Chapter 124: The Past

Inside the Guihai Hall, Guihai Xin no longer possessed the high spirits of days past. With eyes heavy with the weight of twilight, he looked at his only remaining son and said earnestly, "Yes, a retreat—a true retreat that belongs to our Guihai family."

Guihai Yidao crawled slowly to his father’s side, asking in confusion, "Father, why do you say that? Is this not what our Guihai family has always stood for?"

"Sigh, Dao’er, you are too young and unaware of many things. You believe Guihai City has always been our family’s inheritance. It is true that in your grandfather’s time, Guihai City was once glorious, ranking among the three great cities of the Linglong Continent. But as time passed and the five great spiritual sects rose to power, Guihai City gradually declined into a second-rate town. Twenty years ago, for the sake of the city’s future, I committed an irreparable mistake." Guihai Xin gazed into the distance, as if recalling the event that had brought him shame for a lifetime.

Guihai Xin recounted the events of that year. "Those spiritualists from the five great sects were naturally unwilling to let me off so easily. So, that man made a wager against three masters chosen by the five sects, declaring that if he lost even one of the three bouts, he would..." As he spoke, Guihai Xin’s face glowed with a faint light, as if remembering how incredibly powerful that man had been.

Guihai Yidao was stunned. "Is there truly someone in this world so arrogant? And what was the outcome?"

Guihai Xin smiled bitterly. "The result? Naturally, that man won. The people of the five great sects had no choice but to accept their defeat. It was one of the rare instances where I saw the five great sects suffer such humiliation. But because of that, I owed that man a life-debt, and until this very moment, sigh..."

Guihai Yidao seemed to understand. "Father, do you mean to say that this Spiritual Rising Tournament was not your own intention, but rather that person forcing you to hold it to repay that debt?"

Guihai Xin nodded silently. "Sigh, Dao’er, from that day on, I knew this was destined to end in tragedy. Ever since, I returned to Guihai City and painstakingly cultivated a path that truly belongs to our family, preparing for the day when all else is lost, so that our clan might still have the means to survive."

Guihai Yidao stood slowly. "Father, everyone knows the Ten Thousand Spear Formation is our greatest defensive technique. But my brother’s fate is unknown, and the Spear Armory has been destroyed. What resources do we have left?"

"My son, the armory is inanimate, but people are living. Though your brother is gone, you are still here, and that is enough. I will now tell you the true essence of the Ten Thousand Spear Formation." Guihai Xin’s eyes shone with intensity. "This is our family’s greatest secret and our only retreat. As long as it exists, our clan will never perish. If you study it diligently, I guarantee that within three days, you will master it. When that time comes, we will have nothing to fear from the Yihua Sect."

"Father, the man you spoke of—could we use this technique against him?" Guihai Yidao suggested.

Guihai Xin shook his head helplessly. "Once the tournament began, there was no turning back; we must see it through. If we can defeat the Yihua Sect, everything will be resolved, for if that man wishes to achieve his goals, he requires a base of operations within Linglong, and Guihai City is the perfect location!"

Hearing his father's words, the clouds seemed to part for Guihai Yidao, dispelling the gloom of his brother’s disappearance and the loss of the spears. A martial fanatic at heart, he said confidently, "Father, rest assured, I will give my all to master our family’s ultimate spiritual art. I will slaughter the Yihua Sect for you and ensure Guihai City remains for eternity."

"Good, good. Having you, Dao’er, is the greatest pride of my life." Guihai Xin declared loudly. He then summoned Li Tong and ordered him to announce that the tournament was temporarily suspended. The official word was that the Guihai family had gained an absolute advantage, and the merciful old city lord could not bear to slaughter more youngsters. They would wait for the arrival of the Yihua Sect’s Master Gu Meng to settle matters once and for all. If Master Gu Meng did not dare to appear within three days, Guihai City would establish the Guihai Sect and become the sixth of the great spiritual sects.

After giving these instructions, Guihai Xin led Guihai Yidao into a secret chamber, where father and son devoted themselves to practicing the true secret of the Ten Thousand Spear Formation.

The morning sun rose as usual, but the atmosphere at the tournament grounds was unusually cold. Having heard the announcement early on, the crowd found the situation dull. Those who had traveled through the night in anticipation of the spectacle were deeply disappointed. However, no one left, as they were all waiting to see if Master Gu Meng would grace them with his presence in three days.

The leaders of the five great sects had not been seen by ordinary spiritualists for many years due to their exalted status and reclusive nature. To witness even one of them would be a trip worth taking, let alone the chance to see Master Gu Meng in action; the thought alone made one's blood boil.

Although the tournament matches had ceased, businesses throughout Guihai City were booming. Inns were packed, and restaurants were impossible to enter during meal times. Wu Luohua and Nalan Xin’er had long since secured a spot in a restaurant overlooking the street. Sitting by the window, they watched the bustling crowds and felt quite carefree, the gloom of the previous days long gone.

"Brother Xiaohua, did you bring any money?" Nalan Xin’er asked as she saw the waiter approaching.

"What money?" Wu Luohua feigned ignorance.

"Hmph, you’re something else. I’ve been feeding you for two days now. It seems you haven't been tied up enough," the little demoness said angrily.

"Sigh, who told me I was so incompetent? If not for that, Mo Da wouldn't have been teaching Sister Yu some self-defense techniques these past few days." Wu Luohua spat out a sunflower seed and shouted, "Bring us tea! The best tea!"