Chapter 88: Chapter 87: In Full Swing
The battle with Geng Hao had been truly exhilarating. It had been a long time since Wen Qingye had gone head-to-head with someone in a pure clash of power. There were no techniques involved, just strength—a raw, physical collision.
After sitting down cross-legged, Wen Qingye began to circulate the Longevity Technique. A vast amount of Life Essence Qi continuously surged into his body.
Layer upon layer of Life Essence Qi slowly stirred within Wen Qingye’s body. The Primordial Qi cleansed his meridians and bones, surging and churning like great waves washing over sand, repeatedly scouring every part of his being.
After the great battle with Geng Hao, Wen Qingye’s body had looked somewhat battered, but after being baptized by this Life Essence Qi, he recovered quickly. Moreover, Wen Qingye felt that his meridians and strength had become much more powerful than before.
Wen Qingye continued to absorb the Primordial Qi from the heavens and earth. Thanks to the Longevity Technique, his absorption speed was astonishingly fast. Soon, he felt his cultivation advance another step, leaving him just a hair’s breadth away from breaking through to the Refining Essence Fifth Layer Heaven.
Wen Qingye slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. ’First place in this Four Mountains Martial Arts Gathering... I, Wen Qingye, will claim it.’
"Brother Qingye, you’re awake," Little Yunshan said, poking her little head out.
Wen Qingye nodded. "I am. What is it?"
Yunshan walked over and took out a piece of paper. "Sister Xiaxia gathered information on the other seven participants in the Four Mountains Martial Arts Gathering. Take a look."
Wen Qingye was a little puzzled. ’Xiaxia gathered this? How did she get it?’
Yunshan blinked and said, "Xiaxia watched every single match and memorized everyone’s strengths."
Wen Qingye smiled and nodded. He knew Xiaxia must have spent a lot of time preparing this. ’She’s very thoughtful.’
Wen Qingye gave the paper a casual glance, then took his Ancient Moon Sword and Cyan Mist Sword and walked to a desolate patch of land below North Mountain. His cultivation had reached the Refining Essence Fourth Layer Heaven, and with two swords in hand, he could finally perfect the last move of the Moonfall Swordsmanship: Moon Falling into the Milky Way!
The true Moon Falling into the Milky Way required two swords to execute. Wen Qingye’s cultivation was now sufficient; all he needed was to practice and become proficient with it.
Wen Qingye faced a massive boulder, took a deep breath, and raised his two swords.
Moon Falling into the Milky Way was the final move of the Moonfall Swordsmanship, and naturally, its most powerful. However, the Primordial Qi it consumed was also immense.
Wen Qingye slowly lifted both swords, the bodies of the blades glinting with specks of starlight.
"Moon Falling into the Milky Way!"
The space behind Wen Qingye suddenly darkened, as if the Milky Way itself had descended from the inverted heavens. Dense starlight surrounded him, emitting a brilliant, dazzling radiance. At the same moment, the swords in his hands unleashed a colossal beam of Sword Qi, imbued with supreme sharpness and an aura that could sunder all things.
Before he knew it, night had fallen.
When Wen Qingye returned to his thatched hut on North Mountain, Gao Yuerou was there as well, looking as if she had been waiting for him.
"Qingye," Gao Yuerou said, quickly walking over to Wen Qingye, her face etched with anxiety.
Wen Qingye quickly asked, "What’s wrong?"
Gao Yuerou’s eyes reddened, and her voice choked as she said, "My mother... she’s fallen ill. The doctors in Phoenix City say she only has three months left."
Upon hearing this, Wen Qingye comforted her, "Don’t worry. When we go back, I’ll personally treat your mother. I will definitely cure her."
Blinking her large eyes, Gao Yuerou looked at Wen Qingye through her sobs and whispered, "Is there really still hope?"
"Trust me. She’ll be alright," Wen Qingye said softly.
"Mm," Gao Yuerou murmured, lowering her head.
"Er..." Xiaxia walked out just then. Seeing the two of them, she quickly said, "I’ll just go back and look at the Third-Grade Pill Formulas."
A blush crept onto Gao Yuerou’s face. She quickly stood up and said, "I should get going too, or they’ll seal the mountain for the night."
With that, Gao Yuerou hurriedly ran off.
...
The Four Mountains Martial Arts Gathering proceeded as scheduled. This was the third round: the quarterfinals.
All the new students from the Four Mountains, except for Wen Qingye, had been eliminated in the first round. Of the eight people now present, only Wen Qingye was a new student; the rest were all senior students.
Among the other seven, South Mountain students occupied three spots: Yann Xiangyang, Lang Feng, and another outstanding senior student named Guo Gui. West Mountain students held two spots: West Mountain’s number one, Guu Lei, and another senior student, Tang Long.
The remaining two spots belonged to East Mountain’s Ren Hua and Wei Qiutong. North Mountain’s sole representative was Wen Qingye.
In this round, no one was very optimistic about Wen Qingye, the new student who had stood out so far. After all, the strength of the senior students present was far greater than those in the second round. Moreover, Wen Qingye had clashed with Geng Hao just yesterday and had likely suffered internal injuries. How could he possibly have recovered in a single night?
As for the popular choice for champion, everyone knew that barring any surprises, it would be Lang Feng. Of course, some also supported Ren Hua and Guu Lei.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Wen Qingye strolled onto the arena platform and, as was customary, drew his lot.
「Meanwhile.」
On the viewing platform, the Four Mountains’ Masters, Vice Director Nie Qinglan, and a host of Inner Courtyard instructors and Stewards were all engaged in lively discussion.
"The way I see it, Lang Feng is the undisputed number one for the championship this time. Second place will probably be East Mountain’s Ren Hua. Ren Hua’s strength is formidable."
"Not necessarily. West Mountain’s Guu Lei is no pushover, either. I think Guu Lei has a chance at second place as well."
"Yann Xiangyang’s skills are also quite impressive. I think he has a shot at contending for second."
Gong Tianshun watched the eight contestants below and said to Lil Ya, "Dare to make another bet?"
Lil Ya paused, then asked, "Bet again? On what?"
Gong Tianshun said slowly, "Let’s bet on Wen Qingye being defeated and eliminated in this round. If he’s eliminated, I win. If not, you win."
Before Lil Ya could speak, Zhangg Tai, the Mountain Master of West Mountain, laughed from the side. "Brother Gong, you’ve calculated this perfectly. Everyone knows Wen Qingye is destined for elimination today. He might not have been a match even at his peak, let alone now when his strength is greatly diminished."
Gong Tianshun’s old face flushed, and he gave a dry laugh before looking at Lil Ya. "Brother Lil, what do you say? Do you dare to bet? Or do you have no confidence in your own student?"
Lil Ya couldn’t stand Gong Tianshun’s provocations. His brow furrowed as he couldn’t help but say, "What’s not to dare? A bet’s a bet! How about we wager a stalk of Xiaoyue Grass?"
Xiaoyue Grass was a Seventh-Grade Herb, and its value was not insignificant.
Gong Tianshun shook his head and laughed. "We bet a Seventh-Grade Herb last time, why would we bet another one now? I heard you recently obtained an Essence Ore. I’ll put up an Eighth-Grade Herb, a Red Blood Vine. How about it?"
An Essence Ore was a fine treasure for refining weapons, considered an Eighth-Grade Treasure. From what Gong Tianshun proposed, neither of them would be at a significant loss.
Lil Ya’s brow tightened as he began to mull it over.
Seeing his hesitation, Gong Tianshun quickly added, "What’s the matter? Could it be that Brother Lil has no confidence in his student? Wen Qingye is the only student your North Mountain has had in years. If Brother Lil doesn’t dare to bet, I won’t force you. We can just forget about it."
"Fine! I’ll take that bet!" Lil Ya said, gritting his teeth.
"Excellent! Brother Lil is as decisive as ever!"
Upon hearing this, Gong Tianshun was overjoyed.
Zhangg Tai and Huu Yucui both looked at Gong Tianshun with a touch of envy. They knew this Essence Ore was practically a gift from Lil Ya. How could Wen Qingye possibly last another round?
