Proofreader: Papatonks
Zhuo Fan’s determined voice echoed in the ears of everyone in the arena, filling them with excitement and expectations. Especially the nation’s representatives. The nine sects in the western lands had been stuck in their respective rankings for thousands of years.
It all became foggy. When exactly was the last time an underdog tried punching above its status? Now, they were witnessing history in the making.
Everyone was thrilled and eager for a good show. The teams from every sect had known this was coming and were watching in anticipation.
Only Ren Cong’s face fell, glaring at Zhuo Fan like he was an abomination on this earth.
[A tiny Demon Scheming Sect like you dares to challenge your superiors? Humph, you’re going to pay for it. Mark my words.]
Turning to Cong Shan and Cong Lin, Ren Cong nodded and gave them the signal.
In all honesty, they were shaken by the Demon Scheming Sect’s team for a good reason. With six in the Ethereal Stage, their side only had himself and the twins.
In other words, besides him, in the 2nd layer Ethereal Stage, and the brothers, in the 3rd layer Ethereal Stage, the other seven disciples in the Radiant Stage could hardly pose a challenge. They were the only three who could put up a fight and score a win.
So why was it that even though Demon Soul Sect had only Han Yunfeng and the second young master Han as their sole two Ethereal Stage experts, they were still above them in rank? It was their overall strength that made all the difference.
The hope of keeping their name rested entirely on Cong Shan and Cong Lin dealing with six Ethereal Stage experts.
As such, striking first and hard to cripple the enemy’s morale was a tested tactic through the ages.
The Cong brothers’ eyes flickered coldly, fixing Zhuo Fan in their sights.
Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow. His thoughts were mocking them.
[It’s obvious that their target is me.]
He shook his head and sighed.
[Ignorance sure is bliss.]
“Since the Demon Scheming Sect has decided to challenge, please enter the Sumeru Dimension. First will be lower three sect Demon Scheming Sect versus middle three sect Heaven Trailing Sect in a team battle!”
(StarReader: Sumeru is the center of all Buddhist cosmology’s physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes.)
The judge shouted at the crowd.
Then, two familiar figures appeared on the stage. They were none other than the elders posing as gatekeepers of Double Dragon Manor.
Their hands worked through the gestures quickly, and with a bang, they shot their hands forth. The space in front rippled like a curtain about to be lifted. As the ripples took form, the two elders grabbed what looked like seams and pulled with all their strength until the veins on their arms bulged outward.
Creak~
The space was split apart with a heavy sound to reveal a new world.
The view presented a magnificent valley with a tall and imposing mountain behind it, covered in a lush and beautiful forest. This world’s limits were so vast that one could not even see the edges. Such a considerable expanse could easily accommodate a battle against armies in the hundreds of thousands, not just a measly twenty people.
Turning back to the audience, the judge said, “The disciples of the two sects are to enter. You are free to fight to your heart’s content.”
Zhuo Fan nodded and was the first to walk forward, but someone gave a taunting snort just before he entered the barrier.
“Ha-ha-ha, what a grand world. I bet this will be your first time seeing it since you’ve never had a team battle. But don’t even think about hiding in this vast world. We’ve been here so many times. We know it better than you!” Ren Cong snickered at Zhuo Fan.
Zhuo Fan mocked, “You took the words right out of my mouth. Not like if you hide, it will change anything. It will just be taking a little more time. Come to think of it. I can’t remember the last time I played cat and mouse. I should relish the moment, ha-ha-ha…”
“We’ll see who plays with who here!” Ren Cong just had to have the last word.
But those who knew Zhuo Fan’s real strength looked at him like he was an idiot.
[I say, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so quick and excited to die. Life must be tough for him.]
Zhuo Fan shook his head with a mocking smile as he entered the world. His team snickered and followed right after.
Ren Cong gave the Cong twins a signal, and the two nodded. They shot into the barrier, soon followed by the rest of their team.
Soon, everyone entered the fray, leaving behind a faded image from inside to let the audience know how it progressed.
Whoosh~
Zhuo Fan was the first to appear in a small valley, with Demon Scheming Sect’s disciples behind him, gawking.
The spiritual energy in this valley was thick, tens of times better than in Double Dragon Manor. Cultivating here was paradise.
[Double Dragon Manor is the strongest sect in western lands to have such a great place!]
However, Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow as he looked around in curiosity.
[The spiritual energy is too thick. There’s no way a simple Spiritual Gathering Array can do this.]
[It seems there are world crystals here. Maybe…]
Zhuo Fan’s brow furrowed. In a dark corner of this world, Danqing Shen’s eyes stared over with a flickering gaze…
Whoosh~
Suddenly, as the Demon Scheming Sect team was stunned by the world around them, two familiar men appeared in front. They were Cong Shan and Cong Lin.
But they did just keep on coming at Zhuo Fan, who just cocked an eyebrow.
They did not attack, passing through him and coming before the six Ethereal Stage experts.
“Mountain and Forest’s Shadow, the Mountain!” Cong Shan growled.
(StarReader: Shan=lit. mountain.)
As he finished, his body glowed in an earthly yellow light, his strength surging so much at the same time it felt like he was pushing the heavens aside.
The others squinted and cried, hurried to fight back the twin attackers in the form of a combined palm.
In an instant, the six Ethereal Stage experts’ powerful palm attack rolled at the twins like a huge boulder. Cong Lin’s eyes flashed, and he made a sign. “Mountain and Forest’s Shadow, the Forest!”
(StarReader: Lin=lit. Forest)
Hum~
A green image formed, draping over the two like a curtain, starting with a green glow spreading around.
Just in time to welcome the six’s attack.
But instead of pushing through the green image, it only grew weaker as the curtain wiggled and swiveled, nullifying the attacks’ momentum.
Then, with a bounce, it kicked back the six palm strikes at the attackers.
At the same time, the lofty yellow power also fused with it.
In am instant, a prismatic attack of incredible power came for the six people. They were caught off guard by the attack and scattered around like bowling pins, up to a hundred meters away.
Eyes squinting, the six could hardly believe what had happened. They were astounded how two Ethereal Stage experts could push back six others.
While it looked like each side was taking their time in moving to strike just now, it all happened in the blink of an eye.
In other words, in just one move, the six were defeated by two people with the same cultivation as three of theirs.
Even the audience outside was shocked by this development.
The combined attacks of the twins were indeed impressive.
[They were at an advantage against six enemies!]
Only Sword God Sect and Demon Soul Sect, who fought them, understood how deadly the duo was. No way your average Ethereal Stage expert could fight them.
They could fight as many as ten opponents!
In other words, while in singles, they could get four points at most, their full potential had no limit in a team battle. For Demon Scheming Sect to challenge Heaven Trailing Sect to a team battle was entering their domain!
“Mountain and Forest’s Shadow combines reality with illusion, switching between force and flexibility. It is as strong as a relentless assault, crushing anything in its path, and as flexible as a raging torrent blowing them away. The two make a truly rare team!”
Looking at the screen, Wen Tao squinted and smiled. “When we fought the duo, we also seemed to have taken a long time to win. Tianshang, how long do you think it will take your old friend to beat them?”
Wen Tao asked Xie Tianshang, who turned pensive for a moment before he shook his head, “Zhuo Fan is a monster, exceptionally gifted and advancing at unimaginable speeds. I haven’t seen him in years, so I cannot tell how strong he has become.”
“Fifteen minutes at most!”
The voice startled Wen Tao. Looking over, he saw Demon Soul Sect’s Han Yunfeng with his eyebrows raised.
Wen Tao chuckled. “Brother, would you be kind enough to share what you know?”
“It’s not anything of real value anyway. We have fought Zhuo Fan and the Cong twins before. And even though we lost in both cases, we knew who was the true master among them.”
Han Yunfeng took a deep breath. “Cong Shan and Cong Lin used at least 90% of their power when they fought us, while Zhuo Fan less than a third, maybe just a fifth. Every move of his was casual yet unbelievably intricate. If we were to compare, the twins would be a lake while Zhuo Fan the sea. We cannot imagine anyone among the disciples here who can make him go all out!”
“Oh, then I’ll make sure to watch closely. If I’m not mistaken, Cong Shan and Cong Lin’s attack on the six Ethereal Stage experts is a feint while their real target is him. What this brother said is true.”
Wen Tao’s eyes shone like he knew everything.
And sure enough, after the six were blown away, the twins turned around and went for Zhuo Fan…
