Chapter 309 - 150: Great Victory
"Even Luo Zhan himself admitted it, saying the man’s Saber Technique was astounding."
"But where is he? Someone from the Core Formation Realm attacked in Lost Soul Valley. Who would dare risk universal condemnation by acting so audaciously?"
"Could it be that Luo Zhan is just covering for him..."
The hushed whispers spread like a tide.
On the high platform, Chen Xuanfeng remained expressionless.
Liu Jingtiao was also calm and composed. He had already received news that Liang Cheng would arrive any day. He had personally witnessed Liang Cheng comprehend one of his own Combat Techniques, so he knew these people were in for a disappointment.
...
By the arena, the other factions were also enjoying the spectacle.
Someone chuckled softly and shook his head. "The Four Islands Main Courtyard hyped that Liang Cheng to the heavens this year, but in the end, the star of the show doesn’t even bother to appear."
"What Meng Hu from Profound Turtle Island said was harsh, but it might not be false. I heard a Core Formation Realm expert attacked in Lost Soul Valley. How could someone in the True Gang Realm survive that?"
"A Core Formation expert killing a True Gang practitioner is as easy as crushing an ant."
"In that case, the caliber of this specially recruited disciple..."
He didn’t finish, but everyone understood what he meant.
...
「In the Situ Family’s designated seating.」
Huang Tiancheng sipped his tea with lowered eyes, the cup held steadily in his hand.
Beside him, the Patriarch of the Situ Family, Situ Lie, asked cautiously, "Elder Huang, do you think that Liang Cheng is already..."
Huang Tiancheng set down his teacup, his tone calm.
"Whether he comes or not has nothing to do with us."
Situ Lie smiled and asked no more questions.
Huang Tiancheng, however, sneered inwardly. ’A full-powered strike from me would have been certain death for Liang Cheng. The fact that the Main Courtyard has shown no reaction only further proves he’s dead.’
’Otherwise, how could I be sitting here so peacefully?’
...
...
Just then—
A deep roar echoed from the horizon.
Everyone looked up.
A gray-green Cloud-Piercing Shuttle broke through the swirling snow, plummeting vertically from the clouds. Just as it was about to crash into the conference grounds, it came to an abrupt halt.
The vessel’s hull was perfectly still, hovering thirty feet directly above the arena.
The cabin door slid open.
A figure in green robes stepped out, landing on the arena.
The Cloud-Piercing Shuttle immediately transformed into a streak of light and shot back the way it came.
Zhong Lishuo had no intention of revealing himself. The Immortal Ascension Conference was Liang Cheng’s stage to command; he had no need to steal the spotlight.
On the arena, the swirling snow landed on Liang Cheng’s shoulders, only to be instantly pulverized by his invisible Gang Qi.
He looked at the Profound Turtle Island disciple who stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Those words you just said—"
He spoke. His voice wasn’t loud, yet it cut through all the noise in the venue.
"You can say them again."
The entire venue fell deathly silent.
The Profound Turtle Island disciple met Liang Cheng’s calm, placid eyes, and his Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily.
"Who are you?"
"Liang Cheng of the Four Islands Main Courtyard."
Instantly, the crowd erupted.
Huang Tiancheng’s fingers, hidden within his sleeve, clenched until his knuckles turned white. ’How is this possible?’
Then, without looking at the arena, he suddenly spoke.
"I’ve just remembered something urgent, Patriarch. I must return to the island."
"Huh?"
Still reeling from the shock of Liang Cheng’s appearance, Situ Lie took a moment to process Elder Huang’s words before nodding quickly.
"Go ahead, Elder Huang. Should I send word to the family?"
Huang Tiancheng shook his head.
"It’s not a major issue, I had simply forgotten. I just need to head back."
With that, Huang Tiancheng left without a backward glance. Because everyone’s attention was fixed on the arena after Liang Cheng’s sudden appearance, no one noticed him slip away.
...
「On the arena」
The disciple from Profound Turtle Island froze, looking as though someone had him by the throat.
’Liang Cheng of the Four Islands Main Courtyard... The Penglai Sect’s special recruit... The one Luo Zhan himself admitted losing to.’
"I..."
He opened his mouth, but found he couldn’t make a sound.
Liang Cheng didn’t spare him a second glance.
He turned, his gaze sweeping past the arena and over the crowd to land on the Main Courtyard’s designated seats.
There, Ye Zhiqiu was already on his feet, staring intently at him, his eyes filled with joyous surprise.
Xiao Qingxue’s hand relaxed on her sword hilt, and she let out a soft sigh of relief.
Qin Wentian, after a moment of shock, settled back into his seat.
Liang Cheng said nothing, merely giving them a nod.
Then he turned back to face the other side of the arena.
The Profound Turtle Island disciple was still rooted to the spot. He subtly nudged the blood-stained longsword at his feet back by half an inch.
Liang Cheng spoke.
"Return the sword."
His voice was quiet.
The disciple’s face flushed red, but he didn’t move.
Liang Cheng said no more, simply taking a single step forward.
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, the disciple jerked, bent down to snatch the longsword, and hurled it toward the Main Courtyard’s seating area.
"Catch!"
The longsword landed point-down in the ground before the Main Courtyard’s seats, its blade quivering with a hum.
On the high platform, Liu Jingtiao set down his teacup.
"He’s here."
Chen Xuanfeng didn’t reply. He just watched the figure in green robes, the corner of his mouth finally lifting into a slight smile.
「At the Profound Turtle Island seats.」
Luo Zhan’s senior brother, Meng Hu, stopped toying with the long staff in his hands. He stared at Liang Cheng on the arena, his playful expression shifting to one of scrutiny.
"So that’s Liang Cheng?"
Someone next to him whispered, "Yes. The way he landed just now... he doesn’t look like someone who’s badly injured."
Meng Hu didn’t reply.
He was thinking about a month ago, about how silent and withdrawn Luo Zhan had been when he returned to the island.
Luo Zhan had offered no explanation, leaving behind only a single sentence.
"I lost. His Saber Technique is superior to mine."
Just then, Meng Hu suddenly spoke up.
"Chen Xuan, get down from there."
The young man on stage, who was already wilting under the pressure of facing Liang Cheng, was at a loss for what to do. Upon hearing Meng Hu’s words, he let out a visible sigh of relief and immediately leaped off the arena.
...
Seeing his opponent voluntarily leave the stage, Liang Cheng didn’t linger either.
He leaped off the arena, landing in the Main Courtyard’s seating area.
The crowd automatically parted for him. Ye Zhiqiu stepped forward to meet him, landing a solid punch on his shoulder.
"I thought you’d died down there!"
Liang Cheng said with a smile, "Almost. Didn’t quite manage it."
Ye Zhiqiu opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he just punched him again.
"It’s just good to have you here."
Xiao Qingxue stood to the side. She didn’t step forward, only offering a slight nod.
"Are your injuries healed?"
"They’re healed."
"Good."
The conversation ended there.
Qin Wentian, having composed himself by now, stood up and gave Liang Cheng a cupped-fist salute.