The defenses of the Proud Sword Sect were extremely tight, but there were no obstructions for those from other sects who were heading up the mountain to observe the grand competition.
Huo Yuhao just swept his Sovereignty over a few disciples standing guard by the roadside, and then he very easily led Die Qiu up the main path and climbed the foot of the mountain.
As lush greenery began to appear on both sides, the sounds of disciples training also grew louder. Looking up slightly, what appeared before Huo Yuhao was a flight of bluestone steps that stretched to the end of his vision. At a glance, it was like a ladder to the heavens.
Standing at the foot of the mountain, Huo Yuhao looked up at these ancient stone steps, which had existed for who knows how many years. His eyes slowly closed. Faintly, it seemed as if the subtle sound of a sword's cry could be heard, crisply descending from the end of the steps, echoing quietly through the mountain forest like the chime of a bell, intoxicating the soul.
This Proud Sword Sect did have some merit.
...
At the end of the long stone staircase, clouds and mist swirled. Beyond the mist lay a vast plaza, entirely paved with uniformly cut giant stones, exuding an aura of ancient grandeur. At the center of the plaza stood a massive stone stele, towering solemnly. Inscribed upon it were the names of past sect masters of the Proud Sword Sect, alongside those who had made monumental contributions to the sect.
Looking around the plaza, at this moment, nearly a thousand disciples were sitting cross-legged in order. These disciples were seated in a semi-circle. Without exception, all of them were dressed in uniform robes. On their cuffs, an embroidery of a longsword fluttered with the wind, as if it were a living thing, faintly containing a hint of weak sword intent.
At the top of the plaza, however, there were some high stone seats on steps. The steps gradually ascended, and generally, the higher one went, the higher the seniority of the person sitting there. On the highest stone platform, three old men were currently standing. Below them were more than a dozen middle-aged men in white robes, sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed in meditation. Although these middle-aged men showed no special features on the surface, their robes, which were like steel and did not move at all no matter how the wind blew, let people know in their hearts that these protectors of the Proud Sword Sect were by no means simple!
In the plaza, nearly a hundred disciples were facing off in pairs, their longswords raining down like torrents, launching fierce attacks at their opponents. For a time, sword intent filled the air, a magnificent sight.
The cultivation of these soul masters was mostly between the third and fourth rings. They were all outstanding juniors of the current generation of the Proud Sword Sect. Every year during the Sword Discussion Grand Competition, the sect liked to use this as a prelude for the major sects who came to observe to enjoy, which also served to display the sect's strength.
Huo Yuhao led Die Qiu and mingled among the visiting guests. The cloth bag containing Wu Yifan's head had been soaked in blood. Along the way, the blood had already coagulated. After being frozen by Huo Yuhao with his Ultimate Ice, it was temporarily placed in the otherworldly space.
The members of the various major sects who arrived one after another did not rashly speak and break the atmosphere of the competition in the plaza. Some of the powerful elders of the Proud Sword Sect were aware of the arrival of these guests but did not react in the slightest, sitting quietly on the ground, seemingly long accustomed to it.
In the wide plaza, only the sound of the Proud Sword Sect disciples' clashing blades could be heard. Time also quietly passed with the crisp sound of metal crossing metal.
In the sky above, the great sun slowly climbed to its peak, and warm sunlight poured down, filling the entire mountaintop.
At a certain moment, from the depths of the main peak of the Proud Sword Mountain Gate, a vast and majestic aura, like that of an ancient dragon awakening from a long slumber, descended with an irresistible pressure!
The majestic aura, like an awakening dragon, instantly enveloped the entire Proud Sword Sect. A powerful pressure that the disciples had never felt before spread out from the depths of the main peak, finally filling the plaza.
Instantly, in the plaza, all the disciples of the Proud Sword Sect couldn't help but feel a sense of awe in their hearts. They knelt on both knees towards the source of the spreading aura. And the guests from the major sects who had come to observe the grand competition, as well as those Proud Sword Sect elders, although they did not kneel, they also bowed respectfully.
"This aura..." Nan Shuishui's beautiful eyes stared at the depths of the main peak, and a look of shock also appeared on her pretty face. She hadn't expected that on the day of the grand competition, this long-secluded Sect Master of the Proud Sword Sect would bring everyone such a shock.
"Damn it... this old guy actually broke through to Super Douluo!" At the moment the aura erupted, the faces of some of the sect members who had some old grudges with the Proud Sword Sect changed dramatically, their lowered voices unable to conceal their shock.
"Hahahaha..."
Just as everyone was discussing in low voices, the majestic aura emanating from the depths of the main peak also grew stronger and stronger. In the end, a loud laugh suddenly shot into the sky. Under the gaze of countless eyes, a white figure suddenly appeared, then stepped on the void and slowly made its way towards the grand competition plaza.
"Chen He, on behalf of the Proud Sword Sect, welcomes all guests who have come to observe the grand competition!"
The man was dressed in a very simple white robe. When the breeze blew, the robe fluttered, giving him a rather transcendent and ethereal air. He did not look very old. There were no wrinkles on his face that an old man should have; instead, it was like a piece of warm jade emitting a soft glow.
If not for that head of snow-white long hair, it would be really difficult for everyone to believe that he was an expert of the same era as old monsters like Du Busi. However, judging from the reverence on the faces of the Proud Sword Sect disciples below, this person was indeed the current Sect Master of the Proud Sword Sect, Chen He.
"Congratulations to Sect Master Chen for stepping into the realm of Super Douluo!"
Some guests from other sects who intended to curry favor with the Proud Sword Sect repeatedly offered their congratulations, while the faces of those sect members who had old grudges with the Proud Sword Sect were not so natural.
"Today is the annual Sword Discussion Grand Competition of my Proud Sword Sect. I hope all guests can gain the harvest they desire." Chen He placed his hands behind his back, his face devoid of joy or sorrow, and announced.
"This old man knows that you all do not wish to hear too much nonsense. Then, this session of the Sword Discussion Grand Competition officially begins!"
As Chen He's voice fell, two rows of neatly dressed sect disciples filed in from the side aisle. Their faces were filled with the unruliness that was characteristic of their age. Countless soul rings appeared one after another, instantly illuminating the entire plaza with a dazzling array of colors.
"Where is Yifan?"
Chen He's gaze swept over the area below, but he couldn't find the proud disciple he valued so much, and couldn't help but ask.
"This..." The three elders exchanged an awkward glance and had to make up a lie on the spot. "Yifan has gained some enlightenment during his recent trip out. He must be in closed-door cultivation at home and is unable to come."
Chen He knew Wu Yifan's character. He just didn't expect that kid to go missing at such an important time, and he couldn't help but frown.
"So be it. Since the chief disciple Wu Yifan is in seclusion, then let the second disciple step forward according to seniority to preside over the grand competition."
"Who said Wu Yifan didn't come? It's just that not all of him came."
The young man's light and casual words instantly broke the silence of the plaza.
In the distant sky, sunlight suddenly poured down. Passing through the cover of the ethereal clouds, it just so happened to shine on the very back of the visiting guests. There, a young man with a slightly thin figure, holding the hand of a girl who seemed to be untouched by the mortal world, finally appeared slowly in the line of sight of countless people.
He took a light step, then put down the cloth bag in his hand. A large head, as the cloth bag opened on its own, rolled silently across the quiet plaza.
Chen He's face instantly darkened. He stared at the unfamiliar young man and woman, a barely restrained fury simmering in his tone.
"Who are you?"
"A nameless boy, passing by this place with my beloved, happened upon a disciple of your esteemed sect selecting concubines, who intended to harm us, so I took action and taught him a lesson."
The young man unhurriedly raised his head, stared at Chen He in the air, and spoke faintly.
I've been criticized for my writing style lately, so I'll try to write a little more carefully. It's a bit padded, but I hope the readers can see the different direction the latter half of this work is taking.