18 A Fathers Love (1/2)
The caldera had a wide variety of geographical features. A small lake, a few grooves, a few rolling hills, a large mesa, a large grassy plain and more. Some features were artificially created, like the scorching desert in one corner, and the lone snowy mountain in another. A battle royale that spanned over a week was more interesting when fights happened in ever-changing locations.
As a tradition, the majority of the sect came over and watched this competition. This inevitably meant Battlegrounds had to support those that came here to watch. Even if it was for a week every 5 years, it still required a small town to be built outside the caldera.
Han De chose to fly over with his sword at full speed because he was worried Xiao Ping might challenge him if he walked around that place. Xiao Ping had a deep enmity with him. He couldn't refuse his challenge without getting a big blow to his reputation. He didn't care about the reputation itself, he cared about the suspicions it might bring, now or down the line in the future.
He needed Xiao Ping to act ridiculously, he needed him to be out of line so that he could have a valid excuse to wave his hand and move away. He had brought Xiao Lan, his lover to the viewing seats to provoke him. However, there was no sight of Xiao Ping anywhere. Han De kept looking and looking, yet he couldn't spot anyone.
'Does he really have a godly disguise/stealth item?'
Han De kept worrying over his own issues. Everyone else was oblivious. The crowd was still cheering and the masters in the VIP seats were making speculations of their own.
* * *
Emperor Ming watched the entire spectacle unfold. He was informed about his youngest son's petty tricks. He didn't even need to glance at him to know what he was thinking.
*Sigh* 'This one still needs a lot of work. No wonder he couldn't endure it.'
Over the years he kept making heirs, but each one was more disappointing than the other. He didn't need talent. What he wanted wasn't just cultivation strength. He wanted a strong heart that could endure and keep beating.
Emperor Sun and his trusted advisor, the white-haired Wu Fu didn't have concerns over the succession. They were rather content with the result of the conference and enjoyed the competition in front of them.
Emperor Sun thought about it. His cultivation was higher than Wu Fu, but he lacked the extensive knowledge and experience he had. He thought about Ning Bi's movements and spoke.
Wu Fu was looking at Han De. Emperor Sun followed his gaze and saw Han De was waiting for something. His eyes were searching for someone.
Other masters had their designs too. They were thinking of ways to contact this hidden family. This Blazing Sun Scripture wasn't something they could ignore. Her martial art was nothing to scoff at either, even though she was inexperienced in it. This meant that this hidden family wasn't simple.
They didn't think anything of Han De's status as her master.. It was clearly a sham to give face towards the hidden family.
Starfall Mountain elders had more varying thoughts. Elder Yang looked at Ning Bi with a tinge of regret in his eyes. Elder Yan although displeased at being in the dark, was still glad he didn't eliminate Ning Bi with bogus reasons during disciple selection.
Zhao Dong, the leader of the Zhao faction inside Starfall Mountain Sect, was apprehensive about this whole situation. He glanced at other Zhao elders, they were all having similar thoughts.
Zhao Dong was worried. Did that man decide to double-cross them? Was he lying the whole time? If Hans already knew or learned of it later, why haven't they made a move yet? Han De is still alive, but his cultivation stayed stagnant. Have they made a deal that man? Is this Ning Bi related to it? Was the man a member of the hidden family?
Lacking any information caused Zhao Dong to feel uncertainty for the first time in many years.
* * *
”HAN DE!! YOU DARE!!”
A shout interrupted everyone.
A man standing near the stairs. He was shaking, his eyes were bloodshot. He glanced at Xiao Lan, then pointed at Han De, sitting far away from him.
”You will pay for you have done!!”
”You will not take her away from me!”
”I. Xiao Ping will show you!”
Battlegrounds went silent, the only sound was this man's shouting and his incessant and loud breathing. It was clear he couldn't his emotions at this moment.
No one heard the faint whisper from Xiao Lan. 'Where did little Guoliang go?'
Han De was dreading this moment. Still, he had to keep silent. Time wasn't ripe yet.
'If this guy gets angrier and decides to attack on his own, he is finished. I only need to hold on a bit longer.'
A young boy's voice cut through the man's breathing.
”Who are you to dare challenge Elder De this way! You can't even control yourself, yet you think you are worthy?!”
”You won't be able to take even a single strike of his!”
Xu Fan looked at Xiao Bai at a loss. He wasn't a person that was this rash, why would he step forward? Especially for Han De? Then he saw his sneaky glance at Ning Bi. Xu Fan's face went dark, he hastily joined him.
”A mongrel like you can't even take a single sword from the honored Elder De. Know your place!”
With the recent high from Ning Bi's performance, Starfall Mountain disciples started joining them.
”Who is this trash? Doesn't he know Elder De is a genius?”
”Even his disciple isn't ordinary, and this guy thinks he can just challenge someone of his caliber?”
As the crowd started sneering at Xiao Ping, Han De had difficulty controlling his emotions.
'You little shits! If you want to chase Ning Bi chase her, you dare to bring me into it?! F#$%! All I needed was this guy to lash out! Now with these taunts, he'll be able to calm himself!'
Han De gave a venomous look at Xiao Bai. He really wanted to slap this guy to heavens right now. Xiao Bai sensed his gaze and responded with a sheepish grin, then turned his attention back to Ning Bi and switched to a confident smile.
Gears in Han De's mind started turning. He went through his list of contingency plans. There was one thing he could try but it was a risky one. If he didn't have any tokens he wouldn't have even considered it.
Xiao Ping, after hearing all the jeers and taunts was able to regain his senses. He had heard of Han De's disciple's duel and was waiting for an opportunity to challenge, or sneakily attack him. When he had arrived Ning Bi was still dueling with Su Jing.
Seeing Han De sitting casually brought all of his bad memories back. The suffering, the agony, the humiliation. He was barely able to hold himself back. He kept waiting and made plans. But then, as he was trying to keep his cool, he saw Xiao Lan, comfortably sitting in a seat, looking at Ning Bi. His reasoning jumped out of the window.
No one noticed the Emperor Ming's peculiar look at Xiao Ping.
Han De made up his mind. Perhaps he could give a few valid reasons to reject him now, but that wouldn't stop him in the future. He needed valid reasoning to kill this guy with his subordinates if he made another peep in the future. He assumed his Arrogant Young Master form and spoke.
”Alright. Normally I wouldn't spare a glance for the likes of you. But this appears to be a teachable moment.”
Han De arrogantly jumped down and slowly walked towards Xiao Ping. He displayed a perfect sneer and continued.
”If you can stay standing after one strike from me, I will admit my defeat.”
At the same time, he was frantically upgrading his Heaven Defying Tyrannical Sword art in his mind.
'This guy is an MC, he can probably fight higher stages too! A normal strike at the level of an 'Arrogant Young Master A' won't be enough. Use a token and upgrade my sword art!'
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[Using Martial Arts Method Upgrade Token]
[Upgrade Complete]
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[Heaven Defying Tyrannical Sword (Mortal)]
Power: Extremely Weak
Comprehension: Master
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'Only mortal? Still extremely weak? F#$%... Upgrade again!'
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[Heaven Defying Tyrannical Sword (Mortal II)]
Power: Extremely Weak
Comprehension: Master
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'AAAH, system, you are killing me...'
'Alright, buy an upgrade token and use it again!'
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[Redeeming Martial Arts Method Upgrade Token for 200 Profound Points]
[Using Martial Arts Method Upgrade Token]
[Upgrade Complete]
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[Heaven Defying Tyrannical Sword (Mortal III)]
Power: Extremely Weak
Comprehension: Master