Chapter 369 - 366: Yue Lingtian, the Number One on the Celestial Pride List
Chapter 369: Chapter 366: Yue Lingtian, the Number One on the Celestial Pride List
The voice was not loud, yet it seemed to possess a strange, penetrating quality, reaching everyone’s ears with perfect clarity.
The tense, hostile atmosphere of the confrontation was significantly suppressed by that one casual-sounding "Stop."
Fang Han and Meng Xian’s expressions flickered as they turned to look toward the source of the voice.
The crowd parted automatically once more.
A figure ambled forward.
The newcomer looked to be approaching thirty. He wore a simple, moon-white robe, his long hair fastened with a Jade Hairpin. His features were handsome, but his expression held a composure and detachment that belied his age.
He walked casually, releasing no discernible aura, yet as he passed, the people around him involuntarily lowered their heads, daring not to look at him directly.
Number one on the Celestial Pride List.
The third son of the Garrison Commander.
Yue Lingtian.
In Qingyang County, among the younger generation, that name was paramount.
Though not a disciple of the Seven Sects, he possessed the power to overcome their prodigies and claim the top spot on the Celestial Pride List.
Fang Han’s gaze fell upon Yue Lingtian, and he felt a slight chill in his heart.
The man’s aura was so restrained as to be almost nonexistent, but the sense of unfathomable depth he exuded was more intimidating than any ostentatious display of power.
Just standing there, he was like an immovable mountain, a bottomless ocean.
Meng Xian’s expression also shifted slightly.
In the presence of Yue Lingtian, even he—seventeenth on the Celestial Pride List—dared not make a single rash move.
Yue Lingtian walked into the center of the confrontation. His gaze landed on Fang Han for a moment before shifting to Meng Xian.
"Private duels are forbidden within the Commandery City."
His voice remained level, betraying no emotion, yet it carried an immense authority.
"I hope you will both do me the favor of letting this matter rest for today."
Fang Han and Meng Xian locked eyes, a silent clash like lightning arcing between them. In the end, however, they both withdrew their gazes and stood down.
"Fine. I’ll grant Brother Yue this favor."
Meng Xian agreed.
"Netherworld Pavilion started this provocation, but since the man ranked first on the Celestial Pride List has spoken, I will defer to him."
Fang Han said as well.
With Yue Lingtian, the top-ranked martial artist on the Celestial Pride List, intervening, a fight was now impossible.
If they forced the issue, their opponent would likely become Yue Lingtian himself.
And as confident as they were in their own abilities, they weren’t arrogant enough to believe they could take on Yue Lingtian at this point.
"Thank you."
Yue Lingtian offered his thanks. Without another word, he turned and left.
His moon-white robe receded through the crowd, soon disappearing at the end of the alley.
Only when his figure had vanished completely did the oppressive atmosphere finally begin to dissipate.
The crowd of onlookers erupted into discussion, their gazes shifting between Meng Xian and Fang Han, though most eyes were fixed on the latter.
Their gazes were filled with curiosity.
"I can’t believe Fang Han actually dared to challenge Meng Xian. If Yue Lingtian hadn’t shown up, a fight would’ve definitely broken out..."
"In that clash of palm and sword just now, Fang Han didn’t lose any ground. Even if they had fought for real, it’s not a given that Fang Han would have lost!"
"Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. It’s only been half a year since Meng Xian grievously wounded him with a single palm strike, and now he can stand against him on equal footing..."
Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Fang Han turned and walked toward the seven Qingxuan Sect disciples.
"How are your injuries?"
he asked, his gaze sweeping over the seven of them.
The seven had already struggled back to their feet. Though all of them were hurt, Yin Huang had clearly been holding back within the Commandery City and hadn’t dared to strike a fatal blow, so none of them were seriously injured.
"Thank you for saving us, Senior Brother Fang!"
The disciple whom Yin Huang had pinned under his foot now had red-rimmed eyes. He gave Fang Han a deep bow.
The other six also bowed, their eyes filled with gratitude and awe.
"We’re fellow disciples. There’s no need for such ceremony."
Fang Han gave a slight nod.
"Let’s go. We’ll head back and treat your injuries."
He glanced at Yun Qianyue and Li Feng, who both nodded in agreement.
After what had happened, they were no longer in the mood for a leisurely stroll. The group left the chaotic street and made their way to the Qingxuan Villa.
Behind them, the crowd had yet to disperse. They watched Fang Han’s group leave, their murmurs continuing long after.
...
The next morning, as dawn broke, the Commandery City was already bustling with activity.
Inside the Qingxuan Villa, Fang Han and the seven other True Disciples who ranked in the top ten of the sect’s general rankings had gathered early in the main hall. Chen Wanjun and five Elders sat at the head of the hall, their expressions solemn.
"Today, the Governor’s Mansion will formally assign the extermination missions. The eight of you will accompany us."
Chen Wanjun said slowly, his gaze sweeping over the disciples.
"All the major powers will be gathered there. Rivalries and posturing will be inevitable. Do not disgrace the Qingxuan Sect’s name."
"Yes."
the eight replied in unison.
"Let’s go."
Chen Wanjun rose with a slight nod.
The group left the Qingxuan Villa and headed toward the Governor’s Mansion in the heart of the Commandery City.
The Governor’s Mansion was an immense, imposing estate. Two massive, majestic stone lions guarded its front, and the great vermilion-lacquered doors stood wide open. A steady stream of people from the various factions was filing inside.
They stepped into the mansion, crossed a wide courtyard, and arrived at an assembly hall large enough to hold several hundred people.
The hall was already teeming with people, a vibrant tapestry of different attire, and the air buzzed with a deafening clamor of voices.
Fang Han’s gaze swept the hall, taking in the many faces, both familiar and unfamiliar.
Over with the members of the Netherworld Pavilion, Meng Xian and Yin Huang were present. Beside them stood a young man in a black robe embroidered with dark silver patterns, his face ashen and bloodless.
The young man’s eyes were long and narrow, his pupils a strange shade of dark violet. A sharp light glinted in them when he blinked, and he possessed a sinister charm that could steal one’s soul.
His aura was restrained, but it faintly exuded a bone-chilling cold.
’You Xin...’
Fang Han silently recalled the man’s identity.
Sixth on the Celestial Pride List, the top True Inheritor of the Netherworld Pavilion.
As if sensing Fang Han’s gaze, You Xin turned his head slightly, his deep, dark eyes sweeping over to meet him.
The instant their gazes met, Fang Han felt an invisible pressure wash over him, as if he’d been targeted by a coiled viper.
His expression remained unchanged as he met the gaze calmly.
The corners of You Xin’s mouth curved into the faintest of smiles before he retracted his gaze, as if it had only been a casual glance.
Fang Han felt a chill in his heart. ’This man feels far more dangerous than Meng Xian.’
He looked away, scanning the other groups.
With the Vajra Temple contingent, several old monks led a dozen or so young monks in gray robes.
Vajra Temple was famous for its Body Hardening Techniques, but the young monk leading them was not broad and brawny like a typical Horizontal Martial Artist. On the contrary, he was lean and slender.
This did not mean his mastery of Horizontal Training was weak; rather, it indicated that he practiced an exceptionally advanced Body Hardening Technique.
Cruder Body Hardening Techniques often alter one’s physique and impede agility, whereas more profound ones typically do not cause a bulky build or affect one’s swiftness.
He was Wu Xiang, fourth on the Celestial Pride List and the head disciple of Vajra Temple.
The group from the Overlord Blade Sect consisted of several Elders and a dozen disciples, each with a long saber at their waist, standing in solemn silence.
The disciple at their head was a powerfully built youth with rugged features. He wore a sleeveless tunic that exposed his tanned, well-honed muscles and carried a great, broad-bladed saber as wide as a door panel slung over his shoulder.
This was Mad Saber, third on the Celestial Pride List and the head disciple of the Overlord Blade Sect.
As for the Lingyun Sword Sect, an Elder led a group of disciples in silver-white sword robes. Each wore a longsword at their waist, and their auras were sharp and cutting.
Their leader was a handsome youth with an ethereal, otherworldly air. He held a sheathed longsword, its Sword Scabbard inlaid with seven eye-catching Gemstones.
He was none other than Liu Bai, second on the Celestial Pride List and the head disciple of the Lingyun Sword Sect.
From Baihua Valley came several Elders with a few young disciples—all of them women, clad in vibrant, multi-colored dresses.
The young woman at their head was stunningly beautiful—glamorous without being garish, alluring yet dignified.
She was Hua Jieyu, eighth on the Celestial Pride List and the head disciple of Baihua Valley.
The contingent from Tingyu Building included several Elders and more than ten disciples dressed in aquamarine martial attire, their auras calm and restrained.
Their leader was an ordinary-looking young man who wouldn’t stand out in a crowd, but Fang Han could sense an indescribable, veiled aura emanating from him.
This was Xu Qing, fifth on the Celestial Pride List and the head disciple of Tingyu Building.
Besides the members of the Seven Sects, the hall also contained people from many of the other major powers within the county.
The County City Zhang Family, the Iron Fist Sect, the Tiejiang Gang, the Wind and Cloud Association...
As his gaze swept over them, Fang Han mentally noted the insignias of these factions and the faces of their leaders.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a figure slowly walked out onto the high platform at the front of the hall.
The man was middle-aged, perhaps in his fifties, and dressed in a deep cyan official’s robe with a jade belt at his waist. His features were square and stern, and he carried the air of authority that came from long years in a high position.
He was none other than the Governor of Qingyang County, Zhou Huai’an.
Following him were several generals clad in armor.
One of them, clad in Silver Armor, was the handsome and composed Yue Lingtian, the very man who had stopped the conflict between Fang Han and Meng Xian the day before.
Another was a middle-aged man who bore a slight resemblance to Yue Lingtian. Judging by his position just behind Zhou Huai’an, he had to be the Garrison Commander, Yue Zhan.
Zhou Huai’an walked to the center of the platform. His gaze swept over the crowd in the hall, and he gave a slight nod.
"You have all traveled a long way to be here. I apologize for not giving you a proper welcome."
His voice was not loud, but it reached every person’s ears with perfect clarity, a display of impressive Inner Strength Cultivation.
The din in the hall gradually subsided as all eyes focused on the high platform.
Zhou Huai’an continued.
"The Court has issued a Demon Slaying Order to purge the Demons plaguing our county. I am grateful for your considerable assistance in this matter, and I thank you all in advance."
He paused, then turned to a scholar at his side who was holding a scroll.
The scholar understood the gesture. He stepped forward, unfurled the scroll in his hand, and announced in a loud, clear voice:
"The extermination zones are now assigned to the various factions—"
"The Zhang Family is to purge the Demons in the Cyan Ox Mountain region."
"The Iron Fist Sect is to purge the Demons in the Cyan Wind Ridge region."
"The Tiejiang Gang is to purge the Demons in the Luoyan Valley region."
"The Wind and Cloud Association..."
As the scholar continued to speak, the extermination zones were assigned one by one.
After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the assignments for all the major factions within the county, excluding the Seven Sects, had been given out.
The scholar was about to announce the assignment for the Seven Sects, but Zhou Huai’an stopped him with a glance.
His gaze fell upon the area where the Seven Sects were gathered. He began to speak slowly.
"To our friends from the Seven Sects, I must entrust you with the Cloud Mist Mountain Range."
As soon as he said this, a low murmur of discussion swept through the hall.
The Cloud Mist Mountain Range.
It was the most treacherous place in all of Qingyang County. With its towering mountains, dense forests, and pervasive miasma, it had been a den for Demons since ancient times.
Rumor had it that deep within the mountain range lurked powerful Demons with strength comparable to top-level Upper Three Grades Martial Artists. For an ordinary Martial Artist, to enter was to face certain death.
It was precisely because of this danger that the Governor’s Mansion had entrusted this location to the Seven Sects.