23 C23: Spiritual Rain

After speaking, the true qi of Su Zhan erupted, instantly sending the three of them flying. 

Even without lifting a finger, the four inner disciples in the Yuan Condensation realm fell to the ground, staring at Su Zhan in terror and no longer daring to approach. 

"Next, it's your turn." 

Su Zhan looked at Zhao Li. 

At this moment, Zhao Li was also confused. 

Isn't he a new disciple? 

How could his four subordinates be defeated in the blink of an eye? 

Damn it, how can a new disciple be this strong? 

Zhao Li forced a smile and said, "Misunderstanding, it's all just a misunderstanding!" 

"Won't you be collecting protection fees from me anymore?" 

"No, I won't take them anymore! Junior Brother, you can go as you please!" 

Zhao Li smiled apologetically. 

"If you won't collect them, then I'll be the one asking for them!"

Su Zhan smiled, "You obstructed my path and extorted protection fees, making me waste a lot of time and energy. It's better if you hand over all your storage rings to me!" 

Upon hearing this, Zhao Li's face changed, "Junior Brother, are you joking?" 

"Do I look like I'm joking?" 

As soon as those words fell, Su Zhan's smile disappeared, and the Tianhan Sword Intent descended, enveloping Zhao Li in front of him. 

"Alright! I'll give them to you!" 

Feeling the terrifying sword intent that could kill him at any moment, Zhao Li's legs weakened, and he immediately shouted. 

Next, under his leadership, a total of five storage rings were handed over to Su Zhan. 

"You're not good people, and the things inside might be ill-gotten gains. That's why I'll use them to help those in need. Do any of you object?" 

After putting the five storage rings into his pocket, Su Zhan glanced at the people and asked. 

"No, none of us!" 

"Junior Brother, no, Senior Brother, feel free to take them!" 

"Senior Brother, you've given us a valuable lesson, and we're grateful for making us realize our mistakes!" 

These people spoke while showing smiles that looked uglier than tears. 

"That's good." 

Su Zhan nodded, showing a slight smile, and continued walking towards the Baiyun Peak. 

Only after Su Zhan had gone far away did Zhao Li and the others breathe a sigh of relief. 

"Terrifying! Too terrifying!" 

"This person's cultivation seems to only be in the middle stage of the Yuan Condensation realm, but the true strength of his qi is probably much stronger than someone in the late stage of the Yuan Condensation realm!" 

"The true strength of the qi is only the second thing. What's most frightening is that his defensive technique seems to have reached a higher level than the peak. I attacked him with all my strength, but couldn't break his defense!" 

Seeing the fearful expressions of the people, Zhao Li's face turned gloomy, "You useless bunch of trash! Instead of gaining a spiritual stone, we ended up losing everything!" 

"Senior Brother Zhao, don't you know Senior Brother Luan Jian, who ranks first in the inner sect? Why don't we ask for his help?" 

One of the inner disciples in the Yuan Condensation realm cautiously suggested. 

"Do I need you to enlighten me on this matter?" 

Zhao Li sneered, "Today, I was humiliated by a new disciple. If this matter spreads, how can I, Zhao Li, continue to integrate into the inner sect? Quickly, follow this person, find out where he lives, and I will ask Senior Brother Luan Jian to intervene and help us retrieve our belongings and teach this person a lesson!" 

Upon hearing this, all four inner disciples in the Yuan Condensation realm showed excitement. 

If Luan Jian takes action, Su Zhan will surely obediently return their belongings! 

They can even take this opportunity to retaliate for their embarrassment! 

... 

One hour later, Su Zhan arrived at the Baiyun Peak. 

The surroundings of Baiyun Peak had been equipped with barrier formations, so unless it was a true disciple or a servant responsible for serving the true disciples, no one else could enter. 

Of course, Su Zhan was an exception. 

He approached the invisible barrier formation with a token in his hand, and the barrier formation immediately opened. 

Su Zhan then walked inside and began ascending Baiyun Peak. 

Baiyun Peak was rarely visited, and even when Su Zhan arrived at Cave Mansion No. 17, he didn't see anyone. 

This was normal. In the vast Baiyun Peak, there were only around twenty true disciples residing there. If we added the servants who served them, the total number would not exceed two hundred. 

Cave Mansion No. 17 was quite spacious, with medicinal fields, ponds, gardens... and even a small mountain peak over a hundred meters tall adjacent to the backyard. 

After strolling around and admiring the grandeur of the beauty present, Su Zhan began cultivating. 

"There's still half a month before the next opening of the Spiritual Energy Gathering Formation at Baiyun Peak. With the help of that formation, I'm sure I can break through to the late stage of the Yuan Condensation realm. So during this period, I will focus on understanding martial techniques! I will temporarily set aside the Yangyan Scripture once I understand its basics. After all, I'll be able to cultivate it quickly with the help of the spiritual energy gathering formation at that time!" 

After some consideration, Su Zhan officially began his cultivation. 

The Yangyan Scripture circulated, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged towards him. 

At the same time, a dominating power radiated from the high-hanging sun in the sky and flowed into his body. 

That was the power of the Great Sun drawn by the Sun God Divine Body. 

It could temper the divine body and make the true qi more condensed! 

... 

The inner sect courtyard of the Yuntian Sword Sect. 

At the edge of the lake. 

Luan Jian, bearing the title of "half true disciple," had a gloomy expression as his gaze fell upon Zhao Li, who incessantly spoke in front of him. 

He then coldly said, "Are you telling the truth? How could he, an inner sect disciple, enter Baiyun Peak?" 

"That's true, Senior Brother!" 

Zhao Li quickly responded, "My junior saw it with his own eyes! And he truly only has cultivation at the Yuan Condensation realm. Moreover, the faces of the true disciples at Baiyun Peak are known to everyone. How could I mistake him for a true disciple?" 

"The Yuan Condensation realm... An inner sect disciple actually resides at Baiyun Peak?" 

"An inner sect disciple residing at Baiyun Peak has never been heard of, but if it does exist, it must be someone with exceptional talent like you, Senior Brother!" 

Zhao Li gave a defending look to Luan Jian and continued to praise, "Su Zhan doesn't have the qualifications to stay at Baiyun Peak. It should be you, Senior Brother, who deserves to reside there!" 

"In terms of strength, I, Luan Jian, am number one in the inner sect. In terms of talent, I am also number one in the inner sect. How can a newly entered inner sect disciple be more valued by the sect? What is the reason?" 

Luan Jian was somewhat annoyed. 

Zhao Li said, "Senior Brother, perhaps it's just a momentary confusion of the elders. As long as you defeat Su Zhan, it will prove that you are better than him. At that time, the one who will stay at Baiyun Peak will definitely be you, Senior Brother!" 

"Baiyun Peak..." 

Luan Jian took a deep breath and said with a dark expression, "I will assist you with this matter, but I cannot enter Baiyun Peak. You must have someone guard day and night. When he leaves Baiyun Peak, I will immediately challenge him publicly!" 

"Thank you, Senior Brother! Senior Brother will surely make a name for himself with this battle and reclaim the position of Baiyun Peak that should rightfully be yours!" 

Zhao Li said joyfully and bowed. 

"Go now. Don't disturb my cultivation. Su Zhan is nothing more than an ant to me. What's important now is to quickly elevate my cultivation to the Barrier Master realm!" 

"Yes, Senior Brother!" 

... 

Half a month later. 

Baiyun Peak. 

Thousands of inner sect disciples surrounded Baiyun Peak, all looking excited. 

Some outer sect disciples, who had gained connections to enter the inner sect, also arrived near Baiyun Peak. 

Today was the day when the Spiritual Energy Gathering Formation would be activated. 

At that time, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth would transform into raindrops and descend onto Baiyun Peak. The twenty-three true disciples of Baiyun Peak would compete to absorb the spiritual rain according to their respective talents. 

The stronger one's talent, the more spiritual rain they could absorb. On the surface, it appeared to be a regular cultivation session, but in reality, it was also a competition among the true disciples. 

In fact, due to this event, the inner sect had opened many stalls for spirit stone bets. 

"I'm sure my Senior Brother Qi Yang will definitely be the first in the battle for this spiritual rain!" 

"What do you mean, your Senior Brother Qi Yang? He's mine!" 

"Senior Brother Qi Yang has a gentle demeanor, but I prefer someone like Senior Brother Wang Hao, who is more masculine! I bet Senior Brother Wang Hao will win!" 

... 

In various pavilions and tea shops at the foot of Baiyun Peak, female disciples of the inner sect engaged in heated debates. 

Not only these disciples, even the elders came around Baiyun Peak to witness this quarterly spiritual rain competition. 

On this day, 

Su Zhan emerged from his seclusion and arrived in the spacious front courtyard, preparing to receive the baptism of spiritual rain.