Chapter 92

"Victory or defeat is already decided!"

Perhaps seeing the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, Beiting Cangjue turned his head and said, "When two tigers fight, one is bound to be injured. The ancients were not wrong. Your nephew Ming'er has talent that does not fall short of Wan'er's, but this time he was unfortunately defeated by Wudao, which is truly a pity. However, there is still a chance. He is already at the fourth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Whether he directly enters the inner sect after reaching the sixth level, or waits for three years, it will be easy for him to join the Lichen Sect."

Gu Yue Tianfang, however, remained unmoved, his eyes still dark. Gu Yue Qingrong's face twisted into a grotesque expression, his true essence surging, and his bones crackling. The killing intent in his eyes was not concealed at all.

Talking about waiting for three years and entering the inner sect after reaching the sixth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, it was more like a knife cutting into their hearts and salt being rubbed into the wound.

In three years, with the strength of the Beiting family, they could tightly bind the family to the Lichen Sect. They could also erode a large part of the Gu Yue family's power in Songjiang.

The Gu Yue family, though having over twenty Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators, most of whom were at the mid-level or higher, still required a large amount of financial resources to support them each year. Once they were squeezed and suppressed by the Beiting family and lost their source of income, they would be on the brink of collapse.

As for reaching the sixth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, Gu Yue Ming had already consumed countless pills to leap to the fourth level in three months, causing his foundation to waver. Today, being severely injured by Zhuang Wudao, his essence was greatly damaged, and it was uncertain whether he could make a breakthrough within two years.

Even if he reached the sixth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, what good would it do? Without being selected through the official competition, he would ultimately not be highly regarded by the Lichen Sect.

At this moment, the Gu Yue family had already fallen into a bottomless abyss.

Zhuang Wudao also gradually felt that the situation was not right. Looking at the expressions and postures of these two people, it seemed as if they were about to fight to the death with the Beiting family.

Thinking about it more carefully, if Gu Yue Tianfang really took such action, it would not be unexpected. After all, death was death; what difference was there between dying early or late?

It might as well be a fight to the death with the Beiting family before the Gu Yue family was completely destroyed, perhaps there would still be a chance.

Naturally, Zhuang Wudao, the culprit, would also be doomed to die.

As for Li Chongzhen, if there were any unexpected changes today, he would most likely stand by and watch the two families fight.

Breathing slightly constricted, Zhuang Wudao let the heat flow from the Qingyun Sword behind him take control of his body.

Once Gu Yue Tianfang burst out, the only one who could help him survive would be the sword spirit, Yun'er.

At this moment, those watching the match below also began to notice, their faces changing, and they retreated.

A battle between late-stage Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators could affect a thousand feet of land. In this courtyard today, except for a few dozen Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators, no one would survive.

However, just as the atmosphere in the courtyard became the most cold and tense, and both sides were on the verge of a confrontation, a deep, old voice came from outside the courtyard wall: "Rushing day and night for two days, I didn't expect to arrive late."

As the voice fell, a figure also arrived, flying over the three-zhang-high wall of the Lichen Academy and landing on the stage. He looked to be about forty years old, with a face somewhat similar to Beiting Cangjue, but he was lean and fierce, with thick eyebrows raised, looking around with a curious expression: "I seem to have missed something?"

Gu Yue Tianfang's eyes widened in anger, but then his face calmed down, and all the killing intent was reined in, his voice even colder: "Beiting Cangkong!"

Zhuang Wudao's heart also leaped. This person was Beiting Wan'er's father, the current head of the Beiting family?

His tense heart also slightly relaxed. With this person here, today's situation would finally end peacefully.

No matter how unwilling Gu Yue Tianfang was, he would never take action with both Beiting family leaders present.

This person's arrival also meant that the Beiting family had already made thorough preparations to resist any possible counterattack from the Gu Yue family.

Even Gu Yue Qingrong, at this moment, suppressed his anger and killing intent, his face calm and terrifying.

"Traveling a thousand miles to return, you two must have great confidence in him."

At this point, Gu Yue Tianfang glanced at Zhuang Wudao: "Today, I, Gu Yue Tianfang, have lost! I am convinced. But I am still not satisfied—"

After saying this, he did not utter a single word of nonsense, but turned and left directly. Gu Yue Qingrong also said nothing, carrying Gu Yue Ming's body and following closely behind.

Watching these two leave, Beiting Cangjue's smile faded, his eyes filled with worry: "From the looks of it, that old man won't let it go easily."

"Quite normal, if I were in his place, I would do the same! A thousand years of accumulation and hundreds of years of glory, how could he just give up?"

Beiting Cangkong's expression was indifferent, not taking it seriously. Instead, he looked at Zhuang Wudao with interest.

"You are Zhuang Wudao? Wan'er indeed has a keen eye. To defeat Gu Yue Ming, you are truly a remarkable person! But you should know that after today's battle, the Gu Yue family will surely see you as a thorn in their side, wanting to eliminate you at all costs."

Zhuang Wudao naturally understood. After today's battle, he and the Gu Yue family would be mortal enemies.

However, at this moment, the Beiting family would certainly invest a strength ten times greater than before to ensure his safety.

The only chance the Gu Yue family had was to kill him within three days. Gu Yue Ming could then join the top four as a substitute.

"Your Sword Robe Hall is not very safe. After today, why don't you temporarily stay at our Beiting Manor?"

Without waiting for Zhuang Wudao's response, Beiting Cangkong smiled again, his tone familiar, as if he had known Zhuang Wudao for a long time, but also with a hint of imperiousness: "Before you go to the Lichen Sect, all the martial arts and techniques in the Beiting family's collection can be freely viewed by you."

Zhuang Wudao's eyes lit up, and he smiled, bowing to Beiting Cangkong. Even without the last sentence, he would not have refused.

Gu Yue Tianfang would certainly want to eliminate him, and staying at the Sword Robe Hall would only bring disaster to his brothers and put himself in danger.

Only by staying at the heart of the Beiting family could he be safe.

Being able to view all the Beiting family's collections was an unexpected joy. The Beiting family's collection was far superior to that of the Lichen Academy.

Beiting Cangkong nodded in satisfaction and then walked towards Li Chongzhen. Zhuang Wudao also looked at this Lichen Inspector and the new head of the academy with deep meaning.

He did not regret or fear offending this person. Once he joined the Lichen Sect as a true disciple, his status would surpass this person. Being far away in the Lichen Sect, he would have little to do with this person.

However, he did not understand why Li Chongzhen's attitude had suddenly changed. Even if it was to support the Gu Yue family, it should not have been to this extent.

He remembered that two months ago, this person had even defended him from the flying needle of the Luoshan Hall Master. At that time, Li Chongzhen clearly still appreciated him.

What had changed?

※※※※

Although he had decided to stay at the Beiting family for a while, after leaving the Lichen Academy, Zhuang Wudao still returned to the Sword Robe Hall first.

At this moment, the courtyard of the hall was decorated with lanterns and filled with a festive atmosphere. Everyone's face was filled with joy.

Zhuang Wudao's battle with Gu Yue Ming, most of the people from the Sword Robe Hall had come to watch. They all knew that Zhuang Wudao had a ten-to-one chance of becoming the top disciple of this year's academy.

In just ten to fifteen days, Zhuang Wudao would officially become a Lichen disciple, and it was likely that he would soon become a true disciple.

The Sword Robe Hall was just a small, unranked gang, but having someone rise to become a major sect's disciple was a cause for great joy and excitement throughout the hall.

This was a true pillar of support, like a protective umbrella. As long as Zhuang Wudao was in the Lichen Sect, the Sword Robe Hall would not fear destruction.

Anyone in Yuecheng who wanted to harm the Sword Robe Hall would have to give Zhuang Wudao some face.

Over the past few months, Qin Feng had been training the gang members and recruiting experts, but none of this compared to the moment when Zhuang Wudao joined a major sect, which solidified the foundation of the Sword Robe Hall and united the hearts of its members.

So, throughout the hall, whether it was the straightforward and righteous Wang Wu or the cold and calculating Xue Zhi, they all drank to their hearts' content that night.

Like Ma Yuan and Lin Han, they were also drunk to the point of unconsciousness, crying and laughing, saying, "My brother has finally made it, rising to the top."

When this wild and chaotic banquet ended, only Qin Feng and Yan Jun, who had come to celebrate, remained sober. The former was calm and serious, not fond of drinking, while the latter had deep cultivation and a great capacity for alcohol.

Zhuang Wudao was the same. Even though he drank without refusal, he remained unharmed, and the more he drank, the more spirited he became, using his true essence to expel the alcohol from his body.

The three of them did not pay attention to the drunkards lying on the ground and walked to a pavilion in the back garden to drink tea.

"These past years, I have inquired about the situation in the Lichen Sect to avoid being ignorant of my own sect after joining. It is said that the Lichen Sect has two mountains and seven peaks, each with its own secret tradition. Although our sect is currently thriving, there are still conflicts and struggles between the two mountains and seven peaks. For example, the Mingcui Peak, where Hall Master Li is located, is at odds with the Xuanling Mountain. The disciples of the two peaks see each other as enemies and do not interact. When you join, you will most likely be assigned to the Mingcui Peak. There are some things you need to be aware of. You need to be cautious in your interactions. Many new disciples have stumbled early on because they did not understand the intricacies, leading to their lifelong ruin. Also, the Lichen Sect has seven major families that hold key positions, each with several Golden Core experts and nearly a hundred true disciples, with significant power. You need to be cautious."

Yan Jun spoke solemnly, then laughed to himself: "With the support of the Beiting family, you will know the situation in the Lichen Sect better than I do. In at most two years, I will also join the Lichen Sect. At that time, I may need your help."

His words were mixed with a hint of flattery, something he had never shown before.

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