Supreme Sword Exalt

As the number one power in the Northern Domain, the Yuqing Sect had a large number of disciples and followers, making it much more bustling than the other families on ordinary days. However, it seemed even more lively today.

“It’s finally about to open!”

“I wonder how many people will be able to enter this time?”

“It’s always the same few people going back and forth. Anyway, it won’t be our turn!”

“Chu Kuang will definitely go!”

“Obviously, he’s someone who entered the Qingyun Pavilion. How can we compare to him?”

Groups of disciples gathered in twos and threes, discussing excitedly.

In front of a secluded cave residence, Yuan Gang, dressed in a blue robe, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His eyes were slightly closed, as if waiting for something.

Every passing disciple respectfully saluted him. Within the sect, Yuan Gang’s authority was no less than that of the seat elders. He greatly enjoyed the feeling of being revered and having everything under his control.

Suddenly, he seemed to sense something and looked toward the cave residence. “Hmm?”

After a momentary fluctuation in the restrictive barrier, a youth dressed in white, with red lips and white teeth, walked out unhurriedly. It was Chu Kuang.

Yuan Gang looked at him, his brow slightly furrowed. “Junior Brother, your progress is so fast. Could your foundation be unstable?”

Chu Kuang’s cultivation had actually reached the Spirit Profound realm.

“It’s fine. It’s just an accumulation over a long time, erupting all at once. As for my foundation...” he continued, smiling proudly, “in the entire Northern Domain, you probably couldn’t find anyone with a more solid foundation than me!”

Only then did Yuan Gang feel relieved, breaking into a smile. “Then I can rest assured. But since you’ve broken through to the Spirit Profound realm, there’s no need for you to participate in the qualification battle.”

To enter the secret realm, the conditions were quite stringent. Age under thirty, and cultivation level above the Spirit Profound realm. Such talents were absolute elites no matter which family they belonged to, so there naturally weren’t many. Even in the Yuqing Sect, only a dozen or so met the criteria. The other families had even fewer.

It was precisely because of this that the families held some discussions. As a result, each time the secret realm opened, three special slots would be added, allowing cultivators under twenty and below the Spirit Profound realm to compete. The purpose was to give geniuses like Chu Kuang a chance. Only, it was obvious that he didn’t need this opportunity anymore.

Chu Kuang didn’t mind. “We’ll see. If there are any decent talents, I’d actually like to go down and test their abilities!”

Just then, a commotion arose in the distance.

Yuan Gang’s expression shifted, remarking with a hint of mockery, “Hmm? It seems the people from those other families have arrived. Heh, I’d really like to see what expressions they’re wearing now.”

Chu Kuang was a bit curious. “Senior Brother, did something happen during my time in seclusion?”

Yuan Gang sighed with emotion. “Of course! And it was no small matter.”

He recounted the events that had occurred during this period.

Chu Kuang was somewhat disdainful. “Fu Fatty? He appears brave and fearless, but to put it bluntly, he’s just a clown! I’m afraid his strength simply isn’t enough to face the two families directly, so he can only use this method to annoy them. As for that Heaven-tier technique, that matter is actually full of holes. If they weren’t too greedy and chose to turn a blind eye, how could things have come to this?”

Yuan Gang sighed. “You’re absolutely right!”

Not to mention others, even the two supreme elders of their own sect nearly died of anger after returning, and hadn’t shown their faces since.

Then, Yuan Gang shook his head. “Enough! The qualification battle is about to begin. How about accompanying me to watch?”

“Since you’re in the mood, I shall accompany you!”

***

At that moment, outside the mountain gate, Yang Lan stared into the distance. “Strange... My brother still hasn’t returned. With his temperament, he should have been here long ago.”

Beside her, Jiang Feng also frowned slightly. “Yes. Also, didn’t Brother Gu say he was coming? Why haven’t we seen any sign of him? And Senior Brothers—”

As he spoke, he suddenly noticed Yang Lan was staring straight ahead, trembling slightly.

“Are you okay?”

Following her gaze, he saw a group of people approaching from afar. Judging by their attire, it was the people from the other families.

Yang Lan quickly turned around. “Let’s go! Brother Jiang, let’s go back—”

Before she could finish, an icy voice came over. “Stop!”

As soon as the words fell, several figures appeared in front of her. The two in the lead were Yang Lin and Meng Xing.

Yang Lin glanced indifferently at Yang Lan. “What! Have you forgotten the rules of the Yang family just because you’ve entered the Yuqing Sect?”

Yang Lan stiffened, slowly turned around, and respectfully bowed. “Greetings... Young Master.”

Meng Xing looked at Yang Lan thoughtfully. “Brother Yang, could she be...”

Behind him, Meng Qian wore a look of hatred. “Brother, it’s her! That little wretch! If it weren’t for her that day, Yang Fei wouldn’t have been severely injured by that person! Brother Yang Lin...”

Then, she stole a glance at Yang Lin and blushed, her tone turning gentle. “Y-you must not let her off.”

Yang Lin was handsome, had extraordinary talent, and even held the positions of both chief disciple and young master. She liked her fiance from the bottom of her heart, even to the point of fawning over him.

Upon hearing this, Meng Xing frowned slightly, but couldn’t bring himself to scold her.

Yang Lin just stared at Yang Lan and asked, “Where’s Yang Ying?”

Years of oppression made Yang Lan unable to muster any courage when facing him. “I-I don’t...”

Jiang Feng immediately stepped in front of her. “He’s not here. As for exactly where he went, we don’t know.”

Yang Lin frowned slightly. “Who are you? I’m speaking to her. Are you qualified to interrupt?”

“I—”

Bang!

Before he could finish, a powerful aura descended, blasting Jiang Feng far away. Before he could even steady himself, he had already spat out a mouthful of blood.

Yang Lan looked concerned. “Brother Jiang, are you alright?!”

Meng Qian suddenly laughed. “That day, I heard you found a lover in the Yuqing Sect. Could it be him? Heh, what a shameless little wretch!”

The considerable commotion attracted a large crowd to stop and watch.

“These two families are really worked up!”

”Of course, don’t you know about that Heaven-tier technique and the secret realm matter?”

“Tsk tsk, indeed. The Yang and Meng families suffered the most losses in the entire Northern Domain...”

“Shh! Be careful with your words! Knowing is enough, don’t say it out loud. No matter how great their losses, they’re not people we can afford to provoke!”

Yang Lin and the others obviously heard the discussions. Their faces darkened. After all, the matter of the relic site had long spread throughout the Northern Domain, impossible to suppress.

Originally, all the families should’ve lost reputation, but the Yang and Meng families had suffered far too much. Not only did they gain no benefits at all, they even lost elite clan members and had their secret realms stripped clean. The scale of their losses completely overshadowed those of the other families, making them the laughingstock.

Countless people speculated that Fu Fatty had likely struck again. After all, this setup was too obvious, clearly targeting the two families.

From within the crowd, a young man sneered. “Bullying the small with the big, the weak with the strong. It’s quite impressive!”

Unlike the rest, he wasn’t afraid of offending the two families in the slightest. He didn’t care at all.

Meng Qian sharply turned her head. “Murong Chong, this is a matter between our two families! It has nothing to do with the Murong family! Mind your words!”

Murong Chong said with a serious face, “How come you don’t dare to say such words in front of Murong Yan?”

Meng Qian’s words caught in her throat. “I—”

Murong Yan was truly someone she didn’t dare to provoke.

A flash of silver light passed through Meng Xing’s eyes as he said indifferently, “Murong Yan? If she were here, I would like to meet her!”

Murong Chong smiled, revealing his set of white teeth. “Don’t worry! There will be a chance.”

Having said that, he didn’t linger either, leading the clansmen behind him towards the mountain gate.

At that moment, Yang Lin obviously had no intention of letting Yang Lan off easily.

He remained expressionless, but a hint of severity crept into his tone. “You know about Yang Fei, right? That incident started because of you. Do you admit it was your fault? After the trial, return to the family to receive punishment at once!”

After hearing the words “receive punishment”, Yang Lan visibly trembled. She knew better than anyone that the Yang family’s punishments were definitely not ordinary.

Mustering all her courage, she gritted her teeth. “I-I won’t go back! It was not my fault! He was the one who wronged me first!”

Yang Lin’s tone grew heavier. “Hmm? Say that again?”

“I—”

Just as Yang Lan was about to speak, Meng Qian slapped her across the face.

Meng Qian angrily scolded her, “Wretch! You dare disobey Yang Lin’s words?”

She had clearly used considerable force, making Yang Lan spit blood and nearly faint.

Jiang Feng was furious. “Stop! This is simply too much—”

He was sent flying far away again.

Meng Xing retracted his palm, saying calmly, “You’re asking for death. Is it your place to stop my sister from venting her anger?”

Meng Qian approached Yang Lan again. “Little wretch, today, I’ll teach you the rules properly on Yang Lin’s behalf!”

Behind them, the people from the three families all wore expressions of gloating. Only Zhi Xuan, a female disciple of Qixia Court, kept her head lowered, lost in thought.

Just as Meng Qian was about to strike again, someone approached, shouting authoritatively, “Hey! How could you be so brazen here?! Have you no respect for the Yuqing Sect?”

It was Yuan Gang!

Upon seeing his arrival, the Yuqing Sect disciples watching the excitement hurriedly saluted. “Greetings, Senior Brother Yuan!”

Even Meng Qian hesitated, unsure whether to strike down or not.

Yang Lin wasn’t the least bit surprised by Yuan Gang’s arrival. “Brother Yuan, this is a family matter of mine.”

Meng Xing nodded. “That’s right. My sister suffered severe injuries because of her. She just wants to vent her anger. Will you stop her too?”

Yuan Gang turned cold. “Gentlemen, I don’t care what you do outside, but this is the Yuqing Sect! After all, she is a disciple of the Yuqing Sect.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Lin and Meng Xing exchanged a look.

“Fine, I’ll give you face!”

“I hope Brother Yuan will also give us some face!”

Perhaps not wanting to delay their plans, the two each took a step back.

Yuan Gang’s expression softened. “Good! Once outside the Yuqing Sect, I won’t meddle anymore.”

Only Meng Qian still seemed somewhat unwilling. “Brother, we’re just letting her off like that?”

Yang Lin said calmly, “Let’s go. I will definitely give you an alternative regarding this matter.”

Meng Qian’s anger turned to joy. “Thank you, Brother Yang Lin!”

Of course, she didn’t see that among the Qixia Court disciples behind her, Zhi Xuan was staring at her intently.

After seeing everyone leave, Chu Kuang suddenly smiled. “Senior Brother, are these two usually this reasonable?”

Yuan Gang sneered. ”They are definitely not easy to deal with. However, they won’t be arrogant for much longer. Once your cultivation advances another step, with us joining forces, everyone under the Northern Domain will have to bow before the Qingyun Pavilion.”

Chu Kuang raised an eyebrow. “Senior Brother, the Divine Continent is so big. It’s not just the Northern Domain of the Eastern Wasteland alone!”

Yuan Gang laughed heartily. “Someone’s ambitious! You truly are a kindred spirit!”

They laughed and talked, gradually moving away. After seeing that the excitement was over, the crowd also dispersed, rushing toward the mountain gate. The secret realm qualification battle was about to begin.

Yang Lan’s gaze was dim. “Brother Jiang, I’m sorry. I’ve implicated you.”

Jiang Feng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “It’s not your fault. They are the ones who went too far. Let’s go find Master first. Your injuries are serious, we can’t wait any longer.”

***

Some time later, the outside of the mountain gate was completely empty. It was precisely at this moment, the sounds of mutual complaints faintly drifted over.

“Yang Ying, why didn’t you say anything earlier?!”

“What does it have to do with me? If he hadn’t swallowed so many spirit herbs, would his cultivation have taken this long?”

“Brother Yang, are you blaming me now?”

“Stop arguing! If we keep arguing, the secret realm will close!”