Chapter 9: The Unseen Battlefield

The Grand Sect Assembly's atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Cultivators from across realms had gathered, their eyes fixed on the impending duel between Xiao Yan, the Supreme Sect's First Disciple, and the Solar Emperor Sect's Master, a figure shrouded in millennia of dominance.

Lin Feng, seated nonchalantly, sipped his tea, his demeanor contrasting sharply with the charged environment. He muttered to himself, "I hope this wraps up quickly. I have better things to do."

The arena, an expansive platform of jade and gold, shimmered under the ethereal glow of floating lanterns. Ancient runes activated, forming protective barriers to contain the forthcoming clash.

Xiao Yan stepped forward, his aura calm yet intense. The crowd murmured, noting the mysterious emblem glowing faintly on his forehead—a mark unseen before in any cultivation lineage.

The Solar Emperor Sect Master, draped in robes of burning crimson, sneered. "A mere disciple dares challenge me? I'll teach you the folly of overreaching."

Without a word, Xiao Yan raised his hand, and the air around him distorted. From the void, an ancient scroll materialized, its surface inscribed with symbols that seemed to dance and shift.

Gasps echoed through the assembly.

"Is that... the Celestial Codex?" an elder whispered.

"Impossible! That artifact was lost eons ago!" another retorted.

Xiao Yan unfurled the scroll, and ethereal chains shot out, aiming for the sect master. But the elder cultivator was swift, summoning a phoenix of pure flame to counter.

The two forces clashed mid-air, creating shockwaves that rattled the protective barriers.

Lin Feng yawned, "Seen it. Boring."

As the battle raged, Xiao Yan's movements became unpredictable. He weaved through attacks with an agility that defied logic, his form flickering like a shadow.

"He's using the Phantom Step Technique! But that's been lost for centuries!" a sect leader exclaimed.

The sect master's frustration grew. "You think ancient tricks can defeat me?" He channeled his energy, summoning pillars of solar fire that converged on Xiao Yan.

But Xiao Yan merely smirked. With a swift motion, he drew a black blade from his side—a weapon that seemed to absorb light itself.

"The Eclipse Saber... thought to be a myth," an onlooker murmured.

With a single slash, Xiao Yan dispersed the fiery pillars, the blade's darkness consuming the flames.

The sect master staggered back, disbelief etched on his face. "What... are you?"

Xiao Yan's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. "I am the harbinger of a new era."

Before the sect master could react, Xiao Yan vanished and reappeared behind him, the Eclipse Saber poised at his neck.

"Yield," Xiao Yan commanded.

The sect master, feeling the cold edge of the blade, clenched his fists but nodded. "I... concede."

The assembly erupted into chaos.

"Unbelievable! The Supreme Sect's disciple defeated a sect master!"

"What does this mean for the balance of power?"

Lin Feng set down his teacup, "Finally, some peace."

Xiao Yan turned to the assembly, his voice resonating, "The Supreme Sect claims its rightful place. Those who challenge us will face the same fate."

As the crowd buzzed with speculation and awe, a figure cloaked in shadows watched from afar, a sinister smile playing on their lips. "So, the game begins."

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End of Chapter 9

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