106 One Battle! 2 (2/2)

”At least I held my ground for a bit. What about you? A midget is indeed a midget. One blow and you were out of the ring.”

”Let's go. Off to Circling Dance Gate.” Andrela did not say more. He turned around and went into the car.

He held more and more sway now. One sentence and both of them were silenced. They separately got into the black car.

The onlookers from other sects waited until the car from Celestial Circle Gate drove off into the distance before starting frenzied discussions in clusters.

At the same time, a large group of people poured out from the entrance of the Seven Moon building. Shia, Rampas, and the rest were carrying the Great Elder who had just regained consciousness. There was also the group from Red Obsidian Gate led by their Sect Master.

”Come, let's go to Circling Dance Gate!” Shia snarled as he watched the black motorcade drive away.

Seven Moon Gate was different from other sects because they had a solid foundation as a group and would not be annihilated merely by a fall in reputation.

A white motorcade arrived and they boarded.

Rampas sat with his father, the Second Elder.

”Rampas, you were one of the disciples at the exchange gathering. What did you think of Garen from White Cloud Gate?” The Second Elder was a stern-looking middle-aged man with short black hair and white sideburns. He looked deeply troubled.

”Senior Brother Garen, he's a very powerful person,” Rampas candidly recollected. ”He has a strong Physique! He's the type that uses Strength as an advantage.”

”The type that uses Strength as an advantage?” a trace of regret flashed across the Second Elder's eyes. ”Unfortunately, I didn't take it seriously when you came to me, but Seven Moon Gate is not a plain martial arts sect. This defeat would cost us some loss at most, yet it wouldn't affect us too much. We don't rely on martial arts to support the entire group. Forget it. Since we've offended him, even though it's our fault, let's just put the matter to bed.”

”But…!” Rampas seemed to want to continue, but was halted by his father.

”We at Seven Moon Group can't possibly humble ourselves and apologize to a plain martial arts practitioner. You do not understand the Great Elder. If it were up to me, I would be willing to do it. But the Great Elder has the authority now. Even if he knew that he was wrong, he wouldn't apologize,” the Second Elder sighed. ”He is a man who would rather die than admit fault.”

Rampas was speechless. A surge of indignation pent up inside him without release.

Horse carriages from other sects trailed the Seven Moon Group motorcade. Everyone knew that the decisive battle between Celestial Circle Gate and the Southern Twelve Gates was at Circling Dance Gate. This decisive battle was a golden opportunity to openly witness Andrela's true strength. Celestial Circle Gate had no intention of stopping them either: this was a golden opportunity for them to showcase their true strength.

Andrela had defeated Seven Moon Gate effortlessly. Red Obsidian Gate was too scared to even make a move. Celestial Circle Gate's foundation of power was firmly established.

The final step was to settle the score with Garen from White Cloud Gate.

The mighty motorcade formed a long chain and stopped in succession in the open spaces and streets around Circling Dance Gate.

The locals in Dinah City thought that some official had come for an inspection and a crowd of onlookers formed in the periphery. The city police sent a large number of officers for security. They put a cordon around the area and refused to allow non-martial arts practitioners within 500 meters of the Circling Dance Gate premises.

Only residents within the cordoned zone who were already at home had the opportunity to witness what happened inside.

The black motorcade of Celestial Circle Gate slowed to a stop at the entrance of the Circling Dance Gate courtyard.

The reddish-brown wooden door was shut tight.

With the sound of car doors closing, Andrela and the rest stepped out of their cars.

He looked up at the black plaque above the courtyard door. The words ”Circling Dance Dojo” was clearly visible on it, but some black paint around the edges had come off, exposing the brown wooden material underneath.

Andrela had changed into a new set of clothing, wearing a black shirt and long trousers. His long hair reached his waist and he had a grin on his face. If not for the fine silver sword at his waist, he did not appear like he was here to challenge anyone and looked more like a visiting friend.

He gently pressed the eye patch over his left eye. With a creak, the courtyard door opened.

Beyond the open door, he instantly saw Garen standing in the courtyard, with his back to him.

Garen shut his eyes tightly, mildly conditioning the muscles of his entire body. He was in a peculiar subtle state and in the best form he had ever been in his life.

”Andrela of Celestial Circle Gate?” he asked softly.

”Garen of the Southern Twelve Gates?” Andrela asked in soft tone too.

Without the slightest hesitation, he unsheathed his sword and transformed into a black shadow rushing towards Garen.

Garen turned around and opened his eyes. His stature rapidly expanded.

Both approached each other at breakneck pace. Suddenly the sounds of wind bells chiming and a mammoth bellowing could be heard.

In that moment, both their faces lit up with a smile. It was anticipation!