Chapter 175

Chapter 175: The Disciple Matches Start with the Draw

True Lord Gu Ci raised his voice and announced the results: “First place, Flying Cloud Sect, 15 points.”

He continued in a steady tone: “Second place, Ninghua Sect, 10 points.”

He finished the podium and added: “Third place, Heavenly Sword Sect, 5 points.”

After listing the rest, he said: “Both rankings and points are now shown on the display panel.”

When he was done, many people felt like they had just survived a disaster.

Except for Alchemy Sect, which had been knocked out early by the Ninghua Sect, most of the sects from Heavenly Sword Sect on down each slid back one spot.

Though Flying Cloud Sect defended first place again, most of the talk was about the second place, the Ninghua Sect.

It was a tiny sect with only eight people, yet its strength was this fierce. The sharp contrast, plus Shen Sang Ruo’s earlier momentum, left a deep mark in everyone’s minds.

Someone gasped to his friend: “Wow, the Ninghua Sect is full of daredevils, especially that Immortal Lord Chang Li. He is ruthless.”

Another person muttered: “Better not mess with anyone from the Ninghua Sect from now on. They really fight like their lives are on the line.”

Even though Master Ling Xiao had won, his shine was covered by Immortal Lord Chang Li.

A spectator said in amazement: “Immortal Lord Chang Li should be called the number two Cultivator. He fought Master Ling Xiao to a standstill while a whole level lower. Given time, he might even pass him.”

Someone else whispered, curious: “I still want to know what kind of deep hatred lies between him and Master Ling Xiao.”

A third added, eyes bright: “Next up are the disciple matches. I want to see how those young Ninghua Sect disciples do.”

“Ninghua Sect,” many people echoed, and the name kept spreading.

Other than being five points behind the Flying Cloud Sect, the Ninghua Sect had almost everything that comes with first place. In fact, their discussion heat was even higher than the true champion’s.

Oh, and the Ninghua Sect also came away with one more thing: a heavily injured Master Ling Xiao.

None of this was what the Flying Cloud Sect wanted to see.

Because of Shen Sang Ruo, they already disliked the Ninghua Sect; now that feeling had turned into disgust.

A disciple grumbled to his peers: “Why does it feel like they are the real number one, stealing all our thunder?”

Another snapped back: “A bunch of blind fools. Second is still second. They cannot jump over first.”

A third said with a bitter laugh: “They are just jealous that the top Cultivator is in our sect, so they brought out this Immortal Lord Chang Li to try to trample us.”

A fourth waved toward the arena and said: “That Immortal Lord Chang Li got beaten up by our Master Ling Xiao. How can people still praise him?”

Beside them, Master Ling Xiao’s face darkened another shade.

His injuries had only been handled in a simple way. He was the face of the Flying Cloud Sect, watched by countless eyes, so he could not leave. He had to endure until the day’s matches ended and then treat the wounds properly.

Only Shen Dao Chen knew how badly he was hurt.

When Shen Dao Chen heard just how serious the injuries were, he could hardly believe it.

Ever since Master Ling Xiao became the number one Cultivator in the Cultivation World, for a thousand years no one had hurt him like this.

At last, he felt the threat the Ninghua Sect brought.

His gaze swept over to the Ninghua Sect’s waiting area. When his eyes landed on Shen Sang Ruo, the feelings in them were very complicated.

He let out a cold snort and looked away.

Turning to Bai Mu Mu and the pale-faced Feng He Yun and the others, he spoke in a hard voice: “Next are the disciple individual matches. Besides Mumu, who must compete, any one of you could be drawn. No matter who it is, you must use all your strength.”

He added, heavy with meaning: “You fight for the honor of the Flying Cloud Sect, and you fight for yourselves. You know what I mean.”

His final order was short and sharp: “You must not lose to the Ninghua Sect.”

The grudge between the Flying Cloud Sect and the Ninghua Sect was now set in stone.

Bai Mu Mu straightened her back and said with firm eyes: “Father, do not worry. I will take first place in the disciple matches.”

Feng He Yun and the others looked a bit down, but when they remembered they could not be weaker than Shen Sang Ruo’s senior brothers and sisters, their fighting spirit rose again. They bowed and said together: “Sect Master Shen, we will give it our all.”

They would do it for the Flying Cloud Sect, and for Shen Sang Ruo. Even if the Ninghua Sect had a few strong Elders, it was still only a small sect with many gaps.

Compared to the Flying Cloud Sect, it was still a pit of fire. They would pull Shen Sang Ruo back out.

Over in the Ninghua Sect’s waiting area, the three Elders leaned back as Immortal Lord Chang Li said with a lazy wave: “We three did our best. The rest is up to you.”

Immortal Lord Chang Li, Immortal Maiden Azure Luan, and Daoist Wu Wei sat to rest. All three had taken different levels of injury, and their work for the day was done.

Shen Sang Ruo looked at the scoreboard and said gently: “We are only five points behind the Flying Cloud Sect. Everyone, just perform normally. Do not get too tense.”

She truly feared her senior brothers and sisters would fight like Immortal Lord Chang Li and risk everything.

Among them, only Song Wei Yan was at Mid Golden Core. The others were all Late Golden Core.

Even if Song Wei Yan was drawn, with the experience he had gained from earlier fights, he could handle most opponents.

As for herself, she had to take first place to close the gap with the Flying Cloud Sect.

Bai Ruo An smiled lightly, though his eyes were cold.

The others’ eyes also burned with battle spirit.

They all knew their only real opponent was the group from the Flying Cloud Sect.

Song Wei Yan cracked his knuckles and said with a grin: “We can finally fight them fair and square.”

“Our Master already gave Master Ling Xiao a beating,” someone added with pride, “so as senior brothers and sisters, we cannot fall behind.”

Another laughed and said, eager for action: “With a flash, we charge in together.”

[Shen Sang Ruo was speechless.]

Seeing them like this, she knew her advice had been wasted.

Just then, True Lord Gu Ci’s voice rolled over the arena, announcing that the disciple individual matches were starting and telling the participants to come up to draw lots.

“Let’s go,” Shen Sang Ruo said as she stood. The others rose with her.

The disciple matches would be split into three groups. Each sect’s three disciples would each enter a different group. Every group would fight inside its own bracket, rank separately, and earn points on its own.

The scoring rules were the same as in the Elder bout.

This meant the disciple matches could earn up to forty five points, a huge share of the Sect Grand Tournament and especially important.

Right now, the platform was full of five disciples from each sect, a lively crowd.

Luckily, Fengling Terrace was large enough that it did not feel cramped.

The platform was divided into several zones, and each zone had a great stone for drawing lots.

You only needed to place the Young Sect Master’s Token on it, and it would automatically pick the three who would compete and assign them to groups.

Shen Sang Ruo put down her Young Sect Master’s Token, and words started to glow on the stone.

The stone showed: “Ninghua Sect, Ye Huai, Group One.”

Ye Huai’s face stayed calm as he stepped forward to take his group token and pressed his Divine Sense imprint into it.

This was to keep anyone from standing in for another member of the sect.

Next, the stone showed: “Ninghua Sect, Song Wei Yan, Group Two.”

Song Wei Yan looked a little nervous, but he did not hesitate and took his token.

The last spot was, of course, Shen Sang Ruo.

The stone lit again: “Ninghua Sect, Shen Sang Ruo, Group Three.”