Chapter 392 - 241: The Bout Has Begun

Chapter 392: Chapter 241: The Bout Has Begun

"To be honest, I used to think so too. But after what happened at Desperate Gorge, I don’t dare to think that way anymore. Maybe those other sects just haven’t shown themselves yet."

"Are they strong?"

Su Xing asked.

"Not strong. At least, not compared to the Ancient Races. They’re not strong at all. It’s just that they should logically have a deeper foundation than us. If our Dragon Gate could survive, they should have been able to as well."

Yi Changhao said, shaking his head.

"The Ancient Races... that’s the guy I fought in Desperate Gorge, right? What exactly are they?"

Su Xing asked.

In truth, Su Xing was extremely curious about these powerful, monster-like individuals who had appeared out of nowhere. Their emergence had been far too sudden.

"As I mentioned before, the third-rate, second-rate, and first-rate sects are classified by the number and upper limits of their powerful members. A sect only needs one eighth-rank expert to be considered first-rate. But what about above that?"

"Of course, I know that beings who surpass the eighth rank exist in this world. So naturally, there are factions more powerful than first-rate sects. However, a ninth-rank expert can live for tens of thousands of years and is almost never seen. The sects they belong to are as elusive as divine dragons—we smaller sects are almost completely unaware of their existence."

"The only ones we know of are the Ancient Races."

"The Ancient Races... although they’re called ’races,’ they’re still human. It’s just that they had God-rank experts among their ancestors, so their bloodlines are somewhat different from ordinary humans."

"Different?"

Su Xing asked.

Su Xing recalled hearing the Witch Summoner muttering to himself about "bloodlines" and the like during their fight. It seemed these Ancient Races were indeed different from him.

He also remembered Li Longxuan mentioning God-rank before. God-rank was the tenth rank, the true endpoint of the Great Dao. Any expert who reached the tenth rank could hardly be called human anymore.

Their power was unfathomable.

Their lifespans rivaled the heavens.

And every Ancient Race had one such supreme expert. Because of their incredibly long lives, it was hard to determine if these beings were still alive today.

Thus, the dangers of this world were far from being as simple as they appeared. While special organizations seemed to have everything under control on the surface, they were secretly losing their minds over these unknown threats.

"Hmm..."

"I don’t really know how to explain it."

When Su Xing asked about the difference between the bloodlines of the Ancient Races and ordinary humans, Yi Changhao pondered for a moment before spreading his hands and saying helplessly:

"In the era when we cultivated, the Ancient Races had already completely vanished. At the time, we thought they had suffered some catastrophe and been eliminated by history. It seems now that wasn’t the case."

"So, I don’t know the specific differences between the Ancient Races and us. The only thing I know for sure is a legend that almost every Extraordinary Being from that era was aware of."

"What is it?"

Su Xing asked curiously.

"The Ancient Races have extreme difficulty bearing children. But once an heir is born, that child will gain the power of their bloodline and automatically break through to the fourth rank the moment they are born."

Yi Changhao said seriously.

The fourth rank. This was the starting point where all Extraordinary Beings officially began their journey to true power, the turning point from weak to strong. Countless people were stuck at this minor hurdle, yet members of these races could break through to the fourth rank upon birth. They were truly blessed by the heavens.

"Then what about their cultivation system?"

But Su Xing was puzzled. ’If they’re born at the fourth rank, what Extraordinary system are these untrained infants following? Their rank can’t just materialize out of thin air, can it?’

"..."

"I’ve heard that the system the Ancient Races cultivate is different from the four major Extraordinary systems, but as for the specifics, we don’t know. Or rather, the person who probably understands them best right now is you, Elder Su."

’That makes sense. After all, I’m the only one who has fought them head-on.’ But he wondered if the Witch Summoner had been holding back. Su Xing hadn’t felt anything different about him; he seemed more or less the same as any other Martial Artist.

If Yi Changhao hadn’t said this, Su Xing would never have suspected that the Witch Summoner wasn’t actually a Martial Artist. Then again, what Yi Changhao said might not be correct. He would have to observe carefully the next time he encountered them.

’If each of these races truly represents a unique Extraordinary Path, then I’ll have to be extremely careful when fighting them. Otherwise, if they suddenly use some unpredictable technique, I’ll be done for.’ ℴ

"Speaking of which, we always talk about the four major systems, but I’ve never once seen anyone on the Confucian Scholar path. Why is that?" Su Xing asked, as if he had just remembered something.

"I don’t know either."

"Our Sect Leader says the current era is no longer suitable for the Confucian Scholar path to exist. I’m afraid it would be difficult for such an Extraordinary Being to appear again. If one does emerge in the future, that Confucian Scholar would be incredibly difficult to deal with."

Yi Changhao said with a grave expression.

"How so?"

Su Xing asked doubtfully. Even if Confucian Scholars were exceptionally rare, would the appearance of just one really make them that hard to deal with?

"It’s hard for me to say. If one really appears, you will understand that my words are true."

Yi Changhao said, shaking his head.

"Well, Elder Su, you must be done with your questions now. I came this time to tell you that the duel has been prepared. If you have no other business, please come with me."

"Alright."

"I’ll go back and get Elder Li."

Su Xing said with a nod.

It had to be said, Dragon Gate truly valued a figure like Su Xing. Yi Changhao’s purpose for this visit was just to report information, yet he answered every question without holding back. This at least proved that Yi Changhao held Su Xing in high regard.

Of course, Yi Changhao also knew of Elder Li. Setting aside the fact that he had personally seen Li Longxuan’s clone in the room, Li Longxuan’s reputation alone was far greater than Su Xing’s.

After all, Su Xing looked like a young man, making it hard for people to believe he possessed such terrifying combat strength. Li Longxuan, on the other hand, had the appearance of a venerable master. Anyone who saw him would subconsciously call him "Elder" at first glance.

"There’s no need, Elder Su. I just came from Elder Li’s place, so I’ve already spoken with him. He should be waiting at the training grounds now."

Yi Changhao continued, "Also, the Sect Leader wanted me to ask you if you’re willing to let the Dragon Gate Disciples watch this battle. If you’re not, Dragon Gate will immediately clear all the disciples from the training grounds."

"I don’t mind."

Su Xing said, shaking his head.

’Dragon Gate has treated me well. Although it’s because they see my talent, I’m not so ungrateful. Letting those disciples watch a battle between experts might even increase their practical experience.’

"Then thank you very much. They will surely benefit greatly from watching you fight, Elder Su. In that case, let’s be on our way."

"The Scripture Pavilion... I can still come back here after the duel, right?"

Su Xing asked, glancing at Yi Changhao.

"Of course. You are welcome anywhere in Dragon Gate, Elder Su."

Yi Changhao said with a smile.

He had heard about the things Su Xing had been doing here. While he also didn’t believe Su Xing could learn anything by reading books like that, he was a proper Elder, after all. He knew very well that one doesn’t always read martial arts manuals to practice them; sometimes, it’s just to broaden one’s horizons.

Dragon Gate’s collection was incredibly vast. Although Elder Su was exceptionally talented, he was ultimately from a Loose Cultivator background. Yi Changhao saw nothing strange about Su Xing’s behavior.

"Good."

Su Xing, of course, had no idea what Yi Changhao was thinking. He just glanced at the smile on his face, nodded, and followed him out of the Scripture Pavilion toward the training grounds.

The duel began.