There was a brief moment, perhaps, when the spectators and some disciples felt Xin Muchen was an upright individual, defending the honor of the Frozen Peak Palace disciple, and also defeating Xu Tian, who wielded the imperious [Thunder Dragon Spear Method].

Even the resolution of that clash, against a tired Xu Tian, did not leave things uncertain as to Xin Muchen’s strength. One strike, one victory. Though this is the strength of the [Life-Severing Sword], it is no less because Xin Muchen’s strength is that of a third-ranker and not a sixth-ranker. In rankings such as these, there is usually a great gap between those ranked seventh and sixth, and fourth and third. In other words, Xin Muchen was an entire class ahead of Xu Tian.

The enraged disciple of the Galaxy Sword sect, the moment he lands on the platform, charges at Xin Muchen, freeing his sword from his sheath and raising it high.

Once more, Xin Muchen, as if toying with his opponent, lazily lifts the large, heavy saber over his head and holds it steady for a brief moment, as the dark metal pulses with energy, charging with light and imminent power release.

When the two meet, fifth-rank versus sixth-rank, another cloud of dust and debris kicks up, but much less than before, though the sound and light are no less spectacular than earlier.

Even through the haze of dust, one could see the Galaxy Sword disciple’s sword locked to Xin Muchen’s saber, neither giving nor gaining ground as sparks flew off the two weapons.

“Didn’t you say you were going to kill me…? Is this all?” Xin Muchen asks.

Every moment that Xin Muchen remains standing is like another needle that pierces the eyeballs of every elder in the Galaxy Sword section, whose expressions are worn weary by the barely contained frustration and anger — and humiliation — that they are subjected to.

It is obvious that they want to protest, and possibly even intervene, but the glares of the Heavenly Mountain Pavilion and Seven Killing Swords elders suggest that they are anticipating this and more than ready to make sure that their interference remains non-existent.

“Ha, ha, rivalries are not such a bad thing,” one of the Heavenly Mountain Pavilion elders says casually, but loud enough for all the other elders to hear.

“Perhaps the Broken Sword Manor should be here instead of the Galaxy Sword…?” a disciple from the Seven Killing Swords sect loudly announces, to the chagrin of the disciples he refers to.

The armrest on Elder Huang’s chair detaches from the rest of the body and turns to sawdust in his fist.

Meanwhile, Xin Muchen shows more of his strength, by easily breaking the deadlock and throwing the Galaxy Sword disciple off-balance, and then, without mercy, swings the flat of his saber into the body of the disciple, sending him flying like a kite with its string cut.

The manner in which the disciple tumbles half a dozen times across the podium puts into question whether he is still dead or alive, but most certainly not uninjured.

“You did that on purpose!” the fourth-ranked disciple roars and jumps onto the podium before the fight is even called over, and without hesitation charges at Xin Muchen.

“Ren Weisheng!” the third-ranked disciple exclaims, jumping onto the podium after his comrade, and it is uncertain if he is there to stop his comrade, or help him.

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“Scram!!” Xin Muchen roars at the advancing Ren Weisheng and with speed that surprises everyone, crosses the distance and immediately aims a blow at the disciple who does not even have his weapon ready.

However, Ren Weisheng wouldn’t be ranked fourth if something like this could catch him off-guard, and he nimbly steps back, and draws his sword just in time to meet Xin Muchen’s strike. However, the block only manages to prevent him from being cut by Xin Muchen's brutal slash, and his body is sent flying by the powerful strike, his sword — an expensive treasure of no low grade — shattering on impact. His body, like a projectile, slams into the disciple who came after him, and the both of them tumble to the ground.

Without hesitation, Xin Muchen appears above the two and raises his saber high, ready to strike down on the two, this time with the sharp edge.

“Don’t you dare, Xin Muchen!” Elder Huang roars and jumps out onto the stage, immediately followed by elders from the Seven Killing Swords and the Heavenly Mountain Pavilion.

Xin Muchen, still holding his saber high, frowns. “First two-on-one, now I have to fight elders too? Do you Galaxy Sword dogs have no shame?”

Elder Huang withdraws his sword from his storage ring, and glares at Xin Muchen as if about to cut him down, which causes the junior to flinch and take half a step back.

“Elder Huang, don’t let the words of a junior get to you,” Elder Mo says, tone quiet and respectful. “This has already gotten out of hand; nothing Xin Muchen did was outside the rules, but challenging him two-on-one on the other hand…”

“… I was only trying to rescue my brother, I did not challenge him…!” Ren Weisheng protests, even as he scrambles toward the unconscious fifth-ranked disciple who is already being tended to by other disciples who managed to get on the podium.

“Not outside the rules? Xin Muchen was ranked third in our rankings. How can he appear here as sixth rank, Elder Mo?” Elder Huang protests, pointing out the very obvious cheat.

“Ha, ha,” one of the elders of the Seven Killing Swords laughs forcefully. “But in the Seven Killing Swords, Xin Muchen could only obtain the sixth rank. You only have yourself to blame for the lack of talent of your disciples, Elder Huang.”

This further infuriates the elders of the Galaxy Sword, causing Tian Li to stand up with a dark look in his eyes.

“Sit down,” Lan Xiaohui whispers to Tian Li.

“Sister Zhu?! Why?” Tian Li asks.

“They are clearly trying to eliminate us from the Conference,” Lan Xiaohui says. “If you go out, even if you can beat Xin Muchen, you will only earn five points. Do you want to spend all your strength on fighting him?”

Tian Li blinks, furious at first, but then slowly coming to the realization that my owner is not wrong.

The provocation and the bending of rules — it is most certainly an attempt to humiliate and eliminate the sect from the Conference.

“On the other hand, what will we do about this breaking of the rules? Surely, it cannot go unpunished, Elder Mo,” one of the elders of the Seven Killing Swords remarks, smiling darkly.

“This…” Elder Mo stumbles over his words, clearly having hoped that it wouldn’t come to this.

“The one who is ranked second should come out, and challenge me, and then forfeit immediately,” Xin Muchen announces.

“I think this is reasonable,” the Seven Killing Swords elder nods in agreement.

“Reasonable?! Tian Li is ranked second! Xin Muchen is no match for him!” Elder Huang exclaims.

Elder Qin, and the other elders who remain behind — likely for the protection of Lan Xiaohui — wear dark, frustrated expressions, but make no move to interfere.

Just when it seems like the Heavenly Mountain Pavilion elders might agree to this, a disciple of the Frozen Peak Palace steps onto the podium and quietly announces. “Aren’t you forgetting something? The Frozen Peak Palace wishes to challenge Xin Muchen,” she says, and then adds confidently as if the matter is already decided. “Please go easy on me.”

Lan Xiaohui, at this point, looks toward the sword maiden in the Frozen Peak Palace section and finds the girl staring back at her and smiling. Then she nods to my owner and looks back to the stage.

“Then it is decided!” Elder Mo announces swiftly, to not let this opportunity slip away. “The Frozen Peak Palace fifth-ranked disciple will challenge Xin Muchen.”

This disciple of the Frozen Peak Palace even helps Ren Weisheng to his feet and escorts him back toward the Galaxy Sword section.

“Thank you, Yuan Qiuyue,” Ren Weisheng whispers to the female disciple.

“Don’t think too much of it,” the disciple replies. “We also have our own debts to settle, and cannot wait all day.”