“Next is the Challenge Round, starting with Immortal Beast Peak, which is temporarily ranked eighth.”
The Points Round had ended, and the preliminary rankings were out. Eighth Elder Zuo Hongcai directly announced the start of the Challenge Round.
Immortal Beast Peak’s eldest senior brother was in seclusion, so its second senior brother, Chu Sheng, took the stage again.
He would challenge Immortal Spring Peak, currently seventh.
Immortal Spring Peak’s eldest senior brother was also in seclusion. Its second senior sister, Chen Xiawan, stepped onto the Dueling Stone Platform.
“Senior Sister Chen, how about this time your Immortal Spring Peak concedes once and takes eighth place?”
Chu Sheng asked with a smile.
“Junior Brother Chu, although you’re a bit stronger than me, who wins and who loses isn’t certain yet.”
Chen Xiawan had no intention of agreeing. In the third round of the Points Round, she had conceded against the main peak’s Holy Maiden, Lin Shimeng. She had spent no strength and had no reason to fear Chu Sheng.
“My lovely, youthful, beautiful Senior Sister Chen! I know you didn’t fight in the Points Round and saved your strength, but so did I. We’re both at our best, and our peaks get along well. Why fight?”
Chu Sheng had planned for this all along. That was why he had conceded against Yun Man without even testing her. An injury might have cost him his chance of beating Chen Xiawan in the Challenge Round.
“So that’s your scheme, kid.”
Only now did Wan Rongyang understand Chu Sheng’s calculations, and he was pleased. The boy might be unreliable and particularly sly, but he had planned this well.
“Forget it, Xiawan, let them have this Challenge Round. Seventh and eighth place aren’t that different.”
Immortal Spring Peak’s Sixth Elder Wen Yuanying spoke directly.
As Immortal Spring Peak’s Peak Master, she had few disciples to begin with because she was a woman, and she treasured every one of them. With Chu Sheng also at full strength, victory was far from assured. Risking an injury to her precious disciple wasn’t worth it.
“Master, I preserved my strength precisely for this moment; how can you ask me to concede?”
Chen Xiawan was immediately unhappy. Whether she could win would only be known after fighting.
“You truly are the most beautiful Elder in our sect. I knew you had a soft spot for me, Martial Aunt Wen. Thank you, Martial Aunt Wen!”
Hearing Sixth Elder Wen Yuanying say this, Chu Sheng quickly thanked her.
“You smooth-talking brat. I’m worried about my disciple, not you. Don’t act so innocent after getting your way.”
Despite her words, Wen Yuanying enjoyed the flattery.
“This Challenge Round, Immortal Beast Peak wins.” The source of this chapter is novelping.com.
Seeing Immortal Spring Peak concede, Zuo Hongcai directly announced the result.
Immortal Spring Peak also declined to challenge Immortal Medicine Peak. These peaks were on good terms, and there was little difference between sixth, seventh and eighth place. They might as well accept eighth and look generous about it.
“Good, Immortal Spring Peak gives up the challenge. Now it’s the turn of Immortal Medicine Peak, ranked sixth, which can challenge Immortal Artifact Peak.”
Zuo Hongcai continued.
“Forget it, my Immortal Medicine Peak won’t compete either.”
Fourth Elder Du Jiancong also gave up continuing the challenge.
After all, the Challenge Round had always been about the top three competing. This year there was an additional Seven Stars Peak, so his Immortal Medicine Peak wouldn’t get involved.
“Since Immortal Medicine Peak also gave up the challenge, next is Immortal Artifact Peak, which can challenge Immortal Cloud Peak.”
Zuo Hongcai continued announcing.
“My Immortal Artifact Peak also gives up.”
Kang Zhengye had just formed an alliance with the Second Elder; going to challenge now would naturally be inappropriate, so he also gave up.
“What’s going on today? In previous years, even if unable to win, these peaks would send disciples to compete a bit. Why are they all voluntarily giving up this year?”
“You don’t get it. In past years, there were no surprises. Everyone had a good idea where they’d finish, so they could fight to exchange pointers. But Seven Stars Peak has risen this year, and the top three are practically settled. Those in fifth place and below have little interest. No one’s watching them either, so why bother?”
“No wonder these last four places are just going through the motions. The main event still depends on the top four.”
Some spectators wondered why the peaks had declined to challenge; others explained.
Seven Stars Peak had shot from last place to second. Hardly anyone cared how the lower places would turn out.
“Junior Brother, we’ve always stood together. I intend to settle things with Qin Xiao this time. You won’t stab me in the back, will you?”
Before Zuo Hongcai even announced, Yao Tiansheng had already transmitted his voice to Yao Yongzhi.
Li Cheng had withdrawn from Immortal Sword Peak with serious injuries. Its Holy Maiden, Liu Xueyue, had only recently broken through to Golden Core; even with her many treasures, she had no chance against Immortal Cloud Peak’s eldest senior brother. Yao Tiansheng needed his son, Yao Kaidong, to save his strength for Yun Man. He had no choice but to appeal to his junior brother.
“Since you’ve asked, Senior Brother, of course I’ll oblige.”
Yao Yongzhi had intended to challenge, but his senior brother’s appeal left him no choice but to give it up. He couldn’t let others see a rift between them.
“My Immortal Cloud Peak also gives up.”
Before Zuo Hongcai could announce it, Yao Yongzhi spoke first.
“Since Immortal Cloud Peak also gives up, next is Immortal Sword Peak challenging Seven Stars Peak.” Get faster updates on g.com.
Zuo Hongcai wasn’t surprised by Yao Yongzhi’s decision. The Great Elder and Second Elder were fellow disciples; it was only natural that they wouldn’t compete.
“Yun Man, come out.”
After nursing his anger for so long, Yao Kaidong finally had a chance for revenge. He leaped onto the platform and pointed his sword at Yun Man.
Yao Kaidong had won his last Points Round match against an Immortal Medicine Peak disciple with little expenditure of spiritual qi. He was still close to full strength, and his protective treasures gave him no reason to fear Yun Man.
“Good. Master, I was weaker than him last time. This time I’ll teach him a proper lesson and settle that grievance for you.”
Yun Man was itching to fight when she saw Yao Kaidong take the stage. More than twenty days earlier, he would have attacked her mercilessly if the Great Elder and Sect Leader had not arrived.
“Go ahead. Injuring him is fine, just don’t kill him. Of course, if you’re not a match, concede immediately. Your Master doesn’t care about these rankings.”
Qin Xiao encouraged the confident Yun Man, then reminded her that the rankings didn’t matter. He was worried she might stubbornly fight on and get hurt.
“Don’t worry, Master. I know how far to go.”
After speaking, Yun Man flew up and landed on the stone platform.
“I know you’ve improved lately, but so have I. I’ve perfected late Golden Core and am only half a step from the peak of Golden Core. However much stronger you’ve become, you have no chance today.”
Yao Kaidong had seen Yun Man’s earlier strike. It had surprised him, but he was confident he could block it. He too had improved over the past twenty-odd days. He had meant to face Lin Shimeng; since he couldn’t challenge her, Yun Man would serve for practice.
“Stop talking nonsense. Twenty-some days ago, you came to my Seven Stars Peak to cause trouble; today we should settle that score.”
Yun Man didn’t care what Yao Kaidong said; she had come today specifically for revenge.
“Good, good, good. Since you’re stubborn and unyielding, then prepare to die.”
The sword in Yao Kaidong’s hand instantly erupted with golden light as he slashed toward Yun Man.
“What? A Low Grade Dharma Treasure? The Great Elder actually gave a Low Grade Dharma Treasure to Yao Kaidong?”
As the aura of the Low Grade Dharma Treasure emerged, Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng’s expression immediately changed.
In battles between peers, weapon bonuses were exceptionally important. When both cultivators were at the Golden Core late stage, having a Low Grade Dharma Treasure versus not having one put them in two entirely different leagues.
Yun Man raised her sword to block. Golden light burst from her blade too.
“What? Yun Man’s weapon isn’t a Top Grade Spirit Weapon, but also a Low Grade Dharma Treasure?”
Seeing golden light erupt from Yun Man’s sword as well, Lin Tiancheng was surprised once more.