One Man Against One Legion

In his dwelling in the outer court of the Martial Seekers sect, Gareth sat in meditation. His behind rested on a cushion that had the effect of improving his meditation. The world energy that swirled around him was in a state of constant excitement, unceasing as it moved around in the pathways within his body.

At this moment, Gareth's cultivation had reached a point where he was just a step short of completion. After many months since stepping on the path of cultivation, it was the time for him to reach one of the major points of cultivation.

The first completion.

It was the first. A major foundation for his future cultivation.

There was also one important thing, once he reached this realm, there was no longer a need for him to answer any forceful challenge from anyone in the outer sect again.

The daily challenges and the need for him to defend his position as a star of the sect would cease.

It was not that Gareth disliked the fights, he loved them actually. However, it was getting boring to him now, and had lost the excitement it once gave him.

With the passing of time, his skills improved, the fights got easier. This happening despite of the fact that everyone was also improving their skills, had ended up dampening the enthusiasm of his challengers.

More than that, he needed to spend more time to explore cultivation and all that came with it. The interest he developed in world weaving all this while had never waned, but had only gotten stronger over time.

Gareth had thought it over. Once he breaks through to the initial completion of the Awakening Realm, he would put a hold on fighting for a long while, and dedicate himself to the mysteries of cultivation.

For this reason, he felt the best way to move forward with no regret was to fight to his heart content before forging on. And what better way was there to do this than to challenge the whole outer sect, at least those that were below the initial completion of the Awakening Realm. This was the best idea he could think of, and with the thrumming excitement he felt within, it seemed every part of him agreed with this idea. There was nothing more exciting than this. To challenge everyone with no restrictions in place.

He would announce his challenge once the sun comes up, but for now he would continue to explore the wonders of cultivation.

*

In the outer court of the Martial Seekers sect, on a sunny morning, a piece of news that set the place ablaze was spreading with a surprising momentum. Those who heard of it first, informed those neighbors of theirs who hadn't. Passing the information in this manner made sure no one ended up being unaware by the time the sun reached its apex.

Many received this piece of news with excitement. Some were filled with anger at this brazen challenge. The ones who were unconcerned, as this matter did not affect them, only felt amusement.

Qian, the other member of the two stars, was not taking this unexpected news in good strides. While he had been improving in the past few months, he was still some bit away from his first completion. Not to mention the crazy idea of challenging the whole outer court of the sect.

Maybe in a few months, a month or two give or take, he would be at the peak of the accumulation phase, and about to reach his first completion. Challenging the whole outer court, however, even if it was just those below the initial completion of the Awakening Realm. He did not think he could do what Gareth was doing at this moment. Challenging everyone in this manner while he was still in the accumulation phase, even if he was at the peak, was not only a test of stamina but also one's skills.

*

In the inner court of the sect, Lunara was having tea when she received the news that had set the whole outer court ablaze, into a state of frenzied excitement. After listening to the surprising news, the young woman had burst into laughter. Her laughter which was so infectious had continued for a long time.

When she was finally able to keep her laughter under control, the infectious laughter subsided into small chuckles that lingered for a while. She thought to herself that this challenge was a really good idea.

Lunara had been keeping an eye on the two stars. She had people in the outer court who reported their daily activities to her. She had once met Gareth in the special library of the sect, and had a good impression of him. An impression further reinforced by the way he fought in the daily challenges. She had once gone to watch his match, and she couldn't help agreeing to herself that he was a good fighter.

She nodded to herself. She was truly looking forward to this challenge of his.

*

Gareth was standing leisurely in his challenge area that was more crowded today than usual. He had already confirmed to everyone here that what they had heard was the truth. He had opened his mouth to tell it to them, clearing all doubt.

He was going to challenge them with no stop between, with no limit on how many could join him here on the stage.

This place that was in a hubbub got quiet when the first challenger got on the stage, then the second one followed soon after.

Gareth's expression shifted into a smile as more and more people got onto the large stage. His smile got more prominent as they made their moves, and the battle was set in motion.

As one person after another fell off the stage, another person immediately rose onto the stage to take their place. When those who fell off the stage still found themselves in good shape, they got back on immediately.

They were all in a frenzy, whoever got to defeat Gareth was the one who gets to win the prize.

How could they not put in their all? Even if their skills were lacking, no one said they could not get lucky.

Jasmine who was watching this crazy fight had her heart up in her throat. There was no way it could not be so, when she had her heart in a constant worry for Gareth's safety. Although, he wasn't in any danger, there were many close calls. Too many!

She for the life of her, could not understand why he had to do any of this.

The crazy fight continued on for a very long time, but the frenzy never abated, not even once.

Lunara who had arrived here late into the fight, could not help but be astonished by what she had seen so far. This was something beyond whatever it was she could have imagined, but it excited her no less.

Gareth who was on the stage, was truly having the time of his life. When he conceived this idea, he never thought it would be this refreshing. As the challengers got on to the stage in a frenzy, Gareth felt himself in a very, very good mood.