Chapter 217: Chapter 210: Are You God’s Illegitimate Son?
He might only be at the fourth level of Qi Refining, but that still makes him a true cultivator!
That puts him in a league far beyond what mortals can even imagine!
’I can’t believe it... Feng has actually become this strong!’
’So that practice of drawing and sheathing the sword really does contain a great opportunity!’
Su Ling’er watched as the flames of fanaticism rekindled in the eyes of the undercover disciples around her, and a massive headache began to throb.
’We’re doomed...’
’Judging by their expressions, the sect is probably about to be swept up in another massive, cult-like, collective sword-drawing event for the next few days...’
’Ugh... It’s terrifying...’
Amid the crowd, only Ye Longtao’s expression remained largely unruffled from start to finish.
While he acknowledged a sliver of Li Chunfeng’s mastery of the Sword Dao, it was, in the end, merely an acknowledgment of a ’mortal’s’ skill.
For a mortal to defeat a Qi Refining cultivator using the Sword Dao was indeed a rare and commendable feat.
’But so what?’
’Without a Spirit Root, he’s ultimately just trash.’
’I’m merely at Foundation Establishment, yet my lifespan already exceeds two hundred years. But Li Chunfeng? An old man past fifty... how much longer can he possibly live?’
’Twenty years?’
’Thirty years?’
’Even if the heavens were merciful enough to grant him another forty years, in the blink of an eye, he’ll be nothing but a pile of dust.’
’What does it matter how strong his Sword Dao becomes?’
’This world, after all, belongs to cultivators.’
’Ultimately, only those with a Spirit Root can achieve true longevity.’
’A mortal, no matter how talented, can only shine for a fleeting moment.’
’This so-called "brilliance" of his... I doubt he’s even strong enough to leave the Guixi Sect. He’ll just fade into obscurity and return to dust...’
...
Li Chunfeng’s victory gave the sect-wide competition a bizarrely surreal start.
From the high platform, the emotionless voice of ’Mr. Qian’ rang out once more, announcing the lineup for the second match.
"The second match: Wang Xiedi versus Disciple Yi!"
Wang Xiedi’s heart sank upon hearing his name.
’As a responsible man, I absolutely cannot show any fear right now!’
He glanced at the junior brother beside him. Their eyes met, and they shared a nod.
Disciple Yi was wailing internally.
’How did it have to be me?!’
’And of all people, I’m up against Wang Xiedi!’
He glanced across at his junior brother, who was giving him a simple-minded grin while subconsciously polishing the Heart-Protecting Mirror on his chest. A chill ran down Disciple Yi’s spine.
He recalled the gruesome death of the mantis, the Heart Demon Illusion Realms Su Ling’er had described, and most vividly, Wang Xiedi’s ’ghost wife’—a cursed spirit at the Core Formation level, powerful enough to suppress even a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
’The senior brother might have mentioned calling off the engagement, but what if that didn’t work?’
’What if his ghost wife can actually join him on the stage?’
’My luck is terrible. If I were up against Miss Su or Mr. Ye, I might have had a chance to make it into the top four.’
’But... I’m at the fourth level of Qi Refining, after all. Maybe... maybe I can put up a fight?’
However, the moment he actually stepped onto the arena and faced Wang Xiedi, feeling the waves of Spiritual Power rolling off his opponent—far surpassing his own—any lingering hope in his heart was utterly shattered.
Disciple Yi wanted to cry but couldn’t even shed a tear.
’I just barely managed to cultivate my way back to the fourth level of Qi Refining, and before I can even get comfortable, I have to face someone at the sixth level.’
’How am I supposed to fight this?’
He glanced down from the stage and saw Lin Qingfeng watching with keen interest.
It looked like he was curious to see how Wang Xiedi would handle the situation, and at that, Disciple Yi’s heart turned to ice.
’Once we start, I won’t even have a chance to struggle.’
And so, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Disciple Yi cupped his hands in a salute to Wang Xiedi from across the stage.
"Mr. Wang... I... I forfeit."
It was an understandable decision. After all, in a match between a fourth-level and a sixth-level Qi Cultivation practitioner, not everyone could be as courageous—or as genuinely powerful—as Li Chunfeng.
...
With Disciple Yi’s quick and decisive forfeit, the second match came to an anticlimactic end.
As for the third match, Dong Changsheng was lucky enough to get a bye.
Lin Qingfeng watched Dong Changsheng’s smug expression and couldn’t help but scoff internally.
’Holy hell, this guy actually got a bye?’
’Is this the power of the [Strong Luck] trait?’
’Someone who’s such a corrupting influence actually has this much luck?’
’The heavens must be blind to favor you this much.’
’Are you the heavens’ illegitimate son or something?’
Amidst the disciples’ mixed gazes of envy, Dong Changsheng swaggered over to the dejected Disciple Yi and the others, beginning another round of his pontificating.
"Junior Brother, your actions just now were a classic example of a weakling’s mentality! Giving up before you even fight—how can you ever hope to succeed?!"
"You must remember, a strong person..."
Watching this scene unfold, Lin Qingfeng’s face broke into a benevolent smile.
"Yes, Mr. Dong is right. The Guixi Sect will absolutely not tolerate such cowardice!!!"
With that, he abruptly raised his hand. SLAP! A resounding slap landed squarely on Dong Changsheng’s face!
Dong Changsheng: ???
Dong Changsheng was completely stunned.
’Wait, what does this have to do with me?!’
’Shouldn’t you be hitting Disciple Yi? Why are you hitting me?!’
"Disciple Yi, I am very disappointed in you! How could you shrink back from a fight?!"
Lin Qingfeng pointed at Disciple Yi, then backhanded Dong Changsheng across the face again!
SLAP!
Disciple Yi was also dumbfounded.
’Wait, wasn’t he talking about me?’
’Why is he hitting Mr. Dong?’
Seeing the miserable state of Mr. Dong, who was "suffering" in his place, he couldn’t bear it and was about to speak up:
"Senior Brother, if you must punish someone, punish me—"
SLAP!
Lin Qingfeng cut him off with another slap to Dong Changsheng’s face.
"Senior Brother, I—"
SLAP!
"Sen—"
SLAP!
Su Ling’er was completely bewildered.
’What... what in the world is going on?!’
’Why don’t I get it? Aren’t you supposed to be lecturing Disciple Yi?’
’It’s not like there’s something wrong with your eyes.’
’She was afraid that if she said anything, the Senior Brother would just hit him harder.’
’Forget it. Let the world burn.’ A puff of white smoke escaped her lips as she stared blankly, her brain completely shutting down.
Every time Disciple Yi tried to speak, Lin Qingfeng would unleash a furious barrage—SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!—on Dong Changsheng, beating him until his cheeks were swollen and his teeth were knocked loose.
Finally, Dong Changsheng couldn’t take it anymore. He sent a desperate, tearful telepathic message to Disciple Yi:
[Dong Changsheng]: Disciple Yi! I’m begging you! Just shut up, will you?!
...
Finally, after what felt like an eternity,
On the high platform, ’Mr. Qian’ waited until Lin Qingfeng stepped back with a look of immense satisfaction before stepping forward again to announce the next phase of the competition.
"The fourth match: Su Ling’er versus Ye Longtao."
Those few words instantly snapped Su Ling’er out of her dazed, smoke-exhaling stupor.
She blinked slowly, her vacant pupils gradually regaining focus.
’Huh?’
’Her brain couldn’t quite process it.’
’Is it... is it finally my turn to fight?’
’I finally made it through... That was terrifying...’
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