"Uncle Master, shall we head out together then?" Zhao Wuji said with a smile.
He never intended to hide Li Heng's presence. In fact, he wanted to make a grand display of it. Even if he suffered a temporary setback, Zhao Wuji had thick enough backing to recover easily. All it took was a word from him, and he could summon people from Qingxiao Pavilion.
People like Lin Ya? They would probably never reach that kind of connection in their entire lives. Just imagining the despair on their faces when Li Heng appeared made Zhao Wuji feel lighter. Even the near half of his fortune he had spent no longer felt painful.
Did the disciples of Tianxing Sect really think they could rebel against him?
Perfect. He would use this opportunity to teach them a lesson.
If you are nothing more than an ant, you should not dream of jumping too high. You will only be crushed faster. As Zhao Wuji and his group stepped outside, the waiting disciples immediately bowed respectfully.
He scanned the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Han Xiaoyu. Walking over, Zhao Wuji patted him on the shoulder. "Now that you're back, there's no need for you to return there again. I have found another method to help condition your body, one that should work even better than the hot spring."
"Thank you, Master," Han Xiaoyu said gratefully.
Before Ye Danxia arrived, he had been the youngest disciple. Frail from birth, Han Xiaoyu once feared Zhao Wuji would abandon him. But to his surprise, Zhao Wuji had given his all, sparing no effort to nurse him to health. Thanks to that, he had reached his current cultivation.
Even a blood-related father would have done no more.
Zhao Wuji patted his shoulder once more, then asked in a cold voice, "Is the assembly ready?"
Luo Yi quickly stepped forward. "Reporting to the Sect Master, everything is prepared. The disciples of each peak have gathered at the plaza. The ten peak lords are waiting on the high platform."
Zhao Wuji nodded. "Luo Yi, I hope that next time, when I am welcomed on the platform, you will be among those standing there."
Luo Yi smiled. "Rest assured, Sect Master. This time, I will take that peak lord seat without fail."
Zhao Wuji believed it too. He doubted Lin Ya could best Luo Yi, and nodded with satisfaction.
Very soon.
Very soon now.
In just a few more days, he would remove Lin Ya, the thorn in his side.
From that point on, Tianxing Sect would once again be ruled by his word alone.
On the massive plaza, disciples gathered.
Every ten years, Tianxing Sect held a full assembly. All disciples, regardless of peak, were required to attend.
At the center platform, the ten peak lords were seated. One seat remained empty at the center, raised slightly above the rest.
It was Zhao Wuji's exclusive seat.
Hidden within the void, Qing Yun, Shen Yanye, and Cang Li perfectly concealed their auras.
Qing Yun kept her divine sense fixed on the Earthfire Chamber.
The assembly was about to begin.
Yet Yun Jin still hadn't emerged.
The contract battle was scheduled for the first day. If Yun Jin didn't appear soon, she would miss it entirely.
Lin Ya, seated among the peak lords, wore a worried expression. He was beginning to fear that something had gone wrong inside. If necessary, he might have to ask Yang Hui to forcibly open the chamber.
To others, however, Lin Ya's concern was easily misunderstood.
Some peak lords expressed their worry openly, while others barely concealed their glee.
Still, they all shared one belief.
This time,
Lin Ya would likely lose his position as peak lord.
As the crowd waited silently, a streak of light tore across the sky. Zhao Wuji appeared, descending directly into the center seat.
The moment everyone began rising to pay their respects, Zhao Wuji waved his hand.
A luxurious seat materialized beside his own.
Huh?
The audience looked confused.
Zhao Wuji smiled. "Let me introduce someone. From Qingxiao Pavilion, this is Deacon Li Heng."
He enunciated each word slowly, his tone full of pride. His own talent might have been mediocre. Otherwise, with his background, he would not be stuck as the head of a mid-tier sect.
But so what?
He had a powerful father.
He had connections these people could only dream of.
Qingxiao Pavilion?
Several peak lords were visibly surprised.
Even Lin Ya was momentarily stunned. For Zhao Wuji to invite someone from Qingxiao Pavilion meant he intended to settle everything in one move.
If it were before, Lin Ya would have been filled with dread.
But now,
his expression merely turned a little strange.
The next moment, Li Heng appeared beside Zhao Wuji like a phantom.
"My Uncle Master Li Heng happened to pass by, so he decided to observe the battles," Zhao Wuji said casually. "No need to be nervous. Just perform as you usually would."
But how could anyone remain relaxed?
A Qingxiao Pavilion deacon was seated there, clearly siding with Zhao Wuji. His very presence created immense pressure. People immediately thought of one person.
Where was Yun Jin?
Her battle with Ruan Jun was imminent. She must be under enormous pressure. Everyone looked around. But to their surprise, Yun Jin had not arrived.
Zhao Wuji noticed too. He narrowed his eyes slightly. With the contract binding her, he wasn't afraid of her running away. Still, not being able to witness her despair firsthand was a minor disappointment.
No matter.
He would have plenty of time to savor it later.
He deliberately turned toward Lin Ya. "Lin Ya, where is your beloved disciple? Wasn't she the one who insisted on the contract? Ruan Jun agreed. He is here now. Where is Yun Jin? Has she gone back on her word? Too bad. With the contract in place, it's far too late for regret."
Lin Ya raised a brow. "Sect Master, there is no need to worry. My disciple is currently in seclusion within the Earthfire Chamber. She should have received the summons from the contract by now and will be here shortly."
"Seclusion?" Zhao Wuji laughed. "Well, she certainly needs it. Challenging a Nascent Soul stage cultivator as a Foundation Establishment stage? She had better train hard. Maybe she can last to the second move."
"We'll see soon enough," Lin Ya said calmly.
Zhao Wuji no longer considered the disciples of Tianjian Peak a threat. He continued indifferently, "Then let us begin the sect assembly. On the first day, we will hold the disciple battles. Each peak will send five disciples. Tianjian Peak has fewer than five, so all members will participate. As Sect Master, I will show some modesty. This time, my own peak will send only four disciples."
Confidence radiated from Zhao Wuji's voice.
With those four, especially Ruan Jun, he was certain of victory. The champion's points alone were equal to the total points of several top-ten placements combined. As long as Ruan Jun won first place, the total score would be secured.
He cast a mocking glance at Lin Ya, then continued, "Tianjian Peak will send four disciples. Each of the other peaks will send five. Including four from my personal disciples, there will be 53 participants in total. As usual, the matches will be determined by drawing lots. Ranks will be determined based on results. The higher the rank, the more points awarded. The total points from disciples will determine each peak's placement in the disciple tournament. Combined with the peak lord tournament, this will form the final sect ranking. The resource distribution for the next decade will be based on this ranking.
This time, there is one special case. Yun Jin and Ruan Jun have a contract battle. Both will participate in the normal drawing. If they do not meet during the tournament, they will fight after the rankings are complete. If they do meet, the match becomes a life-and-death duel.
Normally, death is not permitted on the arena. But according to their contract..."
Zhao Wuji paused, then said slowly,
"No rest until death."