C22 Sunn Yunjun

Hearing Hua Hsing's words, the other disciples looked shocked. A newcomer daring to speak to Senior Brother Zhang Bofeng like that? He must have a death wish. Zhang Bofeng's strength ranks him among the top fifty in the Inner Sect, which is incredibly impressive. Considering the number of disciples in the Inner Sect, being in the top fifty is a significant achievement.

"Kid, this time no one's going to save you. Tell me, how do you want to die?" Zhang Bofeng said coldly, his voice low.

Hua Hsing shook his head, ignoring Zhang Bofeng, and headed straight to the supply hall. After collecting all his items, Hua Hsing returned to his quarters. In the Inner Sect, each disciple has their own living space, and the location varies based on their strength. The top fifty disciples enjoy quarters rich in cosmic spiritual energy, but those ranked below fifty do not have this privilege.

Once back in his quarters, Hua Hsing took out a handbook and started reading. The handbook provided detailed information about the Inner Sect, including a comprehensive ranking of the disciples. Hua Hsing noticed that Zhang Bofeng was ranked fiftieth. Then he saw Ice Ling's name; her ranking was impressively high, placing her in the top ten of the Inner Sect.

Moreover, Bingling had reached the fifth level of the Qi Refining Stage, making her exceptionally powerful. It's said that the top student in the Inner Sect has reached the sixth level and can even hold their own against someone at the seventh level without getting hurt.

The training tower is unique to the Inner Sect, and Hua Hsing knew that as long as he had enough spirit stones, he could train there.

Within the Inner Sect, there's a remarkable mountain connected to the Azure Edge Sword Sect by the Sword Arts Heavenly Stairway. The stairway has nine levels, and while on it, one can only use swordsmanship, not any other powers. Only those with exceptional sword skills can reach the top.

Over the years, no one has managed to reach the top of the Sword Arts Heavenly Stairway since Qih Nantian. Even the current top student, Zhongyi, has only made it to the eighth level. No one knows what rewards await at the ninth level, but everyone believes that reaching it brings great fortune.

While Hua Hsing was reviewing the handbook, an elder suddenly approached him.

"Elder," Hua Hsing greeted with a respectful nod.

"Hua Hsing, as a new member of the Inner Sect, you are required to complete a task," the elder explained.

Hua Hsing nodded and asked, "What task is that?"

Hua Hsing clearly understood the rules of the Inner Sect and asked directly, "What's the mission this time?"

"It's an exploration of a tomb. There will be five of you working together. Meet at the Inner Sect square tomorrow morning," the elder instructed before leaving.

Early the next morning, Hua Hsing arrived at the square. To his surprise, the other four were already there, and he recognized two of them: Zhang Bofeng and Jiaang Xue. The other two were unfamiliar to him.

"Is it really him?" Zhang Bofeng remarked with a hint of surprise, quickly replaced by anger.

"I can't believe I have to do this mission with such a loser," Jiaang Xue said coldly.

Seeing Hua Hsing's arrival, the elder smiled warmly and announced, "Alright, everyone is here. Your mission is to explore the tomb that appeared in the mountains a hundred miles outside of the city. But be cautious; other sects are sending their disciples too."

Hua Hsing was slightly taken aback by the elder's words. The tomb in the mountains matched the location on the tattered map he had found.

"Did the Inner Sect already know about this?" Hua Hsing wondered silently.

"Elder, why are we teaming up with someone so useless?" Jiaang Xue's voice was sharp with disdain.

"Yeah, Elder, we don't want to bring someone who lacks strength," said Zhang Bofeng.

Hua Hsing remained silent as the Elder spoke. "He's new to the Inner Sect. You all need to look out for each other. Alright, you can set off now. Remember, stay safe."

After the Elder's reminder, he left.

Hua Hsing and the others began their journey. However, Hua Hsing was quickly excluded by the other four and walked at the back of the group. Not that he minded; he preferred it that way.

At the front, Jiaang Xue and Zhang Bofeng were whispering to each other.

"Senior Brother Zhang, Hua Hsing has crossed you many times. Once we're inside the tomb, let's get rid of him," Jiaang Xue suggested.

"Exactly. Once we're in the tomb, no one will know if I take him out," Zhang Bofeng replied with a chuckle.

It took them two full days to reach Liangyun City, which was far from Breeze City. Upon arrival, the group immediately headed toward the mountains a hundred miles away.

Within the Liangyun Mountains, Hua Hsing and the others advanced cautiously. Hua Hsing noticed their path seemed to differ slightly from the map, but he said nothing.

They continued onward.

Two hours later, they found themselves atop a peak, the very one under which the tomb was said to lie.

"Senior Brother Zhang, this should be the mountain where the tomb is located, right?" Jiaang Xue asked.

"Not bad. According to our sect's intel, the tomb is right beneath this mountain," Zhang Bofeng remarked just as a gust of wind heralded the arrival of a group atop the peak.

"I didn't expect the Azure Edge Sword Sect's disciples to show up so early," a man in golden attire chuckled, a hint of disdain on his face.

"So, it's Sunn Yunjun from the Flowing Wind Sect," Zhang Bofeng noted.

The Flowing Wind Sect, also based in Azure Cloud County, was much stronger than the Azure Edge Sword Sect, considered the most powerful sect in the region.

"Sunn Yunjun, with our Flowing Wind Sect here, you Azure Edge folks won't get anything. If I were you, I'd have already turned tail," Sunn Yunjun taunted with a grin.

Zhang Bofeng snorted in response, choosing silence over words. Sunn Yunjun, an Inner Sect disciple of the Flowing Wind Sect, was at the early stage of Qi Refining Level Five, significantly stronger than Zhang Bofeng.

Seeing Sunn Yunjun made Zhang Bofeng's expression turn sour. The Azure Edge Sword Sect and the Flowing Wind Sect were arch-rivals, and meeting here, especially with the opponent's evident strength, was far from ideal.

"How could the Seven-heaven Sect miss out on this?" Suddenly, a voice rang out as a man in white swiftly ascended the mountain.

Upon seeing the man in white, Sunn Yunjun paused for a moment before smiling and saying, "So it's you, the Seventh of the Seven-heaven Sect."

"Yunjun," the Seventh greeted Sunn Yunjun, barely acknowledging Zhang Bofeng.

The Seven-heaven Sect is renowned for its seven outstanding disciples, known as the Little Seven. The man before them, ranked seventh among them, is simply called the Seventh.

It's said that these seven disciples possess extraordinary talent, all having reached Level Five of the Qi Refining Stage, making them incredibly formidable. Even though the Seventh is ranked last among the Little Seven, his strength is not to be underestimated. Sunn Yunjun himself would prefer not to be at odds with them.

In the presence of Sunn Yunjun and the Little Seven, Zhang Bofeng was insignificant, being only at Level Four of the Qi Refining Stage.

"Has the Azure Edge Sword Sect run out of young talent? They sent a few Level Four disciples here," the Seventh sneered.

Faced with the Seventh's mocking tone, Zhang Bofeng could only endure it silently.

The allure of the ancient tomb was undeniable, yet few knew of its existence. Only members from the three major sects of Azure Cloud County had arrived.

The Seven-heaven Sect seemed to have great confidence in the Seventh, as they sent him alone this time.

In contrast, the Azure Edge Sword Sect seemed much more modest.

Hua Hsing quietly observed Sunn Yunjun and the Seventh Day, nodding slowly. "Sunn Yunjun might not be as strong as the Seventh Day," he murmured.

Just as Hua Hsing spoke, Sunn Yunjun sensed something, his expression shifting slightly as he looked over at Hua Hsing. Upon seeing him, Sunn Yunjun's face changed dramatically, and he shouted angrily, "Kid, who are you?"

In response to Sunn Yunjun's demand, Hua Hsing replied, "Hua Hsing of the Azure Edge Sword Sect."

"Alright, very well," Sunn Yunjun nodded, then declared, "I'm going to kill you."

"Yunjun, there's no need to get angry with someone at the Qi Refining Stage Level Four," the Seventh Day chuckled.

Zhang Bofeng and Jiaang Xue exchanged glances, a hint of amusement in their eyes. They were quite eager to see Sunn Yunjun take down Hua Hsing.

"You want to kill me?" Hua Hsing's eyes narrowed, puzzled.

"That's right."

As Sunn Yunjun finished speaking, he clenched his fist and swung at Hua Hsing. A loud crash echoed.

Hua Hsing quickly defended himself, though he was pushed back considerably.

"What?"

Both Sunn Yunjun and the Seventh Day were taken aback. Hua Hsing's display of strength seemed more formidable than they had anticipated.

"Is it common for Flowing Wind Sect disciples to attack people without reason?" Hua Hsing questioned, bewildered by the unprovoked aggression.

"Kid, no matter how much you try to argue, it's useless. I'm going to kill you," Sunn Yunjun said coldly. "I can sense my brother's presence on you, which means you must have killed him."

Hearing Sunn Yunjun's words, Zhang Bofeng and the others were taken aback.

"So, you can die now," Sunn Yunjun declared, preparing to attack.

But just then, the mountain began to shake. In the next moment, it collapsed, and all the disciples fell into the tomb beneath the mountain.

The sound of everyone falling echoed from below.

When the mountain stopped shaking, the peak was deserted, with no one in sight.