Chapter 31

(PS: Today I dropped to fifth place in the new book category, but it's okay, now I've surged to the top three. I need your continued support.)

The Asura warship, stretching over a hundred zhang, loomed like a monstrous beast in the sky, divided into two levels. After the grand competition, over five thousand disciples who had grasped the Qi momentum did not feel crowded on the Asura warship. All the disciples were amazed by the vastness of the Asura warship.

A ship of such size was unheard of, let alone one that could fly in the sky. The Asura warship, over a hundred zhang long, had three secondary cannons on each side and a massive main cannon at the front, powered by spirit stones and inscribed with arrays, capable of extracting energy from the spirit stones to form powerful magical attacks.

The word "magic" alone evoked images of summoning wind and rain, driving lightning and fire, and moving mountains and filling seas—powers far beyond human imagination. When one's cultivation reached the tenth layer of the Reversion to Simplicity, successfully passing the heavenly tribulation, they could enter the stage of Qi refinement and spirit transformation, truly transcending the constraints of mortals.

Qi refinement and spirit transformation? Magic? For all the disciples who had just grasped the Qi momentum, these were still distant matters. Therefore, the spirit stone cannons capable of launching magical attacks naturally piqued everyone's curiosity.

With over five thousand disciples, there were also many staff members from headquarters on the Asura warship. During the flight to headquarters, these staff members began explaining matters related to the Asura Sect headquarters to all the disciples, so they wouldn't be like headless flies upon arrival.

Bright light in the air sketched an image of the Asura Sect headquarters, showing where the living quarters, dining halls, training grounds, forging halls, alchemy halls, mission halls, and trading halls were located.

The image of the Asura Sect headquarters that materialized in the air was grandiose. Zhuge Xiang, half-sitting in a secluded spot, watched carefully while secretly adjusting his breathing. Although the staff had treated his injuries after the grand competition, the weakness from the Blood Thirst Technique would last for about two days, making him feel very uncomfortable.

Beside Zhuge Xiang, Niu Geng carefully read through the cultivation methods of the Five Poison Palm, with the Yin Gu Hu placed beside him. Seeing Zhuge Xiang adjusting his breathing, the over five thousand disciples did not dare to disturb him. Strength was the ultimate truth, and this was especially true in a demonic sect. The strength Zhuge Xiang had displayed earned their respect.

"Congratulations on winning the grand competition," a clear voice rang out. Lu Yuling approached Zhuge Xiang, her white dress fluttering slightly, still exuding grace.

"Thank you, it was just luck," Zhuge Xiang smiled and replied.

Indeed, it was the truth. Although he had the cultivation of the third layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm and the Blood Thirst Technique, without the super spirit medicine, Zhuge Xiang would not have been a match for Lu Yuling. In the later stages, he even used up his healing pills, using every trick in the book, including all his one-time consumables, to barely secure the first place. If the grand competition were to happen again, Zhuge Xiang would not be confident.

"Luck is also a part of strength. Winning is winning," Lu Yuling shook her head, finding Zhuge Xiang's modesty unusual. In her mind, Zhuge Xiang was a straightforward and decisive person.

As she spoke, she glanced at the storage belt tied around Zhuge Xiang's waist and said in surprise, "Is this storage belt for your own use? Don't you already have a storage item?"

"I have a storage item?" Zhuge Xiang was taken aback by Lu Yuling's sudden question.

"When you killed the demon fox, didn't you take out your Blood Knife? And you often take out various pills and martial arts manuals, right?" Lu Yuling found Zhuge Xiang's surprise strange.

Zhuge Xiang understood. She must have been referring to the items that dropped when he defeated his opponents. Whether it was the Blood-Refined Knife, experience scrolls, or the skill book for the Dash Step, they all appeared directly in his hands. No wonder Lu Yuling never asked; she had always assumed he had a storage item like her.

He smiled and said, "The previous storage item was too small, not enough to use."

Lu Yuling nodded. It was just a casual question, and she did not intend to delve deeper. Soon, Hua Nongying came over and pulled Lu Yuling away.

Hua Nongying, who was naturally lively, was even more energetic on the Asura warship, filled with curiosity. After the grand competition, her relationship with Lu Yuling had become more friendly.

After Lu Yuling left, Ji Wuxue also came over. He congratulated Zhuge Xiang on winning the grand competition and expressed his intention to train hard and challenge him again. Zhuge Xiang had a good impression of Ji Wuxue and nodded in agreement.

"Congratulations on winning the grand competition," but what surprised Zhuge Xiang was that after Ji Wuxue left, Ling Wufeng also came over.

Although Zhuge Xiang had not interacted much with Ling Wufeng, since he had come to congratulate him, Zhuge Xiang naturally did not show a cold face. He smiled and nodded, "You did well too, third place."

"Actually, I find it strange. This shouldn't be the case," Ling Wufeng looked at Zhuge Xiang seriously, his face showing distress, as if he couldn't understand something. "Although your strength is good, you're not as handsome as me, nor do you have my cool demeanor. Why does Lu Yuling treat you differently?"

"Um..." Ling Wufeng's words left Zhuge Xiang speechless. It seemed that congratulating him was secondary; his main purpose was to inquire about his relationship with Lu Yuling.

"Don't worry. For me, cultivation is the priority. Lu Yuling and I are just ordinary friends," Zhuge Xiang thought of how Ling Wufeng had openly revealed his cultivation to Lu Yuling during the duel, believing he was probing their relationship.

"There's no reason. Don't girls usually like cool guys like me? Why does she seem to have no attraction to me at all?" Ling Wufeng clearly didn't listen to Zhuge Xiang's response, lowering his head in confusion and muttering to himself before slowly leaving.

Ling Wufeng, with his flying dagger skills and cold demeanor, had always given everyone the impression of being aloof. But today, Zhuge Xiang realized that Ling Wufeng's coldness was all an act, believing it would attract girls. In reality, he was just a repressed person.

The Endless Mountains stretched for ten thousand miles. It would take a journey of forty-eight thousand miles to reach headquarters by Asura warship, but the Asura warship could arrive in just three days, showing its incredible speed.

After two days, everyone had a good understanding of the basics of headquarters, and their curiosity about the Asura warship had gradually waned. After the initial excitement, everyone gradually quieted down, waiting for the Asura warship to return to headquarters.

Woo... woo... woo...

However, without warning, a sharp, ear-piercing alarm suddenly sounded on the Asura warship, causing everyone to stand up. There was still about half a day left, with only eight thousand miles to go before reaching headquarters, but the alarm suddenly rang.

"What's happening?" The sharp alarm made everyone uneasy, and they began to chatter and panic. Then, a man shouted in alarm, "Look, what's that?"

Turning his head, Zhuge Xiang saw three giant birds blocking the path ahead. The enormous size of the three birds was comparable to the Asura warship, emitting a powerful and terrifying aura...

"Monsters!!!" The sect leader responsible for transporting the disciples, the host of the top eight finals, said with a grim face.

Human cultivators have three stages of cultivation: Essence Refinement to Qi, Qi Refinement to Spirit, and Spirit Refinement to Void. Similarly, monsters have three stages: beast, monster, and demon. This meant that the monsters had already cultivated to the monster stage, no longer mere beasts. Monsters that had passed the heavenly tribulation could awaken their innate abilities, with strength equivalent to cultivators at the Qi Refinement to Spirit stage. This time, three avian monsters were blocking the path of the Asura warship...

A series of howls, as if tearing the sky, echoed from above. Looking down, thousands of monsters in the mountains below raised their heads, roaring at the Asura warship. Clearly, if the Asura warship were to be brought down, it would fall right into their mouths.

"Damn, we've encountered three monsters. Contact the sect for support immediately. Activate the Asura warship's defensive barrier. Cannoneers, prepare to attack and destroy those three monsters."

The leader's face was serious, but he issued commands one after another. The staff members of the sect, though startled, remained calm, showing the demeanor of a major sect. However, whether the Asura warship could withstand three monsters was anyone's guess.