Volume One: Heavenly Dao Sect Chapter Two: The Duel

After passing the checkpoint where Elder Baiyuan of the Heavenly Dao Sect was stationed, Chen Fangyu continued his ascent. Elder Ruchu’s position was still higher up, perched atop a meteorite. The satellite ring of Tianchen Star was docked at a forty-five-degree angle above the central lands of the Heavenly Dao Sect, forming a stairway used that day to assess the abilities of new disciples. The rings encircled the satellite, rising step by step, and within the satellite itself, unknown secrets seemed to lurk.

Chen Fangyu led the way, glancing back to find several others close behind. He dared not underestimate them, so he pressed forward, quickly widening the gap. The pursuers, both men and women, were formidable: the men robust and clever, the women equally remarkable, none willing to concede defeat in this contest.

After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Chen Fangyu, driven by indomitable will, finally reached the hundredth step. Elder Ruchu, holding a beautiful woman in his arms, recorded Chen Fangyu’s name.

Soon after, Chen Fangyu, Li Qingfeng, Liu Yu, and others arrived. By then, seven or eight competitors had reached Elder Ruchu’s position on the Heavenly Dao Sect’s stairway. Counting the beauty Ling Fengjiao in Ruchu’s embrace, eight candidates now qualified to become personally transmitted disciples of the sect.

“Congratulations, Chen Fangyu, for becoming a personally transmitted disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect and joining Elder Chen’s tutelage. Follow Elder Chen in cultivation, and seek guidance whenever necessary.”

“Congratulations, Li Qingfeng, for becoming a personally transmitted disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect and joining Elder Baiyuan’s tutelage. Follow Elder Baiyuan in cultivation, and seek guidance whenever necessary.”

“Congratulations, Ling Fengjiao, for becoming a personally transmitted disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect and my disciple. Follow me in cultivation, and feel free to ask questions whenever you wish.”

“Congratulations, Liu Yu, for becoming a personally transmitted disciple of Elder Chen. Follow Elder Chen in cultivation, and seek guidance whenever necessary.”

...

Elder Ruchu announced several appointments in succession. At this moment, yet another competitor arrived at his position. The selection time for the Heavenly Dao Sect had just ended. Elder Ruchu observed the last arrival, sensing an unsettling aura about him, and casually inquired, “Are you a member of our Heavenly Dao Sect? Judging by your strength and appearance, you don’t seem to be an obscure figure from these central lands. I suspect your purpose here is not sincere, but rooted in some personal vendetta, is it not?”

“Member? Hmph. You’re so young and already an elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect; I hardly dare claim the same status. But in these central lands and throughout Tianchen Star, elders are respected and youth are disregarded. To join under your command as a subordinate would be humiliating. The beauty in your arms, though—she is truly alluring and enchanting. Why not let her forsake your Heavenly Dao Sect and join the Demon Sect beneath me, living a carefree life below?” The newcomer’s form was concealed by robes and a mask, his identity obscured. Without self-introduction, no one could discern his origins.

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“So, the Demon Sect wishes to join the festivities of the Heavenly Dao Sect’s grand event? Don’t you know our sect’s reputation spreads far across the central lands? Long ago, the mere mention of the Heavenly Dao Sect would elicit a response even from the heavens themselves. Your Demon Sect knows no propriety and dares to cause trouble here,” Elder Ruchu replied sharply, intimidating the Demon Sect envoy for a moment.

“Ridiculous. When Demon One dominated Tianchen Star, you were still toddling about in split pants. Now you dare lecture me?” After a pause, Demon One regained composure and declared his name.

Those familiar with the name in the crowd instantly tensed, wary and alert.

“Enough talk. You’ve trespassed the trial grounds of the Heavenly Dao Sect and now insult my dignity. Even if your Demon Sect leader arrived today, I would fight him all the same,” Elder Ruchu countered, refusing to yield.

“Very well! Let’s see what you have to challenge me!” Demon One began to chant, casting an unknown spell. Ling Fengjiao, Elder Ruchu’s companion, suddenly grew dazed and staggered toward Demon One.

Elder Ruchu’s gaze sharpened; he swiftly seized Ling Fengjiao’s right hand, pulling her behind him to shield her, and handed her a spiritual talisman.

With the talisman, Ling Fengjiao’s mind cleared considerably.

“Insolence! How dare you cast spells to harm my sect’s disciples in our trial grounds? You have some nerve!” Elder Ruchu’s eyes now gleamed with murderous intent.

“Hmph! All this grand speech, but who says this star ring belongs to you? The ring circles all of Tianchen Star, and the Demon Sect has its share. If you want to fight, then fight; no more words are needed.” Demon One leaned on his iron staff, squaring off with Elder Ruchu.

“The star ring currently traverses our sect’s territory, and for now, it belongs to us. What do you propose to do?” Elder Ruchu retorted, producing a talisman from his robes. Its terrifying aura radiated outward, palpable even from afar.

“This talisman is a divine artifact bestowed by my master, the current sect leader, imbued with supreme power. Prepare yourself!” Elder Ruchu chanted, and the talisman floated in midair. From above, a massive golden palm began to materialize. The talisman’s origin was unclear, but it pulsed with energy as intricate runes lit up one by one. At the moment the incantation ended, the golden palm fully formed. Its emergence was like the roar of armies and the clash of weapons, ready to march into distant battle.

Seeing this, Demon One’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly activated his staff, conjuring a black protective barrier in hopes of blocking Elder Ruchu’s attack. But the talisman held a sliver of divine power from the sect leader, and as the golden palm descended, it struck Demon One directly.

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The defensive barrier before Demon One shattered within seconds. The golden palm struck him, its force unrelenting, sending him hurtling diagonally downward.

Pinned by the palm, Demon One landed on Tianchen Star’s first defensive barrier, which broke with a bang, leaving a massive hand-shaped breach. He was flung down onto the star’s surface, his body embedded in the earth, and a gigantic concave imprint marked the ground.

“You—!” Demon One struggled to lift his head, spitting a mouthful of blood before falling unconscious. Members of the Demon Sect hidden in the crowd quietly pulled him from the soil and carried him away.

“Elder Ruchu is mighty! Elder Ruchu is mighty!” The disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect cheered. Elder Ruchu, hearing their acclaim, smiled slightly and, together with Ling Fengjiao, descended from the satellite ring of Tianchen Star.

“Time’s up!” As steward Lu Youdao announced, the contestants and elders left the satellite ring.

As the candidates landed, the crowd formed lines once more. Steward Lu Youdao declared, “This time, one hundred candidates participated in the Heavenly Dao Sect selection. Forty-seven have been promoted to outer sect disciples, twenty-one to inner sect disciples, and eight to personally transmitted disciples. The selection has concluded successfully.”

With these words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. As dusk fell, the grand event dispersed, and arrangements were made for the new disciples’ lodgings.

The satellite ring of Tianchen Star continued its rotation, moving toward the next territory, the western Land of Divine Perch.

By decree, no structures may remain on the path of the satellite ring as it traverses Tianchen Star. Each day, the ring moves anew, and after a while, it returns to the central lands.

Amidst the crowd, Chen Fangyu entered the sect alongside the other cultivators. Those who failed to join lingered briefly before dispersing. Chen Fangyu was fortunate to become a personally transmitted disciple. He gazed upon the sect’s pavilions and towers, its ornate balustrades and jade inlays, the vintage elegance and regal design all proclaiming its power and prestige in the central lands.

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