On Cangmang Peak, everyone looked up to the sky, feeling the intense waves of battle above. Some were excited, some were worried, others were restless all kinds of emotions flickered across the faces of the onlookers.
This was a duel between the two strongest cultivators in Lingzhou. No matter who won or lost, the outcome of this battle would reshape the power structure of the entire region.
Would the Song Clan reclaim its former glory and continue to dominate Lingzhou?
Or would the Earthfire Sect rise to become the new overlord?
Everything hinged on this battle.
Just as the fight reached its most intense stage, another burst of sword-whistling sounds echoed from the horizon. Song Changsheng looked up and saw it was the people from the Earthfire Sect and the Qiu Clan arriving.
Leading the Earthfire Sect was Cheng Yufei, who had just emerged from seclusion, with Li Tiancheng and Qu Jinsheng flying behind him on their swords. Aside from Du Huating, who was stationed at Liuyun Market, all of the Earthfire Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators had arrived it was an all-out mobilization.
From the Qiu Clan, two Foundation Establishment cultivators came Clan Leader Qiu Tianyang and Elder Qiu Tianxing.
Five Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived together, and once again, a tense, gunpowder-like atmosphere enveloped Cangmang Peak. Song Xianyun immediately led Song Luzhou and the others to intercept them no matter what, they couldn't allow interference in the duel above.
Now nine Foundation Establishment cultivators were facing off in mid-air, making the entire Song Clan's hearts clench in suspense. Nearly a third of all Foundation Establishment cultivators in Lingzhou were gathered here. If a fight broke out, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Song Xianyun, hand over Song Changsheng. Otherwise, there's no avoiding bloodshed in the Song Clan today," Qiu Tianyang said through gritted teeth.
Qiu Wengui had been one of the most outstanding disciples of the Qiu Clan in this generation. Whether in talent or temperament, he showed great promise. Qiu Tianyang had high hopes for him, hoping he would stand out in the secret realm and seize the Foundation Establishment opportunity.
He never expected Qiu Wengui to perish inside. Unable to suppress his rage, he brought Qiu Tianxing with him to demand an explanation from the Song Clan. Along the way, they encountered Cheng Yufei and the others, who were on their way to support Chang Wudao.
With aligned goals and a pre-existing alliance, the two sides naturally joined forces to hold the Song Clan accountable.
Song Xianyun responded coldly, "Qiu Tianyang, are you senile? Your boy, Qiu Wengui, had no grudge against my grandson not in the past or recently. If he's dead, what's it got to do with Changsheng?"
"Exactly. I think it was the Earthfire Sect that saw how talented my nephew was and quietly took him out. Three people went in. You think my nephew's that powerful to kill all three by himself?" Song Luzhou crossed his arms and mocked, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Qiu Tianyang glanced subtly at Cheng Yufei and his men. Truth be told, he had some doubts too. That Song Changsheng was barely in his twenties could he take on three opponents and leave no survivors?
The Earthfire Sect insisted it was Song Changsheng who did it, but in truth, no one had any solid evidence.
Cheng Yufei's face darkened. He snapped coldly, "You're still trying to sow discord at a time like this? The Earthfire Sect and the Qiu Clan are as close as brothers. How could we ever do something like that?
It's obvious that brat used some sinister, underhanded method to ambush them."
"Brothers? Hahaha, now that's a joke! Twenty years ago, didn't someone from the Qiu Clan also die in the secret realm? What was her name again… Qiu Yuewen, right?
I believe she was the clan leader's niece. Died a pretty horrible death too. Need me to remind you who killed her?" Song Luzhou said mockingly as he picked his ear with his pinky finger.
Qiu Tianyang's face instantly darkened.
That niece had been exceptionally talented and virtuous, someone he treated like his own daughter. She had died during a struggle for a rare spirit herb in the secret realm, killed on the spot by a disciple of the Earthfire Sect. And afterward, the Earthfire Sect merely offered token compensation and never handed over the killer.
It was a pain he'd buried deep in his heart and now, it had been ripped open again.
Seeing the change in Qiu Tianyang's expression, Cheng Yufei felt a sudden jolt of panic and immediately lashed out first, roaring, "You speak nonsense! Die!"
As he spoke, Cheng Yufei charged straight at Song Xianyun's group with Qu Jinsheng and the others.
The two sides instantly clashed, erupting into a chaotic battle. The earth shook and mountains crumbled, layers of forest were set ablaze, and the shockwaves of the battle slammed against the clan-protecting formation, creating ripples that rattled everyone's hearts.
Qiu Tianyang's expression shifted back and forth. In the end, he gritted his teeth and, bringing Qiu Tianxing with him, joined the fray. With five against four, the pressure on the Song Clan surged dramatically.
Song Changsheng watched anxiously. After all, this entire conflict had started because of him. He clenched his fists tightly and swore to himself in silence:
"One day, when I reach the peak of cultivation, I will wipe you all out to the last!"
Just as the Song Clan began to fall at a disadvantage, two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Wang Clan arrived just in time. With their support, the tide was stemmed. Wang Clan Patriarch, Wang Qingquan, shouted:
"Enough! Everyone, stop this madness!"
Cheng Yufei responded coldly,
"Patriarch Wang, today's matter has nothing to do with you. I suggest you stay out of it."
Wang Qingquan's face darkened, but he stood his ground without fear:
"This battle affects all of Lingzhou. You say it has nothing to do with me?"
"Hmph." Cheng Yufei's eyes flickered, but he said no more. He realized that continuing this fight would benefit no one especially now that his side was at a disadvantage.
"Since Fellow Daoist Song and Fellow Daoist Chang are already dueling above, we might as well wait for the outcome. Fighting here will only weaken us and let others reap the rewards."
"Patriarch Wang speaks wisely." Song Xianyun nodded in agreement.
Peace returned once more to the foot of Cangmang Peak. Everyone now focused on the sky, waiting for the result of that climactic battle.
Boom
Suddenly, a dazzling light flashed, accompanied by a thunderous rumble. The clouds above were instantly swept away.
"What was that just now? Why did it give me a faint sense of dread?" Cheng Yufei looked toward the sky, clearly shaken.
The others were equally uneasy. They too had sensed that brief, overwhelming fluctuation of power, their hearts filled with uncertainty and suspicion.
"It seems… it's over?" Wang Qingquan said suddenly.
The sky had gone still again. The battle seemed to have concluded but no one knew who had won.
All eyes turned to the sky, watching tensely.
Two streaks of light descended like long rainbows, landing back within their respective camps.
Song Changsheng immediately looked over and saw that though Song Xianming's robes were slightly disheveled, his aura remained powerful and sharp. There were no visible injuries he hadn't come out worse for wear.
Changsheng secretly let out a sigh of relief. He then turned to look at Chang Wudao, only to see that his aura was weakened and the corners of his mouth were stained with blood.
The result was clear Song Xianming had decisively defeated Chang Wudao.
The Song Clan burst into thunderous cheers. They had won and with that victory, their position in Lingzhou was once again solidified!
Cheng Yufei and the others were left in disbelief. Their mighty sect leader... had lost?
Unbothered by the shocked stares around him, Chang Wudao looked at Song Xianming and said coldly:
"You've mastered a minor divine ability, haven't you?"
His words sent a wave of shock through the crowd.
Song Xianming mastered a minor divine ability?
Song Xianyun and the others stared at him with eager eyes, all wanting confirmation of the astonishing news...
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