Raise a sword!

Inquiring about the southern foothills was just a temporary idea.

After the peak master of Ni Chang left, Jiang Peng finally had time to watch the competition in front of her.

Just as Peak Master Ni Chang was giving her sermon, the outcome of the battle was already decided. In the end, Ma Ling'er from Fu Peak prevailed and defeated Liu Hong.

However, Liu Hong didn't lose out either.

His second-place finish in the competition immediately caught the eye of a Foundation Establishment elder, who took him on as a disciple.

Such a performance would surely bring great comfort to the spirit of Liu, the leader of the demon-hunting team, in heaven.

The mid-stage Qi Refining competition quickly came to a conclusion. The two disciples who were not recognized by Jiang Peng fought quite well, which drew cheers from the surrounding audience.

However, the disciple who could win first place in the mid-stage of Qi Refining already had a foundation in the sect and had accepted the title of inner disciple by the peak leader.

Therefore, the disciple's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, showing a bit of the demeanor of a great general.

Soon, the central area was cleared, and all traces left from the previous battle were swept away.

But then a figure floated up from the crowd and stopped in mid-air.

Jiang Peng then realized that the person was Liu Qinghe, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

Previously, Liu Qinghe had sent Jiang Peng an invitation to the Foundation Establishment Banquet, but Jiang Peng ultimately missed it because of the Spirit Transformation Pool incident.

After that, there was no news of Liu Qinghe, and Liu Quan also rarely visited Biwu Peak recently because he was focused on cultivation.

Now, when they meet again, the other person is no longer Senior Brother Liu, but Uncle Liu.

Moreover, he was able to preside over the sect's grand competition and stand out in front of many disciples, which shows that he is highly valued by the sect's higher-ups.

Under Liu Qinghe's direction, the last two cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refining walked into the open space in the arena.

One of them was Song Lian.

More than a year has passed, and Song Lian doesn't seem to have changed much, except that his overall demeanor has become even more sharp.

Opposite Song Lian was Cheng Kaihai.

"Huh? Why isn't Cheng Kaihai in seclusion? Could it be that he didn't gain any benefits in the Spirit Transformation Pool?" Jiang Peng was quite surprised.

"No, Cheng Kaihai is only one step away from Foundation Establishment." The voice of the Peak Master of Ni Chang suddenly rang out again.

Jiang Peng was finally startled.

He looked down and found that the Peak Master of Ni Chang was sitting on the ground below, leaning against a big tree, holding a handful of melon seeds in her hand, with melon seed shells all around her.

This scene left Jiang Peng in disbelief.

"Master Uncle, you haven't left?"

"When did I say I was leaving? That kid Song Lian hasn't won yet. This battle will determine how much tribute Wei Zhilan owes me."

"It is my tribute."

Ni Chang readily accepted good advice.

"How much tribute do you owe us... If Song Lian wins, we'll both make a huge profit with an IOU. If Song Lian loses, Wei Zhilan's previous debts will be settled, but I'll have to pay back your tribute."

"How could I possibly leave such a crucial competition?"

As she spoke, Ni Chang suddenly narrowed her eyes, and her tone became dangerous.

"I hope that brat Cheng Kaihai knows what's good for him, or he won't blame me for resorting to underhanded tactics... Hmph, it seems the old man isn't watching in the shadows. Only the sect leader can see through my tricks."

Looking down from above, Jiang Peng felt a chill run through her body.

Is the Heart-Suppressing Pass really that terrifying? Or is it that the terrifying one is actually Ni Chang herself?

Song Lian and Cheng Kaihai, who were in the arena, were unaware that someone was secretly planning to sabotage their battle.

The two had already started fighting.

Song Lian is a rather unconventional sword cultivator.

Holding a magic sword in one hand and a talisman in the other, he combined the two into one, displaying considerable power.

Cheng Kaihai is a specialist in body cultivation. He wears a pair of magical gloves on his hands, which seem to have the ability to break magic. He can neutralize Song Lian's methods with a simple gesture.

Both of them were figures who had reached the pinnacle of Qi cultivation, and were among the top disciples of their respective sects.

Their magical duel was far more intense than the previous two matches. Various spells flew across the arena, and their figures were reduced to afterimages as they darted and shifted, eliciting gasps of surprise from the surrounding disciples.

Jiang Peng was also captivated by the story, even imagining herself in the characters' shoes and how she would handle similar situations. She found it all very enjoyable and felt that the trip was worthwhile.

This battle lasted for almost half an hour.

In the end, Cheng Kaihai won because he had more spiritual energy.

When Song Lian finally exhausted his spiritual power, he stepped forward and struck Song Lian in the chest with a palm, sending him flying. Even the magic sword fell to the side.

"Junior Brother Song, you flatter me." Cheng Kaihai said breathlessly, bowing with his hands clasped.

Song Lian lay on the ground with a bitter smile, wanting to get up and return the greeting, but found that he was already at his last gasp.

"Senior Brother Cheng is amazing, I'm completely convinced."

After the battle was decided, Jiang Peng, who was watching the fight, turned her gaze to the peak master of Ni Chang below.

But then they saw that the Peak Master of Rainbow Peak was pale, and her two small hands were clenched into fists, as if she was trying hard to restrain something.

Seeing this, Jiang Peng immediately decided to slip away quietly, not wanting to disturb the beast.

But just then, suddenly, the disciples watching exclaimed in surprise.

Immediately afterwards, the voice of Sect Master Chu Chun'an suddenly rang out.

"Opening the seas requires careful planning and not hasty actions!"

Jiang Peng's gaze was immediately drawn to it.

But Cheng Kaihai was standing in the training ground, his body covered in sword wounds, but his face was filled with arrogance.

"This disciple's mind is made up! With such a victorious momentum, this disciple is certain to successfully establish my foundation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Kaihai took out a pill on the spot, swallowed it in full view of everyone, and then sat down cross-legged.

The next moment, the surrounding spiritual energy suddenly became violent, surging towards Cheng Kaihai like a madman.

"He actually intends to establish his foundation here?" Jiang Peng hurriedly and carefully investigated the situation of Qi Chengkaihai.

"He does have guts." Peak Master Ni Chang reappeared beside Jiang Peng, the anger on her face had mostly dissipated, and she looked at Cheng Kaihai with admiration in her voice.

"Watch closely, this is the manifestation of the Dao! Since joining the sect, this person has often challenged others to duels to prove his fighting skills. His master has also reminded him that fighting is merely a means of protecting the Dao, and cultivation is not for the purpose of fighting and being fierce... Guess what he said?"

"How so?"

The Peak Master of Rainbow Peak laughed and said, "He said that he cultivates only to fight with others. This fighting is not for anything else, but to determine the strength and weakness of the opponent... If he encounters someone he can't beat, he will work hard to cultivate and fight again later. If he can beat someone, he will fight on the spot."

The word "reckless man" immediately came to Jiang Peng's mind.

"He's got his eye on you too," said the Peak Master of Rainbow Robes.

Jiang Peng was stunned.

"Trying to target me?"

"Your fame has soared after you slayed a Foundation Establishment cultivator with your sword, so this person certainly won't let you go... However, he knows he can't withstand your powerful sword strike, so he plans to experience your skills after he reaches Foundation Establishment."

Jiang Peng's expression became incredibly interesting.

So this person's Foundation Establishment was just to block his charged sword strike?

Seeing Jiang Peng's expression change, Peak Master Ni Chang smiled and said, "Don't worry, even if this person wants to find you, it will be after you have also reached the Foundation Establishment stage."

"As for now, take a closer look... Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage in full view of everyone is a rare sight."