Evan Chu felt a bit puzzled. Why wasn’t the Dark Sanctuary’s sect master up there? Had he not come, or was the Despair Valley Lord simply not among those ten figures?
At this moment, the Freewind Palace Lord spoke up: “Today marks the triennial martial tournament of our Azure Tide Ruins. Last time, the Four Young Lords and Two Saintesses were chosen—who knows what exciting surprises await us this year?
This year, we have the largest turnout of sects and disciples ever. The Ten Great Sects have decided: each sect will send its five most outstanding disciples to compete. This way, we can better judge each sect’s true strength and save a great deal of time.
The disciples of the sect that takes first place will receive a prize personally prepared by the Despair Valley Lord—an item valued at tens of millions of Starstones. The exact nature of the reward will remain a mystery for now. All sects, send your five disciples up to draw lots.
Additionally, the rules are strict this time. Martial artists live by the sword—in this tournament, life and death are determined by strength alone. Unless someone concedes, the fight continues until one side is dead or defeated.”
At these words, the entire arena was stunned. ‘Fight to the death’ made many who’d planned to compete reconsider, especially disciples from smaller sects. Facing the Four Young Lords and Two Saintesses was a death sentence if you didn’t surrender. Rather than lose face by dying, it was better to forfeit and spare the sect’s reputation.
For a moment, endless chatter rippled through the crowd. The ten figures on the platform found this reaction perfectly normal. After a while, the Freewind Palace Lord continued, “I know this rule may seem unfair, but this is a world where the strong prey on the weak—only the strong can rule.
Any sect that does not wish to participate may forfeit. After all, it’s not easy for a sect to nurture a true genius. Win or lose, it all contributes to growth. You have one incense stick’s time to decide—after that, those who wish to compete, send your disciples up to draw lots.”
After the Freewind Palace Lord finished speaking, the crowd erupted in discussion once again. Most were just here to watch the show. Evan Chu quietly made his way to the back of the Frostbane Sect’s group, wanting to hear what these fallen Frostbane disciples were thinking.
“We should just give up. Frostbane Sect is all but dead now; rather than go up and get killed, maybe if we preserve our strength there’s still a chance to rise again,” one disciple said.
“I heard Elder He say our Frostbane Sect master has returned, and he’s incredibly strong. I think we should still participate—if it comes to it, we can just concede. As long as the sect master wins, it’s enough,” another disciple said.
“Sect master? Bah! I never acknowledged anyone as sect master. Don’t listen to that crazy woman Joan He—Frostbane Sect still listens to me!” a white-haired elder snapped.
Joan He overheard and immediately confronted him. “Don’t stir up trouble here. Do you know what will happen if the sect master hears you say that? How could Frostbane Sect have a disgrace like you?”
The elder glared back angrily. “Ha! Joan He, spare me your bluster. Even if that yellow-haired brat stood right in front of me, I wouldn’t care. Who does he think he is, what right does he have to be sect master? Who knows where you found some random punk to impersonate our master? Your motives are clear to me, even if others don’t see it.”
Joan He didn’t get angry. Instead, she laughed. “Let’s hope you don’t regret your words today. For the record, our sect master killed White Sun Sect’s Ninth-Layer Divine Martial master in a single move. Just wait and see!”
Her words shocked all the Frostbane Sect disciples. Back in Golden Ram City, Joan had specifically told those who attended the auction with her not to mention the sect master’s feat to anyone in the sect. Now that she’d revealed it, no wonder everyone was stunned.
The elder stared at Joan He in disbelief. “Is that true? How could it be possible?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. The sect master will definitely come to the tournament this time. I’d like to see how you explain yourself then!” Joan He said with a smile.
“So what if he comes? I’m Frostbane Sect’s Grand Elder. I may not have achievements, but I’ve worked hard. What right does he have to judge me? Strength alone doesn’t win people’s hearts,” the elder retorted.
Joan He rolled her eyes and turned away. Trying to reason with someone so stubborn was like playing music to a cow.
One after another, quite a few sects chose to forfeit. The incense burned out quickly. The Freewind Palace Lord spoke again: “I trust everyone has made up their minds. Now, let each sect’s top disciples come forward—let’s see how many still dare to join this life-and-death battle.”
Naturally, the Nine Great Sects were first to take the stage. Dark Sanctuary’s disciples arrived soon after, and fifty people stood on the arena. The other second-tier sects hesitated, watching like bystanders.
After a while, five more sects sent their disciples up. Frostbane Sect remained silent—Evan Chu knew that if he didn’t step up, no one from his sect would.
So he flew straight onto the arena and called out to the Frostbane Sect disciples, “If you have the guts, four of you come up! Today, Frostbane Sect is joining the fun!”
The moment Evan Chu appeared on the stage, Joan He spotted him immediately and said to the others, “That’s our Frostbane Sect master! Maybe this is the day our sect rises again—none of us even realized he’d arrived.”
Four disciples quickly stepped onto the stage, bowing respectfully to Evan Chu. He didn’t know their names, but their faces were familiar—he’d seen them in Golden Ram City before.
“When the fighting starts, if your opponent is too strong, concede immediately and save your lives. Don’t be reckless—I’ll handle everything else,” Evan Chu instructed.
“Understood, Sect Master. You be careful too!” the four replied in unison.
Down below, the Grand Elder stared at Evan Chu as if he’d seen a ghost, his face pale as death. He muttered, “This… this can’t be. How is this possible?”
“Regretting it now? The sect master was definitely in the crowd earlier and saw your arrogant attitude. After this tournament, you’d better be ready to face punishment!” Joan He said.
Evan Chu and his four disciples walked to one side of the arena and stopped. By now, eighty people stood on the stage. After a few more minutes, four more sects sent disciples up, making a total of exactly one hundred—the true elite of the Azure Tide Ruins.
PS: Excuses or not, cabbage or not, when things come up they have to be dealt with. Doing my best just means not missing updates—don’t just flame people! I’m in a bad mood, barely slept last night…