Heavy night shadows enshrouded the ruined temple, the harsh cawing of a few crows piercing the silence. Zhong Yun held his breath, concealing himself behind the fractured idol, his gaze locked onto those ghostly figures.
"Useless trash! You can't even handle such a trifling matter!" The green-masked man kicked the corpse of the black-clad figure on the ground, his tone reeking of disdain and fury. "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! I want to know who killed my men!"
"Yes!" Several black-clad figures knelt on one knee, a trace of panic in their voices.
"And keep a close eye on that fellow called Zhong Yun. I want to make his life a living hell!" the green-masked man said through gritted teeth, a flash of viciousness gleaming in his eyes.
Hiding in the shadows, Zhong Yun took in everything before him. He thought to himself that this green-masked man must be the mastermind behind the scenes, and one who harbored a deep-seated hatred for him. He clutched the black token in his hand, his heart filled with doubt: what on earth did this token represent? And why did the green-masked man care so much about whether he lived or died?
After the green-masked man and his party departed, Zhong Yun finally emerged from the ruined temple. He looked up at the sky; dawn was almost approaching. He decided to return to the sect first and report this matter to his master.
Upon returning to the Qingyun Sect, Zhong Yun hurried without stopping toward his master's quarters. However, when he arrived at his master's room, he found the door tightly shut, with not a sound coming from within.
"Master, are you in?" Zhong Yun knocked on the door and asked softly.
Still, there was no response whatsoever from inside.
A trace of unease rose in Zhong Yun's heart. He knocked again, this time with more force.
*Creak—*
The door slowly opened, yet the room was completely empty.
Zhong Yun was startled. Where had his master gone?
He hurriedly searched everywhere in the room, hoping to find some clues. However, everything in the room was as usual; there were no signs of a struggle, nor had any note been left behind.
Zhong Yun grew increasingly uneasy. A faint intuition told him that his master's disappearance might be connected to last night's events.
Right at that moment, a clamor from outside the door interrupted his train of thought.
"Zhong Yun! Get out here!"
Zhong Yun frowned. Judging by the voice, it was the outer sect disciple Zhao Hu.
He pushed open the door and stepped outside to see Zhao Hu standing aggressively in the courtyard with several outer sect disciples.
"Zhao Hu, what is the meaning of this?" Zhong Yun asked coldly.
"What meaning? You still have the nerve to ask me!" Zhao Hu pointed right at Zhong Yun's nose and shouted, "You're just a newly initiated disciple. What gives you the right to snatch resources from us?"
Only then did Zhong Yun understand that Zhao Hu was here to pick a fight. Ever since he had a fortuitous encounter in the ancient ruins, he had become quite famous, which also drew jealousy and dissatisfaction from certain people—and Zhao Hu was one of them.
"Watch your tongue, Zhao Hu!" Zhong Yun said coldly. "I've never thought about snatching resources from anyone. If you're looking for trouble, I'll gladly accompany you to the end!"
"Snatch resources? Hmph, stop playing the fool!" Zhao Hu sneered, his eyes filled with contempt. "Do you think I don't know about what happened in the ancient ruins? You just got lucky and stumbled into a bit of fortune; do you really think you're some kind of chosen son of heaven?"
The other outer sect disciples nearby chimed in, pointing and gesturing at Zhong Yun, their words full of mockery and ridicule.
Zhong Yun's expression remained calm, his heart entirely untroubled. He knew these people were simply driven by jealousy and wanted to use this opportunity to suppress him.
"Zhao Hu, if you want to save face, there's no need to beat around the bush like this." Zhong Yun's tone was nonchalant as he looked straight into Zhao Hu's eyes. "You and I are both disciples of the Qingyun Sect, and the path of cultivation is naturally full of competition. If you want to measure yourself against me, I am ready at any time."
As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings instantly went silent. Everyone looked at Zhong Yun in astonishment. They hadn't expected that, in the face of Zhao Hu's provocation, Zhong Yun would be so tough and refuse to back down an inch.
Zhao Hu hadn't expected Zhong Yun to actually accept. He had originally only wanted to use this chance to humiliate Zhong Yun a bit, not genuinely intending to fight him. After all, he too had heard of Zhong Yun's exploits in the ancient ruins and knew the other man was no pushover.
Yet now that Zhong Yun had accepted his challenge in front of so many people, wouldn't he lose all face if he backed down?
"Fine! You asked for this!" Zhao Hu gritted his teeth, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "Three days from now, at the Martial Arts Arena! I want to see what skills you really have!"
With that, Zhao Hu flicked his sleeve and strode away with his several outer sect disciples.
Seeing this, the surrounding disciples also dispersed one by one, chatting animatedly as they walked.
"This Zhong Yun really doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. He actually dared to accept Zhao Hu's challenge; he's purely courting death!"
"Exactly. Zhao Hu is among the best of the outer sect disciples. Rumor has it he has already broken through to the Qi Condensation 7th Layer, while Zhong Yun is only at the Qi Condensation 5th Layer. How could he possibly be his match?"
"I'd say Zhong Yun's head has been turned by his recent victories, making him think he's truly invincible under heaven. How ridiculous!"
...
Amidst the crowd, Fatty Wang and Shen Yao stood side by side, watching the departing Zhao Hu and the others with a trace of worry on their faces.
"Zhong Yun, are you really going to accept his challenge?" Fatty Wang asked worriedly. "Zhao Hu's strength shouldn't be underestimated."
"Don't worry, Fatty, I know what I'm doing." Zhong Yun patted Fatty Wang on the shoulder and gave him a reassuring look. "Besides, some things can't be resolved by running away."
Shen Yao also walked up to Zhong Yun, a hint of concern in her lovely eyes, and said softly, "Be careful."
Zhong Yun looked at Shen Yao, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly into a confident smile. "Rest assured, I'll be fine."
The tryst of three days arrived in the blink of an eye...
Three days passed in a flash. The Martial Arts Arena of the Qingyun Sect was packed with people, the atmosphere lively and tense. Today was the day of the duel between the outer sect disciple Zhao Hu and the inner sect disciple Zhong Yun. This showdown had long since spread throughout the entire sect, and even a few elders were paying attention to it from the shadows.
Zhong Yun arrived at the Martial Arts Arena early. Today, he was dressed in a green robe with a long sword hanging at his waist, making him look all the more spirited and heroic. His expression was calm and his gaze resolute; he felt not the slightest bit of nervousness about the impending duel.
Fatty Wang and Shen Yao stood by Zhong Yun's side, both wearing expressions of worry, but more than that, encouragement and support.
"Zhong Yun, don't worry, we all believe in you!" Fatty Wang patted Zhong Yun's shoulder, speaking in a firm tone.
Shen Yao didn't speak; she simply watched Zhong Yun quietly, her lovely eyes filled with trust and anticipation. She believed that Zhong Yun would definitely defeat Zhao Hu, because he always managed to create miracles.
"Don't worry, I won't let you down." Zhong Yun smiled slightly and gave the two of them a reassuring look.
Right at that moment, a commotion rippled through the crowd. A young man dressed in lavish robes and holding a folding fan strutted into the Martial Arts Arena, surrounded by a group of guards.
"Isn't that Qian Duoduo? Why is he here?"
"I heard the Qian family is the wealthiest family in Qingyun City, and this Qian Duoduo is the sole heir of the Qian family. What is he doing here?"
"Could it be..."
The crowd chattered and speculated, all eyes focusing on Qian Duoduo.
Qian Duoduo walked to the center of the Martial Arts Arena, glanced around, and with a playful smile at the corners of his mouth, said in a clear voice, "Senior and junior brothers, I am Qian Duoduo. I have come today to witness a magnificent duel!"
With that, his gaze fell upon Zhong Yun and Zhao Hu, and he continued, "I heard that Senior Brother Zhao is going to have a showdown with Senior Brother Zhong today. I am extremely interested in this, so I specially prepared a modest gift as a wager. I hope both senior brothers will perform to your heart's content and not let me down!"
As soon as Qian Duoduo finished speaking, the guards behind him stepped forward carrying several large chests. When they opened the chests, they flashed with dazzling golden light and glinted with pearls and jewels. Only then did the crowd see that the chests were packed to the brim with gold, silver, jewels, and various rare medicinal herbs!
"Hiss—"
A gasp of astonishment instantly echoed through the crowd. Everyone's gaze was captured by those treasures, their eyes filled with greed and desire.
Qian Duoduo's spending was extravagant, and this wager could hardly be called meager—it was enough to show how much importance he attached to this duel.
Looking at those gold and silver jewels, a flash of greed appeared in Zhao Hu's eyes. He turned to look at Zhong Yun and sneered, "Zhong Yun, do you dare to take this gamble? As long as you win, all of these things will be yours!"
He knew Zhong Yun came from a humble background, and these gold and silver treasures held a fatal temptation for him. He refused to believe that Zhong Yun could resist them!
All eyes converged on Zhong Yun, waiting for his reply... Zhong Yun's expression remained nonchalant, as if those gold and silver treasures held not the slightest attraction for him. He cast a calm glance at Qian Duoduo and said serenely, "I am not interested in Young Master Qian's wager. My match with Senior Brother Zhao is simply to compare martial arts, and has nothing to do with anything else."
Hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in Qian Duoduo's eyes. He hadn't expected Zhong Yun to refuse his good intentions. One had to know that these gold and silver treasures were enough to make anyone's heart flutter. Could it be that Zhong Yun was truly unmoved?
"Senior Brother Zhong has quite the spirit!" Qian Duoduo chuckled and clapped his hands, though a hint of viciousness flashed in his eyes. He had originally intended to use this opportunity to humiliate Zhong Yun, but he hadn't expected the other party to remain completely unfazed, which ruined his plan.
Seeing Zhong Yun reject Qian Duoduo's wager, Zhao Hu grew even more enraged. With a cold huff, he said, "In that case, don't blame me for being unpolished!"
The moment his voice fell, Zhao Hu's figure stirred, transforming into an afterimage as he lunged fiercely toward Zhong Yun. The long saber in his hand flashed with a cold gleam, aiming straight for Zhong Yun's vital points.
Zhong Yun had long been on guard. Utilizing the Seven-Star Footwork, his figure nimbly dodged Zhao Hu's attack while the long sword in his hand flickered, transforming into a silver streak as he counterattacked against Zhao Hu.
For a time, the Martial Arts Arena was filled with the flash of blades and swords. The two figures traded blows, engaging in a fierce clash.
Zhao Hu's saber technique was bold and uninhibited with overwhelming momentum; every single strike contained immense power, as if he intended to cleave Zhong Yun in two.
Zhong Yun's sword technique, on the other hand, was light, ethereal, and unpredictable. He always managed to dodge Zhao Hu's attacks by a hair's breadth, find the opponent's flaws, and retaliate.
The two of them went back and forth without yielding an inch, and the match entered a white-hot stage.
The crowd watching below kept their eyes glued to the arena, not daring to draw a full breath for fear of missing any wonderful moment.
"Good!" Fatty Wang couldn't help shouting in praise, his eyes filled with excitement and thrill.
Although Shen Yao didn't speak, her lovely eyes also shimmered with an unusual light, clearly paying close attention to this match.
Time ticked by second by second, and both men had consumed a fair amount of stamina, yet the battle remained fierce.
Right at that moment, Zhong Yun seized an opportunity. His figure swayed to dodge a slashing blow from Zhao Hu, and then he closed in with lightning speed, driving his sword straight toward Zhao Hu's chest.
Zhao Hu was struck with terror and tried to dodge, but it was already too late.
*Thud!*
Zhong Yun's long sword pierced into Zhao Hu's chest, and fresh blood instantly gushed out, staining Zhao Hu's clothes red.
Zhao Hu let out a muffled groan, staggering backward with a look of unwillingness and venom in his eyes.
Zhong Yun did not press the attack. He slowly withdrew his long sword, looked calmly at Zhao Hu, and said indifferently, "You lost."
Clutching his chest as blood continuously flowed from between his fingers, Zhao Hu glared viciously at Zhong Yun before his body went limp, collapsing onto the ground and fainting dead away.
"Senior Brother Zhao!"
The surrounding crowd instantly fell into chaos, rushing forward to surround them.
Zhong Yun stood where he was, sweeping his gaze across the surroundings with a hint of coldness in his eyes. He knew that while this match had ended, the real trouble was only just beginning.
Zhao Hu's defeat would surely make him harbor a deep grudge, and Qian Duoduo would certainly not let the matter rest either. They would definitely find all sorts of ways to take revenge on him.
An even greater storm was quietly brewing...