Celestial Martial Path

What kind of concept was the Soul Fire Sect?

The strongest sect in the local province, the origins of hundreds of experts currently roaming the world, the absolute winners of every disciple duel each year, and of course, the name that every single cultivator knew, King Jian's sect.

Indeed, the strongest man of the local province, King Jian, had created and nurtured this sect from its beginning roots to what it was today. How would anyone have even close to enough balls to challenge such a prestigious clan!

Fan Hui backed off quickly before bowing deeply to the newly arrived cultivators, "Heavens, I have eyes but cannot see, I beg you to forgive my impudence."

The elder waved his hand, dismissing the relieved Fan Hui, who scurried away into the crowd like his outburst of arrogance had never happened.

"Would anyone like to challenge our young master?"

The elder stood with his chin held high and arrogance practically seemed through his figure. The real competitor on the other hand seemed much more refined and composed, exuding a regal aura, almost comforting people around him.

The crowd all shook their heads, who in the world would be dumb enough tobchallenge the young master of the Soul Fire Sect. That would be practially suicide.

The elder smirked and was about to announce the corwardice of the other cultivators when a loud, resounding and feminine voice broke the awkward silence.

"Hmph, just because you're from the Soul Fire Sect. Does that prove anything? True stength is proved through true battles and strength!!"

A short silence followed his outburst before an outbreak of muttering and discussion filled the arena square.

"Who is he? Do you know him?"

"I have no idea, but no matter who he is, he'll definitely take a beating today."

"Agreed, but I am curious to which clan had sent this rude retard out of their sect."

Sharp, offensive comments filled the square and the mumbling turned into a crowd of protesters to send this ignorant brat back to where he came from. The elder's face darkened, "Who are you? Would you dare to step out so that we can have a fair match?"

"As you wish!"

A determined figure appeared from the left side of the crowd and strode out confidently towards the centre where the Soul Fire Sect members were located. Upon inspection, the masses realised that the challenger did not even look like an average cultivator, he looked extremely weak and undeveloped.

The challenger had an unnaturally slim figure for a man, long wavy hair that fell past his waist and loose robes, dropping over his body. Although the man seemed quite familiar, everyone dismissed the thought, there were no super slim males amongst this year's competitors.

The elder on the other hand experienced something entirely different. The challenger's eyes were cold with an unyielding disposition, a cold aura radiated from him, and yet it had not spread to the audience but instead focused onto the people of the Soul Fire Sect.

Such control!

Just as the elder was about to question the man further, his young master pushed passed him and firmly embraced the man.

The finally quietened crowd erupted once more.

What even is this? The guy just offended your sect and your elder! How can you be so intimate with someone you've never even met before?

Questions filled the minds of everyone present, the scene in front of the was simply too confronting. This was basically a breach of pride for the Soul Fire Sect!

The elder was infuriated. He picked himself off the floor before storming over to the still hugging duo, crimson flames began rising from his body and a stare of hatred pierced through the challenger.

"What did you do to our youn..."

"BROTHER!"

Before his first sentence was even complete, his young master screamed that single word into the air, shattering his build up flame power and silencing his voice. Contrary to before, the crowd was so silent one could even hear a pin drop.

Wet lines ran endlessly down the 'Child of Ember's' face, hands clutching the man so tightly, almost as if he would never again let go. The man responded in kind, slowly patting his back, "Jian Xi, it's not good for your public appearance to cry, you can cry later but not now."

Jian Xi nodded his head quickly before disengaging from the hug, however still staring at the man closely, "Jian Liu, I see you haven't grown at all, how can my older brother be smaller than me, it doesn't match up!"

Jian Liu smiled lightly, "I'm not Jian Liu anymore, I don't have anything to do with the family that abandoned me simply because I was lacking talent. You can call me Zi Liu, after all, I have come under Master Zi of the North."

As the two young boys continued their happy reunion, the elder crinkled his forehead in distress.

How could it be him! Wasn't he banished from the clan ages ago? He should have died!

He reached into his pocket and was about to pull out a spiritual message transfer stone to relay this news to the clan head when a sharp voice stopped him.

"Fourth Elder! Although I respect you and your prestige, if you send that message, I will never forgive you in my lifetime!"

Jian Xi glared at the Elder. The fourth elder knew that Ju Xi meant what he said, if he were truly to send that message, who knows what type of force would come crashing down upon him. One had to know that Jian Xi was the most talented child of the sect and basically got what he wanted.

Seeing the elder break into a cold sweat, hesitating to take out the spiritual message transfer stone, Jian Xi turned back to Zi Liu once more. "How's your power now? Even I've reached the seventh level of Body Salvation, surely brother has reached much higher!"

Zi Liu shook his head slowly, "Sorry Jian Xi, I've only reached the sixth level of Body Salvation, but I do have some trump cards that will allow me to fight higher levelled opponents."

The crowd exploded into uproar.

Only sixth level? Only your ass! Most of us haven't even made it into the Body Salvation realm yet! And you, Ju Xi! What's with your ridiculous cultivation? Who even has that kind of cultivation at the age of seventeen? Even your sect founder King Jian wasn't as talented!

Jian Xi ignored the ridiculous comments and stretched out a hand to Zi Liu, "How about we duel to see who's stronger?"

Zi Liu beamed widely before taking the hand, "Deal!"