Chapter 196: Chapter 193: The Challenge from the Cyan Splendor Sect, the Heaven-Devouring Sparrow

While the Yanyue Sect was in an uproar over the title of "Ninth Elder," Ning Jiang had already finished setting up his residence.

"Since you refuse to come to my place, why don’t I just stay here with you? We can see if it’s really like you said—that nothing will happen even if we live together."

Yue Lianxi, dressed in a red robe that clung to her skin and accentuated her perfect curves, spoke with a seductive voice that could stir a man’s desires.

Ning Jiang’s reply was cold and detached. "I’m going into seclusion."

Recognizing the dismissal in his tone, Yue Lianxi giggled. "Very well. I’ll come find you after you emerge from seclusion."

After Yue Lianxi left, Ning Jiang activated the Array within his residence.

Every residence had a basic Defensive Array, designed to prevent others from trespassing.

’Next, I need to break through to the Innate Limit.’

Back in the Cyan Cloud Country, Ning Jiang’s Innate Realm Cultivation was enough to make him unrivaled and peerless.

But on the much larger stage of Qing Province, his level of Cultivation was far from enough.

Although he could use the Great Sun Glazed Golden Body to instantly kill those at the Spirit Realm Early Stage, he would be forced into a bitter fight against anyone at the Spirit Realm Middle Stage.

And against someone in the Spirit Realm Late Stage, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

’It’s time to put this Demon Crystal to use.’

He took out the Ice Python Demon Crystal he had obtained back in Qingjiang and had been carrying ever since.

The Demon Crystal was oval and pure white, containing refined Energy within it.

However, this Energy was mixed with berserk Demon Qi, which could not be absorbed by Martial Artists.

Martial Artists could only absorb Primordial Qi or Spiritual Qi; something like Demon Qi was tantamount to poison for them.

But Ning Jiang, who cultivated the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill, was completely unconcerned about this.

The Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill could devour anything.

"Devour."

Ning Jiang sat cross-legged, held the Demon Crystal, and began absorbing the Energy within.

Instantly, a frigid, pure Power surged into his body, nearly freezing him solid. At the same time, the berserk Demon Qi ran rampant, causing his meridians to swell painfully, as if they were about to burst.

But this sensation vanished in the next moment.

The moment the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill unleashed its might, all his discomfort melted away like snow in hot water, vanishing completely.

A vast amount of Energy surged into Ning Jiang’s body, and his aura began to climb steadily.

One day, two days, three days...

While he was in secluded cultivation, the uproar outside over the "Ninth Elder" only grew more intense.

A young man not yet twenty had been appointed to the position of an Elder. No disciple was going to accept that.

Besides, this so-called Ninth Elder had come from the outside. The disciples had no idea what contributions he had made to the Sect. On what grounds did he deserve this position?

"Hmph, this Ninth Elder really puts on airs. He hasn’t shown his face for days. Is he looking down on us?"

Many disciples were furious.

’You’re an Elder now, you should at least come out and show your face, right?’

’Everyone in the Sect is talking about you, yet you’re acting like you’re dead, not a single peep?’

In a residence rich with Spiritual Qi.

Several young people were gathered together. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Have you found out the background of this Ninth Elder?"

"No clue. I tried asking a few of the Elders, but they’re being tight-lipped and won’t reveal anything."

These young people had powerful auras. The clothes they wore bore a golden star on the chest—the uniform of a Core Disciple!

Core Disciples held a high status within the Sect, second only to the Elders.

They too had been stirred by the matter of the Ninth Elder. A young man not yet twenty had become an Elder, placed above them. It was something their young, proud hearts could not easily accept.

"No matter his background, what’s most important is his strength. Since he could become an Elder, I imagine he’s quite capable. I’m going to challenge him!"

At this, one of the young men spoke up.

Though his features were plain, his aura was steady, and when he spoke, the expressions of the others turned serious.

Yuan Tao.

A Spirit Realm Early Stage expert, ranked fourth among the Core Disciples in terms of strength.

There were over a dozen Core Disciples in total, but only six had advanced to the Spirit Realm. Yuan Tao was one of them.

With Yuan Tao’s strength, he would be able to become an Elder in the future with just a few more contributions.

"Challenging an Elder is a huge deal. Yuan Tao, are you sure you want to do this?"

"I’m not challenging him to show off. The Yanyue Sect is in turmoil right now, and many disciples are dissatisfied with him. This fight is to calm everyone down."

Yuan Tao said, his stance was still for the good of the Yanyue Sect.

"In that case, we support you."

...

An hour later, the news that Yuan Tao was challenging the Ninth Elder swept through every corner of the Yanyue Sect like a massive storm.

"Did you hear? Senior Brother Yuan Tao, ranked fourth among the Core Disciples, is challenging the new Ninth Elder."

"A disciple challenging an Elder. Now this is interesting."

"I wonder if the Ninth Elder will dare to accept? He hasn’t shown his face for days. He has to respond this time, right?"

The entire Yanyue Sect was in an uproar. Disciples were buzzing with discussion, and many even started placing bets on who would win.

"I think he must have some real skill to be made an Elder. I bet he’ll win."

"Hmph, he’s not even twenty. How strong can he be? Does he think he’s that prodigy from the Star Sword Sect? I’m betting on Yuan Tao."

Just as countless disciples were eagerly awaiting the appearance of this mysterious Ninth Elder, a piece of news came from the Elder Hall.

The Ninth Elder was in seclusion!

This news was like a bucket of cold water dumped on the heads of the many disciples waiting for a good show.

"Are you kidding me? Of all the times to go into seclusion, he chose now?"

Upon hearing this news, no one could accept it.

"Hmph, it’s obvious he’s scared and is just using seclusion as an excuse."

"That’s right. He must be hiding."

In an instant, countless people developed a terrible impression of this new Ninth Elder.

As an Elder, he didn’t even dare to accept a disciple’s challenge. What right did someone like that have to be an Elder?

Faced with the disciples’ anger, the Elders of the Elder Hall were in a difficult position they couldn’t explain.

If they revealed that Ning Jiang had killed three Elders from the Fire Cloud Sect, it would certainly quiet the masses, but how would they deal with the Fire Cloud Sect’s wrath?

"Lianxi said he’s been in seclusion for the past few days. Given the current situation, I think we can only wait for him to emerge and display some of his strength to quell this storm."

The Elders were at their wits’ end and could only wait for Ning Jiang to emerge from seclusion.

"I can’t believe he’d act like a coward and hide in his shell."

Yuan Tao was filled with disappointment. His original plan was to go easy on Ning Jiang during their match, allowing Ning Jiang to defeat him and thus quell the unrest.

But instead, Ning Jiang had avoided the fight, which only further incited the crowd’s anger.

Soon, a month passed.

Time passed into the twelfth month, and snow began to drift down from the sky.

On this day, a group of uninvited guests arrived outside the mountain gates of the Yanyue Sect.

The leader was an old man with a withered face and an indifferent expression, dressed in a long green robe.

Beside the old man were several young men and women, all with powerful auras. Two of the young men stood out in particular: one had cold, stern features and wore black.

The other had his arms crossed, a look of wild arrogance in his eyes, as if he looked down on everything and everyone.

"So this is the Yanyue Sect? One of the Five Great Sects of Qing Province." The young man with crossed arms looked up at the words "Yanyue Sect," a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"The Five Great Sects? That’s ancient history. What right does the Yanyue Sect have to call itself one of the Five Great Sects now?" a young woman said.

"Well said. The Yanyue Sect should give up its position as one of the Five Great Sects. It rightfully belongs to my Cyan Splendor Sect," another person added.

The Cyan Splendor Sect was one of the sects in Qing Province. Although not as famous as the Five Great Sects, it was considered a Major Sect, second only to them.

With the Yanyue Sect in decline and its strength greatly diminished, the Cyan Splendor Sect wanted to pull it down from its former position and take its place.

"Mm, ambition is a good thing, but don’t get careless. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. The Yanyue Sect still has some experts. You shouldn’t underestimate them," the green-robed old man said.

"Yes, Grand Elder," the youths nodded.

"Who goes there?"

At the mountain gate, the Yanyue Sect’s Mountain Guard Disciples stopped the group.

The arrogant youth stepped forward and announced loudly, "We are from the Cyan Splendor Sect, and this is our Grand Elder."

"The Grand Elder of the Cyan Splendor Sect."

The Mountain Guard Disciples were startled. The Cyan Splendor Sect was by no means a weak sect, and the status of its Grand Elder was considerable.

"This way, please. We will inform the Elders at once," one of the Mountain Guard Disciples said with a welcoming smile.

In no time, news of the Cyan Splendor Sect’s arrival spread throughout the entire Yanyue Sect.

"What is the Cyan Splendor Sect doing here at our Yanyue Sect?"

"I’m afraid they haven’t come with good intentions!"

In the Yanyue Sect’s reception hall.

The Yanyue Sect’s Grand Elder, Meng Nanfeng, came out to greet them personally. Normally, with his status, he wouldn’t have needed to, but alas, the current Yanyue Sect was not what it once was. Compared to the Cyan Splendor Sect, it was uncertain who was stronger.

The visiting Grand Elder from the Cyan Splendor Sect was named Hong Lie, and his Cultivation had also reached the Spirit Realm Peak, making him Meng Nanfeng’s equal.

"Elder Hong, to what do we owe the pleasure of this long-distance visit?" Meng Nanfeng asked.

"Please forgive me for arriving unannounced, Elder Meng," Hong Lie said politely, cupping his fists.

"You’re too kind, Elder Hong. If there is something on your mind, please speak freely," Meng Nanfeng said, cutting straight to the point.

The Cyan Splendor Sect was several days’ journey from the Yanyue Sect. He wouldn’t have made such a trip without a reason; he must have come with a purpose.

"Hehe, to be frank, I’ve brought a few of my juniors here to spar with the young talents of the Yanyue Sect," Hong Lie stated his purpose.

Meng Nanfeng’s expression changed. ’Just as I thought, they’re here to cause trouble.’

To put it nicely, it was a "sparring session." To put it bluntly, they were here to challenge the sect at its own gates.

But he couldn’t very well refuse. If he did, others would think they were afraid. How would the outside world mock the Yanyue Sect then?

"Very well."

Meng Nanfeng agreed with a forced smile.

Not long after, countless disciples, having received the news, rushed to one of the Yanyue Sect’s arenas.

"I’m afraid our Yanyue Sect is in danger. They obviously came prepared, but our top three Core Disciples are away. Only Senior Brother Yuan Tao is here. I wonder if he can hold them off."

Many disciples of the Yanyue Sect were deeply worried.

Meanwhile, inside Ning Jiang’s residence, which had been silent for a full month, a voice finally, slowly echoed from within on this day.

"The Dharma Body of the Heaven-Devouring Sparrow is truly not so easy to cultivate."