Crowned Unchallenged

Over the next few days, disciples from various sects arrived one after another.

The Heavenly Dao Sect became bustling with an unprecedented liveliness.

Yet this liveliness had nothing to do with Dao Sword Peak.

Dao Sword True Master was in seclusion, attempting a breakthrough.

Lin Wushuang was likewise in seclusion, recuperating from her injuries.

As for Qi Xiao and Chu Jiao, both were only at the mid–Golden Core stage—far from qualified to participate in the arena battles of this level.

Among the disciples of this generation, the strongest at present was Jade Lotus True Dharma.

* * * *

The Sect Master sat upon the high platform.

“Yu Lian, are you confident of victory?”

“Sect Master, please rest assured,” Yu Lian replied without hesitation. “I am invincible within the Golden Core realm.”

This was not arrogance.

Rather, in all her years of cultivation, she had only ever seen one true immortal artifact—Li Wangyan’s.

Everything else was nothing more than legend.

Relying on the power of an immortal artifact, and having cultivated together with Li Wangyan—tasting multiple Dao principles through the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror—she felt that her current self could defeat three of her former selves before rebirth.

If that still wasn’t enough to make her peerless at the Golden Core stage, she would rather kill herself in apology.

“Yu Lian is willing to stake her life on this.”

Though there was no such thing as a formal military pledge within the sect, this declaration itself was her proof.

“Excellent!” A smile appeared on the Sect Master’s face. “The Heavenly Dao Sect is currently facing turbulent times. But the more critical the moment, the more we must uphold our dignity.”

“I possess a treasure known as Profound Brightness Nectar. Even if one suffers severe injuries in battle, it allows rapid recovery. Take it—it will assist you in achieving outstanding results during the Demon Extermination Assembly.”

Yu Lian nearly declined.

She genuinely didn’t believe anyone could injure her—unless they cheated.

But she still accepted.

“Yu Lian thanks the Sect Master for the reward.”

I’ll give this to Li Wangyan.

The day before yesterday, when she cultivated together with him, Lin Wushuang had also been present. Yet Li Wangyan hadn’t touched Lin Wushuang at all—she merely watched.

That alone proved that Li Wangyan truly harbored feelings for her.

In the future, once he broke through to the Golden Core stage, and if a way could be found to save Master…

Perhaps she could personally speak to Master.

Or perhaps Li Wangyan could have Dao Sword True Master propose on his behalf.

But the prerequisite was that her Master would be willing to reveal the whereabouts of the demonic cultivators who framed Li Wangyan back then.

She knew it wouldn’t be easy.

Yet nothing in the world is difficult—only the lack of resolve.

If she didn’t try, if she did nothing, then nothing would ever change.

Giving Li Wangyan some benefits might make him like her a little more.

If that could ease the tension between him and Master…

That would be ideal.

* * * *

The Demon Extermination Assembly was an exceptionally grand event.

Yet the only representatives from Dao Sword Peak who attended were Chu Jiao and Qi Xiao.

Naturally, neither of them would take action.

Their presence alone symbolized Dao Sword Peak’s acknowledgment.

The number of participating sects was not especially large—six in total:

Blossom Sect, Great Unity Sect, Non-Action Pavilion, Suspended Temple, Cloud-Reading Tower, and Sea-Mirror Realm.

Together with the Heavenly Dao Sect, they were known as the Seven Righteous Sects.

There were other righteous forces as well, but they were not part of this inner circle.

Even so, this lineup was sufficient to shake the world.

The Sect Master sat high above.

“Welcome, fellow Daoists, to the Heavenly Dao Sect for this joint Demon Extermination Assembly!”

He spoke with righteous fervor.

“In recent years, the demonic sects have grown increasingly rampant. First, our Dao Sword True Master was ambushed while traveling and nearly fell, almost costing us a True Master—almost costing me my martial brother!”

“Then, during our sect’s initiation ceremony, demonic cultivators attempted to assassinate our elite disciple, forcing him to consume a Yin–Yang Rebirth Pill just to survive!”

“I cannot tolerate this!”

“The demonic sects continue to grow stronger. We righteous cultivators must exterminate them and restore clarity and justice to the world!”

His words were impassioned—and largely factual.

Regardless of their true intentions, the other sects voiced agreement.

“The Sect Master speaks truly!”

“How can we righteous cultivators allow the demonic sects to act so arrogantly?”

“If we do not suppress their momentum, how can we claim to uphold justice?”

Of course, some harbored thoughts of seizing demonic sect resources and treasures—but such thoughts were left unspoken.

“Since we have gathered to act jointly,” the Sect Master continued, “we must first establish order.”

“Our sect’s Yu Lian, though recently attacked, turned calamity into fortune and gained enlightenment at the brink of death. She is willing to exchange techniques with fellow Daoists.”

Yu Lian stepped forward.

“I am willing to spar with fellow Daoists.”

A late–Golden Core cultivator from Sea-Mirror Realm immediately stepped out.

“I have long heard of Jade Lotus True Dharma’s reputation—said to be gentle as refined jade. Seeing you today, the description fits perfectly.”

“Fairy Yu Lian, after the match, perhaps we could exchange communication talismans?”

Yu Lian smiled faintly.

“That is a small matter. How may I address you, Fellow Daoist?”

She didn’t mind whether the other party was interested in her appearance.

In such occasions, words themselves were weapons.

“You may call me Mirror Sea.”

The Sect Master activated the grand formation, and an arena rose from the ground.

Golden Core cultivators fighting without restraint could devastate vast areas—hence the confined battlefield.

The two entered the arena without hesitation.

Almost instantly, phenomena arose.

Above Yu Lian’s head, a thirty-six-petaled jade lotus rotated endlessly, streams of radiant light washing outward, mysterious and awe-inspiring, terrifying power flowing within.

Above Mirror Sea’s head, a bright moon ascended.

“A thirty-six-petaled lotus?! That’s the absolute limit of the Golden Core stage!”

“With this alone, she is second to none among her peers!”

“That Mirror Sea isn’t weak either. That’s Moon Over the Sea, one of Sea-Mirror Realm’s two supreme techniques.”

“But without Sun Rises Over the Eastern Sea, he cannot defeat Senior Sister Yu Lian.”

Qi Xiao and Chu Jiao analyzed the battle from the sidelines.

They could tell the outcome at a glance.

This was a clash between law cultivators.

In the next instant, the lotus throne and the moon collided.

The moon fractured immediately.

“Victory is decided,” Qi Xiao murmured, astonished by Yu Lian’s strength.

But then—

After the moon shattered, another identical thirty-six-petaled jade lotus appeared.

“A mirror reflection?!”

Qi Xiao immediately understood.

No wonder his title was Mirror Sea.

Yu Lian paused briefly, then smiled.

“So that’s how it is. You cultivated Sun Rises Over the Eastern Sea, but took a divergent path instead.”

“That is not a good choice, Fellow Daoist.”

“Winning is what matters,” Mirror Sea replied.

Yu Lian shook her head.

“Even if you had mastered Sun Rises Over the Eastern Sea, it would not be enough.”

“To contend with me, you would need Sun and Moon Sharing Glory.”

It was not contempt—only a statement of fact.

Her jade lotus began to spin violently.

Each petal transformed into a sword.

The swords detached, forming a sword formation that shattered the mirrored lotus instantly.

They stopped at Mirror Sea’s throat.

“Fellow Daoist Mirror Sea—you have lost.”

Yu Lian’s expression was calm.

Mirror Sea’s face changed repeatedly before he finally conceded.

“Fairy Yu Lian’s Dao techniques are peerless. I am fully convinced.”

He retreated.

Yu Lian remained standing, waiting.

More challengers stepped forward.

The outcome never changed.

No one could even injure her.

She crushed everyone with overwhelming dominance.

Even Qi Xiao couldn’t help clicking her tongue in amazement.

She resolved to ask Junior Brother what exactly he had done to make Yu Lian’s strength soar so dramatically.

Before, Yu Lian had been slightly inferior to Lin Wushuang.

Now?

There was no comparison.

Qi Xiao herself wasn’t particularly interested in combat power.

She preferred rapid realm advancement.

Realm increases gave far better returns.

She had no intention of being someone who relied on fighting above her level.

Yu Lian’s performance exceeded even the Sect Master’s expectations.

He struggled to maintain composure.

“Since this is the case, Yu Lian shall be the champion of this assembly.”

“All of you are outstanding talents, and your strength is evident.”

“But Yu Lian’s achievements came after surviving great calamity—such fortune is not something one should seek lightly.”

His tone carried a hint of humble bragging.

“Therefore, this Demon Extermination Campaign shall be led by the Heavenly Dao Sect. Any objections, fellow Daoists?”

“Since this has been the rule for many years, we naturally abide.”

“Our sect concedes willingly.”

Words were pleasant.

Implementation would be another matter.

But possessing the banner of righteousness was enough.

“Then,” the Sect Master declared, “the target of this campaign is—the Life-Severing Sect!”

“Life-Severing Sect?”

“Fellow Daoists may not know this,” he continued, “but intelligence indicates they possess a technique known as the Heart-Gouging, Bone-Carving Curse.”

“This curse is exceedingly vicious. Once afflicted, even cultivators would suffer unbearable agony, their Dao hearts collapsing.”

“Such demonic methods must not be allowed to exist.”

“We shall annihilate the Life-Severing Sect!”

“We must not allow such cruel techniques to continue circulating in this world.”