Chapter 4

In the small house of the outer courtyard, Lu Ping recalled the power of "Mountain Collapse" during his field trial, and couldn't help but smile slightly, then immediately sighed bitterly. This "Mountain Collapse" seal was indeed powerful, but once it was unleashed, the spiritual energy stored in his bloodline was reduced by a small fraction. It was truly a one-trick wonder.

There were only three months left until the major competition, and the remaining time should be spent more on cultivation. Of course, the cultivation of spells could not be neglected; the major competition was not just about cultivation levels.

Fortunately, he still had plenty of spirit stones and elixirs for this month, barely enough for his cultivation, which was something that had never happened before.

In the blink of an eye, two months passed. Lu Ping's cultivation did not progress as slowly as he had imagined; instead, he inexplicably advanced to the middle of the seventh level of Blood Refinement.

In Lu Ping's view, this was mainly due to the breakthrough in his cultivation, which also led to a breakthrough in making talismans, providing him with sufficient cultivation resources. Perhaps his emphasis on the foundation was also a reason, and the accumulation of effort always paid off.

Now, Lu Ping still adhered to his previous habit of making talismans every three days. However, over the course of a month, he had maintained an 80% success rate, with about half being medium-grade talismans, and about 15 being high-grade. Over the two months, he had accumulated seven top-grade talismans, all of which were blood talismans.

Lu Ping, as usual, went to the market at the end of the month to sell talismans, earning about 100 spirit stones each time. Now, Lu Ping felt quite wealthy and generous, using a Blood Purification Pill and a spirit stone for cultivation every day. If it weren't for the fact that he could only take one pill per day, otherwise the medicinal toxins would remain and affect future cultivation, Lu Ping would have used two Blood Purification Pills for cultivation.

Over the two months, all the disciples of the True Spirit Courtyard had been preparing intensively for the final assessment and the major competition.

The Seventh Squad also intensified their cultivation in this tense atmosphere.

The oppressive atmosphere made the Seventh Squad bring out all their accumulated potential and strength over the past five years, one after another successfully breaking through their cultivation levels.

The minimum requirement for a third-level disciple was the sixth level of Blood Refinement. Originally, the Seventh Squad had 27 disciples above the sixth level of Blood Refinement. Over the two months, four more disciples broke through to the sixth level. Two of the original sixth-level disciples also broke through to the seventh level, which greatly excited Elder Liu. These were all his achievements, and the more disciples who broke through to the seventh level, the more rewards he would receive from the sect.

The two who broke through to the seventh level were the eleventh and twelfth disciples: Li Cheng and Zhang Zicheng.

Since being surpassed by Lu Ping two months ago, Li Cheng had been very不服 (unwilling to accept it). This time, he openly declared that he would challenge Lu Ping to a decisive battle. Lu Ping just laughed it off, not to mention his cultivation was already in the middle of the seventh level, approaching the later stage. Even in terms of spell and magical weapon practice, Lu Ping believed he was not inferior to anyone at the seventh level of Blood Refinement.

Magical weapons were common tools used by Blood Refinement cultivators for combat and self-defense. For the True Spirit Sect, these were just trash; every outer sect disciple had one. When Lu Ping's cultivation broke through to the seventh level of Blood Refinement, he received a high-grade magical weapon, the Hundred Refinements Sword.

One day, Lu Ping and the Seventh Squad came to the Sunlight Peak for morning practice. The day before, Lu Ping had sold dozens of talismans at the market and prepared all the cultivation supplies for the month. Imagining that he might break through to the later stage of the seventh level next month, his mood was quite good.

After a set of the "Blood Dissolving Bone Melting Fist," Elder Liu arrived on time with two assistants at the seventh level of Blood Refinement at the Seventh Squad platform on the Sunlight Peak.

"Reporting to Elder, Disciple Li Cheng challenges the tenth disciple, Lu Ping. I hope Elder will allow it!"

Elder Liu frowned and looked at the speaker, who was the eleventh disciple, Li Cheng.

"Our sect encourages all disciples to strive for excellence, but the second-level disciple promotion competition is imminent. If you get injured and cannot participate, wouldn't that be a pity? Of course, if you insist on the challenge, the sect rules cannot be ignored, and I, as Elder, cannot force you."

Li Cheng did not understand the implications in Elder Liu's words and still said, "Disciple is willing to challenge. I am confident that the one who will be injured will not be me."

Elder Liu was quite displeased upon hearing this. No matter who got injured, the Seventh Squad's strength in the competition would be reduced, and at that time, his cultivation resources would also be affected.

However, the sect rules were clear, and Elder Liu could not forcibly suppress the matter. He could only say, "Be careful, both of you."

Elder Liu's two assistants marked out the arena, and Elder Liu served as the referee. Li Cheng glared at Lu Ping fiercely in the arena and said, "Don't think you're so great just because you entered the seventh level earlier. Today, I will show you that my late breakthrough is just a matter of accumulated effort. You will have to give up your position to me!"

Lu Ping chuckled but said nothing, only displaying a sword stance with his high-grade Hundred Refinements Sword, letting his actions speak for him.

Li Cheng was not to be outdone. He also wielded a high-grade magical weapon, the Hundred Refinements Spear, and used a set of the "Hundred Battles Spear Technique" copied from the outer courtyard's scripture hall, attacking Lu Ping.

Li Cheng had completed his breakthrough a month ago. He was also quite smart, knowing that after a breakthrough, one needed to consolidate their cultivation and practice spells and magical weapons. Therefore, he had waited a month before challenging Lu Ping.

Lu Ping defended with the sword techniques derived from the "Blood Dissolving Bone Melting Fist."

The "Blood Dissolving Bone Melting Fist" was actually a basic skill of the True Spirit Courtyard that could be practiced as both a fist and a sword. Lu Ping had not learned any other magical weapon techniques and had practiced both the fist and sword techniques. Although it was less powerful than other techniques, it was solid and beneficial for stimulating the true spirit energy in the bloodline and purifying the bloodline, even if the benefits were minimal.

Li Cheng's spear techniques were impressive, with a powerful momentum and continuous attacks, drawing cheers from the surrounding disciples.

In contrast, Lu Ping's "Blood Dissolving Bone Melting Sword" techniques were methodical and regular, constantly neutralizing Li Cheng's attacks. Although he was on the defensive, he held his ground steadily.

The "Blood Dissolving Bone Melting Fist and Sword" had been practiced by the disciples for years, and they were tired of it. Only a few disciples in the front row were thoughtful about Lu Ping's sword techniques.

Several disciples at the eighth and ninth levels of Blood Refinement and Elder Liu's two assistants gathered to discuss the duel.

"Li Cheng has a thicker foundation. Although he entered the seventh level a bit later, he is not comparable to Lu Ping."

"I think Lu Ping might turn the tide. Look at how he is defending without any signs of anxiety, indicating he has more tricks up his sleeve."

"Ha, what tricks can a set of 'Blood Dissolving Bone Melting Fist and Sword' have? What techniques do we not know?"

"Not necessarily. His sword techniques are quite solid. Even our set of 'Blood Dissolving Bone Melting Fist and Sword' might not be as impressive as his."

"Ultimately, this is just a basic skill. No matter how well it is performed, it is useless."

...

Everyone chattered, while Elder Liu watched the duel without comment. However, he was quite surprised inside. As an expert in the Blood Refinement stage, he could see what others could not.

"This young man's techniques have a taste of 'art' in their execution. It seems this battle is already without suspense."