Chapter 396 - 147: Dragon and Tiger List, Masters of Each Peak
At the fork in the road ahead, one path led to the Training Room area, and the other to the living quarters for Inner Sect Disciples.
Lin Ziheng stopped and pulled a rather exquisitely mounted sheet of Xuan paper from his robes. The paper was smooth, the ink looked fresh, and on it was his newly compiled Spirit Tide Dragon and Tiger List.
He usually treated this list as a treasured possession. This was a freshly transcribed copy, made specifically to be given to any promising disciple he encountered.
He shoved the paper into Yang Jing’s hands with a sly grin. "This is the new list I’ve compiled of the Inner Strength Level disciples on Lingxi Peak. Junior Brother, you can take a look when you have time. It’ll help you get to know the experts on our peak. In a way, you could say I’m advertising for myself."
This wasn’t an exaggeration. Before he became well-known, he would give out copies of the list for free to disciples from every peak almost daily, just hoping to get some attention.
Later, as the list’s reputation grew and it gained more and more recognition, he rarely gave it away proactively. Giving a copy to Yang Jing today showed that he truly saw potential in him.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin." Yang Jing took the paper and quickly cupped his fists in thanks.
"Don’t be so formal." Lin Ziheng waved his hand dismissively. "I’m heading back to my courtyard to rest. You go on and train, Junior Brother. I hope you break through to the Qi Eating Realm soon. Don’t be like me, stuck for five years with no confidence in successfully breaking through."
"I’ll take that as a good omen from you, Senior Brother."
The two shared a smile and went their separate ways.
Lin Ziheng turned and walked toward Qing No. 2 Courtyard, while Yang Jing clutched the Spirit Tide Dragon and Tiger List and hurried toward the Training Room area.
He glanced down at the list in his hand as he walked.
At the top of the paper, five bold characters, written in powerful calligraphy, spelled out the title: Spirit Tide Dragon and Tiger List. Below them were ten names listed in order, each with a brief description.
First: Zhang Hengyi. Specializes in Mountain-Shaking Fist. His Inner Strength is immense, and his moves are steady. He once defeated ten Inner Sect Disciples from the peak in a row.
Second: Chen Xuexiang. Master of the Shadowless Leg. His Body Technique is unpredictable and his leg techniques are swift. He focuses on surprise attacks, exploiting his enemy’s weaknesses.
Third: Qin Shouwang. Specializes in Cloud-Piercing Finger. His finger strikes are fierce and powerful, capable of hitting acupuncture points from a distance. His ability to break through defenses is extremely strong.
Fourth: Li Qingfeng. Practices Luoying Sword Technique. His sword moves are light and elegant, his attacks flowing and ceaseless.
Fifth: Wang Tieshan. Proficient with Vajra Fist. His Horizontal Training Skills are extremely potent; his physical body is comparable to refined iron, and his defensive power is astounding.
Sixth...
...
「Celestial Derivation Peak. Inside a Training Room.」
Sweat slid down Zhao Chong’s chiseled jawline, splattering on the stone floor and spreading into a small, dark patch.
He had just finished his routine and stood with his fists retracted. His chest heaved violently, and the lingering force of his punches still swirled around him, causing the candlelight in the corner to flicker wildly.
Every punch in the Sky-Splitting Fist routine he had just performed carried the power to shatter stone and pierce clouds.
With each punch, the sharp sound of tearing air could be heard.
Zhao Chong reflected silently. ’My Inner Strength has grown more condensed, and it flows more smoothly. Compared to yesterday, my mastery of the fist technique has improved, and my foundation has deepened.’
He slowly clenched his fists, feeling the solid power emanating from his knuckles. An impulse rose within him. ’In my current state, if I try to break through to the Qi Eating Realm, I might actually have a decent chance of success.’
At the thought of breaking through to the Qi Eating Realm, a fervent and urgent look flashed in Zhao Chong’s eyes.
It was the realm every Inner Strength Martial Artist dreamed of reaching. Once broken through, Inner Strength would transform into Inner Qi, and the body would be completely tempered through Washing Marrow. One’s power would undergo a heaven-shaking, qualitative transformation.
But he quickly took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed this urgent thought.
This month’s Cyan Qilin Battle was just around the corner. Even if he wanted to attempt a breakthrough, he had to wait until after the battle.
The sect’s rules were strict: only disciples at the Inner Strength Level were allowed to participate in the Cyan Qilin Battle.
He knew it as clear as day. If he tried to force a breakthrough now, he would lose his eligibility to participate in the Cyan Qilin Battle, regardless of success or failure.
If he succeeded, he would become a Qi Eating Realm expert with Inner Qi and would naturally have to withdraw from the competition.
If he failed, at best his Inner Strength would be depleted; at worst, he would suffer internal injuries. At that point, forget about competing for a high rank—he might not even be able to stand steadily on the platform.
Just then, a glint appeared in Zhao Chong’s eyes as he recalled a piece of news he had just learned.
Gao Yang from Zhenyue Peak and Xu Ziqiang from Fen Yang Peak had apparently accepted an external mission from the sect. They were set to leave the mountain in the next couple of days and would most likely miss this Cyan Qilin Battle.
’This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!’
Zhao Chong gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white from the force.
’With those two titans, Gao Yang and Xu Ziqiang, gone, don’t I have a great shot at the number one spot in the Cyan Qilin Battle?’
’I have to seize this chance, take first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle, and claim the usage rights to the Grade B Training Room and the other generous rewards.’
’After the Cyan Qilin Battle is over, I’ll use the reward resources to build up my foundation a bit more. When I try to break through then, my chances of success will be much, much higher.’
...
「Meanwhile, on Yunxi Peak.」
Yuwen Mingjue’s courtyard was exquisitely detailed, with carved beams and painted rafters everywhere.
Inside the main house, Yuwen Mingjue sat upright on a wooden chair, holding a White Jade Tea Cup. The fragrant aroma of Biluochun tea drifted from the cup.
His gaze was fixed outside the window, but a harsh glint that clashed with the elegant atmosphere flashed in his eyes.
’This time, I must win the Cyan Qilin Battle!’
Yuwen Mingtai was about to enter seclusion to attempt his breakthrough to the Qi Eating Realm, and the minds of those old geezers in the clan were already starting to waver.
’I must take first place in the Cyan Qilin Battle and use this tangible achievement to show them who the true number one of the Yuwen Family’s younger generation is, and who is the most suitable successor to the position of Patriarch!’
CRACK—
A sharp crack shattered the tranquility of the room. Without realizing it, Yuwen Mingjue had crushed the smooth White Jade Tea Cup in his hand.
Shards of porcelain mixed with tea dripped from between his fingers, splashing his expensive robes, but he seemed completely unaware as the baleful aura around him grew thicker.
...
「At the same time, on the summit plaza of Thunder Peak.」
Qin Wenbao stood in the center of the plaza, his white robes fluttering. His hands danced, his Palm Force surging like waves—the profound techniques of the Sea-Covering Palm.
Across from him, five Inner Sect Disciples from Thunder Peak, also in white robes, attacked in a pincer formation, unleashing a barrage of tricky fists, kicks, and weapons.
But Qin Wenbao’s expression remained unchanged. With each ebb and flow of his Palm Force, he would sometimes be like a great wave crashing ashore, blasting his opponents’ attacks away, and at other times like a treacherous undercurrent, striking at their weaknesses.
In just a few moments, all five disciples were struck by his palm one after another, staggering to the ground with no strength left to fight back.
Qin Wenbao slowly retracted his palm, his gaze sweeping over his fallen sect brothers as he mulled things over.
’I know my own limits,’ he thought. ’In terms of strength, I’m no match for Gao Yang and Xu Ziqiang. Against either of them, I don’t even have a thirty percent chance of winning.’
’But I have to fight for third place in this Cyan Qilin Battle!’
’As long as I can get third, I’ll receive a greater share of the sect’s resources, which will be a huge help when I try to break through to the Qi Eating Realm.’
...
As the end of the month drew near, discussions about the Cyan Qilin Battle grew more and more frequent throughout the Xuanzhen Sect.
In the living quarters of the Inner Sect Disciples of the Seven Veins, one could see disciples discussing it everywhere.
Some were analyzing the strength of the Inner Strength experts from each peak, while others debated whether Gao Yang or Xu Ziqiang would take first place in this month’s Cyan Qilin Battle.
The buzz surrounding the Cyan Qilin Battle grew louder with each passing day.
Time flew by in a flash.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
When the first rays of dawn pierced the clouds and shone upon the Cyan Qilin Platform on the Xuanzhen Sect’s Main Peak, this month’s Cyan Qilin Battle officially began.