บท 54: Chapter 54: Strike First

From the Heavenly Water Sect, Sect Master Zhang Mo let out a sinister laugh upon seeing the situation, "Interesting. Qingxuan Sect has really toughened up."

"Xuege, Ziyue, and the rest of you, listen up. When the melee begins, make sure to take down Qingxuan Sect first!"

Behind her, apart from the Vice Sect Master, were the ten disciples of the Heavenly Water Sect.

Leading them was Yin Xuege, an eerily handsome man, who had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

Behind him was another peak Foundation Establishment disciple, Bai Ziyue.

Of course, even within the peak Foundation Establishment stage, there was a significant difference in strength between someone who had been at that level for five or six years and someone who had just reached it.

"Understood." Yin Xuege, Bai Ziyue, and the others all nodded in agreement.

The other sects, observing this scene, were equally delighted.

It seemed the Verdant Vine Sect had set their sights on Qingxuan Sect.

Additionally, the Heavenly Water Sect had a longstanding enmity with Qingxuan Sect.

With two of the top five sects targeting Qingxuan Sect, it meant Qingxuan Sect would be attracting the attention of both Verdant Vine and Heavenly Water Sects, easing the pressure on the other sects.

Even Murong Yue and Liu Yuanfeng found this strange.

Their sect had no significant grudges with the Verdant Vine Sect.

Even back when Qingxuan Sect was among the top five sects, their relationship with Verdant Vine Sect was distant and rarely interacted.

Why was Verdant Vine Sect suddenly focusing on them?

At that moment, the white jade snake in Mo Yuheng's arms suddenly disappeared.

It darted through the crowd like a white lightning bolt, arriving at Qingxuan Sect's group and coiling around Shen Mo's leg, climbing up to his knee.

The snake's red tongue flicked out, seemingly enjoying Shen Mo's presence.

Shen Mo extended his finger to gently tap the little creature's head.

However, the white jade snake nudged his hand, indicating it wanted some fire spiritual energy.

Shen Mo couldn't help but smile wryly.

This wasn't the place to cultivate.

"Hmm? Senior Sister, what's going on?" The disciples of Verdant Vine Sect were puzzled.

Mo Yuheng had been raising that white jade snake for years, and it wouldn't let anyone else touch it.

How come it was now willingly going to Shen Mo and even seemed affectionate?

The other sects were also surprised.

Normally, tamed beasts only cared about their masters and ignored everyone else.

Moreover, Mo Yuheng's physique, known to be a heaven-grade inferior Myriad Beast Spiritual Physique, was publicly acknowledged by Verdant Vine Sect.

This physique naturally attracted various beasts, making them willingly submit.

Mo Yuheng whistled to call the snake back.

However, the snake ignored her, remaining in Shen Mo's embrace, continuously urging him for fire spiritual energy.

The fact that the tamed beast didn't return when called drew even more attention from the spectators.

"Yuheng, do you know that Qingxuan Sect boy?" A burly man in green clothes with a beard in Verdant Vine Sect's team asked, lowering his voice.

Mo Yuheng shook her head, "We've only met once."

The bearded man scratched his head, "That's strange. This Blazing Heaven Snake barely acknowledges me, yet it went to a stranger."

Mo Yuheng whispered, "Let's leave it with him for now, Father. Let the Divine Sword Sect Master announce the start; we don't want any trouble."

The bearded man nodded, "Lord Luo, please announce."

Divine Sword Sect Master Luo Chaotian nodded slightly, said a few courteous words, and then announced loudly, "The first round of the Hundred Sect Ceremony is about to begin. All teams, take the stage!"

His voice, infused with spiritual power, resonated throughout the arena.

The atmosphere instantly heated up.

Thousands of eyes locked onto the martial arena.

Finally, it was starting!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

One by one, figures, either agile, graceful, or imposing, descended onto the arena.

Shen Mo tried to put the snake down before entering the arena, but the little creature clung to his hand, leaving him helpless.

"If you get hurt during the fight, I can't compensate," Shen Mo said softly.

The snake shook its head, as if saying it didn't need any compensation from him.

Shen Mo had no choice but to bring it along into the arena.

The ten disciples of Qingxuan Sect followed him onto the stage.

Before they set off, Murong Yue whispered, "Everyone, follow Shen Mo's orders."

"Understood." Zhao Ting, Luo Shengnan, and Zhao Rou nodded without hesitation.

Following the strongest was only natural.

Liu Yunxuan and Xiao Fan, though outwardly agreeing, harbored their own thoughts.

"The first round begins now!" Luo Chaotian shouted.

This voice ignited the already tense atmosphere.

The martial arena now hosted forty-nine teams, totaling four hundred ninety people.

Once the melee begins, it won't stop.

Four-fifths of the participants will be eliminated.

Only the remaining one hundred will qualify for the second round!

Someone shouted first.

Immediately, everyone plunged into a chaotic battle!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

There were clashes of swords and blades, as well as fists and kicks.

The sounds of metal clashing and the dull thuds of fists hitting flesh filled the air.

The disciples of Qingxuan Sect were also affected by the atmosphere, itching to charge into the fray immediately.

Liu Yunxuan quickly suggested, "I recommend we retreat immediately and withdraw to a corner."

Xiao Fan nodded, "I agree with Senior Brother Liu."

Zhao Ting and Luo Shengnan seemed thoughtful.

This was a tactic.

Preserve strength, wait for the numbers to dwindle, then seize the opportunity.

Many weaker sects would choose this strategy.

Though it might not look impressive, it would at least keep them in the game longer.

But Shen Mo smiled faintly, "We can't retreat. We need to fight, and fight hard!"

"Strike first, strike hard!"

"If we're ruthless enough, no one will dare to provoke us."

Liu Yunxuan frowned, "Are you crazy? Doing this might mean we won't even pass the first round!"

Xiao Fan also questioned, "Shen Mo, you're risking Qingxuan Sect's reputation. I don't agree!"

Shen Mo responded coolly, "Did you not hear what the Sect Master said before we came? Are you all deaf and blind?"

Xiao Fan's face flushed with anger, ready to argue.

Liu Yunxuan sneered, pulling him back, "Fine, we'll follow your lead. Just hope you don't regret it!"

The ten disciples of Qingxuan Sect, led by Shen Mo, moved like a sharp blade, piercing straight into the crowd.

Shen Mo's target was not some small sect.

From the start, his target was Heavenly Water Sect!

As one of the top five sects in Xuanjiang, Heavenly Water Sect was strong enough.

If they could severely damage the Heavenly Water Sect team while preserving their own strength, other teams would naturally avoid provoking them.

Everyone knew that if they had the power to seriously harm Heavenly Water Sect, they could easily defeat the weaker sect teams and drive them out of the arena.

Yin Xuege and Bai Ziyue's eyes narrowed.

They were just about to move towards Qingxuan Sect.

They didn't expect Qingxuan Sect, under Shen Mo's lead, to come straight at them!

"Ridiculous, do they think they can use us to make a statement?" Yin Xuege's pale, sickly face showed a hint of a cold smile.

He was smart and quickly saw through Shen Mo's intentions.

But he thought Shen Mo was foolish.

A mere second-rate sect—no matter if Shen Mo had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage—how could he match up to Yin Xuege, the so-called Prince of Shadows!

The other disciples of Qingxuan Sect were even less of a match for the disciples of Heavenly Water Sect!

"Meet them head-on!" Yin Xuege commanded with a wave of his hand.

"Yes!"

The nine disciples behind him also wore cold smiles on their faces.

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