Liang Dong picked up a brush in front of the Earth Gate and briskly wrote his name and sect affiliation on the registration sheet at the gate. He let out a cold laugh and strode boldly through the "Earth Gate" path.
Behind him were three fellow disciples traveling together, also walking proudly into the mountain gate.
The Nanhua Sect had sent a total of fifty-seven people this time, including seven entry-level disciples, while the rest were registered disciples and servants. The Guangyuan Sect, in contrast, brought forty-two individuals, with five entry-level disciples. Nearly one hundred were mounted on horses and carriages, arriving in an imposing display of force.
However, they did not immediately rush to the summit. Instead, they first sent Liang Dong and a few other disciples up the mountain to test the Mingcang Sect's position.
If they ascended unhindered, the disciples from both sects would waste no courtesy and proceed to humiliate the East Master outright. On the other hand, if Liang Dong and the others were stopped along the way, they could use that information to prepare themselves and avoid being caught off guard.
After passing the main mountain gate, Liang Dong noticed the unusual desolation of the surroundings. His gaze traveled up the mountain path, which was eerily empty, devoid of a single soul—an intense contrast to the bustling scene of disciples from all sects entering the outer mountain gate. He couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "A retribution it is! Now it's finally Guangyuan Sect's turn to tarnish Mingcang Sect's reputation. The humiliation I faced three years ago will surely be avenged today!"
The disciples behind him nodded in agreement.
Feeling triumphant, Liang Dong waved his sleeve grandly and declared, "Junior disciples, follow me in ascending the peak! Let's pave the way for Senior Wen Jun!"
Believing the path ahead unguarded, he raised his voice loudly as he advanced up the mountain. His words echoed along the winding path, until a clear and chilly voice came from atop an enormous rock nearby, "Are you disciples from Guangyuan Sect?"
Liang Dong was startled. He looked up and saw a figure sitting atop the large rock, gazing down at him from a commanding height.
The man's condescending position filled Liang Dong with displeasure. He snorted coldly, saying, "Indeed, who are you?"
The figure stood up and said in a deep voice, "I am Zhang Yan from Mingcang Sect."
Liang Dong instinctively took a step back. With Zhang Yan's silhouette against the sunlight, his face was momentarily obscured, forcing Liang Dong to squint as he asked, "What do you want?"
Zhang Yan chuckled freely and said, "Nothing more than an invitation to a duel."
Liang Dong hesitated briefly before asking, "A contest of words or combat?"
A word duel meant an intellectual sparring in Erosion Text Inference, similar to Mo Yuan's expertise, while physical combat would test martial prowess directly.
After achieving the Foundation Building stage, cultivators gained the strength to move thousands of pounds, fight lions and tigers, and shatter stones or tablets. Practitioners of the Xuanmen Sect cultivated the Supreme Dao; before opening their meridians, they trained in martial arts to prevent physical decay during years of sedentary meditation.
The Xuanwen Conference primarily emphasized scholarly pursuits, but it was not without deadly competition. Upper Court cultivators often fought ferociously over prime territory and Immortal Pills, resulting in violent clashes during the Dharma Assembly.
Nonetheless, some disciples looked down on physical combat. Once they opened their meridians, they could learn superior skills, such as slaying foes with Flying Swords or compressing soil into steel. Cultivators' true power was often demonstrated through Dharma Treasures and Flying Swords, rendering martial techniques a minor pursuit.
However, for disciples outside noble families, obtaining treasures or resources like Immortal Pills and talismanic scripts was a rarity. Thus, they could only rely on their physical abilities, which made martial prowess more valued among them.
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "Either is fine."
Liang Dong suddenly felt a renewed vigor and replied eagerly, "Then combat it shall be!"
Liang Dong was not born into a noble family and had little talent in Erosion Text. He wouldn't dare to challenge someone verbally. As a registered disciple, the only way for him to stand out at the Dharma Assembly was by showcasing his martial skills, so he did not hesitate in choosing combat.
In this domain, Liang Dong felt confident. He often ventured out into remote mountains and marshes to collect Five Elements Divine Sand, fighting tigers and wolves in the process. Though his skills couldn't rival those of senior masters specialized in martial arts, he assumed handling an unknown disciple from Mingcang Sect would be no issue.
However, his confidence wavered when Zhang Yan leaped down from the large rock. Seeing him standing upright, Liang Dong exclaimed inwardly, "This Zhang Yan is exceptionally tall!"
Standing there, Zhang Yan was a head taller than most men, and his imposing presence alone made it impossible to dismiss him lightly.
But Liang Dong was sharp and opportunistic by nature. His eyes flickered with thought as he seized the moment before Zhang Yan made a move. Without uttering a single word, he lunged forward and threw a punch, hoping to catch Zhang Yan off guard.
With heightened sensory perception, Zhang Yan saw Liang Dong's slight movements—his toes lifting and shoulders tensing—and immediately detected his intent. From the angle of Liang Dong's force exertion, Zhang Yan could predict the trajectory of the punch. Without even dodging, Zhang Yan widened his eyes and let out a sharp shout. His fist exploded with a deafening whoosh, striking first at Liang Dong's face.