Awakening of the Ancient: Rise of the Fallen

Even though everyone was waiting for the first rank Sun Mu to accept the challenge of Xu Ming, it didn't happen.

One month passed, and there was no information about Sun Mu accepting the challenge.

Even though everyone else had to fight at least one ranking battle every month, there was no restriction like that for the 1st rank.

It was said that only someone from the top 3 was allowed to challenge the Rank one, and accepting the challenge entirely depended on the 1st ranked person. They only had to fight once every year instead of once every month.

No one had any information as to why Sun Mu wasn't accepting the challenges. It was said that he was only focused on the Core Sect trials to become the Core Sect disciple, and he didn't want to waste time fighting anyone unless he had to.

That's why, even when Xu Ming beat his brother Sun Zhen, he never came for revenge. It was clear that he wasn't interested in revenge; otherwise, he would have accepted the challenge.

Xu Ming waited for over a month, but he got no response.

He even went to the courtyard of Sun Mu, but Sun Mu wasn't there. That's what Sun Mu's servant told him, and even when he used his Divine Sense, he found out that Sun Mu was really not inside the courtyard.

"Where is he! It's already been over a month since I got the 2nd Rank, but even till now, I haven't received the opportunity to fight. It's also nearing the time for me to complete another mission from the sect. If he still doesn't accept my challenge in the next two days, I would have to leave on a mission," Xu Ming muttered as he walked back home.

He was walking back when someone called him from behind.

"Hey, Xu Ming!" 

Xu Ming turned back and saw Zi Zhenfeng there.

"Oh, man. It's getting so difficult to see you nowadays. Congrats on getting the 2nd Rank. I'm still amazed at how fast you rose to the top. I barely managed to get in the top 500 after all these years, and you're already in top 2," Zi Zhenfeng said, smilingly.

"Thank you," Xu Ming replied.

"When are you fighting for the first rank? Has Sun Mu still not agreed?" Zi Zhenfeng inquired.

"No. I haven't been able to see him. I have no idea where he is and if he intends to accept my challenge," Xu Ming replied.

"It shouldn't be long before he accepts the challenge. As far as I know, the last time he had a ranking battle was ten months ago. You must know about the rule as well; he has to accept a challenge once every 12 months, or he would be punished. He should accept your challenge in the next two months at most," Zi Zhenfeng told Xu Ming as he smiled.

"That would be for the best. It's already been so long," Xu Ming muttered.

"Anyway, I'm going to the mission hall to get a mission, do you want to come with me? We can get a joint," Long Chen asked him.

"Alright. I'll see you later," Zi Zhenfeng said as he left.

Xu Ming strolled through the Inner Sect, and while walking, he entered the outer sect. It had been a long time since he had last seen Elder Wu. He wanted to meet him.

He wore the Red Robe of the Inner Sect top rankers, but most of the outer sect disciples didn't know what this robe represented. The Elders of the sect knew everything about it, though.

Xu Ming was walking towards the Elder Wu's courtyard when he saw a commotion.

"You trash! Didn't I tell you that if I see a speck of dust on my table, I'll break your bones? You still dared to be lazy when cleaning?"

As Xu Ming got near, he saw an Outer Sect Servant lying on the ground, whereas a few Outer Sect disciples were surrounding him.

Xu Ming recognized the guy lying on the ground. It was Yao, the person that took care of Xu Ming when he was little. They stayed in the same courtyard. He was also the one that taught Xu Ming about the basic art of sword fighting.

The Outer Disciple that was scolding him kicked towards Yao's face, but Xu Ming appeared before them, using his Origin Movement.

Xu Ming kicked the feet that were coming towards Yao's face.

The Outer Sect Disciple roared in pain as his leg clashed with Xu Ming's legs. The bones of his legs were broken. He fell down on the ground and started groaning in pain like a pig being slaughtered.

Even though the Outer Disciple didn't know that Xu Ming was a top ranker, they did realize that he was from the Inner Sect. No one dared to attack him.

Elder Jin was walking from nearby when he heard a pained scream. He was the same Elder that had sent a disciple to kill Xu Ming previously.

"What's the commotion here? What is happening?" He asked as he walked up to the crowd.

"Elder! He attacked Brother Win!" Someone said as they pointed towards Xu Ming.

"You?" Elder Jin was stunned as he saw Xu Ming's face.

He also noticed his red robe, which brought another shock to his face.

'How can someone with 0 Cultivation talent get to such a high level? Did the potential measuring orb really show false information?' he thought as he frowned.

"Even if you're a High-Rank Inner Disciple, you're not allowed to attack Outer Disciples! Why did you attack him?" Elder Jin asked Xu Ming.

"I saw him lying on the ground. I came to pick him up when I saw a kick coming towards me. I reacted in self-defense, which is a perfectly fine reason for an Inner Disciple," Xu Ming replied.

He had already read most of the rules, and he knew that he had to do and what he didn't.

"This... Alright. It's fine this time, but don't do this again," he was stunned at Xu Ming's response, but he reacted calmly as he knew that he couldn't do much.

"You guys! What the heck are you doing here! Go back to what you were doing!" he scolded the other disciples who left.

"Take him to the physician," He told another outer disciple who picked up the injured guy and left.

Elder Jin walked away.

'I haven't forgotten that you were the one that tried to kill me. One day, I'll return everything,' Xu Ming thought as he watched Elder Jin leave.

He extended his hands towards Yao and helped him get up.

"A-are you Xu Ming?" Yao asked Xu Ming.

"Yes. I'm Xu Ming, Brother Yao," Xu Ming said smilingly.

"Wow, You've grown up so much. And not obligated in size, but in personality as well. You feel more open now. Previously, you only looked down as if nothing was worth your time here," Yao said to Xu Ming.

"Cultivation helped me mature," Xu Ming replied. Then though he was still upset on the inside and melancholic, now he didn't let outy show on the outside.

"How are others?" Xu Ming asked.

"They're fine. They should be at work now. Do you want to meet them?" Yao inquired.

"No, it's fine. Let them work; I have somewhere to be as well," Xu Ming responded.

"Oh, alright. Thanks for helping me, little brother. When you are brought here as a servant, I never expected that you would be able to shine so brightly. I hope that your rise will never stop," Yao said as he smiled.

"Thank You, brother Yao. I'll visit again sometime. Hopefully, on the night when you're all together," Xu Ming said.

They talked a little more before Xu Ming left.

He walked to the Courtyard of Elder Wu and knocked on the door, which was opened by his servant.

The Servant recognized Xu Ming and, without even asking anything, allowed him entry inside.

Xu Ming entered the courtyard and walked to the room of Elder Wu

"Elder Wu?" he called out as he knocked on Elder Wu's door.

"Xu Ming? Come on inside," Elder Wu said.

Xu Ming pushed the door open and entered inside.

"Do you need something or are you here just to see this old man?" Elder Wu chuckled as he asked.

"I'm here to see you today. I don't need anything. Unless you have more Yellow Nature Fruit," Xu Ming said, smilingly.

"I wish I had more to give you, but they can't be purchased or bought. They can only be found if one is lucky. Unfortunately, no one tried to find them as they all think it is a useless fruit," Elder Wu said.

"Yeah, It would be nice if the world had more Yellow Nature Fruit," Xu Ming muttered.

"True. It's really useful for some even though it's not useful for most," Elder Wu muttered.