Elder Mo entered the hall with a casual smile. The intent of an experienced middle Tier one Martial Warrior hanging off of himself.
"Greetings, Elder Mo!" The three elders spoke at Elder Mo’s arrival by expressing a bow. Karn followed suit.
Elder Mo was an old man with a thick beard and a scar running across his left cheek. Unlike the other elders, he did not wear an extravagant robe. His clothes were simple, almost resembling those of an ordinary martial artist.
Elder Mo nodded before his eyes swept the four elders stopping at Karn.
"Honorable Elder Karn, pleasure to meet you friend." Elder Mo spoke with a smile.
"Koko... The pleasure is all mine, Hall Master." Karn had learned about the hierarchy structure of the sect from his courtyard guard before he left for the Martial Hall. There were many other halls in the Dragon Meteor Sect like the Alchemy Hall or the Artifact Refinement Hall. Each of them were run by their following Hall masters. The Hall Masters were just below the Five Dragons of Dragon Meteor Sect in terms of status.
Many whispers could be heard as this exchange of pleasantries occurred between Karn and Elder Mo.
"So that’s the elder, the fourth young master has been hiding. The one who fought Zhao Long and still lives to tell the tale." Some of the elders and disciples spoke about Karn.
Elder Mo coughed out loud hearing the chatter in the air. The hall became quiet at this moment.
"We will now begin the monthly martial exchanges." Elder Mo spoke before gesturing to the guard at the front to let in the first batch of disciples.
Everyone’s attention turned toward the center of the arena as two disciples walked in.
The two young disciples stood opposite to one another. One was a tall young man and the other was a shorter disciple wearing the robes of an outer sect disciple.
Between them sat a small wooden table and upon it was a single crimson herb. Even from several meters away, Karn could smell its medicinal fragrance. His God’s Eye could see the rich Qi that sat inside the herb.
"That is Bloodheart Grass." Elder Wang, who belonged to the first young masters faction, narrowed his eyes.
"Bloodheart Grass?" Karn tilted his head.
"The Bloodheart Grass can accelerate cultivation for those below Tier Three. It is particularly valuable to young disciples." Elder Wang gave him a strange look.
"You don’t recognize it?" The perceptible Elder Mu who was an old but graceful tall woman asked Karn. Elder Mu belonged to Xiao Yu, the third young masters faction.
"Koko... this old man has only been cultivating for a short while." The elder’s expressions became complicated.
’This elder Karn has somehow reached his current cultivation without even recognizing one of the most common cultivation herbs...? or is he implying something else?’ The elders thought to themselves.
Before the elders could ask anything else, the two disciples began arguing.
"That herb belongs to me!" The tall disciple spoke loudly enough so that the elders could hear him.
"You’ve lost your mind! I found it first!" The shorter disciple with a higher temper could not control himself at the provocation.
"You found it after I had already marked it!"
"You didn’t mark anything!" The two disciples glared at one another.
"Silence." Elder Mo raised his hand and the entire Martial Hall became quiet.
"State your claims." Elder Mo spoke.
"Disciple Sun Wei greets Elder Mo." The tall outer sect disciple stepped forward and pointed towards the herb.
"I discovered the Bloodheart Grass while gathering herbs near the eastern mountain. I marked the location and left to retrieve a container...." The tall disciple called Sun Wei spoke as he glared at the other disciple.
".... And when I returned, this man had already dug it out." At this statement the other disciple immediately stepped forward.
"Disciple Luo Ming greets Elder Mo. His words are false. I discovered the herb first." As Luo Ming retorted, Sun Wei scoffed.
"You didn’t even know what it was!"
"I knew it was valuable."
"Then why didn’t you take it?"
"Because I didn’t have a container!" Their arguing grew louder until Elder Mo raised his hand again.
"Enough. Do either of you possess proof?" He looked toward the two disciples.
At this question the two disciples fell silent and neither answered.
"Then we shall settle it through the Martial Hall." Elder Mo spoke resolutely and walked away towards the raised platform of the other elders.
"So the winner decides who gets the herb?" Karn raised an eyebrow.
"Correct. The Martial Hall does not concern itself with who possesses the stronger argument. It concerns itself with who possesses the strength to prove their claim." Elder Mo nodded.
"Koko..." Karn glanced at the herb.
’So even something as trivial as a medicinal herb can become a martial dispute.’ Karn thought to himself.
The two disciples stepped into the arena ready to fight.
Seeing the two, the surrounding disciples of the elders immediately began whispering.
"Sun Wei is stronger." One of them spoke.
"He’s already reached the peak of Tier Three." Another replied.
"Luo Ming is only at the middle stage."
"Then this is already decided."
Karn listened quietly to the bunch. He agreed with their assessment of the outcome, but not because of the difference in cultivation. Rather, it was because of the difference in temperament.
For Karn, overcoming someone in a higher cultivation realm was not impossible. He had done it many times before, and his thirst for combat had given him an instinct for understanding his opponents
To Karn, cultivation could decide how hard someone hit. It could not decide whether they had the courage to throw that punch. Luo Ming lacked confidence. The boy’s heart beat faster than ever, his arms trembled. The fire which had been brewing due to the provocations had suddenly come back to bite him.
Sun Wei on the other hand remained calm, his eyes trying to read his opponents habits. His posture showed experience in combat that needed to be forged under tens of battles.
Sun Wei moved first, his foot slammed down as he shot out with his sword. Luo Ming’s eyes widened in terror as he frantically moved and adjusted his posture defensively according to his training.
Clang!
The impact of the sword caused Luo Ming to step back multiple times to reclaim balance. Sun Wei followed through just as quickly with another exchange blowing apart Luo Ming’s defensive stance and his sword in the air.
The sword stopped inches away from Luo Ming’s neck. The elders all nodded to themselves before Elder Mo stepped forward.
"The winner is Sun Wei. His claim will be recognized as true. The Bloodheart Grass will be given to the victor." Elder Mo spoke as he activated the formation of the Martial Hall with a formation plaque.
A scroll appeared in the air entirely conjured by Qi before landing in front of a disciple working at the Martial Hall. Inside the scroll stated the reason for the martial exchange, the winner and any other details for the Sect to record in their archives.
"Thank you, Elder Mo, for your aid." Sun Wei spoke bowing in front of Elder Mo.
Luo Ming on the other hand stood up and left the hall while holding his arm in pain.
"How uneventful..." Karn spoke sarcastically.
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