That night, the heavily injured Wang Lie and a letter of challenge were sent to the disciples of Guangyuan Sect. Not even two sentences were read before everyone started cursing and accusing Zhang Yan of being too arrogant!
A mere disciple of Yue Cang Sect dared to challenge an entire sect? He really didn't know what was good for him! However, when the letter of challenge was read, it caused an uproar.
It was because the letter of challenge mentioned that Zhang Yan wanted to compete with the disciples of Guangyuan Sect in deciphering the Star Stele!
Everyone knew how difficult the Star Stele was.
The Star Stele was used by the Xuanwen Spell Club. Every time, at the end of the competition, a master would come out to evaluate the outstanding disciples and choose one person to decipher the Star Stele in front of everyone to show that the sect was worthy of its name. However, this was only possible with the help of the master and the protection of the talisman.
Directly using deciphering the Star Stele to compete? There had never been such a daring person!
In contrast to the reactions of the other disciples, the five new disciples of the Guangyuan Sect treated this challenge letter with unprecedented caution. This was because they believed that this was not a decision made by Zhang Yan alone. They all believed that the entire Yue Cang Sect was behind this.
This misunderstanding also made them not dare to underestimate Zhang Yan. They originally thought that he was just a small chess piece, but now he seemed to be the trump card of Yue Cang Sect. Instantly, they placed him at an unprecedented height.
Shen Jingyue read the letter of challenge a few times and finally sneered, "Yue Cang Sect is quite smart, they didn't mention a single word about Nan Hua Sect."
The eldest disciple, Wen Jun, was calm and composed. He stroked his long beard and said in a deep voice, "Those who appeared before were all disciples of my Guangyuan Sect. They naturally wouldn't take the initiative to provoke Nan Hua Sect. However, with this, my Guangyuan Sect has no way out. Yue Cang Sect saw through our intention to fight quickly and forced us to accept the challenge."
As long as the news of this challenge spread, Guangyuan Sect was destined to be in a difficult position.
As for Nan Hua Sect, their original plan was to let Guangyuan Sect charge at the front. They weren't willing to easily fall out with Yue Cang Sect, so they definitely wouldn't jump out at this time.
"If I don't accept the challenge, then everything I've done before will be for naught." Shen Jingyue threw the letter of challenge to the side, and a faint sneer appeared on the corner of her mouth, "One person challenging my Guangyuan Sect, what a big tone. Deducing the Star Stele is never about the number of people, but this Zhang Yan actually picked up this reputation for nothing."
Wen Jun shook his head and said, "Since the Yue Cang Sect dares to send out Zhang Yan, it seems that this person has some ability as Junior Brother predicted. I'm afraid it won't be easy to win."
Meanwhile, the Third Disciple, Zhang Zhen, who'd been standing silently at the side all along, suddenly stood up and cupped his hands as he said, "Senior Brothers, why don't you allow Little Brother to try in the first round!"
Shen Jingyue looked at Zhang Zhen in surprise, then slowly said, "In our sect, although Junior Brother Zhang's calculation ability isn't as good as Junior Brother Mo's, it's still quite rare. However, the Star Stele is filled with hidden dangers, and it's not normal. It's better for Senior Brother to bear it alone. Junior Brother, you shouldn't go."
However, Zhang Zhen insisted and said, "I'm just a concubine from the Fengyan Zhang Clan. Ever since I entered the sect, the two Senior Brothers have taken care of me a lot, and I'm unable to repay them. Now that Junior Brother Mo is able to raise the prestige of our sect in the Sky Gate Sect, as your Senior Brother, how can I be inferior?"
Shen Jingyue tactfully persuaded a few more times, but no matter what he said, this usually honest and simple Junior Brother refused to give in no matter what. In the end, Shen Jingyue could only agree.
Zhang Zhen finally revealed a silly smile and said, "Senior Brother, don't worry. I've also studied the Star Stele in the previous Spell Gathering. With my calculation ability, deducing half of the Star Stele shouldn't be a problem. If Zhang Yan is indeed powerful, it's not too late to withdraw when the time comes."
Wen Jun pondered for a while, then nodded and said, "If that's the case, I'll also go."
"You can't!" Shen Jingyue was shocked. He quickly dissuaded, "Eldest Senior Brother, just stay here, I'll go with Junior Brother Zhang." Wen Jun was the eldest disciple of Guangyuan Sect's Lower House, and he was also the benchmark of the Lower House. He couldn't easily participate in the battle. Once he lost, the loss of his reputation wouldn't just be limited to him alone.
Wen Jun sighed and said, "How can I not understand the logic behind this, Senior Brother? But if you're the only one participating in the battle, the Southern Flower Sect might mistakenly think that our Guangyuan Sect didn't use our full strength. You need to know that honor and disgrace is a small matter, survival is a big matter."
Shen Jingyue was shocked when he heard this. He was silent for a while, then finally stood up and respectfully bowed to Wen Jun. He solemnly said, "Senior Brother, you're right. I've been negligent."
Wen Jun quickly helped him up and said, "We're all disciples of the sect, there's no need to be like this."
"If that's the case, Junior Brother Zhang will go first, and I will go second. If I can't win, I'll ask Senior Brother to go third!" Shen Jingyue thought about it carefully and felt that this was the most suitable arrangement. At least the Southern Flower Sect wouldn't think that Guangyuan Sect didn't put in enough effort.
In the end, he worriedly reminded Zhang Zhen, "Junior Brother Zhang, don't be greedy for battle!"
Zhang Zhen's chubby face squeezed out a smile and said, "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I know my limits." He knew that his achievements in Erosion Runes weren't high, but he was determined to tire out Zhang Yan's mind so that he could prepare for Shen Jingyue's next battle.
On the Drifting Cloud Peak, the news of Zhang Yan challenging Guangyuan Sect to a battle had also reached the ears of the twenty-eight disciples of the Ying Cang Sect. Although there were many different opinions, the reaction was not as intense as that of the Guangyuan Sect. This was because Zhang Yan was only a disciple in name, and he was challenging Guangyuan Sect in his own name. Winning or losing had nothing to do with them, so they were naturally happy to watch from the sidelines.
However, there was one thing that was surprisingly consistent — no one was optimistic about Zhang Yan's chances.
In order to decipher the Star Steles, one would naturally have to bring the Star Steles down from the peak. However, since it wouldn't hurt him at all, and he could also use this opportunity to suppress the overbearing Guangyuan Sect, Zheng Xun was also happy to open the door. He ordered people to bring the six Star Steles down from the peak, and temporarily built a thirty-meter-wide platform at the foot of the Drifting Cloud Peak. The six Star Steles were lined up on the platform, so that the disciples of the various sects could clearly see them.
As soon as the news spread, it immediately caused a stir in the entire Azure Parasol Mountain.
Not only the disciples of the various sects, but even the disciples who weren't qualified to participate in the Dharma Assembly in the past came one after another. They all wanted to see who was so bold as to challenge a sect to a duel. In less than two days, no less than a thousand cultivators had gathered at the foot of the Drifting Cloud Peak.
For a moment, the disciples of the various sects were inquiring about Zhang Yan. Even before the duel officially started, his reputation could be said to be known by everyone.
Three days passed by in a hurry. At the foot of the Drifting Cloud Peak, on the high platform, the six Star Steles in front of the array were emitting a faint black light under the scorching sun. Because of their age, the edges of the Star Steles were incomplete, but it somehow added a sense of simplicity and heaviness to them. Every Star Stele was engraved with densely packed etchings. There were at least ten thousand words, and just a glance at them would make people feel dizzy.
In the middle of the platform, Ai Zhongwen had arranged a table and a praying mat. On top of it, there was a writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. There were also five other tables scattered in a ring shape, so it was obvious who was the host and who was the guest.
Under the gazes of thousands of people, Zhang Yan's expression was calm. He ignored the many complicated gazes of disdain, contempt, rebuke, worship, and so on. He calmly walked all the way up the high platform. Just this calm composure was admirable.
No one knew that he wasn't worried about the arranged duel. Instead, he was thinking that after today, he would naturally become famous among the various sects. As long as there were no accidents, one of the three "Shou" generation Gurus would definitely accept him as an inner disciple.
Once he became an inner disciple, the door to the Great Way would already be half opened to him, and he would be one step closer to becoming an immortal.
Thinking of this, his eyes revealed a resolute expression.
"Your Excellency is Junior Apprentice Brother Zhang Yan? I am Shen Jingyue. I have long heard of Senior Apprentice Brother Zhang's name. "
Shen Jingyue walked up the platform half a step behind Zhang Yan. He cupped his hands towards Zhang Yan. On the surface, his expression was calm, but in reality, he was secretly observing Zhang Yan's behavior. He saw that Zhang Yan's appearance and demeanor were both excellent, and his expression was calm and steady. It was obvious that he was very confident about this duel.
Zhang Yan cupped his hands in return and said, "I don't dare. Zhang Yan is just a junior." Although Guangyuan Sect was a small sect, Shen Jingyue was still an inner disciple. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he had to at least put on a humble and courteous posture.
Shen Jingyue didn't comment on Zhang Yan's humble words. He smiled indifferently and said, "Junior Apprentice Brother Zhang, the first duel will be between you and my junior apprentice brother Zhang Zhen. However, before the duel, are you willing to listen to what I have to say?"
"Senior Apprentice Brother, please speak."
Shen Jingyue took a step forward and looked at Zhang Yan with a burning gaze. He said softly, "Junior Apprentice Brother Zhang, in this duel, if you win, then there is no need to talk about anything else. If I win, how about you join my Guangyuan Sect?"
"What?" Zhang Yan was shocked. He originally thought that Shen Jingyue would only try to persuade him to withdraw from the duel, or at least threaten him. He didn't think that Shen Jingyue would suddenly bring up this topic.
Shen Jingyue looked at Zhang Yan's expression. Seeing that he didn't show any signs of disgust, he immediately made a decision in his heart and continued, "Junior Apprentice Brother Zhang, you are only a disciple in name. My father is an Upper Elder of Guangyuan Sect. If you are willing to join my sect, you will immediately become an inner disciple. Dao books, medicinal pills, you can choose whatever you want. If you open your immortal meridian, I can persuade my father to accept you as a direct disciple. What do you think?"
Shen Jingyue's attitude was sincere, and the conditions were quite generous. It was impossible to say that Zhang Yan wasn't moved.
Although Guangyuan Sect was a small sect now, it used to be a large sect in the East Hua Continent. A starving camel was still bigger than a horse. Also, there was an advantage — there were very few inner disciples. This also meant that the competition within the sect wasn't as fierce as in large sects.
This was indeed the case. Because there weren't many disciples, Guangyuan Sect had always been united against outsiders. There was also a rare harmony between the disciples within the sect.
However, Zhang Yan had other concerns.
First, although Shen Jingyue made a solemn vow and promised many benefits, who knew if this wasn't a plan to shake his resolve? Therefore, he didn't dare to believe it!
Second, he didn't think that Guangyuan Sect's future was good. Although Nanhua and Guangyuan Sects were on good terms, Guangyuan Sect had always been attached to Nanhua Sect. Now that Guangyuan Sect took the initiative to challenge Yue Cang Sect, Nanhua Sect still hadn't said a word, it was enough to show that Guangyuan Sect couldn't make its own decisions and might even be abandoned at any time. This kind of sect didn't give him any sense of security.
Third, Yue Cang Sect was, after all, a large sect in the East Hua Continent. With him here, the Zhou Clan wouldn't dare to use force. However, if he switched to Guangyuan Sect, then things would be different.
Therefore, regardless of whether Shen Jingyue was sincere or not, he wouldn't agree. Therefore, he rejected it without hesitation.
Shen Jingyue sighed. Obviously, he felt pity for Zhang Yan's choice.
His words of trying to recruit Zhang Yan were sincere. The reason was that after the arranged battle, Zheng Xun and the others weren't in a hurry to defeat the prodigy Mo Yuan. The disciples were no longer sitting in the side hall, so news came down from the mountain. He knew that Zhang Yan was standing up for the sect alone and didn't have anyone supporting him from behind.
He was impressed by Zhang Yan's spirit and ability, and he saw that Zhang Yan was an outstanding person. Instantly, he wanted to cherish this talent. Guangyuan Sect was in urgent need of new blood, so they didn't care much about the background of their disciples. Therefore, he sent an invitation to Zhang Yan on the spot.
However, Zhang Yan didn't think much of Guangyuan Sect. Instead, he wanted to use them to step onto the Great Path Heavenly Gate.
Therefore, he took a step back, put his hands behind his back, and said in a low voice, "There's no point in talking anymore. Senior Shen, please come up to the stage. Our two sects will decide the winner today!"
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