Chapter Forty-Nine: The Battle Begins

The Jade-Iron Assembly was finally about to begin. Near Deyang City, several areas had been transformed into the competition grounds, and hundreds of bouts were about to commence. Hundreds of cultivators, clad in the distinctive blue robes of the Jade-Iron Sect, soared on their swords throughout the venues, patrolling diligently and ensuring the order of the event. Above Deyang City, a platform hovered several hundred meters above the ground, where the elders and leaders of various sects were seated. Jade Grandmaster and Lady Wang were among them, and within this gathering sat an old man, skeletal and imposing, his presence heavy with authority.

The platform itself was vast, adorned with jade carvings and golden sculptures, with all manner of luxurious items present. Servant cultivators frequently brought forth divine brews and celestial teas.

"The Jade-Iron Sect is truly generous," remarked the master of the Divine Jade Gate.

Standing atop the platform, it seemed as though everything nearby was laid out before their eyes, and any bout could be observed at will. Clearly, the platform was arrayed with many illusionary formations, projecting the conditions of hundreds of arenas directly to those present.

"Well, it's only natural—the Jade-Iron Sect is a newly established branch of the Universal Cloud Sect within the Cloud Mountain Realm. And what of the Universal Cloud Sect? It is a force ranked among the top in any realm. Send a few disciples here, and they would still be unparalleled," replied Iron Sea, the master of the Eastern Water Sect, who appeared in his thirties and had only recently completed his Meridian Training, granting him access to the platform.

Upon hearing these words, the skeletal old man’s expression darkened, his eyes casting a sidelong glance at Iron Sea.

The platform, which had been lively, suddenly fell silent. Iron Sea quickly shut his mouth and lowered his head, inwardly cursing, "Damn it, damn it, Lord of Deyang City, please don’t take offense."

Though all present knew what Iron Sea had said was true, none had ever dared to speak it so plainly. Establishing branch sects in newly opened realms was a common strategy for all major sects, intended as a means of asserting dominance. Yet such matters were never discussed openly.

"No matter, everyone is free to speak as they wish," said the gaunt old man, Ye Yibai, his face breaking into a smile.

Immediately, the conversation shifted.

"The first round of matches holds little interest, but the second round, with the Jade-Iron Sect’s participation, should be worth watching," the Divine Jade Gate master quickly interjected.

"Not necessarily," another chimed in, "Some bouts are so lackluster that I couldn’t help but place a few spirit crystal bets myself, haha." This speaker was Tu Xi, steward of the Polar Gate, ancient in appearance yet rosy-cheeked and resolute, his gaze locked intently on Gu Rong in the arena, unwilling to look away.

A cultivator followed his gaze and shook his head disdainfully. "What’s there to see? Is your Gu Rong likely to lose?"

Tu Xi chuckled, "Who can say? Deyang City is full of talent; no one knows how things will turn out." Despite his words, his expression made it clear he had little regard for Li Mu, as if that person did not exist.

"May I ask, Steward Tu, how much have you bet on your disciple Gu Rong?"

At that moment, Lady Wang suddenly spoke up.

"Not much, not much—three thousand mid-grade spirit crystals, just a casual wager," Tu Xi replied, waving his hand with a smile.

Lady Wang laughed lightly, her presence enchanting. "Steward Tu, would you care to make things interesting? I’m betting on Li Mu to win."

Her words startled the surrounding cultivators, who all turned to gaze at the beautiful, smiling Lady Wang, puzzled by her intentions.

Tu Xi stared at Lady Wang, his heart fluttering and his eyes lighting up. "And what will Lady Wang wager?"

"I’ve heard your sect is about to finish refining a batch of Polar Pills—let’s say ten of those as my stake. How about it?"

The Polar Pill was a particularly rare third-grade elixir, capable of cleansing the qi pool and expanding meridians. Its ingredients were extremely difficult to acquire. The Polar Pill was the foundation of the Polar Gate’s prosperity, producing about three hundred per year, enough to sustain the sect’s annual needs. With this recipe, the Polar Gate had steadily grown into a formidable sect.

It was a sizable bet.

Tu Xi took a deep breath, hesitating, "And what will Lady Wang stake in return?"

"Like this," Lady Wang replied, revealing a golden leaf in her jade-white hand. The leaf was fresh, as if just plucked, shimmering with radiant hues and occasionally flickering with soft light.

"Ah!"

The crowd erupted instantly—even Ye Yibai could not help but furrow his brow.

Nearly all the cultivators recognized the leaf as a Golden Spirit Leaf, renowned throughout the cultivation world. It grew from the divine Golden Spirit Tree, embodying the essence of spiritual energy and containing gold-elemental power. Whether used in alchemy or consumed directly, it provided tremendous benefits to any cultivator. Within the Cloud Mountain Realm, only the Jade-Iron Sect possessed a Golden Spirit Tree, which produced merely three leaves per year.

The value of a Golden Spirit Leaf far exceeded ten Polar Pills.

Tu Xi stared directly at the leaf, unable to suppress his longing, swallowing hard. "I accept the bet."

"Very well, then let the masters present bear witness," Lady Wang nodded gently and returned to her seat, smiling.

Tu Xi followed her lead, his expression somewhat dazed, as if struck by a miracle descending from the heavens.

At this point, everyone on the platform focused their attention on the match between Gu Rong and Li Mu.

Within the arena, the two faced each other.

Gu Rong’s temper blazed.

His status was eminent; from childhood he had been protected, provided with endless elixirs, and upon reaching the Spirit Foundation stage, the steward had immediately gifted him three treasures—including the exceptional top-grade weapon, the Shattering Light Spear!

Among Spirit Foundation cultivators, how many could claim even a second-grade treasure, let alone a top-grade one?

Though his cultivation could barely wield a second-grade treasure, and he could only use its techniques twice before his strength was depleted, it was enough to accomplish feats that even his seniors could not. His reputation grew steadily, and many cultivators knew him as the strongest among mid-stage Spirit Foundation cultivators, capable of easily defeating even those in the Meridian Training stage.

Yet Gu Rong felt he was already among the top ten.

But his opponent was merely a nameless, newly advanced Spirit Foundation cultivator, unaffiliated, owner of a modest pill shop.

It was an insult—a lasting humiliation.

Gu Rong stood proudly, staring at Li Mu, and raised three fingers. "I’ll let you strike first—three moves."

He was convinced that only by dishonoring his opponent could he unleash his own strength and quell his anger. He knew that battles between cultivators could be decided in an instant, but he was absolutely confident. He wore a second-grade armor, the Divine Refined Yellow Armor.

Forged with special fire and refined a hundred times, the armor was incredibly sturdy; ordinary second-grade treasures could not break its defense.

Divine Refined Yellow Armor, Shattering Light Spear—Gu Rong stood in the arena like a statue of gold.

In Gu Rong’s heart, there was but one desire: to thoroughly humiliate Li Mu, to crush him utterly, to strike him down so that he would forever remember, "I am Gu Rong, and you will always look up to me."

But Li Mu was remarkably calm.

He had already gathered all the information, knowing Gu Rong’s strengths and weaknesses with clarity. It was easy; this genius never hid anything, displaying all his abilities openly for others to see.

Li Mu simply took out a small fire gourd.

"Three moves? One is enough."