The Shangxuan Sect is located in the northeast of Canghe. Unlike the Mirror Sea Sect disciples who occupy the Mirror Sea Mountains but lack the power to govern them, the Shangxuan Sect possesses nearly an entire Beidou Mountain Range. Due to its formidable reputation as the number one sect on the continent, no one dares to encroach upon it.

The Beidou Mountain Range is composed of seven peaks arranged like the Big Dipper constellation, hence they are named after the seven stars: Tianshu Peak, Tianxuan Peak, Tianji Peak, Tianquan Peak, Yuheng Peak, Kaiyang Peak, and Yaoguang Peak. Tianshu is the main peak, while the other peaks each have a peak master stationed there.

The peak masters can accept disciples independently and the sect master does not interfere in their daily trivial matters. However, whenever there is an important event, they must obey the sect master's orders and work together to defend against enemies.  

As such, the Shangxuan Sect's territory not only includes the Beidou Mountain Range, but also encompasses the surrounding area of several hundred li. The Canghe emperor, not daring to offend the Shangxuan Sect, specially exempted the villages and counties within this range. The tax revenue from these areas is not turned over to the national treasury, but is dedicated to the Shangxuan Sect as a gift.

Although worldly wealth is not of much use in the eyes of cultivators, and spirit stones are used as currency among them, cultivators are not completely isolated from the world. They often cultivate in the mortal world, tasting delicacies and wearing clothes, all of which are closely related to secular money.

Therefore, the Shangxuan Sect master tacitly approves of the Canghe emperor's actions. The common people in these areas, backed by the Shangxuan Sect, are often under its protection and revere the sect as a deity.

The current Shangxuan Sect master is Qinghe Zhenren, a late Nascent Soul stage cultivator. However, he is not the most powerful person in the Shangxuan Sect.

Among the other peaks, there are also many post-Nascent Soul stage cultivators. There are even rumors that one cultivator has successfully broken through the Nascent Soul stage and advanced to the Divine Transformation stage, but rarely shows himself, so even fewer people know about him.

Since there are as many as thirteen Nascent Soul stage cultivators alone, there are naturally countless Core Formation stage cultivators. This is unlike the Mirror Sea Sect, where even if a single Core Formation stage cultivator emerges, they are revered like a deity.

With over a thousand disciples, numerous experts, and overwhelming strength, it is naturally well-deserved for such a sect to be the number one on the continent. Therefore, from the moment they agreed to intervene in the duel between the two sides, the Qinggu Sect began to feel uneasy.

As soon as Lu Yanping and the others arrived at the Shangxuan Sect's territory, there were already people waiting there to greet them upon landing.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists. This must be Sect Leader Lu, I presume? I am Yu Zhou, a disciple of Qinghe Zhenren from Tianshu Peak of the Shangxuan Sect. I have come to welcome you on behalf of the sect master."

The other party had a smile on his face and a slight mustache under his chin, looking to be in his early thirties. He exuded the self-assurance of a major sect. He did not show any disdain towards Lu Yanping and the others for coming from a small sect, but he was not overly enthusiastic either.

Originally, given Lu Yanping's identity, the sect master himself should have come to welcome them as a courtesy. However, the person before them was merely a disciple of the Shangxuan Sect master, yet he already had early Core Formation stage cultivation, higher than any of their group.

Moreover, the Mirror Sea Sect was the one seeking help, so how could they put on airs?

Faced with such a situation, one had no choice but to face reality.

Lu Yanping suppressed a trace of bitterness in his heart and replied with a smile, "Thank you, Daoist Yu. I am indeed Lu Yanping, the sect master of the Mirror Sea Sect. The fellow martial brothers behind me are all disciples of my Mirror Sea Sect."

Yu Zhou nodded. "Sect Leader Lu, please follow me. The sect master is waiting for you in Lingshou Hall. The Daoists from the Qinggu Sect have also arrived."

Lu Yanping was slightly startled, not expecting the other party to arrive so quickly.

He subconsciously glanced at Zhou Yin, who remained as calm as a deep well, his expression unperturbed.

Lu Yanping's heart suddenly calmed down.

"Then I'll trouble Daoist Yu to lead the way."

Tianshu Peak towered into the clouds. From the foot of the mountain to the summit, it was full of strange rocks and cliffs, making it difficult to take even a single step.

Waterfalls cascaded down from precipitous ravines, surging like waves. Although it appeared to be extremely perilous, it actually did not pose much difficulty for cultivators. However, on the way up, Yu Zhou did not use any flying magic treasures, but instead led them step by step.

As if sensing their confusion, Yu Zhou, who was walking in front, turned his head and said with a slight apology, "The Shangxuan Sect has an ancestral rule that unless the sect is on the verge of destruction or there is an urgent matter of utmost importance, flying magic treasures are not allowed to be used when ascending or descending the mountain. So it's not just you fellow Daoists, but even our own disciples and the people from the Qinggu Sect who came earlier also walked up like ordinary people."

Huang Wenjun asked curiously, "Why is that?"

Yu Zhou smiled. "What cultivators rely on are nothing more than spiritual power and magic treasures. But in life, things won't always go smoothly. If one encounters an enemy while injured and temporarily loses their magic power, they will have to rely on their own hands and feet, no different from ordinary people.

"Imagine if at that critical moment, one doesn't even have the strength to escape. What else can be said then? The rules set by the ancestral master are simply to remind us not to forget to train our physical bodies."

Huang Wenjun and the others looked at each other, feeling that this rule was quite strange and unreasonable. It's fine if you like to climb mountains in your spare time, but what kind of logic is there in making guests who come to visit also walk?

Moreover, isn't the purpose of cultivators' practice to possess supreme spiritual powers? Yet they actually established a rule prohibiting the use of flying magic treasures within the sect. Isn't that superfluous?

Although Lu Yanping did not speak, his eyes also slightly revealed such thoughts.

Zhou Yin, on the other hand, became even more interested. To not be blinded by spells and magic treasures and to know to be vigilant in times of peace, establishing such a rule, it was no wonder the Shangxuan Sect could have today's scale and achievements.

The group walked as if on flat ground, and in just half an incense stick's time, they reached the summit.

The location for the duel was in front of Lingshou Hall on Tianshu Peak. The surrounding mountains were vast and winding, stretching into the misty clouds. The scenery was extraordinarily beautiful, with snow-capped peaks hidden or revealed.

Lingshou Hall, as the main peak's conference hall of the Shangxuan Sect, had been developed over several thousand years by generations of people. It was already a place of jade trees and coral branches, with wind chimes and emerald curtains, and lush flowers blooming in all seasons, like a fairyland.

Even cultivators from other sects would exclaim in amazement upon arriving here, let alone the disciples of the Mirror Sea Sect.

Taking advantage of the gap while Yu Zhou went inside to announce their arrival, Huang Wenjun sighed while looking at the scene before him. "Look at this layout. This is truly befitting of the grandeur of the number one sect on the continent!"

Although worried about the future of the sect, upon hearing his words, Lu Yanping rarely showed a smile. "Don't just admire the scenery. You should know that this place is full of restrictions. For example, those green trees and vines can instantly turn into a wood-attribute defensive formation if foreign enemies invade. In fact, our Mirror Sea Sect also has such arrangements, but naturally, the formations created here are of a higher level."

Just as they were talking, Yu Zhou came out from inside.

"The Sect Leader invites you to enter for tea."

Lu Yanping slightly nodded and followed him in. Jingyuan Hall is the central hall of Lingshou Hall and its core building. It is where the Shangxuan Sect's leader receives guests and where major internal discussions are held. The hall is solemn and majestic, with red pillars, carved beams, and painted rafters.

At this moment, the hall was already bustling with many people seated inside. Seeing Lu Yanping and the others enter, they quieted down a little.

A white-haired, youthful-looking Daoist priest in a white robe draped with a gray gauze garment stood up from the main seat.

"Sect Leader Lu has traveled far, and this old Daoist has failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me."

Yu Zhou quickly walked to stand behind the Daoist priest, his expression respectful.

How could Lu Yanping not understand this Daoist priest's identity?

"Lu Yanping of the Mirror Sea Sect greets Qinghe Zhenren."

The other party was a Nascent Soul cultivator and the leader of the Shangxuan Sect. In terms of cultivation and status, he indeed had no need to personally welcome them. Being able to stand up and exchange a few polite words was already extremely courteous.

Lu Yanping harbored no dissatisfaction in his heart, nor did he dare to.

Qinghe Zhenren chuckled, appearing to have no airs at all, his attitude very amiable: "Sect Leader Lu, there's no need for such formality. Your arrival is timely. Fellow Daoist from Qinggu Sect has also just arrived not long ago. Come, let me introduce you. This is Xiaming Zhenren, an elder of the Tianyan Sect."

The person he pointed to was a Nascent Soul cultivator in his forties, seated in the first seat of the lower positions. The other party glanced at him and nodded slightly, but had no intention of standing up to greet him.

Qinghe Zhenren continued: "This is Fellow Daoist Li Zhushu of the Wanshan Sect."

"This is Tai Cifang, an elder of the Qinggu Sect."

Following Qinghe Zhenren's introductions, Lu Yanping saw a middle-aged man sitting there, his hands clasped together, his face expressionless.

Seeing Lu Yanping's gaze, he only slightly pursed his lips. A few young men and women of extraordinary appearance and bearing stood behind him.

This time, it was not only the Mirror Sea Sect and Qinggu Sect engaging in a duel. Now, it seemed to involve sects like the Tianyan Sect as well. Judging from this setup, it was as if a sect conference was about to be held.

Qinghe Zhenren invited Lu Yanping and the others to take their seats.

"Previously, fellow Daoists from the Mirror Sea Sect sent a letter to me, asking me to preside over the duel. After much thought, I feared that with only the Shangxuan Sect present, this old Daoist, in his old age and waning strength, might inevitably be biased due to failing eyesight. So I invited fellow Daoists from the Tianyan Sect and Wanshan Sect to serve as witnesses."

Xiaming Zhenren of the Tianyan Sect sneered: "Qinghe Zhenren is known throughout the world for his fairness and strictness. Why go to the trouble of calling us all here?"

It was clear that the Shangxuan Sect wanted to intervene and take a share of the benefits. Now they were acting all righteous. The Mirror Sea Sect had also previously sent a letter to the Tianyan Sect seeking help, but the Tianyan Sect had some internal affairs to handle and did not want to get involved.

However, they didn't expect the Shangxuan Sect to take advantage of the situation. This old fox was really good at exploiting loopholes. Thinking about it, Xiaming Zhenren couldn't help but feel displeased and couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark.

Qinghe Zhenren's self-cultivation had long reached a certain level. Upon hearing this, not only was he not offended, but he even laughed and said: "Since we are all cultivators, we are fellow Daoists. When fellow Daoists engage in a duel, harmony is still the most precious. For the sake of fairness, the Qinggu Sect has also sent mostly Foundation Establishment cultivators this time, equivalent in strength to the Mirror Sea Sect disciples. This is truly a act of integrity and I am honored to be able to witness it here."

Since he had spoken, Tai Cifang could no longer remain silent. The Tianyan Sect dared to argue with Qinghe Zhenren because their strength was second only to the Shangxuan Sect. But there was still a considerable gap between the Qinggu Sect and the Shangxuan Sect, so Tai Cifang did not dare to be so presumptuous.

"This matter arose because of our sect's treasure, the Purple Mist Falling Shadow Lamp. The Mirror Sea Sect can't hand over the person or the item. They are in the wrong to begin with. Submitting to the Qinggu Sect is both reasonable and fair. But now that it has come to a duel, we'll have to trouble Zhenren and all of you to be witnesses, lest it be said that our Qinggu Sect is bullying the weak with our strength!"

Qinghe Zhenren chuckled: "No problem, no problem. I don't know if you all want to rest for a while or start the competition immediately?"

Tai Cifang glanced at Lu Yanping and said disdainfully: "Some people will still be the same no matter how long they rest. It's better to start early."

This contempt was so obvious that many Mirror Sea Sect disciples changed their expressions. Lu Yanping said calmly: "I agree with Elder Tai's suggestion."

Qinghe Zhenren seemed not to have noticed the undercurrents between the two sides and still smiled: "Alright then, let's begin. For the first round, who do you two want to send up?"

Tai Cifang: "Liu Min."

A cultivator beside him stood up.

Lu Yanping's expression changed slightly: "Elder Tai, this seems to be inconsistent with our previous agreement."