Chapter 9: The Sect Assembly Begins

"Elder Yun Leng, you will preside over the Sect Conference."

Yun Yun delicately lifted a white jade teacup to her lips and took a sip. With her elegant demeanor, she never enjoyed mundane affairs and entrusted the management of the sect entirely to the Grand Elder Yun Leng.

"Yes, Sect Master."

Yun Leng bowed, as he, who loved fame and profit, happened to enjoy presiding over such grand occasions.

Yun Tianming gazed intently at Yun Yun from afar, secretly resolving in his heart. He set a small goal for himself: to become an official disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect first, and then find a way to get closer in the future.

No one in the audience would pay attention to him, a mere outer disciple. However, Ya Fei, who was particularly observant, glanced in Yun Tianming's direction and happened to notice the intense gaze he directed towards Yun Yun seated at the forefront. A peculiar expression involuntarily appeared on Ya Fei's face.

"Yun Tianming, you dare to ignore your sister's charm, yet you pine after the Sect Master position of the Misty Cloud Sect."

"Tsk tsk, this little brother has quite the audacity!"

Comparing herself unfavorably to her sister in terms of feminine allure left Ya Fei feeling disgruntled. However, after assessing the marked contrast in charisma between herself and Yun Yun, she begrudgingly admitted that the mature charm emanating from Yun Yun was something she, as a naive young girl, couldn't hope to match.

"Hmph! Just wait, when sister grows up, she will definitely become the most renowned beauty in the Empire!"

"By then, you, little brother, will surely kneel beneath sister's feet!"

Ya Fei's pretty face tensed, her small fists clenched as she defiantly gestured towards Yun Tianming.

"Welcome, esteemed guests of the Empire, to the Misty Cloud Sect, to participate in our Sect Conference."

"We hope you can appreciate the finest young generation of the Jia Ma Empire, showcasing their talents."

The conference is presided over by the Grand Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Leng. He adeptly handles various factions, and although his opening remarks seem simple, they carry an underlying tone of demonstration.

"Ugh, this old man talks a lot."

"Claiming to showcase the finest young generation of the Jia Ma Empire?"

"Hmph! Is the Misty Cloud Sect indicating they intend to gather the empire's elites into their fold?"

Yao Yu sneered.

Yao Ye furrowed his brow, observing the thousands of Misty Cloud Sect disciples standing in the square. Compared to the empire's soldiers and generals, they seemed to hold a distinct advantage.

"The Misty Cloud Sect indeed harbors ambitious aspirations."

Miteer Tengshan squinted his eyes, stroking his goatee.

Ya Fei, quick-witted as ever, swiftly inferred Chief Tengshan's concern. The Tengshan family was a commercial entity, maintaining balance among various factions was conducive to their business expansion. A dominant Misty Cloud Sect could easily monopolize resources, hindering Miteer's business transactions.

"Nalan Yanran, can you explain to me what joining the Misty Cloud Sect means to you?" Mu Zhan asked Nalan Yanran.

"It's my business, none of your concern," Nalan Yanran replied coldly, avoiding a direct response.

"Suxiong, is your Nalan family completely aligning with the Misty Cloud Sect?" Mu Lie, Mu Zhan's father, straightforwardly questioned Nalan Su, seated nearby.

"Brother Lie, you are mistaken. This matter is purely the willful decision of this unruly girl, unrelated to the stance of our Nalan family," Nalan Su casually denied. His father, Nalan Jie, was the Lionheart Marshal of the Empire, a prominent figure in the military of the Jia Ma Empire, theoretically loyal to the royal family.

Ya Fei's eyes flickered, thinking to herself: Nalan Jie, the strong-willed patriarch, did not explicitly oppose his granddaughter's joining of the Misty Cloud Sect, implying that the Nalan family might have a subtle inclination towards neutrality. Of course, this was just her speculation, and as a junior member in such circumstances, she had no place to speak.

Mo Lan, not far away, heard the news, and his face couldn't help but darken.

"The Nalan family has actually sided with the Misty Cloud Sect. This is trouble. Li'er, although Nalan Yanran is a few years younger than you, it's said that her Dou Disciple level has already reached the sixth stage. She might become your formidable rival. Li'er?"

"What a cute girl!"

Mo Li seemed to have not heard his father's warning. His gaze was fixed, utterly captivated by the charming and adorable girl standing behind Nalan Su.

"You, being flirtatious again?"

Mo Lan chuckled, not only refraining from reproach but quietly encouraging on the side, "Li'er, if you manage to win over that Nalan Yanran, the Family will fully support you!"

"I will, father! Such a lovely girl, only I am worthy of her!"

Mo Li clenched his fist tightly, confident in his charming appearance. Conquering a naive young girl like her should be a piece of cake, shouldn't it?

------

". Above, I declare the official start of the Sect's Grand Competition!"

Yun Leng spoke for a full hour, delivering a speech full of martial prowess. Amidst the crowd's disdainful gazes, he finally announced the beginning of the Sect's Grand Conference.

On the square of the Misty Cloud Sect, there were several arenas for dueling, allowing multiple preliminary matches to proceed simultaneously.

"It's finally begun!"

"I must achieve good results, seize the opportunity to gain the attention of the Elders and even the Sect Master!"

The formally robed disciples rubbed their hands together eagerly, ready to showcase their skills.

Various factions in the audience also cast their eyes with keen interest. From the battles of the younger generation, one could roughly analyze the future development trend of the Misty Cloud Sect.

The row of outer disciples, including Yun Tianming, was assigned to the outermost dueling platform.

There was no choice. Outer disciples, with their generally weaker abilities, didn't provide much entertainment value in battles and were naturally overlooked by the crowd.

"D Group, Yun Tianming versus Chen Xin!"

Yun Tianming stepped onto the dueling platform. His opponent was a slightly older girl, with refined features, evidently beautiful.

"Junior Brother Yun, please enlighten me," Chen Xin, tall and affable, greeted with a smile.

"Sister Chen, please instruct me," Yun Tianming replied expressionlessly, unaffected by her appearance.

"Let's get started already!" The referee impatiently urged. There were many outer disciples waiting to fight!

"Swish~"

Yun Tianming acted swiftly, rushing forward and aiming a punch at Chen Xin's forehead without hesitation!

"Ah!" Chen Xin was startled, not expecting someone to aim directly at her pretty face!

"Ouch!" Chen Xin managed to block it reluctantly, but her fair wrist immediately bruised, tears welling up in her eyes. She bit her cherry lips, "Junior Brother Yun, have some pity on me!"

"Senior Sister Chen, such words are too naive. The Dou Qi Continent adheres to the law of the jungle. Showing mercy to enemies is being cruel to oneself!" Yun Tianming's attacks were fierce, leaving the once delicate girl bruised and swollen in no time.

"Junior Brother Yun, I'm going to make a move! Be careful!" Chen Xin, pushed back by the onslaught, finally unleashed her Four-stage Dou Disciple strength!

Yun Tianming was speechless. He wondered if this woman had a screw loose. If you're going to attack, just attack, why warn me to be careful? Are we playing house or something?

Chen Xin raised a finger, absorbing moisture from the air, condensing a faint blue Dou Qi.

"Water Droplet Finger!"

Yellow Rank Low-Level Dou Technique!

From the Misty Cloud Sect's Dou Technique Pavilion, it was a common technique seen everywhere. It was also the Dou Technique practiced by most outer disciples.

Alright, Senior Sister Chen, you can leave the stage now.

Yun Tianming couldn't bear to watch any longer. He didn't want his opponent to endure more blows. It was better to end it with one strike!

"Grass Palm!"

Yellow Rank Mid-Level Dou Technique!

Without suspense, the duel quickly came to an end.

"Wuwuwu~ Junior Brother Yun, you're too ruthless!"

Chen Xin, holding her fractured fingers, tearfully looked at Yun Tianming, as if accusing him of cruelty.

"Bang!"

Without hesitation, Yun Tianming went up and kicked Chen Xin off the dueling platform completely.

"D Group, Yun Tianming advances!"