Chapter Seven: The Hundred Battles Arena (Part One)

"All matters are entrusted; I imagine they are still in the lands of Chu. But, junior brother, do not be careless. That prince of Zhou is protected by the former grand marshal of Great Zhou, the Martial God Zhou Wu. Before my departure, my father warned me countless times to be cautious, saying that Zhou Wu is truly a peerless enemy of ten thousand men in this era. If King Zheng had not persuaded Elder Autumn Leaf, the Martial Sage, to make this journey, my father would have come in person."

"If even the God of War of Zheng is wary of such a figure, how could our country of Chu not exercise the utmost caution!"

The two brothers, having settled their important matters, were both satisfied, and exchanged relaxed smiles.

Chu Gaoge stood and said, "Senior brother, rest early. Tomorrow the new city will be lively. You once mentioned your interest in the Hundred Battles Arena where martial sects are founded in Chu. Tomorrow, there will be such an event here; you may witness the combat yourself."

"Excellent! Then I shall stay another day. I’ll trouble you to arrange it."

In Chu, any martial sect seeking to establish itself must first inform the local martial authorities. On the day of founding, they must accept a hundred challenges. Those with connections usually make arrangements in advance; other wanderers or experts, whether out of courtesy, pressure, or in exchange for favors, will show restraint on the stage.

Thus, founding a sect in Chu is both difficult and not. Without true ability, even if a sect is founded, it is almost impossible to maintain its reputation later; challengers cannot be avoided, and Chu has laws to uphold the spirit of martial strength.

The reason the Sunset Glow Sect relied on the city governor's two sons was precisely for these arrangements. With their support, no martial sect or wanderer in the new city would trouble them. Otherwise, if a hundred experts arrived and fought with all their strength, how could a newly founded sect withstand it?

Early the next morning, the members of Sunset Glow Sect conducted their ritual for founding with enthusiasm. The attending officials and sect leaders far exceeded expectations, all aware it was because the Marquis of Zheng and the Chu king’s eldest grandson were present.

Bai Xing looked up at the arena’s side building, guarded by the imperial troops, but due to the viewing angles, could not glimpse those behind. She couldn’t run to the opposite side for a better look. Bai Yue, noticing her frequent glances, reminded her, "Focus on the Hundred Battles Arena."

Bai Xing replied with a relaxed smile, "Those martial masters won’t trouble us."

"Do not slacken your guard."

"Yes," Bai Xing answered earnestly, though her thoughts remained fixed on the distinguished guests above.

The Sunset Glow Sect once held sway in Chen, but only within Golden Light City. Characters like Ling Luo and Chu Gaoge were ones she’d never had a chance to see. If not for a stroke of fate, she would not see them now. Bai Xing, as a native of Chu, often heard tales of Chu Gaoge’s valor and had long heard that the Marquis of Zheng was said to be like a celestial being. As for the Princess Tianlai, famed as the most beautiful in Zheng, curiosity about her beauty gnawed at Bai Xing.

For days she’d wanted to see them, but the sect’s founding was too important to wait in the streets. Now, with the opportunity, her curiosity could not be contained.

The governor of the new city came onto the stage, first heavily emphasizing the honor of Chu Gaoge, the Marquis, and the Princess's presence. After a lengthy speech, he finally presided over the opening of the Hundred Battles Arena, as custom dictated.

Bai Yue led the sect onto the stage, bowing to Chu Gaoge and the other two, then clasping hands in thanks to the officials and martial figures present.

Bai Xing secretly observed her fill of curiosity.

Chu Gaoge was not only strikingly handsome, but possessed an extraordinary bearing; one glance revealed he was no ordinary man. The Marquis wore white, with scholarly, refined features, showing not the slightest air of superiority, nor any trace of the formidable prowess said to come from the divine arts of Northern Spirit Mountain. The only disappointment for Bai Xing was that Princess Tianlai wore a veil, her appearance entirely obscured.

The drum thundered, "Dong dong..."—the hundred battles began.

Bai Yue stepped to the center of the stage, humbly requesting guidance. As was customary, if arrangements had been made, the sect leader would take the stage as a formality, letting the audience assume the leader’s cultivation was high enough to endure a hundred experts in succession.

Above, Ling Luo watched Bai Yue step forward and murmured in surprise, "Sunset Glow Sect… could it be from Golden Light City, Chen?"

"Precisely," Chu Gaoge confirmed.

Ling Luo then understood the excuse behind Chu’s campaign against Chen, but that was not what surprised him.

"Have you met Lady Li?"

Chu Gaoge nodded, "She left Chu’s capital just a few days ago."

"Then, using your divine sight, what do you make of the Sunset Glow Sect leader’s cultivation?"

Chu Gaoge immediately understood Lady Li had given Ling Luo the Divine Sect leader’s token, which must have activated his divine sight ahead of time. He did not feign ignorance, but invoked his own divine sight, his eyes shining gold.

"Ah?" Chu Gaoge was astonished, hardly able to believe.

This Bai Yue had a physical strength of 550, inner force of 1500, spirit of 10, and soul of 6. Her combat power was 4100, but her absolute combat power exceeded twenty thousand!

"This—such a minor sect’s internal cultivation actually enhances the soul!"

Chu Gaoge could hardly believe it; Ling Luo was equally shocked.

Most advanced internal arts in the world do not drastically differ in their enhancement of physical or inner strength. Only disciples of Northern Spirit Sect and Flying Immortal Sect, a rare few, know the secrets of the soul. There are rare arts that unconsciously enhance soul, but their practitioners, and even their creators, are unaware. Yet none should produce effects comparable to the Divine and Royal arts.

For those were painstakingly created, combined, and pursued by the Elder of Northern Spirit over a lifetime.

"If the Sunset Glow Sect’s cultivation method is so profound, it must be among the world’s greatest arts—why is it unknown?"

Ling Luo’s doubts echoed Chu Gaoge’s. In Chen, the Sunset Glow Sect was renowned, but in the wider world, at best, it was second-rate. From Ling Luo’s perspective, its obscurity was no exaggeration.

"To think we’d encounter such a master today," Chu Gaoge mused, surprised; he had feared the contest would be tedious, but now his interest was piqued.

After watching eight matches, Chu Gaoge frowned. Ling Luo seemed bored, engaged only in conversation with Princess Tianlai. Chu Gaoge felt his dignity slipping, but realized the arena had been arranged, the matches mere show. Ling Luo must see the Hundred Battles Arena of Chu as a farce.

"If this is the Hundred Battles Arena, as is customary in Chu, even passing martial artists may challenge. Seventh junior brother, please test the Sunset Glow Sect leader’s skill."

Ling Luo, pleased by the discovery, had hoped to witness Bai Yue’s abilities, but found only pretense. Hearing Chu Gaoge’s order, he guessed the arena’s situation and immediately asked Princess Tianlai to watch closely, as a sign of respect.

Chu Gaoge’s seventh junior brother was Chen Yu, descendant of a famous general of Chu, trained in the Royal Arts of Northern Spirit Mountain. After returning, he served in Chu Gaoge’s household; his cultivation was first-rate even by the standards of Northern Spirit Mountain. Chu Gaoge sent him down because he was impressed by Bai Yue’s combat prowess.

Five men descended from the viewing platform, the leader with paired swords at his waist, called the martial artist on the stage to step down, then leapt onto the arena himself.

"As the Hundred Battles Arena allows anyone to challenge, I, disciple of Northern Spirit Sect’s Royal Arts, wish to test your skill!" He did not bother to mention his name, clearly disregarding Bai Yue.

The atmosphere shifted; the Sunset Glow Sect members were all anxious. The two sons of the city governor pleaded with their father to intervene, but were rebuked and silenced. Against Chu Gaoge’s men, what could a mere city governor do?

Everyone knew the power of Northern Spirit Sect disciples, especially those trained in the Royal Arts—one of the most advanced methods of Northern Spirit Mountain!

Though Bai Xing trusted her sister, she was now flustered; quick-witted, she whispered to the elder to find Bu Jingxian, so that if anything went awry, they could respond.

If the Hundred Battles Arena was lost today, by Chu’s laws, the sect could not be founded again for ten years. Sunset Glow Sect could not afford to wait a decade! Bai Xing fumed at those above, feeling they cared only for their entertainment, heedless of the struggles and blows to the survival of small sects like theirs.