Chapter 131: A Single Person Versus Half The Guild
The Main Path Guild is reached through the summit of Mount Tongtian.
Inside the main hall, many of the elders of the Main Path were in the middle of a meeting under the leadership of the vice leader, Zhao Zhenshi. They discussed how to deal with Fang Lang, who would soon approach the Main Path Guild to retrieve the sword.
Their discussions were heated. Even though many people believed that it was possible to stop Fang Lang from retrieving the sword, most of the Main Path Guild warriors were still worried about the likelihood that Xuanyuan Taihua had b.o.o.by-trapped the Reincarnating Lotus Sword.
If they did not allow the successor of the First Sword Taihua, it might give rise to an undesired outcome. It might trigger the Reincarnating Lotus Sword to destroy everything in the Main Path Mausoleum!
The Main Path Mausoleum was extremely important to the Main Path Guild. It was sacred land for the Main Path Guild. If destroyed, it would be a crushing blow to the Main Path Guild. Hence, none of the elders were willing to take the risk.
They decided to wait and see the situation after Fang Lang approached the Meridian Guild and the All-Seeing Buddha Sect. Through that, they would be able to figure out if there was a trap planted on the sword.
After all, the Withering Lotus was located in the Dragon Meridian in the Meridian Guild. As for the Circling Lotus Sword, it was situated in the Ancient Buddha Secret Realm in the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.
The two sects were unlikely to let Fang Lang retrieve the swords easily. Hence, the warriors of the Main Path Guild warriors could watch as the situation unfolded before they made their plans.
All of a sudden, the great hall descended into a deathly silence.
Zhao Zhenshi abruptly raised his head. Many of the elders seemed to pale slightly.
A group of people walked out of the great hall and looked into the clouds above the skies of the Main Path Guild. They could vaguely sense an aura.
In the next moment, Zhao Zhenshi looked extremely shocked. “Fang Lang, that youngster… He’s decided to come to our Main Guild first!?”
“Why didn’t he choose the All-Seeing Buddha Sect or the Meridian Guild? Why did he choose the Main Path Guild as his first stop!? We’re the top guild out of the ten great guilds in the Tang Dynasty. Does he think that we’re not a match for the Meridian Guild or the All-Seeing Buddha Sect?”
All the elders of the Main Path Guild wore stern and fierce expressions. They raised their heads to look up into the sky and could see an elaborate carriage floating past. A white-robed youth with a scabbard on his back stood on the carriage.
Fang Lang crossed his hands behind his back and overlooked the Main Path Guild. A mult.i.tude of emotions seemed to swirl behind his eyes.
The top guild in the Tang Dynasty. The First Guild in the world. The Main Path Guild.
The Sword Guild had previously been the First Guild in the world. However, ever since First Sword Taihua disappeared, the t.i.tle of First Guild had changed owners for the past ten years.
Fang Lang stood among the swirling clouds as he observed the Main Path Guild from on high.
It had to be said that the Main Path Guild was extremely beautiful and picturesque. It was like a fairy realm. Some countless towers and lofts appeared to be built among the cloud peaks.
Fang Lang turned his head to look inside the horse carriage where Ni Wen and the blacksmith old man were sitting quietly.
“Senior, do we really have to get down from here? We’re here to retrieve a sword, not to cause a scene, right?” asked Fang Lang.
A gentle breeze blew past, causing the curtain of the horse carriage to flutter. The old man smiled.
“Since you’re here to retrieve the sword, it means that you’re here to cause a scene. Are you still hoping that they’ll receive you warmly?”
“As Taihua’s disciple, you should demonstrate a certain att.i.tude and aura. Don’t embarra.s.s Taihua. Besides that, the Main Path Guild isn’t that great. What right do they have to be so arrogant? If you can’t do it, I’ll pick you up and run.”
Fang Lang could not help but smile.
On the side of the horse carriage, Zhao Wuji, who was driving the carriage, began to chuckle loudly. “Little Lang, King Jiang has asked me to give you a piece of advice. When you enter the Main Path Guild, don’t be afraid. The cultivators of the Main Path Guild bully the weak but fear the strong. If you give them a scare, they might run with their tails between their legs.”
‘What advice was Martial Arts King Jiang giving him?’
When Fang Lang heard that, he could not stop his brow from rising in confusion.
Down below, on the square at the peak of Mount Tongtian, Zhao Zhenshi’s robes blew in the wind. He raised his head and looked up, then began to shout fiercely. It was like thunder was bursting out of his tongue.
“Such impudence! How dare you encroach the skies of the Main Path Guild!?”
As soon as he spoke, without waiting for Fang Lang to respond, he fired his spiritual sense, and the cloud energy in the sky seemed to be gathered up. All the clouds above the Main Path Guild seemed to turn into a gigantic rune. Zhao Zhenshi stood at the center of the rune, shining brightly like a Sky G.o.d.
A terrifying sense of oppression spread out from the rune. At that moment, Fang Lang felt as though he could taste the flavor of death!
Inside the horse carriage, the cloud energy caused the curtains to flutter. The face of the old man could be partially seen.
“The Main Path Guild likes to use their power to oppress people. Now that they’ve found out that you’re here instead of heading first to the All-Seeing Buddha Sect or the Meridian Sect, they’re hopping mad,” said the old man with a smile.
“Don’t worry, before the Reincarnating Lotus Sword is retrieved, these people… won’t dare to hurt you,” continued the old man.
Fang Lang steeled his nerves and took a step out with his hands behind his back. In his lungs, blade energy began to stir. The Blooming Lotus Sword that was covered in scratches was taken out of its scabbard to hover by Fang Lang’s side.
“The new champion of the Imperial Examination, the little master of the Sword Guild, the disciple of Xuanyuan Taihua has specially come to visit the Main Path Guild!”
“I’m here to heed my master’s orders and come to the Main Path Guild to retrieve the sword that my master has left here.”
Fang Lang began to descend from a great height. The Blooming Lotus sword spun around his body!
His voice was like an eagle cry in the skies. It reverberated through the skies above the Main Path Guild.
He released all the sword wave within him, holding nothing back. At that moment, he looked like a blade lord entering the world!
Fang Lang appeared unafraid as he faced the oppressive force of the Main Path Guild forbidden rune activated by Zhao Zhenshi. He continued to descend on his sword at high speeds!
His aura surged and collided with the sword wave around Fang Lang. It was like a furnace burning, sending off a flow of hot lava into the air.
“Such insolence!” shouted Zhao Zhenshi angrily among the swirling cloud energy!
However, Fang Lang ignored him and continued to descend rapidly. He landed on the square, among the cloud of dust that swirled up. In his white robes, Fang Lang smiled as he held his Blooming Lotus Sword that was covered in scratches.
He had arrived at the Main Path Guild in such a showy and arrogant manner, attracting the attention of many people at the Main Path Guild.
Li Yuanzhen, An Fan, and the other disciples who had returned to the sect all stepped out of their own cultivation houses. They looked in disbelief at the familiar figure that descended from the skies. Then, the entire Main Path Guild erupted into an uproar.
That was too arrogant!
Fang Lang had arrived at the Main Path Guild in such an arrogant fashion!
Zhao Zhenshi and the elders of the sect had not attacked him yet.
They looked at the fancy horse carriage floating in the sky with solemn and serious expressions.
Inside the horse carriage, there was an extremely powerful aura. Chao Xiaojian had not come, but it seemed like he had invited an extremely mighty person to protect Fang Lang.
“Young chap, you are extremely rude!”
Zhao Zhenshi calmed down and looked down upon Fang Lang among the swirling cloud energy.
Fang Lang clasped his hands and asked, “May I know who you are, senior?”
“I’m the vice leader of the Main Path Guild, Zhao Zhenshi.”
Zhao Zhenshi said, “The sect leader entered the demon portal to kill powerful demon enemies. At the moment, the Main Path Guild is led by me. Don’t you think you’ve been too excessive by entering my guild in such an arrogant manner?”
Fang Lang quickly clasped his hands. “My master is deep in the demon realm slaughtering demons in order to preserve the peace of the Tang Dynasty. It is unknown if she is dead or alive. She had entreated me to retrieve the three swords, the Withering Lotus, the Circling Lotus and the Reincarnating Lotus as fast as I could.”
“I dare not delay in this task. In my haste, I hurried here as soon as the Resource Battle in Changan City ended. If I’ve caused any offense, I hope that you can forgive me.”
With a shake of his sleeve, Zhao Zhenshi wore a cold expression as he stood within the rune. He looked down on Fang Lang coldly and said indifferently, “The Reincarnating Lotus is deep within a rock in the Main Path Mausoleum.”
“However, the Main Path Mausoleum is a sacred place of our guild. It cannot be easily entered. Even the disciples of our guild will need to pa.s.s countless tests if they wish to enter the Main Path Mausoleum.”
“If you wish to enter the Main Path Mausoleum, you will need to undergo a test.”
As soon as Fang Lang heard his words, he could not stop himself from narrowing his eyes. As Chao Xiaojian had said, not many people wanted First Sword Taihua to return. The Main Path Guild was included among them.
However, it made sense. First Sword Taihua managed to suppress the Main Path Guild single-handedly. If she was around, the Main Path Guild would be relegated to become the second sect in the Tang Dynasty. Hence, there was a good reason that the Main Path Guild did not want Taihua to return.
“Of course, we’ll stick to the rules,” said Fang Lang with a smile.
Zhao Zhenshi raised his hand and made a gesture. Instantly, it sounded as if an ancient bell had been struck.
The sound of the bell reverberated to every corner of Mount Tongtian. After that, the clouds seemed to surge as disciple after disciple of the Main Path Guild appeared on the clouds.
The Main Path Guild was undeniably the strongest sect in the Tang Dynasty. The aura of each of their disciples was extremely powerful. Without considering any of those below the fourth-cla.s.s, there were many disciples in the upper fourth-cla.s.s realm, numbering in the hundreds.
In the Sword Guild, the disciples who could advance to the fourth-cla.s.s were only the Earth Pavillion and the Heaven Pavillion disciples. Besides that, the numbers were extremely low.
Zhao Zhenshi looked down at Fang Lang from on high. With a swish of his arm, he said, “Outside the Main Path Mausoleum, there are the Thousand Cloud Stairs. If our disciples of the lower fourth-cla.s.s realm wish to enter the mausoleum, they have to be among the first ten disciples who make it up the Thousand Cloud Stairs.”
“Since you have decided to retrieve the Reincarnating Lotus Sword, you’ll need to enter the top ten among the disciples going up the Thousand Cloud Stairs. If you can’t get into the top ten… you should just head back to where you came from!”
As soon as Zhao Zhenshi finished speaking, the entire Main Path Guild erupted in joyful cheers. Li Yuanzhen, An Fan, and the other disciples who had just arrived at the square all had a delighted light in their eyes.
Based on the vice leader’s words, the Main Path Mausoleum would open ahead of time because of Fang Lang. This meant that the disciples who were in the lower fourth-cla.s.s realm would be able to enter the Main Path Mausoleum ahead of time.
The Main Path Mausoleum was the sacred land of the Main Path Guild. Numerous spells and inscriptions left behind by many of the sect’s powerful warriors were kept there. There was no better opportunity than this!
The disciples did not care what Fang Lang’s motive was for coming here. Whether he retrieved the Reincarnating Lotus Sword had nothing to do with them.
This was because that level was too high. It was the clash between the sect leader and the First Sword Taihua.
What they were concerned with was whether they would be able to benefit. The opening of the Main Path Mausoleum was a boon to them.
Due to this, the atmosphere at the square was extremely noisy and exuberant.
Zhao Zhenshi stood within the rune and calmly looked at Fang Lang. He asked, “Do you dare to take part?”
‘So he was using the disciples of the lower fourth-realm to threaten me?’
Fang Lang’s cultivation was currently in the third-cla.s.s realm. His strongest was his spell mastery. Thanks to the Tang Code, he had reached the fifth-grade spell advisor state.
However, when he ascended the Cloud Stairs, Fang Lang’s true compet.i.tor would be An Fan, who was a fourth-cla.s.s disciple.
This meant that Fang Lang would need to compete for the first ten spots with the numerous fourth-cla.s.s disciples of the Main Path Guild.
It was basically Fang Lang versus half of the Main Path Guild.
The difficulty and the pressure were extremely high.
However, Fang Lang understood that his only option was to accept the challenge.
Even if it was a third-cla.s.s realm, even if it was a third-cla.s.s ninth-grade, Fang Lang was not scared. After all, his spell mastery, sword mastery, and martial arts mastery had all entered the third-cla.s.s.
The pressure caused by the fourth-cla.s.s realm was definitely huge!
However, Fang Lang did not have a choice.
Fang Lang’s white robes fluttered. He wore a warm, friendly smile as he looked towards Zhao Zhenshi standing in the rune.
“Why would I be afraid to?”
Zhao Zhenshi gently stroked his beard and waved his hand slowly.
“Please go ahead.”
At the square, many disciples instantly charged like a surging river, rushing exuberantly towards the direction of the Main Path Mausoleum.
Fang Lang also started to rush forward along with the flow of the Main Path Guild disciples.
…
In the sky, among the swirling clouds, the old man sighed softly inside the horse carriage. “The Thousand Cloud Stairs in front of the Main Path Mausoleum, a thousand disciples who could ascend the steps would have been able to enter the mausoleum.”
“Zhao Zhenshi is extremely bold. He chose to open the Main Path Mausoleum in advance. He knew that he would not be able to stop Fang Lang from retrieving the sword. However, by choosing to bring out so many of the Main Path Guild disciples to pressure Fang Lang. It was not a good idea on his part.”
“This is a fair fight. If Fang Lang manages to squeeze into the first ten disciples to make their way up the stairs. The criteria to refuse to allow him into the mausoleum is unfair.”
Inside the horse carriage, Ni Wen’s confident voice rang out, “Fang Lang will definitely be able to get into the first ten.”
“You little one, you seem fully confident in him,” said the old man with a smile.
“Okay then, I’ll wait here in the sky. It’s not a big deal. Why don’t you head down and watch the excitement? The Thousand Cloud Stairs in front of the Main Path Mausoleum has been said to conceal a rune in each step.”
“Hence, there’ll be a thousand runes since there’s a thousand steps. For spell mastery, it’s an exceptional opportunity. It’s a shame that you won’t get a chance to climb it.” The old man shook his head.
“Old Zhao, why don’t we head down?”
Zhao Wuji, who was driving the carriage, began to laugh. “Haha, okay then. Senior, Miss Ni Wen, sit tight.”
After that, Zhao Wuji snapped the reins and the sound of horse hooves rang through the air as it dashed towards the square on Mount Tongtian.
“Insolence!” Zhao Zhenshi suddenly raised his head.
“If you wish to enter the sect, you need to ascend the mountain from the mountain gate.”
“Even if it were the Emperor or a general who wished to enter the Main Path Guild, they would need to enter through the mountain gate. What do you take the Main Path Guild for!?”
“Get lost!”
As soon as Zhao Zhenshi finished speaking, within the Main Path Guild, four extremely powerful elders flew into the sky with their bodies glowing with spinning runes as their robes billowed.
The four runes were filled with a destructive aura. The runes seemed to transform into strange and abnormal shapes. There were mountains, dragons, oceans, and tortoises roaring…
The frightening aura spread and caused the horses drawing the carriage to buckle and tremble in terror.
The four runes twisted and jostled in the air as they aimed for the descending horse carriage driven by Zhao Wuji!
Down below, Fang Lang, who rushed to the Main Path Mausoleum along with the crowd, suddenly looked solemn and quickly looked up into the sky.