For many years, the Azure Dragon Sect had not had any friction or battles with other forces; this time, it was the Black Tortoise Sect that truly angered the Azure Dragon Sect.
Shangshu Tianye erupted this time, showing no mercy, and went straight for a hard fight, which pushed the struggles of the Vermilion Bird Sect, White Tiger Sect, and Blazing Thunder Sect to the back burner.
The struggles between the Vermilion Bird Sect, White Tiger Sect, and Blazing Thunder Sect in the Sacred Martial City area were among those below the sixth-tier King realm, while the high-end personnel of the Azure Dragon Sect and Black Tortoise Sect were already fighting outside the city, with much greater intensity.
None of the people who attacked the Azure Dragon Castle from the Black Tortoise Sect survived. How ruthless is that? This made all Cultivators in the Jianghu know that the Azure Dragon Sect was not to be trifled with. If the Black Tortoise Sect was overbearing, the Azure Dragon Sect would slap that overbearing Face.
Qin Lingxi arrived at the small courtyard where Qin Chu lived and told Qin Chu about the situation in Sacred Martial City.
Upon hearing this news, Qin Chu was very surprised. He did not expect that the Black Tortoise Sect and the Azure Dragon Sect would start fighting, and that the Black Tortoise Sect would be so badly beaten.
"Actually, this was an accident. That Disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect had too strong a sense of superiority. He bullied a member of the Azure Dragon Sect, and when they didn't acknowledge him, he killed them. How could he have known he would cause such a big mess? Now, the two sides are not in a conflict of interest, but a battle of pride, a war for honor," Qin Lingxi said to Qin Chu.
"This situation is good for us. With them fighting each other, the Black Tortoise Sect won't have the energy to get involved in our battle with the White Tiger Sect and the Blazing Thunder Sect," Qin Chu said.
"This depends on what decision the Black Tortoise Sect's high-level members make after they arrive, whether the Black Tortoise Sect continues to fight or apologizes to the Azure Dragon Sect," Qin Longhan appeared in Qin Chu's small courtyard.
"Grandfather, can they still apologize in this situation? The Azure Dragon Sect has killed many of their people, and none of those who attacked the Azure Dragon Castle were left alive," Qin Chu said.
Qin Longhan shook his head, "That's because you don't understand. Zhen Beixuan is a man who can bend and stretch. If the situation is unfavorable for the Black Tortoise Sect, an apology would not be surprising. Even if he can't save Face, then the Black Tortoise Sect can retreat and not contend with the Azure Dragon Sect."
"Then wouldn't it be concluded that the Black Tortoise Sect is inferior to the Azure Dragon Sect?" Qin Chu said.
"They were already inferior. Some people might not know, but the older generation all know that the Azure Dragon Sect is very powerful. Shangshu Tianye looks very scholarly, but he is a decisive killer. He hasn't made a move in many years, so no one knows his strength. Just like this time, none of the Black Tortoise Sect members who knew Shangshu Tianye's true depth survived," Qin Longhan told Qin Chu and Qin Lingxi what he knew about Shangshu Tianye.
"Father, then when you take Qin Chu to annul the engagement, you won't be troubled, will you?" Qin Lingxi asked.
"No, the Vermilion Bird Sect is currently at odds with the White Tiger Sect and the Blazing Thunder Sect. If the Azure Dragon Sect insists on fulfilling the engagement, it would be equivalent to stirring up trouble. So, annulling the engagement is in their best interest. Trouble us? We are already used to being troubled, one more doesn't matter!" Qin Longhan said.
The high-level members of the Black Tortoise Sect arrived in Sacred Martial City. It was Zhen Beixuan, accompanied by two Elders. He did go to Azure Dragon Castle to request an audience, but Shangshu Tianye refused him.
Shangshu Tianye's original words were, "If you want to fight, then attack; if not, return to the city and watch the show, watching the struggle between the two Family members below the fifth-tier."
Of course, Zhen Beixuan had another option, which was to withdraw from Sacred Martial City and become a coward.
Attack? That would make the problem serious, leading to an unending conflict between the high-level members of both sides.
Zhen Beixuan left Azure Dragon Castle. He was very angry, but there was nothing he could do. The Azure Dragon Sect's relentless pressure was something the Black Tortoise Sect couldn't quite withstand. They hadn't realized how strong the Azure Dragon Sect was before, and now, many fifth-tier members had appeared from nowhere, launching a frenzied attack on the Black Tortoise Sect's forces.
Sacred Martial City was in chaos, but it was still within the scope of the Martial Cease Order. The City Lord's Mansion's patrol team became busy. They didn't interfere with battles below the King realm, but what if someone broke the rules at a critical moment? So, they had to intensify patrols.
The Black Tortoise Sect made a decision that surprised everyone: their forces all went into hiding and did not continue to fight to the death with the Azure Dragon Sect. In this situation, the Azure Dragon Sect's forces could not find a target and could only cease their activities.
The war stopped. The Black Tortoise Sect lost Face; they no longer dared to fight to the death with the Azure Dragon Sect.
Unable to find an attack target, the Azure Dragon Sect issued an announcement: whoever provokes the Azure Dragon Sect, the Azure Dragon Sect will retaliate without any politeness, no matter who the opponent is.
"I don't want to insult my mother's Family, but they really have become cowards," Qin Chu, upon hearing the news, said with some emotion.
"Your grandfather said that Zhen Beixuan can bend and stretch. He is a coward now, but you must also know that once a coward sticks his head out, he intends to bite," Qin Lingxi said.
The situation temporarily stabilized. The day of the Azure Cloud Ranking arrived. To prevent Cultivators participating in the Azure Cloud Ranking competition from being attacked, the City Lord's Mansion issued another City Lord's Order: within the three-day period of the Azure Cloud Ranking competition, no fighting was allowed in the city.
With this City Lord's Order, Sacred Martial City became stable, and some forces that did not want to be attacked appeared, such as the Black Tortoise Sect.
Qin Chu also appeared. Everyone came to the large square in front of the City Lord's Mansion. The large square had already been set up, with a ring area in the middle, surrounded by spectator stands and contestant seats. The spectator stands had signs, and the five great Sects and some well-known Families and Sects all had spectator seats.
In the past, the Vermilion Bird Sect had withdrawn from the Jianghu for twenty years, but every time there was a Sacred Martial City Ranking Competition, the Vermilion Bird Sect still had a seat, which the City Lord's Mansion had not canceled.
Several high-level members of the Vermilion Bird Sect arrived. Qin Longhan sat in the main seat, with Qin Longxuan, Qin Lingxi, and others behind him. Qingyi did not appear because Zhen Beixuan had arrived, and if he was too close, he could easily be recognized by Zhen Beixuan.
The Azure Cloud Ranking Tournament was presided over by the City Lord's Mansion's Deputy City Lord Ye Ming and Elder Gongyang Yi.
Ye Ming ascended the high platform and announced the rules of the Azure Cloud Ranking. Contestants had to pass a bone test by an Elder of the City Lord's Mansion before they could go on stage. In the Azure Cloud Ranking competition, winning or losing was sufficient, but if death occurred, it was not a violation. If one feared death, then they should not go on the ring.
Qin Chu sat in a relatively peripheral position in the contestant's area. Many people were observing him, but he kept his gaze fixed on the ring.
Then Ye Ming announced the start of the preliminary rounds. The preliminary round format was that all contestants would enter the central area of the square and engage in a free-for-all. It would stop when 200 people remained, and then they would draw lots for duels.
This preliminary round rule was very cruel and unfair to Loose Cultivators, because the forces of various major powers would fight in groups. Cultivators who participated in the Azure Cloud Ranking alone, even if their cultivation was good, could not withstand it and were easily eliminated.
