Raise a sword!

Jiang Peng woke up in the pool.

Use your inner senses to examine the gains from this cultivation session.

"I've completed more than half of the eighth level of Qi Refining, all the hidden injuries to my physical body have been healed, and my spiritual sense has also increased considerably."

Just as Qin Yuan said before, the Spirit Transformation Pool does indeed have the power to allow a cultivator to reach the peak of essence, energy, and spirit.

If Jiang Peng had the cultivation of the peak of Qi Refining at this moment, then now would be the best time for him to take the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Unfortunately, Jiang Peng's cultivation level was ultimately still a step behind.

Seeing the spring water beneath her become crystal clear, Jiang Peng knew it was time to leave the Spirit Transformation Pool.

So he got up, dressed, and then activated the jade tablet.

He was quickly repelled by the formation, his figure passed over the waterfall at the entrance of the stone chamber, and appeared in the clearing in the forest where he had come from.

There was no one around, only the chirping of insects and birds in the forest seemed to be welcoming his return.

Just as Jiang Peng was at a loss, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her.

The newcomer was none other than the Peak Master of Rainbow Robes.

"You fell asleep in there?"

Jiang Peng was about to bow when she heard these words and her expression froze.

"Has this disciple been inside for a long time?"

"Yinxi and Cheng Kaihai left in less than half a year. Now they have both begun their seclusion to prepare for taking Foundation Establishment Pills."

"Half a year? It feels like only a few days have passed."

"For them, it's six months; for you, it's a year and a half."

These words greatly surprised Jiang Peng.

The Spirit Transformation Pool seemed to have the effect of blurring the senses of cultivators. For Jiang Peng, it really felt like he had only closed and opened his eyes a few times.

Unexpectedly, his longest period of seclusion since he began cultivating began, and it happened quietly.

"It's probably because your cultivation level is insufficient... They are all at the peak of Qi Refining, and adjusting their state is enough, but you are still hoping to increase your cultivation level through the Spirit Transformation Pool," said Peak Master Ni Chang with an unfriendly expression.

"If I had known, I would have just agreed to Jiang Laogui's offer and given your spot to his grandson... Every day you don't come out, I have to wait here for another day. It's really a waste of time."

After saying this, Peak Master Ni Chang stopped wasting words and immediately summoned a flying boat, taking Jiang Peng with her towards the sect.

"You arrived just in time, catching the sect competition and getting to watch the excitement."

Jiang Peng asked curiously, "The sect competition?"

"Well, three years ago, we started taking on disciples. Now the new disciples have achieved some success in their studies, and the older disciples also need to fight for the sect's status. So the sect is holding a grand competition."

"Should the disciple also participate?" Jiang Peng asked, somewhat eager to try.

Since deciding to cultivate the ancient sword path, Jiang Peng has not deliberately shown off his skills, but he has also stopped thinking about avoiding battles and keeping a low profile.

When it's time to shine, he's determined to compete.

"I said I was just here to watch the show, not to join in," Peak Master Ni Chang shook her head. "If we really let you go, do you think the sect would allow you to hold back your strength? If they don't, that's unfair to you. If they do, which Qi Refining cultivator could withstand a single sword strike from you?"

Jiang Peng smiled awkwardly, which seemed to make sense.

"Besides, the sect competition is meant to bring benefits to the disciples. You don't need those sect contribution points, so don't go and make yourself a nuisance."

As she spoke, Peak Master Ni Chang suddenly stopped and looked Jiang Peng up and down.

"Hey, speaking of which, are you short of tribute?"

"We don't lack anything."

"You sound quite confident. How much confidence do you have?"

"There are still more than 20,000 left."

"Lend me some."

"what?"

...

It only took half a day to return to the Cangshan Sect, and it was clear that Peak Master Ni Chang was indeed in a great hurry.

Upon arriving at the sect, she did not let Jiang Peng leave. Instead, she took Jiang Peng directly to a peak called "Luoyun Peak" and met a female Foundation Establishment cultivator whom Jiang Peng had never met before.

The Foundation Establishment elder in front of him looked to be in his early twenties. His appearance was not stunning, but rather the kind that grew on you.

When I met her, she was lying on a deck chair, sunbathing, fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan, whether out of habit or because she was really hot, I couldn't tell.

Two wine gourds lay scattered on the ground next to the recliner, looking as if they had just been used to drink from the wine, with a few drops of wine still dripping from the mouths of the gourds onto the ground.

Sensing someone's arrival, the elder yawned and opened his eyes, half-asleep.

Upon seeing that it was Ni Chang, the elder's handsome features immediately furrowed into a frown.

"You surnamed Lü, I said no credit, not even as collateral! You dare bring your father's treasure as collateral, but even if you dare, I wouldn't dare accept it!"

Ni Chang ignored the other person's complaints and introduced her to Jiang Peng: "This is Elder Wei Zhilan. She's a drunkard and a gambler, not a good person. Just know her, and don't associate with her in the future, lest you be corrupted by her."

Jiang Peng simply bowed to Wei Zhilan without saying a word.

Elder Wei didn't care about what Ni Chang said. He just glanced at Jiang Peng and then waved his hand, saying, "This kid is quite handsome, but I've been abstaining from lust lately."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peng's expression changed drastically. She took two steps back and looked at Ni Chang with a shocked expression.

"Master Ni Chang, this..."

Ni Chang's face darkened immediately. She then ripped off the waist tag from Jiang Peng's waist and handed it to Wei Zhilan.

"Leave two thousand tribute coins for this kid, and use the rest to buy first place in the Song Dynasty alchemy competition."

"Uncle-Master, I haven't agreed to lend you the money yet." Jiang Peng said, both amused and exasperated.

On the way, when the Peak Master of Ni Chang mentioned borrowing the gate as a tribute, he thought it was just a joke, but he didn't expect her to actually do it.

"Tsk, it's not like I lent it to you for nothing."

The Peak Master of Ni Chang glared at Jiang Peng with displeasure, and with a flick of her hand, a writing brush as thick as an arm and as long as it was produced.

The brush tip was still dipped in ink, and the handle was carved with intricate patterns.

"This item is your collateral."

Jiang Peng subconsciously took the brush, and golden characters immediately flashed before her eyes.

[Lotus Spirit Talisman Brush: Tier 3, Remote Talisman Drawing]

"A third-tier talisman brush?" Jiang Peng's heart skipped a beat, and then he remembered what Elder Wei had said earlier.

"Senior Uncle, could this be Master Lü's treasure?"

"What's my dad's is mine."

"This disciple dares not accept it."

"Borrowing tribute without needing collateral? That's quite sensible."

A quarter of an hour later, Ni Chang led Jiang Peng back to Biwu Peak.

Jiang Peng touched the waist token of the true disciple, which looked unchanged, and was speechless for a moment.

Was he robbed by Ni Chang? I can't quite put my finger on it, but it feels like it.

"Don't worry, after we win, I'll give you a share... You really think I can't pay back this little bit of tribute?"

Jiang Peng remained silent.

More than 20,000 sect contribution points can be converted into about 30,000 to 40,000 low-grade spirit stones, which is neither a lot nor a little.

If there were a proper place to go, Jiang Peng wouldn't mind.

Using it for gambling seems a bit too abstract.

"This disciple does not understand. Given my senior master's status, why would he be so lacking in sect contribution?"

Ni Chang sneered upon hearing this.

"What else could it be? He lost the bet."