Whening out of the room after his closed door training, the instant he saw the sunshine again, Yang Chen had a sudden urge to jump, as if it was an instinct of his body, but also because of his excitement for the Sect’s Martial Arts Competition starting from tomorrow.
In the Sect’s Martial Arts Competition, contestants were divided ording to their realms. Generally speaking, fights between disciples of different realms was utterly dangerous, even if someone with a high cultivation was acting as guard, it was still a very risky affair. Usually, only disciples with the same cultivation would fight with each other, so naturally, it was apetition between disciples of the same stage.
ording to the rules of the Martial Arts Competition, the disciples at the lower realms would umte points depending on their victory or defeat andter, ording to these points, their rankings would change. Those who were ranked higher would enjoy an even better status and treatment, while those ranked behind would have to spend more contribution points to receive the same resources. These kinds of rules motivated all of the disciples to cultivate even more meticulously.
Naturally, someone challenging a disciple above their realm would receive more advantages and bonus points, only, this kind of thing was seen very rarely. Generally speaking, the teachers did not rmend their disciples to challenge someone above their realm, not to mention the danger, it could severely dampen one’s confidence, so the gains really didn’t make up for the losses.
The one in which Yang Chen would participate was naturally the qi realm martial arts contest. All of the qi realm disciples could, within the first day, challenge other disciples to fight or could instead be challenged by others. The location of thispetition was naturally the Nine Earth Manor.
Because of Yang Chen and Gong Sun Ling’s performance at the Heavenly Stairs this year, at this qiyer Martial Arts Competition the Pce Master of the Pure Yang Pce himself would personallye to watch. This made all of the disciples iparably excited and eager to fight. As long as one could leave a profound impression on the Pce Master, then would one still have to worry about their future cultivation?
The Merit Transferring Disciple, Chu Heng, was responsible to act as arbitrator for thepetition this time and at the same time he was also responsible for saving disciples if they were in danger. With him there were also more than a dozen foundation stage disciples, including Du Qian of the Law Enforcement Hall.
Yang Chen was not very interested in challenging these disciples of the Nine Earth Manor and seizing their cultivation resources. His sole desire was to learn by interaction and that was also just with Gongsun Ling and no one else. As for Sun Hai Jing, indeed he was Yang Chen target for a life and death challenge, their rtionship had already sank to the point of being mortal enemies.
Gongsun Ling also hadn’t wasted these three months, with just one look, Yang Chen became aware that she had certainly broken through within these three months and had entered the seventh qiyer. Compared to the Gongsun Ling before she had climbed the Heavenly Stairs, the present Gongsun Ling was even more energetic and had even more fighting spirit, her attitude was as if she could fight with anyone below the heavens.
Because this kind of fighting spirit would bring about changes in one’s personality, it became visible to everyone. Originally Gongsun Ling was just a beautiful woman, who was hard toe by, but now she also had a hint of confidence and aggressiveness. She had also been in secluded training for the past three months and appeared in public for the first time since then, but even if it was the first time, she had immediately attracted the sight of all the qi realm disciples. Even Chu Heng had fixed his gaze on Gongsun Ling, but he had an indescribable expression.
Although Gongsun Ling had been good natured previously, this was not towards everyone. Her present attitude made her seem unapproachable. Although almost everyone’s gaze was fixed on her, no one dared to go and talk to her.
A smile spread on Yang Chen’s face and he immediately greeted Gongsun Ling from a distance. Looking at Yang Chen, Gongsun Ling immediately smiled towards him. Only, with just this faint smile, she made everyone feel as if the sky had fallen onto their heads.
Just this greeting between these two people made the Pce Master of the Pure Yang Pce, who had rushed over here, but had not yet appeared in front of everyone, sense the exceptionality of Yang Chen and Gongsun Ling. One person could make the people not dare to approach her, but when she smiled, it could make them feel as if the sun had peeked through between the clouds. The other, regardless of the situation, could always preserve his calmness, such a disciple was really hard toe by.
It had to be known that at that moment all disciples in the Nine Earth Manor were in fear that their performance was deemed as no good by the Pce Master, therefore all of the disciples were very careful. Even those foundation stage disciples, who were in charge of arbitrating and defending disciples, had the same thoughts. Apart from Yang Chen and Gongsun Ling, only two or three foundation stage disciples were able to show this type of calmness.
Gongsun Ling had entered the seventh qiyer, so her strength had increased and her mental state had also made a breakthrough, so this was not unexpected for most people. But for a third qiyer outer disciple to be able to cultivate this kind of strong mind, it was no wonder that he could climb to the peak of the Heavenly Stairs two times, and could still cripple neen JieDan experts. For such a person, this was not something out of the ordinary.
Even though the sect leader had only appeared in front of everyone and had not said anything, this still inspired all of the people present. Hearing about him was just one thing, but truly seeing him was a whole different thing.
Sun Hai Jing stood on one side at the corner with a profound smile on his face. He had learned from Chu Heng why the Pce Master of the Pure Yang Pce had appeared here. Looking at Yang Chen and Gongsun Ling greeting each other, Sun Hai Jing suddenly had a very ridiculous thought. If Yang Chen, for whom the Pce Master had high hopes, was eliminated from the Martial Arts Competition, what would he feel if that happened?
Not only the Pure Yang Pce, but all other sects also allowed life and death duels between their disciples. This was the most just and honourable method to settle disputes, and after the event it was unlikely for anyone to investigate it. Naturally this was just a theory, as for whether or not it was looked into, only the parties involved would be clear about. However with just this condition, what would Sun Hai Jing have to fear? As for choosing between killing Yang Chen honorably during the duel, and killing Yang Chen at some other time, but at the same time being investigated afterwards, and losing his ability to break through, even an idiot would know what to pick.
Chu Heng announced the start of the martial artspetition and immediately, in the training grounds of the Nine Earth Manor, the crowd began to boil with excitement and many disciples began to look for other disciples of the sameyer, to begin challenging them and very quickly within the training grounds, an image of a de appeared.
Yang Chen hadn’t moved and Gongsun Ling also didn’t make a move, but in the corner, Sun hai Jing had issued a challenge towards a peak qiyer disciple. This one move of his immediately raised a huge mor among many people. Sun Hai Jing was merely a minor fourth qiyer disciple, how could he dare to challenge a peak qiyer master? Furthermore, he had not only just challenged any peak qiyer disciple, but also the one acknowledged as the number one outer disciple.
Challenging someone above one’s realm was allowed at the martialpetition and at the same time it would also reward the most points. However for the challenged people it was a troublesome event, because they wouldter be med of being the strong, taking unfair advantage of the weak, or that they had an unfair advantage in that battle, while being defeated would lose even more face. Even if it was a challenge above one’s realm, it was usually a third qiyer disciple challenging a fourth qiyer disciple, or a fourth qiyer disciple challenging fifth qiyer disciple, but challenging someone with a differences of more than fiveyers was unprecedented.
“Younger Disciple Sun, you can still change your decision!”
The challenged disciple was known as Zhou Zihe, he was not very old, only thirty years or so.
From the time he had started cultivating, to reaching the peak of the qiyer, he had only taken fifteen years of time, he was just one step away from the foundation stage. Within a few years he had be the number one disciple among the outer disciples, so he would not be cowardly when facing Sun Hai Jing’s challenge, rather he had just indifferently warned him once.
Sun Hai Jing burst into loudughter and opened his hand and from within his hand, the figure of a sword flew out and started rotating around his body in the air.
“A magic weapon?”
The people watching the battle did not dare to believe their own eyes, the sword that flew out from Sun Hai Jing’s body was glowing magnificently and exerted a great pressure, which clearly proved that it was a magic flying sword! He was just a minor qiyer disciple, how did he get a magic weapon? How was he able to control it?
A lot of of doubt immediately appeared in the minds of spectators. When Yang Chen looked at this, his brows creased deeply. This looked very simr to something he knew. Sun Hai Jing’s situation resembled exactly an evil cultivation elerating method. And the Hidden Pavilion of the Nine Earth Manor was in possession of this cultivation method. However, the cost of cultivating this kind of cultivation method was extremely high, so nearly nobody cultivated this kind of method.
‘Almost nobody’ is not equal to ‘exactly nobody’. That Sun Hai Jing before his eyes was a clear example of this, in the brief period of a few months, his cultivation had increased by leaps and bounds, even surpassing a peak qiyer disciple, reaching nearly to the standard of the foundation stage. The flying sword, which he had, was obtained from a loose cultivator at the early foundation stage, whom he had fought a few days ago to test his strength.
Not all people were like Yang Chen and had read all of the jade slips in the Hidden Pavilion. Regarding Sun Hai Jing’s circumstances, more than ny percent of people were not aware what was going on. Everyone only thought that the fourth qiyer disciple Sun Hai Jing had hidden his true strength, but still, seeing him suddenly reveal the strength of the foundation stage, how could they not cry out in surprise?
The Pure Yang Pce had already discovered two talented disciples at the Heavenly Stairs this year, could it be that one more individual had appeared silently again? This year, the poprity of the Pure Yang Pce would burst out of all seams, due to all these talents appearing.
Everyone’s bewildered voices made Sun Hai Jin extremely satisfied, the looks of everyone not daring to believe, made Sun Hai Jing feel as if he was bathing in a soft spring wind, his whole self had be ted. The feeling of losing all of his face when he was thoroughly humiliated by Yang Chen in front of numerous people, waspletely removed. Immense satisfaction flooded Sun Hai Jing’s mind, which was increased even more by the flying sword he controlled to revolve around him.
Zhou Zihe, opposite of Sun Hai Jing, revealed an earnest expression on his face. Although the other party had suddenly revealed a flying magic sword, as a peak qiyer disciple, this was not a strength which would force him to risk his life. Sun Hai Jing’s expressions were also making people feel suspicious of him, his odds for seeding were not that great and Zhou Zihe was unlikely to give up immediately.
Facing the magical weapon, Zhou Zihe also took out the talisman gem in his control. It was also a sword, but the difference in grade was too much. It was merely a talisman sword after all.(Tl.note- talisman gem) However still it radiated power which would shock people’s souls. Suddenly a cold sword qi appeared, Zhou Zihe also emitted a pressure that did not lose out to to Sun Hai Jing. All of a sudden, Sun Hai Jing’s sword shone brightly.
“Don’t shed tears at the sight of the coffin!”
Sun Hai Jing sneered and took the initiative to attack. In his opinion, since he had already taken out his magic flying sword, the other party should have immediately admitted defeat and bowed before him, making way for his victory, what was the need to go through with the fight? Wouldn’t this enormously lower his heroic victory?
Against this Zhou Zihe, who could not show any understanding of the situation, Sun Hai Jing used his killing move andunched the flying sword to attack him with a decisive blow. But Zhou Zihe also lived up to his reputation as the number one peak qiyer disciple, neither dodging nor avoiding he controlled his talisman sword to face against it.
Bang!
With an exceptionally clear and melodious sound that rang in everyone’s ears, two brilliant rays flew out on each side and returned to their own masters.
After Zhou Zihe firmly resisted this blow, he discovered a small problem with the talisman sword in his hand. Bowing his head to look, he astonishingly discovered a grain sized nick at the edge of his talisman sword. In the recent blow, he had already suffered a defeat.
Seeing this one move, the pce master standing behind could not help but sigh with a long breath. Although Sun Hai Jing’s strength had increased, it was only caused by cultivating an evil cultivation method. Talent? Absolutely not! Originally he thought that he could find an unexpected pleasant surprise, but now it seems that was only his wishful thinking.
The Pce Master shook his head and nced resentfully at the Merit Transferring Disciple, Chu Heng. How could a qiyer disciple be allowed to cultivate this kind of method? This Merit Transferring Disciple, was greatly unsuited for his position. This one nce scared Chu Heng so much, that even soul trembled and cold drops of sweat appeared on his head. Lowering his head, he did not even dare to breathe loudly. He suddenly felt his knees go soft and he fell on the ground to beg for forgiveness.
Fortunately, the Pce Master had merely nced at him, but not said anything. He closed his eyes again and continued to observe the circumstances below, in the Martial Arts Competition, with his spiritual awareness.
When all was said and done, he had just recently acquired his strength and at the same time also the flying sword, so Sun Hai Jing only looked impressive on the surface, but his method of controlling the flying sword was far inferior. Compared to Zhou Zihe, who had trained for a much longer time, the difference was a lot more than a level. But, presently Sun Hai Jing had no other option, but the quality of the sword in his hand was better than Zhou Zihe’s. All of his attacks were aiming to kill the enemy, a method which would end in mutual destruction, forcing both his and Zhou Zihe’s swords to sh.
After going through this again and again, the talisman sword in Zhou Zihe’s hands was badly worn, with several holes. If this continued for one more strike, this talisman sword would bepletely destroyed. Thinking about this again and again, Zhou Zihe no longer insisted on continuing this. The Foundation Stage was in his sight, he had carried this talisman sword for many years and had invested much in it. Once he would reach the foundation stage and refined it, it would turn into a magic flying sword, if it was destroyed now, the gains would not make up for the losses. Finding an opportunity toe out of the fight, he cupped his hands towards Sun Hai Jing and said:
“Younger Disciple Sun’s flying sword is really difficult to deal with, I admit defeat!”
After saying this, he immediately turned around and walked away, without looking back.
The victorious Sun Hai Jing, after hearing the burst of surprised voicesing from the audience, was extremely satisfied. After smugly listening to it for a long time, he turned to Yang Chen and shouted:
“Younger Disciple Yang, regarding the life and death challenge between us, you will not surely run away, right? Younger Disciple Yang, do you dare to ept the challenge?”
Once these words came out, it gave rise to surprisedments from the audience.
ording to the rules of the martial artspetition, a disciple of a lower realm could decide not to ept a life and death challenge. If Yang Chen did not ept the challenge, Sun Hai Jing would have to look for another opportunity to take care of Yang Chen. He had asked in this way, clearly because he was trying to force Yang Chen to ept.
However Yang Chenughed out loudly and immediately entered the stage. His movement gave rise to even more astonished looks. Sun Hai Jing had right now showed the strength of the foundation stage, but Yang Chen was just a third qiyer disciple, how could he be so stupid to throw away his life like this?
After moving in front of Sun Hai Jing, Yang Chen looked at the smug Sun Hai Jing and suddenly asked:
“Senior Disciple Sun, when you found this cultivation method, did you look at the jade slip on the side exining about it? Are you aware that cultivating this kind of cultivation method, you will live for only half a year?”
Hearing Yang Chen’s question, Sun Hai Jing’splexion drastically changed.