The sect gathering was set halfway up the mountain behind the Nine Mystic Sword Sect.
There was a wide limestone square with a radius of 3,000 feet. Green light flashed around it, and there was actually an array formation protecting it.
This halo was somewhat similar to the golden light that enveloped the Sword Pavilion, but it was much dimmer.
There were Nine Mystic Sword disciples stationed around the limestone square, ensuring the safety of the venue.
Han Muye arrived at the entrance of the venue and saw that it was filled with cultivators in all kinds of clothes.
These cultivators were mostly young, but they exuded a rather solemn aura.
After all, they were the elites of more than 80 factions, and all their cultivation levels were not low.
At this moment, everyone below the stage looked at the 30-foot-tall and 50-foot-wide stone platform in the middle of the square with different expressions.
On the stone platform, two figures moved around like flowers.
During this sect gathering, the Nine Mystic Sword Sect would ensure the safety of participants. Even if everyone attacked with all their might, they did not have to fear that someone would die.
No one would die in the arena. The Nine Mystic Sword Sect was still confident in ensuring that.
“Senior Brother, please follow me.” At the door, a Three Stones House disciple who had been waiting for a long time led Han Muye through the crowd and onto a stage.
In the middle of the stage was the master of the Three Stones House, the elder of the Nine Mystic Sword Sect, Tuoba Cheng.
Beside him was a tall and strong bald man with an indifferent face, Zhao Pu.
Below Tuoba Cheng and Zhao Pu were a few cultivators who did not look like they were from the Nine Mystic Sword Sect. It seemed that they were all experts from the various sects.
Zhao Pu turned and nodded at Han Muye, then whispered something to Tuoba Cheng beside him.
Tuoba Cheng’s expression changed. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Han Muye.
Han Muye hurriedly cupped his hands, bowed to Tuoba Cheng, and said in a low voice, “Greetings, Uncle-Master Tuoba.”
Tuoba Cheng nodded and looked back at the arena.
“Since you can comprehend the White Tiger Scroll, you’re not an outsider of the Three Stones House. Sit.” Zhao Pu pointed at the big chair beside him.
“You can see it clearly if you sit here.”
Indeed, Han Muye could really see it very clearly from his seat.
“This is the arrangement of the disciples of the various sects who are participating in the competition.”
“I ordered people to rearrange the matches last night.”
Zhao Pu placed a thick stack of books in front of Han Muye and said in a low voice, “Lu Qingping and Lin Yuxia won’t encounter the true elites of the various sects in the first ten rounds.”
Han Muye looked up at him. Last night, Lin Shen had not told Zhao Pu that his sister was also participating in this sect competition.
Zhao Pu chuckled. “Junior Brother Lin didn’t mention it to me. But I have to take this matter to heart, right?”
Han Muye nodded.
He did not expect Zhao Pu to be so meticulous.
Looking down at the book in front of him, Han Muye realized that the records in this book were much more detailed than what Bai Suzhen had heard the day before.
The strength of the various sects, the rankings of the disciples, their cultivation and methods were all recorded.
According to the ranking on this book, Lu Qingping and Lin Yuxia could easily enter the top ten of each group.
As for the subsequent battles, it would depend on their true capabilities.
Closing the book, Han Muye sighed softly.
Indeed, official cheating was the most fatal.
With Zhao Pu’s arrangements, he did not need to help Lu Qingping and Lin Yuxia.
“What, is there a problem with the order?” Zhao Pu turned to him.
Han Muye shook his head and looked at the figure fighting with all his might on the platform in front of him. He said in a low voice, “I just feel that doing this will interfere with the fate of the outsiders and cut off the opportunities of others.”
Winning one more battle would allow a person to gain various rewards, and comprehending through battles were all opportunities that were very helpful for future cultivation.
“Hmph, if you’re the strong, you’ll have to bear the karma of the weak.” Tuoba Cheng’s voice suddenly sounded.
“If you don’t even have this bit of courage, why are you still cultivating? Go down the mountain early.”
Han Muye opened his mouth, then nodded.
What Tuoba Cheng said was the truth of the cultivation world.
Actually, Tuoba Cheng was already being tactful.
In the eyes of the strong, everything about the weak could be controlled at will.
This was the cultivation world.
The strong preyed on the weak.
Looking at the high platform, Han Muye’s eyes darkened.
Zhao Pu glanced at him, a complicated expression crossing his face.
Master really values Brother Han…
“Shao Ling of the Dancing Sun Sword Sect is the victor.”
A voice came from the platform. A slender girl holding a sword stood on the platform and cupped her hands in greeting.
Her opponent was already lying on the ground.
Among the row of cultivators sitting in front of Han Muye and the others, someone made a comment. The gist of it was encouragement and some comments on the sword techniques of the female cultivator.
To Han Muye, it was all general and empty talk.
After the evaluation, the female cultivator bowed and jumped down like a butterfly.
This move immediately attracted the high-pitched cheers of countless male disciples around.
“He Daoshen from Spirit Augmentation Sect against Miao Yuan from the Suyang Sect.”
The Three Stones House disciple hosting the competition on the platform shouted, and two figures rushed onto the stage.
‘The Suyang Sect?’
Han Muye glanced at the thin young man.
These two sects were both sects that specialized in spells. The competition between the two disciples was like playing with fireworks.
Flames shot out from the platform, and water and fire filled the sky. It was beautiful.
Han Muye stared at the two people on the platform, the images in his mind constantly circulating.
He had comprehended the Suyang Sect’s Water Arrow Technique.
He had comprehended the Spirit Augmentation Sect’s Fire Dragon Palm.
In his mind, faint spiritual energy flowed around the two figures, then turned into water arrows and collided with the fire dragon.
This was a spell.
After comprehending it, Han Muye understood something.
It was no wonder that among the low-level cultivators in the cultivation world, the strength of sword cultivators far exceeded that of Dao cultivators.
It was not completely illogical to break the spell with one sword strike.
The cultivation of spells looked powerful, but it consumed spiritual energy and was slow. One also needed to be extremely proficient in the spells they cultivated to be able to use them smoothly in battle.
Although the two people on the platform were already at the Qi Condensation Realm, they were still nervous when casting spells and would often face disruption.
As long as a sword cultivator got close, he could completely suppress a Dao spell cultivator.
However, when one cultivated to a high level, they would reach the same goal through different means. At that time, the combat power of sword cultivators and spell cultivators would be balanced.
It was not impossible for a sword to break all spell techniques and a spell to suppress 10,000 swords.
“Boom—”
On the high platform, the flames exploded, and the Suyang Sect disciple was blown ten feet away, unconscious.
“He Daoshen from the Spirit Augmentation Sect is the victor.”
A voice sounded from the platform.
Han Muye turned to look at Zhao Pu.
The fate of the Suyang Sect disciples had already been arranged before this battle.
Someone in front commented, and then the next round began.
Each match did not last long. The outcome was decided in the blink of an eye.
Han Muye watched with relish, occasionally comprehending a sword technique or spell.
Although they were all low-level techniques, he wasn’t picky.
“Who is going to win this round?”
Suddenly, Tuoba Cheng, who had been silent, spoke.
His voice was not soft. The experts of the various sects sitting in front turned to look at him before looking at the platform.
On the high platform, the two sword cultivators exchanged three to five moves.
‘Who is going to win?’
Zhao Pu looked confused.
He flipped open the book in his hand and looked at the names of the two people competing. He was even more confused.
The cultivation levels of these two people and the strength of the sect behind them were about the same. At this moment, the battle was also evenly matched. How could he determine the outcome?
“Master, I can’t tell. I might be able to judge after a few moves,” Zhao Pu said honestly.
Tuoba Cheng turned and looked at Han Muye.
Han Muye’s expression did not change as he said softly, “Zhou Wu of the Fire Inscription Sect is ranked sixth in the sect, and Xia Shengzi of the Qingling Sword Sect is ranked ninth.”
“Zhou Wu cultivates the Fire Incription Sect’s signature sword technique, Stone Inscription. Xia Shengzi cultivates the Ice Rain Sword of the Qingling Sword Sect.”
“With the same cultivation level and similar comprehension, the sect’s signature sword technique is naturally stronger than ordinary sword techniques.”
Turning to look at Tuoba Cheng, Han Muye said confidently, “Zhou Wu will win this round.”
“Clang—”
On the high platform, Zhou Wu’s sword cut off Xia Shengzi’s sword and pressed his sword against Xia Shengzi’s chest.
In front, several cultivators turned around and looked at Han Muye’s face.
Zhao Pu turned his head gently and looked at Han Muye. “Brother Han, can you really deduce these?”
Han Muye shook his head and said calmly, “No, I just think that Zhou Wu’s sword is very valuable.”
“Don’t forget what I do.”
A sword caretaker.
Zhao Pu muttered.
“What about this match?”
Tuoba Cheng’s voice sounded again.
Zhao Pu opened his mouth.
In this match, the contestant had yet to stand firm on the stage. How could he judge?
He unconsciously turned to look at Han Muye.
Han Muye’s eyes lit up.
Was Tuoba Cheng testing him?
Interesting.
Looking at the two people on the stage who were about to draw their swords, Han Muye said calmly.
“This round—”