Chapter 100

This time, the two were merely competing in martial arts, and the use of mystic arts was already equivalent to a loss. If it came to mystic arts, although Beiting Wan'er still had her innate mystic power unexerted, no matter what, she could not be a match for Zhuang Wudao, who mastered two third-grade extraordinary mystic arts.

Beiting Wan'er was not the type to persist in a hopeless struggle. Her broad-mindedness was not typical of a woman. After admitting defeat, she showed no sign of reluctance, and with a smile, she looked to the side: "Master, what do you think of my senior brother Wudao? Has he disappointed you?"

Zhuang Wudao's expression was solemn, knowing that this Chilingzi's impression of him directly related to his future in Lichen Sect.

"Enduring 136 rounds, thoroughly understanding the habits and flaws in your finger techniques and steps, grasping the essence of the changes in the Immortal Shadow Floating Light, and then defeating the enemy. Indeed, as you said, his insight is astonishing, and his martial talent is truly extraordinary. Moreover, he has actually mastered the Dragon Seizing Power—this boy is quite interesting—"

Chilingzi smiled, his eyes inscrutable: "Unfortunately, I cannot help you. There is no place for you in Huangji Peak."

Beiting Wan'er's expression changed drastically, shocked and puzzled. Zhuang Wudao frowned, Huangji Peak being one of the seven peaks of the two mountains in Lichen Sect, and Chilingzi was the most powerful Golden Core elder on Huangji Peak.

By saying he couldn't help, did it mean he was unwilling to help, or truly couldn't help? The lack of a place for him on Huangji Peak was because he looked down on Zhuang Wudao's fifth-grade spirit root.

"There's no need to overthink it. Just by mastering these mystic arts and the Dragon Seizing Power, you have a place in Lichen Sect."

Chilingzi looked at him with disdain and coldness: "However, on Huangji Peak, most are descendants of noble families from the southeastern countries! Their identities are mostly prestigious. They are like fire and water to someone of your background. If you want to rise in the future, it's best to stay away from Huangji Peak."

Pausing for a moment, Chilingzi continued: "I already know your identity, the bloodline of Taiping Sect's Chongyangzi. If you have any sense, you should know that your future is not in Lichen Sect. At least, I, Chilingzi, am unwilling to take the risk of recommending you. My friends cannot bear the karma between you and Chongyangzi. If you had a first-grade spirit root, it would be different. With just this level of talent, it's not worth it. Of course, within our sect, there might be someone who can overlook the suspicion or doesn't know the truth and appreciates you. Or, are you willing to be just an ordinary inner disciple in Lichen Sect? That's also fine."

"Master!"

Beiting Wan'er's eyes were filled with fear and a hint of pleading. Chilingzi only affectionately stroked her forehead, his face as stern as ever.

Zhuang Wudao felt a wave of confusion, his heart cold. Even though he had been prepared for this result from the beginning, he still felt a sense of despair. Each word from Chilingzi was like a steel needle, piercing into his chest.

It turned out he had underestimated the status and weight of the four words 'Taiping Chongyang' in the cultivation world. He also vaguely understood why Shen Lin had such confidence that day.

If even Chilingzi was like this, what about others? His previous hopes and desires were now mere fantasies.

Was Lichen Sect really his best choice? After eight years of study at Lichen Academy, he had no chance of joining another sect.

Or should he simply give up and wander the world as a solitary cultivator? With Master Yun'er's guidance, he didn't necessarily have to join a famous sect—

With myriad thoughts, Zhuang Wudao gradually calmed down.

Even if he ended up as just an inner disciple, with no one to take him in, Lichen Sect's influence was still his most suitable haven.

How to make the final decision could be considered after he entered Lichen Mountain. The two mountains and seven peaks of Lichen Sect were not all like Chilingzi. If it really wasn't suitable, he didn't need to endure and force himself to stay under Lichen Sect's protection.

Even after experiencing the coldness of the world and numerous hardships, he still retained a proud and unyielding spirit.

If it weren't for offending the Gu Yue family, and if it weren't for the need to take care of his brothers in the Sword Robe Hall, he would rather die than be so belittled and humiliated!

※※※※

Three days later, at the hour of Chen, under the escort of Li Chongzhen from the academy, Zhuang Wudao, Meng Hui, Xia Miao, and Beiting Wan'er boarded the flying boat sent by Wujing Dao Hall to pick up the disciples.

Qin Feng and his brothers came to see him off but could only stand far away, unable to get close.

At the flying boat, most were people seeing off Beiting Wan'er and Xia Miao Meng Hui, all of whom were either wealthy or noble. The Sword Robe Hall, though having some influence, was still at the bottom in Yuecheng and had no right to approach the flying boat.

The flying boat did not wait for anyone, and Zhuang Wudao had no right to make it wait. He could only say a few words to Qin Feng before boarding the boat.

However, he and Qin Feng, Ma Yuan, and the others had been brothers for over a decade, and a single glance was enough to understand each other, so there was no need for excessive sentimentality.

As they were about to part, Qin Feng and Lin Han showed little sadness, mostly feeling happy for Zhuang Wudao. It was the straightforward Ma Yuan who almost cried, unable to stop his tears.

Zhuang Wudao secretly laughed, but when the boat lifted off the ground, his heart grew heavy.

He had not told Qin Feng about Chilingzi's words after the match with Beiting Wan'er, not wanting his brothers to worry about him.

However, whenever he thought of the expectations of the Sword Robe Hall, his mood became extremely depressed and unbearable.

"Why do you need to be so? You are a born warrior, unique in this world. The famous sects in the Immortal Realm all dream of obtaining one. To get one, they would invite all the immortals to witness and announce it to the world. A first-grade spirit root is rare, but can still be found. However, a person with a born warrior soul, in this vast world, would not exceed three."

Yun'er's tone was extremely serious: "The people in this world have limited knowledge and short-sightedness, unable to recognize true pearls and jade. Lichen Sect not accepting you is their loss. If Juechenzi learns of this matter in the future, he will surely regret it. In any other major world, with your talent, countless people would vie for you, and it wouldn't even be Lichen Sect's turn."

Zhuang Wudao didn't know if Yun'er's comforting words were true or false, but his mood improved somewhat. He put aside his worries and asked with a smile: "What exactly is a born warrior soul? What is its use? And who is Juechenzi?"

"A born warrior soul is a special constitution, ranking among the top ten soul bodies and also the top ten warrior bodies. Once you reach the Golden Core realm, you will naturally understand the benefits of this soul body. My memory is incomplete, and I don't know the specific details of this soul body. The only thing I can tell you is that a person with a 'born warrior soul' has an indomitable soul, making it difficult for others to control them with their divine will. Once they cultivate to the spirit soul stage, they can perform one more round of mystic arts than cultivators of the same level. Additionally, the warrior body can enhance the power of mystic arts, raising all mystic arts to a half-grade higher."

"One more round? Not kidding me?"

Zhuang Wudao couldn't help but be stunned. One more round of mystic arts meant that for the same spirit acupoint, a spirit soul cultivator could perform the mystic art four times in twelve hours, while he could perform it five times!

Raising a mystic art to a half-grade higher was even more exaggerated. His 'Bull Demon Dance' was already beyond the peak of the third grade, and after reaching the spirit soul stage, it could be raised to the second-grade holy spirit?

To know that the difference of one grade in mystic arts often meant the difference between heaven and earth, capable of overwhelming in battle!

Was Luo Qingyun joking with him? Could the born warrior soul be so terrifying?

"Deceiving the sword master is not something I can do. I have been asleep for countless years, and the Light Cloud Sword has come into contact with many people. Only the sword master could awaken me, and there must be a reason! As for Juechenzi—"

Yun'er's voice gradually became confused: "I don't remember. He should be one of the founding masters of Lichen Sect. After the fifth tribulation, I don't know if he is still alive. In any case, there's no need to worry. If you wish to join Lichen, it is a favor to Lichen. If you don't, it's just a matter of time. As long as the sword master doesn't perish halfway, he is destined to be an unparalleled strong person. The current tribulations, though significant, are trivial in the grand scheme of things."

Zhuang Wudao didn't know if Yun'er's words were true or false. However, since the moment the Light Cloud Sword met him, the sword spirit Yun'er had never lied to him.

Could the warrior body really be so rare and precious? Even surpassing his father's first-grade spirit root?

An unparalleled strong person in the future?

Zhuang Wudao couldn't help but shake his head. He didn't aspire to be an unparalleled strong person; he only wished to fulfill his long-held desire one day and be content. After that, he could let go of everything and seek the truth.

What kind of scenery would the great world that Yun'er spoke of be like?

This flying boat was not large, about the size of a common black-roofed boat used on rivers. A dozen people were crowded on it, slightly cramped.

Besides them, the other disciples were from the Lichen Academy in Jiangzhou, seven hundred miles southeast of Yuecheng.

Jiangzhou was at the end of the Song River, one of the coastal good ports. It was said to be a city with three million people, not belonging to any country, and thus was under the jurisdiction of Wujing Dao Hall by Lichen Mountain. However, it was also within the influence of Yishan Sect, so the situation of the two academies was similar.

In every previous Lichen competition, the rankings of the academies in Jiangzhou and Yuecheng were always at the bottom. This year, Yuecheng was somewhat different, but the cultivation levels of the selected disciples from Jiangzhou were similar to those from Yuecheng. One of them was particularly large and robust, with a strong aura in his eyes, indicating considerable strength.

Li Chongzhen and the head of the Jiangzhou academy, along with the cultivator piloting the flying boat, were talking at the bow. The others were crowded at the stern, each leaning against the railing, silent.

Zhuang Wudao first looked outside the flying boat. Though small, it was a genuine mid-grade spirit artifact, capable of flying 9,000 feet above the ground. Below the flying boat were white clouds like cotton candy, spreading out like an ice field, offering a wider view than the sea.

At first, Zhuang Wudao felt his heart broaden and was in high spirits, but gradually, he felt bored.

Page AD starts

Page AD ends