Chapter 119: Chapter 8: A Proactive Strike

Perhaps to make his stance clear, Guangxuan had come here the moment the incident happened.

The two exchanged greetings with cupped fists, then sat across from each other at the white jade stone table in the small courtyard. As Wang Ping sat, he began to arrange the tea set and said, "It was Wufeng Temple stirring things up, wasn’t it?"

Wufeng Temple was Wenhai’s Dao Field.

"Yes. But even though the disciples of the Single Saber Sect are simple-minded, they couldn’t have been provoked so easily. I fear they want to use this as an opportunity to leave our little circle and seek their fortunes elsewhere."

A worried look crossed Guangxuan’s face.

The only truly powerful Taoist Sect in Nanlin Road was, of course, the Six Heart Sect. Beyond them were the Loose Cultivators of Fuming Prefecture, and then came the sects present today. Indeed, that was the sum total of the Taoist Sects’ power in Nanlin Road.

The Six Heart Sect reigned supreme; all the other sects combined couldn’t hold a candle to them.

A fragile pact existed among the smaller sects. This pact had two goals: first, to leverage the Daoist Scripture Hall to protect their interests, and second, to jointly fend off outside Cultivators.

But this fragile pact had fractured with the destruction of the White Water Sect, allowing an outsider like Wenhai to force his way in. He had now even allied with the Single Saber Sect. If they didn’t do something, others were sure to follow.

"What are your thoughts?" Wang Ping asked.

"I can’t see who’s backing Wenhai. According to our shared intelligence, I sent people to investigate some time ago. All leads go cold at the Daoist Scripture Hall in Mozhou Road."

Guangxuan said cautiously, "For now, we should probably...’

"Did you check on Xuanhe Daoist?" Wang Ping interrupted.

"He’s from the Earth Cave Sect. Fifty years ago, his sect assigned him to the Daoist Scripture Hall, and he’s been in Mozhou Road ever since. He took Wenhai as a disciple just after he arrived. Rumor has it that he and Wenyang Taoist don’t get along, and he named his disciple Wenhai specifically to spite him."

Wang Ping couldn’t help but recall the scene in the courtyard with Wenyang and Xuanhe together. He hadn’t seen any hint of discord between them, but certain facts did suggest a significant history of conflict.

"Logically, given the current situation, the best course of action would be to wait and see, but..."

After wrestling with his thoughts for a moment, Wang Ping met the eyes of Yu Lian, who was sipping her tea beside him. "Since they’re the ones provoking us," he said, "why don’t we be even more proactive than them? Let’s not forget, this is our home turf!"

"What’s your plan?"

"There’s an exchange meet after the Dharma Assembly, isn’t there? We could..."

...

「The next day.」

The Dharma Assembly convened right on schedule.

Outside the doors of the main hall, Wang Ping sat in the same seat he had occupied the day before, calmly observing the bustling Sanhe Temple disciples below. They first wheeled out the golden statue of the Great Celestial Saint, followed by the spirit tablet of their sect’s founding Ancestral Master, and then various altars.

After arranging these, they placed the Magical Artifacts and ceremonial tokens. Once everything was ready, Guangxuan knelt before the Ancestral Master’s spirit tablet in sincere prayer, then began chanting Taoist scriptures—a process that would continue for three days and nights.

The Dharma Assembly proceeded in silence. For any Taoist Sect, such a ceremony was a solemn and sacred occasion. No one would be foolish enough to cause trouble at a time like this.

Three days and three nights was no great trial for the Cultivators present. Throughout the process, they all calmed their minds and centered their spirits, following Guangxuan in the recitation of the Taoist scriptures.

「Three days later.」

As the first ray of morning sun fell upon Guangxuan, he opened his eyes. He rose to his feet under the watchful gaze of all present and performed the traditional footwork of Sanhe Temple, circling twice around the golden statue of the Great Celestial Saint and the ancestral spirit tablets.

Finally, Gu Heng Daoist descended and loudly read the proclamation of succession. Before the Saint, the Ancestral Master, and the Cultivators of Nanlin Road’s various sects, he announced that from this day forth, the leadership of Sanhe Temple was being passed to the next generation.

Having finished the proclamation, Gu Heng Daoist seemed to age decades in an instant. His frail body swayed, and he nearly lost his footing.

"Another old friend is about to depart!" Yuan Qing Daoist sighed, his voice tinged with melancholy.

Guangxuan immediately went to Gu Heng Daoist’s side and helped him back to his seat before the main doors. Other disciples were already busy clearing away the ceremonial items from the Dharma Assembly.

Just then, Hongchen spoke in a voice only he and Wang Ping could hear, "Fellow Daoist, be careful during the exchange meet. I hear the Single Saber Sect is planning something."

Wang Ping feigned indifference. "This is Sanhe Temple. What could they possibly do?"

"Still, you should be careful."

Their conversation came to an abrupt end as Guangxuan, on behalf of his master Gu Heng, began to announce the rules and guidelines for the exchange meet. The gist of it was: you could challenge anyone you wished, but you were to pull your punches and avoid serious injury.

These exchange meets were very popular among the sects. For reclusive groups dedicated to Pure Cultivation, they were rare opportunities to spar with outsiders. Sometimes, opponents would even analyze each other’s techniques and share their insights afterward.

By the time Guangxuan finished his long-winded explanation, the plaza had been completely cleared of all items.

The first to take the field was Li Xingwen’s disciple, Li Lin. He leaped into the center of the plaza, his provocative gaze fixed on Mars. His intention was obvious.

Mars chuckled and offered Li Lin a cupped-fist salute. Not one to back down, he stepped out from the crowd. He then bowed respectfully to his hosts, Guangxuan and Gu Heng, followed by the other sects, before finally making his way slowly to the center of the plaza.

Li Lin, who had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, had long since lost his patience. The moment he saw Mars approaching, he raised his hands, formed the Magic Formulas, and cast an Earth Spike Technique. Mars dodged it with ease, drew a Longsword from his storage pouch, set it ablaze, and charged at Li Lin...

Before long, Mars was defeated, just as everyone expected. A Foundation Establishment Stage Earth Spirit Cultivator was simply a hard counter to a Fire Spirit Cultivator of the same stage. No, that wasn’t quite right. It was more that an Earth Spirit Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage was nearly invincible against any opponent of the same realm, with the sole exception of the Wood Spirit Cultivators who countered them.

The victorious Li Lin made no outrageous gestures. He went on to exchange a few moves with some of Sanhe Temple’s Inner Sect Disciples before finally pointing toward the disciples of the Single Saber Sect. "This humble Daoist has yet to face an Artifact Cultivator," he declared. "Would any of you Fellow Daoists care to enlighten me?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a burly, powerfully built man leaped into the center of the plaza. He shattered the lingering earth spikes from the last fight with a single kick, then cupped his fist. "I am Qinghe. I accept your challenge!"

His demeanor was no different from that of a Jianghu Traveler.

This bout ended in Li Lin’s defeat. This was mainly because he had already fought several consecutive matches, but also because Qinghe’s physical durability was comparable to metal. He met Li Lin’s attacks head-on, and Li Lin was defeated in just two exchanges.

"Martial Uncle, let me give it a try," Liang Tao said, itching for a fight.

"Go on!"

Logically, since even Li Lin, a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, had been defeated, Liang Tao should have stood no chance. But the opposite was true. Ever since connecting with the Wood Spirit, Liang Tao had practiced only a single Magic: the Entanglement Technique. And that technique was Qinghe’s perfect counter.

As thorny vines wrapped around Qinghe one by one, surrender seemed to be his only option. But just then, Liang Tao glanced at Wang Ping and formed the Magic Formulas for the Sword Control Technique. CLANG! With a screech of metal, a Longsword gleaming with a cold light shot toward the meridians in Qinghe’s right arm.

"I surrender!"

Qinghe yelled, but the Longsword didn’t slow in the slightest.

At the critical moment, a young man in gray and white martial attire shot out from the Single Saber Sect’s ranks. He executed a flawless backflip, batting the Longsword aside with an iron spear. He then dodged the Entanglement Technique with incredible speed and was upon Liang Tao in an instant, the tip of his spear already thrusting toward Liang Tao’s chest.

But the spear was parried by a black longsword.

Liu Shuang had entered the fray...

Liang Tao, who had been on the brink of defeat just a moment ago, now showed no trace of panic. Forming a Spell, he threw a handful of seeds, casting another Entanglement Technique that ensnared the newcomer. At the same time, the black longsword that had parried the spear finished gathering power and flew straight for the young man’s neck.

The entire situation had changed in the blink of an eye. What was meant to be a peaceful exchange had, thanks to the impulsive actions of both sides, instantly escalated into a life-or-death battle!