C22 Sunn Yunjun

As Hua Hsing spoke, a wave of shock washed over the faces of the other disciples.

A newcomer daring to address Senior Brother Zhang Bofeng in such a manner? That was practically a death wish.

Senior Brother Zhang's prowess placed him within the top fifty of the Inner Sect—a testament to his formidable strength.

Considering the sheer number of disciples in the Inner Sect, his ranking was a clear indicator of his power.

"Kid, this time you're on your own. How would you prefer to meet your end?" Zhang Bofeng's voice was icy as he spoke with a menacing calm.

Hua Hsing simply shook his head, dismissing Zhang Bofeng, and made a beeline for the General Affairs Hall.

Once he had collected all his items there, Hua Hsing returned to his dwelling.

Each disciple in the Inner Sect was afforded a private residence, the quality of which corresponded to their strength.

Those ranked in the top fifty enjoyed abodes where the cosmic spiritual energy was particularly rich. Those below the fifty mark were not as fortunate.

Back at his place, Hua Hsing pulled out the manual and began to pore over it.

The handbook offered a thorough overview of the Inner Sect's affairs and included a detailed ranking of its disciples.

Hua Hsing noted that Zhang Bofeng was among the top fifty.

His eyes then fell on Bing Ling's name, high on the list in the Inner Sect's top ten.

Bing Ling had reached the impressive Qi Refining Stage Level Five, her strength was extraordinary. Rumor had it that the Inner Sect's premier disciple was at the Qi Refining Stage Level Six, yet Bing Ling could face a Level Seven cultivator without sustaining any injuries.

Hua Hsing was already aware of the Cultivation Tower, a feature unique to the Inner Sect. With enough Spirit Stones, he could train there to his heart's content.

There was also a mystical peak within the Inner Sect, linked to the Azure Edge Sword Sect by the Sword Arts Heavenly Stairway.

The Heavenly Stairway spanned nine levels, and upon it, one's strength was irrelevant; only swordsmanship could be employed.

Only those disciples with exceptional swordsmanship skills could ascend to the pinnacle of the Sword Arts Heavenly Stairway.

Indeed, since the days of Qih Nantian, no one else has managed to reach the summit.

Even Zhongyi, the current top disciple of the Inner Sect, has only made it to the eighth level.

The rewards for reaching the ninth level remain a mystery, yet it's common knowledge that reaching it brings great fortune.

While Hua Hsing was perusing the manual, an elder approached him unexpectedly.

"Elder," Hua Hsing greeted, bowing respectfully.

"As a new member of the Inner Sect, you must undertake a mission, as is required of all new disciples," the elder informed him.

Hua Hsing nodded, inquiring, "What is the mission?"

Clearly familiar with the Inner Sect's customs, Hua Hsing asked without hesitation.

"This time, your task is to explore a tomb with four others. You will all meet at the Inner Sect Square tomorrow morning," the elder explained before departing.

At dawn the following day, Hua Hsing stood in the square, surprised to find the other four had already arrived. Among them, he recognized two: Zhang Bofeng and Jiaang Xue. The other two were strangers to him.

"Is it really him?" Zhang Bofeng's face registered shock upon seeing Hua Hsing, which quickly turned to intense anger.

"To think I'd be stuck on a mission with this failure," Jiaang Xue remarked with a frosty demeanor.

With Hua Hsing's arrival, the elder beamed and said, "Now that we're all here, your task is to investigate the tomb that has emerged in the mountains beyond Liang Yuncheng. But don't take it lightly; other sects are rumored to be sending their disciples as well."

The elder's words gave Hua Hsing pause. The tomb's location matched exactly with the one on the scrap of cloth he had found.

"Has the Inner Sect been aware of this all along?" Hua Hsing pondered, keeping his composure.

"Elder, why must we team up with this useless individual for the mission?" Jiaang Xue's voice was piercing as she spoke.

"Indeed, Elder. We'd rather not be burdened with someone who lacks strength," Zhang Bofeng added.

Hua Hsing remained silent, while the elder responded, "He's a fresh recruit to the Inner Sect. You should all look out for one another. Now, you may depart. And remember, safety first."

With the elder's advice imparted, he departed.

Hua Hsing and the rest set out.

Yet, Hua Hsing had already been ostracized by the other four, trailing behind the group on his own.

Naturally, Hua Hsing preferred it that way.

Ahead, Jiaang Xue and Zhang Bofeng were murmuring amongst themselves.

"Senior Brother Zhang, Hua Hsing has crossed you too many times. Once we're in the tomb, let's take him out," Jiaang Xue proposed.

"Exactly. Once we're inside, I can eliminate him, and it'll go unnoticed," Zhang Bofeng replied, his voice tinged with mirth.

The journey from Breeze City to Liang Yuncheng was a lengthy one, taking them a full two days to reach their destination.

Upon reaching Liang Yuncheng, Hua Hsing and the quartet wasted no time heading toward the mountain range a hundred miles beyond.

Navigating the Liang Yuncheng Mountain Range, the group proceeded with caution. Hua Hsing sensed their path diverged slightly from the map's guidance.

But Hua Hsing kept his observations to himself.

They pressed on.

Two hours later, they reached a mountain peak, the very location of the tomb they sought.

"Senior Brother Zhang, is this the mountain that houses the tomb?" Jiaang Xue inquired.

"Correct. The sect's intelligence confirms the tomb lies beneath this peak."

As Zhang Bofeng's words hung in the air, a series of whooshing sounds approached from a distance, and soon a group materialized atop the peak.

"I'm surprised to see the disciples of the Azure Edge Sword Sect have arrived so early," a man in golden attire remarked with a smirk, his face etched with scorn.

"It's Sunn Yunjun from the Flowing Wind Sect," Zhang Bofeng acknowledged.

The Flowing Wind Sect, another faction within Azure Cloud County, boasted far greater strength than the Azure Edge Sword Sect, earning its reputation as the most formidable sect in the region.

"Zhang Bofeng, as long as the Flowing Wind Sect stands, your Azure Edge Sword Sect won't stand a chance at gaining anything. If I were you, I'd have slunk back home in defeat by now," chuckled Sunn Yunjun.

Zhang Bofeng merely snorted, offering no reply.

Sunn Yunjun, a disciple from the Flowing Wind Sect's Inner Sect, had attained the early stages of Qi Refining Stage Level Five, significantly surpassing Zhang Bofeng's capabilities.

Zhang Bofeng's expression darkened at the sight of Sunn Yunjun.

The Azure Edge Sword Sect and the Flowing Wind Sect were bitter rivals, and their current encounter only highlighted the latter's superior strength.

"How could we possibly overlook the Seven-heaven Sect in such an affair?"

A burst of laughter suddenly filled the air as a man clad in white hastened towards them, swiftly ascending the mountain peak.

Sunn Yunjun, momentarily taken aback, soon greeted him with a smile, "Ah, it's none other than the Seventh Heaven from the Seven-heaven Sect."

"Brother Yunjun," the Seventh Heaven acknowledged with a nod, blatantly ignoring Zhang Bofeng.

The Seven-heaven Sect's current generation boasted seven exceptional disciples, collectively known as the Seven Heavens. The newcomer was the seventh-ranked disciple among them, hence his moniker, the Seventh Heaven.

Rumor had it that each of the Seven-heaven Sect's disciples possessed extraordinary talent, all having achieved Qi Refining Stage Level Five, marking them as formidable adversaries.

Despite being the last ranked among the Seven Heavens, the Seventh Heaven's prowess was not to be taken lightly, and even Sunn Yunjun was loath to cross paths with them.

Next to the likes of Sunn Yunjun and the Seventh Heaven, Zhang Bofeng was inconsequential—a mere Qi Refining Stage Level Four disciple.

"Has the Azure Edge Sword Sect's younger generation run dry? To think they've sent mere Qi Refining Stage Level Four disciples here," scoffed the Seventh Heaven.

Confronted with the Seventh Heaven's scorn, Zhang Bofeng could only swallow his pride and remain silent.

The tomb of the mighty was a magnet for the brave, yet knowledge of it was scarce. Only members from the three major sects of Azure Cloud County had made their way there.

The Seven-heaven Sect exuded confidence, especially in Seventh Heaven, whom they sent alone on this occasion.

In stark contrast, the Azure Edge Sword Sect seemed rather modest in comparison.

Hua Hsing watched Sunn Yunjun and Seventh Heaven from the shadows, nodding to himself thoughtfully.

"Sunn Yunjun likely doesn't measure up to Seventh Heaven," Hua Hsing murmured under his breath.

As he spoke, Sunn Yunjun's senses tingled. His face subtly shifted as he turned to face Hua Hsing.

Upon laying eyes on Hua Hsing, Sunn Yunjun's expression contorted with rage. "Kid, who are you?" he bellowed.

Responding to Sunn Yunjun's interrogation, Hua Hsing introduced himself, "From the Azure Edge Sword Sect, I am Hua Hsing."

"Good, very good," Sunn Yunjun nodded, his voice laced with malice. "I'm going to kill you."

"Brother Yunjun, surely there's no need to lose your temper over a mere Qi Refining Stage Level Four practitioner?" teased Seventh Heaven with a chuckle.

Zhang Bofeng and Jiaang Xue couldn't help but smirk at the exchange; they were all too eager to see Sunn Yunjun dispatch Hua Hsing.

"You're intent on killing me?" Hua Hsing's gaze sharpened, puzzled by the threat.

"Indeed," Sunn Yunjun confirmed.

Without another word, Sunn Yunjun's fist flew towards Hua Hsing, who braced for impact. A thunderous noise erupted.

Hua Hsing managed to block the blow, but he was driven back significantly.

"What?" Both Sunn Yunjun and Seventh Heaven were taken aback. Hua Hsing had demonstrated a prowess beyond their expectations.

"Do disciples of the Flowing Wind Sect always strike others without provocation?" Hua Hsing couldn't help but question, his tone laced with incredulity.

"Boy, your excuses are futile. I'm going to kill you," Sunn Yunjun declared icily. "I detect my brother's presence on you. It seems you're the one who slaughtered him."

Sunn Yunjun's accusation left Zhang Bofeng and the others in shock.

"So, it's time for you to die," Sunn Yunjun concluded with finality.

No sooner had Sunn Yunjun's words faded than he readied himself for an assault.

But just then, the mountain quivered violently. In an instant, it crumbled, sending all the disciples plummeting into the tombs beneath.

Echoes of their descent reverberated from below.

And when the trembling ceased, the mountain's summit lay deserted, void of any human presence.