Xiang Shaoyun received a reply from the Dragon Society. They had agreed to his additional condition. The honorable challenge would be a best out of five. Each side would send combatants of similar cultivation levels and fight it out until one side obtains three victories.
This was a rather common method of challenge. But since the Ziling Sect currently lacked talents, this method of challenge was quite unfavorable for them. After all, people like Ye Chaomu, Scarlet Flame Monarch, Devouring Ghost, and Little White weren’t around. He couldn’t even think of anyone he could send into the fights.
Fortunately, Tuoba Wan’er left seclusion at this time. Prior to this, she was a fourth-stage Sovereign. After seclusion, her cultivation had increased. However, the one Xiang Shaoyun wanted to participate in the challenge wasn’t Tuoba Wan’er. Rather, he wanted to borrow Old Urchin from her.
He had three Saints on his side, Duo Ji, the turtle, and the toad. However, all three of them were relatively new Saints and couldn’t compare with veteran Saints. As for Old Urchin, he was at least a late-stage Saint. With him, Xiang Shaoyun’s worries would drop considerably.
When Tuoba Wan’er heard Xiang Shaoyun complaining to her, she went looking for Old Urchin without hesitating. However, she found that Old Urchin was no longer in the sect. Only the donkey was left to guard her.
“Grandpa donkey, where is Grandpa Urchin?” asked Tuoba Wan’er anxiously.
“You know him well. He is not the kind of person to stay idle in one place. He has probably gone looking for some village girls at some village somewhere,” said the donkey.
Tuoba Wan’er looked at Xiang Shaoyun helplessly.
“Fine. We’ll have grandpa donkey come with us,” said Xiang Shaoyun with a disappointed sigh.
The donkey was a Demon Saint. However, his strength was still far below Old Urchin’s. After picking some elites from the sect, a group of 300 set off. No matter what, it was important that they didn’t lose out in terms of appearance.
Right as they were about to set off, Pang Tongyuan asked worriedly, “Young sect master, would this be the Dragon Society’s ploy to bait us away from the sect?”
Xiang Shaoyun shook his head and said, “There is no point in doing that. They are trying to become a tier-8 organization, and they need us. Destroying us won’t do anything for them.”
“You might be right, but we still need to be careful,” said Pang Tongyuan.
Xiang Shaoyun nodded and said, “Increase our defenses and activate all the defensive formations. The moment there is an enemy attack, we will be able to sense it and return.”
“Ok. May you return in triumph,” said Pang Tongyuan.
The others also roared, “Return in triumph! Return in triumph!”
The voice rumbled throughout Ziling Sect. A sort of aura seemed to form around the sect, a symbol of a sect’s unity. If a day came when the Ziling Sect had full unity and sufficient accumulation, they would be able to manifest a powerful aura. The aura would enhance the sect’s fortune, allowing the sect to grow and develop much more smoothly.
Xiang Shaoyun sat down atop Money, draped a battle cloak around his shoulders, and charged out of the gates with the Overlord Skyslaying Saber in his hand. The others followed behind him. All 300 of them rode out with imposing momentum, displaying the might of a tier-7 organization. In the wilderness outside Ziling City, the Dragon Society’s 108 generals were waiting.
“They’re here,” said Liang Cairen. He had been surveying the area from an elevated position.
The 108 generals waited vigilantly. They all adjusted their condition, pushing themselves to the optimum state to face the upcoming battle.
When Xiang Shaoyun reached the Dragon Society’s army, he raised the Overlord Skyslaying Saber and shouted, “The Ziling Sect will be victorious!”
His voice was sonorous and forceful. As his voice rumbled around him, the confidence of his people rose, and they shouted with him, “The Ziling Sect will be victorious!”
Suppressing the opponent with momentum before a battle was essential. Two lifetimes ago, Xiang Shaoyun was a god of war. He had led armies through countless wars, and he naturally understood the importance of momentum.
However, the 108 generals still maintained a strong presence, completely unaffected by the 300 riders from the Ziling Sect. This was because they had long adjusted their condition to the optimum state. Moreover, they were here with full confidence in victory.
After all, their old lady, deputy society master, and young society master were personally present. When Xiang Shaoyun saw their reaction, he frowned as he thought, These people arrived prepared.
Together with Duo Ji, the turtle, and the toad, he stepped forth. Meanwhile, Long Yufang, Liang Cairen, and a third person stepped out from Dragon Society’s side. The two parties stood facing each other.
Long Yugang met Xiang Shaoyun’s gaze as a smile formed on his face. He said, “You’re the Ziling Sect’s young sect master?”
Xiang Shaoyun looked at the third-stage Soul Foundation Realm Long Yugang and said, “That’s right. It’s me, Xiang Shaoyun. So how are you planning to do this? Say it.”
Long Yugang looked like he wasn’t even 30 years old, but in truth, he was already 45. It wouldn’t have been possible for him to reach such a cultivation level at this young age.
“Simple. Two rounds of Emperors, two rounds of Sovereigns, and a round of Saints. What do you think?” said Long Yugang.
Xiang Shaoyun gave it some thought and replied, “Why the trouble? Why don’t I fight five of your Sovereigns alone? Let’s decide on the victor in one battle.”
In truth, Xiang Shaoyun lacked confidence in the people around him. He wouldn’t have made this suggestion otherwise.
“Don’t get too cocky. Anyway, it’s pointless to do that,” said Long Yugang with a smile.
“One round of Emperors, three rounds of Sovereigns, and one round of Saints,” said Xiang Shaoyun. He would not allow them to dictate everything about the challenge.
“Looks like you’re not very confident with your Emperors. Fine, I’ll let you have this,” said Long Yugang confidently.
“Let’s get started, then. I can’t wait to see you people out of my face,” said Xiang Shaoyun in an unfriendly manner.
“Haha, your Ziling Sect is destined to be ours. Why would we need to get out of your face?” said Long Yugang as he roared with laughter. He shouted, “The Emperors will fight first. Zhang Dongsheng, you’re up.”
At his command, a rider rushed out and answered, “Yes, young society master!”
The rider was a middle-aged man with a high reputation. He was seated atop a green wolf and holding a massive club, looking incomparably valiant.
He was known as the Dragon Society’s number one Emperor. In fact, he had been an Emperor for 100 years. He had been relentlessly tempering his strength within the realm instead of attempting to enter the Soul Foundation Realm. In his opinion, one should only attempt to take that step after tempering oneself to perfection.
Because of that, he had long gained the ability to battle Sovereigns. He had even killed a lot of regular Sovereigns. It was clear that the Dragon Society wasn’t about to give up the Emperors’ round if they were sending him out.
Xiang Shaoyun could see how strong Zhang Dongsheng’s foundation was with one look. He frowned and looked at Duo Ji as he asked, “Old drunkard, who should we send?”
He might be the young sect master, but he still didn’t know his sect members well.
