Refining Ruins Cauldron

With his gaze fixed on a huge rock in the distance, Gu Qingyun lifted his leg and took a step, instantly shooting out.

The essentials of the Seven Star Sword Technique were etched in my memory, and the incantation was also etched in my heart.

He raised his hand and swung his sword, without stirring up even a wisp of wind.

The spiritual energy within his body flowed continuously, pouring into the spirit sword and transforming it into fire attribute!

Gu Qingyun stared at his target, his sword energy slicing through the void, burning hot, even the air itself was slightly distorted!

A crimson sword beam, imbued with spiritual pressure, instantly slashed at the giant rock!

boom!

A cloud of dust rose up, and the wasteland beneath their feet seemed to tremble.

The boulder's cut was as smooth as a mirror, yet it was instantly pierced by the sword energy!

Not only that, the sword energy remained undiminished, crashing fiercely into the mountainside!

A loud bang followed, and debris flew everywhere, some of which was even burned to ashes on the spot by the intense heat!

Dust filled the air, even blocking out the sunlight.

After a long while, the commotion gradually subsided.

With a single sword, Gu Qingyun pushed back the smoke and dust.

He sheathed his spirit sword, a look of surprise on his face.

The Heavenly Rank Sword Technique is terrifying. This sword strike, executed with the strength of a sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator, has the power to reach the level of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator, or even higher!

This was even when I had only mastered one of the techniques.

If you can integrate and apply this knowledge, its power will only increase!

Even if Gu Qingyun didn't want to get excited, it would be hard for her...

In the blink of an eye, a month has passed.

The martial arts competition for outer sect disciples that Nalan Feixue had mentioned arrived as scheduled.

Gu Qingyun straightened his clothes, put on his sword, and headed towards the martial arts arena.

The Martial Arts Hall is a fighting arena plaza located on Tiandu Peak.

It is large enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people.

At this moment, the outer disciples of all the main peaks have gathered here, each one full of energy, and their numbers have already exceeded a thousand.

The arena is located in the center of the martial arts hall and is made of specially reinforced granite, capable of withstanding attacks from Foundation Establishment experts.

All around, flags fluttered from the main peaks, the seven colors representing the seven peaks, which were also the foundation of the Longevity Sect.

The high platform was naturally where the elders and peak masters of the various peaks would watch the match.

By this time, quite a few people had already taken their seats.

Most of the elders and deacons have arrived, but the positions of the seven peak masters remain vacant.

Gu Qingyun naturally found the Tiandu Peak camp and took a stand in a secluded spot.

Having been a member of the sect for so long, this was the first time he had participated in such a large-scale martial arts competition.

There are many cultivators of various realms right now, which is quite an eye-opener for me.

Among the outer disciples, the lowest level is Qi Refining Level 5, and the most skilled ones have even reached the peak of Qi Refining and are half a step into Foundation Establishment!

The Longevity Sect truly deserves its reputation as one of the top sects on the continent.

This level of heritage would place it among the top in any place.

Gu Qingyun sighed inwardly.

You have to understand that when I first joined the sect, I was just a menial servant. It was already quite an achievement that I was able to climb to the position of an outer disciple.

However, he soon felt a hostile gaze.

The other outer disciples of Tiandu Peak had also heard about Gu Qingyun's matter, and they all looked down on him.

Although it was unclear why the peak master made an exception and promoted a lowly servant to an outer disciple, such people who rose through connections were considered the lowest of the low by these prodigies.

"Hmph! Relying on the peak master's favor, he managed to get the status of an outer disciple, and now he thinks he's something special?"

"Cultivation level... Qi Refining Level 6?! So low, it's a disgrace to our Heavenly Capital Peak!"

"Get out of here, you piece of trash! Why are you still making a fool of yourself?"

"Forget it, what use is a lowly servant even if his status is different? He's still a piece of trash at heart. We, Tiandu Peak, still have to rely on Senior Brother Mingji."

"Excellent, excellent! Senior Brother Mingji has already reached the peak of Qi Refining and could step into Foundation Establishment at any time. He is a true role model for us all!"

The disciple known as Senior Brother Mingji was surrounded by the crowd in the center. Although his expression was indifferent, there was a hint of enjoyment in his eyes.

He clearly enjoyed the feeling of being adored by everyone.

Gu Qingyun naturally saw all of this.

However, he didn't care about other people's gossip; after hearing it so many times, he got used to it.

On the contrary, Senior Brother Mingji had long heard from Senior Sister Xiaomei that this person had deliberately suppressed his cultivation level for the outer sect competition; otherwise, he would have broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage two months ago.

"Such a prodigy truly has his unique talents."

Gu Qingyun sighed inwardly and couldn't help but look at this Senior Brother Mingji with even greater respect.

"Gu Qingyun?"

Just then, a voice came from beside me.

Gu Qingyun looked up at the sound and saw a burly young man who was over eight feet tall.

The other person's gaze fell on him. He was wearing a black robe, and judging from the insignia on his clothes, he should be a disciple of Luoyun Peak.

Luoyun Peak is where the Law Enforcement Hall is located, responsible for the sect's laws and punishments, and primarily engaged in combat.

The disciple in front of me was very obvious; just standing there, he could increase the pressure on others.

Just call me Hou Mang.

Hou Mang grinned, his spiritual power was incredibly strong, and his cultivation level had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining!

The kid was quite loud, and the noise he made immediately attracted the attention of those around him.

The crowd's gazes shifted slightly, especially the disciples of Tiandu Peak, whose expressions were complex, a mixture of sympathy and schadenfreude.

Gu Qingyun had never been fond of this kind of person, especially since the other party came from Luoyun Peak, the place where that crazy woman lived.

He simply chose to ignore it and didn't bother to reply.

But the other party was clearly prepared and had no intention of letting Gu Qingyun go.

He deliberately lowered his body, leaned closer, and whispered, "You still have time to admit defeat now, otherwise, once you're on the stage, hmph..."

The threat was palpable.

Gu Qingyun wasn't stupid; of course he knew what this guy wanted to say.

To put it another way, I had never met Hou Mang before, and this was the first time we had met.

To provoke and threaten a stranger is something Hou Mang would never do unless he's mentally unstable.

Or is there someone else behind this...?

Before he could continue thinking, seven streaks of light suddenly flew in from the horizon and landed on the high platform from different directions.

The speed was unprecedented in Gu Qingyun's life.

The seven peak masters have finally arrived.

Looking at the center of the high platform, Nalan Feixue, whom we hadn't seen for many days, was still stunningly beautiful, dressed in white, with a cool and aloof expression, and her long black hair cascading down her back.

That holy aura was truly like a celestial being descended from the heavens, something to be admired from afar.

The Heavenly Capital Peak Master, a super strong expert who entered the Dao through alchemy and reached the late stage of the Golden Core realm, is also the only fifth-grade alchemist among the seven peak masters.

Nearly 80% of the pills supplied to the entire Changsheng Sect come from Tiandu Peak, truly making it the foundation of the sect.

And beside her was Luo Mei, the peak master's personal disciple.

The girl was much more lively than the peak master, and also more down-to-earth and approachable.

Her gaze swept around, finally landing on Gu Qingyun. She nodded to him and then quickly looked away.

Looking to Nalan Feixue's left, there sat a portly middle-aged man with a憨态可掬 (simple and honest) appearance and a constant smile on his face.

This person is Shen Jinsan, the peak master of Emerald Jade Peak, with a cultivation level of mid-stage Golden Core.