Chapter 133 - 103: Sect Leader’s Summons, Celestial Pride Trial

The crowd stared at Zhang Su and his party.

Though they were all filled with anticipation.

There was another possibility.

Dugu Jian had not come.

Zhang Su had not encountered Dugu Jian.

This was a strong possibility. After all, with the rain pouring down so heavily, it would be perfectly normal for Dugu Jian not to show up.

"Bloodstains..."

Suddenly, someone spotted bloodstains on the corner of Zhang Su’s robes.

Though faint, they were undeniably bloodstains.

This meant Zhang Su had just been in a fight.

’Was it someone else from the Five Elements Sect?’

But recently, the Five Elements Sect hadn’t sent anyone out besides Dugu Jian.

Seeing the large crowd, Xie Guanchao glanced at Zhang Su.

Zhang Su said calmly, "It’s fine. It’s late. Let everyone go rest with peace of mind."

Xie Guanchao understood immediately.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and then he boomed, "Zhang Su killed Dugu Jian with a single sword strike to the throat in the rainy night! Heaven blesses the Guiyuan Sect! In this battle, our Guiyuan Sect is victorious!"

As soon as he said this, the many Guiyuan Sect Martial Artists in the encampment were overcome with joyful surprise.

"Zhang Su actually killed Dugu Jian? That’s... truly unbelievable."

"Senior Brother Xie Guanchao said it, so it must be true. Besides, all those Huajin Martial Artists are with him, and not one of them is refuting it. It must be real."

"It’s incredible. Isn’t Junior Brother Zhang Su only at the Inner Force realm? First, he killed Jiang Taizhen, and now he’s killed Dugu Jian with a single strike... This reminds me of some of the Celestial Prides from the Sect’s history."

"The Sect’s Celestial Pride... Except for his Cultivation being slightly lower, Zhang Su’s combat record is even more exaggerated than that of a Sect’s Celestial Pride."

"Does this mean the conflict between the two sects over the mineral veins is about to end?"

Many people understood very well what Dugu Jian’s death meant.

This conflict between the two sects was over the mineral veins in Hengshan County to begin with.

The goal was to determine a winner and thus claim the veins.

They couldn’t keep wearing each other down like this forever.

Neither sect could afford the attrition.

Therefore, a victor had to be decided eventually.

And with Zhang Su killing Dugu Jian, the outcome was, in fact, already decided.

Otherwise, with Zhang Su able to run rampant against anyone below the Pill Force realm, what was the point of continuing the fight?

Zhang Su returned to his quarters.

He needed to rest and recuperate.

After all, executing the Extreme Sword Form this time had nearly drained all the Inner Strength from his body.

It had left him incredibly weak, even now.

However, the effect of the Extreme Sword Form in its first practical use was also exceptionally astonishing.

Zhang Su carefully recalled the feeling.

Fast!

Too fast!

Moreover, after using the Extreme Sword Form, Zhang Su felt as if he had faintly touched upon a higher level of power.

’The Sword Dao?’

Zhang Su thought of a possibility.

In truth, he could feel that his sword strike could have been even faster.

He was still far from his limit.

It was just that his current Inner Strength could only support the Extreme Sword Form at that speed.

If his Inner Strength were to increase...

For example, if Zhang Su advanced to the Huajin realm, the power of the Extreme Sword Form would obviously be even more terrifying.

’Actually, Dugu Jian’s Five Elements Reincarnation Sword Technique is truly powerful. It’s just a pity that it requires the unique Inner Strength of the Five Elements Sect’s Five Veins...’

Zhang Su had also considered practicing the Five Elements Reincarnation Sword Technique.

But his Inner Strength wasn’t compatible. Even if he practiced it, it wouldn’t have the same power.

He thought about it and decided against it.

Since he already had the Extreme Sword Form, there was no need to dwell on the Five Elements Reincarnation Sword Technique.

It wasn’t as if Zhang Su had to learn every powerful Swordsmanship out there.

Besides, even if he wanted to practice it, it would be useless without a high enough Compatibility Value.

「In the blink of an eye, a night passed.」

Zhang Su woke up.

After a night of rest, the feeling of emptiness in his body had disappeared.

But his Inner Strength had not fully recovered.

It seemed it would take a few more days to recover completely.

’This Extreme Sword Form is truly terrifying.’

’I should avoid using it unless it’s absolutely necessary.’

After all, once he used the Extreme Sword Form, he would have to endure a period of weakness for several days.

If any danger arose during that time, he would be in trouble.

Zhang Su arrived at the Martial Arts Arena early.

He had to exchange his merit points.

After all, according to what the Elder had said, he would receive twenty thousand merit points for killing Dugu Jian.

Soon, Zhang Su reached the Martial Arts Arena.

As it turned out, the Martial Arts Arena was already packed with a sea of people.

Many people had gathered at the Martial Arts Arena.

"Zhang Su is here!"

Someone shouted.

SWISH.

Countless gazes fell upon Zhang Su.

Whether they were at the Outer Force, Inner Force, or Huajin realm, and even some Pill Force and Gang Force Martial Artists who hadn’t participated in the battle, all turned their eyes to Zhang Su.

The news had already spread.

The news that Zhang Su had killed Dugu Jian in a direct confrontation was now known to almost everyone.

This caused a much bigger stir than when Zhang Su had killed Jiang Taizhen.

No matter how strong Jiang Taizhen was, he was still an Inner Force Martial Artist.

He couldn’t decide the outcome of the conflict over the mineral veins.

But Dugu Jian was different.

Dugu Jian alone could sweep away all the Huajin Martial Artists of the Guiyuan Sect.

He was a powerful existence who could suppress all the Martial Artists of the Guiyuan Sect by himself. With Dugu Jian around, the Guiyuan Sect could forget about winning this conflict over the mineral veins.

But Zhang Su had killed Dugu Jian.

For the Five Elements Sect, this was a catastrophe.

This meant that as long as Zhang Su was around, the Five Elements Sect would never be able to win the conflict over the mineral veins.

Zhang Su walked up to the Inner Sect Steward and took out Dugu Jian’s Identity Token.

Seeing Zhang Su actually produce Dugu Jian’s Identity Token,

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

This time, no one doubted it anymore.

Dugu Jian had indeed died at Zhang Su’s hands.

A peculiar glint also flashed through the Inner Sect Steward’s eyes.

He actually already knew.

Because the Elders had given him orders.

Zhang Su was to be awarded twenty thousand merit points for killing Dugu Jian.

This point had to be made public.

After all, only by making it public could the Sect’s fairness be maintained.

"For killing Dugu Jian, Zhang Su is awarded twenty thousand merit points!"