Chapter 17: The Mighty Misty Peak

Life-bound Spirit Treasures are considered standard equipment for high-level cultivators.

One could start refining them upon reaching the Golden Core Stage, but as ordinary cultivators just entering this stage have relatively weak spiritual power, nurturing one could be somewhat troublesome.

Thus, most people choose to start nurturing their Life-bound Spirit Treasure at the sixth level of the Golden Core Stage, but from Su Yunbing's performance, it was clear that she didn't wait until then; she probably started right after entering the Golden Core Stage.

Such daring was indeed formidable.

Down below, Ling Feng appeared somewhat disheartened, defeated in one move; the gap between him and the third senior brother was so vast.

"Junior brother, take it easy. Victory and defeat are common in warfare. Just keep practicing diligently, and you can win it back!"

Su Yunbing said in a carefree manner.

"Yes, junior brother, you joined after Lin Yin, so a momentary win or loss doesn't count for much."

Ye Wushuang also offered words of comfort.

Lin Yin stepped down from the stage slowly, silent and lifeless as ever: "You've gotten a bit stronger than before, a large ant I suppose."

Hearing this, Ling Feng's eyes lit up, as if he had been recognized, and his spirits instantly revived.

Li Xiaobai thought Ling Feng was a bit unusual. The encouraging words from the senior sisters didn't cheer him up, yet the shame from the third senior brother revitalized him; could it be that he was a masochist?

"Thank you for the instruction, senior brother. I understand now!"

Ling Feng returned to his cool demeanor.

Feng Wuxie had been focusing on the residual frost on his hand, with an extremely unsightly expression. Although he couldn't clearly see what was happening inside the ring, he could sense the events occurring within.

The cultivation technique Lin Yin used must involve cold and chilling energy, chilling to the extreme. Whether Lin Yin or Ling Feng, both had cultivation levels higher than his own.

Was Misty Peak really so magical?

"For the fourth match, Misty Peak's Yang Chen will face True Disciple Chen Ping!" the referee announced the continuation of the match.

"It's my turn."

Yang Chen was quite excited and leaped onto the stage.

"Brother Yang!"

Chen Ping's gaze shifted evasively; three years ago, he had been brutally defeated by Yang Chen on this very platform. Now he was even less able to ascertain his opponent's cultivation level, feeling somewhat intimidated and reluctant to engage.

"Junior brother Chen, don't be polite. Take action, let your senior brother see if you've made some progress over these three years!"

Yang Chen's attitude was outrageously arrogant, not taking Chen Ping seriously at all. Chen Ping's face flushed with embarrassment, he unsheathed his longsword and thrust it towards Yang Chen.

"Spirit Snake Swordsmanship!"

His body turned into a streak of bright silver light, constantly weaving throughout the arena, looking for Yang Chen's vulnerabilities.

Yang Chen didn't bother with any defensive gestures and stood wide open in front of Chen Ping, seemingly provoking his opponent to attack.

"Dance of the Myriad Demons!"

Chen Ping's figure flickered rapidly, the platform flashed with silver light, and dozens of afterimages appeared, each dragging a longsword and stabbing towards Yang Chen from all directions.

The disciples below held their breath. Among the many clones, only one was real. If they misidentified it, it would be a devastating blow.

They believed that if it were them on the platform, they would definitely not be able to defend against this technique and would be defeated instantly.

"Long time no see, and you're still up to the same old tricks. Though there are more clones, what good does that do?"

Yang Chen burst into laughter.

His arm twisted at an inconceivable angle and effortlessly caught the sword tip stabbing towards the back of his neck.

With a slight exertion of strength between his fingers, the longsword crumbled to dust.

Turning around, he landed a palm on Chen Ping's chest, causing him to spit blood and collapse unconscious on the ground.

Defeating a True Disciple in two moves, crushing a Spirit Sword with his bare hands, Yang Chen performed these feats as if they were effortless, shockingly dominating the scene.

The many disciples realized they had been mistaken about something. They had always thought Misty Peak simply handed out favors, which was why their disciples were more powerful than ordinary Inner Sect Disciples.

```

But today's encounter proved entirely different. It wasn't that he became strong through backdoor means; instead, it was because his strength was so formidable that the Sect Leader specially allowed him to take a backdoor approach and establish his own faction.

"Misty Peak, Yang Chen wins!"

The referee carried Chen Ping away.

The fourth match was Liu Jinshui versus Feng Wuxie.

Feng Wuxie smiled politely, stepping forward to greet everyone.

"Xiaobai junior brother, congratulations on also entering the top ten and securing the qualification for further study. Don't slack off in your cultivation."

"Liu junior brother, please, I'm really looking forward to exchanging blows with a Misty Peak disciple."

Liu Jinshui's eyes whirled, and he sighed, waving his hand.

"Referee, I admit defeat. We have all already made it into the top ten, what's the point of continuing? Let's finish early and call it a day!"

Liu Jinshui's shocking words stunned Feng Wuxie, and the rest of the disciples were taken aback as well.

Was there no need to continue competing once one had secured the qualification for further study?

What kind of logic was that?

Where was your ambition?

From afar, the Elders were unable to contain their anger.

"What does this rascal think the grand competition is for?"

"Is the competition something he can abandon whenever he pleases?"

"Forget about it, the guy has already surrendered. There's no rule in the grand competition that says disciples aren't allowed to admit defeat!"

"This is infuriating..."

The Sect Leader was helpless too. Misty Peak always liked to stir up some trouble, but he could also see that this chubby fellow truly lacked any fighting spirit.

He feared that participating in the grand competition was merely to snatch a spot for further study; once he had secured a spot, not even the Heavenly King could compel him to fight.

A perfect example of not making an effort without profit!

The referee hesitated upon hearing this: "Are you sure?"

"Certain!"

"Alright then, Misty Peak disciple Liu Jinshui voluntarily admits defeat, True Disciple Feng Wuxie wins!"

"Today's grand competition ends here; tomorrow we will decide the top three in the competition!"

"I urge the disciples to reflect on their shortcomings when they return, to promptly spot and rectify their mistakes, and not let down this rare opportunity."

After uttering these words, the Sect Leader, accompanied by the Elders, left.

The disciples were caught up in a heated discussion, overwhelmed by what they had witnessed today.

All being disciples of the Immortal Feather Sect, why were some so outstanding?

Only today did they realize that there were such powerful disciples among their ranks, which was genuinely surprising.

Feng Wuxie sidled up to Li Xiaobai and chuckled, "Congratulations to the Misty Peak brothers and sisters. Once we all head to the Holy Demon Sect, please provide support. Mutual help and cooperation is the way forward!"

"Of course, of course, once we are in the Holy Demon Sect, we should become closer!"

Li Xiaobai greeted him with a smile, different from his fellow senior brothers and sisters.

He was a weakling who didn't need to cultivate and hence needed to make friends, and he felt that Feng Wuxie gave off a good vibe, like a guy-next-door.

Moreover, he owed his success in selling so many elixirs to this person's help.

"Yes, indeed. We must visit each other more often."

Feng Wuxie had an implicit message, which Li Xiaobai didn't catch, remaining all smiles.

"Yes, yes, by the way, senior brother, do you like bathing?"

```