The group walked steadily through the bustling streets, surrounded by towering walls and the constant hum of gossip.
Eventually, they arrived at a grand stadium, its scale and grandeur a testant to the importance of the event.
The venue was packed with people, each eager to witness the spectacle of the Seven Swords Grand et, a tournant held every five years that never failed to deliver excitent.
The stadium wasn’t just a place for combat; it was a hub for trade, alliances, and networking.
rchants lined the outskirts, offering rare treasures and exotic goods, while sect representatives scouted potential allies or talent.
For many, the event was an opportunity to gain fa, wealth, or influence.
Riley turned to his disciples, his tone firm yet encouraging.
"Go and win."
The 24 disciples bowed deeply, their faces set with determination.
"Yes, Elder Riley!" they chorused before making their way to the competition grounds.
Their steps were light, but their resolve was heavy.
Riley, Katherine, and Elder Michael made their way to the viewing platform reserved for the sect elders.
The platform overlooked the arena and was already bustling with activity as elders from the Seven Sects exchanged greetings and pleasantries, their words veiled with hidden anings and subtle rivalries.
The Seven Sects participating in the grand et were:
Heavenly Sword Sect Hidden Sword Valley Azure Dragon Palace Profound Sword Sect Spirit Gate Sect Flying Leaf Sect Stone Mountain Sect
Each sect had sent its most promising disciples, making the atmosphere charged with anticipation.
The elders, dressed in their sect’s traditional robes, radiated authority and power.
As Riley, Katherine, and Elder Michael took their seats, the lively discussions in the platform began to shift.
Though most tried to focus on the upcoming matches, Riley’s presence quickly drew attention.
"That’s him... Elder Riley from the Stone Mountain Sect."
"Is it true he’s the one responsible for killing Lucas Prince?"
"I heard his thods are... unorthodox."
"Unorthodox? More like brutal. They say that not even a strand of hair was left of poor Lucas."
The murmurs grew louder, and it beca clear that Riley was the talk of the platform.
Finally, one of the elders, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, broke the silence.
"Elder Riley," he said, his voice carrying a blend of politeness and challenge, "it seems the Stone Mountain Sect has undergone quite the transformation in your person. A true genius who could kill soone considerably more powerful than himself. Care to share your secret?"
All eyes turned to Riley, waiting to see how he would respond.
Riley observed the other sects carefully, noting that each had brought along Nascent Soul experts to bolster their presence.
Their powerful auras were impossible to miss, a testant to their sects’ strength and influence.
It was fortunate that Katherine was by his side, her presence lending an air of prestige and authority that the Stone Mountain Sect sorely lacked.
Without her, they would have seed embarrassingly outclassed among the gathered powerhouses.
In truth, the Stone Mountain Sect was the weakest among the seven sects present.
Its resources were limited, its reputation modest at best, and its disciples previously unremarkable.
Yet, despite these shortcomings, Riley stood tall, his deanor unshaken.
"It’s no secret at all," Riley replied with a calm smile.
"I was simply fortunate enough to inherit a treasure from my grandfather. It’s just unfortunate that it was a one-ti-use artifact, so I can no longer rely on it for my own defense." His tone was steady, but his words were a calculated lie.
The elder who had posed the question nodded thoughtfully, though a hint of skepticism lingered in his expression.
"A rare treasure indeed. But tell , Elder Riley, what are your plans after leaving the Heavenly Sword Sect? Surely you’re aware that both the Prince Clan and the Phantom Abyss Sect may have traps waiting for you."
Riley’s smile widened slightly, his deanor unshaken.
"Oh, I’ve given that little thought," he said with feigned nonchalance.
"After all, I have Daoist Midnight Lotus by my side as my Dao Protector. If it ever cos to that, I trust she’ll handle matters as they arise." He glanced at Katherine, who remained poised and unreadable, her presence lending weight to his words.
elder raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but refrained from pressing further.
While Riley’s confident ntion of Daoist Midnight Lotus as his protector sounded impressive, everyone present understood the unspoken reality: even soone as formidable as her would struggle to stand against the cultivation giants like the Phantom Abyss Sect or the Prince Clan.
Still, it wasn’t wise—or polite—to point out such an obvious truth in front of the others.
Cultivators often valued face above all else, and challenging Riley’s statent directly could escalate into unnecessary conflict.
"Indeed, Daoist Midnight Lotus is a renowned figure," another elder interjected diplomatically, smoothly steering the conversation away. "With such a protector by your side, Elder Riley, your confidence is well-founded." The elder then wisely moved on to other topics.
As the conversations continued, more questions were thrown Riley’s way, but he dodged each one skillfully, redirecting the attention without revealing anything significant.
His ability to deflect only added to the mystique surrounding him.
Eventually, the topic shifted, and one of the elders leaned forward, lowering his voice just enough to create a sense of intrigue.
"Have any of you heard about Daoist Scarecrow?"
The ntion of the na caused an imdiate stir. Whispers erupted among the elders, each voice tinged with curiosity, suspicion, or fear.
"Daoist Scarecrow… the one rumored to have reached a level that belongs to the peak of this continent a few weeks ago?"
"They say he’s a rogue cultivator, a master of forbidden techniques."
"So claim he’s not even human, just a myth given life."
The discussion about Daoist Scarecrow quickly dominated the gathering, with theories and speculations flying across the platform.
Even the disciples below in the arena seed to catch wind of the chatter, their murmurs echoing the elders’ excitent.
Riley remained silent, listening intently as the buzz surrounding Daoist Scarecrow grew louder.
The heated discussion about this enigmatic figure consud most of the contest’s introduction, adding an air of mystery to the event.
Finally, the grand et’s opening announcents concluded, and the first fights began, drawing everyone’s attention back to the arena.
"Fellow Daoists, shall we make a little wager on who will claim first place in this Seven Swords Grand et?" an elder from the Heavenly Sword Sect proposed, his tone light yet carrying an undertone of challenge.
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