novelraw Chapter 35 – This disciple... will accept the punishment
Chapter 35 – This disciple... will accept the punishment
The Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament had swiftly reached its fifth day.
Above Lan Yun Terrace, the morning light shimmered like meticulously polished golden glass, clear and warm, dispelling the last chill of dawn. Today, the terrace was more crowded than ever, even more bustling than the previous days.
The reason was simple: today was the day for the Outer Sect Elders' competition!
Though the Outer Sect Elders were not as revered as the Inner Sect Elders, each one was a successful Foundation Establishment cultivator, the true backbone of the sect. Their battles, a blend of skill and experience, and their clashes of spiritual power were far more spectacular and valuable than those of Qi Refining disciples. Moreover, this year, a remarkable "dark horse" had emerged—a newly appointed elder, Mu Xiaochuan, who had achieved Foundation Establishment at the age of eighty and had rapidly elevated the once bottom-ranked Heaven Vault Pavilion to its peak!
At this moment, countless gazes, filled with awe, curiosity, envy, or anticipation, were cast toward the viewing platform, where a figure in dark green sat composed, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding clamor.
Mu Xiaochuan maintained his leisurely demeanor. He reclined on the specially designated elder's seat, while beside him, Su Yao and Lin Yue, like two blooming lotus flowers, carefully served him the first morning tea infused with spiritual qi.
Mu Xiaochuan slightly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the main seat of the viewing platform. Yun Wange, still veiled, sat gracefully, yet Mu Xiaochuan keenly sensed that her gaze lingered on him more frequently than usual today, with a hint of subtle expectation and... warmth?
"Heh, it seems the Peak Master is determined to get that mid-grade Spirit-Gathering Pill," Mu Xiaochuan thought knowingly, raising his teacup in a distant salute toward Yun Wange, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. Yun Wange seemed to sense it, nodding slightly in response, her lips beneath the veil curving into a graceful arc.
Meanwhile, sitting beside Yun Wange, Liang Yichen's face was as dark as the sky before a storm. In recent days, Mu Xiaochuan and the Heaven Vault Pavilion had stolen the spotlight, overshadowing even the Yunqi Peak Main Hall! What infuriated him further was that Liu Ruyan, that wretched woman, had openly rejected him for Mu Xiaochuan! It was an utter humiliation! His gaze toward Mu Xiaochuan was filled with undisguised murderous intent.
Mu Xiaochuan naturally sensed this hostility but remained indifferent. He even provocatively raised an eyebrow at Liang Yichen, as if to say, "Old fool, not convinced? Hold it in!"
Amidst this undercurrent, three melodious chimes echoed, signaling the official start of the Outer Sect Elders' competition!
The Lan Yun Terrace fell silent instantly, all eyes focused on the central arena.
There were thirteen Outer Sect Elders on Yunqi Peak. Among them, two were at the third level of Foundation Establishment: Sun Iron Arm from the Artifact Refining Hall (a clan brother of Hall Master Sun Qian) and Wang Xuance from the Technique Transmission Hall. Four were at the second level, including Chen Changfeng from the Law Enforcement Hall, who had nearly been driven to vomiting blood by Mu Xiaochuan, and one from the Elixir Hall and two from the Main Hall. The remaining seven were at the first level of Foundation Establishment, including Mu Xiaochuan, Lin Zhennan from the Spiritual Herb Garden, and one each from the Law Enforcement Hall, Technique Transmission Hall, Artifact Refining Hall, Elixir Hall, and Main Hall.
According to the usual tournament conventions and unwritten rules, to ensure excitement and relative fairness, the first round typically arranged for lower-level elders to challenge higher-level ones, giving newcomers a chance to showcase their strength while avoiding early encounters between the strongest. Elders at the first level would usually draw lots to face those at the second or third level, with one of the highest-level third-stage elders getting a bye.
The draw was conducted by Li Ruoxu, the Hall Master of the Technique Transmission Hall, who held an ancient jade tube containing thirteen name-inscribed jade tokens.
"Fellow juniors, you should all be familiar with the tournament rules. As per tradition, the draw will determine the first-round opponents," Li Ruoxu said warmly, his gaze sweeping over the thirteen Outer Sect Elders below. "I will first draw the one who gets a bye."
He reached into the jade tube and, after a moment, pulled out a token, announcing loudly, "The one with a bye this round is—Elder Sun Iron Arm from the Artifact Refining Hall!"
Sun Iron Arm, the third-level Foundation Establishment elder, smiled with a sense of inevitability and cupped his hands to the crowd.
Next came the moment to decide the matchups. Everyone's hearts were in their throats, especially the newly appointed first-level Foundation Establishment elders, all silently praying not to draw the remaining third-level elder, Wang Xuance.
Li Ruoxu reached into the jade tube again, drawing two tokens in succession.
"The first match, Elder Chen Changfeng from the Law Enforcement Hall versus Elder Leng Suxin from the Main Hall!"
Chen Changfeng was at the second level, Leng Suxin at the first; her chances were slim. Leng Suxin shook her head helplessly.
Li Ruoxu continued drawing.
"The second match, Elder Liu Qingwu from the Elixir Hall (second level) versus Elder Lin Zhennan from the Spiritual Herb Garden (first level)!"
Lin Zhennan shrugged. Although he was an experienced first-level elder, facing a second-level opponent left him with little hope.
...
The drawing continued, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.
Soon, only four tokens remained in the jade tube: Mu Xiaochuan (first level), Elder Zhang Yuelin from the Technique Transmission Hall (first level), Elder Li Canghai from the Main Hall (second level), and another elder from the Elixir Hall, Zhao Min (first level).
Li Ruoxu's next action left everyone stunned.
He directly drew two tokens from the tube, announcing loudly, "The last match, Elder Mu Xiaochuan from the Heaven Vault Pavilion versus Elder Zhang Yuelin from the Technique Transmission Hall!"
What?!
Mu Xiaochuan versus Zhang Yuelin?
Two first-level Foundation Establishment elders facing off?
What about the second-level Li Canghai and first-level Zhao Min? Would they automatically pair up?
The audience erupted in discussion, even many elders on the viewing platform showed surprise.
Mu Xiaochuan was momentarily taken aback; his luck was unbelievable! He instinctively looked up at the main seat.
Yun Wange was watching him. Despite the veil, he could clearly sense the undisguised amusement and encouragement in her eyes, even a slight nod.
"So that's it!" Mu Xiaochuan suddenly realized!
This wasn't a draw at all; it was the Peak Master secretly manipulating things, blatantly giving him an easy path! She was afraid he'd encounter a strong opponent in the first round and be eliminated, so she deliberately arranged for him to face a same-level opponent, giving him a chance!
"The Peak Master is really going all out for that potential mid-grade Spirit-Gathering Pill..." Mu Xiaochuan chuckled inwardly!
On the other side, Elder Zhang Yuelin from the Technique Transmission Hall, who was set to face Mu Xiaochuan, felt a mix of emotions. He had expected to face the second-level Li Canghai and was prepared for a tough battle or even defeat, but the tables had turned, and he was now up against the same-level Mu Xiaochuan!
Although Mu Xiaochuan had recently been in the spotlight, bringing the Heaven Vault Pavilion to prominence, he had only recently achieved Foundation Establishment, and at the age of eighty, his foundation was likely unstable, and his actual combat experience probably lacking. As an experienced first-level Foundation Establishment elder, his chances of winning should be high!
The tournament began, and in the first five rounds, there were no surprises; all five first-level Foundation Establishment elders were eliminated.
It came down to the final match.
"Elder Mu, please!" Zhang Yuelin stepped onto the arena, cupping his hands toward Mu Xiaochuan with a confident smile.
"Elder Zhang, please." Mu Xiaochuan also stepped onto the arena, maintaining his calm demeanor.
Mu Xiaochuan had never faced a Foundation Establishment cultivator in combat. Previously, when "instructing" Leng Yunjian and Xiao Yunhe, he had suppressed his cultivation to the ninth level of Qi Refining. This time, facing Zhang Yuelin, he could finally test his true Foundation Establishment strength, especially the Dragon-Subduing Staff Technique, combined with the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood, to see its true power.
"Begin the match!" The referee elder announced.
Zhang Yuelin didn't dare to be careless. Although he was confident, facing the recently famous Mu Xiaochuan, he decided to strike first!
"Take this! 'Flowing Cloud Palm'!" Zhang Yuelin shouted, his figure moving like flowing clouds and water, his palms striking out, creating layers of white energy, seemingly gentle but hiding a surging force, enveloping Mu Xiaochuan! This was a well-known palm technique from the Technique Transmission Hall, using softness to overcome hardness, with endless variations.
The audience held their breath, eager to see how Elder Mu, who had created countless miracles, would perform in a real Foundation Establishment battle.
Facing Zhang Yuelin's attack, Mu Xiaochuan immediately summoned the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood.
Just as the layers of palm shadows were about to reach him, he executed the Dragon-Subduing Staff Technique with a powerful forward strike!
This strike seemed ordinary, without any flair.
But in Zhang Yuelin's eyes, it was as if the world darkened! Mu Xiaochuan's seemingly simple strike contained an indescribable profound rhythm, as if sealing off all his options for change and retreat! The myriad palm shadows he had unleashed melted away like snow under the sun before the wooden staff!
"How is this possible?!" Zhang Yuelin was horrified! His proud Flowing Cloud Palm had been so easily broken?
Before he could react, the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood had pierced through the layers of energy, striking his chest like a snatch from a bag!
"Boom!"
A dull, drum-like thud!
Zhang Yuelin felt an overwhelming, unstoppable force, like a mountain torrent, crashing into his body! The force was unparalleled in its ferocity, yet carried a strange oscillating power, instantly shattering his protective spiritual qi, crushing his internal organs, and even severing his meridians!
"Ugh—!!!"
Zhang Yuelin, like a kite with a broken string, spewed blood as he flew backward, his body tracing a tragic arc in the air before crashing heavily at the edge of the arena, his bones shattered, chest caved in with a horrifying dent, on the brink of death!
One strike!
Just one strike!
A first-level Foundation Establishment elder was left in a near-death state!
"Earth-grade spiritual artifact?" Liang Yichen on the Martial Practice Arena instantly recognized Mu Xiaochuan's spiritual artifact as earth-grade.
"What? Our Sect Master uses an earth-grade spiritual artifact?"
"Is this the power of an earth-grade spiritual artifact?"
The entire venue descended into chaos once more!
Everyone stared in shock at the slightly bewildered figure on the arena and the barely alive Zhang Yuelin at the edge, their minds blank!
On the viewing platform, Yun Wange removed her veil, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief!
Liang Yichen's expression was even more grim! Mu Xiaochuan's displayed strength had far exceeded his expectations, even making him feel a hint of... threat!
Mu Xiaochuan himself was stunned.
"I... I just wanted to test my skills, didn't mean to hit so hard..." He looked at Zhang Yuelin's miserable state, feeling a bit bewildered.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for stunning the audience with one strike, gaining 25 thrill points!" The system's notification sounded like a victory horn in Mu Xiaochuan's mind!
He hadn't expected that after upgrading the Green Wood Dragon Pattern Staff to the Azure Dragon Soul-Suppressing Wood, a casual strike would have such terrifying power! It was exhilarating; it would have been even more satisfying if it had hit Liang Yichen.
"Quick! Save him!" Li Ruoxu finally reacted, rushing onto the arena to check Zhang Yuelin's injuries, urgently calling for disciples from the Elixir Hall.
Soon, several disciples from the Elixir Hall arrived with a stretcher, hurriedly administering healing elixirs to Zhang Yuelin for emergency treatment.
"Mu... Mu Xiaochuan wins!" Li Ruoxu glanced at the calm Mu Xiaochuan, his voice trembling as he announced the result.
At this moment, Yun Wange slowly stood up, her voice cold and authoritative, echoing throughout the venue: "Elder Mu Xiaochuan!"
Mu Xiaochuan turned to Yun Wange, cupping his hands, "Yes."
"In the tournament, we spar, not harm; yet you struck so ruthlessly, nearly endangering a fellow disciple's life. Do you acknowledge your guilt?" Yun Wange's voice carried a hint of sternness, but deep in her eyes, there seemed to be a trace of hidden amusement and... appreciation?
Mu Xiaochuan's heart stirred, thinking, "Here it comes!"
Feigning fear, he bowed deeply, "This disciple... this disciple lost control for a moment, failing to grasp the strength, please punish me, Peak Master!"
"A moment of loss?" Yun Wange's voice rose slightly, "Violating tournament rules, I must personally punish you. Report to the Yunqi Heavenly Palace for punishment after the competition."
Mu Xiaochuan knew what the punishment was, yet his face remained fearful and respectful, "This disciple... will accept the punishment."