That night, the severely injured Wang Lie and a challenge letter were sent to the disciples of the Guangyuan Sect. After just two sentences were read aloud, everyone erupted into curses, denouncing Zhang Yan's arrogance!
A mere registered disciple of the Mingcang Sect dares to openly issue a challenge against an entire sect? Truly reckless and ignorant of death! But once the challenge letter was fully read, it caused an even greater uproar.
This was because the letter mentioned Zhang Yan wanted to compete with the Guangyuan Sect disciples in deciphering the Star Tablet!
The difficulty of the Star Tablet was known to all.
The Star Tablet was originally the Sealing Stele used in the Xuanwen Conference. Every time the conference reached its finale, a master would select the most outstanding disciple to publicly decipher the Star Tablet as proof of their reputation—but even then, they required the master's guidance and talismanic protection to ensure safety.
Using the deciphering of the Star Tablet as a direct measure of victory or defeat? No one had ever been so audacious!
Contrary to the reactions of the ordinary disciples, the five entry-level disciples of the Guangyuan Sect treated this challenge letter with unprecedented seriousness, believing this decision was not made by Zhang Yan alone but orchestrated by the entire Mingcang Sect behind the scenes.
This misunderstanding led them to no longer underestimate Zhang Yan. Initially, they thought he was just a small pawn, but now he seemed like the Mingcang Sect's trump card—suddenly elevated to an unprecedented status.
Shen Jingyue read the challenge letter several times and finally let out a cold laugh, saying, "The Mingcang Sect is quite clever—no mention of the Nanhua Sect within their words."
The senior disciple, Wen Jun, remained composed, stroking his long beard as he gravely said, "Everyone who has intervened so far has been our Guangyuan Sect disciples. Naturally, they will not provoke the Nanhua Sect directly. But after this, our Guangyuan Sect has no retreat. The Mingcang Sect has clearly seen our eagerness for a swift resolution and is forcing our hand to accept the fight."
Once news of this challenge spreads, the Guangyuan Sect will be caught riding a tiger, unable to dismount.
As for the Nanhua Sect, their original plan was to let the Guangyuan Sect take the lead. They were unwilling to easily break ties with the Mingcang Sect and certainly wouldn't step forward at this moment.
"If we do not accept the challenge, all previous efforts will be in vain." Shen Jingyue tossed the challenge letter aside, a faint sneer forming at the corner of his lips. "One man challenging my Guangyuan Sect—a truly grand claim. The deciphering of the Star Tablet has nothing to do with the number of participants. Zhang Yan has merely seized an unwarranted moment of fame."
Wen Jun shook his head, saying, "Since the Mingcang Sect dares to put forth Zhang Yan, it means he—just as Junior Mo speculated earlier—must possess certain capabilities. Defeating him won't be easy."
At that moment, the silent third disciple, Zhang Zhen, suddenly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Two Senior Brothers, why not let me take the first round!"
Shen Jingyue glanced at Zhang Zhen in surprise, then slowly said, "Among our ranks, Junior Brother Zhang's strategic abilities may not rival that of Junior Mo, but they are still commendable. However, the Star Tablet harbors hidden dangers far beyond the ordinary. Let Senior Brother handle this instead—it's better you don't go."
But Zhang Zhen insisted passionately, saying, "I am a branch member of the Zhang Family in Fengyan. Since entering the sect, the two Senior Brothers have shown me great care, and I've often pondered how I might repay it. Now, Junior Mo has garnered prestige for our sect through the Heavenly Gate Dao. As his senior, how could I fall behind?"
Though Shen Jingyue tried to dissuade him tactfully, no matter what he said, this normally honest and simple junior brother refused to yield even half a step. In the end, Shen Jingyue had no choice but to agree.
Zhang Zhen finally displayed a foolish yet wide grin, saying, "Senior Brother need not worry. I observed the Star Tablet at the previous Dharma Assembly. With my strategic ability, deciphering half of the tablet's text should be no issue. If Zhang Yan proves challenging, I can always withdraw at that point."
Wen Jun pondered for a while before nodding, saying, "In that case, I will also partake."
"You mustn't!" Shen Jingyue was alarmed, hurriedly opposing his decision. "Senior Brother must stay here to oversee everything; Junior Brother Zhang and I will suffice. You are the senior disciple of the Guangyuan Sect Lower Institute—the emblem of the Lower Institute. You cannot enter the fray lightly. If defeated, the damage to your reputation would not be yours alone."
Wen Jun sighed, saying, "Do you think I do not understand the gravity of this? But if only you and Junior Brother Zhang fight, the Nanhua Sect might interpret that as our Guangyuan Sect failing to fully commit. Remember—personal honor is trivial; the survival of the sect is paramount."
Shen Jingyue was taken aback. He remained silent for a moment, then finally rose and offered Wen Jun a deep bow, respectfully and solemnly saying, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother—it was an oversight of mine."
Wen Jun quickly helped Shen Jingyue up, saying, "We are all disciples of the same sect—there's no need for such formalities."
"In that case, Junior Brother Zhang will take the first round, I will take the second. If we fail, then we must ask Senior Brother to fight in the third round!" Shen Jingyue deliberated carefully and deemed this arrangement the most suitable, ensuring the Nanhua Sect would not feel the Guangyuan Sect was holding back.