Long, long ago, a massive meteorite pierced through the spatial barrier, dragging brilliant streams of light as it fell into the Upper Realm, causing a crater spanning tens of thousands of miles. Thus, the people of the world described it as the “Land Where Stars Fell.”
Because it suffered a violent impact, and the meteorite shattered to form a mountain composed primarily of black iron, it was also called Burial Night Mountain.
This place, this name.
Arranged Night Xingchen’s fate crystal clear.
The Land Where Stars Fell was barren, devoid of any vegetation, and the heavenly and earthly attributes weren’t particularly strong either. Normally, very few martial artists came here.
However, these past few days were strange—wandering cultivators from all directions hurried over, making it as lively as if the New Year was approaching.
“Who would have thought that Guhong Zhenren and Tonggu Zhenren actually made a battle agreement ten years ago, having their respective disciples decide victory and defeat.”
“Sect Master Jun annihilated the Ten Great Immortal Sects, his strength surpassing even peak True-Seeking Realm experts. Is there even any suspense in this match?”
Who knows who leaked the news and location of the ten-year agreement, but Upper Realm martial artists were already idle, and upon hearing of this matter, they immediately rushed over to watch the excitement.
To be precise.
They came to watch Guhong Zhenren make a fool of himself.
The scene of Jun Changxiao leading his forces to annihilate the Ten Great Immortal Sects two years ago was still vivid in everyone’s minds. That fellow sending his disciple to challenge him really seemed like overestimating his abilities.
All the Upper Realm martial artists’ hearts leaned toward Dog Sheng, and he no longer had the passive skill of being mocked and ridiculed by passersby wherever he went.
“Who is Guhong Zhenren’s disciple? Why have we never heard of them?”
“They should be quite young, otherwise how would they dare challenge Sect Master Jun.”
From everyone’s words and behavior, they truly didn’t think highly of Guhong Zhenren’s disciple at all. This easily created the illusion that Dog Sheng was the villain and the opponent was the protagonist.
“We’re here!”
Someone shouted.
The traveling martial artists all raised their eyes to look, and saw a mountain range resembling a giant slumbering demonic beast appear in their field of vision.
“Huh?”
A cultivator with fairly decent cultivation saw from afar two people suspended above Burial Night Mountain. He released his spiritual sense and said in surprise: “Qingwei Zhenren? Lingyao Empress?”
“Why did they come?”
“I heard these two are master and disciple.”
“Qingwei Zhenren, Tonggu Zhenren, and Guhun Zhenren belong to the same generation of martial artists. Rumor has it there were extremely complicated romantic entanglements between them in their early years.”
Top-tier powerhouses often have many well-known stories circulating about them, some that actually happened, some that were fabricated. For example, the romantic entanglements just mentioned were pure speculation, creating something out of nothing.
Of course.
No one would verify the truth, because that’s what makes them worth discussing.
Take Jun Changxiao for example. Over these two years, stories about him have spread throughout the Upper Realm, some true and some false. The most ridiculous one was that the annihilation of the Ten Great Immortal Sects was caused by a female companion.
Starting with a rumor, all content made up.
Gradually, the Eternal Sect’s Sect Master became, in some people’s hearts, an infatuated man who flew into a rage for a beauty.
When Jun Changxiao learned of this matter, he didn’t stop the rumors from spreading, because legends need wonderful stories to be shaped into something with flesh and blood.
……
“Disciple.”
Qingwei Zhenren, suspended above Burial Night Mountain, said: “Are you confident you can defeat that disciple called Night Xingchen?”
The ten-year agreement originally had nothing to do with her, but she insisted on inserting herself. Now, after learning of the Eternal Sect’s strength, she was very worried her disciple couldn’t achieve victory.
“No.”
Empress Lingyao said.
“……”
Qingwei Zhenren fell silent.
“Whoosh!”
Suddenly, two streaks of light flew from the distance, suspended a hundred zhang away.
The newcomers were Master Guhong and his disciple. The two wore black robes, extremely similar in color to Burial Night Mountain below.
“Qingwei!”
“It’s just a sparring match, why call so many martial artists to watch!”
Guhong Zhenren’s eyes flashed with anger.
Qingwei Zhenren said indifferently: “I didn’t call them.”
“Not you?”
Guhong Zhenren turned his head and said through gritted teeth: “It must be that old fellow Tonggu!”
That’s right.
The large number of martial artists appearing at the Land Where Stars Fell wasn’t due to the law that the protagonist’s fights must have onlookers present, but because Tonggu Zhenren spread the news in advance.
Why make a ten-year agreement?
For winning and losing, for face!
Having such a strong disciple, he naturally wanted to show off properly in front of others.
From this, it’s clear that the so-called “transcending the three realms and beyond the five elements” was complete nonsense from Jun Changxiao. Everyone should definitely not believe it.
The System roared: “As if anyone believes it anyway!”
“This is your disciple?”
Qingwei Zhenren carefully examined the black-robed person whose appearance was unclear and gender indistinguishable, muttering in her heart: “I actually can’t perceive their realm, it seems their aura has been blocked by a supreme treasure.”
“That’s right.”
Guhong’s old man’s expression was somewhat proud.
Qingwei Zhenren said: “You should have heard about Tonggu’s old fellow’s disciple’s strength. You still dare come to accept the challenge. Aren’t you afraid of losing all face in front of this large crowd?”
“Right back at you.”
Guhong’s old man smiled faintly.
At this moment, he still didn’t know that Empress Lingyao’s opponent wasn’t Jun Changxiao, but his disciple Night Xingchen.
Qingwei Zhenren didn’t explain, silently waiting in midair for Tonggu Zhenren’s arrival.
“Haha!”
After a while, wild laughter came.
“Whoosh!”
Tonggu Zhenren dragged a stream of light, suspended in midair above Burial Night Mountain, and said with a laugh: “You two arrived quite early.”
This battle agreement had disciples fighting, and he was certain of victory, so his state of mind was very relaxed. He even couldn’t help but want to laugh aloud.
“Hmph.”
Guhong Zhenren snorted coldly.
“Old fellow.”
Qingwei Zhenren said indifferently: “Where is your disciple?”
As soon as the words fell, a dynamic melody suddenly came from the distance, instantly enveloping the Land Where Stars Fell.
Martial cultivators from all directions turned their heads to look, and saw Eternal Sect disciples tumbling through the air and stopping at the mountain’s foot, forming a line, then assuming a pose with both hands raised to the sky.
“Sect Master Jun is cultured in letters and martial arts, his grace covers all living beings, may he live for ten thousand generations, his lifespan equal to heaven!”
Accompanied by an ultra-passionate BGM and ultra-awkward disciple shouting, Jun Changxiao descended carrying brilliant light onto Burial Night Mountain, then gracefully struck a pose with one hand behind his back in an “elegant and poised” stance.
This entrance mode borrowed partly from the Magic Emperor Gate’s Sect Master.
“……”
Everyone’s facial expressions were spectacular.
Truthfully, at this moment they really wanted to rush over and drown this guy who had to forcefully show off even during his entrance with their saliva.
“Swish!”
After finishing the pose, Jun Changxiao cupped his hands quite politely and said: “Greetings to Master, greetings to the two seniors!”
In terms of strength, Dog Sheng had long surpassed peak True-Seeking Realm experts, but considering they were of the same generation as his master, he behaved very courteously, leaving no room for criticism.
“Hmph.”
Guhong Zhenren and Qingwei Zhenren both responded with cold snorts, and gave this youngster an evaluation in their hearts—flashy and showy, all superficial nonsense!
“Since everyone is here.” Qiye Zhenren appeared at Burial Night Mountain at some unknown time, acting as referee and said: “Then let’s quickly proceed with the match to decide the outcome.”
“Please!”
Jun Changxiao displayed the demeanor a top-tier powerhouse should have.
Guhong Zhenren said: “Disciple, go forth and fight.”
“Yes.”
The black-robed person lightly descended onto Burial Night Mountain.
The ten-year agreement made by three powerhouses of the wandering cultivator world wasn’t considered an extremely formal battle, so there weren’t too many formalities. Once they said start, they would definitely get straight to the point.
Jun Changxiao kept his spiritual sense locked on the black-robed person several dozen zhang away, thinking to himself: “Still unable to perceive this person’s strength or weakness.”
The System said: “Don’t be careless.”
—