Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage

How long are you guys going to take to confirm a few obvious facts?

Or are you just trying to protect her?

What obvious facts are you talking about? It's your word against hers.

I don't want to hear words uttered from an inferior race.

Spreading irresponsible nonsense, and damaging the reputation of my sect.

Whether it's nonsense or not has not yet been decided.

So in other words, you just want to protect her?

It's not everything in full detail, there are some private things left out.

But that's mostly how it went.

If what you're saying is true,

the words on this Truth Paper are enough to convince us,

but it holds no weight for people outside the sect.

Guess we'll have to ask the Chief to decide.

Let's solve this with some brute force.

Chief,

a recount of all events has been written on this Truth Paper.

Show it to Master Shiho.

So you're just going to cover for her after all?

Cover?

Obu didn't do anything wrong.

Or are you actually aware that there's a need for us to protect her from your unjust accusation.

This is only your made up side of the story!

Indeed, but your slanderous accusation is also nothing but your side of the story.

Or do you have any solid proof?

Proof? Are you kidding me?

An authoritative figure of the Seikyo Sect, the leader of the Mansen Sect Alliance is not enough proof?

With that name-tag, I should be able to hide anything I want.

Even from another member of the Mansen Sect Alliance, like the Reiken Sect.

Puppeteering a fake sect in the White Moon Country, meddling in its politics,

deceiving regular people with Composite Spirit Bases...

It was all for my research on the Essence and Blood Boiling Techniques.

I can't help but feel threatened as I watch my disciples make impressive progress,

while I myself feel stuck at the 4th tier of Nascent Soul.

Am I gonna just sit here and watch my subordinates slowly taking my place?

Even though I tried, it seems like this is as far as I can come.

But, there is that research on the Composite Spirit Base.

If I can make that work, there's no way anyone will be able to threaten me anymore.

I was so close before that woman showed up.

If the Seikyo sect finds out what I've done,

I'll be guilty of tarnishing the name of the sect, and be severely punished.

I'll have to bury this whole thing.

You didn't even take a look at it, yet acted like you already know everything.

It's obvious you all planned this together, behind my back.

There's simply no need.

That paper is not for me, but for you.

I believed whatever Obu said from the very start,

and so did every other elder of the Heavenly Sword Hall.

Well said, Chief.

Regardless of her unbearable personality, I can wholeheartedly trust her in this matter.

I agree.

Me too, even though I think she has issues.

Everyone here knows we have a sour relationship,

but I still can trust her on this.

Don't you agree, Elder Hokaku?

I do.

You guys are ready to take on the Seikyo Sect as an enemy? Just for one elder at the JinDan Stage?

Master Shiho, that's exactly what I want to ask you.

Do you really believe the Seikyo Sect would take the Reiken Sect as an enemy for only one disciple,

at the Nascent Soul Stage?

Such insolence, there's no way we of the Seikyo Sect—

You're so funny.

How old are you?

Seikyo Sect this, Seikyo Sect that. Having lived for hundreds of years,

you still can't say something of your own accord?

What?

I heard your conversation. Thanks everyone for believing in me.

Especially Elder Hokaku.

I bet your conscience must've suffered when you forced yourself to say that.

As for the problem at hand,

do you plan to live behind the shadow of your sect forever?

This issue is between you and me,

so how about we solve it with a duel, one-on-one?

The losing side gives up on all their claims.

She's only at the JinDan Stage, one whole stage below me.

With the Heart Oath before the duel, it'd be impossible to cheat.

Why is she suggesting this?

Or are you too scared?

Don't be kidding yourself!

That's...

Such divine gear! Rikuri, gimme a rough estimation!

Kozan Sword, a tier 8 divine item.

It'd be worth about 800k at the Genten Hall of the Sokei Region,

and around 600k in the Chu Region.

That's nice, very nice.

He transformed the space so fast?

But that can only be done after the Fusion Stage.

Is he really only at the Semi-Deity Stage?

We're at the heart of the Reiken Sect, I only did it with the help of the ki flowing through the mountain.

Guess I over-analyzed.

Cloud Base, the arena intended for the highest level of sparring in the Reiken Sect.

The arena is able to contain within itself, the damage done during any given fight.

Check it out!

Looks like a duel.

Let's go.

Disciples quickly gathered under the stage,

all eager to watch the duel between the JinDan and the Nascent Soul.

Forget what's been said.

If I lose I'll admit to whatever you wrote on that paper.

But if I win...

Okay, I'll let you do whatever to me.

I didn't say that!

You'll have to come back with me to the Seikyo Sect to apologize and—

Let everyone at the Seikyo Sect do as they please with me?!

How can an elder from one of the 5 big sects say something so obscene, this candidly?!

Whatever, but that's only if you can win.

If you lose, you must admit to everything you did,

and give me all your divine gear.

Alright, let's make the Heart Oath.

The Heart Oath.

An oath sworn on one's own cultivation.

As an unwritten rule in the world of cultivation, it means two things during a duel.

No outside help is allowed.

And no killing of an opponent.

Come one, come all! On one side, Master Shiho of the Seikyo Sect at the Nascent Soul Stage.

On the other? Someone stuck at the lowly JinDan Stage, my teacher Obu.

Who will take it all? C'mon and place your bets!

The oath is set, let's begin.

Where'd she go?

Sorry, I just left to help Oriku set up bets among the disciples.

I had to clarify a few things with him.

Bets?

Does no one at the Reiken Sect have respect for a proper duel?

What a bunch of clowns.

He changed the stage into soil. An amazing tactical decision, as expected of a master.

Seems like he's well trained in spell casting.

Shiho has a Spirit Base of the soil property, so his Kozan Sword with soil-based properties is enhanced.

He easily transformed the clouds into soil, and gained a huge environmental advantage by doing so.

How foolish of a JinDan to challenge me.

Alright then, I'll do as you wish.

Nice Soil-Needle Spell, not only does it have great impact, its vibrations also cause a level of effect.

For someone at Nascent Soul, that's really well done.

With just one touch...

Despite her stage, Obu successfully defended the attack from Master Shiho?

She's even standing on the tip of its needle!

You must be weaker as an aged man.

I'm really disappointed in the pillar you've erected.

Show me what type of man you are, Shiho-kun.

The disciples are watching, you know.

Don't put the Nascent Soul to shame.

Is that all you've got?

Not only can I transform cloud into soil,

I can also transform soil into metal.

Which is the element that can cancel out your wood!

Have a taste of this KouKin Sword Skillset!

You're unexpectedly agile. Well done.

Do you still want to fight without a weapon?

Give up, before you really get hurt.

Don't get so giddy about destroying a wooden sword.

How long has it been since you've been in a real fight, Shiho-kun?

That's just a spell-created sword?

So she defended my soil-based spell not with a divine item, nor any wood-based gear,

but with just a normal wooden sword?

Divine gear is unnecessary.

Facing you with a simple wooden sword is more than enough.

She just couldn't afford any high level divine gear.

Is this Obu really only at the JinDan Stage?

She must have a lot of fighting experience, she has great defensive skills.

I know how to cast spells well, but I've spent most of my time in research. I'm not a dueling expert.

But, there's no going back. I'll cast various spells and try to wear her down.

I'll show you the difference in our stages.

Tryin' to tire me out by spewing out a bunch of spells?

How stupid.

Cows can plough themselves to death, but the more the fields are ploughed, the more fertile they get.

Elder Shumei, what does she mean about all the ploughing and stuff?

It's nothing you need to know.

Why?

You're the one who said I should just ask whenever there's something I don't understand.

Stop asking or I'll make you copy out the books.

But why?

Are you really trying? You're putting me to sleep.

How about this?

Guess that doesn't work.

The fight is reaching its climax, but the bet is still on! Come on, everyone!

Gimme one.

Don't push, you'll all get your turn.

So that's Nascent Soul.

His spells that use the five elements are amazing.

It's said that cultivators at the Nascent Soul Stage can destroy a mountain with ease.

That powerful?

Seems like Elder Obu is barely keeping up with him.

What do you want?

Can't you see how busy I am? Gimme a hand.

Why would I, it's not like I'm obliged to...

Oh, but aren't you?

One sec.

Come, come! Don't lose this chance!

Is that all you've got? You really can't hold out for long, can you?

How is she defending against my spells so easily?

You're only at the JinDan Stage!

Your howling isn't going to give you any extra power.

This is bad.

I overused my energy, and depleted my ki.

Why? If she's not cheating, how can someone be so strong at that stage?

It's not that I'm strong, it's that you're weak.

Sure your spells are flashy, quite typical of a Nascent Soul.

But sadly, you yourself are weak.

Don't underestimate the Reiken Sect.

Every elder here is far more stronger than you.

You've forgotten about what cultivation really is in the first place, and turned to depraved techniques.

No, this has nothing to do with the Essence and Blood Boiling Technique.