qingping and Lin Yuxia entered the top ten in their respective groups.

As for the subsequent matches, it would depend on their true abilities.

Closing the book, Han Muye sighed softly.

Indeed, official cheating is the most fatal.

With Zhao Pu's arrangement, he didn't need to do anything for Lu Qingping and Lin Yuxia.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with the lineup?" Zhao Pu turned to look at him.

Han Muye shook his head and looked at the figures on the high platform, saying softly, "I just feel that by doing this, we are interfering with the karma of others and cutting off their opportunities."

Winning more battles, receiving various rewards, and gaining insights from the battles are all opportunities that greatly benefit future cultivation.

"Hmph, if you are strong, you must bear the karma of the weak." Toba Cheng's voice suddenly sounded.

"If you don't have the courage to bear this, what are you cultivating for? You might as well go down the mountain."

Han Muye opened his mouth and then nodded.

What Toba Cheng said was a fundamental truth in the cultivation world.

Actually, Toba Cheng was being tactful.

In the eyes of the strong, everything about the weak can be controlled at will.

This is the cultivation world.

The weak are prey for the strong.

Looking at the high platform, Han Muye's eyes became more profound.

Zhao Pu glanced at him, his face showing a hint of complexity.

The master really values Brother Han...

"Shao Ling Sheng of the Wuyang Sword Sect."

A voice came from the high platform, and a tall, slender girl with a long sword stood there, bowing to the crowd.

Her opponent was already lying on the ground.

Among the cultivators sitting in the row in front of Han Muye, someone commented, mostly encouraging and evaluating her sword skills.

To Han Muye, it was all general talk and empty words.

After the comments, the girl bowed and gracefully leaped down like a butterfly.

This move instantly drew loud cheers from the surrounding male disciples.

"He Dao Shen of the Fuling Dao Sect, Miao Yuan of the Suyang Sect."

A Three Stones Studio disciple on the high platform announced, and two figures rushed up.

The Suyang Sect?

Han Muye took a closer look at the lean young man.

These two sects were known for their magical techniques, and the disciples' battle was like a fireworks show.

The high platform was filled with light and flames, and the water and fire spread across the sky, making a spectacular sight.

Han Muye's eyes were fixed on the two figures on the high platform, and images kept flowing through his mind.

Comprehending the Suyang Sect's Water Arrow Technique.

Comprehending the Fuling Dao Sect's Fire Dragon Palm.

In his mind, the two figures had a faint flow of spiritual energy, which then transformed into water arrows and fire dragons colliding.

This was the magical technique.

After comprehending it, Han Muye had a clear understanding.

No wonder in the cultivation world, sword cultivators at the lower stages far surpass those who cultivate magical techniques.

The saying "one sword breaks all techniques" is not without reason.

Magical techniques may seem powerful and have great destructive force, but they consume spiritual energy and are slow to execute. They also require a deep understanding of the technique to be smoothly used in battle.

Even on the high platform, these two, although already at the Condensation Qi stage, still had moments of tension and mistakes, which interrupted their techniques.

A sword cultivator, once close, could completely suppress a magical technique cultivator.

Only at higher stages, when the paths converge, would the combat power of sword cultivators and magical technique cultivators be balanced.

"One sword breaks all techniques, one technique subdues all swords" is not without basis.

"Boom—"

On the high platform, the flames exploded, and the Suyang Sect disciple was directly blown out, unconscious.

"He Dao Shen of the Fuling Dao Sect wins."

The voice on the high platform announced.

Han Muye turned to look at Zhao Pu.

The fate of the Suyang Sect disciple had already been arranged before the battle.

Someone in front commented, and the next match began.

Each match was short, and the outcome was decided in the blink of an eye.

Han Muye watched with great interest, occasionally comprehending a set of sword techniques or magical techniques.

Although they were all low-level, he didn't mind.

"Who will win this match?"

Suddenly, Toba Cheng, who had been silent, spoke.

His voice was not low, and the experts from various sects sitting in front turned to look, then at the high platform.

On the high platform, two sword cultivators were engaged in a fierce battle, having exchanged a few moves.

Who will win?

Zhao Pu's face showed a look of confusion.

He opened the book in his hand, looked at the names of the two combatants, and became even more puzzled.

These two had similar cultivation levels and their sects had similar strength. The battle was evenly matched. How could he judge the winner?

"Master, I can't tell. Perhaps after a few more moves, I can make a judgment." Zhao Pu spoke honestly.

Toba Cheng turned his head and looked at Han Muye.

Han Muye's expression remained unchanged, and he said softly, "Zhou Wu of the Huiming Sect ranks sixth in his sect, and Xia Shengzi of the Qingling Sword Sect ranks ninth."

"Zhou Wu cultivates the Huiming Sect's signature sword technique, the Stone Mark, and Xia Shengzi cultivates the Qingling Sword Sect's Ice Rain Sword."

"With equal cultivation and similar comprehension, the signature sword technique is naturally stronger than ordinary sword techniques."

Turning to Toba Cheng, Han Muye's face showed a hint of confidence. "This match, Zhou Wu wins."

"Clang—"

On the high platform, Zhou Wu's long sword cut through Xia Shengzi's sword, and the tip of the sword pressed against Xia Shengzi's pale chest.

In front, several cultivators turned around, their eyes landing on Han Muye's face.

Zhao Pu turned his head and looked at Han Muye. "Brother Han, can you really predict these outcomes?"

Han Muye shook his head and said lightly, "No, I just noticed that Zhou Wu's sword is very valuable."

"Don't forget what I do."

A sword appraiser.

Zhao Pu muttered.

"Then what about this match?"

Toba Cheng's voice sounded again.

Zhao Pu opened his mouth.

This match, the combatants hadn't even stabilized on the platform. How could he judge?

He couldn't help but turn his head to look at Han Muye.

Han Muye's eyes sparkled.

Is Toba Cheng testing me?

Interesting.

Looking at the two preparing to draw their swords on the platform, Han Muye spoke calmly.

"This match—"