Chapter 4: The First Battle, Turnaround

"Sect Master Uncle, please rest a bit more, we can handle the rest," Shi Lei returned to Ye Feng's side, shielding him from the dust and dirt.

Shi Lei was stocky, not very tall but quite robust, like a wall standing in front, giving a sense of inexplicable safety.

"Do not be disrespectful to our Sect Master Uncle!"

Li Jiaojiao and Huo Yunjie also gathered around.

The three major disciples stood side by side in front of him, shielding Ye Feng from the imposing presence of the Scarlet Serpent Sect disciples.

Looking at the somewhat immature figures of his disciples, Ye Feng was suddenly moved.

"True feelings are seen in times of adversity; these three staying behind really have true affection for the Misty Sect, much better than the rebellious Xiao Fangu, the fourth disciple,"

Ye Feng criticized in his mind.

He secretly made a decision that once the Misty Sect overcame this crisis, any disciples he recruited in the future must be loyal.

"You're quite loyal to a Sect Leader who lacks even cultivation, but it's a pity that you'll soon have to pack up and leave,"

Si Taijian, with his arms crossed, sneered.

Shi Lei and the other two disciples really wanted to rush up and give Si Taijian a good beating but were stopped by a gesture from Ye Feng.

"Now is not the time," Ye Feng said, "wait until we're on the stage, then beat him severely."

"Oh, beat him severely, did I hear that right?"

Si Taijian and the dozen or so Scarlet Serpent Sect disciples beside him burst into loud laughter, as if they had heard the most amusing joke in the world.

"Where are the Sect Leaders of the Scarlet Serpent Sect and the Misty Sect?"

At this moment, a deep voice came from outside the door, and everyone turned their heads to see three men in distinctive silver robes approaching.

The foremost person was a middle-aged man who looked to be around fifty, with a shiny bald head and a slightly corpulent build.

"Greetings to Steward Zhou."

The Scarlet Serpent Sect disciples immediately wiped the sneers from their faces and switched into obsequious mode.

This "Steward Zhou" was no simple character.

He was the steward from the City Lord's Mansion of Whitefloat City, at the peak of the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer, responsible for overseeing sect conflicts and had the authority to reclaim Sect Territory Deeds.

For sects around Whitefloat City, Steward Zhou was an insurmountable mountain.

"Steward Zhou, it's been a long while; you seem to have slimmed down,"

A hoarse voice came from the Scarlet Serpent Sect disciples' rear, followed by the appearance of a red-haired elder in a wheelchair.

This person was the Sect Leader of the Scarlet Serpent Sect, Zhao Dajiang.

On hearing that he had slimmed down, a smile appeared on "Steward Zhou's" face: "Let's skip the pleasantries. How prepared are both Sect Leaders for the upcoming conflict between your sects?"

"Do we need to prepare to fight the Misty Sect?" Zhao Dajiang said with a sullen smile.

Steward Zhou glanced at him but said nothing.

Even though he did not say so outwardly, he also believed the Misty Sect had no chance of winning.

Upon entering, he noticed that the cultivation levels of Shi Lei, Huo Yunjie, and Li Jiaojiao were very average.

As for Ye Feng, the Sect Master, he was just a mortal who had not even reached the Gazing Breath Realm.

The most crucial point was, there were only three disciples.

Losing any match would mean defeat.

As for the legendary "Let Two Chase Three", Steward Zhou found it utterly unrealistic.

To him, overseeing this sect conflict was merely a waste of time.

"The stage is ready; both parties should prepare briefly before coming up for the competition,"

Steward Zhou dropped a comment and left the dilapidated courtyard of the Misty Sect.

"Just you wait and see!"

Si Taijian mockingly looked at Ye Feng and his group, making a throat-slitting gesture before leaving the courtyard as well.

"Sect Master, we..."

Huo Yunjie stared at the retreating figures of Si Taijian and his group, speaking in a grave tone.

But before he could finish, Ye Feng interrupted him with a wave of his hand: "Stick to the plan."

"Yes."

The three disciples nodded.

Afterward, Ye Feng took them out of the Misty Sect's courtyard and onto a piece of open ground in front of the sect.

A square stage had been constructed here out of timber, surrounded by dozens of onlookers dressed in various styles, all disciples from other nearby sects eager to watch the excitement.

"Wow, the Misty Sect only has three disciples. With a best-of-five format, they have to win every match to claim victory!"

"Winning is harder than ascending to the heavens,"

"Look, that guy without any cultivation is the Sect Leader of the Misty Sect, said to be the Old Sect Leader's junior brother."

"Misty Sect has really fallen on hard times to let a mortal be Sect Leader."

"..."

None of the disciples from various sects had high hopes when they saw Ye Feng and his three disciples.

"Ahem!"

At that moment, Steward Zhou stepped onto the stage, "Scarlet Serpent Sect has issued a sect challenge to Misty Sect. The battle begins today, and we will use a best-of-five system. The loser will leave behind their Sect Territory Deed. Now, please have the participating disciples from both sects come forward."

No sooner had the words been uttered,

Si Taijian and four Scarlet Serpent Sect disciples leaped onto the stage, each revealing their cultivation levels.

One at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, three at the fourth, and one at the third.

"Si Taijian truly lives up to being the number one prodigy of the Scarlet Serpent Sect, having already reached the fifth layer of Qi Refinement."

"The others aren't bad either."

Disciples from various sects murmured among themselves.

"Go on up!"

Ye Feng, disregarding the voices of the disciples from the other sects, instructed.

The three disciples nodded, making their way steadily up onto the stage one step at a time, each emitting their cultivation aura.

One at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, and two at the third.

"Hahaha..."

Disciples from all sects laughed.

An average of one minor realm lower, and three against five, how could they fight?

"Since Misty Sect has only three disciples, they will concede two matches firsthand. Please have Scarlet Serpent Sect select two winners to leave the stage," Steward Zhou said, looking at the five Scarlet Serpent Sect disciples.

Si Taijian instructed a disciple at the third layer and another at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, "You two, get down."

Both descended immediately, leaving Si Taijian and two disciples at the fourth layer.

"As the challenged party, the Misty Sect disciples will decide the order of appearance and opponents. Now, let the first battle begin," Steward Zhou announced the rules, then jumped down from the stage.

"I'm the eldest brother; let me take the first battle."

Shi Lei stepped forward, gesturing towards a lean Scarlet Serpent Sect disciple at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, "I choose you."

As his words fell, the remaining four swiftly turned and jumped off the stage, without any hesitation.

On the stage,

only Shi Lei and his opponent were left.

"Kid, you dare to challenge me, Bu Feilan, you've got some guts!" Bu Feilan smirked, his hands moving vigorously, grasping a sphere of flames in each.

The surrounding temperature rose rapidly, and the air twisted continuously.

Even at a distance, the withered grass near the stage seemed on the verge of combusting.

"That's the Scarlet Serpent Sect's First Grade Spell, "Flame Serpent Technique". Seeing the quality of those flames, it's clear that he's made it to Beginner level, nearly reaching Minor Achievement,"

a disciple from a certain sect exclaimed.

"Die!"

Bu Feilan from the Scarlet Serpent Sect alternated swinging his hands, sending out scorching flame serpents that struck at Shi Lei like swift arrows.

But to everyone's surprise, Shi Lei emitted a soft glow around his body, and a breeze formed under his feet as he adeptly executed the Beginner-level "Wind Spirit Steps", avoiding the imminent danger.

"Hahaha..."

"The eldest disciple of the esteemed Misty Sect, though robust in appearance, has actually cultivated a spell specialized for running away… Huh, what is he doing?"

Just as the other disciples were about to mock him, they saw Shi Lei suddenly change direction, charging straight at Scarlet Serpent Sect's Bu Feilan.

"You're courting death!"

Bu Feilan sped up his movements, his fire serpents flying out incessantly.

But in the next instant, Shi Lei's speed surged by two-thirds, swiftly conjuring a dark, thick light shield in front of him.

Bang!

Bu Feilan from the Scarlet Serpent Sect felt as though he had collided with a wall; countless ribs snapped, and he was sent flying out like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily beyond the platform.

"Hiss!"

Seeing this, the crowd collectively drew in a sharp breath in unison.