Provocation

"Senior Disciple Brother, I think Senior Yuan's eyesight might not be very good."

The stars glittered, and moonlight spread down from the heavens like a silver veil, settling over the forest.

Xue Ding held his Ninth Junior Sister's little hand as they made their way through the forest, returning to Celestial Master Temple.

Along the way, he kept glancing down at the Celestial Master Sword in his hand. The ancient sword, which represented Celestial Master Temple's legacy, rested silently beneath the moonlight. Its patterns, worn smooth by the passage of time, seemed to tell a story.

His Ninth Junior Sister's words brought Xue Ding back to himself. He said softly, "Ling'er, how many times have I told you to be respectful to Senior Yuan? Without him, our grandmaster might have fallen to demonic possession, and all of Celestial Master Temple would have suffered for it."

His Ninth Junior Sister pouted. "I know! I didn't say it to his face. If his eyesight were any good, how could he not see the sword in your hand, Senior Disciple Brother, and still call you a saber user? Hmph."

Xue Ding fell silent again. His head lowered toward the sword, and his knuckles tightened until they turned white. His emotions roiled within him.

"Senior Disciple Brother, look! There are so many people inside the temple!"

They were still some distance from Celestial Master Temple, but his Ninth Junior Sister could already see what was happening there. The place was packed with people and bustling with activity.

Xue Ding looked up. One glance was all it took for his expression to change drastically.

"Come on, something's happened at the temple!"

As he spoke, Xue Ding lifted his Ninth Junior Sister and soared upward with a burst of energy. He skimmed over the dense canopy, stepping on leaves as he rushed toward Celestial Master Temple's mountain gate.

Before long, Xue Ding swooped down like a hawk and landed on the open ground in front of the temple.

As soon as he touched down, countless gazes turned toward him.

"Ha! So Celestial Master Temple's Senior Disciple Brother really wasn't at the temple. I thought he was too scared to show his face."

Xue Ding led his Ninth Junior Sister through the crowd gathered in front of the clearing.

The Quanzhen Sect and the Jin City Wang Family.

The man who had spoken to Xue Ding was Feng Qi, the Quanzhen Sect's leading disciple.

Not long ago, an armed helicopter from the Jin City Wang Family had flown into Wangwu Mountain and landed at the Quanzhen Sect. Everyone knew the two factions had formed an alliance.

Naturally, they had joined forces for a reason.

Perhaps they were after the Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao, which was about to emerge, or perhaps they wanted Wangwu Mountain.

After bringing his Ninth Junior Sister to his master and leaving her with the other junior disciples, Xue Ding turned and stood facing the two factions as the Senior Disciple Brother of Celestial Master Temple.

"Celestial Master, now that your personal eldest disciple has returned, we can continue with our wager."

A wager?

Xue Ding glanced at the junior disciple beside him. The other immediately explained in a low voice.

"Senior Disciple Brother, the Quanzhen Sect and the Wang Family said they wanted to compete with our temple. The contestants are Feng Qi and you. The loser will have to hand over this Spiritual Land belonging to Celestial Master Temple."

Xue Ding frowned. Celestial Master Temple had once been called the greatest temple on Wangwu Mountain, and it was also said to be the foremost grotto-heaven. It was only natural that others coveted it. He just hadn't expected the Quanzhen Sect to be among them.

The Quanzhen Sect's founding had been a winding process. The Celestial Master of that era had helped them greatly, allowing them to establish their sect.

Because of this history, Celestial Master Temple's disciples were furious. They felt they had helped raise a heartless ingrate.

"Senior Disciple Brother, let's fight! Are you afraid of Feng Qi?" the junior disciple said indignantly. He was certain his Senior Disciple Brother would win. After all, Feng Qi had lost to Xue Ding at a martial arts gathering between sects years ago.

Xue Ding said nothing. He wasn't a fool. As the heir to the position of next Celestial Master, how could he let such petty provocation throw him off balance and make him enter a completely unfair wager?

The unfairness was that the other side had nothing of equal value to offer in exchange for Celestial Master Temple's mountain gate.

If he lost, he would have to surrender this grotto-heaven, rich in vital energy.

And if he won?

What could the Quanzhen Sect offer?

Its mountain gate?

Or something else even more precious?

Even if the Quanzhen Sect considered it precious, what could possibly mean more than its ancestral mountain gate to Celestial Master Temple's disciples?

The Sect Leader Celestial Master shared Xue Ding's thoughts and looked toward Changchunzi, the leader of the Quanzhen Sect.

"Changchunzi, we've known each other for many years. Why resort to this? This mountain gate is where our temple was founded and our teachings established. How could we use it as a wager? If you wish to compare your disciples' cultivation, I am willing to agree."

Who wanted to compare cultivation?

They wanted Celestial Master Temple's mountain gate.

As the Spiritual Land continued to transform, this place grew more extraordinary by the day, and it would greatly benefit future cultivation. Of the four essentials of cultivation—land, companions, wealth, and methods—the "land" referred to cultivation grounds imbued with spiritual energy. It held great importance in cultivation.

Changchunzi smiled as he replied, "Celestial Master, the future will be difficult. Your Celestial Master Temple occupies the place on Wangwu Mountain with the richest vital energy, yet has accomplished nothing and continues to decline. How is that any different from squandering a precious resource?"

"We want this Spiritual Land so we can face the calamities to come and gain more power to protect the people. Your Celestial Master lineage has always aspired to exterminate demons and protect the common people. You should understand us and give us your full support."

He spoke so eloquently that he completely disavowed any desire to seize the blessed land, instead using the common people as a stepping stone to claim the moral high ground.

The Mad Daoist's prophecy of a terrifying future.

One of Celestial Master Temple's disciples shouted angrily, "Celestial Master Temple has merely shut its doors to cultivate in peace. How can you call that a decline?"

"If you haven't declined, then fight me. That's the strongest answer you can give." Feng Qi stepped forward and stared straight at Xue Ding, brimming with confidence.

"Loser. Why are you barking?"

"This is Celestial Master Temple's land. It's not your place to take charge, even if we have declined!"

"A pack of ingrates! If our ninth-generation Celestial Master hadn't given the Quanzhen Sect his full support, would your sect even exist? You've eaten your fill and turned around to bite us. Do you really think people of your character deserve this Spiritual Land?"

"Even beasts know how to be grateful. What about you?"

"All that high-minded talk, but you're just coveting Celestial Master Temple's land, aren't you?"

Who would have thought that these Daoists, who claimed to shut themselves away to cultivate in peace, could be so sharp-tongued? They called the Quanzhen Sect ingrates one moment and beasts the next. The Quanzhen Sect's people felt humiliated, their faces burning. As their anger rose, their gazes turned sharp, and they looked ready to attack at the slightest provocation.

Changchunzi's expression turned ugly. Given the history between them, his side was already in the wrong. How could they possibly win an argument?

At that moment, a member of the Wang Family stepped forward and spoke calmly.

"There's no need to bring up the past. Celestial Master, the future is unpredictable. Your declining faction can't defend this place alone. If we don't come today, someone else will come tomorrow. We're neighbors, and we have some history together. Isn't it better to hand it over to us than to someone else?"

The Sect Leader Celestial Master replied coldly, "It doesn't matter who comes. How could we let our ancestral mountain gate slip from our hands? If that happened, how could we face our forebears when we descend to the Yellow Springs?"

"You're right. But our positions are different now. You will hand this place over, whether you're willing or not. Let me be frank with you, Celestial Master: my Wang Family's weapons have already arrived at Wangwu Mountain and are positioned throughout the area. We wouldn't fear even if the previous Celestial Master came out of seclusion."

"Out of respect for our neighborly ties, we'll give you three days. We'll return in three days. I hope you'll have everything packed up by then."

"Of course, the wager still stands. If your Senior Disciple Brother wins, we won't give you any more trouble. Heh."

Win?

Feng Qi strode over to Xue Ding, brimming with confidence. His blatant disregard for Celestial Master Temple's elders enraged Xue Ding. His eyelid twitched, and the Celestial Master Sword in his hand trembled faintly.

"Want to draw your sword? Go ahead. Why don't you?"

A smile curled Feng Qi's lips as he continued to provoke him. He raised his hand and patted Xue Ding's shoulder as if he were a man of high rank. "Xue Ding, Xue Ding. Do you still think I'm the same Feng Qi from that martial arts gathering? You're nothing special to me now. If you don't like it, draw your sword~"

Aside from the twitching of his eyelid, Xue Ding showed little change in expression.

Seeing this, Feng Qi turned to the Celestial Master. "Celestial Master, you've certainly taught him well. He's as mild-tempered as a turtle. Like master, like disciple, eh?"

"Seeking death!"

Seeing his beloved master insulted to his face by a junior, Xue Ding shifted, about to draw his sword.

"Xue Ding." At one word from the Celestial Master, Xue Ding immediately steadied himself and took several deep breaths.

"Hahaha!"

Feng Qi thought Xue Ding was about to draw his sword. His eyes lit up with excitement, but when he saw Xue Ding stop himself at the last moment, disappointment flashed through him. Even so, he was still in high spirits as he recalled the time Xue Ding had defeated him in three moves.

Before leaving, Feng Qi confirmed something he had heard. He spoke softly. "Looks like something really is wrong with you. You don't dare draw your sword. Heh. From now on, you'd better step aside whenever you see me—or I'll break your legs!"