LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 27:
Chapter 27: The Sects:
“Ke ke ke!”
A chilling laugh echoed, shaking mountains and rivers as thick black mist filled the air, spreading demonic energy far and wide. Countless piles of skulls crumbled into dust under its pressure.
“The Ancient Battlefield of Prodigies has finally opened. We’ve waited too long for this day.”
A sinister black banner swayed ominously in the void. Countless ghastly faces on the banner’s surface screamed silently, sending shivers down the spine.
Above a throne of colossal bones towering over a sea of corpses and blood, a figure commanded, “Your mission is simple: kill all the so-called geniuses of the righteous path. Make them tremble beneath the might of the demons!”
“Yes!”
Dark streaks of demonic light surged skyward, disappearing into a massive vortex.
In the Demon Realm, an immense figure trampled mountains and rivers beneath its feet. Its enormous wings blotted out the sun.
The figure resembled a fusion of dragon and phoenix, with eight legs and four wings, a conglomeration of myriad creatures.
“Greetings to the Demon Emperor!”
All spirits bowed in reverence.
“The Ancient Battlefield of Prodigies has opened. I require the blood essence of the strongest human prodigies.”
“Anyone who brings it to me will ascend to the rank of Demon King. I will personally teach them the ultimate demonic arts!”
“As you command!”
Thousands of demons shot into the sky.
Among them, a small, dim sparrow lifted its gaze to the heavens.
“In this lifetime, I will slay the Myriad Spirit Demon Emperor and restore peace to the demon race!”
In the Buddhist Realm, ancient Buddhas manifested.
In the Ghost Realm, the Ghost Emperor awakened.
The Ancient Battlefield of Prodigies seemed to be a clash among the younger generation, but it was, in truth, a battle of eras.
To stand at the pinnacle was to earn the favor of destiny and achieve an eternal legacy.
…
Central State, Nine Dragon Valley.
This majestic valley was surrounded by nine towering mountains, resembling nine dragons vying for a pearl. Its beauty was unparalleled, almost divine.
Here lay a sect known as the Dragon Nurturing Sect. However, the sect was now trembling in fear.
Powerful figures had arrived—more than anyone in the sect had ever seen in their lifetime.
The first to arrive was naturally the Central State Empire.
Not only had prodigies from major sects come to challenge the Ancient Battlefield, but there were also many smaller sects and even wandering cultivators.
The Central State Empire was one of the top forces of the Wildlands. A common saying summed up the major human powers in the Wildlands:
“One Sect, Three Empires, Five Sects—above all, I reign supreme.”
These nine forces were the most dominant among humans in the First Heaven.
The “One Sect” referred to the Eternal Sect, an ancient and powerful force that reigned across all nine heavens.
The “Three Empires” included the Central State Empire, the Nine Li Empire, and the Supreme Empire.
The “Five Sects” were the Dao Sect, the Yin-Yang Sect, the Supreme Sword Sect, the Mountain and River Pagoda Sect, and the Calamity Sect.
However, the phrase “above all, I reign supreme” referred not only to these nine forces.
The “above” was the Heaven Pavilion, while the “below” was the Netherworld.
These two mysterious forces rarely interacted with the outside world. Their successors, often solitary and unmatched, were known to shake their generation and compete for the title of Emperor.
“The Yin-Yang Sect is here!”
Gasps erupted as a massive black-and-white ship descended from the sky, crushing clouds beneath it.
The ship’s passengers were strikingly attractive, each one exuding an extraordinary aura. Clad in black-and-white robes, they seemed otherworldly.
Yet, the Yin-Yang Sect was often criticized due to one of its subsidiary sects—the infamous Harmonious Joy Sect.
The Harmonious Joy Sect operated 1,723 branches across the Wildlands, filling its halls with patrons day and night.
“Wow, look at their robes! Has the Yin-Yang Sect already selected their Holy Son and Holy Maiden?”
Among the sea of black-and-white-robed cultivators stood a man in white, his demeanor noble and his star-like eyes captivating. He was the Holy Son, Yang Wufa.
Beside him was a breathtaking woman, her beauty radiant like flawless crystal. She carried an icy elegance that made others feel ashamed in her presence. This was the Holy Maiden, Luo Yuan.
“The Yin-Yang Sect always picks their Holy Son and Holy Maiden early, and they’re always exceptional. Their selection process must be incredible.”
“Do you think this pair will end up as Dao Companions?”
“Most likely. Every Holy Son and Holy Maiden of the Yin-Yang Sect becomes Dao Companions. After all, one embodies Yin and the other Yang—who could resist the allure of the Yin-Yang Dao?”
Just then, a sword’s hum resonated across the heavens and earth.
Every sword in the vicinity trembled violently as if driven mad.
Dozens of sword lights streaked through the sky. Sword cultivators, dressed uniformly, flew on their swords toward the valley.
“The Supreme Sword Sect is here!”
“What terrifying sword intent! If my sword had feelings, it would’ve jumped out of its sheath to bow to them!”
“My sword feels so inferior it’s about to shatter…”
“In the world of sword cultivation, none surpass the Supreme Sword Sect. They’re unmatched.”
By the time Lu Ye and his group arrived, Nine Dragon Valley was packed.
Almost every major sect had gathered, save for two empires yet to arrive.
The Dao Sect’s arrival caused another stir.
Though the Dao Sect wasn’t specialized in any single area, its overall strength was undeniable. As one of the Five Sects, it was often considered the strongest.
Many cultivators greeted the Dao Sect warmly, while others scrutinized its disciples, their eyes brimming with battle intent.
The gathering of new-generation disciples from various sects marked the beginning of fierce competition.
Every prodigy dreamed of suppressing their peers and rising invincibly.
Lu Ye glanced at the crowd of young cultivators, his eyes flickering with faint memories. Among them were those he had killed with his own hands and those destined to die in future battles.
The path to greatness was indeed paved with bones.
Linghu Wushuang approached Lu Ye, enthusiastically explaining which individuals were formidable and which were potential threats.
Little did he know, Lu Ye already knew far more than he did.
For example, Yang Wufa—the Holy Son of the Yin-Yang Sect—was someone whose resilience Lu Ye remembered well. Crushing his skull back then had left Lu Ye’s fists aching.
Time passed.
Yang Wufa approached the Dao Sect with a smile, his target clear: Chu Ling, Yue Hongling, and Xiao Huarong.
He wasn’t new to this game.
“Greetings, fairies. I am Yang Wufa, Holy Son of the Yin-Yang Sect. May I know your name?”
“Greetings, fellow cultivator. I am Xiao Huarong,” she replied coldly yet politely.
Yang Wufa nodded with a smile, not lingering further. It seemed he merely wanted a name.
“Greetings, fairy. I am—”
“Get lost!” Yue Hongling interrupted with a sharp glare.
Yang Wufa’s smile froze.
“I am Yang Wu—”
“Didn’t you hear me? I said, get lost!” Yue Hongling’s eyes widened with fury.
Yang Wufa…
Breathe. Don’t get angry. Anger leads to illness.
His smile returned as he turned to Chu Ling.
Before he could speak, Chu Ling’s demonic sword was already unsheathed.
Come closer if you dare—she’d cut him down on the spot.
Yang Wufa…
Fine. Just fine!