Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Chapter 392 - Curtain Falls on the Competition

Among the four prominent sects in Qingyang County, the Spring Autumn Sect clearly stood out as the strongest.

The reason was straightforward: it boasted two Divine Nascent realm experts, the Sect Leader and the High Elder. Had they been allies, Qingyang County likely would have looked very different today, with the Spring Autumn Sect reigning supreme.

Unfortunately, tensions between the Spring Autumn Sect Leader and the High Elder ran deep, dividing the sect into three factions. This internal strife weakened them significantly, preventing the sect from uniting as one.

All three of the other great sects were well aware of this matter.

With the sudden emergence of Duan Jingtian, the Sect Leader’s faction had started gaining the upper hand. Many of the elders jumped ships and joined the Sect Leader’s faction, sidelining the High Elder\'s followers.

If and when Duan Jingtian advanced to the Divine Nascent realm, it would spell disaster for the High Elder’s faction. Thus, over the years, the High Elder’s faction had been searching for disciples with immense talent to nurture as a countermeasure against Duan Jingtian\'s growing influence.

However, Duan Jingtian was simply too exceptionally gifted. His cultivation improved at a rapid pace. It was simply impossible for the disciples recruited to the High Elder’s faction to resist Duan Jingtian.

However, when Chen Fan emerged as an even more remarkable talent, the tide began to turn.

Within just eighteen months, he advanced from a Qi Grandmaster to the peak of the Yuanfu realm, wielding combat strength on par with a first-level Core Formation realm expert.

This development reignited hope within the High Elder\'s faction.

Duan Jingtian also understood the threat Chen Fan posed to him. Thus, he wanted to use this opportunity to get rid of Chen Fan. However, the High Elder couldn’t let things go his way.

Wei Buyu was no match for Duan Jingtian. Therefore, the High Elder intervened personally, severely injuring Duan Jingtian in the process.

Facing pressure from the High Elder who also had reason on his side, the Spring Autumn Sect Leader had no choice but to compromise.

However, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the punishment—banishing Duan Jingtian to the isolated Black Wind Cliff for a year—was the Sect Leader\'s way of protecting him.

He wanted to give Duan Jingtian a focused year to put all his efforts into advancing to the next realm. As a Divine Nascent realm expert, Duan Jingtian would command the loyalty of the entire sect.

Since the Spring Autumn Sect Leader had taken a step back, the High Elder also had to follow suit. After all, Duan Jingtian’s status and strength were there for all to see.

The sudden turn of events unfolded rapidly and concluded swiftly.

The Spring Autumn Sect Leader and High Elder did not descend upon the central battlefield. Their confrontation across space forced the Sect Leader to compromise, ending this storm.

Admittedly, however, Duan Jingtian’s ferocity, tyranny, arrogance, and insufferable attitude left a deep impression in the minds of everyone from the four great sects.

Even Wei Buyu lost to Duan Jingtian in one move; one could see that Duan Jingtian was terrifyingly strong.

The crowd had no doubts that if the High Elder hadn’t struck, no one could have stopped Duan Jingtian from killing people. Even Grand Elder Wei Buyu would have to die.

At this point, the crowd viewed Duan Jingtian as an unstoppable tyrant.

The central battlefield buzzed with these discussions.

“This Four Great Sects Martial Arts Competition is not a wasted trip. Witnessing Duan Jingtian\'s awe-inspiring power and arrogance was a sight to behold. Below the Divine Nascent realm, who can even challenge him? My heart beat so fast... and I even felt the urge to kneel in worship.”

“That’s right. Duan Jingtian is too terrifyingly powerful. He defeated the Spring Autumn Sect\'s Grand Elder Wei Buyu with ease and shattered one of his treasures. It’s horrifying.”

“That kid named Chen Fan is also impressive. He dared to challenge Duan Jingtian multiple times and lived to tell the tale. He\'s quite fortunate.”

“Hehe, I’m already looking forward to their showdown. How much will Chen Fan grow by then? Will he be able to withstand even a single blow from Duan Jingtian?”

“He took the championship of this martial arts competition as a dark horse, obtaining the Extreme Profound Elixir. He’ll advance to the Core Formation realm very soon after consuming it, but trying to advance a single level in the Core Formation realm is like trying to ascend to the heavens. The gap is extremely huge. It’s no doubt nonsense to think of reaching Duan Jingtian’s level in just a year.”

“......”

Duan Jingtian stole all of Chen Fan’s limelight as soon as he appeared, and things remained the same even though Duan Jingtian had already left.

Of course, Chen Fan couldn’t care less about other people’s gazes.

His expression was resolute.

This was his second time directly confronting Duan Jingtian.

The first time, Chen Fan had been forced to kneel on the ground in front of everyone and was ruthlessly humiliated. He had also stolen Chen Fan’s Ice Jade Snow Lotus.

The second time, Duan Jingtian wanted to kill him but failed to get his way. He also failed to humiliate Chen Fan.

Duan Jingtian, it’ll be your time to die in a year. I’m looking forward to our third confrontation very much. I will no longer need Master to protect me then. I’ll trample you under my feet with my strength and wash away the humiliation you’ve inflicted on me!

......

The Four Sects Martial Arts Competition concluded in an unexpected fashion, with Chen Fan emerging as the champion.

Of course, what came as a bigger surprise was the twists and turns at the very end related to Duan Jingtian.

Suddenly, Wei Buyu’s voice entered Chen Fan’s ear.

Chen Fan, come with me.

Chen Fan followed behind Wei Buyu and flew toward the distance.

In the air, Chen Fan asked, “Master, are you alright?”

Wei Buyu shook his head and said, “It’s nothing; just a superficial wound. He really is strong... I could still fight him to a draw a year ago, but now, I can’t even withstand a single move from him. He’s improving too quickly. Had the High Elder not made a move, I might not have been able to stop him and could have died."

“It’s my fault for dragging Master down.”

“Don’t say that.” Wei Buyu shook his head and continued, “This martial arts competition doesn’t forbid killing to begin with. Duan Jingtian sees you as a threat due to your remarkable progress, prompting him to target you aggressively.”

Chen Fan nodded and said, “I still have a year and a half. I\'ll settle the score with Duan Jingtian, avenging your injuries and making him pay double!”

“It’s enough that you think this way.” Wei Buyu smiled.

Chen Fan asked, “Master, where are we going right now?”

“The High Elder wants to see you.”