Sword Among Us c1-1268
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He paused for a moment before he said, "But I did not expect that you would have practiced Beggar's Sect's ultimate technique, Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm. Not only did you manage to protect Zhou Zhiruo and send her out of Beijing, Xuanming Elders and Ruyang Mansion's two elites were not able to kill you."
"It is all thanks to the lady and Uncle Rong's teachings," Happy answered humbly.
Murong Clan Master master also smiled.
"Naturally, I know about Yu'er and Uncle Rong's contributions, but you do not need to heap praises on them. Murong Clan has its own rules. All the inner clan disciples must go out to practice one hundred martial arts. They must be able to protect themselves and become outstanding figures in the world of martial artists. Your achievements are all your own work."
"I understand."
"I've decided to give you Shifting Stars after the end of the martial arts tournament because I wish that you won't pay too much attention to the martial arts from other sects. We ask you to go out to practice other martial arts and study extensively the one hundred martial arts because we want you to broaden your horizons and to have an accepting heart, but we don't want you to pay too much attention to other sects' martial arts."
Happy was stunned. It was only then that he noticed that there was something strange about the Murong Clan Master and Murong Clan Lady's expressions.
The Murong Clan Master then said "Murong Clan's ultimate technique, Shifting Stars, might have incredibly harsh learning requirements, but everyone knows that once you successfully learn it, you will seem to have entered a place with no one around you even when you are surrounded by armies. You will stand triumphant among all martial artists at the same qi realm as you are, and you will gain great benefits when you are in a group fight! Compared to martial arts that require qi to be powerful for a short period of time, the profound secret of Shifting Secrets is much greater than."
When Happy heard that, he instantly came to a realization as to what was going on.
The Murong Clan Master and Murong Clan Lady should be slightly displeased with his progress, but under the influence of various people involved in his quests, they decided to give him the ultimate technique to encourage and motivate him in his pursuit for Shifting Stars.
They must have given a lot of thought to it.
But the Murong Clan Master did not understand that Happy had spent a few months to get Nine Yang Divine Skill mainly because he wanted to quicken his speed in completing Shifting Stars' quest. If he mastered Nine Yang Divine Skill, his speed when practicing martial arts would be astonishing, and he could learn all martial arts at half the speed he would require normally.
Chapter 514 - Beware of Beggar’s Sect
"Even though we have become certain that we want you to lead our people to Hero's Mountain Villa, you will still participate in the competition in Murong Clan. Two days later, we will be certain of what title we should give you."
The Murong Clan Master did not seem to have noticed Happy's complicated expression of surprise and delight. He said, "Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm might be an ingenious martial art, but do not forget that you are Murong Clan's disciple. We need disciples like you to inherit Shifting Stars."
"I understand."
"Good. Since you understand, you may leave now, but do not go far. Two days later, during noon, we will organize our competition in the mansion. On the third day, the disciples who received the top ten ranks in Murong Clan will be led by Yu'er to Hero's Mountain Villa to bring glory to Murong Clan!" the Murong Clan Master said.
"I will definitely not let down your hopes on me." Once Happy answered, he left the side hall under Uncle Rong's lead.
Uncle Rong led Happy around the front yard before he had Happy return on his own to the backyard and told him that the lady was waiting for him there.
Happy was stunned.
When he passed by the area with the rabbits, he could not help but remember the small figure, along with the crispy voice asking the small animals why they refused to eat the carrots.
The area around the rabbit pen was empty.
"Happy." The Murong Clan Lady's voice came from behind him, and it snapped him out of his slight daze.
Happy quickly stood up. "My lady."
The Murong Clan Lady's clear gaze swept past Happy's face. "We've recently taken in a few disciples, but they can't take good care of the rabbits, and they always get sick. They aren't as meticulous as you are."
"Give them some time, and they will definitely be even more outstanding than I am." Happy smiled. Quite a number of Mu Clan's members were Murong Clan disciples, after all. "My lady, do you have anything to ask of me?"
"I do. The leader of the young disciples has already been decided. It is you, and I, too, believe that you will use your abilities to prove that you are deserving of this title!
"But I have to give you a reminder. When the Hero's Meeting begins, the eight aristocratic families who have always borne a grudge against the Murong Clan will definitely take action. However, the master does not wish for you to act on impulse. It would be good if you could act within limits when you attack. Do not readily kill them."
The Murong Clan Lady had a dejected look on her face.
"Sky Demon Sect has been resurrected, and the disciples of the evil cult all possess extraordinary strength. The five elders of Sky Demon Sect have astonishing strength as well. Their abilities do not lose to those of the sect leaders of the six sects.
"Their Dharma Protector Jin Yin has unfathomable strength, and there are few in the world of martial artists who are his opponent. Their sect master is rumored to be a legendary person in Myth Realm. His strength even surpasses that of Wudang Sect's Zhang Sanfeng.
"The people from the other sects feel as if they are surrounded by danger, which is why this martial arts tournament is incredibly important. It concerns the survival of all martial artists. If you act on impulse, you will bring damage to the strength of our martial artists, and no sect wishes for a person with a petty heart to be their leader."
When Happy heard this, he understood what she meant.
By the looks of it, unnecessary deaths would not appear during the martial arts tournament.
However, he wondered whether the Sky Demon Sect was related to the Sky Demon Sect Yuan Mie said was brutally destroyed more than thirty years ago. If it was, then it was not difficult to understand that Sky Demon Sect wanted to take revenge on the martial artists who walked down the righteous path.
Happy did not think deeply about it though
After all, the martial arts tournament was a unique activity the official developers launched, and any other main quest might only be launched during it. If he thought about it right now, it would be too early.
It would be better for him to spend some time to think about how he should handle Zhou Zhiruo and Song Qingshu so that he could get the last page for Nine Yang Divine Skill.
Besides, he might run into One Emperor beforehand during the martial arts tournament. He might also have to fight for a title during the martial arts tournament.
The Murong Clan Lady continued to speak. "Also, remember that Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm is the ultimate technique belonging to the sect master of Beggar's Sect. During the tournament, the elders of Beggar's Sect will definitely come to you. At that time, you might even end up angering Beggar's Sect and forming a grudge with them.
"The master asked me to tell you to be in control of the situation. Try not to reveal the technique in front of others as much as you can, and if possible, not to use Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm during the tournament at all."
Happy was stunned speechless. The Murong Clan Lady's advice shocked him.
It was also at that moment that he came to a swift realization why Zhou Zhiruo had given up on the two ultimate techniques from Beggar's Sect without hesitation when they obtained Book of Wumu. It was because it was a sect ultimate technique, and she did not want to bring great trouble on herself.
Happy
had been fortunate enough to get two supreme-grade martial arts and two ultimate techniques from Beggar's Sect, but there was also hidden dangers within it. If he learned two ultimate techniques, he had to pay the price for them. The whole Beggar's Sect might treat him as a thorn on their side.
When Happy thought of that, he could not help but laugh wanly.
"Thank you for your reminder, my lady, I will be careful."
He also ran a simulation in his head and came to a decision. During the tournament, unless he absolutely had no choice, he would not readily use Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm. After all, once he truly came to understand Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm, its might had increased drastically, and even Zhou Yu was not his opponent. He would not have a problem in getting to the top ten.
"That is good. You can leave now. Since you have some time, why don't you take up some tasks from Uncle Rong? I heard that Well Lane is not very peaceful lately. You can go take a look."
The Murong Clan Lady sent him away after that.
Happy obeyed her and went to search for Uncle Rong, and as expected, he gave Happy a quest.
It was a rather inconspicuous quest, and the reward was rather normal. However, Happy practically never returned to Murong Mansion and did not take up any quests from his master's clan. On top of that, he had performed many boring quests from Wudang Sect, so he took it with the thought of having some fun.
Happy ran into an excited Eleventh Crane when he reached the entrance of Murong Mansion. Eleventh Crane walked ahead of him with a face flushed red with excitement. There was a bow shining with the dazzling light symbolic of a weapon at fourth echelon in his hands, and it was one he had never seen before.
Its limbs were full of power, and its bowstring was as cold as ice. It released an intimidating glare.
Whirlwind Young Li, filled with admiration and harmless envy, was following after Elevent Crane, and a group of Murong Clan disciples who were there to watch the fun were after him.
"This is the one you chose?" Happy quirked his eyebrows slightly, and an admiring look appeared in his eyes.
He remembered that Eleventh Crane's bow skills were pretty good, and if he chose a fourth-echelon bow Heartless Iron had created, he would be able to maximize his advantage of long-distance attacks. The damage increased by a fourth-echelon bow and a bow technique with a high realm could threaten a normal Inaction Realm martial artist.
"With this, you will have no problem with getting into the top ten, Big Brother Crane. You will definitely head to Hero's Mountain Villa and join the martial arts tournament. We have one spot less now."
"... I already told you that I'd treat you."
"It won't be enough with just one meal. Happy, what do you say?"
When he saw the group walk toward him, Happy could not help but put on an understanding smile.
Eleventh Crane's bow technique had always been very outstanding. If he did not neglect his lightness skill, with a good bow in hand, he would definitely become one of the people who would head to the Hero's Meeting.
There were indeed a lot of talented people from Murong Clan.
Chapter 515 - The Young Girl in the Murong Clan
The requirements for the martial arts tournament were not high, so anyone who was a wanderer could try to join.
However, if they wanted to get into the top ten of their own sect and gain a title in the world of martial artists to enter Hero's Mountain Villa, it was not easy.
Besides, not all sects had the right to obtain or be given a title from the world of martial artists, because Hero's Mountain Villa could not contain the numerous sects from across the land.
There was no need to even mention the great sects. Wudang Sect, Shaolin Temple, and the other sects from the six great system-allocated sects had hundreds of thousands of disciples. After they organized their competition, their top ten would all be outstanding people whose names would ring far and wide in the game!
However, some of the medium-sized sects and small sects such as Five Tigers Sect and Unrequited Love Valley would find themselves insulting the fierce competition among the six great system-allocated sects if they, too, had to send ten elites from their side.
The small sects were divided based on their region.
Each region had to compete against each other, and the competition between the sects would allow them to choose ten outstanding elites who were publicly acknowledged by the reputable people from the world of martial artists. Only those people would head to Hero's Mountain Villa.
Unfortunately, while Murong Clan was an aristocratic family and quite famous in the world, they could not change the fact that they had few people. Because of that, they suffered the tragic fate of having to fight against other sects for the ten slots to be sent to Hero's Mountain Villa.
When the competition within the region began, the Murong Clan disciples who had prepared themselves to show off their strength became incredibly dejected, because the region where Murong Clan belonged to had people from Mantuo Villa, Nangong Clan, Unrequited Love Valley, and Peach Blossom Island.
All the rather famous sects and clans in the south had gathered together, so they could not avoid the fate of having to engage in a fierce battle.
Happy was fine with it, but the others had to get ready and seize every second they had to train as well as prepare the items they needed during the tournament.
The other sects were also very tense. The tournament between the medium-sized and small sects was no inferior to that of the six great system-allocated sects, Beggar's Sect, and the other large sects. Some of the misunderstandings and grudges between sects even increased the brutality of the competition.
At noon the next day, Happy returned to Murong Clan on time!
The backyard of Murong Mansion had been cleared and turned into a temporary fighting arena. The Murong Clan Master sat on a high seat, while the elders and the Murong Clan Lady were at his sides. The inner sect senior brothers and senior sisters just watched the lineup with cheerful expressions.
They looked at the hundreds of Murong Clan disciples who stood in orderly rows from above!
The atmosphere was stern and solemn!
The Murong Clan Master began to speak then, explaining the rules of the tournament.
"We will split you into ten dueling pairs. The elder will announce the names of those who will fight. The victor will remain, while the loser will switch to another fight. Those who lose three rounds will automatically get down from the stage. They will also lose their right to compete.
"If you win one round, you get one point.
"During the later stages of the fight, all those who never lost will have the chance to challenge others. You may challenge any winner, and if you win, you get two points. Those who lost will have two points deducted! You cannot challenge the opponents who have once lost."
"Damn it, they just want us to die!"
"If we lose three times, we lose our right to compete. Anyone who runs into Happy will only have two chances and lose one point from sheer bad luck. If they run into Eleventh Crane after that, they will only have one chance left. My god! This is awful!"
Every single person in Murong Clan seemed to already know how good Eleventh Crane was with his bow and arrow, and they also knew that he had obtained a fourth-echelon bow, which meant that his strength had increased by a large degree. The crowd treated Happy and Eleventh Crane as two mountains they could not cross.
Happy was dressed in blue robes and stood in front of the crowd in a majestic manner. He looked rather relaxed as he listened to the Murong Clan Master reading the rules, but once the speech was over, he suddenly found that everything around him had changed. The area around him had suddenly become much more open.
The large martial arts arena was instantly split up. The people quickly retreated to the sides, and the empty floor in front of them was split into ten rather large stages.
The borders of the stages appeared on the floor very clearly. There was an elder with extraor
dinary abilities standing at each one. They were there to prevent the throwing knives, hidden weapons, and other projectiles from bothering the people in the other stages during the fights.
The elders then picked Happy's name.
He thus became the first to appear among the ten stages.
The crowd began to discuss among themselves. All of them showed signs that they wanted to retreat and were praying that the next name called out would not be theirs.
"I don't want to…"
A pitiful Murong Clan disciple was called. He wanted to cry, but no tears came out of his eyes. Then, he appeared in front of Happy with a long face and gave up straight away.
Happy was a little speechless.
Life and death was not involved in the competition, so did these people not have any urge or interest to spar with him?
'Am I really going to be standing here like a statue the entire day?'
When the people from the other stages quickly began to fight against each other, Happy discovered, much to his gloom, that his second opponent also chose to give up and run.
Happy was stunned.
A strange phenomenon appeared on the first stage.
Happy stood alone without moving, but two people had already automatically given up.
Even the Murong Clan Master and a group of elders who were watching the stages looked at each other at a loss. They did not expect that Happy would be so intimidating.
It would be good if they could get some guidance, but Happy was a strong player who could kill even Zhou Yu with two moves. Against someone like that, many people did not even know whether they should begin by moving with their left foot or their right foot first, or should they just now move at all?
The pressure was too great, and they were too ill at ease!
Under the invisible pressure, Happy gathered points without any effort. Many people had not even ended their first fight, and Happy had already gathered more than twenty points.