A few moments pass, and a Great Elder dressed in Celestial Defence Pavilion robes appears, floating in the sky above the Lower Duelling Grounds. “Elder Unearl, why do you summon me in such a rush?” the Elder of the Celestial Defence Pavilion questions.
“Great Elder Falox, let me explain,” Elder Unearl explains the situation to Great Elder Falox, his expression darkening as he listens. After the explanation, Great Elder Falox moves towards Azreal, handing him a twin harmony pill, “Consume this and take your time. I will guard you against this core disciple who needs a reminder of his position as a leader of the Sect,” his words target Shon and his lack of suitability to his role.
Azreal, unable to do anything else, nods, consumes the twin harmony pill and quickly sits down on the duelling platform. He begins to absorb the pill and circulate the healing energies through his Diatian.
“Now for your punishment, I’ll give you a chance to choose your own. If you fail to choose adequately, I will double the standard punishment for this offence. And if you run to your grandfather, I’d be glad to crush him just as I did in his youth,” said Great Elder Falox as he turns to face Shon, his tone domineering.
~~~~
Master Juhee, is advising Lin Xue and Xin Hao in their cultivation methods and providing instruction on how to further their skills. Each of them feels a sense of pride and envy towards their newest Junior Brother, so they seek out their Master and request guidance. This makes Master Juhee extremely happy; her passion, aside from her own cultivation, is guiding others to the peak of their own cultivation.
A door swings open, causing a thunderous sound to resound through Master Juhee’s training room, causing both Xin Hao and Lin Xue to break their cultivation. Master Juhee shoots her eyes towards the doorway. Vice Leader Qiang stands there with sweat dripping from his head, “Elder Juhee, we have a massive problem,” he says.
“Tell me, this better be worth breaking my disciples' concentration,” replies Master Juhee, a sense of worry creeping into her heart.
“Azreal and Junai have agreed to a life and death duel. Azreal was attacked by Shon, Junai’s older brother. The Great Elder of the Lower Duelling Grounds stepped in and is administering punishment. I would advise you to head there immediately. There is no chance the Crimson Pig is not on his way there right now, especially with both his grandsons involved,” Vice Leader Qiang informs Elder Juhee and recomposes himself.
“I will head there right away. Lin Xue and Xin Hao, I want you to ensure no disciples of ours cause problems with any other Pavilion. Am I clear?” orders Master Juhee.
“Yes, Master!” Both reply before making their way to key points around the Sect known for unregulated disciple fighting.
“Thank you, Vice Leader Qiang, please keep things under control here,” Master Juhee said as she moves with incredible speed towards the Lower Training Grounds.
She has never been that concerned about a disciple before. Vice Leader Qiang lets out a heavy sigh as he watches her until she departs the building, a small hope for her to turn and smile at him that is crushed as she continues forward.
~~~~
“So, you’ve finally decided on your punishment? The usual punishment for what you’ve done is imprisonment for five years, a short time for most cultivators but an incredibly long time for someone of your age. I hope it was worth it,” Great Elder Falox lectures Shon.
“Now, now, Falox, do you have to be so harsh?” says The Great Elder of the Pavilion, Junai Nilxan’s grandfather, Theron Nilxan, with his striking red hair and war robes of red and gold. He embodies the ferocity and dominance of his Pavilion's teachings. His old eyes lock with Great Elder Falox’s.
“I am simply enforcing the rules, Crimson Pig, your aged face does not betray your title. Your decadence and greed have corrupted your very teachings. When we were youths, we killed an ocean's worth of disciples like the two brats you call grandsons. How far you have fallen,” Great Elder Falox’s words cause the crowd that is growing bigger with each passing minute to become quiet, with only the bravest whispering between each other.
Great Elder Nilxan laughs in response, “Yes, we did kill many, didn’t we, and I admit that my grandsons are a bit spoiled. But at least I’ve furthered this generation. Where are your children, Falox? Oh, that's right, your Dao Partner betrayed the Sect, and I killed her for it,” imbuing his Qi into his voice, takes great control but allows himself to be heard throughout the entire Lower Duelling Grounds.
Great Elder Falox’s expression becomes still; an unmoving mountain is the most apt description, for anyone below Martial King, they can’t sense the well of power building inside Falox’s body. Great Elder Nilxan’s eyes go wide when he realises a second too late what Falox is planning.
Azreal, unaware of the situation, has just come out of his cultivation; the twin harmony pill healing all wounds he sustained from Shon’s attack. I'll add that bastard to the list of problems to deal with later, Azreal affirms to himself as he stands up and looks towards Junai, expecting to see the two pig-headed brothers.
Azreal’s face becomes pale; a body lies on the ground next to Junai, who is kneeling with tears streaming down his face. The Sect Leader is present, floating above everyone. Two Great Elders with their robes torn and blood leaking from their various wounds kneel before him. The Sect Leader nods towards Elder Unearl, “Continue,” he says as he flies towards the mountain peak, both Great Elders following him with no resistance. The Sect leader's one word is enough to overpower the fear felt by every disciple there. Azreal does not know, but the two Great Elders fought only briefly after Falox decapitated Shon for revenge for Great Elder Nilxan killing his wife.
Darian, who is in the crowd, has no idea why his friend and new teammate is cultivating on the platform surrounded by big shots of the Sect. However, when he sees Great Elder Nilxan, his eyes become filled with fury, and he curses him under his breath. After the revelation from Falox regarding his wife’s death, Darian knows that the incident was a setup as he learnt about it from Great Elder Lu when he investigated his father's death.
Kill that bastard Junai, and the Sect becomes one step closer to freedom from their disgusting family, Darian curses internally.
“Brother! Wake up!” Junai screams and repeats this multiple times before noticing Azreal has stood. Junai stands and points his finger towards Azreal, “This is your fault, you challenged me and now my brother is dead. I will fucking slaughter you!” Junai screams at the top of his lungs.
Azreal, unsure of what happened, tries to piece it together. A soft hand touches his shoulder, causing him to look left in reaction, noticing his Master standing next to him with a complex expression on her face.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“Azreal, this is not your fault. Great Elder Falox and Nilxan have been at each other's throats for years. You were just a convenient excuse for Falox to get his revenge. Junai will fight with a depraved fighting style compared to before. Use this to your advantage; emotion, unless mastered, will hinder your combat abilities. Stay calm and finish it before his poisonous blade gets you first,” says Master Juhee. She turns and jumps off the duelling platform and begins walking to Kayleen and Bea.
“Tell me, is this because of either of you?” Master Juhee asks the two young female disciples, raising her eyebrow towards them. Both Bea and Kayleen’s expressions show concern, whereas most of the disciples gathered are brimming with excitement. The question from Master Juhee startles both Kayleen and Bea, “Great Elder Juhee, I have nothing to do with this. I tried to stop it just before you arrived but Azreal was committed to this duel, and who am I to stop a duel between two willing disciples?” Kayleen replies first, as being Great Elder Lu’s granddaughter has taught her how to handle herself in front of power cultivators.
“This is not because of me, but I definitely have some responsibility…” says Bea before explaining to both Master Juhee and Kayleen her situation and how Azreal had come to check on her. “Hm, Kayleen, thank you for trying to stop him. I did not realise this disciple of mine had this side to him,” says Master Juhee, Kayleen nodding in agreement. “It’s about to start,” Bea chimes in, and all three women turn their attention to the duelling platform.
Junai, forcing himself to stand next to his brother's body, his rage-filled eyes locking onto Azreal. The entirety of his grief and rage now solely placed onto Azreal. “You’re fucking dead. I will tear your skin from your body. This is exactly why pathetic runts that have no backing do not belong in this Sect!” Junai spits as he screams.
Azreal, standing calmly as Junai barrages him with insults and screaming, summons his soul-bound sword, Calista, the beautiful white metal glinting against the harsh sunlight. A low murmur cascades through the crowd of disciples, shock, envy, and disbelief as a soulbound weapon is incredibly rare, even in the middle heavens. Even those who knew Azreal were stunned by the beauty of the sword and surprised at Azreal's natural stance and comfort while wielding it.
“Junai, I did not kill your brother. Your actions are one of a disgusting pig, you attempt to use your family name for power, but all you’ve done is get your brother killed and drag your grandfather's name through the mud. Truly a waste of Qi,” Azreal smirks and calmly retorts, aiming to enrage Junai further. Azreal sneers internally, a vindictiveness and feeling of accomplishment as his opponent begins to lose his mind to rage. A pig led to slaughter, Azreal’s inner monologue revels in Junai’s bloodshot eyes and stream of insults.
A brief flicker of doubt fills Azreal’s mind. My mind is undergoing extreme change, I am weak and unsure, what is changing me?.
Elder Unearl steps in between both disciples, “After everything that has happened, I will ask again, do you both wish to continue the life and death duel? As per Sect rules, one of you must die before you can finish this duel, it does not matter if you both wish to stop early. This duel will end in one or both of your deaths,” his words echo across the Lower Duelling Grounds, every disciple holding their breath in anticipation.
“I want him to die, duel or no duel,” Junai sneers while Azreal simply nods to Elder Unearl with determination in his eyes. Elder Unearl moves to the edge of the duelling platform, turns with a sense of pity in his eyes, both of these disciples have so much hate, the pity is not for them but for the state of the cultivation world which is a never-ending cycle of anger and death.
The crowd of disciples has grown to well over five hundred, and due to the mass of disciples and Elders which have streamed into the Lower Duelling Grounds, merchants and visitors from other Sects have found their way to the viewing points set up around the stadium from the entrance duels. A sense of anticipation is palpable.
“Duel start!” Elder Unearl shouts at the top of his lungs, his voice causing ripples in the air, as the entire crowd takes in a sharp breath.
“Poisonous Sword Stance!” screams Junai, igniting and mobilising his Qi within his body, a dark green Qi begins to form around his serpent-like sword as he dashes forward with incredible speed. Azreal, predicting Junai’s move, manages to get his sword in the way with ease. The clash of metal rings out as Azreal blocks Junai's strike, “The runt’s eyes can keep up … impressive,” Junai’s words drip with venom along with his blade.
Azreal knows that Junai will attempt provocation during the match and has prepared himself mentally to not engage in a battle of words, “Stormblade Surge, Gathering Storm!” Azreal shouts as the Qi within himself and his sword begins to crackle with Lightning.
Azreal, kicking Junai’s shin, steps backward bringing his sword above his head with speed beyond what the normal eye can follow swings downward aiming at splitting Junai’s skull.
Junai is from a family of cultivators, his battle experience is just like his arrogance, abundant. He deflects the sword with a simple movement and uses this opportunity to slice towards Azreal, unable to react in time the blade slices Azreal’s shoulder, Venomous Qi pouring into his body. “You're a fool, your own Qi will soon begin to run wild, you should’ve dodged that strike,” sneered Junai, not pressing the advantage and taking a step back, confidence smeared on his face. Azreal’s eyes narrow, knowing he will have to utilise venom Qi within his own body to avoid the paralysis or Qi deviation of Junai’s attacks.
“Tempest Venom Blade!” Azreal screams, his sword Calista crackling with electric fury and deadly toxins, a dazzling display of lightning and poison as the Qi around Azreal becomes thick with affinities. The crowd breaks out into shouts of disbelief; earth and lightning Qi are opposites, and the combination is unheard of in the first heavens.
Junai’s face contorts, “That venom Qi, who taught you how to wield that?” he screams, confusion clear on his face as he charges forward striking towards Azreal’s chest. Azreal, deflecting the strike, notices his Sword Calista is changing colour as the two
types of Qi dance within the metal. Moving his Lightning Qi to his legs, he moves incredibly quickly, appearing next to Junai. His sword makes contact with Junai’s calf, slicing through as his Qi rips through Junai’s pathetic defence.
A horrific scream ricochets through the Lower Duelling Grounds. Junai, in pain and disbelief, attempts to back away from Azreal but falls onto one knee as his calf can’t support any weight. Azreal’s eyes are a dim grey-blue; Junai cannot see anything in the depths of his opponent's eyes, sure of his death, Junai manages to roll out of the way as Azreal’s blade strikes downwards, shattering the wooden duelling platform's floor.
Azreal clicks his tongue that his attack failed, doesn't let Junai breathe, and follows his movements. Junai raises his sword and meets Azreal; his Qi flows into his arms and through to his sword. Azreal has both hands on his sword and leverages his weight, pushing down against Junai’s sword, deciding the stalemate is not worth it, pulls back a few steps, and readies himself to attack again.
Junai forces himself to stand, surprising Azreal, as he shows no weakness on his calf. Junai's laugh is cold as he prepares for his next assault, “That's not all, is it?” Junai’s movements are a blur as he tries to overwhelm Azreal with a flurry of rapid, Venomous thrusts. Azreal manages to block most of Junai’s strikes, the few which slip through his guard making deep cuts and injecting venom Qi into his body. Azreal’s arm becomes heavier and heavier, each strike of Junai’s unrelenting attack that breaks through his defence increases the Venomous Qi Azreal has to mobilise and attempt to utilise himself.
If this carries on, I’ll definitely die. How did he heal from my strike on his calf? Regeneration is a non-existent skill in the first heavens. Confusion clouds Azreal’s mind causing him to be nicked by Junai’s blade a few more times. Letting out a painful shout, Azreal manages to confuse Junai with a feint and create distance between them.