Chapter 477: Heading to the Qingyun Sect
"Courting death!"
As soon as the hidden weapon was thrown, Zhao Dong sensed the threatening aura. He formed a hand seal with his right hand, and a golden ripple expanded in front of him. After deflecting three projectiles, Zhao Dong took a step forward and charged directly at Xiao Qitian.
"Courting death!"
Murderous intent filled Zhao Dong's eyes as he kicked out.
CRACK!
The crisp sound of bone breaking was followed by Xiao Qitian's scream as he clutched his leg. Zhao Dong grabbed Xiao Qitian by the collar and, without a word, threw him out of the arena.
THUD!
Xiao Qitian plummeted to the ground, severely injured. The jeers and laughter of the surrounding crowd, piled on top of his grievous wounds, caused a surge of blood to rush up his throat, and he passed out cold.
The crowd erupted once again.
The young man holding a folding fan strode up to Zhao Dong, laughing heartily as he announced at the top of his lungs, "I declare the victor of this Teaching Conference, Zhao Dong!"
As his words fell, the cheers soared to the heavens. Although they had looked down on Zhao Dong, thinking he couldn't possibly win, their excitement now that he had was anything but feigned.
If Xiao Qitian had won, it would have been expected. He possessed the best conditions, the best talent, and the best resources—everything was the best. If he hadn't won, *that* would have been the real surprise.
But Zhao Dong's victory was a genuine underdog triumph. His talent was ordinary, his resources were ordinary, and his conditions were ordinary. Yet despite all that, he had defeated Xiao Qitian and become the victor of the Teaching Conference.
How could this not shock everyone to their core?
In Zhao Dong, they saw their own reflection. His victory deeply reinforced their belief in diligent cultivation.
As everyone was immersed in the joy of Zhao Dong's win, no one noticed that in the crowd, the eyes of a Xiao Family elder were nearly bulging out with blood.
Zhao Dong! This man must not be left alive!
He had taken note of Zhao Dong's exceptional abilities and was shocked by the power he had demonstrated. The elder was truly terrified of Zhao Dong's rate of growth. At this thought, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
In the brief moment Zhao Dong was distracted talking with the young man, a blade appeared in the elder's hand. He launched himself forward, the terrifying aura of a Great Grandmaster at the apex of his power converging entirely upon the weapon.
The blade had a clear target: Zhao Dong's heart.
"Danger! An assassin!"
"Watch your back!"
Seeing the Xiao Family elder make his move, people immediately shouted warnings. Zhao Dong was alarmed; he had never imagined the Xiao Family elder would dare to attack here. He swiftly retreated, preparing to counter. But the elder was too fast, moving like a bolt of lightning. Zhao Dong could only watch helplessly as the dagger drew closer and closer, powerless to defend himself.
Just as the Xiao Family elder was about to succeed, some of the more timid onlookers were already covering their eyes and screaming in terror.
"Presumptuous!"
At that moment, a furious shout boomed from behind. A streak of light flashed by, forcefully knocking the dagger from the elder's hand.
"How dare you harm someone at my Qingyun Sect's Teaching Conference? You're courting death!" Several Qingyun Sect elders flew over, glaring angrily at the Xiao Family elder.
The Xiao Family elder frowned. "My actions are not directed at the Qingyun Sect. This Zhao Dong has a deep-seated feud with my Xiao Family, and I must kill him! I hope you elders will accommodate me. I will certainly repay you generously in the future!"
"Nonsense!" an aged elder scolded angrily. "Our Qingyun Sect is an illustrious and upright sect! How could we engage in such a dirty deal with you? Zhao Dong is the victor of our Teaching Conference. As long as he is still here, no one shall lay a finger on him!"
Watching the Qingyun Sect elders firmly protect Zhao Dong, the Xiao Family elder's face became extremely gloomy, but he ultimately left in a rage.
"Hmph! The Xiao Family truly is arrogant, thinking they can just push our Qingyun Sect around?" the aged elder huffed. He then turned to Zhao Dong with a smile. "Young man, congratulations on your victory. You must have been frightened just now."
"Not at all," Zhao Dong said respectfully. "The Xiao Family and I do indeed have a feud. I should be the one thanking you elders for saving my life."
"Hahahaha... Humble yet confident, a fine seedling indeed. I am the Second Elder of the Qingyun Sect, Dongfang Shi."
"Greetings, Elder Dongfang," Zhao Dong said, hastily bowing.
Dongfang Shi laughed heartily and stroked his beard. Reaching for his spiritual ring, he produced a bottle of pale blue pills and a cultivation technique manual.
"This is a Spirit Refining Pill, which can enhance the strength of your Spiritual Energy."
"This cultivation technique is called the 'Ten Thousand Thunders Technique.' Although you can't use it just yet, after you break through to the Martial Saint realm, this technique will help you quickly master the power of the Five Elements."
"These pills and the technique are the rewards for being the victor of this Teaching Conference. Take good care of them."
"Thank you, Elder Dongfang!" Zhao Dong took the rewards, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
His own Spiritual Energy was already strong, making the Spirit Refining Pill somewhat redundant. But this 'Ten Thousand Thunders Technique' was an absolute treasure.
After putting away the rewards, Zhao Dong asked with some confusion, "Elder Dongfang, I had heard that the victor would also get to use the Spirit Medicine Pool in the Qingyun Sect for a refinement session?"
"Hahahaha... Yes," Dongfang Shi laughed. "The victor of the Teaching Conference can indeed use the Qingyun Sect's Spirit Medicine Pool once." He added, "This opportunity can be reserved. Do you wish to use it now?"
Zhao Dong nodded eagerly. "The sooner I use it, the sooner I'll improve. I would like to use it now."
"Very well! Of course!" Dongfang Shi stroked his beard and smiled. "Then pack up your things. We will return to the Qingyun Sect together shortly!"
"Thank you, Elder Dongfang!" Zhao Dong was overjoyed. The technique and the pills were excellent, but compared to them, soaking in the Spirit Medicine Pool was of paramount importance.
Disciples of the Qingyun Sect were already busy dismantling the arrangements at the venue. Zhao Dong gathered his thoughts and turned his gaze toward the corner of the crowd where Lin Qingyun had been. To his regret, Lin Qingyun, Lin Rulong, and the others had already left.
Zhao Dong shook his head with a bitter smile, his gaze firming with resolve. Qingyun, don't worry. I will rescue you. I swear it!
The coach bus rattled its way into the mountains, heading in a direction completely opposite to the Blood Sect. But just like the Blood Sect, the Qingyun Sect was also located deep within the mountains. Although the architectural style was different, the functional buildings and even the size of their territories were not so different between the two sects.
However, the foundation of the Qingyun Sect was clearly much deeper. Several of the elders had a profound presence. If Zhao Dong's guess was correct, at least half of them had likely broken through to the legendary Martial Saint realm.
"Fellow Daoists, you may attend to your tasks. I shall give young friend Zhao a tour," Second Elder Dongfang Shi said, waving a hand at the disciples and other elders following them. After exchanging pleasantries and farewells, everyone dispersed.
"Young Zhao, this way, please."
Dongfang Shi led Zhao Dong to the central square just outside the main hall. This square was just like the one at the Blood Sect. At a glance, hundreds of disciples were cultivating here. When they noticed Dongfang Shi's arrival, they all gathered and bowed in greeting.
"Elder Dongfang, did the Teaching Conference go smoothly?" one of the disciples asked.