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(A/N:
Guys you are killing me already reached 16 paid members of tier one only four to go Before I would be forced to release not one, not even two but Three whole Chapters (On Patreon)
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Welcome "Alex J", "Volker". Thankyou for your patronage.
Well Just wanted to let you guys know we have completed 100 Chapters on Patreon. ヾ(≧▽≦*)o
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Chapter 76: Vassal of Hidden Dragon Sect Arrive
It had been a whole year since I entered the Hidden Dragon Sect, and today was only the second time I had seen the massive gates of the sect open. People were coming and going, many of them merchants from the shopping district eager to join the excitement and expand their connections by setting up small stalls inside the sect.
The head elder had informed me that today, the vessel sects of the Hidden Dragon Sect would be arriving too. This was because the sect was about to distribute secret realm passes to the top 50 performers, and as the vessels of our sect, they also had the chance to participate in the tournament and gain a rare opportunity to venture into a secret realm.
Looking at all this excitement, I couldn't help but feel thrilled as well—wishing I could participate in this tournament, gain recognition, and hear the cheers of the crowd. But fate had different plans for me.
A few days ago, the first level of the Dao of Silence had finally been introduced. It had inexplicably appeared in my mind. The name of the First Level was Step Into Silence—His existence fades into the background, testing his will to walk alone.
I could not have teammates or receive help from strangers in battles, nor could I do anything that would make people pay attention to me or remember me. Even good deeds were forbidden, as the recipient would see me and remember my presence.
Forget it.
I shook my head.
As I stepped into the vast stadium, my eyes swept over its sheer scale. It was imposing—a testament to the Hidden Dragon Sect's dominance in this region. The open-air coliseum stretched far and wide, its arena carved from reinforced stone, bearing countless scars from past battles. Towering walls surrounded the grounds, inscribed with protective formations to contain the force of the duels that would soon take place.
The stadium itself was nestled in the heart of the sect, positioned midway up the mountain that the Hidden Dragon Sect called home. Below us, at the mountain's base, the outer sect sprawled like a city of its own, its buildings densely packed with countless disciples striving to rise through the ranks. But here, higher up, the stadium stood as a boundary between the outer and inner sanctums—a place where outer disciples could prove themselves before the watching eyes of elders and influential figures. Beyond this point, the mountain ascended into mist-covered peaks, where the true elites of the sect resided.
At the highest point of the stadium, a grand platform overlooked the arena, its presence commanding respect. At its center sat a single ornate throne—reserved for none other than Sect Master Bai Xu. The throne was carved from dark jade, its surface etched with the likeness of a coiling dragon, exuding an air of quiet authority. Just below him, five prestigious seats were arranged in a semi-circle—reserved for the leaders of the sect's five vassal families. Their mere presence was enough to remind everyone of the power structure within the Hidden Dragon Sect, for while the sect master ruled, these families held great influence, each contributing their strongest talents to the sect.
Further down, rows of elders and prominent figures had their designated seating, their gazes sharp as they observed the arena below. The outer disciples, myself included, were seated in an organized manner on tiered stone benches encircling the battlefield, ensuring everyone had an unobstructed view of the upcoming duels. The atmosphere buzzed with tense energy—a mix of ambition and anxiety—as the tournament that would shape our future was about to begin.
I found a spot that I thought was inconspicuous yet had a nice view and sat down. My hands were full of snacks, including my recent favorite—spicy corn buckets. The seller roasted raw corn in hot sand, used a sieve to separate the sand, and then mixed the roasted corn with different spices derived from flower petals and red chili. Finally, they squeezed fresh lemon juice on top before shifting the finished product into small, medium, or large buckets.
🍿 Time to enjoy the show! 😏
Dong—Dong—
The deep resonance of ceremonial drums echoed through the vast stadium, their rhythmic beats signaling the long-awaited commencement of the tournament. Conversations hushed, and countless gazes turned toward the center of the grand arena, where an elder now stood, his very presence commanding attention.
With a dignified nod, he raised his hand, his voice infused with authority as it carried across the entire coliseum.
"Disciples of the Hidden Dragon Sect—today marks the beginning of the Outer Sect Tournament, the path to ascension and glory!" His eyes swept over the gathered crowd before he turned toward the highest platform, where the sect master sat upon his imposing Dark Jade Throne.
"First, let us offer our utmost respects to Sect Master Bai Xu!"
The elder bowed deeply, and the audience followed suit, their collective salutes a testament to the reverence they held.
Straightening, the elder continued, "This year's tournament holds greater significance, for we are honored by the presence of esteemed guests—the representatives of the vassal sects of the Hidden Dragon Sect. Their arrival today is not without reason."
He gestured toward the platform just below the sect master, where five powerful figures sat—each an elder of a respective vassal sect.
"As many of you already know, the vassal sects stand as pillars under our Hidden Dragon Sect's might. Their disciples cultivate unique and formidable arts, strengthening our greater domain. Allow me to introduce them!"
With measured clarity, he announced each sect:
🔥 Scarlet Sun Sect—Masters of fire-based techniques, their disciples embody the wrath of an unrelenting wildfire.
⚡ Storm Jade Pavilion—Adepts of wind and lightning, they strike as swiftly and fiercely as a raging tempest.
💪 Iron Bone Hall—Champions of body refinement, known for their indestructible physiques and overwhelming might in close combat.
🕶️ Ghost Shadow Sect—Silent phantoms of the battlefield, feared assassins whose blades strike before a shadow is even cast.
🌊 Azure Abyss Sect—Wielders of water and darkness, they weave deception and illusion into their elusive combat styles.
Murmurs spread through the crowd as the disciples absorbed the presence of these formidable sects. Then, the elder's voice rose once more, commanding silence.
"You may wonder—why have these great sects gathered here today? Why do the esteemed elders of our vassal sects grace this tournament with their presence?"
He paused, letting the suspense build, his gaze sweeping over the sea of eager faces. Then, with a knowing smile, he spoke again.
"It is because of a reward unlike any before—one that has drawn the attention of even the mighty vassal sects!"
He let the words hang in the air, the silence stretching just long enough to stir anticipation. Then, all at once, the entire stadium erupted, voices joining in perfect unison:
"SECRET REALM!!"
The very walls of the coliseum trembled with the collective roar of countless disciples, their excitement reaching a fever pitch.
The voices reverberated, causing the mountain we were on to shake slightly from the sheer pressure of our shouts. To give a rough estimate, there were around 1,000 to 5,000 outer disciples present, plus some outsiders sitting in the audience. It was easy to differentiate who was who—outer disciples like myself wore the traditional robes of our sect, while others dressed in more comfortable clothes, some covering themselves with hoods to hide their identities.
🔥 This tournament was about to be legendary! 😤