《Shadow Demon Lord》


 Chapter 1: Transcending

    "I''ve transcended, I actually transcended. Among all the incredible things, this happened to me, Xing Peng. Does this world really love to challenge me, who already stood at the peak of modern martial arts, once again? Why? I spent eighteen years breaking through the limits of martial arts, becoming a martial arts genius recognized by modern society. Just as I was ready to turn all those doubting voices into nothingness, to win countless praises and admiring gazes, fate brought me to this completely new world."


    Near a mysterious place close to Gu Mu City, Xing Peng stood high, his fists clenched, letting out an unwilling roar towards the unknown sky. His clenched fists made the veins on his arms stand out, and his angry expression made him look extremely fierce.


    Xing Peng was a martial arts rising star of the 21st century. In that era, the martial arts world was divided into the Acquired and Innate levels. Since the age of five, when a mysterious elder deceived him of all his New Year''s money under the pretense of protecting the Earth, he began the arduous practice of ancient martial arts like "Abyssal Arcanum" and "Elemental Storm". After eighteen years, with his extraordinary martial arts talent, he successfully broke through to the Innate Heaven Level.


    During these eighteen years, Xing Peng went through countless trials and mockeries. When his research results were shared, they were considered a joke by most people. Those who knew about this secretly labeled Xing Peng as a fool.


    Since Xing Peng was immersed in martial arts practice from a young age, his name was known from elementary school to university, making him the subject of many people''s ridicule. With his obsession with martial arts, a pleasant social relationship seemed like an unattainable dream for him.


    How could Xing Peng not be angry? But he always adhered to the principle of keeping a low profile, suppressing his anger until his martial arts skills were fully developed. He was ready to show the world his strength, but just as he had broken through to the master level, a mysterious storm took him to this strange world, and he found himself in the body of a martial arts failure.


    Eighteen years of hard practice turned into nothing. For Xing Peng, this was a huge blow. Although he knew that transcending was a fortunate event for most people, he still couldn''t stay calm facing this situation.


    It is said that once one''s martial arts level reaches the Innate Heaven Level, one could live for at least two hundred years. Two hundred years of life, ah, as a martial arts genius of modern society, that superior feeling is incredibly tempting for many young people.


    Now, he hadn''t even tasted being a martial arts genius in the modern world for a day, how could he not feel regret? At this moment, deep regret surged in his heart, and he bitterly thought, if he had known this day would come, why bother to endure all these years? He should have fully displayed his martial arts talent earlier, to reap countless admiration and love, instead of ending up as a virgin after transcending.


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    "Ah, ah, ah, ah..." The more Xing Peng thought, the angrier and more regretful he became, unable to help but roar madly at the sky, as if to release all his dissatisfaction and depression.


    After roaring for a long time, Xing Peng finally stopped, sitting on the ground helplessly, his defeated look was pitiable.


    As the saying goes, one should not be trapped by fate. No matter how angry or unwilling Xing Peng was, since he had transcended here, he could only accept this reality. When his emotions slightly stabilized, he finally began to try to understand and accept the memories of this new body.


    Like many transcendents, the original owner of the body he occupied was also called ''Xing Peng'', but unlike Xing Peng''s situation, Xing Peng in the 21st century was a martial arts genius, but this person in the Lingwu Continent was a martial arts failure, naturally unable to learn martial arts.


    Naturally unable to learn martial arts! When Xing Peng absorbed this memory, he was stunned at the moment. Unable to learn martial arts? This was an even bigger blow to Xing Peng than before. Although he had practiced hard for eighteen years in the 21st century and eventually it all became an illusion, he had a natural love for martial arts. If he could no longer learn martial arts in the future, he could hardly imagine what to do.


    According to the memories, this Lingwu Continent is a high martial realm, where almost everyone knows martial arts, and martial artists occupy the most important position in this continent, with those unable to learn martial arts being the lowest existence.


    "God, you don''t have to play such a cruel joke on me. I know it''s wrong for me to complain to you, but you can''t treat me like this, at least give me a way out. Others transcend, at least they can become the top masters of another world, or transcend with some super magical treasure, while my transcendence just ends up as a failure in life!"


    Xing Peng panicked. If at the beginning of his transcendence here, he was just angry and unwilling, now he only had confusion and panic.


    Xing Peng had practiced martial arts and was very clear about what level a martial arts master was. To ordinary people, a martial arts master was like an ant, and with his body''s inability to learn martial arts, even the most ordinary martial artist could easily crush him to death.


    "No! I cannot be a martial arts failure, there must be other ways to solve this, I don''t believe that I, Xing Peng, after coming to another world, can only be a failure!" Xing Peng was slightly panicked, but suddenly his eyes flashed fiercely, then he carefully absorbed all the memories of this body. Suddenly, a flood of memories, like a tide, swirled in his mind, making his head buzz.


    When Xing Peng absorbed all the memories and carefully reviewed them several times, he laughed, his laughter was very crazy.


    "Shadow God Vein! This body is actually the Shadow God Vein! Hahaha! Hahaha... No wonder he can''t learn martial arts! No wonder he can''t learn martial arts! Born with a large amount of cold air in the body that blocks all the meridians, and also suffering from the invasion of cold air every month, how could he possibly condense the Xing family''s Lietian Profound Qi. This Shadow God Vein, to others, is a martial arts failure, but for someone like me who possesses ''Elemental Storm'', it is simply the ultimate body for martial arts practice!"


    Xing Peng almost laughed with tears, not because he was too inept, but because the contrast between before and after was really too big. In a moment of mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, even if someone else were in his place, they might not do better than him.

 Chapter 2: Shadow God Vein

    "With this Shadow God Vein body, coupled with the other martial arts I''ve learned, and the Vital Energy of this world which is far richer than Earth''s, I can definitely cultivate back to the Innate realm quickly!" Knowing he wouldn''t be a martial arts failure, Xing Peng radiated immense confidence, his despondent demeanor swept away.


    However, although Lingwu Continent is a high-martial realm, there are some differences here from the 21st century. The martial artists here do not cultivate True Qi but Profound Qi.


    Therefore, even though Xing Peng knew he wouldn''t be useless anymore, he didn''t let his guard down. Instead, he sat cross-legged and calmed his mind, then started to circulate the fundamental techniques of "Elemental Storm," the "Muscle Transforming Bone Tempering Chap-ter."


    "Elemental Storm" is said to be a martial arts secret manual passed down from ancient times, once causing a storm in the martial world, known as the summary of all martial arts. Anyone who practiced this technique achieved great success. However, throughout history, not many have mastered this technique. "Elemental Storm" is powerful, but not everyone can practice it.


    Having practiced "Elemental Storm" before, Xing Peng didn''t find it difficult to practice again. As soon as he focused, a trace of heat was generated in his meridians.


    "The way of heaven, reduces the excessive and supplements the deficient, hence the void triumphs over the solid, the insufficient overcomes the abundant. Its philosophy is broad, its principle profound, its essence deep. The images of heaven and earth divide, the signs of yin and yang are arranged, the reasons for change are displayed, the omens of life and death are clear, unspoken but naturally aligned..."


    As he recited the mantra, the heat in Xing Peng''s body moved faster and grew larger. When he circulated the technique, his body felt like boiling water, and his blood began to boil intensely. A noticeable cold current naturally seeped from his meridians, mingling with the heat.


    "Boom!"


    Like a river bursting its banks or a tsunami erupting, Xing Peng''s body shook violently, and countless whirlwinds appeared around him, growing larger and fiercer. As the whirlwinds changed, a massive amount of Vital Energy from heaven and earth surged towards him, entering his body, opening up some meridians blocked by cold air, and transforming the cold air into Profound Qi.


    "This... this... holy crap, this Shadow God Vein body is too terrifying!" Xing Peng was startled by such a change. Although he knew that those with the Shadow God Vein body could practice "Elemental Storm" at a very fast speed, called the supreme body for this technique, when he saw the Vital Energy of heaven and earth crazily surging into him just by circulating the technique, he was still profoundly shocked.


    Almost instantly, from being a non-martial artist, he advanced to the early stage of Yellow Level, and as he became a Yellow Level early stage martial artist, the power inside him still skyrocketed, breaking through the early stage to reach Mid-Yellow Level in the blink of an eye.


    Such a drastic change in just a moment was astonishing. Not only was Xing Peng shocked, but other powerful beings of Lingwu Continent would also be startled upon witnessing this.


    As Xing Peng knew, the cultivation realms of Lingwu Continent from low to high are: Yellow Level, Human Level, Earth Level, Heaven Level, Mountain-Opening Level, Sky-Breaking Level, King Level, each realm divided into early, middle, and late stages.


    Postnatal Martial Artists are Yellow, Human, Earth Level martial artists, mainly refining their bodies and Profound Qi to open meridians and fill the dantian.


    Heaven Level, Mountain-Opening Level, Sky-Breaking Level martial artists belong to the Innate realm, capable of flying, using Vital Energy of the continent, and possessing the power to move mountains and seas.


    King Level: The Profound Qi inside evolves into a pill, better utilizing the Vital Energy of heaven and earth for combat, with the power to overturn seas and unpredictable abilities, capable of controlling weapons to kill from miles away. Such power completely overturns the strength of Innate martial artists.


    Mid-Yellow Level, although considered the most basic level among martial artists in this world, advancing to Mid-Yellow Level from an ordinary person in such a short time is astonishing for most people.


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    Seeing his power reach Mid-Yellow Level, Xing Peng hurriedly stopped circulating the technique. As he stopped, the whirlwinds around him vanished, and the rapid growth of power inside him halted.


    "Will such rapid advancement cause any problems? Although the Shadow God Vein body''s advancement speed far exceeds that of ordinary people, such a quick advancement still feels terrifying!" Xing Peng muttered with lingering fears. This was the first time he felt that advancing too quickly wasn''t entirely a joyous occasion.


    From this practice session, Xing Peng fully understood that the cultivation realms of this world and the 21st century didn''t differ much. Although this world cultivates Profound Qi, all methods ultimately converge. The power he gained during this session, although somewhat different from the True Qi of the 21st century, was essentially similar.


    Xing Peng clearly remembered that, although he was considered a genius in the 21st century, reaching such a realm took almost half a month, whereas now, he advanced to this extent in just a minute or two, far beyond his imagination.


    After stopping the practice, Xing Peng didn''t rise from the ground but pondered over what exactly happened. Frowning, he sat there for half an hour. When a flash of insight struck his mind, Xing Peng had a sudden realization: "I finally understand what happened. It turns out to be like this! My body is the Shadow God Vein, naturally filled with a vast amount of cold air, which seems to block the meridians but, in fact, has been cleared by the cold air absorbed by this body over seventeen years. However, because the meridians are filled with cold air, it doesn''t show that they have been opened.


    Having the meridians opened is akin to being an Innate master. It''s normal for me to reach Mid-Yellow Level in one practice session with the ability to communicate with the Vital Energy of heaven and earth and the cold air in the meridians propelling it. If I can completely refine the cold air in the meridians, I could even immediately become an Innate Martial Artist!"


    However, although Xing Peng understood what happened, he didn''t continue to circulate his power. Theoretically, if he absorbed all the cold air in the meridians, he could immediately become an Innate Martial Artist, but that''s just theory.


    His body, having not practiced for many years and suffering from cold air for seventeen years, was already on the verge of collapse. If not for his transmigration, this body would have frozen to death from the cold air in a year or two.


    Having solved the cultivation issue, Xing Peng stood up, his eyes flashing with a cold glint. Although his body was considered useless in Gu Mu City, his status in the Xing family of Gu Mu City was extremely prominent. His adoptive father, Xing Fei Tian, was the only King Level expert in Gu Mu City. However, his status was prominent, but since his father disappeared in ''Hell Valley'' sixteen years ago, ''Xing Peng'' was not well-regarded in the Xing family, receiving treatment not much better than servants, with some even riding roughshod over him. Previously, because his cheap father had arranged a marriage alliance with a major family from a young age, those servants didn''t dare to blatantly disrespect him, but recently, due to ''Xing Peng''s'' engagement being broken off by the major family, his situation became very pessimistic.


    Thinking of his status as someone whose engagement was broken off, Xing Peng felt raging anger. Having absorbed ''Xing Peng''s'' memories, he was now Xing Peng, and such a broken engagement was an insult to him.


    "Fan family, well done, Fan family! I''ll remember you. One day, you''ll regret your decision, and I''ll definitely return the insult!" Xing Peng said coldly. Although the Fan family also had King Level experts and more than one, their current actions towards him made it difficult for Xing Peng to feel any goodwill.


    Xing Peng had always admired his father, because his adoptive father was very famous in Lingwu Continent, known as the Carefree King. Many families had received his help, including the Fan family. It was said that the current head of the Fan family and his father were sworn brothers. Without his adoptive father''s help, the Fan family would have been destroyed sixteen years ago. But now, with his father missing, not only did the Fan family not take care of him, but they also kicked him while he was down, breaking off the engagement with the Fan family.


    Although Xing Peng knew from a young age that he couldn''t practice martial arts and might not live long, making marrying him a burden to the other party, being a burden was one thing, but such a merciless broken engagement was another. Moreover, the person from the Fan family who came to break off the engagement said without any mercy that he was a failure and didn''t deserve to marry into the Fan family, which made Xing Peng extremely angry. Hearing those words, he was immediately enraged, and although he couldn''t match the other party''s strength, he ridiculed them verbally, only to be severely punished by the family elders, scolded, and a few days later, exiled to the Heavenly Extremity Peak behind the Xing family, supposedly to reflect for a year.


    Faced with such punishment from the family, Xing Peng''s heart almost bled. It was one thing for the family not to help him, but to send him to this isolated peak was adding insult to injury, causing Xing Peng to harbor resentment towards the family.


    He hated the Fan family and resented the Xing family for being too heartless. With his father gone, not only did his treatment change, but now they couldn''t even bother to protect him. After all, his father was the Carefree King, and the current dominance of the Fan family in Gu Mu City was a result of his father clearing other powers back then.


    However, while Xing Peng hated the Fan family and resented the Xing family, he never resented his father, because his disappearance was all for him. If his father hadn''t heard that there was an item in Hell Valley that could solve his Shadow God Vein issue, he wouldn''t have gone to Hell Valley and wouldn''t have disappeared.

 Chapter 3: Wind Shadow Steps

    "A year? How could I possibly stay on this Heavenly Extremity Peak for a year! Just you wait, all of you wait. Once I descend from this Heavenly Extremity Peak, all of you will regret this!" Xing Peng clenched his fists tightly.


    Heavenly Extremity Peak is a place specifically used by the Xing family to punish family disciples. It is a solitary peak, treacherous in terrain, and the mountain is filled with a large number of ferocious beasts. Warriors who have not reached the Heaven Level are simply unable to ascend this Heavenly Extremity Peak, let alone descend from it.


    However, although there are many ferocious beasts on Heavenly Extremity Peak, the summit, due to being restricted by the Xing family, does not have other ferocious beasts approaching it. Aside from humans who can leave, beasts cannot come up.


    Xing Peng put all his circumstances behind him, frowned, and walked to the edge of the peak, looking down. With that look, Xing Peng felt dizzy, unable to see the bottom at all, and the peak was enveloped in a large amount of cloud mist, making it appear like those mythical immortal mountains.


    "Heaven Level, I must quickly advance to the Heaven Level so I can leave this place!" Xing Peng clenched his fists again, then touched his stomach, thinking about finding something to eat. ''Xing Peng'' has been on this Heavenly Extremity Peak for three days now, without eating anything, and was very hungry.


    The summit of Heavenly Extremity Peak has an area of about five hundred meters wide, with no food at the top except for an artificially made cave; the rest of the place is bare. To find food, one must go down the mountain, where some fruit trees grow.


    However, although Xing Peng has not eaten for three days, because he just broke through to the Mid-Yellow Level and absorbed some Vital Energy of heaven and earth, he is still quite energetic at the moment. After looking around carefully and confirming that there really was nothing to eat nearby, Xing Peng focused his attention on the mountain below, his brows tightly knitted.


    Xing Peng surveyed the mountain below. Knowing that descending was very dangerous, he had to think of a way to go down. He couldn''t always stay here. Even if his strength could rapidly improve here, he would eventually starve to death.


    Thinking of the dangers of descending, Xing Peng''s hatred for the Xing family grew a bit more. Knowing that he was an ordinary person who didn''t know martial arts, yet they placed him on a mountaintop without a bit of food. If it weren''t for his transmigration here, he wouldn''t need a year''s time; in another day or two, Xing Peng would surely die. This was clearly intending for him to die.


    Heavenly Extremity Peak is a very strangely shaped peak. From a distance, its summit looks like a millstone forcibly embedded at the top of the mountain. Below it, the summit and the rest of the mountain are almost completely different, with the ''millstone'' being over a hundred meters tall.


    If Xing Peng wants to descend, he must first find a way from the top of the millstone to the bottom, and then fall onto the mountain below. But the peak of the mountain is much smaller than the millstone, and the surroundings of the millstone are bare, without any path or even a slight protrusion to leverage.


    If the ''millstone'' were smaller than the mountain tip it rests on, with Xing Peng''s current strength, descending from a hundred meters would not be impossible. However, now the summit is much wider than the mountain tip it rests on, which relatively increases the danger. With his current strength, he is very likely to fall from the summit. Heavenly Extremity Peak is rarely visited by humans, being thirty-eight thousand meters tall; a careless fall from the summit would certainly be fatal.


    "It seems that to descend, I must practice more to further improve my strength. Additionally, this technique of light body movement must also be practiced more!"


    After carefully examining the summit, Xing Peng dismissed the idea of immediately descending and decided to practice martial arts first. With his current strength, he wouldn''t starve in a short period.


    Due to the inability to leverage anywhere on the peak, the first martial art Xing Peng thought of was ''Nine Yin God Claw''. Now, he could only rely on the strong claw force to slowly climb down to the mountain top below.


    ''Nine Yin God Claw'' does not have a big reputation in the martial arts world, but mentioning its other name, ''Nine Yin White Bone Claw'', is enough to send chills down the spines of countless martial artists on Earth from the previous life.


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    Everyone knows that the ''Nine Yin White Bone Claw'' is very vicious, requiring human heads to practice this skill, but they don''t know that the ''Nine Yin White Bone Claw'' is actually a result of the wrong practice of ''Nine Yin God Claw''. ''Nine Yin God Claw'' does not require human heads for practice; rocks, plants, and trees can all be used for training, especially when paired with a unique medicinal wine, making the practice even more effective.


    Because Xing Peng practiced the ''Nine Yin God Claw'' in his previous life, this time''s practice was quite proficient. Although there were no unique herbs to complement the claw technique, he could only make do with practice on the summit for now, secretly thinking that after leaving this place, he would find herbs to make medicinal wine to soak his hands, so as not to cause hidden injuries due to forced practice.


    ''Elemental Storm'' is profound and vast, containing the ''I Ching Bone Strengthening Chap-ter'' which can enhance physique, a healing chap-ter, an acupoint chap-ter, and various unique martial arts skills such as ''Heart Piercing Palm'' and ''Soul Transferring Technique''.


    Xing Peng practiced martial arts for two days. Although he focused on practicing ''Nine Yin God Claw'' and ''Wind Shadow Steps'', his realm also improved again during these two days of practice. Although it wasn''t as rapid as when he first arrived here, breaking through two small ranks in a short one or two minutes, his strength had now broken through from the Mid-Yellow Level to the early stage of the Human Level.


    With his strength reaching the early stage of the Human Level, and both claw force and light body technique nearly perfected, Xing Peng now had enough confidence to descend from the summit. As the two days just passed, he briefly regulated his breath and walked towards the edge of the summit. Then, taking a deep breath and circulating the internal technique to let Profound Qi roam through his body, he flashed towards the edge of the cliff and jumped down.


    Suddenly, a fierce wind howled, blowing painfully against Xing Peng''s face. His heart thumped wildly due to the extreme action. As he rapidly fell, just about to pass below the millstone, he fiercely executed the ''Nine Yin God Claw'' towards the mountain wall.


    "Rip!"


    His hand, unsurprisingly, penetrated into the mountain wall, immediately causing severe pain in his arm, making Xing Peng''s face turn pale. Then, gritting his teeth, his left hand slapped the bottom of the millstone, and his right hand was immediately pulled out from the mountain wall. Moreover, as his right hand was pulled out, his body, leveraging the force of the left hand slap, performed a 360-degree spin completely detaching from the mountain wall. Leveraging the pull and slap, he executed the ''Wind Shadow Steps'', and then, with a shake of both arms, soared up like a large bird, gliding towards the mountain below. His breathing through the nose and mouth had already stopped, instantly switching to internal breathing. Profound Qi flowed unceasingly in his meridians. His body, light as a feather, leveraged the howling fierce wind and the mountain''s air currents to support his weightless body, truly as if riding the wind.


    Carefully grasping the air currents around him, he continuously adjusted his direction like a hawk or bird flying towards the mountain top below. In the blink of an eye, he flew out more than ten meters, not needing to leverage to breathe, still floating in the air, truly like a bird.


    Although the ''Wind Shadow Steps'' executed by Xing Peng now could not reach the level of riding the air to fly, now descending from the high mountain top, influenced by the fierce wind and air currents plus Xing Peng''s previous control over the ''Wind Shadow Steps'', this moment was almost as if he was flying.


    "Whoosh!"


    In the blink of an eye, Xing Peng completely landed on the mountain top below. The moment he landed, without waiting to observe his surroundings, a huge dark shadow suddenly pounced towards him, bringing a strong stench of blood with it as it approached.


    Smelling the strong blood stench, Xing Peng''s face suddenly changed, nearly vomited by the smell. The blood stench was indeed a bit too unpleasant. While his expression changed, Xing Peng''s movements did not stagnate; as the dark shadow pounced, the ''Wind Shadow Steps'' were executed again, narrowly dodging beside the shadow. As he dodged, his hands instinctively executed the ''Nine Yin God Claw'' towards the shadow.


    "Thud!" Blood splattered, and the fierce beast let out a mournful howl, followed by a fierce wind flying towards Xing Peng''s head. Xing Peng dodged again, then the ''Nine Yin God Claw'' was continuously executed.


    "Thud! Thud! Thud!" Three muffled groans followed, and the dark shadow suddenly collapsed on the ground. After it collapsed, Xing Peng finally had the chance to see clearly that the dark shadow was a black bear over one person tall.


    This black bear, now lying on the ground, looked at Xing Peng with bloodthirsty eyes, as if ready to attack again at any moment. Its body was covered in blood, with a large amount of blood continuously flowing out.


    Looking at the black bear, Xing Peng took a deep breath. Although he had thought before descending from the mountain top that he would be attacked once he landed, he did not expect the attacker to be a black bear, and this black bear completely exceeded the existence of an ordinary black bear.


    "Truly a fierce beast, my ''Nine Yin God Claw'' is unstoppable, hitting its vital points four times in a row, causing such heavy damage, yet it still hasn''t died!" Xing Peng looked at the bloody wounds on the black bear''s neck and head, extremely surprised. An ordinary black bear, if inflicted with such heavy damage by him, would have already been dead.

 Chapter 4: Crisis

    "Roar!" After the black bear landed, it did not take another look at Xing Peng. With a loud roar, it pounced towards Xing Peng again with its gaping maw, its stench almost causing nausea even before it reached Xing Peng.


    "Coming again!" Seeing the black bear''s actions, Xing Peng let out a cold laugh, a flash of cold light in his eyes. Then, he executed the ''Wind Shadow Steps'' and advanced towards the black bear.


    "Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"


    Three consecutive muffled groans followed as Xing Peng''s ''Nine Yin God Claw'' struck the black bear again, splattering blood. The surrounding flowers and trees were dyed with blood, making the atmosphere extremely bloody for a moment.


    "Boom!"


    After being severely injured by Xing Peng again, the black bear fell to the ground, this time without any signs of life. Its head was pierced through by Xing Peng''s ''Nine Yin God Claw,'' with brain matter spilling out from the hole.


    Seeing that the black bear was finally dead, Xing Peng did not spare it another glance. He executed ''Wind Shadow Steps'' once more and sprinted into the distance.


    Almost the moment he sprinted away, several ferocious beasts attracted by the scent of blood rushed towards the location where the black bear fell. In the blink of an eye, more than ten large beasts gathered around the bear''s corpse, each ferociously roaring and revealing a fierce light in their eyes. They fought amongst themselves, vying for the bear''s corpse.


    Listening to the roars of those beasts, Xing Peng sighed. Although his strength had reached the early Human Level, and he possessed many martial arts secrets, he did not wish to engage in further combat with these beasts while weakened.


    Having not eaten for five days, even though Xing Peng had replenished some energy by absorbing the Vital Energy of heaven and earth, he was still very exhausted, especially after an extreme physical exertion and a fight with the black bear, which left him even more weakened. Facing one or two black bears, he might manage, but against a larger number, he would struggle. Moreover, this place was Heavenly Extremity Peak, where the strength of the beasts far exceeded that of black bears. Some powerful beasts were comparable to Earth Level masters. In his current state, Xing Peng would find it hard to escape death if he encountered them rashly.


    Not long after leaving the black bear behind, Xing Peng found a fruit tree. In his memory, this tree was called the Celestial Star Fruit, edible and delicious. Almost the moment he saw the tree, he leaped up, plucked a large fruit, and began to eat.


    The Celestial Star Fruit was crystal clear, like a star, sweet and refreshing, leaving a lingering taste. After eating just two or three, Xing Peng fell in love with the fruit, something he had never tasted in the 21st century. Not only did the fruit satiate hunger, but it also generated a warm energy within him upon consumption, slightly increasing his Profound Qi.


    "Although Heavenly Extremity Peak is dangerous, it''s precisely because of these dangers that many treasures of heaven and earth grow here. I''ve read many books in the past due to my inability to cultivate Profound Qi, but now that I have Profound Qi, I can try to find some of these treasures on Heavenly Extremity Peak. Only by combining various treasures of heaven and earth with hard training can I leave Heavenly Extremity Peak more quickly!" While eating the fruit, Xing Peng rapidly pondered his next steps.


    After consuming dozens of Celestial Star Fruits, Xing Peng was no longer hungry. He casually picked a few fruits and descended from the tree, attempting to make his way down the mountain.


    On his journey, Xing Peng encountered many ferocious beasts of varying strengths. Some beasts he could easily kill in two or three moves, while others forced him to flee as soon as he entered their territory. Despite their distance, the mere aura of these beasts was enough to shock him.


    Time passed quickly, like a fleeting moment.


    In a blink of an eye, Xing Peng had spent another seven days on Heavenly Extremity Peak. During these seven days, he had numerous close calls with death and was attacked by a large number of ferocious beasts. These attacks were varied and unique. If not for his excellent lightness skills and knowledge of healing, as well as his recognition of some treasures of heaven and earth, he might have already perished on Heavenly Extremity Peak.


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    The more he ventured into Heavenly Extremity Peak, the more apprehensive Xing Peng became. The peak was often shrouded in mist, making it hard to see his surroundings. Powerful beasts often lurked in the mist, ready to attack at any moment.


    Especially at night, although Xing Peng mostly meditated, he was occasionally found by beasts. These beasts had extremely sensitive noses and could locate him even from a distance. Even when he hid atop trees at night, flying beasts could still find him, causing him to break out in cold sweat and keep his nerves tense at all times.


    After these seven days of travel, Xing Peng first experienced the dangers of martial training in this life. Training in the 21st century was nothing compared to the life-threatening dangers he faced here, where death lurked at every turn. This short period profoundly transformed him.


    He deeply realized that the Lingwu Continent was a world where the strong preyed on the weak, and any negligence could lead to downfall. No matter how talented one was, if they could not overcome crises, they were insignificant in this world.


    However, despite the dangers, Xing Peng made terrifying progress during these seven days. Through battles of life and death, his martial skills were honed in real combat, becoming much more powerful. His cultivation speed of Profound Qi was also frighteningly fast. Through life-and-death ordeals, the cold energy in his seven meridians and eight channels grew stronger with each battle, and he absorbed the Vital Energy of heaven and earth faster than before. In just seven days, Xing Peng advanced again, breaking through from the early to the mid-peak of the Human Level, and was on the verge of another breakthrough to the late Human Level.


    Such rapid progress in cultivation was astonishing. As difficult as cultivation became, the benefits of progressing from the early to the mid Human Level were immense for Xing Peng.


    Now, facing Earth Level beasts, although he still struggled against Earth Level opponents, his ''Wind Shadow Steps'' allowed him to dodge and weave through attacks, unlike before when he had to flee upon sensing their presence.


    ...


    "Damn this Heavenly Extremity Peak, the fog is too thick. If not for this fog obscuring my vision, I would have avoided these two beasts." Xing Peng, with ''Wind Shadow Steps'' under his feet, sprinted forward at high speed, with the deafening roars of two large beasts pursuing him relentlessly from behind. Both beasts possessed the strength of the early Earth Level.


    Being chased by such beasts put Xing Peng in a dire situation. If not for his recent experiences evading such chases and his familiarity with the terrain, he would have had a hard time escaping these two beasts.


    The two pursuing beasts were a green and a white giant python, known as the Green-faced Fang Python. Wherever they passed, the ground turned pitch black, and any vegetation touched by their bodies withered or shattered.


    Both beasts were highly venomous. Although they lacked agility skills, their speed was comparable to that of an Earth Level martial artist with lightness skills. Their movement was as fast as lightning.


    Run! Run! Run!


    Xing Peng continuously changed directions, using trees to obstruct the pythons'' line of sight. However, the trees did little to aid him due to the massive size of the beasts, which simply destroyed any obstructing trees.


    The green python spat out a stream of venom, instantly corroding several towering trees and producing billowing smoke, which the Green-faced Fang Pythons then smashed through.


    Xing Peng, though not looking back, knew the situation from the hissing sound of the venom.


    The encounter with these two early Earth Level pythons was accidental. He had just survived a battle with several late Human Level beasts and was looking for a relatively safe place to reflect on the fight. Due to the dense fog, he accidentally fell into a large cavern and sensed the presence of two Earth Level beasts. Immediately, he used his agility to escape the cavern, not expecting the hungry pythons, ready to hunt, to see him as an easy prey and relentlessly chase him.


    The pythons'' sense of smell was incredibly sharp. To them, Xing Peng was a rare delicacy in Heavenly Extremity Peak, too tempting to pass up despite their hunger. They were determined to devour Xing Peng.


    "Damn, if you''re hungry, can''t you find other beasts to eat? With so many beasts around, it''s easy to find a large one to feast on. Why insist on chasing me, a mere snack for you?" Xing Peng felt the pythons'' approaching presence and broke out in cold sweat, pushing ''Wind Shadow Steps'' to the limit and leaping forward at high speed.


    "Roar!" Just as Xing Peng increased his speed, a fierce roar came from his left, and a powerful aura surged towards him from a distance.


    "Another Earth Level beast!"


    Xing Peng''s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly changed direction, fleeing to the right. However, soon after he turned, a loud roar followed by a ''boom'' echoed, and a dazzling golden light shot towards his location.


    "A Golden-back Tiger! A mid-Earth Level beast! Damn..." Xing Peng''s pupils contracted, a bitter smile on his lips, and he turned to run again. But as he turned, another roar sounded in front of him, followed by the shaking of the ground and mountains, as another heavyweight beast approached his location.


    "Another Earth Level beast!"


    As the beast ran, Xing Peng could clearly hear the sound of trees and rocks being crushed under its weight. He involuntarily stopped, his expression turning extremely grim.


    In just a moment, Xing Peng found himself surrounded and in a dire situation.

 Chapter 5: Hanging by a Thread

    With Xing Peng''s current strength, he could manage to hold his own against an Earth Level beast for a while, but the sudden appearance of five Earth Level beasts, including mid-Earth Level ones among them, shocked Xing Peng deeply.


    Attacked simultaneously by five beasts, he was utterly incapable of contending with them. Faced with such a situation, he had no idea where to run. After a brief pause, his body flashed as he leaped onto a nearby tree, then he made a concerted effort to conceal his presence, hoping to evade the beasts¡¯ pursuit.


    "Boom, boom, boom!"


    The ground shook and roared incessantly. In just a moment, the five heavyweight beasts appeared where Xing Peng was. With their arrival, the dense fog around was significantly dispersed by the strong aura emitted by the beasts.


    The five beasts positioned themselves in four directions around the big tree where Xing Peng was. However, they didn''t look up at the tree Xing Peng was on. Upon arriving, their gazes almost simultaneously turned to each other, followed by low growls and the gleam of bloodthirst in their eyes.


    Beasts, by nature, are not peaceful creatures. With a delicacy before them, their subconscious thought was to eliminate any competitor for food.


    Seeing this, Xing Peng was on edge, daring not even to breathe too loudly, his heart pounding rapidly to the point of almost suffocating.


    "Damn, what kind of situation is this? I, Xing Peng, am now seen as mere food by these beasts!" Xing Peng mocked himself, trying even harder to conceal his presence. Though aware the beasts could clearly sense him, their attention was on each other for the moment, which somewhat alleviated his immediate crisis.


    With the five beasts in front of him, Xing Peng could clearly see their types: aside from the Golden-back Tiger and the giant python, there were two other beasts. One was a massive creature with long fur, a mid-Earth Level beast, the King Kong Gorilla. The other resembled a mammoth, with two golden tusks emitting a cold light and two giant silver wings on its back, a mid-Earth Level beast, the Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant.


    "Fight, fight as hard as you can, kill one if possible. Only if they are all injured can I have a chance to survive!" Xing Peng shouted in his heart.


    "Roar!" As if Xing Peng''s prayers had an effect, almost at the moment he thought this, the five beasts raised their heads, and a flash of determination shone in their eyes, then they charged at each other.


    "Boom, boom, boom!" The earth trembled and the sky seemed to turn upside down, with the ground cracking open. Any flora struck by the beasts was crushed, scattering in all directions. Any object hit by these flying debris was perforated.


    Before the beasts even began to fight, the display of their might was already astonishing. Other beasts that felt the aura of these five Earth Level beasts fled in fear. The aura of Earth Level beasts scared them significantly.


    As the focal point of the beasts¡¯ clash, when Xing Peng saw them charging towards him, their aura hit him first, causing his body to tremble violently, as if his veins were about to burst.


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    "Boom!" Without giving Xing Peng much time to think, the five beasts had already reached the tree. Various attacks were unleashed. The green and white pythons opened their mouths wide, spitting poison at the other three beasts. This poison, turning into a toxic rain upon contact, gave no chance for the Golden-back Tiger and others to dodge.


    The green and white pythons, although only initial Earth Level beasts, faced the mid-Earth Level beasts without fear, bolstered by their venom. Their combat effectiveness was astonishing.


    The venom of the Green-faced Fang Python landed on the Golden-back Tiger and the other two beasts, emitting a foul smell of corrosion, causing their bodies to burst open in an instant.


    True to their ferocious nature, despite being attacked by the venom, the Golden-back Tiger and the Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant only roared in pain. With a fierce light in their eyes, they endured the pain and launched fierce attacks on the green and white pythons.


    "Slash!"


    "Boom!"


    "Splash!"


    The Golden-back Tiger''s massive claws made intimate contact with the white python, and the Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant, with wings spread, charged at an accelerated pace, impaling the green python with its golden tusks like a tank. The King Kong Gorilla, swinging its fists the size of millstones, hammered the head of the green python heavily. Simultaneously, it leaped onto the green python''s head, riding it and pounding it relentlessly.


    The Golden-back Tiger, King Kong Gorilla, and Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant momentarily formed a temporary alliance, joining forces against the Green-faced Fang Python, which they perceived as the greatest threat.


    While the beasts fought, Xing Peng cleverly used his agility to leap to trees that were not affected by the beasts'' battle. He was shocked by their subconscious behavior and their destructive power.


    The Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant, capable of accelerating with its wings, posed a significant challenge for Xing Peng, whose speed using "Wind Shadow Steps" was barely comparable.


    "If I am chased by this Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant, escaping would be very difficult!"


    After leaping to a tree, Xing Peng did not linger. He kept moving, flashing from tree to tree. No sooner had he left a tree than it would be destroyed by the attacking beasts. Xing Peng realized that despite their battle, the beasts did not entirely disregard him. If he attempted to flee during their attack, he would face their collective pursuit.


    Thus, although Xing Peng seemed to have a brief chance at survival, he dared not recklessly escape. Being so close to the beasts, he was not confident he could swiftly flee. Although aware of the beasts'' intentions, he could not abandon the idea of escaping.


    However, Xing Peng was not only enraged by being driven to such a situation but also filled with a killing intent. Even if he could immediately escape, he would not hastily leave. The intense battle among the beasts likely would not end easily, and there might be a chance for all to be severely injured. If so, Xing Peng would be less fearful and might even gain an advantage.


    Earth Level beasts, despite their formidable power and formidable strength, which deterred many from provoking them, possessed inner cores highly coveted by many martial artists. The inner core of an Earth Level beast was considered a rare treasure, often driving small families to bankruptcy.


    Furthermore, the Green-faced Fang Python was a rare creature, possessing not only an inner core but also a poison gland, a material sought after by many alchemists. If Xing Peng could obtain this poison gland, he could exchange it for a considerable amount of wealth.


    As the saying goes, "Men die for wealth, as birds die for food." Having come to this world, Xing Peng had no choice but to plan for himself. Although money is not omnipotent, being without it is unthinkable.


    Faced with such an opportunity, how could Xing Peng pass it up?


    If he could obtain the inner core of one of the five Earth Level beasts, he would be able to advance more quickly, enabling him to ascend from the Heavenly Extremity Peak in a much shorter period of time.

 Chapter 6: Seizing the Inner Core

    Various sounds of sonic booms and explosions continuously erupted at the summit of Heavenly Extremity Peak. Accompanying these sounds were fierce beast roars, along with a large amount of debris and vegetation scattering in all directions.


    Xing Peng, executing the "Wind Shadow Steps," stood like a surreal immortal, hands behind his back, atop a towering ancient tree, his gaze fervently fixed on the battle below involving five ferocious beasts.


    As time passed, these five beasts had reached a fever pitch in their brutal and bloody combat. They were truly fighting with all they had, paying much less attention to Xing Peng than they had at the outset. Now, if Xing Peng chose to leave, his chances of escaping these beasts'' pursuit were at least above fifty percent.


    However, as the beasts fought more fiercely, Xing Peng had no intention of leaving. The five beasts were more or less injured, with the Green-faced Fang Python, one white and one green, suffering the most severe wounds. Blood flowed from their bodies, and deep, bone-exposing wounds appeared on their skin, even revealing the Green-faced Fang Python''s inner core.


    The inner core of a beast was not only an excellent supplement for humans but also a rare treasure for other beasts. As the inner core of the Green-faced Fang Python became vaguely visible, beasts like the Golden-back Tiger grew covetous of it. Their eyes shimmered with bloodthirst and undisguised greed, akin to a john''s lustful gaze upon a prostitute.


    "Hmph! Beasts will always be beasts. Even though they''ve evolved into fierce creatures, their beastly nature remains uncultured! The fiercer they fight, the greater my advantage. This time, I might indeed obtain some valuable spoils of war!" Xing Peng watched the battle among the Golden-back Tiger and other beasts, sneering internally.


    Initially, being pursued by the Green-faced Fang Python was frustrating for Xing Peng. At that time, he thought of using the python''s pursuit to sharpen his own skills. It was not until the Golden-back Tiger and other beasts joined the fray that he truly felt endangered. However, now, that crisis was almost entirely resolved. Although the Green-faced Fang Python was being grievously injured by the Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant and other beasts, nearing death, it did not give up resistance. Its venomous spit and constricting attacks also wounded the Golden-back Tiger and others.


    Xing Peng was clear that the Green-faced Fang Python was likely doomed. Although its venom was formidable, it could not stand against the simultaneous attack of the Golden-back Tiger and the other two beasts. Once the Green-faced Fang Python fell, revealing its inner core, an internal battle among the Golden-back Tiger, Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant, and King Kong Gorilla would inevitably erupt, leading to fierce conflict. Thus, Xing Peng was in no hurry to leave, seeing the situation as nearly settled and the opportunity as clear.


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    "Boom!" The King Kong Gorilla delivered another powerful punch to the python, causing the Green-faced Fang Python''s body to shudder violently before it suddenly spat out blood and showed signs of lifelessness.


    As the python fell, the Golden-back Tiger''s attack and the Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant''s deadly strike also fiercely landed on the white python, tearing its body apart. Almost instantaneously, a human-head-sized inner core rolled out from the white python''s body.


    No sooner had the inner core appeared than the Golden-back Tiger and Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant set their sights on it. Their gaze on the inner core was immediately followed by a fierce roar towards each other, both sounds filled with ferocity and warning.


    The Golden-back Tiger and Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant faced off, each exuding a bloodthirsty aura, as if daring the other to step forward and face immediate retaliation. During their standoff, the King Kong Gorilla tore open the body of the green python, revealing another inner core of similar size.


    Two inner cores, three covetous beasts, with two already in a standoff, seemed to give the King Kong Gorilla an advantage. However, just as the King Kong Gorilla was about to devour the inner core, a swift "swoosh" of air was heard, and a figure suddenly appeared beside the inner core, grabbed it, and fled into the distance.


    The King Kong Gorilla, stunned, stared dumbfounded at the escaping figure for a long moment before reacting. Once the figure had disappeared, it roared in furious frustration. In its simple mind, it couldn''t believe what had just happened, that the ''ant'' it had overlooked dared to steal from its mouth.


    Though the King Kong Gorilla roared in madness, it did not immediately pursue Xing Peng but instead turned its fiery gaze to the other inner core. To these uncultured beasts, a nearby treasure was the first to be devoured. It planned to consume this inner core before dealing with the ''ant.''


    As the King Kong Gorilla focused on the other inner core, moving towards it, it joined the standoff between the Golden-back Tiger and Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant. For a moment, all three beasts'' gazes were intensely bloodthirsty, and their emanating aura was frighteningly powerful.


    Meanwhile, Xing Peng, taking advantage of the standoff between the Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant and the Golden-back Tiger, had snatched the Green-faced Fang Python''s inner core from the King Kong Gorilla''s grasp. In the blink of an eye, he had run far away, stopping only when he no longer sensed the King Kong Gorilla''s pursuit. He looked back towards the location of the beasts with confusion.


    "That King Kong Gorilla didn''t chase after me?"


    "Beasts will always be beasts! This has turned out entirely to my advantage!"


    Seeing that the King Kong Gorilla did not pursue, Xing Peng decided not to run further but instead immediately find a place to refine the inner core. By refining this inner core, his strength would surely increase, and perhaps he could obtain a few more inner cores. With the Golden-back Tiger and others'' warning roars, Xing Peng didn''t need to think hard to know that the King Kong Gorilla had also joined the standoff. The three beasts coveting one inner core would surely engage in a fierce battle.

 Chapter 7: Another Breakthrough

    "Trickle!" The sound echoed within Xing Peng''s body, as a scorching warm current incessantly poured into his body from the palm of his hands.


    Holding the inner core in both hands, Xing Peng was seated cross-legged atop a towering ancient tree lush with branches and leaves. As the cultivation technique inside him operated, the inner core in his hands ceaselessly transformed energy that burrowed into his body. Every strand of power that entered made the Profound Qi within Xing Peng boil, causing every pore on his body to open up in comfort due to the influx of power.


    With the surge of these forces, the ferocious beast''s inner core in Xing Peng''s hands visibly shrank at a rapid pace, diminishing by a third in the blink of an eye.


    After the inner core had reduced by a third, the Profound Qi inside Xing Peng suddenly faced an imminent breakthrough. Immediately, he focused his mind on his dantian, opening his Qi Sea and Life Gate, accelerating the absorption of power. This allowed the forces to continuously converge towards his dantian, transforming into the purest Profound Qi, in a push to break through the bottleneck of the late Human Level.


    A muffled grunt, "Pfft!", was heard as Xing Peng''s body suddenly trembled violently. A tremendous suction force then emanated from his body, drawing the Vital Energy of heaven and earth within dozens of meters crazily towards him. Instantaneously, with crackling sounds, Xing Peng''s bottleneck was abruptly broken through.


    As soon as the bottleneck was breached, a surging power flowed out from his meridians, greatly reducing the cold Qi accumulated within, giving Xing Peng a feeling as if his soul was about to take flight.


    After these powers overflowed from the meridians and merged with Xing Peng''s Profound Qi, his Profound Qi further strengthened. As it grew stronger, the inner core in Xing Peng''s hands diminished again, this time more drastically. In just a moment, only a tenth of the inner core remained, before completely vanishing.


    When the inner core completely disappeared, stormy waves brewed inside Xing Peng. Wave after wave of Profound Qi surged towards the meridians throughout his body, breaking through some previously blocked pathways and generating even more Profound Qi. As these waves of Profound Qi appeared, the surrounding Vital Energy rushed towards him even more frenziedly, creating a "buzzing" sound and forming a small tornado around Xing Peng''s body.


    As soon as the tornado appeared, numerous leaves were swept into it, forming a deep green sphere. The instant this sphere formed, Xing Peng''s eyes suddenly emitted a sharp gleam, and with a slight movement, he stood up and executed the ''Wind Shadow Steps'', floating towards a nearby tree like a deity. As soon as he drifted away, the blue sphere exploded, sending branches and fragments flying in all directions. The air itself seemed to tear open, emitting sounds of breaking through the air.


    Floating on a nearby tree, Xing Peng silently observed the mess created around the towering ancient tree, feeling a hidden shock. The damage left on this ancient tree was astonishing, with nearly half of it blown away.


    "This world is indeed crazy. In the 21st century, although my breakthrough to the late Human Level was impressive, it was impossible to instantly destroy a towering tree that could be embraced by one person. But in this world, due to the rich Vital Energy of heaven and earth, it was easily accomplished!"


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    The stronger his strength became, the deeper Xing Peng''s understanding of the ''Shadow God Vein'' became. The more he understood, the more he was shocked.


    Having reached the late Human Level and feeling the surging power within, Xing Peng couldn''t help but rise a burning desire to fight. Thus, he glanced at the half-destroyed ancient tree and once again executed ''Wind Shadow Steps'', flying towards the location of the Golden-back Tiger and other ferocious beasts.


    Although Xing Peng had only advanced a small level, the benefits brought by this small advancement were very obvious. Before the breakthrough, Xing Peng could only see about two meters around him in the foggy Heavenly Extremity Peak. Now, with his power in operation, he could clearly see the environment within a radius of about ten meters, which was many times clearer than before the breakthrough.


    Due to the dense fog of Heavenly Extremity Peak, Xing Peng had suffered quite a bit during this time. Although he had not yet reached the ability to see clearly in the fog, this progress had already given Xing Peng more assurance of survival.


    And the benefits did not stop there. As the Profound Qi inside him increased and his realm strengthened, his light body technique became much more powerful than at the beginning. Now, the speed at which he fully executed the light body technique was even faster than that of the Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant. Presently, if he were to face the attack of the four major Earth Level ferocious beasts again, he could leave with ease using ''Wind Shadow Steps''.


    "Hope those three beasts are now all severely injured. If I get their inner cores, I can surely advance to the early Earth Level. Once my realm reaches the early Earth Level, I can practice the technique of ''Heavenly Sight, Earthly Listen''. At that time, despite the dense fog of Heavenly Extremity Peak, it will not be able to trap me!" As Xing Peng flew towards the location of the Golden-back Tiger and other ferocious beasts, he silently calculated in his heart. Based on the current situation, Xing Peng firmly believed that it would not take a month for him to leave Heavenly Extremity Peak.


    Xing Peng clearly remembered that the recruitment trial of the White Tiger Academy was about to begin, and he could not miss the enrollment of the White Tiger Academy. The White Tiger Academy is one of the four major academies of the Proud Cloud Empire, known as the cradle of King Level masters. It possesses many martial arts classics. Anyone who can enter the Tianwu Academy will surely become a talent sought after by various powers of Tianwu and obtain an extremely distinguished status in the Lingwu Continent.


    Xing Peng''s adoptive father, Carefree King, was once a genius student of the White Tiger Academy. At the age of twenty-two, he advanced to the level of King Level master and was awarded the title of Carefree King by the White Tiger Academy.


    Xing Peng had thought more than once how great it would be if he could join the White Tiger Academy, so he would not bring shame to his father. He wanted to make his father proud, but he had never been able to practice martial arts no matter how much he cultivated. So, all these were just wishful thinking. But now, as his strength had continuously improved, Xing Peng couldn''t help but think again about joining the White Tiger Academy.


    Moreover, Xing Peng remembered that Fan Yan''er, who had been betrothed to him since childhood, joined the Zhuque Academy, one of the four major academies, three years ago. It was precisely because Fan Yan''er had joined the Zhuque Academy three years ago and had recently advanced to the Mountain-Opening Level realm in one fell swoop, becoming the most hopeful person among the younger generation of the Fan family to become a King Level master, that the Fan family came to annul the engagement.


    In their view, Fan Yan''er''s future was limitless. If she were to rashly marry Xing Peng, it would be a loss for the family, as Xing Peng was not worthy of Fan Yan''er.


    Thinking of all these matters, Xing Peng''s desire to leave Heavenly Extremity Peak sooner became even stronger. His speed flying towards the Golden-back Tiger and other ferocious beasts also suddenly increased a lot.


    In just a short while, Xing Peng reappeared at the location of the Golden-back Tiger and other ferocious beasts. The moment he appeared, a scene that made his eyes sparkle suddenly unfolded before him.

 Chapter 8: Turn of the Tides

    In front of him lay three ferocious beasts, each severely injured and weakly lying on the ground. Copious amounts of blood gushed from their bodies, filling the surrounding area with numerous irregular pits and various fragments.


    Not far from the three beasts, a faintly glowing inner core was lodged in a not-so-large pit, with its upper half exposed.


    Despite their injuries, the three beasts did not take their gazes off each other. They stared fiercely, ready to fight again as soon as their strength was restored.


    The Golden-back Tiger, two zhang in length with copper skin and iron bones, boasted incredible defense and attack power.


    The King Kong Gorilla, also two zhang tall, had muscles like fine jade, possessing immense strength.


    The Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant, not only had copper skin and iron bones and immense strength but also had astonishing speed.


    Overall, the strengths of the three ferocious beasts were evenly matched.


    After a fierce battle, one of the Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant''s golden tusks was missing a piece, the Golden-back Tiger was covered in deep wounds visible to the bone, and one of its ears was brutally torn. The King Kong Gorilla had a huge wound on its chest, looking like it was about to die.


    Their combat effectiveness had significantly decreased after the battle.


    After observing the scene, a cold smile appeared on Xing Peng''s face again.


    "This really is what I was hoping for!"


    Seeing the diminished combat strength of the three beasts, Xing Peng no longer feared them. Had they been in their prime, Xing Peng would have found them challenging. But now, their reduced strength made them as easy to deal with as meat on a chopping board.


    Almost instantly upon seeing this, he darted towards the distant inner core and grabbed it in his hand.


    "Roar!" Just as Xing Peng grabbed the inner core, the Golden-back Tiger and King Kong Gorilla, among other beasts, immediately noticed and turned their gaze towards Xing Peng. Seeing this ''little ant'' holding the spoils they were fighting over, they let out angry roars filled with threats and bloodlust. With a burst of energy, they leaped from the ground and attacked Xing Peng.


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    "Three idiots! With your current state, do you think you can match me?" Holding the inner core, Xing Peng squinted slightly and smirked coldly at the Golden-back Tiger and other beasts. With a slight movement of his ''Wind Shadow Steps'', he vanished from their sight.


    "Boom!" Although the beasts lost their target, their attacks were too swift to retract and viciously landed where Xing Peng had been, creating another pit.


    However, they quickly located Xing Peng''s new position and attacked again.


    "Ever seen a Spanish bullfight?"


    Xing Peng''s situation with these mountain beasts was just like a Spanish bullfight. As the beasts attacked, he disappeared from their sight and reappeared on their left, shaking the inner core in his hand.


    Fury!


    Unbridled anger!


    Extremely furious!


    Seeing their attacks miss Xing Peng, this tiny ant, time and again, fully ignited their rage. They let out earth-shattering roars, gasping heavily as they watched Xing Peng, then attacked him again.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    With a series of attacks and dodges, Xing Peng, much faster than the ferocious beasts, made them spin in circles. Although he didn''t attack them while dodging, the already injured beasts expended much energy in their repeated assault attempts, worsening their injuries.


    As the saying goes, if I can''t kill you, I''ll wear you down with my superior speed or defense!


    Though Xing Peng didn''t have the formidable defense of the beasts, his superior speed completely dominated them. Their attacks, no matter how fierce, were futile against him.


    In a short time, the surrounding area for tens of meters was soaked in blood, turning it into a scene akin to a slaughterhouse.


    Having dodged the attacks of the Golden-back Tiger and others, Xing Peng''s mood, previously soured by being cornered by these beasts, significantly improved.


    Moments ago, these beasts saw him as nothing but easy prey. Now, he regarded the Golden-back Tiger and others as mere ants under his feet.


    Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west!


    It didn''t take thirty years for Xing Peng to turn the situation around.


    "Hahaha... Weren''t you very arrogant just now? Didn''t you want to eat me? Come on, if you dare, come eat me. I''ll be waiting right here!" Xing Peng laughed mockingly at the exhausted Silver Wing Golden Tusk Elephant and other beasts.


    Being youthful at heart, Xing Peng was not entirely pleased with his transmigration and felt frustrated. Although he later realized he possessed the Shadow God Vein body, which promised a return to power in this world, he still harbored regrets. His nerves had been on edge these days, putting significant pressure on him. Ordinary killings couldn''t alleviate the frustration building within him, especially after being scorned by these Earth Level beasts recently, which irked Xing Peng immensely.


    Now, seeing the beasts that attacked him with disdain become trapped animals gave him a sense of triumph, venting his frustration. This relief improved Xing Peng''s spirits greatly, making the world seem wonderful. This change in mindset also increased his Profound Qi slightly, leaving Xing Peng deeply moved.


    "In this life, I will not hide my power excessively. I will live a splendid life." With this mindset, Xing Peng set a goal for himself.


    This might seem like an inconsequential declaration from a minor character, but unknown to anyone, this very decision by Xing Peng here would make his future life incredibly brilliant and enviable, admired and envied by countless warriors.

 Chapter 9: The Xing Familys Trial

    Gu Mu City, the residence of the Xing family, is currently experiencing an unprecedented atmosphere of excitement, with martial artists filled with enthusiasm visible everywhere. Each one of them is rubbing their hands and clenching their fists, looking very tense.


    One of the four major academies, White Tiger Academy, is about to start its triennial recruitment trial in a few days, and the Xing family is currently vying for the quota of candidates.


    Although every martial artist wants to join White Tiger Academy, the qualification for White Tiger Academy''s trial is not something that can be obtained by merely wishing for it. Moreover, the trial of White Tiger Academy is incredibly bloody, with a large number of martial artists falling during the trial every session.


    To preserve the core vitality of the family and to have someone in the family join White Tiger Academy and gain supreme glory, whenever the four major academies are recruiting, each major family will first conduct an internal trial to select the winning ten individuals to participate in the recruitment trial of White Tiger Academy.


    Although most of the clan members know that participating in the trial is akin to a nine-in-ten chance of death, none of the Xing family members want to miss this opportunity.


    This is both a dangerous affair and an opportunity.


    Entering White Tiger Academy means that one is very likely to become a King Level powerhouse, able to obtain countless profound techniques, and various cultivation resources. Everyone wants to strive for such an opportunity.


    The Xing family''s vast martial arts arena has now been divided into ten platforms. The platforms are oval-shaped, five meters high, and arranged in the shape of a flower, which is grand and beautiful. Each platform currently has people fighting on it.


    Around the platforms, there are seats for the elders of the clan, as well as seats for VIPs and spectators. Every internal trial of the Xing family would invite some people from other forces in Gu Mu City to watch the competition.


    In the open space between the VIP seats and the spectator seats, many candidates ready to participate in the competition are standing.


    Although the Xing family is just one clan, it has a very large number of clan members. Looking around, there are no less than a thousand people watching the fight.


    "Wow! Young Master Jianchen is really too cool, truly deserving to be my idol, he has once again defeated his opponent in seconds!"


    "Cool! Absolutely cool! I didn''t know the Blazing Sun Palm could be used in such a way!"


    "Yes, really too cool, Young Master Jianchen will definitely be able to get into the top ten this time!"


    "Wow, look over there, Young Master Tianyu on platform nine is also doing very well, he seems to have advanced to the mid-stage of the Human Level, defeating Young Master Tianyun, who was at the early stage of the Human Level, with just one move!"


    ...


    From time to time, there are exclamations from people watching the fierce battles on the platforms, with spectators cheering for the people they support, and some looking disdainfully at the competitors on the platforms, each with a different expression.


    On the open ground of platform nine, a young man dressed in red clothes, carrying a pitch-black war saber, and with a determined face, hears the exclamations around him and shows a look of disdain on his face, muttering, "Mid-stage of the Human Level? Not worth mentioning!"


    Standing next to the young man in red is a tall and thin young man who, hearing the red-clothed young man''s words, smiles ingratiatingly and says, "Yes, what does mid-stage of the Human Level count for? Brother Tiandong, you reached the late stage of the Human Level last month. If you were to face Tianyu, you could easily defeat him without drawing your sword, right?"


    "Of course, I don''t need to use my sword to defeat him, I can kill him with a punch! This time, I must win the first place in the trial!" Xing Tiandong said proudly.


    "You can kill him without drawing your sword, wow, Brother Tiandong, your strength must have improved a lot! Could it be that you''ve broken through to the eighth level of the Earth Level martial art, Mountain Crushing Fist?" The tall and thin young man exclaimed in surprise, looking at Xing Tiandong with admiration.


    "Correct, my practice of the Earth Level martial art, Mountain Crushing Fist, has advanced to the eighth level, and not only that, but my Demonic Saber Technique has also advanced to the ninth level! There are definitely not many in the Xing family who can match me now!" Xing Tiandong said extremely confidently.


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    "Amazing! Brother Tiandong, you are really too powerful. That''s an Earth Level martial art. If it were me learning such martial arts, it would take at least more than ten years to break through to such a level. Brother Tiandong, you obtained these two techniques less than three years ago, and you have advanced to such a realm in such a short time. You are definitely the next Carefree King of our Xing family!" The tall and thin young man looked excitedly at Xing Tiandong.


    "No! You are wrong, I will not become the next Carefree King, I will become someone more powerful than Carefree King! Although Carefree King is powerful, I don''t quite like his way of doing things. To sacrifice himself for his idiot son and fall in ''Hell Valley'' is completely a foolish act!" Xing Tiandong said arrogantly.


    "Uh..." The tall and thin young man suddenly became speechless, knowing that Brother Tiandong has always practiced fast and was extremely proud, but he did not expect that Brother Tiandong would be so arrogant as to even look down on Carefree King. Carefree King is currently the most admired strongman in the Xing family.


    "How is it, you don''t believe me?" Xing Tiandong saw the tall and thin young man''s dazed look and his expression suddenly turned cold, looking at the tall and thin young man icily.


    The tall and thin young man was locked by Xing Tiandong''s gaze, and his forehead immediately broke out in cold sweat, hurriedly nodding respectfully to Xing Tiandong, saying, "I believe, of course, I believe. Brother Tiandong, you are the person I admire the most. As long as you say you can surpass Carefree King, you will definitely be able to surpass Carefree King!"


    "Hmph! You''re wrong again, that''s not called surpassing, that''s called stepping on him!" Xing Tiandong did not become happy because of the tall and thin young man''s flattery, but instead coldly said again.


    "Pfft!" The tall and thin young man was about to continue flattering when suddenly a suppressed laughter came from the side.


    "Xing Tiandong, although your strength is not bad, you don''t have to be so arrogant, even looking down on Carefree King. I don''t know if he appeared in front of you, whether you would dare to say such words. Speaking ill of people behind their backs is the act of a villain." With the laughter, a handsome young man holding a red long sword swaggered over to Xing Tiandong.


    "Xing Jianfeng!" Xing Tiandong''s eyes flashed with cold light, looking at the handsome young man angrily: "Why wouldn''t I dare to say it in front of his face? Even if Carefree King appeared in front of me, I would still dare to say so. Could it be that you still think what he did was right? Carefree King, for his worthless son''s sake, got himself trapped in ''Hell Valley,'' causing our Xing family''s strength to greatly diminish. Such a person who completely disregards the interests of the family, I will definitely step on him in the future."


    "Of course, I don''t think what he did was right. Xing Peng, such trash, doesn''t deserve our Xing family to make such a big sacrifice for him. If Carefree King hadn''t fallen in ''Hell Valley'' for that waste, our Xing family''s prestige would definitely be much stronger than it is now. In my opinion, that Xing Peng should have committed suicide long ago. Now, not only has Carefree King fallen because of him, our Xing family has also been humiliated by the Fan family because of his broken engagement." Xing Jianfeng sighed and shook his head, then looked at Xing Tiandong seriously: "However, it''s one thing for Carefree King to make a mistake, but it''s another thing to step on him. His strength is transcendental, and I don''t think you can step on him."


    "I can''t! Why can''t I? I, Xing Tiandong, am only sixteen years old and have already reached the late stage of the Human Level. Moreover, my Earth Level technique is almost perfected, and I might break through to the Earth Level at any moment. With my talent, I will definitely have the strength to step on Xing Fei Tian in the future." Xing Tiandong said proudly again.


    "You''re speaking too soon. You haven''t even joined White Tiger Academy yet. Maybe after you join White Tiger Academy, you might have a chance!" Xing Jianfeng shrugged noncommittally.


    "You look down on me?" Xing Tiandong became angry.


    "It''s not looking down on you, but speaking based on facts. Of course, if you think what I said is wrong, we can see the difference on the arena later." Xing Jianfeng said.


    "Good! Let''s see the real skills on the arena. I know you''ve also broken through to the late stage of the Human Level. Let''s see who will be the first place in this session!" Xing Tiandong said.


    ...


    While the Xing family''s children were competing for the trial spots, a handsome young man dressed in beast skin walked out from Heavenly Extremity Peak. The moment he stepped out, he suddenly let out a long howl towards the sky.


    "I, Xing Peng, have finally come out!"


    The days Xing Peng has spent these days can be described as suffering. From the top of the mountain to the bottom, he has experienced countless battles, and numerous fierce beasts have died by his hands. Now, his body is filled with the smell of blood, which would make ordinary people faint upon smelling it.


    Ever since Xing Peng benefited from catching some inner cores last time, his strength has grown by leaps and bounds. In just one month, his strength has multiplied several times.


    Now, he can kill most Earth Level fierce beasts in seconds.


    Only those who have truly gone from the top of Heavenly Extremity Peak to the bottom without any map of Heavenly Extremity Peak can know what kinds of fierce beasts are in Heavenly Extremity Peak. Everyone knows that the strongest fierce beasts in Heavenly Extremity Peak are only at the Earth Level, but in reality, it''s not the case. During this time, Xing Peng has even encountered several Heaven Level fierce beasts. The things that happened, how can they be described as extremely dangerous.


    "Three days, there are only three days left until the trial of White Tiger Academy. I guess the internal trial of the Xing family has already started. I wonder what their expressions will be when I appear in front of them!" Xing Peng smirked evilly, then with a flick of his ''Wind Shadow Steps,'' he rapidly rushed towards the residence of the Xing family.


    The moment he used ''Wind Shadow Steps,'' he seemed like an immortal flying with qi, although dressed in rough beast skin, he exuded an ethereal and worldly temperament.

 Chapter 10: Return to the Xing Family

    Heavenly Extremity Peak is not too far from the Xing family''s residence. With Xing Peng¡¯s rapid pace using the ''Wind Shadow Steps'', he quickly arrived at the Xing family''s dwelling.


    The moment he appeared at the entrance of the Xing family''s residence, the guards at the door suddenly became stupefied. They stared blankly at the disheveled young man in front of them, their minds greatly shaken, involuntarily covering their noses with their hands. The strong scent of blood emanating from Xing Peng made them very uncomfortable.


    ¡°Xing Peng?¡± One of the guards, named Xing Cheng, tentatively asked.


    ¡°What, you don¡¯t recognize me anymore?¡± Xing Peng said indifferently. After days of slaughter, he no longer harbored strong hatred towards the Xing family. He had been treated as a discard by the Xing family, but he only blamed his own lack of strength. In situations like his, not only the Xing family would do so, but other clans would treat him the same way.


    ¡°So, it really is you, Xing Peng! Where did you get this hairstyle? It¡¯s so trendy!¡± Xing Cheng exclaimed in surprise, his guard lowering quite a bit.


    ¡°Heavenly Extremity Peak!¡± Xing Peng still spoke indifferently, saying this as he walked towards the main gate of the Xing family.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Just as Xing Peng was about to step into the Xing family¡¯s main gate, Xing Cheng suddenly shouted coldly at Xing Peng. At the same moment he rebuked Xing Peng, the long sword hanging at his waist was suddenly drawn, blocking Xing Peng¡¯s path. Following Xing Cheng''s action, other guards also stepped forward, blocking Xing Peng.


    ¡°What are you doing, not letting me in?¡± A cold light flashed in Xing Peng¡¯s eyes. Having gone through a lot of killing, Xing Peng was still in a state of slaughter. Seeing someone provoke him, the killing intent he had condensed at Heavenly Extremity Peak immediately fell upon those guards blocking him.


    ¡°Boom!¡± Almost the moment Xing Peng¡¯s killing intent fell on these guards, their hearts suddenly trembled, feeling a tremendous pressure. Their faces turned pale as paper, with terror arising in their eyes.


    At that moment, in the eyes of these guards, Xing Peng seemed like a supreme fierce beast walking out of hell. Their spirits almost collapsed instantly, making them shiver and involuntarily step back, opening the way for him. As the guards retreated, Xing Peng didn¡¯t spare them another glance and walked straight through the main gate, disappearing from the guards'' sight in no time.


    Only after Xing Peng had completely disappeared did the guards at the door fully recover, each wiping off a cold sweat with lingering fears.


    ¡°Xing Cheng, did I see that correctly? Xing Peng actually emitted such a strong killing intent!¡± After Xing Peng left, one of the guards looked at Xing Cheng tremblingly.


    ¡°Absolutely correct. That was killing intent, definitely killing intent. Moreover, that kind of killing intent was even thicker than some of the elders in our clan. Although Xing Peng only glanced at me, I felt as if several years had passed in that moment, and that killing intent almost devoured my soul,¡± Xing Cheng said, equally trembling.


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    ¡°Yes! Absolutely correct. That killing intent, I am sure, is even stronger than some elders. I really don¡¯t know what happened to Xing Peng at Heavenly Extremity Peak this month. That Heavenly Extremity Peak, not having reached Heaven Level, is impossible to come down from! And yet, Xing Peng was exiled there and came down in such a short time!¡± Another guard nodded in agreement.


    ¡°What do we do now? Xing Peng was exiled to Heavenly Extremity Peak, and now he has rashly come down, already violating the clan rules. Should we report this matter to the family elders?¡±


    ¡°Report? What else do you report! Previously, Xing Peng was a waste, so of course, he had no status. But now, just by looking at us, we involuntarily made way for him. Do you still think he is a waste? After all, he is the son of the Carefree King, a young master of the Xing family. Once he regains the recognition of the family elders, his status will immediately be elevated. We cannot afford to provoke such a young master!¡± Xing Cheng quickly shook his head.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s better not to report. After all, the family is holding a family trial today. Since Xing Peng has returned to the family in such a mysterious way, he will not miss participating in the trial. Since he will voluntarily appear before the family¡¯s upper echelons, why bother ourselves!¡± Hearing Xing Cheng''s words, some guards immediately agreed. Being guards of the Xing family, their strength was mostly not weak, generally at the late Yellow Level. However, the fact that they were frightened away by a glance was somewhat terrifying for them. Xing Peng, in their eyes, became an unfathomable presence for a time.


    After entering the Xing family, Xing Peng encountered many guards. The guards were shocked by Xing Peng''s appearance, similar to Xing Cheng and the others. There were those who directly let Xing Peng in, and there were also those who, like Xing Cheng and others, tried to stop Xing Peng. For those who tried to stop him, Xing Peng warned them all with his killing intent.


    Using killing intent to warn others was a tactic Xing Peng learned from the wild beasts at Heavenly Extremity Peak. Most of the formidable fierce beasts at Heavenly Extremity Peak would use such killing intent to warn intruders into their territory when they did not wish to move. Having interacted with these fierce beasts often, Xing Peng also habitually liked this method of using killing intent to directly repel the weaker ones.


    Not long after entering the Xing family, the deafening sounds of cheers and attacks entered Xing Peng''s ears, letting him know that the family¡¯s internal trial had indeed begun. Knowing the trial had started, Xing Peng did not head towards the martial arts field where the sounds were coming from but went to his own room to freshen up.


    Soaking in the hot water, Xing Peng felt completely relaxed.


    Since coming to this world, this was the first time Xing Peng truly did not have to keep his nerves tense. He enjoyed this feeling very much. After a month of living like a savage, Xing Peng particularly valued this relaxation.


    "Such days are comfortable. Compared to the days at Heavenly Extremity Peak, I''m really enjoying a god-like comfort now!" Xing Peng buried himself in the bathtub, very lazily.


    Before coming down the mountain, Xing Peng was anxious about the trial at White Tiger Academy, hoping to come down the mountain early to participate in the trial. However, now that he had come down, Xing Peng was no longer in a hurry. As far as he knew, among the young generation of the Xing family, there really was no one who could be his opponent now. The only thing Xing Peng needed to do now was to conserve his strength and wait for the real trial at White Tiger Academy. That was his stage, and there would inevitably be another round of slaughter.


    Xing Peng was enjoying his bath, while the descendants of the Xing family, who were striving to show themselves, were in the midst of shedding blood and losing their heads. No one would have thought that Xing Peng, whom they looked down upon, had run down from Heavenly Extremity Peak and even scorned the Xing family¡¯s internal trial, enjoying himself in his own room.

 Chapter 11: The Top Ten Contest

    When Xing Peng stepped out of his room again, several hours had passed. The martial arts arena was still bustling with activity, but the battles had now reached their most intense stage. The top ten were about to emerge!


    "Platform one, Xing Jianfeng versus Xing Jun."


    "Platform two, Xing Qianshan versus Xing Zhong."


    "Platform three, Xing Tiandong versus Xing Xiaochuan."


    "..."


    Elders continuously called out the names of the contestants, instructing them to take their places for the final struggle to determine the top ten warriors.


    As the elders shouted, twenty figures soared into the air one after another, propelled by powerful bursts of energy, and landed on the platforms. These were the last twenty contestants. Once their battles were decided, the top ten would be firmly established, and the ranking matches to determine the distribution of rewards would begin.


    Every family trial of the Xing clan not only signifies that the participants qualify to represent the Xing clan in the trials of the four major academies, but it also means that the victors receive many rare techniques, elixirs, and weapons from the family.


    It is precisely because of these rewards that every participant is so enthusiastic.


    All the warriors who had been defeated and the spectators eagerly awaited the final showdown, their breathing quick and eyes sparkling, unwilling to miss the climactic battles.


    Those who had made it this far were the strongest of the young generation in the Xing family, some familiar faces and some new ones who had only recently caught the attention of the family elders.


    Whether they were veterans or newcomers, they all represented their current status within the family, which was much higher than that of the other descendants, eliciting envy and jealousy.


    Especially for the weaker warriors, seeing those who were once on par with them suddenly become candidates for the top ten filled them with envy and a strong motivation. If these people could become top ten warriors through hard work and training, then so could they, one day achieving the same glory.


    "Xing Xiaochuan, just give up, you''re no match for me!" Xing Tiandong taunted arrogantly on platform three, giving Xing Xiaochuan a disdainful glance.


    "Give up? What a joke. Xing Tiandong, don¡¯t think for a moment that I will concede! I will definitely defeat you this time!" Xing Xiaochuan retorted with a cold laugh.


    "With just your ability, defeat me?" Xing Tiandong scoffed.


    "Don''t think you''re something special just because you''ve advanced to the late Human Level. Xing Tiandong, you''re bound to lose today. I, Xing Xiaochuan, will surely step over your body to become one of the top ten warriors!" Xing Xiaochuan countered defiantly.


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    "So be it, then!" Xing Tiandong waved him on, clearly uninterested in drawing his saber for the fight.


    "You dare underestimate me!" With a flash of cold light in his eyes, Xing Xiaochuan roared and unleashed the Fiery Tiger Cannon Fist, causing a sonic boom as it hurtled towards Xing Tiandong.


    "Solid as a Rock!" Xing Tiandong shouted back, throwing a punch of his own. The Earth Level martial skill ''Mountains Strength'' was instantly deployed, radiating an unbreakable, rock-solid aura that captured the attention of the surrounding spectators.


    "Boom!" The fists of Xing Tiandong and Xing Xiaochuan collided with a deafening roar. Following the contact, Xing Tiandong''s stance slightly shifted, while Xing Xiaochuan trembled violently, retreating several steps with a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.


    "With your strength, you don''t even stand a chance to draw your blade! Xing Xiaochuan, better scram off the platform!" After heavily injuring Xing Xiaochuan with one strike, Xing Tiandong arrogantly taunted him again.


    "You wish!" Wiping the blood from his mouth, Xing Xiaochuan''s eyes flashed fiercely: "Xing Tiandong, you''ve forced my hand. Taste my Fiery Sky Burning Palm!"


    As Xing Xiaochuan spoke, his aura exploded dramatically, his body strangely swelling. As he expanded, a surging heat emanated from his body, turning his normally pale hands a burning red, as if they were searing iron plates.


    "Earth Level Advanced Martial Skill¡ªFiery Sky Burning Palm!"


    The recognition of this move caused an uproar among the crowd, with some of the Xing family elders looking on with fervent interest.


    "Excellent! A worthy talent indeed, mastering the Earth Level Advanced ''Fiery Sky Burning Palm'' at such a young age!" Applause broke out.


    Those familiar with the technique knew it was extremely difficult to master. Practitioners who could harness it were often able to fight beyond their level. Although Xing Xiaochuan was at the peak of the mid Human Level, deploying such a martial skill allowed him to contend even with those in the late Human Level.


    Seeing Xing Xiaochuan unleash such a technique, Xing Tiandong frowned slightly but remained contemptuous, not the least bit anxious.


    "Xing Xiaochuan, you''ve made me draw my blade. Face my ''Demonic Saber Technique''!" Xing Tiandong slowly drew the saber from his back, and as he did, his hair unfurled wildly without any wind, a crazy aura bursting forth from him, magnifying his presence several times over and ripping through the surrounding air. Standing there, he seemed like a demon wielding a magic saber, merged as one with his weapon, causing onlookers to feel as though their very souls were under assault.


    "This is the realm shown only after reaching the ninth level of the ''Demonic Saber Technique''! Xing Tiandong has actually cultivated the ''Demonic Saber Technique'' to the ninth level! This is a momentous day for the Xing family; since the Carefree King, we have finally seen another unparalleled genius!"


    The higher echelons of the Xing family exclaimed upon witnessing this scene, even more excited than when Xing Xiaochuan displayed the ''Fiery Sky Burning Palm''. Although powerful, the ''Fiery Sky Burning Palm'' could injure its user if forced, unlike the ''Demonic Saber Technique''. The ''Demonic Saber Technique'' is among the pinnacle of Earth Level martial arts, almost touching the Heaven Level by drawing upon the Vital Energy of heaven and earth. Xing Tiandong¡¯s current state of unity between man and saber has elevated him to a supreme level of martial prowess, a feat as challenging as mastering an initial Heaven Level technique. Achieving such mastery and the unity of man and saber, he is destined to become a supreme master.


    As Xing Tiandong unleashed this aura, Xing Peng arrived at the arena. Unnoticed by the crowd, who were focused on the battle, Xing Peng narrowed his eyes, taking a leisurely interest in Xing Tiandong''s unity of man and saber, though he remained indifferent to the elders'' exclamations.


    Xing Tiandong''s strength was undeniable, yet it was only at the late Human Level, far from comparable to his father. In Xing Peng¡¯s heart, few could surpass his father, the true genius of the Xing family.

 Chapter 12: Xing Peng Appears

    "Kill!" A cold voice emitted from Xing Tiandong''s mouth. The moment his voice was heard, his body, following the blade in his hand, slashed towards Xing Xiaochuan like a meteor. This slash completely split the air, creating a huge gash in the ground where his body passed.


    "Kill!" Upon seeing Xing Tiandong taking the initiative to attack, Xing Xiaochuan let out a slightly bitter sigh. Then, with a fierce glint in his eyes, he promptly propelled his palm technique towards Xing Tiandong in retaliation.


    "Boom!"


    "Tear!"


    Figures crossed past each other, dazzling blade light and scorching red light alternated in an instant. Subsequently, Xing Xiaochuan''s body heavily fell to the ground, with copious amounts of blood ceaselessly pouring out of him, and a severed hand lying beside his body.


    "Boom!" The entire martial arts arena boiled over due to Xing Tiandong''s momentary attack. They watched Xing Tiandong with fervent eyes, their blood surging, and shouts of excitement erupted.


    "Long live Young Master Tiandong!"


    "I love you, Young Master Tiandong!"


    While shouting, no one meticulously examined Xing Xiaochuan on the ground, as if whether Xing Xiaochuan was dead or alive was no longer important to them.


    Xing Peng watched this scene with a complex expression, gaining a deeper understanding of the world''s law of the jungle. Although Xing Xiaochuan was defeated, he was still a descendant of the Xing family. But at this moment, most people cheered for the victor, barely anyone paid more attention to the defeated Xing Xiaochuan, except for Xing Xiaochuan''s parents who sorrowfully assisted him off the platform. Others showed indifference.


    Reality is so cruel; this is the method big families use to temper their descendants.


    Survival of the fittest, if you can''t stand out, you''ll be swallowed by the storm. Only the living, the victorious, are the talents most important to the family. To gain power and recognition within the family, one must strive to cultivate diligently.


    Xing Peng admitted that such practices are ridiculous, but undoubtedly, the offspring cultivated through these means indeed possess remarkable strength. These descendants, although being like flowers in a greenhouse, are far stronger than those who have never experienced the scent of blood. Every individual must work hard not to be surpassed by others.


    Before Xing Xiaochuan''s defeat, he too had a group of supporters. But after his loss, the supporters largely shifted their allegiance to Xing Tiandong.


    Almost at the moment when Xing Tiandong and Xing Xiaochuan''s battle concluded, victories on several other platforms were also decided. The winners included Xing Jianfeng, Xing Jinlei, Xing Xiaofeng, Xing Xia, Xing Liang, Xing Guo, Xing Ming, Xing Xin, Xing Qianshan.


    "Good! The Xing family''s triennial top ten ranking has finally been decided. Let''s cheer for them; they are the most talented descendants in our Xing family right now, possessing an extraordinary status and supreme glory..."


    Amidst the cheers of the Xing family descendants and onlookers, an elder of the Xing family, who had reached the Heaven Level, suddenly floated up to the center of the arena from the spectator stand, and with a wave of his hand, silenced the cheering Xing family descendants, speaking authoritatively.


    Following the elder''s words, the previously silent Xing family descendants suddenly erupted in cheers, their applause thunderous and their gazes excited.


    As the victorious top ten martial artists, they proudly raised their heads to accept the shouts from below, excitement and pride visible in their eyes. At this moment, they shone brilliantly, like stars in the sky.


    If things were to proceed smoothly, the top ten martial artists would face another ranking competition, vying for the ranking rewards. However, just as the elder was about to proceed with the tradition, a cool voice suddenly rang out: "Elder, it seems you''ve forgotten that I haven''t undergone the trial yet!"


    "Shush! Shush! Shush! Shush..."


    The moment this voice was heard, the surrounding gazes immediately turned towards the source of the sound, and everyone was stunned by what they saw.


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    "Xing Peng!" An exclamation erupted, the face of the person shouting full of shock.


    "Isn''t Xing Peng supposed to be at Heavenly Extremity Peak? How did he appear here?"


    "What''s with Xing Peng, speaking such words at this moment?"


    Suddenly, the arena, previously filled with continuous cheers, turned into a buzzing marketplace filled with discussions and gossip.


    "Xing Peng, how come you''re here? Didn''t I order you to face the wall at Heavenly Extremity Peak for a year?" On the viewing stand where the Xing family''s higher-ups were located, the family head, Xing Tianjue, looked at Xing Peng with a gloomy face.


    "Face the wall for a year? Heh, dear uncle, you actually have the audacity to say it''s facing the wall for a year? The summit of Heavenly Extremity Peak is steep on all sides without a bit of food. You threw me there without providing any food, were you trying to make me reflect, or starve me to death?" Xing Peng stepped out of the crowd and looked at Xing Tianjue with a cold laugh.


    "Boom!" Xing Peng''s words exploded like a bomb, leaving everyone who heard them utterly dumbfounded.


    Although most of the Xing family looked down on Xing Peng, no one had ever dared to harm Xing Peng so blatantly in front of so many Xing family descendants. After all, Xing Peng has a father who is a King Level master; it was Carefree King who made the Xing family so prosperous. If what Xing Peng said was true, it would certainly chill many hearts.


    "No... not providing any food? Oh my god, that bald mountain top, other than rocks, there are just more rocks. Without food, wouldn''t one starve to death?" someone who had also been punished to face the wall in reflection exclaimed in disbelief.


    "Xing Peng, don''t spout nonsense. When have I ever said I wouldn''t give you food? When I sent you to Heavenly Extremity Peak, I specifically arranged for people to deliver food to you!" Xing Tianjue frowned and scolded.


    "How curious then, I was starving on the summit of Heavenly Extremity Peak for several days, almost starving to death there. Why didn''t I see any food at all?" Xing Peng looked around, shrugged his shoulders, and said.


    "Xing Peng, stop talking nonsense. This food was personally delivered by me. How could you not have any food? If you had no food, how could you still be alive!" Before Xing Tianjue could respond to Xing Peng, a man in a green robe standing beside Xing Tianjue angrily stood up, pointing at Xing Peng with trembling hands. This man was named  Xing Kuangfeng , who had personally sent Xing Peng to Heavenly Extremity Peak.


    "Indeed, if Xing Peng had no food, how could he possibly still be alive? This clearly shows Xing Peng is spouting nonsense!"


    "Damn, we really underestimated this loser before. Although he''s quite useless, his ability to stir trouble is not bad at all, even black can be spoken into white by him..."


    Some who had disliked Xing Peng from a young age laughed scornfully upon hearing  Xing Kuangfeng ''s words. They couldn''t believe the family head would actually fail to provide Xing Peng with food, seeing it as too obvious an attempt to kill him.


    Despite disliking Xing Peng, no one in the Xing family could be sure if one day Xing Peng''s father might suddenly emerge from Hell Valley. After all, King Level masters have long lifespans, and a decade or so means little to them. Therefore, no one in the Xing family would dare to blatantly kill Xing Peng, the so-called loser; at most, they would bully him occasionally. The family head would definitely not commit such a foolish act.


    "Ridiculous, you personally delivered food to me? Then I''d like to hear, when exactly did you deliver food to me, and how do you explain my appearance here? Don''t tell me you brought me down from the top of Heavenly Extremity Peak!" Xing Peng coldly stared at  Xing Kuangfeng , his eyes flashing with killing intent. He had no kind expression for someone who wanted him dead.


    "I..."  Xing Kuangfeng ''s complexion changed unnaturally, then, gritting his teeth, he looked at Xing Peng and said, "Fine! Xing Peng, you forced me to say this. Today, even if I get punished by the family head, I''ll speak the truth. I remember the first time I took you to the summit of Heavenly Extremity Peak, I left you with food for about seven days. At that time, I told you I would come to deliver food every five days, but unexpectedly, when I went to Heavenly Extremity Peak for the second time, you had already disappeared. I was afraid of being blamed by the family head, so I didn''t report this matter!"


    "Xing Peng, is this true!" Xing Tianjue spoke authoritatively.


    "All lies! You left me with food for seven days!! You really have the nerve to say that, motherfucker, it seems the one wanting to kill me is you. Come on! Come! Come! You want to kill me, right? Now, I give you a chance, have the guts to come and fight me for three hundred rounds, and see if I don''t beat you to the ground looking for your teeth." Xing Peng spat on the ground, then fiercely glared at  Xing Kuangfeng .


    "Uh..." The family''s solemn and disciplined trial was completely disrupted by Xing Peng in this moment, leaving the ten previously battle-ready Xing family descendants standing foolishly on the platform, unsure of what to do. With such an incident happening, if things aren''t clarified, the competition definitely cannot continue.


    Some visiting dignitaries were also exchanging looks, feeling sentimental about the sudden change within the Xing family.


    Xing Peng is the son of Carefree King, a well-known fact. If the Xing family dares to kill Xing Peng so recklessly, once the news spreads, the Xing family''s reputation will undoubtedly suffer a significant blow.


    Although large families understand the unwritten rules, such rules, when exposed, are not something everyone can accept.


    After all, Carefree King had made many friends on the Lingwu Continent. Once these people learn of Xing Peng''s ordeal, even if they do not wish to involve themselves, for the sake of their own dignity, they would likely make a token appearance at the Xing family.

 Chapter 13: The Competition Begins

    "Enough!" Xing Tianjue suddenly slammed the table and stood up fiercely. As he rose, an incredibly terrifying aura emanated from his body, like a volcano brewing, ready to erupt at any moment. This made the surrounding noisy crowd instantly quiet down, not daring to even breathe too loudly.


    "Xing Peng, today is the day of our Xing family''s clan trials. Every man in the Xing family holds this day in high regard. Regardless of whether what you just said is true or not, can you first listen to your uncle and set this matter aside for now? After the clan trial, we can discuss what to do next. If what you said is true, your uncle will certainly stand up for you and give you justice..." Xing Tianjue, holding back his anger, fixed his gaze on Xing Peng.


    "Uncle, you said it! All the Xing family''s children have heard it. I hope that after the family trial, you can really deal with it fairly..." Xing Peng, feeling the overwhelming aura from Xing Tianjue, was deeply shaken. To him, Xing Tianjue now seemed like a fierce general suppressing his anger, making him wary of provoking Xing Tianjue further.


    "Rest assured, your uncle will never tolerate anyone who harms our Xing family''s children!" Xing Tianjue said with a frown and a deep voice.


    After speaking, Xing Tianjue sat back down. As he did, his terrifying aura suddenly retracted, easing the tense atmosphere in the area.


    "Xing Peng, although you are a member of our Xing family and have the right to participate in today''s trials, due to your late arrival, you must now accept the challenge from an eliminated contestant. You need to win ten consecutive matches or have no one challenge you before you can qualify for the top ten ranking. Otherwise, letting you directly participate in the top ten ranking would be unfair to the other children. Are you willing to accept this challenge..." As soon as Xing Tianjue sat down, the elder hosting the competition spoke loudly to Xing Peng.


    "I accept!" Xing Peng said unflinchingly.


    The surrounding Xing family children who heard Xing Peng accept the challenge exchanged glances. Everyone knew that Xing Peng was not a martial artist and could not practice martial arts. His acceptance of the challenge was indeed shocking.


    "Good! Since you''ve accepted, come up to the stage!" The elder, standing on the central stage, ignored the commotion among the other disciples and commanded Xing Peng from a position of authority.


    Immediately, all eyes were fixed on the elder standing on the five-meter-high stage, each with a curious expression. Without a ladder, it was impossible for an ordinary person to climb onto such a high stage.


    Just when everyone thought Xing Peng was about to embarrass himself again, his left foot lightly touched the ground, and then, with his hands behind his back, he floated up to the stage like an ethereal immortal. When he landed on the stage, there was no sound at all.


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    "Boom!" Xing Peng''s action shocked everyone around. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Many of the Xing family children could not achieve such silence upon landing. This was a sign of a highly advanced light body technique.


    Some of the Xing family elders watching Xing Peng were also moved by his performance. Although they could execute such a technique, it had taken them decades to reach that level.


    Xing Peng, who had previously shown no aptitude for martial arts, suddenly revealed such skill, greatly shocking the Xing family.


    "No wonder Xing Peng dared to speak so boldly at the trial today. He has become a martial artist, and his strength is probably not simple!"


    "This... this is simply a miracle. Xing Peng can actually practice martial arts now..."


    "It''s incredible! Did Xing Peng pretend to be weak before? His light body technique, even I can''t do it..."


    Many Xing family children looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise.


    "Alright! Since Xing Peng has climbed onto the stage, let''s follow the rules! Those who were defeated earlier, if any of you are confident in defeating Xing Peng, come up to the stage. Anyone who can defeat him will have another chance to compete for the top ten martial artists..." The elder hosting the competition also looked at Xing Peng curiously, then scanned the surroundings and announced loudly.


    "Boom!" As soon as the elder spoke, the previously defeated children were stirred up! Defeating Xing Peng for a chance to compete for the top ten was an excellent opportunity for most of the family''s children.


    For a moment, many Xing family children looked at Xing Peng eagerly. However, after seeing Xing Peng''s display of light body technique, although everyone was eager, they did not rashly step forward to challenge him.


    The atmosphere became somewhat strange.


    "What, does no one dare to come up and challenge Xing Peng? If you don''t dare to challenge Xing Peng, then he qualifies to directly compete with the top ten..." The elder spoke with a powerful voice.


    "I will!" A loud shout suddenly rang out, followed by a figure leaping onto the stage like lightning. The person had striking sword eyebrows and was holding a blood-red long sword, with long hair casually draped over his shoulders, exuding the aura of a swordsman.


    "Xing Jianchen! It''s him!"


    Exclamations were heard. Xing Jianchen was originally one of the seed players for the top ten martial artists but had unexpectedly lost a match along the way. Now, seeing him stand on the stage again, his supporters shouted in excitement.


    "Xing Peng, although I don''t know how you cured your strange illness, I still want to congratulate you on becoming a martial artist!" Xing Jianchen landed on the stage and spoke indifferently. Though he was congratulating, his facial expression did not seem sincere.


    Xing Peng frowned noncommittally, aware that basically none of the Xing family''s descendants held him in high regard. The "congratulations" from Xing Jianchen felt perfunctory.


    As expected, after Xing Jianchen finished his previous statement, he slowly drew his sword and pointed it at Xing Peng, saying, "Xing Peng, your father Xing Fei Tian is an idol for our entire family. We all take pride in him. Yet, his glorious life is marred by having a useless son like you. Do you realize how much shame this brings to him? Today, let me use my sword to teach you a proper lesson..." As Xing Jianchen spoke, a very strong sword aura erupted from him, cutting through the air with undeniable sharpness. The moment it burst forth, the air seemed to be sliced open. With his sword emitting a cold light, he attacked Xing Peng.


    All the Xing family children watching this scene held their breath, their eyes glued to the stage, silently guessing how many moves Xing Peng could withstand against Xing Jianchen.

 Chapter 14: Stunning the Crowd

    With overwhelming sword Qi in a blink of an eye, it arrived in front of Xing Peng, and it looked like Xing Peng was about to be annihilated by the sword Qi. When the Xing family disciples around saw this situation, their hopeful hearts were greatly disappointed.


    It seemed that although Xing Peng had become a martial artist, he was still not up to making the grade. In front of a family elite like Xing Jianchen, he still counted for nothing.


    "Scram!" However, just when the people around had such thoughts, a loud shout suddenly rang out in the arena. In a flash, Xing Peng''s right foot suddenly lifted, piercing through layers of sword Qi and then charging towards Xing Jianchen.


    This kick from Xing Peng was extremely fast, far beyond Xing Jianchen''s imagination, causing him to be unable to react in time. He was kicked by Xing Peng in the body. When Xing Peng''s foot landed on him, Xing Jianchen felt a tremendous force enveloping his body, almost causing his internal organs to explode, and his body was fiercely kicked out of the arena, falling heavily to the ground and creating several cracks on it, with blood flowing from his seven orifices.


    "My goodness!" This kick from Xing Peng shocked a large number of Xing family disciples. They stared at Xing Peng on the arena, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.


    "This can''t be real, right? How can Xing Peng be so strong! It must be an illusion, right!" One of the Xing family disciples, who couldn''t bear such a contrast, trembled as he said to the person next to him.


    "I... I... I don''t know either!" The person being pulled, also with a shocked expression, had a look as if he had seen a ghost.


    This was the reaction among the family''s disciples, and the Xing family elders and the patriarch were also similarly shocked at this moment. Xing Peng''s display of lightness skill had already surprised them, but compared to the combat strength Xing Peng showed now, their shock at this moment was even stronger.


    Xing Jianchen was also a martial artist in the late Human Level stage, who could have become one of the top ten martial artists if not for an accidental loss, yet he was kicked flying by Xing Peng. Although there was an element of carelessness on Xing Jianchen''s part, the fact that Xing Peng could win the match so cleanly and neatly showed that Xing Peng''s combat strength had indeed entered the elite ranks of the Xing family disciples.


    Xing Peng did not pay much attention to the expressions of the people around him. After kicking Xing Jianchen flying, there was not a trace of smugness on his face, but instead, he coldly swept his gaze over the people below: "You all said I brought shame to my father, today I want to see, compared to you so-called elites, who really is the useless one..."


    "Boom!" This provocative statement from Xing Peng, when it fell into the ears of the Xing family disciples below, made all those who had looked down on Xing Peng before very uncomfortable.


    "Xing Peng, don''t be arrogant, watch me take care of you!" Another loud shout rang out, followed by a figure leaping into the arena like a large bird. This person held two golden mallets, was very large in size, and his body was covered in muscles, looking very intimidating.


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    "Human Level mid-stage martial artist, Xing Tianluo!"


    The newcomer snorted coldly, announcing his rank, and then the golden mallets in his hands suddenly moved, stirring up a whirlwind and casting a golden glow over the entire arena, making it dazzling and impossible to see the mallets'' attack clearly.


    "You too, get down!" Xing Peng''s cold voice rang out again, as he slowly kicked out towards Xing Tianluo, completely ignoring the whirlwind and golden glow stirred up by the mallets.


    "This Xing Peng is too arrogant! Although Xing Tianluo is in the Human Level mid-stage, his strength is not inferior to those in the late Human Level stage. Even the top ten martial artists would have to put in some effort to defeat him, and Xing Peng completely ignores Xing Tianluo''s attack!"


    Some people, seeing this, sneered coldly, not taking Xing Peng''s arrogance seriously, believing it was impossible for Xing Peng to defeat Xing Tianluo with a single kick. Xing Tianluo was one of the strongest in terms of body defense among the Xing family disciples, and with his weight, most disciples found him difficult to deal with.


    However, Xing Peng was destined to establish his authority in the family this time. His kick, though appearing slow, was actually incredibly fast. Powered by the 21st-century Earth martial arts secret ''Vajra Leg'', Xing Peng''s kick reached an incredibly terrifying level of explosive power.


    "Boom!" Xing Peng''s leg landed heavily on Xing Tianluo, creating a thunderous noise. The ground where Xing Tianluo stood cracked layer by layer, and then his body was whisked away from the arena, caught by an elder who had prepared in advance.


    When the elder caught Xing Tianluo''s body, he clearly felt a tremendous force attacking his body, forcing him to involuntarily use Profound Qi to counter it!


    "Striking across mountains! It''s actually striking across mountains!" An elder exclaimed in shock, his eyes revealing extremely turbulent waves. This moment of shock was even stronger than before.


    "What! Striking across mountains!" Hearing the elder''s exclamation, others were also moved, standing up from their seats, their gazes weirdly fixed on Xing Peng. The shock Xing Peng brought them was too strong.


    ''Striking across mountains'' is a technique that martial artists can only use when they have reached a certain level of mastery in martial arts. Such a technique, not even many Heaven Level martial artists can perform, and it was unbelievable that Xing Peng managed to execute such a move, truly astonishing.


    Some Xing family disciples who had looked down on Xing Peng heard of such martial arts, they couldn''t help but feel jealous. Such a technique was mastered by Xing Peng, surely not something he figured out on his own, definitely taught by a supremely strong person.


    Although Xing Peng was prepared to establish his authority in the Xing family this time, since he no longer harbored strong hatred towards the Xing family, he didn''t intend to cripple these elites. After all, they were still family. Otherwise, the Vajra Leg that Xing Peng used on Xing Tianluo would have surely killed him with a single strike. As for severely injuring Xing Jianchen, that was purely due to Xing Jianchen''s own fault for provoking trouble, he deserved it.


    "Is there anyone else who dares to challenge me?" Xing Peng looked around, like an emperor scanning his subjects, causing most of the Xing family disciples scanned by Xing Peng to involuntarily shrink back. Although they found that gaze very uncomfortable, no one dared to step up to the challenge anymore.


    Xing Tianluo and Xing Jianchen, being the strongest family elites among the defeated fighters apart from the top ten martial artists, since they had lost, the others didn''t believe they had the strength to defeat Xing Peng.


    This world has always been one where the strong are respected. When Xing Peng was weak, they could despise him and look down upon him with contemptuous eyes. But now, as Xing Peng showed such formidable strength, his stature was inevitably raised in their hearts.

 Chapter 15: Challenging the Top Ten

    "I''ll ask again, is there anyone else who wants to challenge me!" Xing Peng''s muffled voice boomed like thunder in the ears of the many Xing family disciples.


    Faced with such provocation, although the people around looked at each other, still, no one stepped onto the stage! The prowess of Xing Peng had been fully demonstrated in just a short two moves. Although the descendants of the Xing family were not afraid of bloodshed and sacrifice, knowing they couldn¡¯t win, they didn¡¯t want to go up and be abused. Who knows if Xing Peng would show any mercy once they got on stage.


    The action of the elder catching Xing Tianluo just now was clearly seen by the people around. Even the elder had to exert Profound Qi to resist the force of Striking across mountains, let alone ordinary disciples facing Xing Peng¡¯s attacks, who would be beaten half to death.


    Seeing that no one else came forward to challenge Xing Peng after his words, the presiding elder suddenly reappeared on the platform where Xing Peng was and looked around at the Xing family disciples, saying in a strong voice: "I think everyone at this moment has already seen it, Xing Peng has completely changed, no longer the Xing Peng you were familiar with. With such a transformation, do you say he is qualified to compete for the top ten?"


    As the presiding elder''s words spread, the disciples around looked at each other even more, each with hesitation in their eyes, and the scene fell into deeper silence.


    "Tell me, is he qualified or not! Are we, the men of the Xing family, too scared to admit defeat!" The presiding elder suddenly glared, his voice suddenly much louder.


    "Yes!" A thunderous voice erupted, and the disciples below, stimulated by the presiding elder, shouted out their inner cries.


    This sound penetrated the heavens and the earth, shocking the countless citizens of Gu Mu City. Although they knew the Xing family was holding a family trial today, such a unified voice made them very curious, not understanding what exactly was happening in the Xing family that made the disciples shout out in unison.


    "This is the charm of power! Only with power can one be respected and valued in this world!" Xing Peng stood on the platform, listening to the cries of his blood-related clansmen below, and his resentment towards the Xing family decreased a bit more.


    After the Xing family disciples finished shouting, the presiding elder''s gaze fell on Xing Peng again: "Xing Peng, you are now fully qualified for the ranking match. However, since you are a latecomer, before the ranking match, you must choose one of the top ten fighters to battle. Only by defeating him can the ranking match of the top ten warriors officially begin!"


    With Xing Peng showing such strength, the presiding elder''s gaze towards Xing Peng had completely changed compared to the beginning. Now, he also had expectations for Xing Peng. After all, Xing Peng is the son of Carefree King, the most revered descendant of the Xing family. Although many looked down on Xing Peng when he was considered useless, bringing negative controversy and shame to the Xing family, now, Xing Peng suddenly shedding his useless identity and erupting with such strong power, most of the elders suddenly seemed to see the once dazzling Carefree King.


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    Xing Peng''s appearance was very similar to Carefree King, and now, coupled with Xing Peng''s confident temperament, in the eyes of the older generation, he almost overlapped with Carefree King.


    In the past, Carefree King shone brilliantly in the ranking match of the top ten warriors, sweeping all elite disciples with his own strength, then joining the White Tiger Academy to advance to King Level, and was titled Carefree King. At this moment, most of the elders wanted to see if Xing Peng could continue his father''s glory, sweeping the other top ten warriors this time to become the pinnacle elite of the Xing family.


    Of course, with expectation, there was also jealousy and hostility.


    When Xing Peng stirred up such momentum, Xing Kuangfeng, sitting in the elder''s seat, flashed a hint of killing intent in his eyes.


    "What''s going on with Xing Peng, how did he suddenly become so powerful! When I sent him to Heavenly Extremity Peak, I clearly checked that he had no Profound Qi cultivation at all!" Xing Kuangfeng was overwhelmed with shock, Xing Peng''s display of strength made Xing Kuangfeng feel threatened.


    "Kuangfeng, what''s wrong with you?" Xing Kuanglong, sitting very close to Xing Kuangfeng, noticed Xing Kuangfeng''s abnormality and asked in confusion.


    "Nothing! I''m fine!" Xing Kuangfeng smiled at Xing Kuanglong, his face full of excitement, seemingly happy for Xing Peng''s achievements, completely hiding the conflict he had with Xing Peng just a moment ago.


    "Really nothing?" Xing Kuanglong''s eyes flashed with suspicion, but he didn''t think much about it. He didn''t believe the accusation that Xing Peng initially made against Xing Kuangfeng wanting to kill him was true. After all, Xing Kuangfeng and Xing Peng had no conflicts of interest, and this must be a misunderstanding. How could Xing Kuangfeng rashly want to harm the son of Xing Fei Tian.


    "Xing Peng, the top ten are before you, whom do you choose to challenge?" Presiding elder Xing Kuangdao asked solemnly.


    "Wait a minute, elder, before Xing Peng chooses us, can''t we also not wait for his selection and take the initiative to fight him?" Xing Tiandong suddenly spoke up.


    Xing Kuangdao looked at Xing Tiandong and said: "If you wish, of course you can! After all, what I need to do is just eliminate one more!"


    "Then I''ll take the initiative to challenge Xing Peng!" Xing Tiandong said without waiting for Xing Kuangdao''s approval, his body stretched out and moved to the platform where Xing Peng was.


    Honestly, Xing Tiandong was very eager to fight Xing Peng at this moment. He has always aimed to become the next myth of the Xing family. He used to look down on Xing Peng the most. Now seeing Xing Peng become a warrior, he was very eager to fight this shining Xing Peng.


    "Since Xing Tiandong has taken the initiative to challenge Xing Peng, let the battle begin!" Xing Kuangdao''s body suddenly flashed, leaving the platform again.


    Now only Xing Peng and Xing Tiandong were left in the arena.


    Xing Tiandong looked at Xing Peng with fervent eyes, gripping his war sword tightly: "Xing Peng, do you know? In the Xing family, the person I looked down upon the most was you, you were an utter disgrace to our family! Now that you have become a warrior, let me see if you truly qualify as Carefree King¡¯s son, I am very eager to know how strong you can be now..."


    "See how strong I am?" Xing Peng responded with a cold, noncommittal smile: "Honestly, with your strength, you''re not yet qualified! But, if you want to fight, let''s fight!"


    With that, Xing Peng suddenly moved, attacking Xing Tiandong like a phantom. This was the first time Xing Peng took the initiative on the platform. As he displayed his ghost-like movements, all the Xing family disciples watching this scene widened their eyes.

 Chapter 16: The Spirit Finger

    "Swish!" In the blink of an eye, Xing Peng arrived beside Xing Tiandong, and then aimed a claw directly at Xing Tiandong''s throat. The moment his claw force was exerted, a piercing cold light attacked Xing Tiandong''s body, causing him to shiver uncontrollably.


    "Unity of Man and Sword!" In a flash, Xing Tiandong executed the Unity of Man and Sword, and the war blade in his hand suddenly burst out with a surge of blade energy that protected him. At the same time, a frenzied demonic aura erupted from his body, enveloping the area within a few meters with a violent atmosphere.


    "Clang!" Xing Peng, seeing the blade energy appear, did not retract his hand but continued to grab towards Xing Tiandong with an unstoppable momentum, and then fiercely collided with the blade energy, emitting a sound of clashing metal.


    "How did Xing Peng do it, to collide with the blade energy released by Xing Tiandong without any damage!" The onlookers around were shocked by such an attack, their hearts trembling.


    "His claw strength has actually reached the level where it fears no blade energy! What kind of opportunity has Xing Peng encountered? Why is his luck so good!" Xing Kuangfeng''s eyes were filled with even more murderous intent. Even now, he could not see through to what realm Xing Peng had reached.


    Normally, he could see through anyone weaker than him, but Xing Peng gave him the feeling of looking at flowers in the fog, appearing more like an ordinary person most of the time. This was really bizarre, as Xing Peng clearly demonstrated such strong power, how could he possibly be an ordinary person.


    Leaving aside the shock of Xing Kuangfeng and others, Xing Tiandong, who was attacked by Xing Peng, had his eyes wide open, pupils contracted, and forehead covered in cold sweat. Although he had unleashed his blade energy, Xing Peng''s claw strength still posed a threat to him, making him uncontrollably spit out blood. Those with keen eyesight could clearly see that blood was also seeping from Xing Tiandong''s neck.


    "Demonic Blade Without Limits, Demonic Breakdown!" At such a critical moment, Xing Tiandong clenched his teeth and spat out blood, and a terrifying demonic aura burst out from his body crazily. His strength also significantly increased from the late Human Level directly to the early Earth Level, and continued to rise until it reached the peak of the early Earth Level. When his power reached such a level, the blade energy he emitted also became much stronger.


    "Heaven Level technique!" A certain Xing family disciple exclaimed, disbelief in their eyes.


    "It''s actually a Heaven Level technique! Xing Tiandong has actually learned a Heaven Level technique!"


    "It''s unbelievable! I didn''t expect to witness such an exciting battle in this trial!"


    There were not just one person among the onlookers with extraordinary eyesight. When others recognized this martial arts technique, they were all moved, each of their hearts shocked.


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    Xing Peng was already an exception to them, and they did not expect Xing Tiandong to also have such a trump card, truly a battle of dragons and tigers.


    When Xing Tiandong displayed the Heaven Level martial arts, with the increase in his strength, his movement technique also became much stronger. He flashed, narrowly escaping from Xing Peng''s control.


    After escaping from Xing Peng''s control, Xing Tiandong looked at Xing Peng with a very solemn gaze. This was the first time he had felt such a great pressure and threat among his peers.


    "Xing Peng, you actually forced me to use my trump card that I was saving for the official trial at White Tiger Academy! You should die..." Xing Tiandong looked fiercely at Xing Peng, his war blade suddenly turned a purplish-red color, and as the war blade changed color, his body shot towards Xing Peng like a cheetah, slashing down at Xing Peng with the speed of lightning.


    Although Xing Peng was surprised when Xing Tiandong displayed the Heaven Level martial arts, he did not feel pressured. When he saw Xing Tiandong retreating and then slashing down at him so crazily, he calmly extended his right hand''s two fingers to quickly meet it in the sky.


    "Spirit Finger!" Xing Peng''s fingers precisely caught the war blade slashed by Xing Tiandong at the moment it was about to hit his face, causing everyone at the scene to exclaim. Even the patriarch of the Xing family couldn''t help but be moved, his gaze very complex.


    Using fingers to catch someone else''s weapon attack was not a rare occurrence in Lingwu Continent. However, when a warrior who had not reached the Heaven Level caught the violent slash of an Earth Level warrior, that was indeed surprising.


    "What has Xing Peng experienced this month, how did he gain such skills? Such combat power couldn''t possibly have been achieved overnight!" Seeing this scene, everyone couldn''t help but secretly ponder.


    "Xing Tiandong, although your strength is quite good among our peers, unfortunately, you met me today, and you are destined to lose! You should admit defeat... you are not my opponent!" Xing Peng, holding Xing Tiandong''s war blade, looked at Xing Tiandong indifferently.


    "No! How could I possibly lose! How could I possibly lose! I am destined to become someone far beyond your father Xing Fei Tian, you cannot defeat me! Demonic Body Shatter! Shatter for me..." Xing Tiandong, with bloodshot eyes looking at Xing Peng, had a fierce expression. As he roared, his aura suddenly surged again, pushing his strength from the peak of the early Earth Level to the mid-Earth Level.


    "Demonic Body Shatter! It''s actually Demonic Body Shatter, too crazy!"


    "How could he use such a move, this is simply reckless, this is a forbidden move far more crazy than Demonic Breakdown! This move should not be used lightly unless it''s a matter of life and death! Even if he wins this battle, his body is considered ruined."


    Some elders seeing this situation were frightened by Xing Tiandong''s actions. They all showed disappointment, as Xing Tiandong had shown such potential, which could have added another master to the Xing family in the future, but he was so reckless, rashly using such a forbidden move.


    "No, stop the match, hurry up and stop the match, we can''t let them continue like this!" Xing Kuanglong suddenly moved, about to fly towards the arena, but just as he was about to do so, a figure blocked him, stopping him.


    "Kuangfeng, what are you doing!?" Xing Kuanglong demanded.


    "With Xing Tiandong displaying such martial arts, it can''t be rashly interrupted. Going like this isn''t saving him, it''s harming him!" Xing Kuangfeng said.


    "This..." Xing Kuanglong hesitated.


    At this moment, a very shocking change occurred in the arena. After Xing Tiandong''s strength surged, he forcibly pulled the blade from Xing Peng''s hand. Then, with a flash of the blade light, it transformed into a tornado attacking Xing Peng. As the tornado approached Xing Peng, sparks were visibly generated in the void, quickly forming a fire dragon that roared towards Xing Peng.

 Chapter 17: Forbidden Technique

    Such an attack from Xing Tiandong terrified many spectators of the fight. They watched the battle before them in horror, as this kind of combat could already be said to surpass that of ordinary warriors.


    Xing Tiandong, in the midst of his attack, evolved a fire dragon. Such an attack was something ordinary people simply could not withstand.


    Many who originally showed extremely strong abilities, thinking that Xing Peng this time would likely continue the glory of his father, shook their heads involuntarily after seeing such a scene.


    Xing Peng is probably in danger!


    Most people, at this moment, did not think Xing Peng could win the fight anymore.


    At the same time as these people were horrified, they also feared Xing Tiandong¡¯s ruthlessness. This man was simply a madman, using such a self-destructive move during the family trials.


    "Damn! It''s good that our strength is weaker than Xing Tiandong¡¯s. If we were stronger than him, he would have directly killed us on the stage!"


    "Yes, yes! Too crazy, how could he use such an attack during the family trials? Xing Peng and he are not mortal enemies, this is simply too unwise..."


    Many people could not help but shake their heads and sigh. Although they were horrified by the strength Xing Tiandong burst forth with, few agreed with his approach. Usually, the people of the Xing family did not think much of Xing Peng, but most disciples still held a sense of honor for the family. Very few really wanted fratricide.


    Upon seeing Xing Tiandong¡¯s attack, Xing Peng also could not help but frown. Xing Tiandong was really ruthless towards him, to use such an attack in this kind of competition, he really didn''t know how to describe him.


    He quietly watched the fire dragon attacking him. The moment before it was about to explode on him, he suddenly used ''Wind Shadow Steps'', his body lightly drifting to the side, avoiding Xing Tiandong¡¯s attack completely, revealing Xing Tiandong¡¯s figure.


    "Xing Peng, if you dare, stop dodging!" After Xing Tiandong reappeared in front of everyone, his face was very pale, obviously, executing such an attack took a lot out of him. He fiercely stared at Xing Peng, his eyes filled with a chilling light.


    "Not dodge? Do you think I''m stupid? Your strength-enhancing combat skill can only be maintained for a short while anyway. After dragging it out for that time, I can naturally take care of you..." Xing Peng, with his hands behind his back, strolled leisurely, his demeanor so casual, as if this was not a competition but an insignificant game.


    "Xing Peng, then I want to see how long you can keep dodging..." Xing Tiandong, with a long knife in hand, charged at Xing Peng again. His momentum was so ferocious, like a fierce beast choosing its prey.


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    "Whoosh!" When Xing Tiandong''s attack nearly reached him, Xing Peng once again used ''Wind Shadow Steps'' to dodge Xing Tiandong¡¯s attack. For a moment, the arena was filled with strong energy, with dust swirling in the void.


    The surging energy made many disciples dare not take another breath, making them very nervous. They asked themselves if they were to go up, they definitely could not dodge Xing Tiandong¡¯s attack like Xing Peng did.


    Although some people did not quite approve of Xing Peng¡¯s dodging tactics, most rational people admired Xing Peng¡¯s actions.


    Body technique, after all, is also a form of strength. Just as Xing Peng said, Xing Tiandong''s strength was only enhanced by a boosting technique. Since he only had a brief period of enhancement, why should we foolishly resist him directly?


    "Ah, Tiandong, this child, although his strength is not bad, he is too immature. Now, he has no chance of winning!" Xing Kuanglong watched the battle in the arena and sighed helplessly before sitting back down. With his vision, he could completely see what the outcome of this battle would be.


    And Xing Kuangfeng was very dissatisfied with the battle in the arena, "Why is this so, why is Xing Peng''s light body technique so powerful!" That leisurely dodging made Xing Kuangfeng envious.


    Xing Peng, now showing such strong potential, once he wins this competition, he will definitely obtain a high status in the family. Then the family head will surely reuse him and will definitely investigate the matters Xing Peng initially mentioned.


    Although Xing Kuangfeng was not too afraid of an investigation, he admitted that there was no evidence or witnesses to prove that he, Xing Kuangfeng, would kill Xing Peng, after all, on the surface, he and Xing Peng indeed had no conflicts of interest. But if the family really investigates him, it would still cause him trouble.


    "Xing Peng, when exactly will you stop dodging? Stop for me. Is the son of the Carefree King only capable of dodging? Not even having a bit of courage to resist me..."


    Xing Tiandong roared furiously on the stage, his consecutive attacks failing to hit Xing Peng, pushing his fury to the extreme. He already felt uneasy, unable to maintain his power-enhancing state much longer. Once he released this state, even if Xing Peng did not deal with him, he would be half-dead.


    This was hard for him to accept. After displaying such a forbidden technique, it turned out to be completely ineffective, making him use the forbidden technique in vain.


    Hearing Xing Tiandong¡¯s words, Xing Peng, who had been continuously dodging under Xing Tiandong¡¯s attacks, suddenly stopped, his eyes shining coldly at Xing Tiandong. Although he, Xing Peng, did not mind directly exhausting Xing Tiandong with such moves, but Xing Tiandong had spoken to such an extent, as a man, this time he must properly teach Xing Tiandong a lesson.


    Seeing Xing Peng suddenly stop dodging, Xing Tiandong suddenly rejoiced, then a crazed look flashed in his eyes, his long knife stirring up several cold lights, once again transforming into a fire dragon sweeping towards Xing Peng.


    The fire dragon produced by Xing Tiandong looked very impressive and its attack power was terrifying, but such an attack, in the eyes of Heaven Level experts, was not much at all. This move only used speed to rub against the air, activating a fire-based technique. It seemed to have great power, making it impossible for ordinary people to defend against, but it was not an indestructible move.


    "Xing Tiandong, since you insist on making me resist, then I''ll show you resistance. If you can take this move, I''ll immediately admit defeat..." After saying that, Xing Peng¡¯s left and right hands suddenly made a mysterious motion, then he struck out a palm towards Xing Tiandong¡¯s fire dragon.


    A golden dragon suddenly flew out from Xing Peng¡¯s palm. The moment the golden dragon flew out, the world seemed to darken, with a radius of hundreds of meters falling into a state of oppression, causing the spectators to cry out involuntarily, then simultaneously using their Profound Qi to resist, their eyes revealing an incredulous look.

 Chapter 18: Winning with a Single Move

    "Roar!" The golden dragon roared as it crashed into the fire dragon, creating a booming sound that extinguished the fire dragon, revealing Xing Tiandong''s body. As his body became visible, blood spurted from all seven of his orifices, and then, like a kite with its string cut, he was flung out of the arena.


    "Damn, am I seeing things? A golden dragon, he summoned a golden dragon with a single palm strike. My god, that''s at least a Heaven Level technique!"


    "That''s freaking awesome! It''s like the awesomest of awesome in combat!"


    All the Xing family''s young disciples who witnessed the fight were shocked, their mouths agape at the scene. For a typical Earth Level warrior, being able to project Profound Qi externally and deliver a palm strike is already remarkable. But for someone like Xing Peng to summon a golden dragon with a palm strike was utterly extraordinary.


    When Xing Peng made his move, everyone who saw it couldn''t help but question Xing Peng''s strength.


    "This Xing Peng, he must possess Earth Level strength! Damn, he didn''t even gasp for air after that strike!"


    Xing Peng ignored the discussions around him. After launching his palm strike, he retracted his hand and then looked towards the elders'' stand with a sharp gaze. All the elders swept by his gaze couldn''t help but shudder.


    Xing Peng''s sharp look towards the elders wasn''t a challenge but a message - I, Xing Peng, am not the same anymore. I am no longer the incapable person I used to be. I have not disgraced my father.


    Xing Kuangfeng''s face was grim, and his eyes were almost icy, wary of Xing Peng''s palm strike. The strength displayed by Xing Peng''s move hinted at a prowess close to that of a Heaven Level master. Though the aura was faint, it was enough to suggest that given time, Xing Peng could indeed become a Heaven Level master.


    "This little beast must not be spared! He has grown this much in a month. Given more time, he will surpass me. Even if the family doesn''t catch my misdeeds, he will not let me off..." Xing Kuangfeng could clearly sense a killing intent towards himself in Xing Peng''s gaze towards the elders.


    "Good!" Applause came from the elders'' seats. Near Xing Tianjue, an elder in a green robe with a white beard suddenly stood up, his face flushed with excitement as he looked at Xing Peng.


    "Xing Peng, well done! Our Xing family has finally produced another unparalleled genius!"


    To train to such a level in a month and to display such formidable combat power, who could deny he''s a genius! If he''s not a genius, then there are no geniuses in this world.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The glory on Xing Peng shone brightly. Seeing Xing Peng easily defeat Xing Tiandong, who had used a forbidden technique, the young disciples of the Xing family couldn''t help but worship him.


    Some who had looked down on Xing Peng were now cheering for him, their cheers including the affectionate cries of some young girls.


    Listening to the screams around him, Xing Peng experienced for the first time the glory brought by martial arts, something he never felt in his previous life. This made him even more determined. Since he had been reborn into this world, he intended to live a splendid life, not like his previous life, focused only on training without knowing how to enjoy life.


    He no longer wanted to suppress his strength; he wanted to soar to the skies!


    With Xing Tiandong defeated, the remaining nine top warriors now had serious expressions. The strength displayed by Xing Peng also put pressure on them. Their gazes filled with fighting spirit, they were not ready to give up just yet.


    The scene didn''t stay heated for long before Xing Kuangdao, the elder in charge of the competition, reappeared on the stage and announced the start of the ranking competition among the top ten warriors.


    The ranking among the top ten warriors was always a free-for-all battle, with ten people on the same stage, and the last one standing would be ranked number one.


    As Xing Kuangdao spoke, the other nine simultaneously landed on the stage with Xing Peng, and as they appeared, they seemed to have a tacit agreement to surround Xing Peng.


    This scene made all the watching Xing family disciples boil with excitement, their enthusiasm erupting in shouts. A nine-on-one attack was rare in the Xing family''s history.


    The family''s annual trials rarely saw such a scene. Usually, the difference between the final top ten was not significant, not enough to make others feel the need to team up against one. Whenever such an event occurred, it indicated the rise of a monstrous genius in the Xing family.


    "Xing Peng, we didn''t think much of you before, because you were indeed the weakest among us, making our family a laughingstock among other families. However, I take back what I thought of you before. You have become the strongest of our generation in the Xing family. So, please forgive us for attacking you together..."


    Xing Jianfeng, holding a black sword, looked seriously at Xing Peng, his body emanating sword energy. After speaking, his sword suddenly moved like lightning before a storm, attacking Xing Peng with incredible speed, reaching him in the blink of an eye. As soon as he landed on the stage, Xing Jianfeng went all out.


    The others did similarly, looking at Xing Peng gravely and then nodding at him before launching their attacks.


    "Open Sky with the Fire God!"


    "Wildfire Rampage!"


    "Sword Sweep Across the Eight Directions!"


    Hot airwaves filled the stage as Xing Jianfeng and the other nine launched their strongest attacks at Xing Peng. Sword qi, fist power, leg wind, knife force, and so on, combined to form a powerful storm, sealing off all areas Xing Peng could dodge to, forcing him to withstand the battle head-on. Seeing this, Xing Peng once again displayed the ancient martial arts technique from his previous life, "The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms."


    "Dragon Soars in the Sky!"


    "Regretful Dragon!"


    Instantly, several golden dragons swept across the stage, roaring continuously, their formidable might shaking the heavens and earth, incredibly frightening. With each dragon''s appearance, inevitably, one person would be sent flying out of the arena. In just a moment, only Xing Peng remained standing proudly on the stage, causing all the watching Xing family disciples to cheer.


    This scene was truly too admirable for them! Each of them looked at Xing Peng with extremely fervent eyes.

 Chapter 19: Rising Status

    "Xiao Yue, how was it, how was it! You just delivered some snacks to Young Master Xing Peng, did Young Master Xing Peng say anything?"


    "Nothing! But, Young Master Xing Peng gently glanced at me, ah, I''m truly overjoyed!"


    "What, he gently glanced at you, no way! You must be lying, how could Young Master Xing Peng look at you gently!"


    "Really, why would I lie to you? Just now, Young Master Xing Peng really looked at me gently. If you don''t believe me, you can touch my chest, my heart is still racing..."


    Xing Peng was sitting inside the room, eating the snacks while reading a martial arts book. Although the voices of the two maids outside were very low, Xing Peng still heard their entire conversation, hearing such a discussion, Xing Peng could only sigh helplessly.


    Since the day before yesterday, when he won first place in the family trial competition, his status had changed from being a nobody that everyone looked down upon to becoming the idol of all the young men and women in the family. Wherever he went, there were fervent gazes on him. His status had undergone a complete transformation from before.


    Many female disciples, in order to spend more time with him, actually competed for the position of his personal maidservant, which left Xing Peng both amused and helpless. Those beauties who wouldn''t even spare him a glance before, now, every time they saw Xing Peng, their eyes were filled with fervor. Many beauties even boldly expressed their love for him.


    Such a contrast was significant, making Xing Peng deeply understand the rules of this world - only the strong can truly enjoy everything. Therefore, these days, since his status improved, he has been absorbing the martial arts knowledge of this world according to his privileges.


    According to the information Xing Peng now knows, in this world, the martial arts secrets are classified from low to high as Yellow Level, Human Level, Earth Level, Heaven Level, Mountain-Opening Level, Sky-Breaking Level, King Level. The stronger the secret techniques, the greater the power they unleash. However, the stronger the secret, the higher the difficulty of learning it. Those without enough talent cannot learn these secrets at all.


    Because the Xing family had produced a King Level master before, they also possessed King Level secrets.


    However, although Xing Peng was very interested in the King Level secrets, his current strength, although improved, still did not qualify him to browse the King Level secrets. It was rumored that the King Level secrets were guarded by the hidden old monsters of the family. Even the family head could not browse them freely without sufficient contribution.


    The highest level of secret Xing Peng could currently browse was the Heaven Level.


    The secret book he was reading at the moment was a Heaven Level book named "Tiangang True Art," a defensive martial art at the Heaven Level, which is considered very good among the Heaven Level secrets. This martial art was his reward for winning first place in the trial.


    After reading the secrets for these two days, Xing Peng found that many of the ancient martial arts he learned on Earth, he didn''t know how to classify. The many martial arts secrets he has read now are technically weaker than the ancient martial arts of Earth.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Moreover, the main martial art Xing Peng was studying now, "Elemental Storm," after the transformation by the cold energy, has already surpassed the level of the secrets themselves. In this world full of abundant Vital Energy, it can unleash terrifying power.


    Additionally, after reading the secrets for these two days, Xing Peng discovered something that surprised him. He didn''t know if it was because of his body or because "Elemental Storm" encompasses everything and is the epitome of martial arts, but Xing Peng''s speed of learning the martial arts of this world was very fast.


    Like the Heaven Level secret he was holding, even Heaven Level martial artists learning this technique would need several years or even decades to master it completely.


    Yet, Xing Peng managed to practice this martial art to the ninth level in just two days! You must know that this "Tiangang True Art" only has a total of twelve levels.


    If word of practicing a Heaven Level martial art to the ninth level in two days got out, it could scare people to death. Moreover, these days Xing Peng practiced such martial arts without dedicating all his time to it; he also spent time on other activities. If he hadn''t done other things, who knows to what extent he could have learned.


    "Although I had already learned many ancient martial arts techniques in my previous life, and they were quite powerful, the martial arts of this world should not be underestimated. Although some techniques are weaker than the ancient martial arts of Earth, their power is also astonishing. And such martial arts are not even the most advanced in this world. Heaven Level secrets, although not common goods, are nothing to the true powerhouses. If such martial arts are already quite impressive, then the Mountain-Opening Level, Sky-Breaking Level, and even King Level... I don''t even know how powerful they could be..."


    A fervent light involuntarily shone in Xing Peng''s eyes. His love for martial arts had always been strong, or else he wouldn''t have been so devoted to practicing martial arts in his previous life. Now that he had come to such a high-martial world, his desire to learn was extremely strong.


    "After some time, the official trial of the White Tiger Academy will begin, and I must take this time to learn more martial arts within the family!"


    Thinking leads to action, which has always been Xing Peng''s style of doing things. Thus, he quickly finished the snacks and picked up the secret book, heading out of the room.


    "Young Master Xing Peng!" The two maids outside, seeing Xing Peng coming out of the room, approached Young Master Xing Peng together, respectfully greeting him. Their eyes were filled with admiration when they looked at Xing Peng.


    Xing Peng nodded at them, then stepped out towards the outside of the garden, disappearing from the sight of the two women in just a few moments.


    "Xiao Yue, Young Master Xing Peng really looks so handsome. If I had realized how handsome Young Master Xing Peng was earlier, I could have become Young Master Xing Peng''s person sooner. Maybe by now I would have been taken into his chamber..."


    "Ah, we can only blame our short-sightedness in those days. Who knew Young Master Xing Peng would suddenly rise. Honestly, these past two days have felt like a dream. The Young Master Xing Peng, who clearly had no martial arts skills before, has now become the strongest among the young generation of our Xing family, it''s truly unbelievable."


    "Yes! Indeed, probably no one in the entire family thought Young Master Xing Peng could cultivate to this extent before. You know, even the Carefree King was helpless against Young Master Xing Peng''s illness back then. Who could have imagined that Young Master Xing Peng''s strange illness would be cured..."


    Although Xing Peng had disappeared from their sight, the two women still reluctantly gazed in the direction where Xing Peng had vanished. Their eyes were filled with emotion, and their hearts were filled with regret, wishing they had been nicer to Xing Peng in the past.


    The Xing family members who now harbored such thoughts were not limited to these two women alone. When Xing Peng walked out from his residence, everyone who saw Xing Peng had similar thoughts. Their eyes, filled with admiration when they looked at Xing Peng, were also complex.

 Chapter 20: The Mysterious Man in Black

    "Xing Kuangfeng, what''s the rush for calling me over?" On an unassuming peak, a man dressed in black, with a pair of triangular eyes, gazed at Xing Kuangfeng with a displeased look. His expression was somber, a faint anger visible in his eyes. Anyone would be upset if they were interrupted by someone else while engaged in a threesome.


    "Big trouble!" Xing Kuangfeng, ignoring the other''s displeasure, said with a serious tone.


    "Big trouble? What kind of trouble? Do tell..." Upon hearing this, the man in black''s eyebrows raised slightly, his anger seemingly subsiding a bit.


    "Xing Peng is now able to practice martial arts, and he has even attained strength beyond the Earth Level!"


    "What!" The man in black exclaimed, his eyes emitting a terrifying brilliance. "Are you serious?"


    "How could I lie about this!" Xing Kuangfeng glared back at the man in black, displeased.


    "How did this come to be? Didn''t you say you abandoned Xing Peng on Heavenly Extremity Peak without any food? Logically, he should be dead by now," the man in black said.


    "I''m not sure what exactly happened. During the family''s trial two days ago, Xing Peng suddenly showed up and demonstrated remarkable combat skills, even taking first place in the trials!" Xing Kuangfeng, with a defeated tone, shook his head. The pressure on Xing Kuangfeng these past two days had been immense. Although the head of the Xing family hadn''t started an overt investigation into Xing Peng''s claims, he could already feel someone secretly probing.


    It might take a while for anything to surface, but Xing Peng''s progress was alarmingly rapid. With his current rate of improvement, once Xing Peng advanced to the Heaven Level, Xing Kuangfeng himself would be in trouble. From Xing Peng''s peculiar set of skills, Xing Kuangfeng felt a profound threat.


    "Explain everything in detail. How did it come to this, with Xing Peng taking first place in the family trials? That''s utterly absurd..." The pupils of the man in black narrowed slightly.


    Xing Kuangfeng then recounted in detail everything that had happened two days prior. After hearing everything, the man in black fell silent.


    "Based on what you''ve said, Xing Peng must have encountered some fortuitous adventure in the past month. Otherwise, it''s impossible for him to have gained such strong power and learned such formidable martial arts in such a short period," the man in black said, his face showing a hint of astonishment.


    "I think so too," Xing Kuangfeng nodded.


    "Sigh," the man in black rubbed his forehead, feeling a throbbing pain, then looked seriously at Xing Kuangfeng. "Over the years, you''ve garnered a lot of resources from the Xing family. Logically, with your current situation, it would be best for you to leave the Xing family sooner rather than later. However, Xing Peng becoming a genius is a troublesome matter. Before, when he was a nobody, it didn''t affect us. But now, him turning into a genius has a significant impact. You must now find out whether his fortune came from a treasure or if he was taught by a powerful individual. If it''s the former, even if it exposes your identity, you must kill him after obtaining his treasure. If it''s the latter, then you should just leave the Xing family..."


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "Wait, I can leave the Xing family? The organization really allows me to leave?" Xing Kuangfeng looked at the man in black uncertainly, a glimmer of joy flickering in his eyes.


    "Yes, you''re really allowed to leave! After all, your potential has its limits. Even staying with the Xing family, you won''t gain much more in terms of cultivation resources. It''s better to leave early, to avoid exposing the organization," the man in black said.


    "Phew! I can''t believe I can actually leave the Xing family. This is really unexpected. I''ve been undercover in the Xing family for more than a decade. If it weren''t for occasionally contacting the organization, I''d almost forget I''m not really a Xing," Xing Kuangfeng sighed.


    "Why mention this? We were both trained by the organization. Without its help over the years, how could you have become a Heaven Level martial artist and elude the old monsters in the Xing family?" the man in black said.


    "I''m just excited about possibly leaving the organization soon! Hehe, speaking of which, Old Black, I envy you. Your situation is much better than mine! Damn, you''re so old, yet you still get to enjoy threesomes. I really wonder where you get all this energy..." Xing Kuangfeng gave the man in black a suggestive look, his eyes carrying a peculiar hint.


    "Don''t look at me like that. You looking at me this way can easily lead to misunderstandings!" the man in black sternly glared at Xing Kuangfeng.


    "Well, I won''t look then! Old Black, what do you think the organization will plan for me after I leave the Xing family?" Xing Kuangfeng asked curiously.


    "I don''t know. We''ll have to follow the organization''s plans," the man in black said.


    "Can''t you speculate for me?" Xing Kuangfeng asked.


    "What''s there to speculate? The organization''s goal in placing us within major families over the years has been to uncover their secrets, acquire their martial arts, sow discord, and then deliver them a devastating blow, hasn''t it? Originally, there was no need to place you in the Xing family. With Xing Fei Tian''s fall, we already had the capability to destroy the Xing family. However, since we couldn''t be completely certain whether Xing Fei Tian was truly dead, the Xing family''s demise was delayed.


    Your decision to leave now doesn''t really affect the organization. I think after you leave, the organization might give you some time off..." the man in black shrugged, then walked towards the cliff edge, gazing distantly with a profound look.


    "Time off for a peaceful life? I hope I really can have a peaceful life. These years of living in constant fear have been hard on me. Every day, waking up from dreams where I''m discovered by the Xing family and then executed by them in a horrific manner..." Xing Kuangfeng lamented.


    "You''re overthinking it. With the organization''s sophisticated disguise techniques, how could the Xing family easily discover your identity? As long as you live a low-profile life, you''ll naturally be fine..." the man in black said.


    "That''s easy for you to say. How can people like us live a low-profile life within a family? There''s always a risk of making a mistake. Take this incident with Xing Peng, for instance. I really don''t understand why the organization initially wanted me to find a way to kill Xing Peng. Logically, after he was rejected by the Fan family for marriage, he shouldn''t have drawn the organization''s attention anymore," Xing Kuangfeng said.


    "You''re greatly mistaken there. Don''t forget, his father is always Xing Fei Tian. Although the Fan family has now annulled the marriage with the Xing family, if Xing Fei Tian reappears or if the Fan family changes its mind and re-establishes ties with Xing Peng, dealing with the Xing family would become much harder... The item in the Xing family is also very important to the organization!" the man in black shook his head. "Alright, I won''t say more. Now that Xing Peng can practice martial arts, I must report this information immediately... Today''s discussion ends here; I''m off."


    With that, the man in black suddenly soared into the sky like a great roc, disappearing into the clouds in the blink of an eye.


    Xing Kuangfeng enviously watched the sky where the man in black disappeared: "I wonder when I''ll be able to advance to the Mountain-Opening Level like Old Black. Even though we both can fly, his technique is much more graceful than mine. I really envy him..." Then, with a flash, he too took off into the sky, disappearing after a few leaps.

 Chapter 21: The Xing Family Martial Tower

    After coming out from his room, Xing Peng arrived at the Xing family''s Martial Tower, which was pitch black and divided into seven levels, resembling a lurking black dragon. At the entrance of the Martial Tower, there was a huge character for "martial" that exuded an aura that could make one tremble with fear.


    Although it wasn''t Xing Peng''s first time at the Martial Tower, his previous visits were not taken seriously by the family. He could only enter the first level of the tower, but now, his status had completely changed.


    When Xing Peng entered the first level of the Martial Tower, several bookshelves standing in the room came into view, filled densely with books.


    There were many people in the Martial Tower at this moment, browsing through the secret manuals. Seeing such a scene, Xing Peng''s gaze was complex. There was a time when he was also one of them. Anyone staying on the first level was not very strong, typically only having strength below the Mid-Yellow Level.


    After glancing at these people, Xing Peng walked towards the staircase not far away, which led to the second level of the Martial Tower. Beside the staircase, there was a counter, and an old man was dozing off on it.


    Upon reaching the staircase, Xing Peng did not go directly to the second level but gently knocked on the counter. As he knocked, the dozing old man suddenly raised his head and then set his eyes on Xing Peng. When his gaze fell on Xing Peng, his eyes revealed a hint of confusion.


    "Kid, what are you doing? Don''t you know that rudely disturbing an old man''s sleep is very impolite?" the old man said grumpily.


    "Uncle Fu, I want to go to the fourth level!" Xing Peng did not get angry because of the old man''s tone but spoke respectfully.


    In the Xing family, if there was anyone more mysterious than those legendary old monsters of the Xing family, it was this old man. Many in the Xing family were unclear about Uncle Fu''s identity because he was not actually a member of the Xing family, yet he presided over the most important Martial Tower. Moreover, he spent most of his time dozing off in the tower, rarely awake.


    "Just go if you want to. Why tell me? As long as you have the strength, you can go to whatever level you wish!" The old man glanced at Xing Peng impatiently, then continued to sleep.


    Seeing this, Xing Peng shook his head helplessly. He had explained his intentions to the old man because that was the tradition of the Xing family. Anyone who wanted to enter above the third level of the Martial Tower had to inform the old man in advance about which floor they intended to go to. However, nowadays, very few people followed this rule; most would just silently push forward based on their strength, studying the secrets of whatever level they could reach.


    Shaking his head, Xing Peng didn''t dwell on it further. With a thought, he walked up the staircase to the second level. As he took the first step, he felt an invisible film blocking his body. Xing Peng was not puzzled by this; with a slight effort, he broke through the film and quickly reached the top of the staircase.


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    "Look, that''s Young Master Xing Peng!" Someone with sharp eyes spotted Xing Peng''s figure and exclaimed in surprise.


    With this exclamation, many people noticed Xing Peng''s presence, their eyes involuntarily showing excitement.


    Although everyone in the Xing family bore the Xing surname, many were not of the Xing family''s bloodline. Anyone who served the Xing family was granted the Xing surname, and these people had a much lower status than those of the direct bloodline.


    Therefore, most referred to the direct descendants as "Young Master."


    Xing Peng ignored the exclamations of these people and stepped into the second level without stopping, then curiously observed the second level of the Martial Tower. This was his first time on the second level; previously, due to his low strength, he could not enter the second level at all.


    Looking around, there were also people here viewing secret manuals. The second level not only had a reading area but also a practice area. In the northeast corner, there were dozens of practice rooms.


    Although Xing Peng had never practiced in a practice room before, he had heard of them. It was rumored that practicing martial arts in the practice rooms was much faster than in other places because the elders of the Xing family had specially processed them.


    After glancing at the practice rooms, Xing Peng was not in a hurry to try practicing in them but casually picked a bookshelf and started reading. Once he began, he became engrossed in the ocean of martial arts.


    The Martial Tower was divided into seven levels, and although the martial arts on this second level were only Human Level martial arts, Xing Peng was very interested in these martial arts, which had a different cultivation mode from the ancient martial arts of his previous life.


    Xing Peng did not know how long he had been reading on the second level, but when he felt that there were no more secret manuals to read on this level, he then headed towards the third level.


    Stepping onto the staircase to the third level, Xing Peng also felt resistance and, at the same time, a pressure enveloping him, forcing him to circulate his Profound Qi.


    When Xing Peng circulated his Profound Qi, the pressure eased, allowing him to quickly ascend to the third level.


    The third level also contained some secret manuals and practice rooms, but there was only one bookshelf here. Compared to the first and second levels, there were far fewer secret manuals, only a mere dozen or so.


    Xing Peng did not hesitate; he just glanced at the bookshelf and quickly walked over, then began reading the secret manuals again. He read very quickly, almost flipping through the books.


    Perhaps this was a blessing of Xing Peng''s transmigration. After coming to this world, Xing Peng clearly found that he had the ability to never forget anything he saw. Anything he had seen would never be forgotten.


    For most people, it would take a long time to read dozens of books, but Xing Peng only took about ten minutes to finish reading these secret manuals, deeply imprinting all the content in his mind.


    After reading the Earth Level secret manuals on the third level, Xing Peng''s understanding of the martial arts of this world broadened once again, so he excitedly headed towards the fourth level.


    "Xing Peng, wait a moment!" Just as Xing Peng was about to step onto the staircase leading to the fourth level, someone suddenly called out to him. Xing Peng immediately stopped and turned around, puzzled, to look towards the source of the voice. There, he saw a youth with a handsome face, coldly staring at him.


    "Who are you?" Xing Peng looked at the man, puzzled, not recognizing who he was. The Xing family was simply too large; he couldn''t possibly remember the names of all the members.


    "Xing Qingcheng!" the youth said proudly.


    "Oh, don''t know you!" Xing Peng then shook his head and turned back to ascend the staircase to the fourth level.


    "Stop!" The youth''s eyes flashed with ferocity, as Xing Peng''s actions had completely enraged him.

 Chapter 22: Entering the Fourth Level

    Xing Peng did not heed Xing Qingcheng''s shout to stop; he continued calmly towards the stairs to the fourth level. As soon as he stepped on the first stair, Xing Peng felt a tremendous pressure enveloping him, involuntarily causing his brows to furrow. This pressure made him feel threatened.


    "Xing Peng, I told you to stop! Did you hear me?" Xing Qingcheng''s face was ashen as he glared at Xing Peng. If looks could kill, Xing Peng would have been dead many times over.


    "What on earth are you trying to do? Don''t you realize how annoying you are?" Xing Peng turned around again, looking at Xing Qingcheng with irritation.


    "You... you dare to call me annoying! Xing Peng, you''re too arrogant! Though you are the foremost among this generation now, don''t forget, you''re only the first among those under twenty. To people of our age group, you have no right to be arrogant..." Xing Qingcheng looked at Xing Peng with a dark expression, a cold glint in his eyes.


    Although the Xing family holds clan trials whenever the White Tiger Academy recruits, allowing all clan members to participate, there are restrictions; only those under the age of twenty can join. This is because the basic admission criterion of the White Tiger Academy is being under the age of twenty. If not for this, the Xing family''s clan trials would be much more spectacular than they are now.


    "So, I have no right to be arrogant? When have you ever seen me being arrogant? Is ignoring you now considered arrogance?" Xing Peng shrugged indifferently.


    "By seniority, I am your elder brother. Don''t you think you should greet me when you see me?" Xing Qingcheng said.


    "Fine, here''s your greeting. Happy now, big brother? I''ve shown my respects..." Xing Peng casually saluted Xing Qingcheng with his hands, then turned around again, ignoring Xing Qingcheng.


    "Xing Peng!" Xing Qingcheng''s face turned crimson with rage, erupting into a hysterical roar. Xing Peng''s behavior did not make him feel any better. The casual salute was not at all like paying respect to an elder brother; it was an outright provocation.


    Listening to Xing Qingcheng''s roar, Xing Peng did not pay him any more attention this time. Instead, he activated his Profound Qi and stepped onto the second stair.


    "Boom!" Although Xing Peng was covered in Profound Qi, he still felt an overwhelming pressure as he stepped onto the second stair, as if Mount Tai was pressing down on him, giving him a sensation of being crushed, which unnaturally changed his complexion.


    As Xing Peng stepped onto the second stair, dozens of people had already gathered behind him. Not everyone could ascend to the third level of the Xing Family Martial Tower, but there were quite a few people there now. Some who were practicing in the training rooms came out after hearing Xing Qingcheng''s roar. Seeing Xing Peng heading to the fourth level, they were all surprised.


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    "Eh, isn''t that Xing Peng? Why is he going up to the fourth level?"


    "Is Xing Peng overestimating himself? Although he has become the strongest of their generation, one needs at least the late Earth Level strength to go to the fourth level. How long has Xing Peng been practicing? Does he have that strength?"


    "How many stairs do you think Xing Peng can climb? I bet he can only climb up to five stairs."


    "What five stairs? It would be impressive if he could climb one more!"


    The people around were discussing animatedly, not very optimistic about Xing Peng''s actions.


    Although Xing Peng had gained supreme honor and admiration from many in his generation, to those who were too old to participate in the trials, they did not acknowledge him much. Many didn''t even bother to watch the trial competition on the day.


    Hearing their discussions, Xing Peng coldly smiled to himself. Five stairs? Impossible. He, Xing Peng, never does things without assurance.


    "Whish! Whish! Whish!" Almost as soon as he thought about it, he rapidly took three steps forward, and at the same time, a surge of sword Qi burst forth from him, slicing through the pressing force and charging towards the stairs, reaching the peak in the blink of an eye and then entering the fourth level.


    "Uh..."


    Those who witnessed this scene were dumbfounded, their mouths agape as if they had seen a ghost.


    Although they hadn''t had much contact with Xing Peng, who didn''t know that just over a month ago, Xing Peng couldn''t practice martial arts? Yet, in just over a month, he had stormed into the fourth level of the Martial Tower.


    That was a level meant for Heaven Level martial artists.


    As for Xing Qingcheng, his liver-colored face turned deathly pale upon witnessing this scene, and as his complexion changed, his back was drenched in cold sweat. His scolding of Xing Peng wasn''t to converse with him but seeing such a junior recklessly attempting to enter the fourth level annoyed him, hence his treatment of Xing Peng.


    He thought, even if Xing Peng had won the first place in the trials, his strength must be much less compared to his. If Xing Qingcheng hadn''t just turned over twenty this year, how could he let Xing Peng shine so brightly on the day of the trial?


    But unexpectedly, Xing Peng managed to enter the fourth level so surprisingly, leaving him shocked and frightened. Thankfully, the Martial Tower prohibits fighting, or else he might have tried to handle Xing Peng himself, which would have been humiliating for him, Xing Qingcheng.


    "How strong is Xing Peng to be able to break into the fourth level?"


    Just as Xing Peng entered the fourth level, the old man dozing off on the first floor of the Martial Tower suddenly raised his head, a look of surprise in his eyes.


    "This kid is interesting. I must have misjudged him before!"


    ...


    On the fourth level of the Martial Tower, there were about a dozen orbs floating in the air, colorful and beautiful. The moment Xing Peng arrived on the fourth level, these orbs caught his attention.


    From these orbs, Xing Peng could clearly feel an aura belonging to Heaven Level or higher warriors, suggesting that obtaining secret manuals from these orbs wouldn''t be easy.


    Approaching the orbs, a sudden pressure enveloped Xing Peng, stronger than the pressure he felt stepping on the stairs, causing him to frantically circulate his Profound Qi within his body.

 Chapter 23: Advancing Again

    Looking at the orb in front of him, Xing Peng braved the pressure and approached one of the orbs, then reached out to touch it.


    As soon as he touched the orb, it emitted an incredibly dazzling light, followed by a massive spiritual pressure assaulting Xing Peng''s body, making his blood boil.


    "Can this orb actually check bloodlines?" Xing Peng, touching the orb, revealed a hint of astonishment in his eyes. Such a method, Xing Peng knew from his previous life, was something many major families or sects in ancient times had, but by the age of decline, these methods to detect bloodlines had long vanished. Unexpectedly, in this foreign world, he encountered such methods.


    As Xing Peng marveled, an even more astonishing scene unfolded before him. The orb, originally only as big as a human head, suddenly revealed a light screen over a meter wide, densely packed with text.


    "Fire Cloud Step! Heaven Level body technique martial arts!" This was a fire-attribute body technique martial arts. According to the text, when practitioners deployed this technique, it was as if they were stepping on fire clouds, making the practitioner''s movements unpredictable and mysterious.


    "Damn!" Xing Peng, looking at the records of this technique, his pupils suddenly shrank. Deploying this technique could actually make a practitioner seem like they were stepping on fire clouds. Damn it, this was almost like the immortals from legends. Ordinary people, upon seeing someone stepping on fire clouds, would surely think they had witnessed a descent of an immortal!


    "What a pity this is a fire-attribute body technique martial arts. If it were a water-based or another type of technique, I might have been able to learn it!" Xing Peng lamented and shook his head. His body was of the Shadow God Vein type, and although the ''Elemental Storm'' had now resolved the coldness, he still could not learn this fire-attribute technique. Learning such a technique would not only bring no benefits to himself but would also cause a conflict of attributes.


    However, Xing Peng, although he could not learn this technique, still memorized it in his mind before moving on to the next orb. To his disappointment, it was another fire-attribute technique secret manual, and this manual was also a Heaven Level high-rank manual. Although the power of this Heaven Level high-rank manual was much greater than other Heaven Level manuals, it was still of no use to Xing Peng.


    On the fourth floor of the Martial Tower, there were a total of eighteen secret manuals. As Xing Peng looked through them, he soon memorized all eighteen manuals. Although the text of these martial arts was very profound, Xing Peng did not feel the slightest difficulty in memorizing them.


    If others discovered this, they would be greatly shocked. In this world, there were people with photographic memory, but even those with such a gift would not think of easily memorizing all eighteen Heaven Level manuals.


    Any Heaven Level manual had a mysterious aura. Ordinary people, upon seeing the manual, would feel as if they were looking at heavenly secret manuals. If you could not comprehend the manual, even if you had a photographic memory, the content memorized would become muddled, leaving you clueless and quickly forgotten. But Xing Peng truly memorized them and would absolutely not forget!


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    After looking through the eighteen manuals on the fourth floor, Xing Peng felt somewhat disappointed. The Martial Tower''s eighteen manuals, although almost all of Heaven Level, had thirteen of them being fire-attribute technique manuals, leaving Xing Peng only to look but unable to practice.


    Besides these thirteen fire-attribute manuals, there were five others: the saber technique manual ''Startling Thunder Chop,'' the leg technique manual ''Thunder Dragon Leg,'' and ''Earth Dragon Gang Qi,'' ''All Wood Rejuvenation,'' and ''Mountain Striking Palm.''


    The first thirteen manuals, Xing Peng could not practice due to fear of conflict with the Profound Qi inside his body, but the last five manuals posed no such obstacles for him.


    After memorizing all the techniques, Xing Peng''s gaze turned towards the staircase leading to the fifth floor. Although he had obtained eighteen Heaven Level manuals, Xing Peng was not satisfied; he wanted to try and see if he could obtain even better techniques.


    Looking at the staircase leading to the fifth floor, Xing Peng hesitated for a moment, then walked towards it. As he gradually approached the fifth-floor staircase, a terrifying aura fell upon him, making his blood flow backwards, and even the Profound Qi inside his body showed signs of being suppressed. Seeing this, Xing Peng stopped in his tracks, looked solemnly at the staircase, then turned and walked towards a practice room on the side, entering a practice room with no one inside. With his current strength, the fifth floor was temporarily unreachable.


    As soon as he entered the practice room, his starry eyes suddenly lit up. The practice room was filled with a vast amount of Heaven and Earth Vital Energy, far stronger than outside. Moreover, there was a jade bed inside the practice room.


    "Damn it! This is a practice room? No wonder the practice rooms in the clan have always been highly anticipated. I didn''t expect that the practice room on the fourth floor not only had richer Vital Energy than outside, but it also had such a grand setup!"


    Seeing the white jade bed, Xing Peng did not hesitate for a moment and immediately sat down on it, then began to circulate his inner techniques. Instantly, a massive amount of Heaven and Earth Vital Energy rushed into Xing Peng''s body like a tide, at a frightening speed, allowing Xing Peng to clearly feel his strength increasing.


    Furthermore, as these Vital Energies surged in, Xing Peng''s strength, which had reached the late Earth Level, also showed signs of loosening, advancing towards the peak of the late Earth Level. Just as his realm stepped into the peak of the late Earth Level, the cold Qi within his seven meridians and eight channels surged towards his dantian, joining the ranks of Profound Qi, significantly boosting his internal power.


    "In just over a month, to think that in just this short time, my strength is about to return to before I came to this world! Reaching the peak of the late Earth Level. The Innate realm, for me, is no longer a difficult feat..."


    Xing Peng laughed excitedly. In his previous life, it took him over a decade to reach the Innate realm, and now, in just over a month, his strength was almost caught up. This pace truly delighted him.


    Moreover, because he had reached the Innate realm in his previous life, although it was only for a brief moment, this gave him the experience to advance into the Innate realm again. Given some more time, he was completely confident he could return to the Innate realm.


    In the circle of martial artists, many people were stuck above the Innate realm, because advancing to the Innate realm is not only about strength but also about insight. Most people spend their entire lives unable to comprehend the mysteries of the Innate realm. But now, for Xing Peng, this was not a problem at all.

 Chapter 24: Bathing and Changing Clothes

    Due to the trial at White Tiger Academy officially starting the day after tomorrow, Xing Peng, staying in the cultivation room, dared not attempt prolonged meditation. Instead, he planned to cultivate here for two days before going out.


    While he was in the cultivation room, Xing Kuangfeng was searching everywhere for Xing Peng. When he finally learned that Xing Peng had entered the fourth floor of the Martial Tower, his face looked terrible, and his heart was filled with shock and awe.


    "Xing Peng actually entered the fourth floor of the Martial Tower, this... this is simply unbelievable! In just a short month, how could his strength have increased so quickly!"


    He clenched his fists tightly, feeling a strong killing intent towards Xing Peng. Today, after meeting with Old Black, he made another trip to Heavenly Extremity Peak, conducting a thorough search. At the summit of Heavenly Extremity Peak, he found numerous claw marks left by Xing Peng practicing the ''Nine Yin God Claw''. From those claw marks, Xing Kuangfeng vaguely guessed something - Xing Peng''s martial arts might not have been from discovering some treasure but were taught by someone.


    Otherwise, Xing Peng would definitely not be practicing martial arts at the summit of Heavenly Extremity Peak. When he sent Xing Peng to the summit of Heavenly Extremity Peak, he was certain Xing Peng knew no martial arts at all. As for how Xing Kuangfeng recognized those claw marks as caused by Xing Peng''s martial arts practice, it was because Xing Peng had once used such claw techniques during the family''s trials.


    "What to do, what should I do now! Now that Xing Peng is meditating inside the Martial Tower, it''s impossible for me to uncover his secrets from him. His rise has been too sudden, and no one knows anything about him, making it impossible for me to investigate him..." Xing Kuangfeng''s expression was very gloomy, his brows twitching constantly as various thoughts spun in his mind, eventually leading him to sigh in resignation.


    He dared not storm the Martial Tower, and as for sending someone to assassinate Xing Peng inside the Martial Tower, that was even more impossible. If Xing Peng hadn''t gone to the fourth floor, he might have had a chance to have someone kill Xing Peng. But now that Xing Peng had gone to the fourth floor, his chances were slim.


    To enter the fourth floor of the Martial Tower, one must at least possess the strength of the late stage of the Earth Level. Although he had been lurking in the Xing family for years, he had not built up any base of support within the Xing family and had always kept a low profile, lacking the manpower to dispatch. If it weren''t for the sudden mission to kill Xing Peng at Heavenly Extremity Peak, he wouldn''t have encountered such trouble.


    "It seems, no matter what, I must leave the Xing family this time. Once Xing Peng grows up, my end will surely be miserable..."


    Although Xing Kuangfeng''s strength had reached the Heaven Level, his strength was not the most top-notch among the Xing family. He did not dare to break the rules of the Martial Tower.


    Over the years, lurking in the Xing family, Xing Kuangfeng had understood that the most dangerous place in the Xing family was indeed the Martial Tower. Despite only being manned by an old man, no one dared to act recklessly in the Martial Tower.


    In over a decade, Xing Kuangfeng had once witnessed the unimpressive old man take action once, and after that, he became wary of the old man.


    At that time, Xing Kuangfeng saw with his own eyes the old man kill a Heaven Level late-stage martial artist who had sneaked into the Martial Tower with a single palm strike. That was a Heaven Level late-stage martial artist, much stronger than him, a mid-stage Heaven Level martial artist.


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    If even a late-stage Heaven Level martial artist could be killed by the old man, Xing Kuangfeng, a mid-stage Heaven Level martial artist, dared not act recklessly in the Martial Tower. If he dared to cause trouble in the Martial Tower, he was sure he wouldn''t be able to leave the Martial Tower alive.


    The next day, in the afternoon.


    Xing Peng came out of the Martial Tower. As he walked out, anyone who saw him looked at him differently. Although Xing Peng had already shocked many by winning first place in the family''s trials, causing his generation and some family servants to worship him, many direct descendants of the Xing family over twenty years old were still indifferent.


    However, now that the news of Xing Peng entering the fourth floor of the Martial Tower had spread within the family, everything had changed. Being able to enter the fourth floor was enough to prove Xing Peng''s strength was not inferior to the previous generation of the Xing family''s direct descendants. Not only was he not inferior, but he was also much stronger than most of them, putting pressure on them. Some people who previously did not pay much attention to Xing Peng had to reconsider Xing Peng''s position in their hearts.


    Xing Peng did not pay much attention to the attitudes of the people around him. After two days of meditation, his strength had improved significantly. Now, he had fully entered the peak of the late Earth Level, on the verge of breaking through to the Heaven Level at any moment.


    "Xing Peng, you''re finally out. If you hadn''t come out, I would have had to send someone in to call you!" As soon as Xing Peng stepped out of the Martial Tower, a young man in black clothes approached him. This person was named Xing Tianyi.


    "What do you want?" Xing Peng stopped and looked indifferently at Xing Tianyi. He had not had much contact with this Xing Tianyi in the past.


    "The family head asked me to call you to see him." Xing Tianyi said sharply.


    "To see him?" A trace of confusion flashed in Xing Peng''s eyes, then he nodded and said, "Got it, I''ll go there in a bit." After saying that, he left Xing Tianyi behind and walked back to his own courtyard.


    Back in his courtyard, his personal maid, Xiao Yue, was sitting beside a stone table in the garden, propping her chin with her jade hand, staring blankly at a rockery not far away.


    When Xing Peng approached, Xiao Yue immediately woke up, stood up respectfully, and greeted him with joy, "Young Master, you''re back!"


    "Yep! Go and prepare some hot water for me. I need a bath!" Xing Peng nodded and smiled.


    "Yes, Xiao Yue will prepare it for the young master right away. Please wait a moment..." Xiao Yue nodded excitedly, then dashed off.


    Seeing this, Xing Peng smiled wryly, feeling increasingly sentimental about the rules of this world. The personal maid arranged for him by the Xing family now, Xiao Yue, was not only beautiful but also had reached the mid Human Level in strength. If in his previous life, a beauty like Xiao Yue knew about the martial arts Xing Peng practiced, let alone serving Xing Peng, she wouldn''t even be interested in talking more with Xing Peng. Yet, in this world, she became his maid.


    After only a short wait, Xiao Yue, along with others carrying hot water and a bath tub, arrived at Xing Peng''s room. After the servants had set everything up, Xiao Yue sent them away.


    "Young Master, do you need me to help you scrub your back?" Xiao Yue shyly looked at Xing Peng, her eyes filled with a hint of anticipation.


    Xing Peng glanced at Xiao Yue, originally intending to shake his head, but upon seeing the look of anticipation in Xiao Yue''s eyes, he eventually nodded. Following Xing Peng''s nod, Xiao Yue actively began to help him undress.


    Speaking of which, this was the first time Xing Peng had been served by someone since he had memories. In the past, because his father was not often at home, no one really treated him seriously, and he had never been served by anyone. Such treatment, which was most normal for young masters of ordinary families, was something he had never experienced.


    As Xiao Yue undressed him, a blush involuntarily crept onto Xing Peng''s handsome face, making him feel somewhat self-mocking.


    In his previous life, he was an old virgin, and in this life, he was still a novice. This treatment was indeed a first for him.


    In an awkward state for Xing Peng, Xiao Yue quickly stripped him of his clothes, then served Xing Peng into the bath tub. As Xing Peng entered the large bath tub, Xiao Yue suddenly did something that made Xing Peng''s pupils contract.


    Xiao Yue suddenly untied her belt, then with a slight effort of her delicate hands, her dress slid to the ground, revealing her exquisite, smooth, and fair body. Underneath her dress, she wore nothing at all.

 Chapter 25: Mandarin duck bath

    "Glug!" Xing Peng swallowed hard, staring dumbfounded at the shy and infinitely charming young beauty in front of him, her allure fully revealed. Although he, Xing Peng, was not a guardian of morality, suddenly facing such a situation, he still found himself at a loss.


    As a man, to say he felt nothing in such a situation would definitely be a lie, but everything happened too suddenly, leaving Xing Peng pleasantly surprised.


    After Xiao Yue slipped off her dress, she didn''t give Xing Peng much time to imagine, her body suddenly flashed, and then she turned into a fragrant breeze and fell into Xing Peng''s bathtub, her body pressing tightly against his.


    Had it not been for Xiao Yue¡¯s body involuntarily trembling as she pressed against him, indicating perhaps her first time, Xing Peng would find it hard to believe that a beauty experiencing this for the first time could be so bold.


    "Master Xing Peng, is it okay to take Xiao Yue?" Xiao Yue asked with a flushed face, shyly looking at Xing Peng. Her eyelashes trembled lightly, and her body pressed tightly against Xing Peng, letting him clearly feel Xiao Yue''s rapidly beating heart.


    "Why would you do this?" Xing Peng, recovering from his shock, asked seriously, looking at Xiao Yue.


    "Xiao Yue is the master''s personal maid, and I belong to the master. With the master''s strength, you will surely be able to join White Tiger Academy this time. If I don''t seize this opportunity, I will inevitably be abandoned by the master! I don''t want to regret it later," Xiao Yue said nervously, biting her lip.


    Hearing this, Xing Peng felt enlightened, understanding why she would do such a thing. It seems what she was concerned about was the quota for entering White Tiger Academy with him.


    White Tiger Academy conducts large-scale admissions every three years. Anyone who can enter White Tiger Academy will receive generous cultivation resources. For these students entering White Tiger Academy, each has the quota to bring two maids into the academy. Although the maids don''t enjoy the same generous cultivation resources as the regular students, they will also receive training. Therefore, every time White Tiger Academy begins its recruitment, there will always be people secretly competing for these slots to enter White Tiger Academy.


    Xing Peng originally had no intention of bringing anyone with him to enter White Tiger Academy. However, now that such a thing had happened, he let it be. After all, bringing a maid into White Tiger Academy was not a bad thing; at least there would be someone to help him manage his daily life there. Although Xiao Yue did this with her ambitions, with such a beauty voluntarily offering herself, Xing Peng would not insist on playing the gentleman.


    "I am satisfied with your honesty; let''s leave it at this time. If I can enter White Tiger Academy, I will naturally take you with me. However, I hope that you do not do this again without my permission in the future. I don''t really like women with too much ambition¡­" Xing Peng placed his hand on Xiao Yue''s delicate face, warning her.


    "Xiao Yue understands, I will definitely not do this again in the future!" Xiao Yue''s tense heart suddenly relaxed, genuinely afraid that Xing Peng would not take her into White Tiger Academy but instead directly kick her out. Xiao Yue started to obediently serve Xing Peng in his bath.


    This bath Xing Peng took was much slower than usual, feeling extremely comfortable under the beauty''s service. A pair of small hands gently slid over his bare back, helping him scrub his back with skillful moves, scrubbing from the back to the front, showcasing a body that was indeed very robust. Under her gentle touch, his bare skin became exceptionally sensitive.


    A surge of emotion overwhelmed him, and Xing Peng could not restrain himself. With a sudden pull, water splashed everywhere, accompanied by a soft cry, a delicate body was embraced, Xiao Yue''s skin was also particularly smooth, Xing Peng touched a slippery spot, slowly adjusting her body in the water, approaching slowly. The water in the pool stirred up ripples, gradually expanding. He enjoyed the immense pleasure, Xiao Yue''s eyebrows tightly furrowed, her lips bitten hard, and a trace of blood quietly floated in the water. The moisture in the pool effectively concealed Xiao Yue''s dryness, and her blood made her first time go so smoothly.


    Such an enchanting bath, Xing Peng felt as blissful as an emperor until the water turned cold, and he still could not bear to get up, while Xiao Yue was already weak, her long, wet hair revealing her infinitely charming face, Xing Peng finally couldn''t help but kiss her, her lips so sweet.


    After the bath, with Xiao Yue''s assistance, Xing Peng dressed and then left the separate courtyard triumphantly, heading towards where Xing Tianjue was.


    After such an event, Xing Peng had a deeper understanding of the martial power in this world. The glory and beauty that could be enjoyed behind powerful martial power were enough to make most people unable to resist this temptation.


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    Half a tea time later, Xing Peng arrived at the hall where Xing Tianjue was. When Xing Peng arrived at the hall, the guards at the door did not stop him at all and directly let Xing Peng into the hall.


    After entering the hall, Xing Peng saw Xing Tianjue sitting in the hall drinking tea and chatting with several supreme elders.


    "Xing Peng pays his respects to Uncle and all the supreme elders!" Xing Peng said respectfully. Although Xing Peng had reached the late peak of the Earth Level, it was precisely because he had cultivated to this realm that he understood the strength of the people sitting in front of him.


    Based on Xing Peng''s vague perception, the three supreme elders sitting there all had the strength to easily kill him, standing in front of them, Xing Peng deeply felt the pressure.


    "Find a chair and sit down!" Xing Tianjue glanced at Xing Peng, a hint of satisfaction rising in his eyes.


    "Um!" Although Xing Peng felt the pressure, he was not too restrained and directly went to an empty seat and sat down. Technically, when the family head and supreme elders were together, the younger generation actually had no right to sit, but Xing Peng didn''t care about that.


    Seeing Xing Peng behaving like this, Xing Tianjue and the supreme elders beside him all showed surprise in their eyes. They had seen Xing Peng before, and although Xing Peng was also dissatisfied with the family, and did not have much reverence for these family elders, he had never been so casual before.


    "Xing Peng, do you know why I called you here?" Xing Tianjue''s eyes narrowed, and he asked in a deep voice.


    "I don''t know."


    "Really don''t know?"


    "Really don''t know." Xing Peng frowned slightly and then shook his head. He really didn''t know why his uncle had called him here. According to the rules of the Xing family, the top ten chosen before the trial of White Tiger Academy should not be disturbed.


    "Since you don''t know, then let me tell you, it''s about Xing Kuangfeng," Xing Tianjue said solemnly.


    "Is it him! Uncle, did you find out it was indeed him who wanted to kill me?" Xing Peng stood up abruptly, although he had not been thinking about Xing Kuangfeng these past two days, it did not mean he had forgotten about it.


    "It''s not that we found out he wanted to kill you. However, Xing Kuangfeng has suddenly disappeared," Xing Tianjue pondered.


    "Disappeared?! How could he disappear! Uncle, this is obviously clear. He is simply fleeing from crime!" Xing Peng''s eyes flashed with surprise, then he spoke indignantly.


    "We can''t conclude that for now. After all, Xing Kuangfeng has only disappeared for a day. Maybe he will appear again tomorrow," Xing Tianjue said.


    "If that''s the case, uncle, I hope I can get the answer I want after I join White Tiger Academy," Xing Peng sighed in disappointment and then prepared to walk out of the hall.


    "Wait!" Xing Tianjue stopped Xing Peng.


    "Uncle, is there anything else?" Xing Peng stopped, turned around, and spoke in a very cold tone. After suffering so much these years, of course, he couldn''t change all of a sudden.


    "What are you in such a hurry for! I know, I have indeed wronged you these years, making you suffer a lot. However, Xing Peng, you have to understand, our Xing family''s rules have always been survival of the fittest, only the strong can enjoy resources. The previous you, completely unable to practice martial arts, I simply couldn''t be too nice to you. Once I was nice to you, other members of the family would inevitably talk¡­" Xing Tianjue said.


    "Uncle, stop talking, I don''t want to hear any excuses. How you treated me before, I can only blame myself for not being strong enough!" Xing Peng coldly pursed his lips, then quickened his steps and left the hall in a blink of an eye. Although he had already understood the rules of this world, hearing Xing Tianjue''s words, he still felt choked up inside.


    Seeing Xing Peng leave angrily, Xing Tianjue and the others exchanged glances, a hint of helplessness rising on their faces.


    In the past, because Xing Peng himself could not practice martial arts, and also because his father disappeared because of him, Xing Tianjue and others had grievances against Xing Peng, treating him poorly. Now, Xing Peng suddenly showed such strong combat power and potential, which really surprised Xing Tianjue and others, wanting to start making amends, but the relationship was not so easy to repair.


    "Uncles, what do you think we should do now? These years, because of my coldness, Xing Peng probably doesn''t have much sense of belonging to the family," Xing Tianjue looked at the supreme elders beside him seriously and asked respectfully.


    "Xing Peng is worthy of being Fei Tian''s son. With the potential he has shown now, his joining White Tiger Academy is almost a certainty. After all, he has already been able to enter the fourth floor of the Martial Tower. With such combat power, not to mention joining White Tiger Academy, it''s possible for him to enter the top one hundred before the trial..." A supreme elder dressed in a bright red robe sipped his tea lightly, speaking indifferently without answering Xing Tianjue''s question. This person, named Xing Tiandao, possessed mid-Sky-Breaking Level strength and was a very prestigious existence in the Xing family.


    "Yes, I think so too. Xing Peng standing in front of us, with my strength, I actually can''t see through him. Just for this point, his future is limitless," Xing Tiandao''s companion, Xing Ruming, followed suit. His face was thin, and he looked as if a gust of wind could blow him away, also a Sky-Breaking Level martial artist.


    "Tianjue, don''t worry too much about Xing Peng. Don''t forget who Xing Peng''s father is. Although I haven''t paid much attention to Xing Peng these years, his admiration for his father, I have seen in my eyes. Just for this point, even if he has grievances against our Xing family, he won''t easily leave the Xing family. As long as you handle things fairly in the future, there naturally won''t be any problems."


    The last supreme elder, dressed in white and with a distinguished demeanor, Xing Tianxin, finished his tea in one gulp, glanced at Xing Tianjue, then stood up and disappeared from the room in a blink of an eye. Following Xing Tianxin''s disappearance, Xing Tiandao and Xing Ruming also quickly used their fast movement techniques and disappeared from the hall.


    Seeing this, Xing Tianjue sighed helplessly.

 Chapter 26: The Stunning Beauty

    "This damn old thing actually ran away. Don¡¯t let me find you because once I do, I will definitely make your death ugly!" Xing Peng walked out of the great hall, muttering through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with murderous intent.


    Tomorrow is the last day of the White Tiger Academy trial, and after this, it''s uncertain when he could return to Gu Mu City. Although Xing Peng doesn¡¯t have much affection for Gu Mu City, it is, after all, his birthplace. Thus, after stepping out of the great hall, Xing Peng headed outside the Xing family residence.


    Gu Mu City hadn¡¯t changed much with the arrival of the White Tiger Academy trial recruitment. Ordinary citizens were still living their normal lives. Stepping out from the Xing family, the bustling streets filled with a stream of horses and carriages entered Xing Peng¡¯s view, all appearing peaceful and harmonious.


    Walking around Gu Mu City aimlessly, driven purely by instinct, Xing Peng eventually arrived at a tavern that was quite famous in Gu Mu City¡ªthe Drunken Immortal Residence.


    When Xing Peng arrived at the Drunken Immortal Residence, it was already packed with people. Although it wasn¡¯t yet time for dinner, there were hardly any seats left.


    After entering the Drunken Immortal Residence, Xing Peng looked around and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. Although he knew of the tavern''s fame, he had never visited it because it was often the site of trouble. The tavern didn¡¯t prohibit fighting, and it was common for wandering martial artists to engage in deadly battles here. Anyone wishing to enter had to assess their own strength carefully; those not strong enough might end up dying there.


    But now that Xing Peng had actually stepped into the Drunken Immortal Residence, it wasn¡¯t as chaotic as he had imagined. The entire place was more elegant than a tea house, and the patrons, who were eating and drinking in the great hall, were not making a single shout, making it hard to believe that this was indeed a tavern.


    Moreover, what surprised Xing Peng was that the tavern had no attendants to serve the guests. Customers had to go to the kitchen themselves to get whatever food or drink they wanted.


    "Dizzy!" This was by far the tavern with the worst service attitude and the strangest rules that Xing Peng had ever seen. Where else would you find a tavern operating in such a manner? Although this world doesn¡¯t adhere to the principle of the customer being god, having customers fetch their own food and drinks from the kitchen was quite displeasing. Despite such rules, the place was still packed, which was incredibly unbelievable.


    "This Drunken Immortal Residence is really bizarre. With such service, there are still so many people dining here. Ridiculous, isn¡¯t this purely masochistic?" After looking around, Xing Peng turned to leave the Drunken Immortal Residence. Although he found it odd that the tavern had such poor service yet was still crowded, such a tavern was not to his liking.


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    However, just as Xing Peng was about to turn around and walk out, the entire tavern suddenly fell silent. A stunningly beautiful woman dressed in a white glaze long dress walked out from one of the rooms, attracting the gaze of everyone present.


    She seemed like a fairy walking out from a dream world. Every step she took seemed to tread on the hearts of those around her, causing their hearts to beat uncontrollably.


    She had a face that could cause the downfall of a nation, with curved eyelashes like crescent moons; her standard oval face had beautiful eyes filled with deep pools, capturing the gaze of every man she unintentionally glanced at.


    When this woman appeared, Xing Peng understood why the tavern had such poor service and yet still attracted patrons¡ªbecause it housed a fairy-like beauty.


    The lady in white noticed the reaction of the people around her and smiled faintly. With that smile, the entire tavern seemed to melt, intoxicating everyone who saw it. Everyone who saw her smile couldn¡¯t help but want to go mad for her.


    Even Xing Peng, upon seeing the lady in white smile, felt his heart uncontrollably racing, the beats so rapid it was frightening, as if it would jump out of his chest.


    "Hands soft as tender shoots, skin like creamy jade, neck like graceful silk, teeth like polished ivory, forehead like a moth¡¯s eyebrows. A charming smile so lovely, beautiful eyes so moving." Xing Peng mused to himself that, despite having seen many beauties in the modern society of his previous life, the sight of this woman still made his heart tremble.


    An ancient saying goes, one smile could captivate a city, another could captivate a nation.


    Previously, Xing Peng didn¡¯t believe that there could be such stunning beauties in the world, but now, seeing the woman before him, he had to accept this fact.


    This beauty, she seemed like she had walked out of a painting, making one involuntarily rise to the thought of abandoning all wealth and kingdoms just for her smile.


    "Have you all looked enough? Haven¡¯t you hurried to withdraw your gazes yet? Whoever keeps looking, I will gouge out his eyes!" Just as everyone¡¯s gaze was fixed on the lady in white, a sharp reprimand suddenly came from beside her. Following this voice, Xing Peng realized that there was another woman standing beside the lady in white, dressed in red and holding a fiery red long sword.


    This lady in red, even if she appeared alone before everyone, would be considered a top beauty, not to the extent of causing the downfall of a nation but definitely a stunning beauty. However, because the lady in white appeared suddenly and had such a significant impact, everyone had overlooked the presence of the lady in red. It was only after the lady in red spoke that people shifted their attention to her.


    Immediately, most people withdrew their gazes. As they did, their expressions changed involuntarily, and a trace of nervousness appeared in their eyes.


    Xing Peng was even more puzzled, eyeing the lady in red with suspicion. Although this woman possessed the strength of the early Earth Level, it shouldn¡¯t make the people around so wary of her.


    "I already said, whoever keeps looking, I will gouge out his eyes. You, the guy in the blue clothes, why are you still looking! Are you provoking me?" The lady in red suddenly shouted at Xing Peng, and as she scolded, two silver flashes shot towards Xing Peng¡¯s eyes with lightning speed, almost reaching him in the blink of an eye.


    In a split second, Xing Peng swiftly waved his right hand, executing ¡®Spirit Finger¡¯ to catch the two silver flashes in his hand. After capturing the silver flashes, Xing Peng¡¯s expression darkened as he glared at the lady in red, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes. If not for his quick reflexes and the ability to execute ¡®Spirit Finger,¡¯ a normal person would have been blinded by her sudden attack. Such a method was extremely malicious.

 Chapter 27: Testing

    And that woman in red, seeing Xing Peng so effortlessly catching the hidden weapon she had thrown with his hand, a hint of astonishment flashed through her eyes. The hidden weapon she used was named ¡®Sorrow Soul Nail,¡¯ even a Heaven Level expert would not easily catch such a weapon with their hands, yet this young man in blue was able to catch her attack, which truly surprised her.


    However, even though she was surprised, the anger in her eyes did not subside. Almost at the instant Xing Peng caught her hidden weapon, she suddenly broke away from the woman in white, and with a wave of her right hand, another hidden weapon was launched towards Xing Peng.


    Moreover, as this hidden weapon was launched, she waved her right hand repeatedly, sending seven similar hidden weapons, one after the other, towards Xing Peng, covering all his directions.


    ¡°Tss, tss!¡± A cold light flashed in Xing Peng¡¯s eyes, and he used both hands to execute the ¡®Spirit Finger¡¯ to meet those incoming hidden weapons. Although the method used by the woman in red to launch the hidden weapons was unique, Xing Peng still easily caught them in his hands. After catching the hidden weapons, without waiting for the woman in red to attack again, he, without saying a second word, threw the hidden weapons back at the woman in red with a ¡®Scattered Flower Rain¡¯ technique, causing all the hidden weapons to reach the woman in red in the blink of an eye, changing her complexion dramatically and a hint of terror appeared in her eyes.


    The ¡®Scattered Flower Rain¡¯ technique used by Xing Peng is also an ancient martial art of Earth. Although he had not specifically practiced hidden weapons before, the power displayed when he executed this technique was very terrifying.


    ¡°Tss, tss!¡± A large number of ¡®Sorrow Soul Nails¡¯ tore through the air, producing a harsh sound, causing everyone who heard this sound to feel a surge of fear.


    Just as the woman in red was about to be killed by Xing Peng¡¯s attack, the woman in white, who was originally smiling, suddenly waved her sleeve lightly. Her sleeve seemed like a meteor shower spilling out, instantly enveloping all the ¡®Sorrow Soul Nails¡¯ together, saving the woman in red from the crisis.


    Seeing the woman in white make a move, Xing Peng¡¯s brows suddenly knitted together. Although this woman in white was very beautiful, her protective behavior made Xing Peng somewhat displeased. His right hand moved slightly, ready to execute ¡®The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms¡¯ to attack the woman in red again. Xing Peng has never been kind to anyone who dares to kill him.


    ¡°Sir, please stop!¡± The woman in white suddenly spoke up.


    ¡°Why should I stop!¡± Xing Peng glanced at the woman in white, slightly suppressed his palm force, coldly pursed his lips, then asked in a deep voice, ¡°And who might she be to you?¡±


    ¡°XiaoHong is my maidservant. She did not intend to target sir earlier, please forgive XiaoHong¡¯s recklessness,¡± the woman in white said gently, her voice melodious and captivating.


    ¡°Miss¡­¡± The woman in red exclaimed upon hearing this.


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    ¡°Shut up, and quickly apologize to this sir!¡± the woman in white glared at the woman in red.


    After hearing this, the woman in red pouted, then glared fiercely at Xing Peng, her eyes clearly conveying a warning, as if to say if you dare make me apologize, I¡¯ll fight you on the spot.


    ¡°Let her apologize? Forget it, I still want to live a few more years! If you, miss, truly wish to apologize, then please invite me to drink alone,¡± Xing Peng shrugged his shoulders, dissolving the Profound Qi in his hands.


    ¡°Bah! Who do you think you are? It¡¯s delusional of you to think that. Let me tell you, with your status, you¡¯re not worthy to drink with our miss!¡± Before the woman in white could speak, XiaoHong, like a snake whose tail was stepped on, jumped up.


    ¡°Yo, it¡¯s just a drink, and even that¡¯s considered delusional? Alright, then today, I, Xing Peng, am indeed delusional! Today, if your miss does not accompany me for a drink, then this matter cannot end like this,¡± Xing Peng looked at the woman in red with a rascally expression, really having no good impression of this malicious girl.


    ¡°You dare!¡± The pupils of the woman in red shrank, and then with a slight release of Profound Qi from her left hand holding the sword, ¡®clang¡¯, she pushed out most of the sword¡¯s blade. The moment the blade was pushed out, a terrifying sword Qi was released, instantly creating a storm, making the atmosphere in the entire tavern oppressive.


    ¡°Stop, you girl, always causing trouble for me!¡± the woman in white suddenly waved her left hand lightly, brushing the drawn sword in the woman in red¡¯s hand back, then tapped the woman in red¡¯s forehead with a scold.


    ¡°Ow! Miss, why are you hitting me! It was him who was rude first!¡± XiaoHong cried out in pain, looking innocently at the woman in white, tears sparkling in her eyes.


    ¡°Still talking, if it wasn¡¯t for your rash actions, how could things have turned out like this? I¡¯ve already told you, don¡¯t be too impulsive in your actions, but you just don¡¯t listen. If it wasn¡¯t for this sir¡¯s considerable strength, you would have almost caused a huge disaster,¡± the woman in white said sternly.


    ¡°Why did he keep staring at you, miss? Humph, these men are no good. If they weren¡¯t looking at you, miss, how could I have acted so rashly?¡± XiaoHong still stubbornly said.


    ¡°Forget it, you two stop acting already. Consider me, Xing Peng, unlucky today. Not drinking this wine is fine! But, humph, if there¡¯s a next time, I, Xing Peng, will definitely not hold back!¡± Xing Peng, seeing their act, coldly huffed, then turned around and left the tavern, disappearing in the blink of an eye.


    Although the woman in white was very beautiful, making Xing Peng¡¯s heart flutter, he was very dissatisfied with the woman in white¡¯s testing behavior. These two really treated him, Xing Peng, as a fool. Although Xing Peng could not discern the woman in white¡¯s strength, he vaguely felt pressure from her, so he was certain that the woman in white was at least an early Heaven Level martial artist, otherwise, she could not have easily neutralized his attack.


    With the woman in white¡¯s strength, if she really wanted to stop it, she could have prevented the woman in red¡¯s action, but she chose not to, from which Xing Peng clearly perceived the woman in white¡¯s intention to test him. Therefore, Xing Peng, although puzzled by why the two wanted to test him, no longer wished to stay in the tavern.


    After Xing Peng left, the woman in white and the woman in red exchanged glances, then also left the tavern.


    ¡°Xing Peng! Isn¡¯t he the son of the Carefree King? It seems the rumors were not wrong, the Carefree King¡¯s son, can actually practice martial arts!¡±


    ¡°He is actually Xing Peng, it¡¯s really surprising. He even dared to tease Fairy MingYue, really don¡¯t know what to say about him¡­¡±


    As the three left, the tavern suddenly burst into a buzz. The reason why they had been silent before was entirely because of the woman in white; they all wanted to leave a good impression in front of the woman in white. If not for her, they wouldn¡¯t have been so quiet. Although the rules of the Drunken Immortal Residence were strange, they weren¡¯t strange to the point of prohibiting loud talking.

 Chapter 28: The Mysterious Woman

    "Miss, could you tell what realm that Xing Peng has reached?" XiaoHong asked the woman in white curiously as they walked out of the restaurant.


    The woman in white gently shook her head, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of confusion. "I couldn''t see which realm he has reached."


    "Not see it? That can''t be! Even you, Miss, couldn''t discern Xing Peng''s real strength. Could it be that Xing Peng, after practicing martial arts, surpassed you in just one month?" XiaoHong¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the woman in white.


    "Hehe, who knows! Don''t forget, after all, he is the son of the Carefree King and the Holy Maiden of the Snow Region. With the bloodlines of these two, it''s not impossible for him to suddenly become a super genius," the woman in white said with a smile. Then, she ruffled XiaoHong''s hair, took her hand, and they both used a movement technique that made them appear to shrink the ground beneath their feet, disappearing from the street after a few leaps.


    Xing Peng did not hear the conversation between the woman in white and the woman in red. If he had, he would have been greatly surprised because the woman in white mentioned that his mother was the Holy Maiden of the Snow Region. To know who his mother was, something that even the Xing family didn''t know, was shocking. If Xing Peng had heard this, he would definitely question the identity of the woman in white.


    ...


    After Xing Peng left the restaurant, though he felt somewhat displeased, the stunning visage of the woman in white still lingered in his mind. He wondered, "Who exactly is this beauty, to be so breathtakingly beautiful? I never knew Gu Mu City had such an exquisite person!"


    Although Xing Peng had lived in Gu Mu City for sixteen years, he was actually not very familiar with it. Previously, because he couldn¡¯t practice martial arts, people would point fingers at him once he left the Xing family, so he seldom went out and mostly stayed within the Xing family.


    With curiosity, Xing Peng wandered around Gu Mu City for a bit before returning to the Xing family, then to his own courtyard, and called Xiao Yue over.


    "Xiao Yue, I have something to ask you." Xing Peng sat on a chair, sipping tea poured by Xiao Yue, and asked.


    "What does Young Master wish to ask?" Xiao Yue blinked curiously at Xing Peng. Although they had been intimate once, Xiao Yue understood that their relationship was based on utility, so even though Xing Peng took her in, their relationship wasn¡¯t solid. To firmly secure this relationship, she knew she must serve Xing Peng loyally.


    "Do you know of the Drunken Immortal Residence?" asked Xing Peng.


    "Of course, the Drunken Immortal Residence is very famous in our Gu Mu City," replied Xiao Yue.


    "Then, do you know why Drunken Immortal Residence still attracts so many customers despite its poor service attitude?" asked Xing Peng.


    "Because the Drunken Immortal Residence is owned by Zhuque Academy! Drunken Immortal Residence doesn¡¯t only have a branch in our Gu Mu City; it has branches in many other cities as well," explained Xiao Yue.


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    "Oh? That¡¯s something new. Drunken Immortal Residence is actually owned by Zhuque Academy! That''s unbelievable," Xing Peng exclaimed in surprise, hearing this for the first time.


    "Hehe, I was also shocked when I first heard this news. However, Young Master, I cannot be certain if this rumor is true. I just overheard it," Xiao Yue said.


    "Oh, do you know if there is a stunningly beautiful woman in Drunken Immortal Residence?" Xing Peng inquired.


    "I know!" Xiao Yue nodded.


    "Do you know her identity?" Xing Peng sipped his tea and asked.


    "I¡¯m not too sure about that. It¡¯s said that this woman is very mysterious, even our family head has to show respect when meeting her," Xiao Yue shook her head and said. Curiosity flashed in her eyes as she spoke, showing her strong desire to know more about the woman''s identity.


    "That¡¯s something!" Xing Peng''s eyes sparkled with intrigue.


    "Yes! Indeed, ever since this woman appeared in Gu Mu City, many young masters from various families have been injured at Drunken Immortal Residence. None of the injured young masters dared to trouble that woman afterward. The business of Drunken Immortal Residence has improved a lot because of this woman''s presence," Xiao Yue explained.


    Hearing this, Xing Peng put down his tea cup and pondered, unable to understand why the woman in white would allow the woman in red to test him. Logically, with her mysterious status, she shouldn¡¯t pay attention to him. Although Xing Peng had now reached the late peak stage of the Earth Level, he was still far from his uncle¡¯s level. Even his uncle had to show respect to the woman in white, so what was there about him that warranted her testing?


    After talking to Xiao Yue for a while, Xing Peng did not bring up the matter of the girl in white again. Instead, they casually chatted about the Xing family affairs, with Xing Peng learning many things he didn¡¯t know before.


    During the chat, Xing Peng also gave Xiao Yue some guidance on cultivation and even taught her some good martial arts techniques. Since he had decided to take Xiao Yue to the White Tiger Academy, Xing Peng needed to ensure she wouldn¡¯t be easily bullied.


    Although the White Tiger Academy is a sacred place for martial arts, it is not a safe place. The death rate of students at the White Tiger Academy is as high as ten percent.


    When Xing Peng taught Xiao Yue martial arts, she was extremely excited. Although Xiao Yue also carried the Xing surname, she was from a different lineage and did not have the right to learn the martial arts reserved for the direct descendants of the Xing family. Xing Peng, however, didn¡¯t care about these rules. Since he had memorized all the martial arts below the fifth level of the Martial Tower, it was no big deal for him to teach Xiao Yue some decent Earth Level secrets.


    After receiving Xing Peng¡¯s teachings, Xiao Yue became even more devoted to him. Although the martial arts Xing Peng taught her might not mean much to him, they were already very good for Xiao Yue.


    "Young Master, you are so kind!" Xiao Yue''s face flushed as she looked at Xing Peng, her eyes almost dripping with emotion.


    "What¡¯s there to be kind about? You are my maid, and it¡¯s only right for me to teach you martial arts," Xing Peng shrugged nonchalantly.


    "Young Master, that¡¯s not how you should see it! Other young masters are not as kind as you. Most of them only see us personal maids as tools for venting desires, to be summoned or dismissed at will. Few young masters would teach us profound martial arts like Young Master Xing Peng," Xiao Yue said.


    "Let''s not talk about this anymore. Although I do not agree with such rules, it''s not something I can change. Even I myself am constrained by these rules," Xing Peng said with a bitter smile, touching his nose in resignation.


    Seeing this, Xiao Yue wisely shut her mouth, no longer discussing such matters. After receiving Xing Peng''s guidance, she left the room. As for Xing Peng, after Xiao Yue left, he sat cross-legged on the bed and began to cultivate.


    Tomorrow would be the day of the White Tiger Academy''s trial. Although he was confident that he would definitely be able to join the White Tiger Academy, it was essential to gather energy and store up vitality.

 Chapter 29: The Envoy of White Tiger Academy

    The sun blazed fiercely, scorching as if it intended to char the earth itself, spreading a dry aura all around.


    In Gu Mu City, where the City Lord''s residence was located, many young people were currently assembling in lines here. These youths, all under twenty years of age, radiated an undeniable sharpness. They were the candidates attending the official trial of White Tiger Academy.


    "How much longer until the Spaceship arrives? If it doesn''t come soon, we''ll all be dried up by this scorching sun!" someone in the line complained, glancing anxiously at the blazing sun in the sky.


    "Yeah, we''ve been waiting from morning till noon. Isn''t today supposed to be the official start of the White Tiger Academy trials? Why hasn''t anyone come to pick us up¡­"


    "Could it be, those supposed to pick us up this year have forgotten about us in Gu Mu City?"


    "¡­"


    "Shut up, all of you! What nonsense are you all talking about? How could the envoy possibly forget about us in Gu Mu City? Just wait a bit longer, someone will definitely come!" A loud shout suddenly silenced everyone''s complaints. This came from a middle-aged man dressed in black, wielding a black war saber. His gaze alone was enough to send a chill down the spine of anyone he looked at. This man was the commander of the City Lord''s personal guards, with strength at the late stages of the Heaven Level.


    Standing at the back of the line, Xing Peng, upon hearing the man in black''s shout, couldn''t help but pout, harboring a slight grievance towards the envoy sent by White Tiger Academy to pick them up.


    Damn it, Xing Peng and the other top ten warriors selected from his family, along with members from other families in Gu Mu City, had arrived at the City Lord''s residence early in the morning, expecting to be taken to the White Tiger Academy''s trials before long. Yet, here they were, standing for hours. It was already past lunchtime, and none of them had eaten yet.


    However, despite his complaints, Xing Peng did not express them and remained silently standing, unlike some who had already begun to sway from exhaustion.


    One hour!


    Two hours!


    Three hours!


    ¡­


    This wait turned into most of the day, from morning until the moon had risen, and still, the legendary envoy from White Tiger Academy had not arrived in Gu Mu City.


    The moon was exceptionally round today, its bright moonlight bathing Xing Peng and the others in a serene glow, making them appear peaceful. It was uncertain how many of them would survive after participating in the trials.


    "What the hell is going on? I''ve heard from seniors who participated in the White Tiger Academy trials before that they''ve never had to wait this long. It''s been half a day already, are those envoys coming or not¡­"


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    "Are they just going to leave us hanging? I''m about to die of hunger!"


    "I''m hungry too, haven''t eaten all day!"


    "¡­"


    As the wait prolonged, the young men standing in the courtyard of the City Lord''s residence grew increasingly impatient. Their expressions turned sour, some even had red eyes.


    The trials of White Tiger Academy were already a source of pressure for these young men, and now, with such a delay, their stress and negative emotions erupted.


    Xing Peng, as time passed, was not particularly anxious. He was confident in joining White Tiger Academy, as historically, those who advanced to the Earth Level were almost guaranteed entry. Being a peak Earth Level warrior, he did not worry about elimination.


    Due to the sheer boredom, Xing Peng eventually stopped thinking about the trials and instead stood on the ground, immersing himself in the martial arts he had recently learned.


    "I wonder what kind of masters will be participating in this White Tiger Academy trial. I heard that the top performers could receive incredible items like storage rings, stuff you only see in novels. I must try my best to win such an item this time." Xing Peng set a goal for himself.


    After an indeterminate amount of time, a ''sizzling'' sound suddenly filled the sky. As this sound emerged, those who were nearly asleep woke up, their eyes lighting up with excitement as they looked towards the sky.


    "Finally, they''ve come! These damned envoys have finally arrived."


    In the sky above the City Lord''s residence, a huge Spaceship, resembling an Eastern dragon, swiftly approached. Every young man watching the Spaceship was filled with excitement and fervor.


    Spaceships were among the fastest means of transportation in this world, not something ordinary people could possess. Only large powers on the Lingwu Continent had such vehicles. Even the Xing family, a powerful presence in Gu Mu City, did not own one. Such things were not simply purchasable with money.


    After arriving above the City Lord''s residence, the Spaceship halted, and then, several square holes, each over a meter wide, opened on its underside. Numerous long rope ladders were dropped down, and along with them, more than ten figures flew down from the Spaceship like deities, creating a spectacular scene.


    Although those present had seen people flying before, the sight of these individuals descending from the Spaceship, as large as a city''s main castle, was still awe-inspiring.


    Xing Peng stared at the Spaceship overhead, his first encounter with such a vehicle. The shock he felt was far stronger than that of anyone else.


    "An Spaceship! So, this is what the Spaceships of this world look like!" Although Xing Peng had heard about Spaceships from his great uncle upon arriving at the City Lord''s residence, having never seen one before, he had imagined them to be much cruder.


    The Spaceship before him completely overturned his perceptions. It resembled a divine dragon cruising through the sky, its body emitting a rainbow of lights, exuding a subtle threat. Clearly, this Spaceship was not just for transporting people; it must possess considerable offensive capabilities.


    While Xing Peng observed the Spaceship, the people who had flown down had already landed in the City Lord''s residence, led by three middle-aged men. Each exuded a terrifying aura.


    As they landed, Xing Peng and the others felt a probing sensation, as if all their secrets were laid bare before these three men.


    "We are the envoys here to pick you up. Those who wish to participate in the White Tiger Academy trials, board the Spaceship. You have one minute. Anyone not on the Spaceship in a minute will be disqualified from this trial." One of the middle-aged men, with red hair and a sinister appearance, stepped forward without much introduction and bluntly addressed Xing Peng and the others.


    After speaking, the middle-aged man paid no further attention to Xing Peng and the others, nor to the City Lord and the family elders present, blatantly disregarding them. Yet, the City Lord and the others, despite being ignored, showed no anger, only smiles on their faces.

 Chapter 30: Boarding the Spaceship

    One minute! This is a duration that''s neither long nor short, but almost immediately after the middle-aged man spoke, some quick-witted individuals suddenly dashed out, then sprinted up the rope ladder descending from the spaceship.


    The Xing family, though only sending ten people to participate in the White Tiger Academy''s trial this time, still saw a considerable number from the entire Gu Mu City joining the trial. Looking around, at least five hundred people were vying for the rope ladder. The White Tiger Academy''s trial had indeed begun from this moment.


    The spaceship was tens of thousands of feet above the ground. Climbing up the rope ladder from the ground to the spaceship within a mere minute was undeniably challenging, especially with over five hundred people scrambling for it at the same time, making it even more difficult.


    Xing Peng was among the first wave of swift movers. To him, one minute was not too challenging. With the ¡®Wind Shadow Steps¡¯ technique, he blinked to a section of the rope ladder, then with a tip of his toe, he soared up like an immortal, stepping on the rope ladder. His leap covered dozens of feet, and at the moment he reached the rope ladder, he immediately executed the martial arts technique ¡®Stairway to Heaven¡¯, shooting upwards like a rocket.


    In a few movements, he had far outdistanced the others, drawing an involuntary flash of admiration from the usually stoic red-haired middle-aged man.


    "Ah! I didn''t expect Gu Mu City to produce another remarkable talent this time! I can''t even see through this young man''s strength! I hope he can withstand the trial!"


    The others, also climbing towards the spaceship, were startled by Xing Peng''s speed, staring at him in amazement as if they had seen a ghost.


    "Good heavens, who is that guy, how can he move so fast!"


    "Beast!"


    "Not human!"


    "People said the Xing family''s young master, Xing Peng, had recently shed his reputation as a martial arts failure and become an unparalleled genius! I was somewhat skeptical just now, but looking at him, he''s indeed a monster! Compared to his speed, mine is nothing!" One of the climbers, recognizing him as Xing Peng, grimaced.


    Xing Peng didn''t pay much attention to the shock he had caused. Ever since his previous life, when he hid his strength and ended up miserably traversing, Xing Peng had sworn to live this life brilliantly. Revealing some secrets, as long as they were not his most crucial trump cards, was not a big deal.


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    Undoubtedly, Xing Peng became the first person to board the spaceship. Upon entering, several spaceship staff guided him to a spacious hall, then left him alone.


    When Xing Peng arrived at the hall, he saw many people already there, all of them martial artists under twenty. Each one''s strength was not below the mid Human Level.


    Among these people, Xing Peng was most drawn to a young girl guarded by many, wearing a dark green dress, with delicate features and fair, tender skin, exuding a holy aura, like an elf, invoking an instinctive reverence at first sight.


    While Xing Peng was sizing up these people, they were also scrutinizing him, their eyes filled with surprise, as they couldn''t discern his exact strength level. Moreover, following Xing Peng''s arrival, no one else seemed to have followed him there immediately.


    "Who is this person, how did he get on the spaceship so soon after it landed? According to the time the spaceship stopped, it''s only been fifteen seconds."


    "So strong, this person is definitely a formidable opponent!"


    The onlookers were inwardly shocked, various thoughts flickering through their minds.


    Xing Peng glanced at these people briefly, then walked to a corner and sat down cross-legged.


    Many who were secretly watching Xing Peng frowned. They had wanted to approach him and see if they could forge a connection, but Xing Peng ignored them.


    After sitting cross-legged for a while, someone else approached the hall. This person, too, paused upon seeing Xing Peng, then quickly moved towards him.


    "Xing Peng, you''re really fast!" the newcomer exclaimed excitedly.


    "You''re not slow either!" Xing Peng opened his eyes and smiled slightly at the newcomer, Xing Jianfeng. Although he hadn''t interacted much with Xing Jianfeng, now that they were both from the Xing family, Xing Peng felt no aversion.


    With Xing Jianfeng approaching Xing Peng, more people entered the hall and, seeing Xing Peng, did as Xing Jianfeng had, gathering around him. Soon, about a hundred and twenty people were near Xing Peng.


    Some martial artists initially planning to approach Xing Peng now looked serious, realizing another strong competitor had emerged.


    As more people arrived, a minute passed, and eventually, three hundred and eighty people gathered around Xing Peng. Though not all of Gu Mu City''s five hundred participants made it onto the spaceship, these three hundred and eighty were indeed the elite, none below mid Human Level.


    "Now that the last city''s participants have boarded the spaceship, the real trial begins. Young ones, prepare for a life-and-death challenge. This is a deadly game that, once joined, must be continued to the end. No one will be allowed to leave midway. You only have two choices: live or die!"


    "Remember, only the living genius is a true genius. A dead genius is worth nothing. Don''t think that boarding the spaceship makes you an exceptional talent; that will only lead to a quicker death..."


    After most of Gu Mu City''s participants had boarded, the red-haired middle-aged man appeared in the hall, his deep voice capturing everyone''s attention. Although he didn''t specify what dangers the trial would involve, his omission made his words even more frightening, scaring some of the more faint-hearted into breaking out in cold sweat.


    Although everyone on the spaceship had braced themselves for death, they were still youths at heart. Facing the prospect of death, their courage was not as steadfast as it appeared on the surface.

 Chapter 31: Conflict Arises

    After the red-haired middle-aged man finished speaking, he casually glanced over the people in the great hall, taking in everyone''s expressions. He nodded and shook his head inwardly from time to time, branding those who had been scared pale as unworthy of cultivation.


    Fear is a natural human emotion, but in a world where the law of the jungle prevails, those who have chosen the path of becoming strong must be prepared to face life and death with detachment and have the confidence that they can overcome any challenges. Without these two basic mentalities, even if they manage to pass this test, they won¡¯t get far in the future.


    However, while many in the great hall were frightened by the words of the red-haired middle-aged man, some showed no significant change in their expression. Not only were they not afraid, but a desire to challenge also rose in their eyes, earning a slight appreciation from the red-haired middle-aged man.


    "Not bad, not everyone was scared. It seems that this batch has a few good prospects. I wonder how many of them will pass the test this time." The red-haired middle-aged man muttered to himself before turning and leaving the great hall, leaving all the candidates feeling the pressure.


    Although the trial had not officially begun, the mysterious atmosphere had already roused everyone¡¯s spirits.


    "Xing Peng, what kind of trial do you think is coming? Even at this point, the envoy hasn''t told us what dangers we''ll face," a youthful-looking boy beside Xing Peng asked with a smile after the red-haired middle-aged man had left.


    "Who knows? The trials at White Tiger Academy are different every time, with no pattern to speak of," Xing Peng replied with a glance and a shake of his head.


    "Ah, I really hope this trial will be like the last one. Then we''d all be sure to safely enter White Tiger Academy!" Xing Xin, not disappointed by Xing Peng''s lack of an answer, sighed. His question to Xing Peng wasn''t out of genuine curiosity but an attempt to ingratiate himself with Xing Peng.


    This was the task his father had given him before attending the White Tiger Academy trial. Ever since Xing Peng had shown his strength at the Xing family¡¯s trial competition and entered the fourth floor of the Martial Tower, everyone in the Xing family had realized that Xing Peng was destined for greatness. Now was the time to befriend him, or it would be too late later.


    "Hopefully. If it''s really like the last trial, it would indeed be easier for us!" Xing Peng smiled. The previous trial at White Tiger Academy involved navigating a special wooden dummy lane. Though challenging and a stumbling block for many, it posed no significant risk to life. It was known as the trial with the fewest deaths in recent years at White Tiger Academy.


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    "Xing Peng, if we encounter any dangerous trials later, could you help us out, seeing as we''re all descendants of the Xing family?" Xing Xiaofeng suddenly asked, looking at Xing Peng with a longing gaze. Xing Xiaofeng had a face that could make women jealous, with extremely soft features, almost hinting at the potential for androgyny.


    When Xing Xiaofeng spoke, Xing Peng couldn''t help but glance at him, and upon meeting that hopeful and passionate gaze, he involuntarily grimaced.


    "Damn!" If a beautiful woman looked at Xing Peng that way, he would enjoy it, but it was a different story when a man, more beautiful than most women, did so. It made Xing Peng feel like there were thorns on his back.


    "Um... I remember your name is Xing Xiaofeng, right? You''re a man, aren''t you?" Xing Peng asked nervously.


    "Yes, of course, I''m a man! I didn''t expect you to remember my name! I''m so happy!" Xing Xiaofeng''s eyes ''sparkled'' as he looked at Xing Peng, his gaze filled with tenderness.


    "Shiver!" Xing Peng shivered intensely. A comrade! Damn, this is a comrade. I can''t believe a comrade is interested in me.


    "Um, Xing Xiaofeng, could you not look at me like that? We''re all descendants of the Xing family. Rest assured, if I can really help during the trial, I won''t just stand by and do nothing." Xing Peng had never dealt with a ''comrade'' like this before and felt under immense pressure. His heart was pounding.


    As Xing Peng felt a chill down his spine, the people within five meters of him suddenly scattered, each looking at Xing Xiaofeng with wariness. It seemed they were also frightened by Xing Xiaofeng.


    This only added to Xing Peng''s pressure, feeling it was not a delightful experience to be alone with such a comrade. Suddenly, he moved away, leaving under the resentful gaze of Xing Xiaofeng, and appeared next to other city''s candidates.


    After leaving Xing Xiaofeng, Xing Peng didn¡¯t look back, but he could still feel Xing Xiaofeng¡¯s resentful gaze, which made his heart twitch again, almost provoking a murderous intent.


    What kind of situation was this? In Xing Peng''s view, dealing with such a ''comrade'' was even more dangerous than fighting a Heaven Level expert. If possible, Xing Peng would rather fight a Heaven Level martial artist than be subjected to Xing Xiaofeng''s gaze.


    If Xing Xiaofeng wasn''t a member of the Xing family, Xing Peng would have already taught him a lesson for looking at him that way. But unfortunately, Xing Xiaofeng was a member of the Xing family. Although Xing Peng had complaints against the elder members of the Xing family, for the sake of the family¡¯s so-called honor, he had to endure it for now.


    When Xing Peng suddenly moved from the Gu Mu City candidates to those from other cities, many regarded him with wary eyes.


    "Kid, are you looking for trouble, jumping around like that?" An arrogant voice rang out beside Xing Peng as the others watched him with suspicion.


    Xing Peng narrowed his eyes and looked towards the source, seeing a person with an arrogant demeanor, dressed in white, looking down on him at a forty-five-degree angle, exuding arrogance.


    "What are you looking at? Get the hell back to where you came from! Damn, can''t you see what you are? This isn''t a place where you can just run around wildly. Watch it, or I''ll cut you down!" The man in white glared at Xing Peng fiercely, his dandyish arrogance fully on display, his eyes filled with disdain and contempt.


    "grandson! Who are you cursing? " Xing Peng''s face turned cold as he spoke in a deep voice.


    "Of course, I''m scolding you! What about it, you want to bite me?" The man in white was not afraid at all, continuing to curse arrogantly.

 Chapter 32: An Era of Geniuses

    "Psst!" As soon as the man in white spoke, a loud laughter suddenly erupted from the side, turning many faces red with the effort to suppress it.


    "Don''t laugh!" The man in white swiftly reacted, bellowing at the crowd nearby. His face turned a shade of liver red, filled with gloom.


    The man in white''s outburst did not stop the laughter around him. The trial participants in this spaceship''s grand hall were not just from one or two cities; people here came from all over the country.


    Despite the man in white''s arrogant and extravagant demeanor, not everyone was afraid of him. A majority of the people did not take him seriously.


    "I said, don''t laugh, did you hear me! Whoever laughs again, I''ll tear their mouth!" The man in white, enraged and embarrassed, scanned the crowd with a fierce killing intent in his eyes. As this killing intent surged, he also emitted a violent aura. This aura made most people show a hint of strangeness in their eyes before they shut their mouths.


    "Early stage of Earth Level! This person is an early-stage Earth Level martial artist!"


    "No wonder he''s so arrogant, so he has such strength!"


    "With that level of strength, to be so arrogant, I wonder how he would not even know how he died later!"


    Feeling the man in white''s aura, the trial participants whispered among themselves, some shocked by his aura, while others completely disregarded it. Regardless of their opinions, after laughing, they chose to remain silent. Better to avoid trouble!


    "No wonder it''s the White Tiger Academy''s recruitment trial, there are quite a few Earth Level martialists on this spaceship!" Xing Peng silently took note of the expressions around him, feeling somewhat surprised. After this incident, Xing Peng clearly noticed that many people were unaffected by the man in white''s aura.


    After the man in white had quelled the laughter around him, he glared at Xing Peng with venom, "Kid, you dare to play me, I want you dead!" Saying this, he charged at Xing Peng like a beast choosing its prey, locking all his aura onto Xing Peng, ready to attack at any moment.


    "Grandson, save your energy. Although I didn''t hear the rules announced by those messengers just now, I assume fighting is not allowed on this spaceship. All your blustering is useless!" Xing Peng shrugged indifferently, not taking the man in white''s fierce look seriously at all.


    "Kid, just you wait. Once the trial officially starts, I will tear you apart!" The man in white''s face twisted unnaturally with rage, grinding his teeth loudly, but he eventually loosened his aura and gave Xing Peng a fierce stare before walking away with suppressed anger. Anyone who could come here was certainly no fool. The man in white also understood the spaceship''s unspoken rule against fighting.


    After the man in white left, Xing Peng pursed his lips and then nonchalantly turned his gaze to the other participants. These people might become his opponents soon, and Xing Peng needed to observe them.


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    "Lei Shao, how do you rate the strength of that boy in blue?" In a corner on the right side of the grand hall, a yellow-shirted young man with a sharp look in his eyes asked the black-shirted young man sitting cross-legged on the ground, with a purple-red war saber on his lap.


    "Just one strike, I can kill him!" The intent to kill was clear in the black-shirted young man''s eyes.


    "One strike! Really? Lei Shao, are you sure you can kill him with just one strike! Even I can''t see through his strength!" The yellow-shirted young man was shocked, clearly disbelieving that the black-shirted man could kill Xing Peng in one move.


    "I said one strike, so it''s one strike! Although I can''t see through his strength either, people who don''t understand the principle of ''the bird that sticks out gets shot'' deserve to be raised by me!" Lei Shao curled his lip in disdain, then closed his eyes.


    "So that''s it. Lei Shao, you really scared me there. I thought your strength had suddenly increased by a lot!" The yellow-shirted young man appeared to understand, smiled at Lei Shao, and then closed his eyes to rest as well.


    Although Xing Peng did not see Lei Shao and the yellow-shirted young man in the corner, their conversation still reached his ears.


    "The art of ''Heavenly Sight, Earthly Listen''!" This was a martial arts technique Xing Peng learned after emerging from Heavenly Extremity Peak. This technique significantly enhanced a martial artist''s hearing, allowing Xing Peng''s hearing to far exceed that of an ordinary person.


    "One strike to kill me! Hmph, such arrogance!" Xing Peng sneered inwardly, but his expression remained casual as he continued to scan the others, appearing not very bright.


    As Xing Peng moved around, he quickly memorized all the trial participants in the grand hall. Although he did not know their names, he still gathered many useful pieces of information about them through their murmurs as he moved.


    After paying attention to all the trial participants, Xing Peng did not return to the circle of people from Gu Mu City but found a new spot to lean against the wall and rest with his eyes closed.


    "I thought my cultivation speed was very fast, but I didn''t expect there to be so many geniuses in this world! Among these trial participants, there are no less than ten who are Heaven Level martial artists. Damn, I really wonder how these people practice!"


    After observing, Xing Peng found that there were more than thirty thousand people in the grand hall. Although most were Human Level martial artists, there were quite a few at the Earth Level, and the number of Heaven Level martial artists was several times more than in previous trials.


    White Tiger Academy''s trials had never lacked Heaven Level martial artists, but those who could reach Heaven Level by the age of twenty were few and far between. However, this time, there were no less than ten Heaven Level martial artists. This was definitely the trial with the most Heaven Level martial artists in recent years at White Tiger Academy, making Xing Peng feel the pressure.


    ...


    About half an hour later, a middle-aged man with red hair suddenly returned to the grand hall. When the trial participants saw the red-haired middle-aged man again, their hearts involuntarily trembled, "It''s time! The trial is about to truly begin!"


    "My juniors, I think you all know why I''m here. You''re right, I''m here to announce that the trial officially starts now. Remember what I just said, only the geniuses who survive are true geniuses. I hope you all can survive! Now, line up and follow me!" After saying this, the red-haired middle-aged man turned and walked out.


    The trial participants in the grand hall looked at each other with complex expressions, then followed a young man holding a long spear, who took the lead in following the red-haired middle-aged man. This young man was quite thin, as if a gust of wind could blow him over. He had purple spiky hair and wore a light blue swordsman''s outfit, with a sickly look on his face.


    When Xing Peng saw this person being the first to follow the red-haired middle aged man, Xing Peng''s heart stirred slightly! Despite the young man''s seemingly unimpressive appearance and lack of obvious fighting strength, Xing Peng had clearly sensed that this young man was one of the top ten Heaven Level martial artists and definitely ranked among the top three among these trial participants.

 Chapter 33: Bloody Erasure

    As the gun-carrying youth was the first to follow the red-haired middle-aged man out, the others around him quickly followed suit. Every person who stepped out of the great hall was handed a jade token engraved with a white tiger by the guards stationed at the entrance of the hall.


    Although everyone was puzzled as to why the guards were distributing jade tokens to them, each person, upon receiving their token, did not ask any questions and swiftly followed the red-haired middle-aged man.


    Soon, everyone arrived at the entrance where they had initially boarded the spaceship using a rope ladder. Once all were gathered, the red-haired middle-aged man glanced around at the group and said, "Listen up, everyone, your trial begins here. Now, I want each of you to drip a drop of your blood onto the jade token in your hand! Listen! Everyone, if anyone dares not to drip their blood on the token, their qualification will be immediately revoked!"


    "May I ask, envoy, what exactly is this jade token for?" one of the trial participants curiously inquired.


    "Shut up, stop with the nonsense. Since you boarded the spaceship, you have only one choice left, and that is to follow orders. Whatever I tell you to do, you do! This time is an exception, but if anyone dares to ask again, they will be erased on the spot!" the red-haired middle-aged man viciously retorted.


    "Erased!"


    "Gulp!" The surrounding trial participants involuntarily swallowed their saliva. Damn, these rules are too strict; just asking a question warrants erasure! Although everyone was shocked by this rule, none dared to question the rules of the White Tiger Academy. The might of the White Tiger Academy was deeply ingrained in the hearts of these trial participants, and even their families were nothing compared to the White Tiger Academy, let alone them as mere trial participants.


    "What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and drip your blood onto the jade token. Do you really need me to show you how?" The roar resonated once again, leaving all the trial participants with no choice but to comply without any delay.


    As the red-haired middle-aged man roared, all the trial participants distinctly felt their heartbeats suddenly slow down by two beats, causing an involuntary chill to rise, as if their lives were no longer under their control at that moment.


    "I must become strong!" Xing Peng also felt the threat, his complexion unnaturally changing. In that moment, his determination to become an exceptionally strong being was significantly solidified. Faced with the threat, Xing Peng did not hesitate any longer and quickly dripped his blood onto the jade token.


    As soon as Xing Peng dripped his blood onto the token, a mysterious message suddenly resonated in his mind: "Xing Peng, descendant of the Xing family from Gu Mu City. At the peak of the Earth Level Late Stage! Currently, contribution points are zero."


    This sudden message in Xing Peng''s mind greatly shocked him, causing his handsome face to abruptly change color. The jade token could actually identify him as Xing Peng and even recognized his strength as being at the peak of the Earth Level Late Stage.


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    "What kind of method is this, and how could the jade token, after being dripped with blood, identify my identity so clearly!"


    While Xing Peng was shocked, he scanned the expressions of the others and noticed that their expressions had changed drastically just like his. Xing Peng realized that this message was not only appearing in his mind.


    "Now, jump down from this entrance!" Amidst the shock of all the trial participants, the red-haired middle-aged man commanded again with a tone of authority.


    "Jump... down!" This statement from the red-haired middle-aged man drastically changed the expressions of the trial participants, stirring up tumultuous thoughts in their minds. Looking down from the entrance, Xing Peng and the others could clearly see nothing but dense fog below. No one knew what lay beneath. No one knew how high above the ground they were. Jumping down rashly was akin to seeking death!


    "Envoy, are we really supposed to jump down from here? Can you tell us how high above the ground we are?" A trial participant couldn''t help but speak up.


    "Puff!" As soon as the participant spoke, the red-haired middle-aged man suddenly flicked his finger towards the speaker, and a streak of white light burst from his hand, directly penetrating the brain of the trial participant, causing his head to explode.


    "Boom!" The surrounding trial participants were shockingly watching this scene unfold. As warriors, they were not strangers to bloodshed, but they had never imagined that the red-haired middle-aged man would be so decisive in his actions, truly erasing anyone who dared to question him.


    That was a living being! How could he be erased so recklessly!


    "I''m not participating in the trial anymore, I''m quitting! You''re a madman, an absolute madman! You just killed my brother! I''m going to fight you!" Next to the exploded trial participant, a young man with bloodshot eyes screamed hysterically, his eyes filled with hatred towards the red-haired middle-aged man.


    "Quit? Fine! Quitting means giving up your life, the same¡ªerasure!" The red-haired middle-aged man coldly smirked, then flicked his finger at the bloodshot-eyed young man, following in the footsteps of the previous participant.


    At this moment, the surrounding trial participants were terrified to even breathe too loudly!


    This was a murderous maniac!


    Xing Peng was also shocked by this scene. Although he had already experienced some events and understood the rule of the survival of the fittest in this world, he had not expected the rules of this world to be so cruel. From the actions of the red-haired middle-aged man, Xing Peng felt immense pressure. He vividly felt the insecurity of life; if the middle-aged man wanted to kill him, Xing Peng realized he could not dodge a single finger from this man. This person''s strength far exceeded his own.


    "So, does anyone else want to quit now? If anyone else wishes to quit, let me know right now, and I, Huo Yun, will definitely fulfill your wishes, allowing you not only to quit this trial but all future trials as well!" The red-haired middle-aged man coldly observed the surrounding individuals. No one could have anticipated that the envoy, who had seemed somewhat cold but reasonable just a short while ago, had transformed into this demeanor in such a short amount of time. The contrast was too stark.


    "No one speaking, huh? That means you are all ready to fully embrace the trial. Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and jump down from the exit! I''m giving you three minutes. After three minutes, anyone who hasn''t jumped down will be¡ªerased!"


    The words of the red-haired middle-aged man sent chills down the spines of all the trial participants! Three minutes! Damn, there are over thirty thousand people here! If they don''t hurry, many will die here.


    Almost the instant the red-haired middle-aged man spoke, some people, utterly frightened, didn''t think twice and jumped down. Jumping at least offered a glimmer of hope for survival; staying would guarantee death.

 Chapter 34: Jin Bi Manor

    Xing Peng watched as people around him jumped down one after another, eager to be the first. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry but furrowed his brows tightly as he glanced at the two trial participants who had been killed on the ground, then shifted his gaze to the red-haired middle-aged man.


    When he looked at the red-haired man, the man seemed to sense his gaze and looked back at Xing Peng. The way he looked at him was quite strange, making Xing Peng feel a deep sense of doubt.


    "Should I jump? What exactly is down there?" Various thoughts spun in Xing Peng''s mind. In fact, Xing Peng wasn''t too afraid of how high the drop was. Although he hadn''t reached Heaven Level, he was very close to it. Even if it was much higher, as long as he used his light body technique properly, he had a ninety percent chance of surviving. His only worry was that something bad or a dead end was waiting for him below. Since this was a trial by White Tiger Academy, if the only way out of this crisis was to jump off the spaceship, then there must be dangers waiting below.


    "Is it real, or is it fake!"


    The more Xing Peng thought about it, the more mysterious it seemed. Besides his doubts, another reason for his hesitation was the ten Heaven Level martial artists he sensed on the spaceship. From their expressions, they didn''t seem to plan on jumping down immediately. Because of their actions, Xing Peng didn''t want to jump rashly! These ten Heaven Level martial artists were rare talents, and White Tiger Academy wouldn''t risk losing such talents in a trial.


    In the blink of an eye, a minute had passed, and three-quarters of the people were still on the spaceship. At this rate, it was impossible for over thirty thousand people to jump down in three minutes.


    As Xing Peng hesitated, he suddenly noticed the young man with a gun, who had initially followed the red-haired middle-aged man out of the spaceship, sneak to the back of the crowd, then leave the group and head towards the hall. Almost at the moment the young man did this, the beautiful elf-like woman Xing Peng had seen when entering the spaceship also quietly left the crowd with some people and followed the young man towards the hall.


    Seeing this, Xing Peng quickly turned his gaze to the red-haired middle-aged man and noticed that the man also glanced in that direction with a trace of satisfaction in his eyes.


    Realizing there must be something fishy, Xing Peng immediately used the "Whispering Transmission" technique to send a message to the Xing family disciples who hadn''t jumped yet, "Don''t rush to jump. There''s something fishy going on. Follow me." Saying this, regardless of whether they believed him or not, he also slipped away from the crowd and followed the steps of the beautiful elf-like woman.


    Upon hearing Xing Peng''s message, Xing Jianfeng''s body shook violently. Whispering Transmission was a technique that only Heaven Level martial artists could use. If Xing Peng could now use it, could it mean Xing Peng had reached Heaven Level? Without much thought, he followed Xing Peng''s steps.


    As for the other members of the Xing family, seeing Xing Jianfeng do so, they didn''t hesitate much and followed Xing Peng. Xing Peng was, after all, the strongest of their generation. After Xing Peng showed his tremendous potential in the family, these people had come to admire him. Now seeing Xing Peng use the Whispering Transmission technique, they felt an even stronger sense of allegiance.


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    "Xing Peng, have you reached Heaven Level?" Xing Jianfeng caught up with Xing Peng and whispered beside him.


    Xing Peng gave him a mysterious smile and didn''t answer, but this smile to Xing Jianfeng was almost the same as an acknowledgment. This made him even more determined to follow Xing Peng. If Xing Peng really was at Heaven Level, he wouldn''t joke about his own life. After all, Heaven Level martial artists could fly, making jumping from the spaceship a trivial matter.


    ...


    Soon, the group returned to the hall. When Xing Peng and the others got back, the young man with the gun and others had already silently found places to lean against, not talking to each other. Seeing this, Xing Peng glanced at them and found a corner with Xing Jianfeng and others to stay quiet.


    Almost immediately after Xing Peng and Xing Jianfeng and the others returned to the hall, a group of people followed them back. Among them was a young man in white who had had a feud with Xing Peng not long ago. Seeing Xing Peng standing in a corner, the young man glared at him fiercely, his eyes full of provocation. Xing Peng chose to ignore him, making the young man in white feel like his punch had hit a sponge, very frustrated.


    "I say, why have you all come back? Are you not afraid of dying?" Suddenly, a young man holding an abacus and adorned with various gold, silver, and jade ornaments, looked around with a cheeky smile. If one didn¡¯t look closely, it would be hard to tell that this person, who looked no more than fifteen years old, was a Heaven Level martial artist.


    "Jin Disan, don''t think you''re the only smart one here. Letting over thirty thousand of us jump off the spaceship in three minutes is pure nonsense. If the exit were bigger, it might be manageable. But with such a small exit, how could we possibly get out? Even if we survive the jump, I wouldn¡¯t go." A young man with hawk eyes holding two farewell hooks not far away coldly laughed. This person was also a Heaven Level martial artist.


    "Hehe, Li Tianying, I didn''t mean that. You''re wronging me. I just saw Fairy Yu and the romantic young master didn''t go down, so I followed you guys back!" Jin Disan smiled shyly at the hawk-eyed young man, showing two cute little tiger teeth, looking very adorable.


    "Pack up that look, I''m sick of it. If you want to act cute, find the right audience!" Li Tianying glared fiercely at Jin Disan.


    "Li Tianying, we''re from the same city, why are you being so fierce?" Jin Disan looked at Li Tianying with a wronged expression, his eyes beginning to well up with tears, acting like a child who hadn¡¯t grown up. Some people around snorted in disdain. Such a person could get on the spaceship, truly a miracle.


    Seeing Jin Disan like this, Xing Peng''s eyes flashed with a different light. Jin Disan was actually playing the pig to eat the tiger. If Xing Peng hadn''t felt a faint scent of blood that often soaked in killing from him, he would have been fooled. The murderous aura faintly emanating from Jin Disan''s body was not weaker than Xing Peng''s.


    This showed that Jin Disan had definitely killed many people or fierce beasts! Regardless of which, Jin Disan''s appearance of crying at the drop of a hat was definitely a disguise.


    "Get lost, I can''t stand people like you the most. Clearly, a murderer, yet pretending to be an innocent boy. You people from Jin Bi Manor, not a single one of you is good!" As expected, the next second Li Tianying exposed Jin Disan''s true nature. From his demeanor, it seemed he had had a feud with Jin Disan in the past.


    "Jin Bi Manor! It''s actually Jin Bi Manor!" Someone heard Li Tianying''s words and exclaimed suddenly. With this exclamation, some people who were originally around Jin Disan and didn''t know him, all swiftly moved away.

 Chapter 35: The Killer King

    Jin Bi Manor, although not nearly as famous as the four major academies, is still a well-known assassin organization in this country. Speaking of Jin Bi Manor, one must mention the Killer King of Jin Bi Manor.


    The Killer King''s original name is Jin YouQian, a money-minded King Level martial artist. Although he is not the most powerful among King Level martial artists, very few martial artists are willing to offend the Killer King. He once single-handedly slaughtered a family that had three King Level martial artists and tens of thousands of disciples.


    That battle made the Killer King famous throughout the country. Many adults like to scare children with the Killer King. The fiercest crying child would stop crying out of fear upon hearing "If you keep crying, you''ll be sent to the Killer King."


    Jin DiSan, standing before us, is from Jin Bi Manor, and few on the spaceship dare to interact with him more than necessary. It is rumored that people from Jin Bi Manor love nothing more than killing. Even a five-year-old child from there knows hundreds of ways to assassinate others, not to mention Jin DiSan.


    "I''m telling you, what are you doing? Although I am from Jin Bi Manor, I, Jin DiSan, never make a losing deal. I kill for money, and I won''t do it for free!" Seeing people stepping back from him, Jin DiSan looked at them with a mournful face, eyes full of resentment, as if he had been abandoned, pitiful. However, after knowing Jin DiSan''s identity, no one dared to look down on him anymore! To do so would be courting death.


    "Alright, Jin DiSan, can you stop being so annoying? Stop acting; it''s tiring even to watch. Go somewhere cool and stay there!" Li Tianying said impatiently, glaring at Jin DiSan.


    "Which family does this Li Tianying belong to? He dares to scold Jin DiSan like that. Isn''t he afraid that Jin DiSan might kill him later?"


    "It seems Li Tianying''s family must be no lesser than Jin DiSan''s family."


    "..."


    Most people, hearing Li Tianying scold Jin DiSan like that, looked somewhat odd. Initially, not knowing Jin DiSan''s identity was one thing, but now knowing it and still seeing Li Tianying scold him, they were somewhat shocked.


    Hearing Li Tianying''s words, Jin DiSan did not argue back but gave Li Tianying a white eye, then his gaze wandered among the people around before his eyes lit up and he walked towards Xing Peng.


    Seeing this, Xing JianFeng and the Xing family disciples were shocked, watching Jin DiSan warily, their bodies tensing up. Xing JianFeng and the others were frightened by Jin DiSan, but Xing Peng was not scared; he was just curious about Jin DiSan, pondering.


    "You''re Xing Peng, right? The son of Carefree King Xing FeiTian!" Jin DiSan approached Xing Peng in a few steps, then blinked weirdly at Xing Peng, whispering in his ear.


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    After hearing him, Xing Peng slightly frowned and whispered back, "How do you know me?"


    "Hehe, didn''t Li Tianying just say? I am from Jin Bi Manor. There''s no information in this country that Jin Bi Manor cannot find out." Jin DiSan laughed, this time without using a voice transmission.


    Xing Peng furrowed his brows, still puzzled. Even if Jin DiSan was from Jin Bi Manor, he shouldn''t have taken notice of him.


    "I''ve said so much, why are you still so doubtful? Could it be your old man didn''t tell you about his relationship with my old man, the Killer King?" Seeing Xing Peng''s doubt, Jin DiSan blinked and whispered again.


    "You''re saying my dad and your old man have a relationship? Are you sure you''re not deceiving me!" This time, Xing Peng did not hide his abilities and used Whispering Transmission to speak to Jin DiSan.


    "You''ve also reached Heaven Level, no wonder I can''t see through your strength!" Hearing Xing Peng''s voice transmission, Jin DiSan''s eyes showed realization, "As for the relationship between my old man and your dad, I didn''t lie at all. Although my old man is the leader of the killers, he wouldn''t use his prestige to deceive people."


    "Is that so!" A flash of intrigue appeared in Xing Peng''s eyes. He did not fully believe Jin DiSan''s words, but he tentatively accepted them for the time being.


    Seeing Xing Peng''s reaction, Jin DiSan was not displeased but just grinned, "Before I joined this trial, my old man specifically instructed me to help you as much as possible. Hehe, but he miscalculated this time. He would never have thought that you could achieve Heaven Level martial artist status in just one month. Speaking of which, Xing Peng, when you were punished on Heavenly Extremity Peak, did you really not know any martial arts?"


    As Jin DiSan spoke, he approached Xing Peng, quickly standing beside him with a buddy-buddy attitude, hooking his arm around Xing Peng. Xing Peng''s thought of dodging flitted by momentarily before he gave up on avoiding Jin DiSan''s gesture. If Jin DiSan really intended harm, Xing Peng was confident he could escape at the moment of attack.


    This scene surprised the others, who were secretly astonished. Who was Xing Peng to be so close to Jin DiSan?


    The man in white who had conflicts with Xing Peng initially was shocked to see Jin DiSan acting this way. His eyes widened in disbelief, and his face turned pale. If Xing Peng and Jin DiSan had a close relationship, then he was doomed. Despite his previous arrogance, compared to his family background and Jin DiSan''s backing, he was insignificant.


    The others were shocked, and the Xing family disciples around Xing Peng were also surprised, looking at Jin DiSan and Xing Peng with disbelief. They really did not understand when Xing Peng became related to someone from Jin Bi Manor.


    "Of course, I didn''t know martial arts. If I had known martial arts at that time, do you think I would have tolerated those people from the Fan family insulting me like that? I would have done more than just curse at them; I would have beaten them until their mothers couldn''t recognize them," said Xing Peng.


    "Hehe, you''ve got a temper, worthy of being the Carefree King''s son!" Jin DiSan gave Xing Peng a thumbs up, "Actually, after hearing about your engagement being called off, my old man was ready to teach the Fan family a lesson right away. However, your dad had instructed my old man before going to ''Hell Valley,'' if he couldn''t return, even if you were insulted, as long as it wasn''t life-threatening, my old man was not to intervene. So my old man could only watch you be wronged."


    "Oh, really?" Xing Peng looked at Jin DiSan in surprise. Regardless of whether Jin DiSan''s story was true or false, it was quite an interesting tale.


    "I know you won''t believe me now, but I think you''ll come to believe me after a while. I''m looking forward to being friends with you!" Jin DiSan sincerely said to Xing Peng.

 Chapter 36: Passing the First Challenge

    "As long as what you''re saying is true, I too look forward to being friends with you!" Xing Peng nodded, "Tell me everything you know, I really want to know what kind of relationship my dad and your old man had."


    "Well, according to the old man, in his life, he only had one true confidant, your dad. They were both students of the same batch at White Tiger Academy. The reason they became acquainted was because of an assassination operation...it was a situation of ''fighting leading to friendship''..." Jin DiSan slowly shared. Although he didn''t detail how exactly they became acquainted, it gave Xing Peng a brief understanding of their relationship.


    "Additionally, the old man always had a wish, which was to find an opportunity to surpass your dad. However, he never wanted your dad to go to Hell Valley and then never return..."


    While Xing Peng and Jin DiSan were conversing, three minutes had already completely passed. After the time elapsed, the red-haired middle-aged man suddenly entered the hall from outside.


    When he entered the hall, his expression was very grim, his eyes filled with murderous intent, and his body emitted a violent aura, as if he was ready to kill everyone present at any moment.


    "Tell me, who allowed you to retreat back to the hall!" The moment the red-haired middle-aged man stepped into the hall, he roared at everyone. His voice was like thunder, deafening, shaking everyone to their core. Those with lower strength even bled from their ears.


    Xing Peng and Jin DiSan exchanged glances, feeling the pressure, but neither spoke. Both started circulating their Profound Qi to resist the pressure from the red-haired middle-aged man.


    "Swoosh!" A tornado suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the hall, carrying a formidable pressure. As soon as it appeared, it attacked all the people in the hall, causing the complexions of all the trial participants to unnaturally change. The tornado inflicted bone-chilling pain upon them, as if it was going to tear their bodies apart.


    Such a roar had such terrifying power, deeply shocking Xing Peng. This manipulation of the Vital Energy of heaven and earth was beyond the level of ordinary martial arts.


    The tornado grew stronger and larger, tossing some of the trial participants around the hall. Some were even swept up into it, continuously thrown around, with blood and pieces of clothing flying in all directions.


    The scene in the hall turned extremely horrifying, like hell.


    However, while some were injured, others stood firm like mountains. After facing this storm, they used their body-protecting techniques, with some emitting colorful glows, filling the hall with a fantastical atmosphere.


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    Although the trial participants were scolded by the red-haired middle-aged man, they weren''t too scared, some even felt joy. From the methods employed by the red-haired middle-aged man, they guessed right. If he truly wanted to kill them, he wouldn''t need to be so theatrical.


    "Sizzle!" The strong tornado storm produced a piercing sound. Xing Peng immediately used the martial technique ''Thousand Pounds Drop'' to anchor himself firmly in the hall, unaffected by the storm.


    While resisting the tornado, Xing Peng noticed a person whose movements caught his attention - a girl in a green long skirt, beautiful as an elf. Her skirt fluttering, she seemed like a fairy, dancing in the tornado with strange steps, as if dancing with the wind.


    Her dance was extremely graceful, pleasing to the eye, appearing as the most beautiful dance in the world, making people involuntarily forget the current situation. Xing Peng prided himself on his light body technique, but upon seeing the girl using such a technique, he couldn''t help but admire her. Even if he used his technique to its fullest, he couldn''t achieve such grace and beauty as if in her own realm.


    Even the red-haired middle-aged man was involuntarily attracted by her dance.


    "Like a dream, ethereal as a fairy! This is the ''Ethereal Fairy Step''! This girl actually mastered the ''Ethereal Fairy Step'' that no one in the Shangguan family has learned for many years!" the red-haired middle-aged man secretly marveled.


    The tornado lasted for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea. After that time passed, only a few dozen people remained standing in the hall, with the majority lying on the ground, pale as paper. Some weaker individuals were even killed by the storm. Yet, the tornado didn''t cease but continued, with Xing Peng and others feeling even more pressure than before.


    As the storm grew stronger, and another five minutes passed, the tornado finally calmed down. After it subsided, all the trial participants in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.


    "This trial is really not normal at all!" Jin DiSan suddenly communicated to Xing Peng. Xing Peng nodded, his expression grave.


    "Weren''t you all very bold just now, daring to return to the hall without my permission? Why is it that now when I ask you a question, not a single one of you dares to answer?" the red-haired middle-aged man asked in a deep voice after calming the tornado.


    Hearing this, Xing Peng and the others looked at the middle-aged man warily, choosing to remain silent. No one dared to answer, uncertain of what he was thinking. Given his unpredictable behavior just now, they weren''t sure if speaking up would lead to them being wiped out.


    "Ah, you really can''t take a scare, can you? It''s just answering a question. Most of you are geniuses, yet you don''t even have this bit of courage. If any of you had answered my question just now, wouldn''t you have suffered less?" the red-haired middle-aged man suddenly changed his tone, shaking his head in disappointment.


    Xing Peng and the others exchanged looks. Was it really like that? Would answering have spared them from suffering? None of them believed the red-haired middle-aged man''s words.


    "Alright, stop being silent! All of you here have passed the first challenge of the trial ahead of time and can immediately enter the second challenge!" Seeing Xing Peng and the others still silent, the red-haired middle-aged man waved his hand: "I hope you all can pass the second challenge as well. Now hurry up and jump off the spaceship!"

 Chapter 37: Still Have to Jump

    "What! We have to jump from the spaceship again!!!" A trial participant finally couldn''t help but exclaim in shock. However, just as he exclaimed, he suddenly thought of something, quickly shut his mouth, and looked at the redhead middle-aged man with a nervous face.


    "Don''t be nervous. If I say you''ve passed this challenge ahead of time, then you''ve passed, and there''s naturally no problem with that." The redhead middle-aged man glared at the trial participant.


    "Oh! We really passed! Phew, my god, that was too dangerous!"


    "How could this trial be like this? If we weren''t clever and hadn''t jumped from the spaceship just now, wouldn''t we have died!"


    "......" After receiving a positive answer from the redhead middle-aged man, most of the trial participants in the spaceship couldn''t help but mutter to themselves in relief.


    "What you said is wrong. Although I said you''ve passed the trial ahead of time, I didn''t say that those who jumped from the spaceship just now are dead! It''s you who are going to jump from the spaceship this time, and it will be much more dangerous than just now. I hope you can still be alive after jumping from the spaceship..." The redhead middle-aged man interrupted someone''s words, then began to signal the people in the hall to hurry towards the entrance where they had jumped from the spaceship just now.


    Although the trial participants in the hall didn''t want to jump from the spaceship, they didn''t hesitate and quickly walked out of the hall again.


    "That... handsome and handsome uncle, can you tell us, what kind of challenges did those who jumped from the spaceship just now face? Why is it more dangerous for us to jump from the spaceship now than it was for them?" Jin Disan, next to Xing Peng, suddenly asked the redhead middle-aged man with a smile while walking.


    The redhead middle-aged man looked at Jin Disan appreciatively, "It''s still you, kid, who gets it. If those who died just now had asked me this, they wouldn''t have been killed by me in vain!"


    "Clang!" Upon hearing this, Xing Peng and others stumbled in unison, damn, it turns out those people just died for nothing.


    "That handsome uncle, hurry and tell me, what kind of challenges did those people face!" Jin Disan asked again with a smile.


    "The place they jumped to just now is filled with ferocious beasts, and these beasts all possess at least the late Human Level strength!" the redhead middle-aged man said.


    "How many of these ferocious beasts are there? What''s the highest level of strength they possess?" Jin Disan asked curiously.


    "Not many, only hundreds of thousands. As for the strength, it''s not very strong, apparently, there are only over fifty thousand Earth Level ferocious beasts and one Heaven Level ferocious beast. As long as the strength is used properly, it''s completely possible to easily pass the level!" the redhead middle-aged man said very casually.


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    Hundreds of thousands of ferocious beasts, over fifty thousand Earth Level ferocious beasts, and one Heaven Level ferocious beast! Damn! Such numbers, yet he still says it''s not many, considering there are only over thirty thousand trial participants on the spaceship.


    "......" Some of the trial participants who heard this remark from the redhead middle-aged man cursed in their hearts, being quite stimulated by his words.


    However, for those whose strength was below Heaven Level or late Earth Level warriors, hearing this indeed felt troublesome, but for someone of Xing Peng''s caliber, this didn''t seem too dangerous.


    "If I had known it was this kind of challenge, I should have jumped from the spaceship just now, so that I wouldn''t have been despised by you, handsome uncle!" Jin Disan said.


    "You can''t say that. Passing the trial ahead of time is not just for show, there are benefits to it." The redhead middle-aged man smiled mysteriously.


    "What benefits?" Jin Disan''s eyes lit up.


    "I can''t tell you that for now. You''ll understand once you''ve completely passed the challenge! Alright, don''t ask anymore, I''ve said everything I could. I hope you, kid, don''t lose face as a killer king later." The redhead middle-aged man suddenly stopped talking again, becoming cold and indifferent. His change of expression was remarkably quick, making the atmosphere tense once more.


    Under this oppressive atmosphere, Xing Peng and the others quickly arrived at the spaceship''s jumping entrance again. When they got there, the redhead middle-aged man looked over Xing Peng and the others. Now, there were about three thousand trial participants left in the spaceship, most of them at the Earth Level strength.


    "Now, I declare the second challenge officially begins. You all... jump!" the redhead middle-aged man said in a deep voice, his surging aura sweeping around, making the trial participants involuntarily jump down from the spaceship. In the blink of an eye, dozens of people jumped down from the spaceship!


    "Xing Peng, be careful later. My old man told me before I came that this time''s trial at White Tiger Academy is much more dangerous than before, not only testing martial prowess but also wisdom. Both are indispensable!" Jin Disan transmitted his voice to Xing Peng secretly.


    "Uh-huh, you too!" Xing Peng nodded at him, then transmitted a message to Xing Jianfeng and others, and then with a ''Wind Shadow Steps'', he blocked someone who was about to jump from the spaceship, and jumped down first. After Xing Peng jumped from the spaceship, Jin Disan also followed closely behind and jumped down.


    "Whoosh whoosh!" The violent wind made Xing Peng''s hair wildly flutter. Although Xing Peng had experienced the extreme challenge of jumping down from a high place not long ago, this time was definitely more thrilling than the last.


    After Xing Peng jumped out of the spaceship, he saw the stars shining on him from above, with endless clouds below him, making it impossible to see how high the ground was. For the faint-hearted, such a sight would scare them to pee their pants on the spot.


    With ''Wind Shadow Steps'', this moment Xing Peng performed the light body technique to the extreme. His body was filled with Profound Qi, allowing the wind to buoy his body, slowing the rapid descent. Then, his figure moved, stepping out a series of mysterious steps in mid-air, like a fairy dancing in the sky. His flying posture was very beautiful, often producing shadows that looked dazzling.


    "To control the Qi in the air and merge with the Vital Energy of heaven and earth, making one''s body as light as a feather." This sounds simple but is actually very complex. At this moment, Xing Peng completely exceeded the limit that an Earth Level warrior could achieve. Although he was not a Heaven Level warrior, his ability to control the Qi in the air was almost comparable to that of Heaven Level warriors.


    Behind Xing Peng, Jin Disan, who also jumped from the spaceship, could not tell that Xing Peng was not a Heaven Level warrior. When he saw Xing Peng flying in such a manner, he was slightly surprised. Although Heaven Level warriors gain the ability to control the Qi in the air after advancing to Heaven Level, not everyone can perform such elegant flying steps while flying. Most people''s flying posture is quite ugly.

 Chapter 38: Trapped in an Illusion

    The vast sea area stretched under the sky, with large swathes of moonlight shining down from the horizon towards the sea. In this vast emptiness, Xing Peng glided over the sea like an immortal, facing the wind and riding the waves.


    Xing Peng''s expression was very solemn at this moment. After he flew down from the spaceship using the ''Wind Shadow Steps,'' Xing Peng landed on this sea area. In this sea area, Xing Peng discovered something that surprised him slightly - this sea was a dead sea, devoid of any signs of life!


    Of course, Xing Peng''s solemn expression was not because this sea area was a dead sea, but because after he fell into the sea area, he discovered that Jin Disan, who had flown down behind him, had disappeared after landing in the sea area. Not only had Jin Disan disappeared, but also the person who had jumped down from the spaceship before him was nowhere to be seen at this moment.


    "What is going on here? The spaceship was clearly stationary. Logically, coming down from the same place, even if I flew down instead of jumping, the distance in between shouldn''t be very far. Why can''t I see the others?"


    Xing Peng swiftly executed his movement technique, moving rapidly across the waves, pushing the ''Heavenly Sight, Earthly Listen'' technique to its limit, searching everywhere for traces of the others. However, even when he pushed the ''Heavenly Sight, Earthly Listen'' technique to its utmost, he still couldn''t find any trace of the others.


    Xing Peng searched for several hours, and when the sun rose again, he still hadn''t found any trace of the others, making his expression grow increasingly solemn. This situation was completely beyond his understanding. During these hours, he had covered hundreds of miles.


    "What kind of trial is this? And where is this place? There''s not even a hint, what should I do next!" Xing Peng rubbed his forehead with a headache and then looked up at the sky. In the sky, the giant sun hung high, but the spaceship was nowhere to be seen.


    "Forget it, it seems impossible to find anyone. Let''s first look around for any islands nearby." After failing to find anyone, Xing Peng randomly chose a direction and started flying with all his might using ''Wind Shadow Steps''. His body, moving swiftly through the air, left a series of afterimages behind.


    One day later! Xing Peng''s expression became even more solemn! After flying continuously for a day, although he wasn''t afraid of falling into the sea due to lack of Profound Qi since he could sit cross-legged on the sea to recover Profound Qi, he had covered thousands of miles in a whole day without spotting any islands. This situation was not optimistic for Xing Peng!


    Two days! Three days! In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed. After seven days, Xing Peng''s face was as grim as water. Running so rapidly for four days, Xing Peng still hadn''t found any islands. The sea area seemed endless, no matter how he flew, the scenery around him remained the same.


    If it were just that, Xing Peng''s expression wouldn''t be so grim. His expression was so grim because he discovered that for the entire four days, there was not even a breeze in this sea area, and the sea he was stepping on didn''t have a single wave.


    "How could this place be so strange! So many days have passed, and I still haven''t seen anyone else." Xing Peng''s lips were dry. He stopped flying blindly and sat cross-legged on the sea surface to think carefully. It had been seven days without food, and Xing Peng was now so hungry that his front was sticking to his back. This was the second time Xing Peng had experienced such hunger since coming to this world.


    "Once this is over, I must always carry dry food and wine with me. Damn it, I really don''t know how this White Tiger Academy arranged this trial; it''s so bizarre!" Xing Peng bit his lip, his face ferocious as he looked into the void, trying to find the spaceship''s trace. He would rather face countless fierce beasts than stay here any longer. If it weren''t for his experience at Heavenly Extremity Peak, he might have collapsed here. Over these seven days, Xing Peng tried many methods, but none led to an exit! The sea was the same no matter how he flew.


    They say the higher you stand, the farther you see. To find a way out, Xing Peng also tried to fly high into the sky, but because he hadn''t reached the Heaven Level, he could fly with the help of the wind when falling from a high place, but he couldn''t fly very high when trying to ascend.


    Xing Peng sat there for over two hours. During these two hours, he looked into the void while also thinking about things, desperately recalling the books of Lingwu Continent he remembered, hoping to find some information about this sea area. Unfortunately, Xing Peng was disappointed. Although he remembered many books, none mentioned this sea area.


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    "Could it be that I, Xing Peng, will starve to death here? Last time at Heavenly Extremity Peak, although I was hungry, there was a clear way out for me to strive for. But this time, I don''t even understand what this sea area is, how can I find a way out."


    Xing Peng didn''t know the situation of others at this moment, but he knew that if it continued like this, even if he could absorb the Vital Energy of heaven and earth for his use, he would eventually starve to death. According to this situation, he could only last for a month at most. If he couldn''t find a way out after a month, he would undoubtedly die.


    During these seven days, while searching for a way out, Xing Peng also tried to break through to the Heaven Level realm, but he wasn''t successful. Although he had previous insights, Heaven Level and Earth Level were different realms. Even with experience, breaking through the bottleneck wasn''t that simple. His current accumulation wasn''t enough.


    "Now I only have two paths left, either find a way out within this month or break through the Sky-Breaking Level bottleneck and truly make use of the Vital Energy of heaven and earth for myself, which could allow me to last a bit longer."


    Days passed by, and every day was extremely precious to Xing Peng. Under such hunger, time quickly passed by for another half a month. By this time, Xing Peng was severely malnourished. Without any food supply, even though he was an Earth Level martial artist and could endure hunger better than ordinary people, he was also close to his limit.


    Now, he was in a very sorry state, with bloodshot eyes and two big dark circles under his eyes, looking like he hadn''t eaten well or slept well. An Earth Level late-stage peak martial artist had fallen to such a state, which would definitely shock many people if it were to be spread.


    Another day, the sun was bright and warm, and the gentle sunlight poured down on Xing Peng, making him feel a trace of warmth. As more and more time passed, Xing Peng''s life was nearly at its end. Now, he wasn''t as anxious as he was at the beginning.


    Because being anxious was no longer of any use. This damn dead sea could really be described as boundless. These days, Xing Peng could say he traveled thousands of miles every day. Counting the days since he arrived in this sea area, he had flown no less than tens of thousands of miles.


    Having flown tens of thousands of miles and still not finding any islands, what else could Xing Peng say! He had already tried his best. Although he said he would never give up until the last moment, no matter how anxious he was now, it couldn''t help him.


    "Life should be enjoyed to the fullest, don''t let the golden goblet face the moon in vain! If there''s wine today, then get drunk today; worry about tomorrow''s sorrows tomorrow! Hahaha... Although I''m not a hero, I''m still a martial artist who stands tall between heaven and earth, yet I didn''t expect to end up in such a situation!" Xing Peng suddenly looked up at the sky and laughed loudly. His laughter was earth-shattering, with both bitterness and emotion. Memories of his past life on Earth and his life in Lingwu Continent flashed through his mind.


    "Ever since I, Xing Peng, came to this Lingwu Continent, I haven''t liked it much, after all, it''s not my true hometown. But since I''m here, I''ve accepted it. However, damn heaven, you''re really good at making fun of your young master. It wasn''t easy for me to become an unparalleled genius, about to regain the strength of a Heaven Level martial artist, yet I ended up like this!"


    "You''re awesome, consider you awesome! I hope this time I really will fall here. If I, Xing Peng, don''t die, then from now on, I will become a tyrant who defies Buddha and kills gods. If heaven dares to block me, I, Xing Peng, will surely split the heavens! Hahaha..." His heroic laughter traveled far and wide. Xing Peng clearly felt his weakness. Perhaps after today, he might fall, keenly feeling his life slipping away.


    "Shh!" Just when Xing Peng was about to die, suddenly, the bottleneck that hadn''t been broken through these days suddenly loosened. As the bottleneck loosened, a mysterious and profound aura overflowed from his body, and with the outflow of this aura, he suddenly entered a profound realm.


    Unlocking the seven meridians and eight channels, bridging the bridge between heaven and earth! In this moment, the Profound Qi contained within Xing Peng''s seven meridians and eight channels all transformed into Profound Qi that surged into his dantian, and with the transformation of Profound Qi, the Vital Energy of heaven and earth, like taking a blue pill, surged into Xing Peng''s body, tightly enveloping his entire body, forming a visible Vital Energy cocoon made of the Vital Energy of heaven and earth. A Vital Energy cocoon composed of the Vital Energy of heaven and earth was definitely a very shocking scene, and if someone else saw this scene, they would undoubtedly exclaim in disbelief.


    "Hahaha... I''ve broken through, I''ve actually broken through! Damn it, illusion, this is actually an illusion, hurry up and... open!" Xing Peng suddenly laughed crazily, and with his laughter, a surging momentum burst forth from his body, then formed a giant heavenly sword that fiercely slashed down at the void. With this slash of the heavenly sword, the surrounding heaven and earth instantly shattered, turning into fragments that scattered in all directions.


    Almost at the moment the space shattered, the scenery around Xing Peng changed drastically, no longer the empty vast sea, but several familiar figures entered Xing Peng''s sight, and with the shift in his vision, a rich scent of blood suddenly entered Xing Peng''s nose. Xing Peng''s expression shook, and he immediately looked forward. With one look, Xing Peng''s expression turned cold, and his eyes filled with raging killing intent, as he threw out ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'' towards the front!

 Chapter 39: The Second Trial Task

    In front of Xing Peng, three young martial artists, who had reached the early stages of the Earth Level, were brutally killing Xing Jianfeng and others. At this moment, Xing Jianfeng and his companions were in grave danger, their bodies covered with wounds, with copious amounts of blood gushing out.


    "Roar!" A golden dragon fiercely leapt out from Xing Peng''s hands, issuing a earth-shattering roar, with a force that seemed to move mountains and seas, like an atomic bomb, fiercely exploding on the battlefield. It sent the three Earth Level martial artists, who were surrounding the Xing family''s disciples, flying. Each of the Earth Level martial artists attacked by the golden dragon bled from their seven orifices in an instant.


    After blasting those martial artists away with The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, Xing Peng flashed to the side of Xing Jianfeng and others, and asked in a deep voice, "What''s going on here!"


    Xing Jianfeng, pale-faced, gave Xing Peng a bitter smile, his eyes revealing excitement and fortune: "We also don''t know what''s going on. Just after landing on the sea surface from the spaceship, we were surrounded and attacked by these people!"


    Hearing this, Xing Peng frowned, then his gaze fell on the several martial artists who had been blown away. With a slight thought, he used the ancient martial art ''Dragon Capturing Hand'' from his previous life, suddenly drawing one of the martial artists in blue clothing from afar into his hand.


    Seeing this, Xing Jianfeng and the others showed surprise in their eyes. Such a technique was unprecedented to them; being able to draw someone into one''s hand from several meters away.


    "Tell me who you are! Why didn''t I see you on the spaceship? And why are you attacking Xing Jianfeng and the others!" After capturing the martial artist in his hand, Xing Peng asked sternly. These three Earth Level martial artists were unfamiliar to Xing Peng. He admitted that although he hadn''t paid much attention to memorizing the faces of the martial artists who jumped down from the spaceship to participate in the second trial, he still recognized the faces of those on the spaceship.


    Upon hearing Xing Peng''s question, the martial artist in blue clothing did not immediately answer. Instead, enduring the pain in his body and with shock, he said, "What kind of technique is this! Why is my entire body''s Profound Qi imprisoned after you caught me? Could you be a Heaven Level martial artist?"


    "Snap!" Xing Peng slapped the martial artist''s head with a casual hand: "Stop changing the subject, tell me what''s going on immediately! If the answer doesn''t satisfy me, I''ll kill you right away!" With these words, Xing Peng''s body exuded a surging killing intent, causing the martial artist in blue clothing to change his expression unnaturally. Without any hesitation, he quickly disclosed his identity to Xing Peng, "We are the outer disciples recruited by the White Tiger Academy last session. The reason we attacked them is that this is the assassination mission given to us by the White Tiger Academy. We are specifically responsible for assassinating you trial participants."


    "Outer disciples? Assassinate us!" Xing Peng looked at the martial artist in blue clothing in astonishment, then said sternly, "How many of you came this time? What exactly is this second trial task? Why did I encounter an illusion here just now?"


    "What! You encountered an illusion!! No wonder you suddenly appeared next to us, this is too incredible!" exclaimed the martial artist in blue clothing in disbelief.


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    "Why are you so surprised? Is there something special about this illusion?" Xing Peng asked curiously, intrigued.


    "Of course, it''s different! Although the illusion is also part of the second trial, it is rare for anyone to trigger it. According to the elders, anyone who triggers the illusion and officially passes the trial can receive a thousand contribution points." The martial artist in blue clothing looked at Xing Peng with some envy. That''s a thousand contribution points, enough for him to exchange for several good martial arts manuals at the White Tiger Academy.


    "Oh? A thousand contribution points can be obtained! There really is such a thing! Alright, let''s not talk about this, tell me what this trial task is all about!" said Xing Peng.


    The martial artist in blue clothing sighed bitterly, "Actually, you don''t need to ask us about this trial task. The trial task envoy has already told you. Didn''t you receive a White Tiger jade token when you participated in the trial? If you input your Profound Qi into the White Tiger jade token, you can check this trial task."


    "Damn, this jade token can actually check the trial task! That means, we were deceived by that red-haired envoy!" Xing Peng grimaced weirdly, hurriedly took out the jade token from his bosom, and input his Profound Qi into the ''White Tiger jade token.'' Immediately, a message flowed into Xing Peng''s mind.


    "Activate the second trial task. Task one, evade the assassination by the White Tiger Academy''s outer disciples and snatch the White Tiger jade tokens from the assassins or other trial participants. The more jade tokens obtained, the higher the contribution points earned. Note, if a trial participant loses their jade token and cannot snatch it back from others within five days ¡ª elimination!"


    "Task two, gather ten jade tokens and then head to the Blackwater Plains. Survive on the Blackwater Plains for fifteen days! Those who leave the Blackwater Plains before fifteen days are up ¡ª elimination!"


    After these messages entered Xing Peng''s mind, his expression turned very strange. The current situation was damn near like playing an online game, even the trial tasks had come out. This jade token and the task management in those games were not much different.


    While Xing Peng was checking the information of the jade token, Xing Jianfeng and the others, having heard the conversation between Xing Peng and the man in blue, also input their Profound Qi into their White Tiger jade tokens to check the tasks. When they understood what the tasks were, their expressions unnaturally changed.


    Losing the jade token would result in elimination. And they also needed to snatch others'' jade tokens, clearly intending for the trial participants to kill each other.


    "Since the task is such, then your jade token, I will gladly accept!" After receiving the information, Xing Peng felt a slight emotion, then wickedly smiled at the man in blue, and started searching the man''s body.


    "Wait! Wait a minute!" The man in blue''s expression drastically changed, calling out anxiously.


    "Oh! Do you have anything else to say?" Xing Peng stopped his hand, smiling amiably.


    "I can tell you the strength of all the people who came to assassinate you this time, please don''t snatch our jade tokens. If my jade token is snatched by you, I will also be eliminated!" said the man in blue.


    "The one who robs others will always be robbed! You''re still trying to negotiate terms with me at this point, even if you don''t say it, someone will tell me soon." Xing Peng coldly pursed his lips, then continued searching, completely ignoring the man in blue''s cries. After finding the jade token on the other party, he flung it away.


    As Xing Peng flung the man in blue away, two other martial artists who had been injured by Xing Peng earlier had somewhat recovered from their injuries. When they saw what Xing Peng was doing, they exchanged glances and then fled in two different directions using their movement techniques.


    "Do you think you can run away?" Xing Peng coldly huffed and once again executed the ''Dragon Capturing Hand'', pulling both men into his grasp in an instant. Since breaking through to the Heaven Level in the illusion, Xing Peng''s strength had greatly surpassed what it was before the trial began. Executing the ancient martial arts from his previous life came as naturally as breathing to him.

 Chapter 40: Snatching the Jade Token

    After absorbing the two assassins who wanted to flee into his hands, Xing Peng, without any mercy, took their jade tokens from them and then threw them away. After all, this sea area is a dead sea; these people won¡¯t die after falling into the sea surface. By doing this, Xing Peng was actually being merciful. From the trial task, how could Xing Peng not see that the so-called assassination could actually lead to the death of trial participants, and likewise, trial participants could also kill the assassins.


    "The rules of White Tiger Academy are indeed unusually cruel. Outer disciples who fail their missions are actually eradicated. No wonder the four major academies, despite being known as the cradle of King Level warriors, are also known as the place where talents are most likely to fall," Xing Peng mused after finding only three jade tokens on them, presuming that Xing Jianfeng and his companions were their first targets.


    After getting the jade tokens, Xing Peng casually pocketed them and then said to Xing Jianfeng and others, ¡°In these thirty days, how many groups of assassins like these have you encountered?¡±


    "Thirty days? Uh, how come it''s thirty days, Xing Peng? We clearly just came down from the spaceship!" Xing Jianfeng looked at Xing Peng confusedly, "Could it be that you''ve been in the illusion for thirty days?"


    "Just came down from the spaceship!!" Xing Peng was shocked, a storm of surprise brewing in his heart. The illusion just now was already incredibly unbelievable to him, and he hadn''t expected that the time he spent inside would also differ from the outside world. "To what extent has the martial arts of this world advanced, to have illusions and even different time flows!"


    "Yes, we indeed just came down from the spaceship!" Xing Jianfeng confirmed.


    "Alright, I got it, let¡¯s not talk about this. What are your plans next?" Xing Peng asked solemnly, looking at Xing Jianfeng and the others.


    "Xing Peng, we really can''t thank you enough for saving us. You are truly amazing. Can we follow you?" Xing Xiaofeng looked at Xing Peng with shining eyes, his gaze incredibly fervent.


    "Whoosh!" Xing Peng¡¯s body flew backward. He had been in a hurry to save people and hadn¡¯t paid much attention to Xing Xiaofeng before. Now, seeing him speak like this, Xing Peng felt goosebumps all over his body. Having such a person follow him, no thanks, that¡¯s not going to make him happy.


    "Xing Peng, why are you running? Can''t I follow you? Don¡¯t worry, I definitely won¡¯t be a burden to you." Xing Xiaofeng looked at Xing Peng with a resentful gaze, pinching his fingers together like orchid blossoms, looking like he was hurt.


    "Get lost!" Xing Peng''s eyebrows twitched, and a roar came from his mouth. He really couldn¡¯t stand Xing Xiaofeng''s behavior and threw a punch at Xing Xiaofeng.


    "Swipe!" Xing Xiaofeng''s body shot across the sky like a meteor, disappearing from the sight of Xing Jianfeng and the others.


    "......" Seeing Xing Peng do this, Xing Jianfeng and the others looked at each other with complicated expressions. Although they were all descendants of the Xing family, that Xing Xiaofeng was really something else. It''s not that Xing Jianfeng and the others looked down on such people, but even if you have the potential for ''being gay'', you should seek out those with the same potential. It was no wonder Xing Peng was uncompromising in his action.


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    "You all know that this trial not only involves assassins targeting us but also facing attacks from other trial participants. Do you now choose to temporarily follow me, or do you plan to leave on your own?" Xing Peng asked after sending Xing Xiaofeng flying.


    "I want to follow you, if that¡¯s possible?" Xing Jianfeng tentatively asked.


    "We want to follow you too!" The other seven descendants of the Xing family also looked at Xing Peng nervously.


    "Then you can temporarily follow me. Once I¡¯ve collected all your jade tokens, we can split up," Xing Peng nodded and said. After all, they were from the Xing family. With such strength and blood ties, Xing Peng felt compelled to help.


    "Thanks!" Xing Jianfeng and the others were simultaneously overjoyed upon hearing this. With Xing Peng''s help, they at least could pass the second phase of the trial.


    Xing Peng waved his hand and then said, "You guys first take care of your injuries here. I''ll check out the surroundings." Saying so, he performed the ''Wind Shadow Steps'' and disappeared from the sight of Xing Jianfeng and the others.


    Two minutes later, Xing Peng returned to the side of Xing Jianfeng and the others. After some time of healing, the wounds on Xing Jianfeng and the others had stopped bleeding, and after consuming the healing holy medicine, their spirits had also improved a lot compared to when Xing Peng first encountered them.


    Returning to Xing Jianfeng and the others, Xing Peng casually took out a handful of jade tokens for Xing Jianfeng and the others. When Xing Jianfeng and the others saw Xing Peng casually taking out so many jade tokens, they were all very surprised.


    You know, Xing Peng had only been gone for a little over two minutes, yet he had found more than ten jade tokens in just two minutes. The speed of snatching jade tokens was just too fast.


    Xing Peng didn¡¯t pay attention to the surprise of Xing Jianfeng and the others. Seeing that their spirits had mostly recovered, he quickly led everyone in a certain direction.


    Although Xing Peng slowed down his speed a lot, when Xing Jianfeng and the others followed him, they still felt the pressure. They were almost exerting their full effort to barely keep up with Xing Peng.


    Seeing this, Xing Peng frowned slightly. The strength of Xing Jianfeng and the others, although quite good among the young disciples of Gu Mu City, was still only at the Human Level. Their strength was too far behind his. With them following, his speed of snatching jade tokens was greatly reduced. However, Xing Peng, though frowning, didn¡¯t say anything and tried to slow down so that Xing Jianfeng and the others could keep up.


    A few minutes later, when Xing Peng led Xing Jianfeng and the others to fly out for thousands of meters, they suddenly encountered a group of people. This group, about thirty in number, had varying strengths; the strongest was at the mid-Earth Level, and the weakest was only at the mid-Human Level.


    When Xing Peng and his group encountered these people, their gazes fervently fell on Xing Peng and the others. Then, led by a white-haired young man holding a large ringed saber, they surrounded Xing Peng and his group.


    "What do you guys want!" Seeing these people surrounding them, Xing Jianfeng asked harshly. He recognized that these people were also trial participants.


    "Hand over your jade tokens!" A red-clothed young man with a face full of pockmarks next to the white-haired young man shouted at Xing Jianfeng and the others. His expression was arrogant, his eyes full of disdain.


    "Yes, hurry up and hand over your jade tokens! Otherwise, we''ll kill you immediately!" As soon as the red-clothed young man spoke, the other warriors surrounding Xing Peng and his group also shouted loudly. Each of them had a murderous aura, evidently having experienced killing not long ago. These thirty or so people didn¡¯t take Xing Peng and his group seriously at all.

 Chapter 41: Single File Serpent Formation

    "Hand over the jade token? Why don¡¯t you go eat shit!" Xing xin, a righteous young boy standing beside Xing Peng, suddenly stepped forward, sneering coldly at the white-haired young man and others, his face full of contempt, looking completely as if he was looking at idiots.


    If they had been surrounded by the white-haired young man and his group before meeting Xing Peng, they would have been somewhat apprehensive, given the numerical superiority of the thirty or so people, and the strength of a dozen among them was unfathomable to them. But now, with Xing Peng by their side, they didn¡¯t feel the slightest fear.


    "You trash! I think it''s you who should hand over the jade tokens. Those who know the situation should kneel down to us quickly, and then hand over the jade tokens obediently!" Xing Jianfeng also stepped forward, his gaze coldly sweeping over the people around him. Ever since seeing Xing Peng able to use ''Whispering Transmission'' and ''Dragon Capturing Hand'' to absorb people into his hand, Xing Jianfeng and others were certain that Xing Peng must possess the strength of a Heaven Level warrior, and even far surpass that of an ordinary Heaven Level warrior. His ability to absorb people from a distance was simply against the heavens.


    "How dare you speak to us like this, you are seeking death!" The pockmarked young man opposing Xing Peng and his group suddenly flared up, his face darkening as he looked at Xing Jianfeng and the others, his expression extremely ferocious. Moreover, following his roar, all the people around him released a hint of murderous intent in an instant, emitting fierce cries.


    "Kill them!"


    "Tear them to pieces!"


    "They dare to disrespect us like this, not only must we kill them, but we also must make them suffer before they die."


    "Right! Explode their chrysanthemums, let them have no face to meet their ancestors¡­"


    Xing Peng watched the scene before him with a cold eye, listening to the shouts of the thirty people around him, a cold smile rose on his face. At the same time, he was somewhat satisfied with the performance of Xing Jianfeng and others, although their strength in this White Tiger Academy trial wasn¡¯t considered strong, and their actions were relying on him, Xing Peng. But seeing them united against the outside, he was still quite gratified. However, although Xing Peng was satisfied with the actions of Xing Jianfeng and others, he did not take action immediately but watched the scene indifferently without making a sound.


    "Brothers, kill!" Xing Jianfeng suddenly shouted, and almost at the instant of his shout, his long sword swiftly fell upon one of the closest people.


    "Puff!" The person he attacked did not expect Xing Jianfeng to take the initiative, and in an instant, was unexpectedly pierced through the heart by Xing Jianfeng''s sword. Almost at the same time Xing Jianfeng made his move, Xing xin and other Xing family warriors also acted in an instant, not showing any mercy in their attacks. Under such a bombardment, three people were killed in an instant, and several warriors were severely injured.


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    The rules of the Xing family have always been cruel, always valuing the strong. Although the men of the Xing family are not like the descendants of the Jin Bi Manor, who were bloodstained from a young age, the number of people they have killed is also not small. Almost none of those who could become the new top ten warriors of the Xing family had not killed anyone.


    Xing Jianfeng''s action just now was only somewhat satisfactory to Xing Peng, but when he saw Xing xin and others in an instant, severely injure or kill people of equal strength to them, his somewhat satisfaction turned into strong approval.


    "Xing family men are indeed no weaklings, being able to kill people of similar strength in adversity, no wonder they could initially entangle with those three early Earth Level warriors."


    Xing Peng approved of Xing Jianfeng and others'' actions, but the white-haired young man and other warriors were shocked. They all stared dumbfounded at the scene before them, their eyes filled with disbelief. In just a short moment, the nine surrounded warriors actually counter-killed three mid-Human Level warriors and severely injured five Human Level warriors.


    However, the white-haired young man and others were only stunned for a moment before immediately reacting. Then, the white-haired young man issued a command: "Kill!" The warriors surrounding Xing Peng and his group immediately launched their attacks, with various attacks enveloping Xing Peng and his group all at once.


    Sword qi filled the air, and a sword net enveloped them. The attack of the white-haired young man and others formed a dense sword net in an instant, sweeping towards Xing Peng and his group like a storm.


    The reason Xing Jianfeng and others were able to kill three Human Level warriors so quickly was not because their strength surpassed those people, but because the white-haired young man and his group were careless. Now, when the white-haired young man and his group launched their attacks simultaneously, Xing Jianfeng and others deeply felt the pressure.


    The attack of the white-haired young man and others hadn¡¯t arrived yet, but the air had already been pierced open, raising a large number of sword flowers. The air emitted a series of piercing ''sizzling'' sounds, making the faces of Xing Jianfeng and others, except for Xing Peng, turn pale simultaneously.


    "Follow my command, move according to my instructions..." Just when Xing Jianfeng and others were astonished, Xing Peng suddenly transmitted his voice to Xing Jianfeng and the others, directing their hand attacks and foot movements according to his instructions.


    Although Xing Peng''s words suddenly appeared in the ears of Xing Jianfeng and others, making them feel very abrupt, every one of them who heard the transmission didn¡¯t hesitate at all and immediately acted according to what Xing Peng said.


    In the movements of Xing Jianfeng and others, the rudimentary form of a simple formation was displayed.


    "Single File Serpent Formation!" One of the combined attack formations from ancient martial arts on Earth. Although Xing Jianfeng and others had not learned such a formation before, under Xing Peng''s simultaneous transmission and command, they indeed formed such a formation.


    As the formation was formed, the strength of Xing Jianfeng and others suddenly combined, turning into a single file serpent, and then generated a vast force, like the overflowing of the Yellow River, fiercely colliding with the attack launched by the white-haired young man and others.


    "Boom!" The forces collided, producing a earth-shattering loud noise, and a vacuum whirlpool was explosively created on the sea surface. Xing Jianfeng and the other eight Human Level warriors actually withstood the attack of dozens of Heaven Level warriors. And not only did they withstand the attack, but under such an attack, they didn¡¯t suffer much damage. The only change after receiving the attack was that their faces became a bit paler, which was just a normal reaction due to the excessive consumption of Profound Qi.

 Chapter 42: Winning with a Single Move

    "¡­¡­" Stunned! All the martial artists attacking Xing Jianfeng and others were stunned, looking at the scene before them in horror, their eyes filled with disbelief! Eight Human Level martial artists actually withstood the attack of over thirty of them, each at least at the mid-Human Level strength. This was simply unbelievable, akin to an egg cracking a stone.


    The white-haired youths were shocked, and so were Xing Jianfeng and his group who created this scene. They looked at each other, equally astonished.


    "What''s going on?! Is our combined attack a formation?"


    "Formation! It must be a formation, otherwise our attack couldn''t have been this powerful!"


    "My god, the eight of us actually executed a formation!"


    "This is unbelievable!"


    "¡­¡­"


    Xing Jianfeng and the others were excitedly exclaiming in their hearts, their blood boiling at this moment! The world was not devoid of formations, but formations were rare, often considered a closely guarded secret by most families; they would not be revealed unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, the difficulty of executing formations was immense, impossible with too few people. That Xing Peng could guide them to execute a formation so swiftly was truly shocking.


    Xing Peng paid no mind to the shock of Xing Jianfeng and the others. Seeing them stunned after their attack, he frowned and chided them through a message, "What are you dazing off for, attack these dazed fools!"


    Following Xing Peng''s message, Xing Jianfeng and the others showed a touch of embarrassment on their faces and hurriedly attacked the white-haired youths as instructed by Xing Peng.


    Immediately, blood splattered, and surging energy swept around ceaselessly. The martial artists who were stunned by the attack of Xing Jianfeng and others fell by over a dozen in an instant.


    In a short time, out of the thirty-plus martial artists, only about a dozen remained. Although these remaining martial artists were all at the late Human Level or above, they were filled with dread and horror when facing Xing Peng and the others. They were thrown into chaos, with the idea of fleeing rising in their hearts.


    "Brothers, don''t panic. No matter what, they are just Human Level martial artists. No matter how powerful their formation is, it cannot stand against us Earth Level martial artists. As long as we unite, they are bound to die! Let''s avenge our fallen brothers!" the white-haired youth suddenly shouted amidst the panic of the martial artists.


    This timely shout brightened the eyes of the panicked martial artists. That''s right, no matter how powerful the people in front of them were, they were just Human Level martial artists; it was impossible for them to kill martial artists much stronger than the mid-Human Level.


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    The reason they had managed to kill other martial artists so smoothly was completely due to their carelessness. As long as they united, they could definitely kill these people and perhaps even learn their formation.


    As everyone thought this, the martial artists quickly recovered, exerting their full strength against Xing Jianfeng and others, with no one thinking of retreating anymore.


    Under the full resistance of the white-haired youths and others, the effect of the ¡®Single File Serpent Formation¡¯ formed by Xing Jianfeng and his group was greatly diminished.


    Xing Jianfeng and his group had never learned the ¡®Single File Serpent Formation¡¯ before. The reason they could resist the white-haired youths and others was entirely due to Xing Peng''s guidance. However, as powerful as Xing Peng''s guidance was, Xing Jianfeng and his group could not fully execute the attacks according to his guidance, resulting in the ¡®Single File Serpent Formation¡¯ losing much of its power. If Xing Jianfeng and his group had practiced the ¡®Single File Serpent Formation¡¯ before, even Earth Level martial artists like the white-haired youths would have been defeated by them.


    Seeing such a result, Xing Peng shook his head helplessly and sighed. He had guided Xing Jianfeng and others to execute the ¡®Single File Serpent Formation¡¯ solely because he wanted to see what level the ancient martial formations from his previous life could reach in this world.


    Now, seeing that Xing Jianfeng and other Human Level martial artists could contend with the white-haired youths and others using the ¡®Single File Serpent Formation¡¯ and achieve such an effect was good, but it still did not meet Xing Peng''s expectations.


    Just as Xing Peng was shaking his head, the white-haired youth suddenly locked his fierce gaze on Xing Peng and broke away from the battle with Xing Jianfeng and others, then attacked Xing Peng.


    Seeing the white-haired youth''s actions, Xing Peng laughed. Do I look so easy to bully? He didn''t seek trouble from these people, yet they came to him. Without any more hesitation, with a thought, he raised his hand and pointed at the white-haired youth.


    "Chi!" A white light suddenly shot out from Xing Peng''s hand, piercing the air and landing on the white-haired youth''s body under his shocked gaze.


    "Clang!" After the white light hit the white-haired youth, his body, which was lunging at Xing Peng, suddenly stiffened and then heavily fell to the ground, making a dull sound that startled Xing Jianfeng and the others in the midst of the fight.


    With Xing Peng''s assistance, in just a blink of an eye, the group led by the white-haired youth was quickly defeated, leaving only the white-haired youth lying on the ground.


    When Xing Jianfeng and his group had easily resolved the white-haired youth''s group, their faces did not show much pride, only deep shock. Each of them looked at Xing Peng with a complex gaze.


    Space-constrained acupoint striking! He could immobilize the bodies of Earth Level martial artists with a mere gesture! This acupoint striking technique was also something Xing Jianfeng and others had never seen before.


    "Exactly how many battle techniques does Xing Peng possess? What kinds of martial arts does he know? Why is every battle technique he executes so powerful, so mysterious?"


    "What are you all still dazed for? Now that you''ve killed these people, hurry up and search their bodies for jade tokens!" Xing Peng saw Xing Jianfeng and others dazed and frowned as he commanded.


    Hearing this, Xing Jianfeng and the others hurriedly scrambled to search for jade tokens. They not only collected the jade tokens but also scoured the young men''s bodies for silver notes and elixirs, taking everything with the mindset of not letting go of free gains.


    At this moment, Xing Jianfeng and others fully recognized Xing Peng, and his status in their hearts rose to a very high level.

 Chapter 43: Mad Looting

    After Xing Jianfeng and others had plundered all the jade tokens from the white-haired youth and his companions, Xing Peng asked the white-haired youth a few questions about why they attacked them. Then, he ordered Xing Jianfeng and the others to kill the white-haired youth.


    Although Xing Peng had come to this world and had already been stained with much blood, he had yet to personally kill anyone until now. He understood the rules of this world very well but preferred to delay taking a life with his own hands for as long as possible.


    It wasn''t that Xing Peng was soft-hearted or afraid to kill; if he were, he wouldn''t have ordered the execution of the white-haired youth. The reason was simply that he didn''t want to be careless with his first kill.


    ...


    From the white-haired youth, Xing Jianfeng learned that not only their group of nine knew that they needed to hunt and seize jade tokens to leave this sea area, but others were also aware of it. Therefore, after killing the white-haired youth and his group, they quickly left the area and flew towards other places.


    In the following time, Xing Peng and his group didn''t specifically seek out warriors to rob; they only took the jade tokens from those who targeted them first.


    After Xing Peng taught Xing Jianfeng and the others the ''Single File Serpent Formation,'' he went on to explain the essence of the ''Single File Serpent Formation'' to them, allowing them to constantly refine their battle formation in combat.


    As they became more coordinated, their attacks grew stronger, and their combat power increasingly formidable. Although they were only eight Human Level warriors, when they executed the ''Single File Serpent Formation,'' they could face late-stage Earth Level opponents without fear.


    Many squads, upon encountering Xing Jianfeng and his group, would lose their jade tokens to them even without Xing Peng participating in the battle.


    A day later.


    After Xing Peng collected enough jade tokens for Xing Jianfeng and the others to leave this sea area for their next destination, he separated from the group and started looting jade tokens on his own.


    Without the burden of Xing Jianfeng and the others, Xing Peng''s speed of looting jade tokens increased significantly. Within just an hour, he had collected three hundred jade tokens. These three hundred jade tokens were taken both from trial participants and from those who had ambushed others.


    Xing Peng would immobilize the ambushers from afar and then plunder their jade tokens before casually leaving them in the sea area to fend for themselves.


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    For a time, a bizarre scene unfolded on the sea surface, with many warriors paralyzed, unable to move at all!


    ...


    "Eh, you two lads are not bad, having three hundred and fifty jade tokens! It seems you''ve killed quite a few people," Xing Peng exclaimed in surprise upon finding the jade tokens from two ambushers whose acupoints he had immobilized, a hint of joy on his face.


    The immobilized warriors looked at Xing Peng with pale faces and terror in their eyes. These two were late-stage Earth Level warriors. Although they weren''t the strongest among the ambushers, they were ranked in the top hundred. However, when facing Xing Peng, they had little chance to fight back and saw their efforts turn into naught.


    "What should I do with you two? Should I cripple your martial arts or just throw you into the sea like I did with the others?" Xing Peng asked with a mischievous smile, tucking the jade tokens into a bundle made from his clothing, then slinging it over his shoulder and smirking at the two immobilized ambushers.


    Hearing Xing Peng''s sinister laugh, although the two had been immobilized, they couldn''t help but shudder in fear, cold sweat breaking out on their foreheads. Crippling their martial arts was a far more ruthless act than killing them.


    Their eyes frantically moved, hoping Xing Peng would spare their martial arts.


    "Hehe, don''t worry, I was just saying. I, Xing Peng, am a merciful person. After all, we might become schoolmates; I wouldn''t do such cruel things to you..." Seeing their fear, Xing Peng patted their heads like consoling children, then kicked them away with a swift kick. After dispatching them, he clapped his hands and went in search of his next target.


    With these jade tokens from the two, Xing Peng now had a total of one thousand and eight jade tokens, a number most warriors would find impressive.


    However, Xing Peng was still not satisfied. From the mission information, he knew that collecting more jade tokens meant higher contribution points. Although Xing Peng had never joined the White Tiger Academy, he understood the importance of contribution points there. In the White Tiger Academy, everything depended on contribution points. To obtain high-level martial arts and various cultivation resources, one needed to spend contribution points. Thus, Xing Peng didn''t want to miss this opportunity to earn a significant amount of contribution points. Moreover, these points also related to the trial''s ranking, and Xing Peng aspired for first place. The higher the ranking, the better the rewards, and Xing Peng was determined to get the legendary storage ring.


    A while after Xing Peng left, a sickly youth with purple hair and wielding a long spear quickly approached the area from a distance. Upon seeing the two warriors on the sea surface, he slightly frowned. If Xing Peng were still there, he would recognize this person as the Heaven Level warrior who had descended from the spaceship.


    "Along the way, I''ve found hundreds of people immobilized and left floating on the sea. I wonder who could do such a thing with such ability!" Lin Fei briefly glanced at the two lying on the sea surface, then, with a burst of energy, left a trail of afterimages, charging towards the direction where Xing Peng had just disappeared like a surging wave.


    Unaware of the pursuit behind him, Xing Peng continued at high speed, his pursuer''s pace also fast but still outside Xing Peng''s sensory range.


    After running quickly with the ''Wind Shadow Steps'' for a while, Xing Peng suddenly stopped, curiously observing ahead. He saw a man and a woman attacking a beautiful girl stepping on elusive footsteps. Despite being surrounded by two capable warriors, the girl''s face showed no worry.


    As the three exchanged blows, loud ''booms'' echoed, deafening and shaking the heavens and earth, instilling involuntary awe. All three were Heaven Level warriors!

 Chapter 44: Heaven Level Battle

    Xing Peng appeared outside the battle circle of the three fighters, unnoticed by them as they continued their fierce combat.


    "Shangguan Meiyu, you''d better be smart and hand over half of your jade token to us, or don''t even think about passing the White Tiger Academy''s trial today!" The red-clothed woman, Mu Xiaoni, wielding a long sword, swung it to create a flurry of sword flowers, and shouted threateningly at the stunningly beautiful girl.


    "Pfft, as if you could..." Shangguan Meiyu puckered her lips adorably and disdainfully rolled her eyes at Mu Xiaoni. She stepped on the ''Ethereal Fairy Step'' like a fairy out of this world, easily dodged Mu Xiaoni''s attack, then raised her hand to slap towards Mu Xiaoni. The palm force unleashed Profound Qi, instantly forming a white lotus flower that rapidly swept towards Mu Xiaoni.


    Seeing the white lotus flower, Mu Xiaoni''s expression slightly changed. She quickly adjusted her long sword to meet Shangguan Meiyu''s palm force. At the moment the sword met the palm, a loud explosion sounded, and Mu Xiaoni''s body uncontrollably staggered several steps backward. As she retreated, Shangguan Meiyu closely followed and slapped her again, aiming directly at Mu Xiaoni''s chest.


    Shangguan Meiyu''s slap was extremely fast, arriving beside Mu Xiaoni in the blink of an eye, leaving Mu Xiaoni no chance to resist.


    "Boom!" Shangguan Meiyu''s heavy slap hit Mu Xiaoni, producing a dull thud. At the moment the palm force hit, Mu Xiaoni felt a sudden warmth in her chest, and a mouthful of blood she couldn''t suppress sprayed out, turning into a shower of blood in all directions.


    Bai Jian, the young man who was attacking Shangguan Meiyu alongside Mu Xiaoni, saw Mu Xiaoni severely injured by Shangguan Meiyu in an instant. His expression drastically changed, and a large amount of blood mist suddenly appeared on his body. He then rapidly threw dozens of punches at Shangguan Meiyu.


    His punches were incredibly fast, creating hundreds of blood-red fists the size of sandbags in the air the moment they were thrown. They then enveloped Shangguan Meiyu''s body like a torrential downpour.


    Shangguan Meiyu, sensing the approach of these blood-red fists, showed no worry. With a slight step, she managed to escape from the encirclement of blood-red fists in the blink of an eye.


    "Burial Flower Sword!" As soon as Shangguan Meiyu escaped, the recovered Mu Xiaoni attacked again with her long sword, bringing sword flowers towards Shangguan Meiyu. The sword flowers were countless, like a sea of enchantingly beautiful flowers, extremely dazzling and almost blinding. This sea of flowers was terrifying; even early Heaven Level warriors covered by it would be severely injured if not killed. Shangguan Meiyu''s vision was dazzled by the sea of flowers in an instant.


    "White Lotus Protection!" In a critical moment, Shangguan Meiyu''s body suddenly released a large amount of Profound Qi, forming a white lotus flower that enveloped her body.


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    "Clang! Clang! Clang!" Mu Xiaoni''s sword flowers collided with the white lotus flower around Shangguan Meiyu, constantly producing metallic sounds. Just as Mu Xiaoni''s sword flowers enveloped Shangguan Meiyu, Bai Jian''s eyes turned cold, and his right hand weirdly swelled, becoming a giant hand five to six times larger than normal, and he fiercely slapped towards Shangguan Meiyu.


    His palm force stirred up a huge amount of wind, forming a massive handprint that changed the color of the sky and earth for a moment, then smashed down on Shangguan Meiyu like a mountain.


    "Boom!" The giant handprint hit Shangguan Meiyu, causing the lotus flower around her to show signs of collapse, flickering and even making Shangguan Meiyu grunt in pain.


    Xing Peng stood in the distance, leisurely watching the battle. This was his first time seeing Innate Martial Artists fight. Although it seemed quite indifferent to watch a stunningly beautiful woman being attacked by others, Xing Peng didn''t care much. In his opinion, the stunningly beautiful woman and her attackers were evenly matched, and she wouldn''t fall easily, so he didn''t rush to intervene.


    Xing Peng concealed his presence and stood in the sea. Although he seemed conspicuous, because he had concealed his breath and was still some distance from Shangguan Meiyu and the others, Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian did not notice him.


    Watching the battle, Xing Peng was greatly enlightened. From the combat of the three, he gained a new understanding of the martial arts in this world, which should not be underestimated. Shangguan Meiyu''s steps and the ''Wind Shadow Steps'' he knew had some similarities.


    For a while, Xing Peng was mesmerized, his eyes sparkling as he constantly used the battle to verify his own martial skills.


    After about half a tea time, having observed all the fighting techniques the three could use, Xing Peng suddenly let out a long howl and charged into the battle circle.


    Xing Peng''s sudden intrusion shocked Mu Xiaoni and the others. Their bodies almost simultaneously shuddered, looking incredulously at the approaching Xing Peng, with shock in their eyes.


    Especially Shangguan Meiyu, when she saw Xing Peng charging over, her eyes also showed surprise. Although she couldn''t figure out Xing Peng''s strength on the spaceship, seeing him evade their perception and suddenly appear beside them still deeply affected her.


    She was from the Shangguan family, after all. Even late-stage Heaven Level warriors might not be able to evade her perception, yet Xing Peng had. What level was his strength? Shangguan Meiyu found it hard to imagine.


    Xing Peng didn''t pay much attention to their shock. After watching their battle, he suddenly felt a strong desire to fight with Heaven Level warriors, which is why he rushed out to join the battle. After charging out, Xing Peng, without saying a word, directly involved Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian in the fight, forcing them to confront him.


    "Mighty Vajra Finger!" Xing Peng''s fingers were like steel, and his steps were as fast as flying. Fearlessly facing the sword in Mu Xiaoni''s hand that could cut through iron like mud, and after deploying the ''Wind Shadow Steps,'' he launched a storm-like attack on Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian.


    In the blink of an eye, he had pushed Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian into a corner. Shangguan Meiyu, who had been comfortably fighting under the attack of Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian, was shocked by Xing Peng''s attack and involuntarily stopped her attack, staring in surprise at Xing Peng. Xing Peng''s movement technique even pressured her.


    "Who is this person, and where did he come from? His movement technique is not inferior to Shangguan Meiyu''s at all! Moreover, his attacks are so fierce!" Mu Xiaoni sweated from her forehead, feeling a chill on her back.

 Chapter 45: Shangguan Meiyu

    Two Heaven Level martial artists were completely suppressed by Xing Peng, under the coordination of his ''Mighty Vajra Finger'' and ''Wind Shadow Steps'', Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian, these two Heaven Level martial artists had their eyes wide open in shock, their hearts churning with astonishment and fear.


    "Burial Flower Sword!"


    "Blood Battle in All Directions!"


    Faced with such peril, Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian both pushed their Profound Qi to the limit, their sword qi and blood qi constantly surging in the void, tearing the air apart and then merging into an energy storm that rushed towards Xing Peng, hoping to make him stop his intense attack.


    However, the combined efforts of Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian couldn''t stop Xing Peng at all. He easily dodged their attacks with ''Wind Shadow Steps'', and his ''Mighty Vajra Finger'' suddenly landed on Bai Jian''s body, emitting a ''puff'' sound as a large amount of blood spurted out from Bai Jian''s shoulder, turning his face as pale as paper, and his left hand suddenly went limp.


    Xing Peng''s finger had crushed the bones in Bai Jian''s left hand, and as the bones in Bai Jian''s left hand were crushed, his sleeve was instantly dyed red with blood.


    Even after disabling Bai Jian''s arm, Xing Peng did not stop his attack. In a flash, his right hand swung, and like a diamond, it landed on Bai Jian''s right arm.


    "Puff!" The sound of bones shattering rang out again, and with this finger, Xing Peng also disabled Bai Jian''s other arm. His mercilessness was terrifying, making Mu Xiaoni, who was also in the fight, tremble all over.


    Where did this devil come from? He had such methods, and in front of him, two Heaven Level martial artists had no chance to fight back. Since when did trial participants of the White Tiger Academy possess such formidable strength?


    After disabling Bai Jian''s arms, Xing Peng''s desire to fight suddenly decreased significantly. He thought they looked decent fighting against Shangguan Meiyu, but facing him, they were so incapable, preventing him from fully unleashing his combat power.


    Therefore, after disabling Bai Jian, he no longer used ''Mighty Vajra Finger'' but instead executed ''One Yang Finger'', suddenly pointing at Bai Jian''s acupuncture point.


    After pointing at Bai Jian''s acupuncture point, Xing Peng moved like a ghost and also pointed at Mu Xiaoni''s acupuncture point, then, without paying attention to Shangguan Meiyu standing by, he searched the bodies of Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian, scavenging hundreds of jade tokens.


    As Xing Peng did this, Shangguan Meiyu didn''t speak but looked at Xing Peng curiously, her eyes sparkling with intrigue, occasionally flashing with cunning.


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    After Xing Peng had scavenged the jade tokens from the two, Shangguan Meiyu took a step forward with a cute smile and said graciously, "Thank you for your help. My name is Shangguan Meiyu, nice to meet you!"


    "Xing Peng!" Xing Peng casually shrugged his shoulders, then began to tally how many jade tokens he had obtained this time, not clinging to Shangguan Meiyu despite her being a great beauty.


    Seeing this, Shangguan Meiyu''s eyes grew more intrigued. The people she had met before would have been respectful and eagerly pleasing her upon seeing her beauty. Yet, Xing Peng showed no fluctuation at all, which really surprised her.


    "Peng brother, are you the son of the Carefree King?" Shangguan Meiyu batted her beautiful eyes, smilingly asked Xing Peng, not getting angry over Xing Peng''s coldness.


    "Peng brother?" Xing Peng frowned, then stopped counting the jade tokens and looked puzzledly at Shangguan Meiyu''s beautiful face, "Why do you call me that?"


    "Hehe, you are older than me, aren''t you? If not Peng brother, then what?" Shangguan Meiyu playfully stuck out her tongue. She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen, indeed younger than Xing Peng. So, her calling him that wasn¡¯t wrong.


    "How did you know my father is the Carefree King?" Xing Peng asked with a frown.


    "That... I''ve heard your name a long time ago, so..." Shangguan Meiyu hesitated, looking at Xing Peng with an unsure expression.


    "Forget it, you don''t have to say it. I know what''s going on!" Xing Peng said, waving his hand in frustration, interrupting Shangguan Meiyu. There was no need to say it; Shangguan Meiyu knew him probably because of his infamous name over the years. After all, his father is the Carefree King, who doesn''t know him in this country? Under such a famed father, having such a worthless son, how could people not know him, Xing Peng?


    "Since these two were looking for trouble with you, I''ll leave them to you now!" Xing Peng casually threw Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian next to Shangguan Meiyu, then without further ado, flashed away towards the distance. Since everyone was in a competitive state due to the trial mission, Xing Peng didn¡¯t want to capsize in a gutter. Haven¡¯t you heard? The prettier the woman, the more you should not underestimate her.


    However, although Xing Peng didn¡¯t want to stay long with Shangguan Meiyu, seeing Xing Peng''s peculiar movement technique, she didn''t want to just part ways with Xing Peng. The moment Xing Peng strode away, she also ignored Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian thrown next to her, activated ''Ethereal Fairy Step'', and easily caught up with Xing Peng since he wasn¡¯t flying at full speed.


    "Peng brother, why are you in such a hurry? Don''t you want to see me?" After catching up with Xing Peng, Shangguan Meiyu blocked his path with a resentful gaze.


    If someone else saw this scene, they might think Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu had an extraordinary relationship, who would have thought they actually didn''t know each other at all.


    Xing Peng wasn''t good at interacting with girls in his previous life, though he had thoughts about beauties, he really didn''t know how to charm them. Now, seeing Shangguan Meiyu blocking him, he was even more at a loss, having never enjoyed such treatment in his previous life. After a slight pause, Xing Peng helplessly pouted, "I don¡¯t mean I don¡¯t want to see you. Who wouldn¡¯t want to meet a beauty? However, Shangguan Meiyu, we are competitors now, don''t you think it¡¯s easy for me to have bad thoughts about you if I stay with such a beautiful woman?"


    "Hehe, I''m not afraid at all. Peng brother, you just saved me, how could you possibly have bad thoughts about me?" Shangguan Meiyu fluttered her beautiful eyes playfully, then suddenly moved closer to Xing Peng and even took his arm.


    "..."

 Chapter 46: The Beautys Entanglement

    Xing Peng felt quite helpless when Shangguan Meiyu hugged him like that; he never expected that she would do such a thing. When Shangguan Meiyu hugged him, he could clearly feel the softness of her chest against his arm.


    And when Shangguan Meiyu hugged Xing Peng, it seemed like she didn¡¯t even notice that her soft chest was rubbing against Xing Peng¡¯s arm. After she hugged Xing Peng''s arm, she looked at Xing Peng very peacefully, just like a girl next door, which made anyone who saw this scene think that they had known each other for a very long time.


    "Peng brother, can you tell me what the name of the movement technique you just used is? The movement technique you used seems to be similar to mine!" Shangguan Meiyu looked at Xing Peng with anticipation.


    Hearing Shangguan Meiyu say this, Xing Peng thought he knew why this girl suddenly hugged his arm; it turned out she wanted to inquire about the technique. Knowing her purpose, Xing Peng said displeasedly, "I''m not familiar with you, why should I tell you!"


    "Peng brother, don¡¯t be so stingy, I''m not asking you to teach me your movement technique, I just want to know its name. Such a small request, can¡¯t you just grant it..." Shangguan Meiyu coquettishly shook Xing Peng¡¯s arm. As she shook Xing Peng''s arm, her mouth pouted cutely, looking very innocent and adorable, making it hard for anyone to resist her question.


    "Goodness!" Xing Peng shuddered. He had never experienced such a situation before, and now being coquettishly begged by such a beautiful girl, Xing Peng really felt overwhelmed. He sighed bitterly, then revealed the name of the technique, "The movement technique I just used is called ¡®Wind Shadow Steps¡¯."


    "Wind Shadow Steps? So that''s the name, it sounds so nice!" Shangguan Meiyu''s eyes sparkled.


    "Alright, now I have told you the name of the technique I know. Hey girl, shouldn¡¯t you let go of my hand now!" Xing Peng tried to withdraw his arm from Shangguan Meiyu''s embrace.


    "Not letting go! If I let go, are you going to run away again! It¡¯s not easy to meet a great master like Peng brother, I don¡¯t want to let you leave me like this!" Shangguan Meiyu held onto Xing Peng¡¯s arm tightly, winking slyly at Xing Peng, showing a determined look.


    Xing Peng was utterly defeated; he found that he really couldn¡¯t deal with these women. It¡¯s not that he didn¡¯t like beauties, but this kind of romantic encounter was too sudden, leaving him unprepared.


    After giving Shangguan Meiyu a deep look, he decided to ignore whatever plans she had, "Since you don¡¯t want to let go of me, then let''s go and snatch other people''s jade tokens now."


    "Okay!" Shangguan Meiyu nodded excitedly, "With Peng brother, such a super master with me, hehe, this time I can at least get the second place in the trial!"


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    Xing Peng shook his head, prepared to leave with Shangguan Meiyu. However, just as he was about to start moving, Shangguan Meiyu cutely interrupted him, "Peng brother, we haven¡¯t dealt with Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian yet. Although you took their jade tokens, Mu Xiaoni¡¯s sword is still in her hands. Are you really going to let them go like this?"


    "I already told you, both of them are up to you to deal with!" Xing Peng said indifferently. Although Mu Xiaoni and the others were Heaven Level martial artists, he didn¡¯t care much about them.


    "In that case, let''s clean them out first!" After saying this, Shangguan Meiyu used the ¡®Ethereal Fairy Step¡¯, dragging Xing Peng back to where Mu Xiaoni and the others were, taking Mu Xiaoni''s long sword for herself, and then rummaged through Mu Xiaoni''s clothes, finding a very exquisite white jade bottle.


    When Shangguan Meiyu found the exquisite little jade bottle, her eyes gleamed brightly, showing a look of a little money-grubber, which added a different kind of beauty, making Xing Peng¡¯s heart skip a beat. However, his heart only fluttered slightly before he forcibly suppressed it. He still didn¡¯t know what this girl was really thinking, and Xing Peng didn¡¯t want to foolishly fall into it.


    After Shangguan Meiyu rummaged through Mu Xiaoni under Mu Xiaoni''s angry gaze, she did not kill Mu Xiaoni but quickly put the jade bottle into her bosom and then left the place with Xing Peng.


    After Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu had gone far away, a person flew in from a distance to where Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian were. This person was Lin Fei, who had been following behind Xing Peng. As soon as Lin Fei arrived next to Mu Xiaoni and Bai Jian, he was stunned, feeling extremely shocked.


    "Mu Xiaoni! Bai Jian! It¡¯s actually them!"


    "To think that even Heaven Level martial artists have been subdued like this! Who could have done this, and how could his strength be so formidable!"


    Lin Fei was deeply shocked. He did not try to release the acupoints that were sealed because, along the way, he had already tried to release the acupoints, but none were successful. He simply couldn¡¯t break this unique technique!


    After glancing at Bai Jian and the others, Lin Fei suppressed the shock in his heart, looked around, and then swiftly followed in the direction where Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu had left, not knowing what method Lin Fei would use to accurately know the direction of their departure.


    ...


    "Peng brother, you are really nice to me, giving me so many jade tokens." Shangguan Meiyu hugged a bunch of jade tokens, excitedly kissing Xing Peng on the face. Listening to Shangguan Meiyu''s words, Xing Peng rolled his eyes. It wasn''t that he was being nice; she just took them without asking.


    Now, more than an hour had passed since he had subdued Bai Jian and Mu Xiaoni. At this moment, he deeply felt like he had boarded a pirate ship. Now, when they were snatching jade tokens from others, Shangguan Meiyu didn¡¯t lift a finger, and after he had subdued those people, she would always be the first to rummage through their belongings, taking half of the loot for herself, driving Xing Peng crazy more than once. However, every time, he would end up being defeated by Shangguan Meiyu¡¯s sweet smile. Shangguan Meiyu was naturally beautiful, like a sprite, and her innocent smile could melt even the toughest man, let alone Xing Peng, who actually didn¡¯t have much resistance to beauties.


    However, although Xing Peng was defeated, he didn¡¯t plan to continue like this forever. He didn¡¯t want to keep snatching jade tokens anymore and planned to head to the next destination. With the number of jade tokens he had collected, even if he couldn¡¯t win first place, he was already not far off.

 Chapter 47: The Blackwater Poison Frog

    Having decided not to continue vying for the jade tokens, Xing Peng immediately gave up on seizing more jade tokens and explained the situation to Shangguan Meiyu. He hoped this would make Shangguan Meiyu give up the idea of staying with him. However, when Xing Peng shared his next plan with Shangguan Meiyu, she showed little surprise. Instead, she adorably pestered Xing Peng, insisting that she would not leave him and wanted to accompany him to the next destination.


    Feeling helpless, Xing Peng could only shake his head bitterly. Then, he took out ten jade tokens, combined them to obtain a map for leaving the maritime area, and led Shangguan Meiyu to the next trial location, the Blackwater Plains.


    An hour later.


    Hovering over an endless black swamp plain, Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu flew through the air, with Xing Peng curiously observing the black swamp below, his eyes shining with unfamiliar stars.


    The black swamp was filled with thick blue mist, dazzling and enchanting under its cover. Occasionally, the roars of fierce beasts echoed, sending chills down one''s spine.


    "Brother Peng, be careful, the blue mist here is poisonous!" Just after arriving above the Blackwater Plains, Shangguan Meiyu suddenly warned Xing Peng in a delicate voice.


    "How do you know it''s poisonous?" Xing Peng turned his eyes in surprise, looking at Shangguan Meiyu.


    "I''ve read some records about the Blackwater Plains before. According to those records, this place is shrouded in poisonous fog all year round and is full of fierce beasts. Although it''s not as infamous as the ''Hell Valley'' and other ancient dangerous places, it''s still a nightmare for most martial artists, even Sky-Breaking Level warriors have perished here!" Shangguan Meiyu said with a smile.


    "Sky-Breaking Level warriors have perished here? Are you sure?!" Xing Peng was shocked. He had read many records before but had never come across information about the Blackwater Plains.


    "Yes! Indeed, Sky-Breaking Level warriors have fallen here. And what I said just now was the most conservative statement. The deeper you go into the Blackwater Plains, the more dangerous it gets. It''s said that not just Sky-Breaking Level warriors, but even King Level warriors have perished in its depths," Shangguan Meiyu nodded affirmatively.


    "The more you talk, the more incredible it sounds. A plain where even King Level warriors have perished sounds a bit too frightening!" Xing Peng grimaced, somewhat disbelievingly looking at Shangguan Meiyu.


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    "Brother Peng, I''m not lying to you. According to the records I''ve read, King Level warriors have indeed perished here. Despite its dangers, the Blackwater Plains also has its advantages. It''s said that deep within, there are numerous treasures capable of driving King Level warriors mad with desire, so many King Level warriors venture here to take their chances," Shangguan Meiyu explained.


    Listening to Shangguan Meiyu, Xing Peng didn''t doubt the truthfulness of her words. Upon arriving, he had already sensed the danger. His questioning was more about seeing how much she knew about this place.


    "Fortunately, the mission only requires us to survive here for fifteen days and doesn''t specify where in the Blackwater Plains we must stay. Otherwise, surviving here for fifteen days would not be an easy task," Xing Peng felt a sense of relief.


    Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu didn''t fly much longer in the sky. After a short while, they landed in the Blackwater Plains under Xing Peng''s lead.


    "Ah!" As soon as they landed, a shrill scream suddenly pierced their ears.


    Xing Peng frowned slightly and quickly looked towards the source of the scream. What he saw made his expression grave. About a kilometer away, a huge shadow was attacking an Earth Level mid-stage martial artist, who was at a complete disadvantage and was torn to pieces in the blink of an eye.


    As the Earth Level mid-stage warrior was torn apart, the huge shadow suddenly scanned towards Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu''s location, then charged at them like lightning.


    It was a two-zhang-tall beast, dark green all over with scales covering its body. Its head was as large as a millstone, resembling a fish but looking more like a frogman. It emitted a violently fierce aura, opening its huge mouth in a terrifying manner. As it leaped towards Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu, a large amount of green mist spread in all directions, emitting a pungent smell that made one nauseous even from a distance.


    "The Blackwater Poison Frog!! Brother Peng, be careful, this is the Blackwater Poison Frog, full of deadly poison. Don''t let it get close," Shangguan Meiyu cried out anxiously as the poison frog approached rapidly.


    "Oh!" Xing Peng responded, flipping his right hand and suddenly executing ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms''. A golden dragon roared towards the incoming poison frog, blasting it away. As the frog was sent flying, a large amount of green liquid splashed in all directions, corroding anything it touched. The bones scattered across the Blackwater Plains turned to ash upon contact with the liquid, demonstrating the frog''s potent poison.


    Seeing this, Xing Peng''s pupils constricted, and he involuntarily gasped. The trial set by the White Tiger Academy was indeed perilous. If not for Shangguan Meiyu''s warning, he might have faced a dire threat from this creature. Such poisonous beings posed a challenge to any martial artist.


    "It seems I need to find time to practice the Tang Sect''s poison skills. Otherwise, being attacked by such potent poison in this world would be an unjust end!" Xing Peng thought to himself. In his previous life, he had been given several sacks of martial arts secrets by that unscrupulous old man. Although he memorized them all, he hadn''t mastered them. To fully learn these secrets required a lot of effort, and despite his diligent martial arts practice, he didn''t have the time. Now, in this survival-of-the-fittest world, Xing Peng found it necessary to arm himself with those martial arts skills he hadn''t focused on in his previous life.

 Chapter 48: Delving Deeper

    After Xing Peng used "The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms" to send a Blackwater Poison Frog flying, Shangguan Meiyu''s beautiful eyes once again sparkled with astonishment. During the short time she had interacted with Xing Peng, he had continuously surprised her. His movements and various attack methods were mysterious, making her very curious about him.


    When Xing Peng sent the Blackwater Poison Frog flying with a palm strike, he caught the fascinated look in Shangguan Meiyu''s eyes, but he didn''t comment on it. Instead, he calmly borrowed her long sword and swiftly moved towards where the Blackwater Poison Frog had fallen. He then slashed the frog, cutting open its belly to reveal its inner core. The moment the inner core was exposed, he used the sword to pick it out from the frog''s belly. Following that, he transferred Profound Qi to his left hand and grasped the inner core.


    Seeing Xing Peng''s actions, Shangguan Meiyu was slightly surprised. Although the inner core of fierce beasts was greatly beneficial to martial artists, creatures like the Blackwater Poison Frog, filled with deadly poison, would also have poisonous inner cores. Most martial artists would not desire such a medicinal pill.


    However, although she was surprised, she did not stop Xing Peng''s actions. Instead, she curiously watched him, wondering what he intended to do with the inner core.


    After securing the inner core in his hand, Xing Peng returned to Shangguan Meiyu''s side and casually handed back her long sword, looking at her seriously, "With such deadly creatures lurking around the perimeter, who knows what lies deeper within the Blackwater Plains. The question is, do you want to continue delving deeper with me, or stay here on the outskirts?"


    "Of course, wherever Brother Peng goes, I will follow!" Shangguan Meiyu said with a sweet smile.


    "Then let''s go," said Xing Peng. With that, he unfurled his body and sped off into the distance using "Wind Shadow Steps". Knowing about the presence of the Blackwater Poison Frog, Xing Peng was somewhat worried about Xing Jianfeng and others who had arrived before him. Given the circumstances here, their situation did not look promising.


    Although martial artists could resist the swamps of the Blackwater Plains by properly using Profound Qi, this was only true as long as they circulated Profound Qi throughout their bodies continuously. If a martial artist rashly dispersed their Profound Qi, most would inevitably perish in the Blackwater Plains. The blue mist and the fierce beasts of the Blackwater Plains were not entities that average martial artists could easily provoke.


    After flying for half an hour around the outskirts of the Blackwater Plains without finding Xing Jianfeng and the others, Xing Peng''s brows furrowed slightly, "Could it be that they''re all gone? How come I can''t sense their presence after half an hour of flying?"


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    Shaking his head to dispel these grim thoughts, Xing Peng continued to search with Shangguan Meiyu. Another half-hour passed, and Xing Peng sighed bitterly.


    After an hour of searching, Xing Peng was unsure whether Xing Jianfeng and the others were still alive. In that hour, they had encountered no less than fifty Blackwater Poison Frogs. Each time they encountered a Blackwater Poison Frog, the creatures would attack them immediately.


    Even though Xing Peng was skilled at concealing his presence, once he got within about 500 meters of a Blackwater Poison Frog, it would immediately launch an attack in his direction.


    "Brother Peng, are you looking for something? Why do you seem so anxious?" Shangguan Meiyu suddenly asked, looking at Xing Peng.


    "The other members of my Xing family have also entered this place," Xing Peng simply said.


    "They have entered as well? Brother Peng, how did you know? Could it be, before the massive jade token snatch, you had already encountered other members of the Xing family and helped them complete their trial tasks?" Shangguan Meiyu looked at Xing Peng in surprise. Although she hadn''t clearly seen Xing Peng''s strength on the spaceship, she had a clear understanding of the strengths of the other Xing family members around him. The strengths of Xing Jianfeng and others were at most only at the Human Level, and for them, entering the Blackwater Plains would not be easy.


    "Yes, I did give them a hand back then!" Xing Peng nodded, not wishing to delve further into the matter. After briefly speaking with Shangguan Meiyu, he once again increased his pace and continued searching for Xing Jianfeng and the others.


    ...


    Two more hours passed, and Xing Peng still had not found any trace of Xing Jianfeng and the others. At this moment, he was being attacked by a dozen Blackwater Poison Frogs, and more were continuously approaching from not far away. In the blink of an eye, the number of Blackwater Poison Frogs attacking Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu had reached over a hundred.


    "What the hell is going on? Why do these Blackwater Poison Frogs seem to be flocking here?" Xing Peng looked at the approaching Blackwater Poison Frogs and spat fiercely. His Profound Qi was running at its peak, and his palm force continuously bombarded the surrounding frogs. While attacking the Blackwater Poison Frogs, he also activated "Wind Shadow Steps" to an incredibly fast pace to dodge the poison sprayed by the frogs.


    These Blackwater Poison Frogs were all quite strong, with the weakest being at the late stages of the Human Level and the strongest at the late stages of the Earth Level. Amidst the attack of hundreds of Blackwater Poison Frogs, even though Xing Peng was very strong, he dared not be careless.


    His "The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms" continuously wreaked havoc, and his movements were like a phantom, swiftly navigating through the poison rain. Every attack from Xing Peng would take the life of one or several Blackwater Poison Frogs.


    Shangguan Meiyu also displayed "Ethereal Fairy Step" to an impressive degree, moving like a dream through the poison rain. Despite the continuous downpour of poison, not a single drop fell on her.


    "We can''t keep this up; follow me closely!" After sending several Blackwater Poison Frogs flying with another palm strike and seeing countless more approaching, Xing Peng grabbed Shangguan Meiyu''s hand and activated "Wind Shadow Steps" to the utmost, darting off towards the southeast like lightning. Although the Blackwater Poison Frogs were fast, they could not catch up to Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu with his full-speed movement.

 Chapter 49: The Axe of Hell

    "Xing Jianfeng and the others, I don''t even know how they''re doing now. I hope they really didn''t die in these Blackwater Plains!" The longer Xing Peng stayed in the Blackwater Plains, the more he realized the horror of this place, which was many times more terrifying than the Heavenly Extremity Peak where he had initially stayed. Although he now possesses the strength of a Heaven Level martial artist, with his strength here, if he is not careful, he could still fall.


    Now, it has been the sixth day since Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu entered the Blackwater Plains. For six consecutive days, Xing Peng has not given up on searching for Xing Jianfeng and the others; however, even so, he has not found them, which has made him start to think about giving up the search for Xing Jianfeng and the others.


    After six days of living in the Blackwater Plains, Xing Peng has learned a lot about the survival patterns here. The Blackwater Poison Frogs are countless, and a slight carelessness can lead to being attacked by a group of Blackwater Poison Frogs. These Blackwater Poison Frogs naturally have sharp insight and can clearly detect any moving creature within a thousand meters.


    However, despite the sharp insight of the Blackwater Poison Frogs, they also have drawbacks. They do not pay much attention to non-moving creatures. This situation is similar to that of ordinary frogs. If Xing Peng had not been flying frequently these six days, the dangers they faced would have been much less.


    "Ah, I''m really too kind-hearted. Initially, these people''s attitude towards me wasn''t that great, and now, for the sake of the so-called family bloodline, I have to search for these people. I can''t just ignore them. It seems that one has to be more ruthless, my heart, Xing Peng''s heart, is not ruthless enough..." While Xing Peng was carefully sneaking around with Shangguan Meiyu, he was grumbling to himself in his heart.


    Shangguan Meiyu quietly followed Xing Peng, her gaze softly resting on him, not knowing what she was thinking. After six days of being together, Shangguan Meiyu and Xing Peng have become familiar with each other. Although Xing Peng is still unclear about Shangguan Meiyu''s attitude towards him, whether she has any ulterior motives, he has now recognized Shangguan Meiyu and has made her a friend.


    In the six days, Shangguan Meiyu has been very willing to work hard. Although following Xing Peng often faced danger, she did not have any complaints, which greatly impressed Xing Peng.


    "Little girl, are you really sure you want to follow me for the full fifteen days?" Xing Peng seriously asked Shangguan Meiyu.


    "Of course! Brother Peng, stop asking me. No matter how many times you ask, I only have one answer, hehe, I''ve decided to stick with you..." Shangguan Meiyu smiled at Xing Peng. Despite six days of intense killing, Shangguan Meiyu''s demeanor did not show any fatigue. Not only was she not fatigued, but her face also revealed a hint of excitement, making one puzzled about what exactly she was excited about.


    Xing Peng helplessly shook his head, knowing that asking was in vain, but he couldn''t help asking. As the saying goes, men and women working together are less tired. Although the trial at White Tiger Academy is bloody, having such a beautiful girl by his side is still a very enjoyable experience.


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    "Be careful!" He had just shaken his head when his expression changed, and he flashed to Shangguan Meiyu''s side, hugging her in his arms, then used the ''Wind Shadow Steps'' to swiftly dodge to the side.


    "Swish!" Just as Xing Peng dodged to the left with Shangguan Meiyu, a sharp gust of wind suddenly flew towards the spot where Shangguan Meiyu had just been standing. It was a spinning silver axe, flying at a very high speed, completely surpassing the speed of sound.


    Shangguan Meiyu''s cheeks flushed red as she leaned in Xing Peng''s arms, her heart pounding rapidly. She had been startled when Xing Peng suddenly jumped over and hugged her, thinking Xing Peng was about to do something.


    "Tsk tsk tsk...to die is at hand, yet you two are still so affectionate towards each other, even I can''t help but feel a bit jealous." Along with the attack, a weird laugh sounded, followed by a young man in a yellow shirt flying out from a patch of grass over a person tall in the distant swamp. As he flew out, the silver axe that had been attacking Xing Peng and the others suddenly spun and flew towards the young man in the yellow shirt. With a casual stretch of his hand, the young man in the yellow shirt gracefully caught the silver axe.


    "A Late Heaven Level assassin!" Upon seeing this person, Xing Peng''s eyes suddenly narrowed. He had never seen this person before. Except for an assassin, Xing Peng couldn''t think of anyone else.


    Seeing this person, Xing Peng was even more surprised by this trial of White Tiger Academy. This trial was not ordinarily cruel, even sending out martial artists at the Late Heaven Level.


    For a regular trial participant, facing an Early Heaven Level martial artist already felt unbeatable. And now, Xing Peng and the others were facing a Late Heaven Level martial artist. If other martial artists, whose strength was below Heaven Level, knew about this, they would be so shocked that their eyeballs would fall out.


    "Brother Peng, be careful. The silver axe in his hand is the ''Axe of Hell,'' specially designed to break through the innate qi. You must not let this axe touch your body," Shangguan Meiyu whispered to Xing Peng with a slight blush on her face.


    "Mhm!" Xing Peng nodded and did not let go of Shangguan Meiyu. Holding Shangguan Meiyu in his arms, the feeling of softness and fragrance was irresistible to Xing Peng, especially after smelling the youthful and virgin fragrance emanating from Shangguan Meiyu, he even less wanted to let go of Shangguan Meiyu.


    "What a foolish couple, knowing that my axe is the ''Axe of Hell'' and still sticking so close to each other, you really do not take me seriously at all..." The young man in the yellow shirt saw Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu''s actions and a smirk appeared on his face, his eyes emitting a bloodthirsty light.


    "Enough with your damn smirking, if you want to fight, let''s fight!" Xing Peng impatiently glared at the man in the yellow shirt, knowing the opponent was at the Late Human Level, but not feeling the slightest bit of fear.


    "Uh..." The young man in the yellow shirt was so taken aback by Xing Peng''s words that his handsome face turned red. This was the first time since he had been robbing trial participants in the Blackwater Plains that someone who recognized his identity still dared to be so arrogant. Immediately burning with anger, his hand holding the ''Axe of Hell'' created a series of strange sonic booms as it rushed towards Xing Peng at lightning speed.


    The speed of the Axe of Hell was very fast, and the strange sonic boom sound carried a strong psychic hypnotism, making one involuntarily feel drowsy and weak, wanting to give up resistance.

 Chapter 50: Go Die

    Xing Peng saw the Axe of Hell rapidly attacking the two of them. Although he heard the piercing sound and his face unnaturally changed, he only slightly changed color before quickly recovering.


    "Magic sound! Damn, playing the ear-piercing magic sound in front of me!" A cold smile appeared on Xing Peng''s face. The ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'' in his hand struck towards the young man in the yellow shirt without any influence, the dragon roar that was deafening even before the palm strength arrived, startling the young man in yellow.


    "Boom!" The ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'' that Xing Peng struck instantly enveloped the ''Axe of Hell'', the ''Axe of Hell'' that specifically breaks through innate gang energy was actually slapped away by the ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'' and then rolled back towards the young man in the yellow shirt together with the palm strength.


    A flash of horror in the eyes of the young man in yellow, he quickly raised a palm to meet the force coming towards him. His palm strength collided with the ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'', creating a earth-shattering explosion, and the surging energy spread out from the center of the palm strength collision in all directions.


    After this palm collided, Xing Peng''s expression remained unchanged, but the young man in yellow couldn''t help but retreat two steps backward. When he saw this situation, his handsome face instantly turned the color of a pig''s liver.


    "You... what kind of palm strength is this, how can it have such a fierce power!" The young man in yellow looked at Xing Peng dumbfoundedly and asked gloomily.


    "Idiot, you think I would tell you! Go die for me!" Xing Peng scornfully pursed his lips, raised his hand, and slapped several palms towards the young man in yellow again. The sky-filled palm strength roared towards the young man in yellow like an overwhelming sea, and the aftermath of the palm strength covered a radius of tens of meters, with a very terrifying momentum.


    "Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!" The continuous explosion sounds resounded through heaven and earth, each of the golden dragons formed by the palm strength carried an immense power, vowing to destroy all enemies that dared to oppose them.


    Although the young man in yellow was a late-stage Heaven Level martial artist, when he faced such an attack, his situation was still not easy. He was too complacent this time and did not expect that Xing Peng, a trial participant, would have such strength, putting him at a disadvantage as soon as he appeared. Facing Xing Peng''s stormy attack, aside from resisting Xing Peng''s attacks, he could not make any other movements and could only passively take hits.


    Xing Peng pursued his victory. When he saw the young man in yellow could not free his hands to attack him, his attacks became more and more intense. The palm strength of ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'' mixed with ''One Yang Finger'' swept out continuously.


    In a blink of an eye, the young man in yellow was slapped with several heavy palm strikes by Xing Peng, directly causing him to bleed from the corners of his mouth.


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    A late-stage Heaven Level martial artist was actually suppressed by a junior who had not yet joined the White Tiger Academy to this extent. The young man in yellow was very displeased by Xing Peng''s palm strength, and his heart was even more filled with extreme resentment because of this situation.


    "Die! You two must die for me today!" In a fit of anger, the young man in yellow suddenly stopped using his hands to block Xing Peng''s continuous attacks. He actually used his body to hard resist the palm strength issued by Xing Peng. Then, his two hands suddenly burst into raging flames and bombed towards Xing Peng.


    "Boom!" The actions of the young man in yellow slightly startled Xing Peng, who immediately thought to dodge the attack with ''Wind Shadow Steps'', however, the actions of the young man in yellow were too sudden. Although Xing Peng wanted to dodge, he was still unable to react in time, causing his body to be heavily struck by two palms from the young man in yellow.


    "Zing!" When the palm strength struck Xing Peng''s body, he uncontrollably retreated a step backward, his face instantly turning as pale as paper. The strong power of the late-stage Heaven Level was not something he took lightly on the surface.


    However, although Xing Peng was attacked by two palms from the young man in yellow, he immediately advanced towards the young man in yellow again after a slight retreat. This time, not only did he attack the young man in yellow with palm strength, but at the same time he executed ''Wind Shadow Steps'' to its utmost, then approached the young man in yellow''s body.


    The ethereal ''Wind Shadow Steps'', coupled with the fierce and powerful ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'', Xing Peng instantly turned into a moving artillery, launching wave after wave of high-intensity strikes against the young man in yellow, making him almost vomit blood.


    "Damn it! Who really stayed in the White Tiger Academy for several years, why am I being suppressed so miserably by the person in front of me." Xiang Wentian resisted Xing Peng''s attacks while cursing in his heart, this bizarre scene made Xiang Wentian''s face very embarrassed. He had the heart to die, if this scene were seen by other interceptors, Xiang Wentian really didn''t want to be human anymore.


    Although Xiang Wentian was not the most powerful interceptor in this interception, he was definitely ranked second, besides another interceptor ''Blood Hand'' Tu Qianqiu, there were really no other interceptors who were his opponent. But such a good expert was suppressed like this here, which really made Xiang Wentian angry.


    Because Xiang Wentian was so angry, his heart became more and more chaotic, causing him to be unable to exert his specific strength, and he was in danger under Xing Peng''s strong attack.


    "Do not let me turn the situation around, once I turn the situation around, I must dismember this person!" Xiang Wentian secretly vowed in his heart.


    Xing Peng, while continuously attacking Xiang Wentian, took in all the facial details of Xiang Wentian, when he saw the obvious anger on Xiang Wentian''s face, he coldly smiled in his heart, and ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'' in his hands bombarded towards the young man in yellow without any cost.


    Under such high-intensity attacks, Xing Peng''s body got closer and closer to Xiang Wentian, Xing Peng was like a shadow roaming around Xiang Wentian''s body. Although Xiang Wentian really wanted to kill Xing Peng, under Xing Peng''s attack, he could only desperately defend.


    "Go die!"


    Suddenly, Xing Peng, who was attacking Xiang Wentian with high-intensity palm and finger strength, took advantage of a clear moment of negligence from Xiang Wentian, changed his finger strength into a claw, and viciously grabbed towards Xiang Wentian''s head. The indestructible ''Nine Yin God Claw'' in an instant, like the scythe of the Grim Reaper, activated the soul-quenching dirge, issuing the verdict of fate towards Xiang Wentian.

 Chapter 51: The Formless Divine Art

    "Ah!" Faced with Xing Peng''s sudden and bizarre change, Xiang Wentian couldn''t react in time. His complexion instantly turned ashen, as the formidable claw force hit his head without any delay. With a "pfft!" sound, his head burst like a cracked watermelon, spraying out a large amount of brain matter and blood.


    After Xing Peng killed Xiang Wentian with a palm strike, an extremely exhilarating reaction suddenly originated from his hand. The hand that penetrated Xiang Wentian''s skull felt a surge of intense energy pouring into his fingers, then rapidly into his body, directly into his dantian, causing his Profound Qi to surge.


    Although Xing Peng knew in his previous life that by using claw force to shatter a martial artist''s skull, one could absorb a portion of the other''s power, he had never used such a method to harm others before. Therefore, he had never experienced what it was like to absorb someone else''s power for his own use. Now, in this different world, after he had slain a Heaven Level martial artist for the first time, he deeply understood why those who practiced ''Elemental Storm'' enjoyed using their claw force to destroy others'' skulls. This sensation of absorbing others'' power for his own use was incredibly satisfying, akin to the feeling of smoking marijuana.


    "This effect of absorbing others'' power for my own use, although it can''t absorb others'' power entirely like the legendary ''North Ming Divine Art'' or ''Star Absorbing Technique'', having such a method allows me to learn other martial arts faster," Xing Peng muttered to himself. In the ancient martial arts of his previous life''s memories, many martial arts required tremendous power to push and learn. Without enough power, one couldn''t learn them, and even if one did, the displayed power wouldn''t be strong. But now, with such a method, Xing Peng had extremely strong confidence that given a very short period, he could learn all the martial arts techniques in his mind and practice them to a decent level.


    Xing Peng''s current main practice was ''Elemental Storm'', an overview of ancient martial arts. Although ''Elemental Storm'' was considered quite good among ancient martial arts, there were many in Xing Peng''s memories that were not inferior to ''Elemental Storm''. One of them, named ''Formless Divine Art'', was what Xing Peng most wanted to learn. Because by learning this art, one could easily simulate other martial arts for one''s own use, which was considered very abnormal in the martial arts world.


    However, although the ''Formless Divine Art'' was powerful, the cultivation requirements for practitioners were also very high. Those without enough power simply couldn''t learn such an art. Not only could they not learn it, but it might also lead to practitioners becoming demonically possessed. And people with insufficient talent and comprehension couldn''t learn it either.


    In his previous life, although Xing Peng had cultivated to the level of an Innate Martial Artist, it wasn''t because his talent was that impressive, but rather because the ''I Ching Bone Tempering'' section of ''Elemental Storm'' had improved his innate talent, allowing him to reach the innate level. When he was about to dominate the end of the law era as an Innate Martial Artist and was preparing to cultivate the ''Formless Divine Art'', he was transported to this different world.


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    After arriving in this different world, Xing Peng still had a strong interest in the ''Formless Divine Art''. However, because his current body had the ''Shadow God Vein'', he dared not rashly practice the ''Formless Divine Art'' before having sufficient power.


    The stronger the power, the stronger the force displayed by the ''Formless Divine Art'', which was a unique art of the ancient martial sect ''Carefree Sect''. In the Carefree Sect, those who practiced the ''Formless Divine Art'' also needed to practice the ''North Ming Divine Art'' to achieve great success. Among the many martial arts in Xing Peng''s memories, there was no ''North Ming Divine Art''. Although one could still cultivate the ''Formless Divine Art'' without learning the ''North Ming Divine Art'', the ''Formless Divine Art'' without the support of the ''North Ming Divine Art'' simply couldn''t compare. The contrast between the two was very significant, with no comparability at all.


    There was once a martial arts grandmaster named Jiumozhi who had the chance to practice the ''Formless Divine Art'' without the ''North Ming Divine Art''. Although his powerful power allowed him to cultivate the ''Formless Divine Art'' to a certain extent, he ended up being defeated by the Carefree Sect''s leader, Xuzhu, who possessed the ''North Ming Divine Art''. Moreover, because of the forced practice, he became demonically possessed and eventually had all his power sucked away by others.


    It was due to a series of reasons like these that Xing Peng had put off learning the ''Formless Divine Art''. But now, confirming that the ''Nine Yin God Claw'' could absorb others'' Profound Qi for his own use, Xing Peng was ready to learn this art.


    As long as he learned this art, his strength would surely increase significantly in a short period, and from then on, his ability to practice this world''s martial arts would also undoubtedly become faster.


    Shangguan Meiyu, who was beside him, was full of surprise when she saw Xing Peng quickly kill Xiang Wentian, who possessed late Heaven Level strength. Her beautiful eyes shone with a different light.


    Although Xing Peng had already demonstrated very impressive strength along the way, seeing him kill someone with the strength of a late Heaven Level martial artist with the ''Axe of Hell'', Shangguan Meiyu couldn''t help but wonder in her heart what level Xing Peng''s strength had reached.


    "Peng brother, let me pinch you, wow, it''s really amazing! A Heaven Level martial artist has fallen at your hand!" Shangguan Meiyu excitedly approached Xing Peng, her slender hand quickly reaching for Xing Peng''s face.


    Because Xing Peng wasn''t on guard against Shangguan Meiyu, he was pinched squarely on the face, immediately causing a lot of black lines to appear. Although being touched by a beautiful woman was nice, this was a bit too much...


    Shangguan Meiyu didn''t see the black lines on Xing Peng''s forehead; she was completely immersed in excitement, her little hands touching Xing Peng''s body, turning his handsome face red, and internally he sighed that his heart''s capacity for endurance was insufficient. Being touched randomly by such a beautiful girl, even a monk who abstained from female contact would inevitably have ripples in his heart.


    Although Xing Peng seemed very indifferent to women after coming to this world, it didn''t mean he had no desires. If he didn''t have desires, he wouldn''t have slept with that personal maid.


    If not for not knowing the purpose of this little beauty coming to him, he might have even had the heart to take her down - this girl was just too enticing.

 Chapter 52: The Xing Family Disciples

    In a certain place in the Blackwater Plains, Xing Jianfeng and others were being attacked by three Blackwater Poison Frogs. Although they were performing quite well due to forming a battle formation, their situation was still not optimistic. Everyone was wounded, with copious amounts of blood spraying out from their bodies. Those who were severely injured had long, bone-deep gashes visibly across their bodies.


    "Xing Jianfeng, take them and leave this place, I will hold off these beasts!" The person who offered to stay behind was the relatively mature-faced Xing Qianshan, who at this moment had the most severe injuries among them. His complexion was as pale as paper, looking as if he could fall at any moment.


    "No! If we go, we go together. I can''t do it if you''re left behind alone. And even if you were to stay, how long could you hold off these Poison Frogs with your strength?" Xing Jianfeng said.


    "Exactly, if we go, we go together. How could we possibly leave you behind alone? Now is not the time to bring this up. If we are to die, we will die together!" Xing Liang also quickly added.


    "How can you all be so foolish? These Poison Frogs are pressing in. If I stay behind, even if I can''t buy you too much time, but if it''s even a second, it counts as a second!" Xing Qianshan looked bitterly at Xing Jianfeng and the others.


    "Enough, even if you talk your head off today, we will not leave!" Xing Guo said in a deep voice.


    "That''s right, if we go today, we go together; if we stay, we stay together!" the other Xing family youths said simultaneously with solemn expressions.


    "You..." Xing Qianshan shook his head with a complex expression. Who says that the Xing family only respects the strong? Who says that people of the Xing family don''t have feelings? When the members of the Xing family truly face danger, most of them will absolutely stick together.


    While Xing Qianshan and the others were insisting on staying, unbeknownst to them, Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu were watching them from the void above like a golden boy and jade girl. When Xing Peng heard the conversation among Xing Qianshan and the others, he was suddenly stunned. For the first time, he had a different view of the Xing family. If it weren''t for the fact that Xing Peng could clearly sense that Xing Jianfeng and the others had absolutely not noticed them, he might even think they were putting on a show.


    "Peng brother, why aren''t you going down to save them? Haven''t you been dragging me around the Blackwater Plains these days just to find their whereabouts?" Shangguan Meiyu asked Xing Peng, filled with curiosity.


    "They haven''t reached their last moment yet. When they do, I will save them!" Xing Peng said indifferently, keeping his gaze fixed on Xing Jianfeng and the others, ready to rescue them at any moment.


    "Oh!" Shangguan Meiyu nodded and did not continue to press, shifting her gaze back to Xing Jianfeng and the others, deeply moved.


    "This is a formation? Since when did the Xing family have such a formation that could be executed by a few people, and this formation''s strength is not weak at all. Clearly just nine Human Level martial artists, yet they withstand the attack of three ''Blackwater Poison Frogs''." Shangguan Meiyu thought to herself that even her own family, which was quite remarkable, could not produce such a formation. As she watched, she pondered in her heart, occasionally glancing at Xing Peng beside her. For her, not only was the Xing family a mystery, but Xing Peng was even more of an enigma.


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    Ever since Xing Peng killed Xiang Wentian, who possessed late Heaven Level strength, he had displayed some shocking techniques and a variety of exquisite martial arts moves, making it difficult for anyone to imagine how Xing Peng learned so many impressive martial arts at such a young age.


    ...


    Time passed as Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu watched. The situation for Xing Jianfeng and the others became increasingly dire. Although they had exerted all their strength, the three Blackwater Poison Frogs showed no signs of retreating. Various toxins covered the sky, putting Xing Jianfeng and the others in grave danger. Every so often, they would stuff a dark green pill into their mouths.


    "Xing Jianfeng, you must leave now. If not, once the antidote pills are exhausted, you really won''t be able to survive here anymore!" Xing Qianshan once again bitterly said to Xing Jianfeng and the others.


    "Stop talking! Qianshan, save your energy to deal with these beasts. Don''t give up until the very last moment. As always, if we are to die, we will die together!" Xing Jianfeng said.


    "Come on, consider it me begging you! If you just leave, I promise I can buy you some time. Just like you could bring out these antidote pills, which can''t easily be bought with money, to detoxify us, not only have you been blessed before, but I have too. I have a super taboo Sky-Breaking Level martial art that can boost my strength to the peak of Earth Level." Xing Qianshan replied with a bitter smile.


    "What! A Sky-Breaking Level taboo martial art! I say, Qianshan, you''re not lying to us, are you? You actually have such martial arts!" Xing Jianfeng and the others were simultaneously surprised as they glanced at Xing Qianshan, their movements in attack and positioning did not pause for a moment.


    "Of course, I''m not lying to you. At this point, do I have any need to lie to you?" Xing Qianshan shook his head earnestly.


    "Even if you''re not lying, we won''t leave! Qianshan, we are not fools. The side effects of Heaven Level martial arts are already terrifying, and the side effects of your Sky-Breaking Level martial arts must not be weaker. Once you use the taboo martial art, you are likely to pay with your life!" Xing Jianfeng said seriously.


    "You... what do I have to say for you to be willing to leave? Do you think I want to die? Damn it, who doesn''t want to live, but we have to be able to survive! Although we can still withstand the attack of these three poison frogs for now, how much longer can this last? I''m already at my limit. Even if I don''t use the taboo technique, I''ll still die. Rather than that, can''t you let me die with some dignity? Dying this way, at least I can earn the title of a martyr in the Xing family." Xing Qianshan was so anxious that he was almost jumping.


    "Speaking like this, I''m even less willing to leave. If you die like that, then for the rest of our lives, we would be burdened with your favor. I would rather die than carry such an irredeemable favor." Xing Jianfeng said.


    "Jianfeng is right. We don''t want to carry such a favor. Just like we said, even if we have to argue till the skies fall, we will not leave!" Other young members of the Xing family agreed in unison.


    "..." Xing Qianshan didn''t know what to say anymore. He was both touched and helpless.


    It seemed like Xing Qianshan and the others had been talking for a long time, but in reality, their conversation lasted only a moment. Under the attack of the poison frogs, their battle formation was showing signs of collapse. If they didn''t leave now, once the formation collapsed, these Human Level warriors would surely die.


    "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The poison frogs kept bombarding them, the sky was filled with venom raining down, and the air was filled with a pungent, corrosive smell, presenting a doomsday-like atmosphere within hundreds of meters.


    Hold on! Keep holding on!


    Xing Jianfeng and the others demonstrated an unprecedented unity, their spirits elevated under this attack, filled with a thicker-than-water sense of camaraderie. The people of the Xing family, are all Xing family people! They would not abandon each other, steadfast until death.

 Chapter 53: Rescue Operation

    Never give up in life and death! Faithful until death! Xing Peng really found it hard to believe that people from the Xing family could have such a nature, given how he was treated by the Xing family in the past. Although his strength was now quite impressive, he still couldn''t forget the past. However, witnessing this scene, Xing Peng suddenly let go of his grievances.


    "Let''s let bygones be bygones! From today on, I truly no longer hold any grudges against the Xing family!" Xing Peng sighed with emotion upon seeing this and could no longer stand by idly. He stretched his body and flew down. As he descended, ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms'' roared towards the Blackwater Poison Frog, attacking it. Three Blackwater Poison Frogs, each with the strength of an Earth Level warrior, were directly blown away under the attack of ''The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms,'' their skins ripped and flesh torn, dying on the spot.


    "Xing Peng!" Seeing the familiar golden dragon suddenly appear, Xing Jianfeng and others'' eyes lit up, each shouting in surprise and excitement. Originally, they thought they were doomed this time, but unexpectedly, there was such a significant turnaround.


    Xing Peng easily killed the three poison frogs and gave a faint smile to Xing Jianfeng and the others, then walked over to them. He quickly pointed his fingers at them several times, stopping the bleeding from their wounds.


    After stopping the bleeding of Xing Jianfeng and the others, Xing Peng flashed to the side of Xing Qianshan, who was the most severely injured. Without caring whether he refused or not, he placed his right hand on Xing Qianshan''s body. Then, a surging Profound Qi, like a tide, crazily poured into Xing Qianshan''s body, while his left hand continuously pointed at various major acupoints on his body.


    Under Xing Peng''s operation, Xing Qianshan''s pale face suddenly turned red, as if steamed, with a large amount of sweat sliding down his forehead.


    Xing Jianfeng and others were stunned to see Xing Peng doing this, each showing surprise in their eyes, not understanding what Xing Peng was doing. Although they didn''t understand what Xing Peng was doing, they didn''t doubt that it was harmful to Xing Qianshan.


    As sweat continuously slid down Xing Qianshan''s forehead, a vigorous white smoke suddenly emerged from the bodies of Xing Peng and Xing Qianshan, enveloping them together and blocking the view of Xing Jianfeng and others.


    "Jianfeng, can you tell what Xing Peng is doing?" Xing Liang stood next to Xing Jianfeng, whispering to him.


    Xing Jianfeng rolled his eyes, "How would I know what he''s doing? I''m puzzled myself!"


    "Hehe, do you think they have some sort of bromance going on?" Xing Guo suddenly said with a lewd expression. As the crisis was resolved, the tension in Xing Guo and others relaxed.


    "Don''t talk nonsense. How could Xing Peng and Qianshan have any bromance! Look, isn''t there a beautiful girl standing aside? She seems to have come with Xing Peng. If there''s any bromance, it would be between Xing Peng and her!" Xing Jinlei also chimed in, winking at everyone.


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    "Right!" Hearing this, everyone''s eyes lit up, each eagerly looking towards Shangguan Meiyu.


    Shangguan Meiyu also flew down following Xing Peng, and because she wasn''t standing far from Xing Jianfeng and others, their words didn''t escape her ears. When she saw Xing Jinlei and others looking at her, she playfully blinked at Xing Jianfeng, immediately making Xing Jinlei''s heart tremble, their handsome faces turning rosy in an instant.


    Shangguan Meiyu was originally very beautiful, just like a fairy. Now, as she playfully blinked her eyes, her charm was fully displayed, leaving Xing Jinlei and others completely mesmerized by Shangguan Meiyu.


    However, just as Xing Jinlei and others were mesmerized by Shangguan Meiyu, the next second, something shocking happened. The previously cute blinking Shangguan Meiyu suddenly became serious, a cold frost appearing on her face, and with the frost, a sharp glare like a sword slashed towards Xing Jianfeng and the others.


    "Thud! Thud! Thud!" Xing Jianfeng and others simultaneously took several steps back, disbelief written in their eyes. What kind of beauty was this, who could switch from a cute beauty to an ice-cold beauty in the next second?


    "Giggle..." Just as Xing Jianfeng and the others stepped back, a laugh like a warbling oriole came from Shangguan Meiyu''s mouth, she holding her stomach, bent over with laughter.


    "..." Xing Jianfeng and others looked at each other, simultaneously giving Shangguan Meiyu the nickname of a little witch in their hearts. Such a beauty was indeed beautiful, but they couldn''t afford to provoke her. The contrast between her earlier and later demeanor was just too great. Immediately, they practiced the principle of "out of sight, out of mind."


    Seeing this, Shangguan Meiyu, bored, pouted her lips and cast a resentful look at Xing Jianfeng and the others, as if they had done something wrong to her, making Xing Jianfeng and the others feel goosebumps, their hearts like eighteen buckets fetching water ¨C up and down.


    "Witch!"


    "Really can''t afford to provoke!"


    While Xing Jianfeng and others were reacting this way, Xing Peng, who was treating Xing Qianshan on the side, suddenly released his hand from Xing Qianshan''s back. When he released Xing Qianshan, Xing Qianshan''s eyes were filled with joy.


    As soon as Xing Peng let go, an early Earth Level aura burst forth from Xing Qianshan''s body, compelling Xing Jianfeng and others to look at Xing Qianshan, each showing shock in their eyes.


    What was happening? Xing Qianshan, who had been very haggard just now, suddenly erupted with such an aura, and his strength had advanced from the late Human Level to the Earth Level.


    Xing Jianfeng and others were shocked, and Shangguan Meiyu was also surprised. She looked at Xing Peng with complex eyes, not expecting that Xing Peng would actually use Profound Qi to enhance Xing Qianshan''s strength. Didn''t he know that Heaven Level warriors rashly transferring skills to lower-level warriors consumes a lot of Vital Energy!


    Although Heaven Level warriors are much more powerful than Human Level warriors, not even on the same level, Heaven Level warriors among high-level warriors can only be considered just starting out. Warriors at this level simply cannot casually transfer skills to others, as it greatly affects the cultivation of Heaven Level warriors in the future.


    Didn''t Xing Peng know? Of course not! How could he not know! His transferring skills to Xing Qianshan this time was not a rash decision; it was entirely a side effect of treating Xing Qianshan.


    The healing part of ''Elemental Storm'' and ''One Yang Finger'' have a very strong effect on treating the injuries of warriors. To make Xing Qianshan recover sooner, Xing Peng combined these two healing methods, naturally benefiting Xing Qianshan greatly.


    Of course, if it weren''t for Xing Peng''s current ability to use ''Nine Yin God Claw'' to absorb others'' Profound Qi for his own use, quickly recovering his strength and not fearing the loss of Vital Energy, he would not have done this.

 Chapter 54: Cultivating Poison Skills

    Shangguan Meiyu, unaware of the specifics of Xing Peng''s situation, found his actions baffling. Despite both Xing Peng and Xing Jianfeng being descendants of the Xing family, she questioned the need for such sacrifices. ¡°What if you can¡¯t advance to become a powerhouse in the future?¡± If transmitting skills was so easy, then Xing Jianfeng and the others¡¯ strengths wouldn¡¯t be as they were now, especially since the Xing family was not without its powerful members.


    Seeing Shangguan Meiyu¡¯s confusion, Xing Peng didn¡¯t say much. However, Xing Jianfeng and the others were initially surprised by Xing Qianshan¡¯s strength, then turned their eager attention to Xing Peng. They too wanted to experience such a rapid increase in power. Though Xing Jianfeng and the rest looked eager, none spoke up. They might not understand the specifics, but as martial artists, they knew that Xing Peng¡¯s actions were likely harmful to himself.


    ¡°Xing Peng, you¡¯ve been too good to me, thank you! Really, thank you¡­ From now on, my life, Xing Qianshan, is yours!¡± After expressing his momentum, Xing Qianshan solemnly thanked Xing Peng. ¡°Why say such things? We are all descendants of the Xing family! It¡¯s only right that I help you¡­¡± Xing Peng waved off the comment. ¡°You can¡¯t say that. Even when you were not strong, we were still a family. But I treated you poorly, always thinking of you as the shame of the Xing family. Now, you repay grievance with kindness. How can I repay such a great favor, except by offering my life to you?¡± Xing Qianshan said seriously, deeply grateful and admiring Xing Peng¡¯s magnanimity, feeling shame while admiring him.


    Xing Qianshan felt this way, and so did Xing Jianfeng and the others, their expressions changing unnaturally. They had not treated Xing Peng well in the past, but his repeated generosity had captured their hearts. ¡°Xing Peng, from now on, my life is also yours!¡± Xing Jianfeng said. ¡°And mine!¡± ¡°And mine!¡± The crowd echoed, each revealing sincere emotions.


    Xing Peng, seeing this, shrugged and said in a deep voice, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this anymore. We are all brothers. It¡¯s too foreign to talk like this. Let¡¯s not say such things in the future.¡± Xing Jianfeng and the others were startled, then became determined and silent. Though they stopped speaking, their expressions clearly showed their thoughts.


    Xing Peng changed the subject, looking puzzled at Xing Jianfeng, ¡°How did you end up so deep in the Blackwater Plains? And you¡¯ve lasted quite some time!¡± According to the time Xing Peng had suggested they enter the Blackwater Plains, Xing Jianfeng and the others had survived there for no less than seven days. ¡°We were forced by the ferocious beasts. If not for them chasing us, we wouldn¡¯t have entered this place. As for surviving so many days, it¡¯s all thanks to you. If not for the formation you taught us, we couldn¡¯t have survived this long!¡± Xing Jianfeng said.


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    Xing Peng frowned, ¡°That can¡¯t be the main reason. The formation I taught you, though it can deal with ordinary Earth Level martial artists, it¡¯s not much use against the Blackwater Poison Frog that sprays venom.¡± ¡°How can it not be the main reason? Without the formation you taught us, even if I had detox pills, we couldn¡¯t have survived this long here!¡± Xing Jianfeng insisted. ¡°Can I see your detox pill?¡± Xing Peng asked. ¡°Of course!¡± Xing Jianfeng took out a dark green pill and handed it to Xing Peng.


    Xing Peng examined the pill closely, then after a while, said to Xing Jianfeng, ¡°Let me keep this pill¡­¡± ¡°Of course, no problem. I have more detox pills!¡± Xing Jianfeng replied with a laugh. ¡°Heh, thanks!¡± Xing Peng smiled and swallowed the pill. Xing Jianfeng and the others were puzzled, not understanding why Xing Peng would suddenly consume the detox pill. Had he been poisoned?


    ¡°Xing Peng, have you been poisoned?¡± Xing Jianfeng asked hesitantly. Xing Peng shook his head, ¡°No, I was just curious about the taste of this detox pill.¡± Xing Jianfeng¡¯s face twitched, and Xing Liang and the others were speechless. They had survived in the Blackwater Plains without being poisoned, thanks to these pills. Over the seven days, they had used hundreds of detox pills, and the few Xing Jianfeng had left seemed precious. Xing Peng¡¯s casual disposal of one made them feel a pang of loss.


    Even Shangguan Meiyu was astonished to hear Xing Peng¡¯s reason for destroying such a precious pill just to taste it. Xing Peng noticed everyone¡¯s reactions but offered no explanation. After swallowing the pill, he instantly understood its composition. He had been secretly practicing the Tang Sect¡¯s poison skills. Although the Tang Sect was known for its poisons and hidden weapons, its pharmaceutical skills were also formidable.


    After reuniting with Xing Jianfeng and the others, Xing Peng no longer wandered aimlessly in the Blackwater Plains with Shangguan Meiyu. They stayed put, waiting for fifteen days to pass. During the wait, Xing Peng didn¡¯t idle; he used the resources of the Blackwater Plains to intensely practice the Tang Sect¡¯s poison skills. With the help of the Blackwater Poison Frog inner cores, he quickly reached a commendable level. Although he hadn¡¯t achieved great mastery, his poison skills were already formidable.


    However, Xing Peng didn¡¯t demonstrate his poison skills in front of Shangguan Meiyu and the others. They only knew he was collecting Blackwater Poison Frog venom sacs, unaware of his purpose. Meanwhile, Xing Jianfeng and the others also didn¡¯t idle. Xing Peng revealed the most secretive techniques of the ¡®Single File Serpent Formation¡¯ to them, taught them some ancient martial arts of Earth, and occasionally used his Profound Qi to enhance their strength, leading to rapid improvements. In just a few days, six of them advanced to the early Earth Level, and even those who hadn¡¯t advanced were at the peak of the late Human Level, ready to advance at any moment.

 Chapter 55: Reencountering the Pseudo-Lady

    Blinking, fifteen days had completely passed, Xing Peng, along with Shangguan Meiyu and others, walked out from the Blackwater Plains. When they left the Blackwater Plains, their strengths had undergone significant changes compared to when they had entered.


    As the fifteen days passed, Xing Jianfeng and others had advanced to the early stages of the Earth Level, and Xing Peng''s combat power had also seen a significant change due to learning the Tang Sect''s poison skills and the ''Formless Divine Art''.


    As for Shangguan Meiyu, because Xing Peng did not particularly avoid her when teaching martial arts to Xing Jianfeng and the others, Shangguan Meiyu also made considerable progress. Now, Shangguan Meiyu and Xing Peng were completely familiar with each other.


    Just as they walked out of the ¡®Blackwater Plains¡¯, a humanoid lightning bolt suddenly flew towards them, revealing itself to be the red-haired middle-aged man they met at the beginning on the spaceship.


    Upon reaching Xing Peng and the others, the red-haired middle-aged man revealed a look of surprise. Although it was not uncommon for people to advance during the trials of the White Tiger Academy, the simultaneous advancement of nine Xing family disciples like Xing Jianfeng was still an astonishing event.


    However, although surprised, the red-haired middle-aged man didn''t say anything to Xing Peng and the others. He just glanced at them briefly, then suddenly shifted his gaze back to the Blackwater Plains, embodying the demeanor of a true master!


    Seeing this, Xing Jianfeng and the others felt no dissatisfaction. By now, none of them were novices to the trials, and they could clearly recognize the deep and unfathomable strength of the red-haired middle-aged man, clearly not someone they could easily provoke.


    Seeing the red-haired middle-aged man silent, Xing Peng and the others exchanged glances, then quietly stood by his side, not daring to wander too far away.


    "Peng brother, what do you think the third trial will be about? Just the first two have been so thrilling; the next ones must be even more exciting!" Shangguan Meiyu curiously asked Xing Peng.


    "Who knows!" Xing Peng shrugged, not offering much of an opinion. On the other hand, Xing Jianfeng and the others chattered away, freely expressing all the possible challenges they could imagine.


    Hearing this, Shangguan Meiyu rolled her eyes, "I didn''t ask you guys, why are you so excited? Just go do whatever you''re supposed to do..."


    "..." Xing Jianfeng and the others fell silent, then looked at Xing Peng with a mix of resentment and wonder. Why was there such a big difference between them and Xing Peng? Despite being people all the same and having spent several days together, Shangguan Meiyu, this stunning beauty, though playful with them, never showed them any good face, yet she was almost obedient to Xing Peng.


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    Xing Peng, sensing the resentment from Xing Jianfeng and others, glared at them sternly, his eyes filled with a warning as if to say, "Dare to look at me like that again, and you''ll all be castrated." Instantly, Xing Jianfeng and the others averted their gazes, no longer daring to look at Xing Peng that way.


    ...


    "Swish!" A figure suddenly rushed out from the Blackwater Plains. The moment he emerged, his eyes lit up, and he dashed straight towards Xing Peng, reaching his side in the blink of an eye, and excitedly tried to embrace Xing Peng.


    "Bang!" Before the person could hug Xing Peng, a delicate hand stretched out from where Shangguan Meiyu was and swiftly sent the newcomer flying.


    "Die, monster! Stay away from my Peng brother, he is not someone you can just hug as you please!" After sending the person flying, Shangguan Meiyu wrapped her arms around Xing Peng''s arm, warningly addressing the flown individual. It was as if she claimed exclusive rights over Xing Peng.


    "..." Xing Peng shook his head speechlessly upon seeing this.


    "How can you do this? Who are you to stop me? Xing Peng is a member of my Xing family, what right do you have to keep me from hugging him!" The person picked himself up from the ground, looking at Shangguan Meiyu with a mix of sadness and anger.


    "What if you are from the Xing family? Even if you are, you can''t just hug my Peng brother like that, you dead monster. Let me tell you, with me here, you can forget about laying a finger on my Peng brother," Shangguan Meiyu declared.


    "..." Xing Jianfeng and the others blinked, watching the scene with interest. A woman and a man fighting over another man? This was huge news, a rarity of the century.


    "Xing Peng, it was really hard for me to find you. You were too harsh that day. If I hadn''t been so lucky, I might have been kicked to death by you!" The person who suddenly rushed over was none other than Xing Xiaofeng, whom Xing Peng had kicked away previously. Somehow, Xing Xiaofeng had survived not only that but also managed to advance to the early stages of the Earth Level, matching Xing Jianfeng and others in strength without anyone passing down their skills to him, a feat that was incredibly astonishing.


    Xing Peng stared at Xing Xiaofeng in amazement, finding it unbelievable that he had survived. When he had kicked Xing Xiaofeng away, he was sure that Xing Xiaofeng''s strength was only at the mid-stage of the Human Level, but now he had reached the early stages of the Earth Level without any external help, which was truly remarkable.


    "Xing Peng, why are you silent? I''m not really blaming you. If you hadn''t kicked me away, causing me to crash into some martial artists who were fighting and thus gaining a huge advantage, I wouldn''t have this strength now," Xing Xiaofeng looked at Xing Peng with a look of grievance, appearing very pitiful, a sight that would indeed evoke sympathy.


    "Shut up! Keep talking, and I''ll kick you again," Xing Peng coldly snorted, his curiosity about Xing Xiaofeng''s fortune notwithstanding. He wasn''t interested in entangling with someone of such preferences. Despite Xing Xiaofeng''s good looks, which could easily tempt countless young girls if groomed slightly, his being a pseudo-lady was seen as a waste of resources.


    "Xing Peng, don''t be so heartless. I''ve just come back to you, and you treat me like this, you''re disappointing me..." Xing Xiaofeng stomped his feet in a super pseudo-lady-like tantrum.


    "Ugh!" Xing Peng felt a wave of nausea, his eyes suddenly flashing with a cold murderous intent, "Say one more word, and I''ll slay you on the spot!"


    "Not saying, not saying. But do you have to be so rude?" Xing Xiaofeng pouted, then turned his gaze towards Xing Jianfeng, "Jianfeng, long time no see, you must have missed me a lot!" He said this as he rushed towards Xing Jianfeng.

 Chapter 56: Tu Qianqiu

    "Clang!" Xing Jianfeng, who was initially just a spectator, suddenly stumbled upon seeing Xing Xiaofeng''s antics, a plethora of black lines appearing on his forehead.


    "Damn, Xing Xiaofeng, can''t you act normal for once? Will you die if you''re not acting like a pseudo-lady!" Xing Jianfeng bellowed angrily, dodging Xing Xiaofeng''s embrace with a swift movement.


    "Boring! How am I not normal? Isn''t it just that I''m happy to see family members after a brush with death!" Xing Xiaofeng pouted, looking aggrieved and pitiful, involuntarily evoking sympathy.


    "Damn!" Xing Jianfeng and others simultaneously grimaced. If Xing Xiaofeng were a woman, such actions would undoubtedly be considered enchantingly beautiful. But, as a man, it just made things awkward. "Why do you, a man, have to look so pretty? It''s just irritating."


    As Xing Jianfeng and others grimaced, the red-haired middle-aged man, who had been seriously observing the Blackwater Plains, couldn''t help but crack a smile upon hearing the exchanges between Xing Xiaofeng and the others.


    Although the smile of the red-haired middle-aged man was slight and fleeting, Xing Peng caught it. Seeing the red-haired middle-aged man making such a gesture, Xing Peng''s eyes flickered with curiosity. From the beginning, he had been keen to figure out what kind of person the red-haired middle-aged man was. On the spaceship, his demeanor was elusive, sometimes jovial and other times cold and intimidating.


    After a while, another person burst out from the Blackwater Plains, it was Lin Fei, wielding a long spear. When he flew out from the plains, his gaze immediately turned towards Xing Peng. Upon seeing Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu together, he was slightly shaken.


    "It''s him! The one who immobilized those assassins, it was him!" Lin Fei''s eyes briefly flashed with an unusual light before he flew nonchalantly towards the red-haired middle-aged man.


    Following Lin Fei''s arrival, more and more people ran out from the Blackwater Plains, most of them bearing wounds and radiating a strong smell of blood. Those who survived until now had all undergone a trial of life and death.


    "Ha ha ha... Xing Peng, I knew you would definitely pass the trial. You''re really something, to come out of the Blackwater Plains even before me!" A laughter suddenly rang out, and Jin Disan, holding an abacus, flew towards Xing Peng from afar.


    Jin Disan looked very relaxed, without a trace of fatigue despite having survived life-threatening dangers over the past fifteen days. His clothes were spotless, making it hard to imagine what he had been through. The fifteen days of trials in the Blackwater Plains seemed like a mere excursion for him.


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    Jin Disan''s laughter attracted many people''s attention. When the Earth Level martial artists, who had barely survived, saw Jin Disan''s spotless appearance, their gazes trembled.


    "As expected of the young master of Jin Bi Manor, to have reached Heaven Level at such a young age!"


    After the second trial, the surviving martial artists were at least in the late stages of the Human Level, and only a few were in the late stages of Human Level, with the rest being at the early stages of Earth Level or higher. Yet, even so, they dared not provoke someone like Jin Disan.


    After Jin Disan arrived beside Xing Peng, Xing Peng nodded slightly at him. Being from ''Jin Bi Manor'', it was not surprising for Jin Disan to pass the trial so easily.


    Xing Peng wasn''t surprised, but Jin Disan was, his gaze falling on Shangguan Meiyu''s hand wrapped around Xing Peng''s arm, a sight that greatly startled him.


    As the young master of ''Jin Bi Manor'', Jin Disan was well aware of Shangguan Meiyu''s identity. She was the prized gem of the Shangguan family, renowned as the most outstanding genius of her generation. The ''Ethereal Fairy Step'', a technique long lost in the Shangguan family, was mastered by her to an impressive level, earning her the nickname ''Fairy Yu'' among their circles, with countless suitors. He had never heard of Fairy Yu showing such affection for anyone else before, and seeing her so close to Xing Peng was utterly astonishing.


    Shangguan Meiyu, noticing Jin Disan''s peculiar scrutiny, gave him a warning glare. Jin Disan, embarrassed, smiled awkwardly and looked away, giving Xing Peng an admiring glance.


    Just as Jin Disan approached Xing Peng, another figure suddenly flew out from the Blackwater Plains. This person, cloaked in a fiery red outfit and carrying an unsheathed red longsword on his back, exuded an intense aura of danger. Anyone weak who caught his gaze would involuntarily feel fear, their body hair standing on end.


    "My God! Who is this? Why is his aura so terrifying?"


    "This... how is this possible? He just looked at me, and I felt my Profound Qi getting blocked."


    "We haven''t seen this person among us trial participants. He... he must be a hunter!"


    "Damn, the trials of White Tiger Academy this time are too horrifying. It''s a good thing we didn''t encounter him in the Blackwater Plains, or we would have been doomed!"


    The martial artists emerging from the Blackwater Plains trembled unnaturally at the sight of the man in red, their eyes filled with fear, deeply feeling the pressure from his formidable presence.


    "White Tiger Academy really went all out this time, even bringing out a late-stage Heaven Level martial artist as an assassin..." Jin Disan muttered with a grin beside Xing Peng, his eyes holding a veiled killing intent towards the man in red.


    Sensing Jin Disan''s killing intent, the man in red turned his gaze towards Jin Disan, his look fierce and predatory, sending chills down the spine.


    Jin Disan, unfazed, curled his lips in disdain and provocatively glanced at the man in red, even going so far as to flip him the middle finger.


    The man in red, ''Blood Hand'' Tu Qianqiu, seeing Jin Disan''s provocation, his eyes flashed with murderous intent. If not for the presence of the red-haired elder nearby, he would have attacked Jin Disan. A mere trial participant daring to provoke him was simply seeking death. He glared menacingly at Jin Disan before his gaze fell on an empty space nearby.

 Chapter 57: Unspoken Rules

    Jin Disan saw Tu Qianqiu backing off, he contemptuously curled his lips, then withdrew his gaze and started joking around with Xing Peng and others again.


    Several hours later, the red-haired middle-aged man waved his hand, signaling to the people around him that there was no need to stay here anymore, then he darted off towards the southeast direction first. Seeing this, the others followed suit, curiosity in everyone''s eyes, unclear about what would be waiting for them next. However, although the trial participants followed the red-haired middle-aged man, the assassins coming from Blackwater Plains did not follow him; they darted out in a different direction.


    With the end of the second challenge of White Tiger Academy, the remaining warriors were now less than one-tenth of the original. From the original group of thirty thousand trial participants, only about five hundred people were left.


    These five hundred people followed the red-haired middle-aged man, and this following lasted for three days. For three whole days, the red-haired middle-aged man did not stop anywhere, his body always moving forward at a constant speed. Although he did not use flying techniques, his speed was still very fast, forcing the trial participants to do their utmost to keep up with him.


    Having survived in Blackwater Plains for fifteen days had already exhausted most of the trial participants. Now, just coming out from Blackwater Plains, they were led by the red-haired middle-aged man on such a run, they were indeed unspeakably miserable.


    "My God, where exactly are we running to? I''m almost starving to death! Although I''m an Earth Level martial artist, I''ve been hungry for many days now, if I don''t eat something soon, I''ll definitely starve to death!" a certain trial participant moaned weakly, his face pale and his eyes bloodshot, looking utterly unrested and unfed.


    "I''m also about to die of hunger. The third challenge isn''t just about testing our endurance to hunger, is it?"


    "I hope not. After not eating for more than ten days, my chubby body has already lost a lot of weight. If this challenge is also about enduring hunger, then I''m going to collapse!" a certain chubby participant moaned bitterly. He was hefty, looking to be about 300 pounds, quite intimidating.


    Hearing the chubby participant''s words, the corners of the mouths of the people nearby twitched, "Damn it, even the fat guy says he''s going to collapse, what about us? This is too absurd..."


    The red-haired middle-aged man did not pay any attention to the complaints of the trial participants. He continued to move forward quickly, proceeding for another two days. It wasn''t until they reached a desert with flying sand all around that he finally stopped, turned around, and looked at Xing Peng and others with a wicked smile, "Everyone has been running for so long, you must be tired, right?"


    "......" Xing Jianfeng and others curled their lips simultaneously, you just realized that now?


    "Since everyone is tired, then take a rest here. I''ll give you half the time of a tea break. After half the time of a tea break, you''ll have to start the third challenge; this is the last challenge of this trial by White Tiger Academy. Those who pass will join White Tiger Academy, and those who can''t pass, well... I don''t need to say more, right?" The red-haired middle-aged man wickedly surveyed his surroundings.


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    "The last challenge?" Hearing this, the surrounding trial participants'' expressions shook at the same time, a hint of joy appearing in their eyes. The trial by White Tiger Academy this time was indeed much more brutal than before, with just two challenges, more than thirty thousand trial participants were reduced to just a few hundred. The number of eliminations was truly astonishing. If there were three to five more challenges, it would be hard for them to imagine if anyone could actually pass this trial by White Tiger Academy. Now hearing that there was only one challenge left, they were genuinely happy.


    However, while the people around were happy, they also felt bitter. They looked at the endless desert beside them with a solemn face. Without saying, the third challenge must be conducted in this desert. Now everyone was already hungry to the point of being skin and bones, and next, they had to carry out the third challenge in this desert, which to them, was simply torture.


    "Oh my, I hope this challenge will be over soon. In this place where there''s neither village in front nor store behind, I can''t find anything to eat." A certain fatty once again looked up and moaned softly.


    Hearing the fatty''s wail, the already hungry stomachs of the others involuntarily growled even more. Now, what they wanted to do the most was to have a full meal.


    "Handsome uncle, during our rest, could you give me something to eat!" Jin Disan suddenly said to the red-haired middle-aged man with a smile, his eyes twinkling and full of cuteness.


    "Want something to eat? Hehe, of course, there''s no problem, here, this is for you!" The right hand of the red-haired middle-aged man suddenly flipped, and a roast duck unexpectedly appeared in his hand.


    "A storage ring! Handsome uncle, you have a storage ring!" Jin Disan''s eyes lit up.


    "Hehe, you''re quite knowledgeable, kid. Yes, I do have a storage ring!" The red-haired middle-aged man looked at Jin Disan appreciatively.


    "Then, handsome uncle, could you bring out a few more roast ducks, and also a jar of wine!" Jin Disan said breathlessly.


    "You''re really not greedy at all, huh? Giving you a roast duck is already pretty good, and you still want to drink wine? Aren''t you afraid I''ll smack you!" The red-haired middle-aged man glared at Jin Disan and scolded jokingly.


    "If I was afraid of getting smacked, I wouldn''t ask you, handsome uncle, for wine. Since you have a storage ring, then the wine you have stored in there must not be little, right!" Jin Disan said flatteringly.


    "You''re really your father, the King of Killers'', son through and through, just like him. Here, you want wine, I''ll give it to you!" The red-haired middle-aged man said, and with a casual toss, a jar as big as a human head flew towards Jin Disan.


    Seeing this, Jin Disan hurriedly caught the wine jar in his arms, "Handsome uncle, there are also roast ducks, bring a few more!"


    "Swish! Swish! Swish......" Dozens of roast ducks covered the sky and headed towards Jin Disan, enveloping him. In the moment Jin Disan was enveloped by the roast ducks, he quickly dodged, catching each of the flying roast ducks.


    After catching the roast ducks, Jin Disan casually passed them to Xing Jianfeng and the others. Seeing this, they each raised their hands and caught the roast ducks, then started to eat heartily under Xing Peng''s signal.


    "Gulp!" The other trial participants, seeing Xing Jianfeng and others'' actions, couldn''t help but swallow their saliva, then simultaneously turned their gazes towards the red-haired middle-aged man, but the red-haired middle-aged man directly ignored their gazes, making them feel very wronged.


    "Unspoken rules! The evil unspoken rules! Why is there such a big difference among trial participants? Jin Disan and his group have roast ducks to eat, while we can only watch helplessly."

 Chapter 58: The Start of the Third Trial

    "Envoy, can you also give me some food?" Seeing that Xing Peng and others had received food, another blue-shirted trial participant boldly asked the red-haired middle-aged man. The situation with Xing Peng and others had made many people envious.


    "You want food too?" The red-haired middle-aged man squinted at the trial participant who asked, with a trace of mockery in his eyes.


    "Yes! Please, envoy, give me some food. I''m so hungry I can hardly stand it. If I don''t eat something soon, I will starve to death here." The blue-shirted trial participant saw the mockery in the red-haired middle-aged man''s eyes, broke out in a cold sweat, and said cautiously after swallowing hard.


    When he spoke, a chill went down his spine, and his heart was filled with nervousness. He was very uncertain whether his words would anger the red-haired envoy.


    "Hehe, starve to death! Is it that easy to starve to death? You, my boy, are also an Earth Level late-stage martial artist, you should be able to go without food for ten days to half a month." The red-haired middle-aged man laughed.


    "But... but I''ve been hungry for more than ten days now, I really can''t take it anymore. Envoy, please give me some food. I''m not asking for much, I don''t need roast duck, anything will do." The blue-shirted trial participant looked pitifully at the red-haired middle-aged man, full of longing.


    "Don''t look at me with those eyes; I don''t like being stared at like that." The red-haired middle-aged man glared fiercely at the blue-shirted trial participant, "Remember, you are participating in White Tiger Academy''s trial. How could a trial not involve hardships!"


    "Envoy, I know I''m participating in White Tiger Academy''s trial, and I know that trials are meant to be hard, but... but they are also trial participants, and they got to eat roast duck, so I also want to eat something." The blue-shirted trial participant bit his teeth, pointed at Xing Peng and others with his finger, looking like he was ready to risk everything.


    "Tsk, tsk! Admirable courage! However, wanting food... there''s none!" The red-haired middle-aged man pursed his lips.


    "Why... why don''t I get any!" The blue-shirted trial participant said, somewhat unwillingly.


    "Are you really that stupid, or are you pretending? Do you really want me to take action and kill you?" The red-haired middle-aged man''s eyes emitted a cold light, causing the blue-shirted trial participant to suddenly shut his mouth, and as he closed his mouth, he involuntarily took two steps back, looking at the red-haired middle-aged man with a face full of shock and deep resentment in his eyes.


    Being trial participants of the same status, he merely wanted to ask for some food casually, and yet the red-haired envoy was prepared to execute him. This unfair treatment made the blue-shirted trial participant feel extremely aggrieved.


    Not only the blue-shirted trial participant felt aggrieved, but the other trial participants nearby also felt the injustice, watching the red-haired envoy with complex expressions. If not for the significant difference in strength between them, they might have all rushed up and killed the red-haired middle-aged man.


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    Of course, while some were resentful, not all trial participants felt this way. Some warriors, like Li Tianying and Lin Fei, didn''t have much of a reaction to the red-haired middle-aged man''s words, remaining calm in the crowd without voicing any opinions.


    Seeing the red-haired middle-aged man act this way, Jin Disan smiled at Xing Peng, who responded with a smile. Then, taking the wine that Jin Disan handed over, he took a few sips and passed it to the other Xing family juniors.


    Xing Jianfeng and the other Xing family juniors, while gnawing on the roast duck, were inwardly shaken by the scene before them. It felt surreal to them that they could become a privileged class following Jin Disan, able to eat meat and drink wine while others starved.


    "Gulp!" The surrounding warriors were already very hungry, and now, being provoked by Xing Peng and others, they became even more unbearable. Most of the trial participants cast their eyes on Xing Peng and the others, their eyes filled with greed, envy, jealousy, and resentment.


    If it weren''t for the red-haired envoy being there, and Jin Disan''s strength and identity not being something they could easily confront, they would definitely have rushed up and snatched the roast duck and fine wine from Xing Peng and others.


    Half the time of a tea break is not long. As the surrounding trial participants endured their torment, time quickly passed. When half the time of a tea break had elapsed, Jin Disan and others had already finished the food and drink in their hands.


    "You should all have had enough rest by now. Now, I announce that the third trial officially begins. This time, you need to walk out of the desert and find Moon Night City. As long as you can reach Moon Night City, you will have passed the test and can join the outer gate of White Tiger Academy." The red-haired middle-aged man suddenly stepped forward, looking around at the hungry and weak trial participants.


    "Moon Night City? Walk out of the desert?"


    "What place is Moon Night City? And how wide is this desert exactly?"


    Hearing this, the trial participants looked at each other, their eyes filled with solemnity. Although the third trial had officially begun with the announcement from the red-haired middle-aged man, allowing them to make their final effort, the unknown desert before them also imposed a deep pressure on them.


    With the examples of the first two challenges, they were very aware that this desert test would not be simple. If it were simple, it wouldn''t have been chosen as the third challenge.


    "May I ask, envoy, what is the name of this desert, and how big is it? Are there fierce beasts hiding in the desert?" Lin Fei suddenly asked, looking seriously at the red-haired envoy.


    "This place is called the Nameless Desert, it is boundless and unfathomable. As for whether there are fierce beasts hiding, that is something you will have to explore for yourselves." The red-haired envoy said with a smile.


    "Envoy, I have another question, is there a time limit for this challenge?" Lin Fei asked.


    "Yes! I give you seven days. Those who cannot find Moon Night City within seven days will be eliminated!" The red-haired middle-aged man looked around at the trial participants, his face becoming serious, "Do you think I''m cruel and heartless? Do you think I''m biased? Let me tell you, this is the rule of this world - survival of the fittest. As long as you can pass the test and show your potential, you will naturally receive privileges that ordinary people cannot."


    "Additionally, a friendly tip: the desert is not entirely made of sand. There are oases here as well. If you are lucky, you can naturally find food!"


    "Alright, youngsters, start making your way towards Moon Night City. I''ll be waiting for you in Moon Night City, hoping you all can pass the test!" The red-haired middle-aged man said, and then his figure suddenly flashed, leaping forward, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared like a bolt of lightning.

 Chapter 59: Lost

    After the red-haired middle-aged man uttered those words and vanished, the trial participants looked at each other, unsure of what to do next, with none daring to recklessly advance into the desert.


    Although all of them were martial artists with considerable strength, they still lacked the confidence to find the so-called ''Moon Night City'' within seven days in this desert.


    "Oh my, what should we do now? This is my first time seeing a desert; I have no idea which way to go."


    "I''ve heard that the desert is full of incredibly powerful sandstorms and quicksands, even more dangerous than swamps. Just a moment of inattention, and an Earth Level martial artist could perish in the desert."


    "What you''re talking about are just ordinary deserts. As far as I know, many deserts are inhabited by fierce beasts, mostly hiding under the sands. Not only are their attacks terrifying, but many of them are also venomous and tend to attack in groups. An Earth Level martial artist would hardly escape death if they can''t flee from them."


    Knowing these details about the desert, the trial participants discussed amongst themselves, sharing what they knew. This caused many martial artists who were unaware of the desert''s conditions to pale and hesitate even more before venturing into it.


    "Swoosh!" Just when everyone was uncertain about what to do, a figure holding a gun glanced at Xing Peng and others before suddenly leaping from the ground and flying off into the distance like a giant bird.


    "It''s him!" Xing Peng''s eyes flashed with a different color as he watched the figure fly away. The figure was Lin Fei, the man with the gun. Almost at the moment Lin Fei took off, Li Tianying also followed in the same direction, and the two of them disappeared thousands of meters away in the blink of an eye.


    "Quick, follow those two Heaven Level martial artists, they must know the right way!"


    "Yes! Follow them; after all, they are Heaven Level martial artists. They wouldn''t risk their lives carelessly. With them, we can definitely find Moon Night City!"


    Some of the bewildered trial participants, seeing Lin Fei and Li Tianying''s actions, almost moved simultaneously and chased after them.


    While some chose to follow, others did not act. A few people''s gaze had been on Jin Disan ever since the red-haired envoy disappeared. After all, Jin Disan was from ''Jin Bi Manor'', a place known for having the most reliable information in this country. They believed if anyone knew more about ''Jin Bi Manor'', it would undoubtedly be Jin Disan.


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    Jin Disan noticed their gazes and flashed a pure smile, showing his neat white teeth. This made those secretly watching him hastily avert their eyes. Jin Disan''s smile might be innocent, but being the son of a notorious killer, who knows what might be hiding behind that innocent smile.


    Seeing people divert their gaze from him, Jin Disan pouted in boredom, then turned his attention to Xing Peng and others. "Xing Peng, as far as I know, this Nameless Desert isn''t actually nameless. Its real name should be the Devil''s Desert. It''s home to numerous groups of Earth Level man-eating ants. Although they are only at Earth Level, when they swarm, even Heaven Level martial artists could hardly escape death.


    "These man-eating ants usually live underground. When hunting, they will burrow out from beneath the ground. They attack prey on the ground and in the sky."


    "Prey in the sky as well? Can these man-eating ants fly?" Xing Peng asked in surprise.


    "Exactly, these ants have wings on their backs, allowing them to fly easily. Moreover, their flying speed is extremely fast, even faster than some Heaven Level martial artists," Jin Disan said gravely.


    "Wow, that''s awesome! Damn, these man-eating ants are too freakish, flying faster than Heaven Level martial artists! If we, the Earth Level martial artists, encounter them, aren''t we doomed?" Xing Liang exclaimed in shock.


    "Not necessarily. If you encounter man-eating ants and also find a Fire Scorpion, then Earth Level martial artists can escape death. Fire Scorpions and man-eating ants are natural enemies. When they meet, they will immediately engage in a frenzy and fight each other, ignoring other prey," Jin Disan said with a smile, then continued, "Moreover, man-eating ants are naturally afraid of water. If you can find a water source and use it against them when they attack, they will retreat. Heh, if you really can''t find a water source, even urine will do, especially child''s urine, which is more harmful to them."


    "Similarly, for the Fire Scorpion, it naturally carries fire poison. Never let it get close to your body. Without miraculous medicines, a sting could cost a Heaven Level martial artist half their life. The way to attack them is also with water, as it''s their nemesis."


    Hearing Jin Disan''s words, Xing Jianfeng and others showed surprise. They hadn''t expected the Devil''s Desert to have such interesting creatures that even Heaven Level martial artists could kill but are afraid of water, and even urine could be used as a weapon!


    Since Jin Disan didn''t use a secret message to speak, the remaining trial participants also heard his words. They looked at each other, all feeling fortunate, "Thank goodness we didn''t rush into the desert. If we had missed this information, wouldn''t that have been tragic!"


    After informing Xing Peng and others about these details, Jin Disan winked at Xing Peng and took the lead, guiding them forward. Observing this, the martial artists watching them quickly followed behind Jin Disan and his group.


    Jin Disan and Xing Peng paid no attention to the following trial participants. They just kept moving forward, and under Jin Disan''s lead, they accelerated, quickly covering tens of thousands of meters.


    After traveling tens of thousands of meters, they were completely surrounded by the desert, unable to distinguish the correct direction in all directions.


    When Jin Disan brought Xing Peng and the others here, he suddenly stopped, looked at them seriously, and said, "Um...uh, does anyone know which way we should go? I think I''m lost!"


    "Clang!" The sound of many people falling to the ground rang out.

 Chapter 60: Situation Arises

    Jin Disan''s words stunned Xing Peng and the others; their eyes widened in disbelief at that moment.


    "Oh my God, we''re lost!" Just a while ago, seeing Jin Disan so calm and confident, choosing a direction and moving forward rapidly, they never doubted Jin Disan''s knowledge of the way. However, after walking tens of thousands of meters, Jin Disan said he was lost.


    Not only were Xing Peng and the others shocked, but the trial participants secretly following them also changed their expressions dramatically upon hearing Xing Jianfeng and the others'' exclamations. They couldn''t believe what they heard, "It''s utterly absurd, utterly absurd."


    Seeing Xing Peng and the others staring at him in shock, Jin Disan touched his nose, "Can you not look at me like that? I''m not lying to you, I really am lost."


    "How could you suddenly get lost, Young Master Jin? Don''t you know about the Devil¡¯s Desert? How could you not know the way!" Xing Jianfeng looked at Jin Disan with a complicated expression, finding it hard to believe.


    "Although I know some information about the Devil''s Forest, this is, after all, my first time here, so of course, I don¡¯t know the way. If I could have prepared before coming, the outcome would definitely not be like this." Jin Disan spread his hands, as if it was only natural.


    "Let''s forget it, not knowing the way is just that. It''s not just us who don''t know the way, we will definitely find Moon Night City within seven days!" Xing Peng walked up to Jin Disan, then patted him on the shoulder, and turned his gaze to Xing Jianfeng and the others, "From now on, follow me." Saying so, he took the lead and continued forward. Xing Jianfeng and the others, without any objection, hurriedly followed Xing Peng.


    The trial participants who were initially following Xing Peng and the others were stunned. They looked at each other with complex expressions, unsure whether to continue following Xing Peng or to find their own direction.


    "Zhang San, should we really follow them? Following them doesn''t seem reliable!" a trial participant with a lean face, Li Xiaocuan, whispered to another participant holding a big sword.


    "Follow! Why not follow! We are not familiar with this place, following them might still offer a glimmer of hope. If we don''t follow, are you confident in finding the right path?" Zhang San''s eyes flashed, and he chased after Xing Peng and the others.


    Seeing Zhang San taking the lead, Li Xiaocuan''s eyes flashed with struggle, then he gritted his teeth and followed. With Zhang San and Li Xiaocuan leading, several more trial participants quickly followed.


    However, while some continued to follow Xing Peng and the others, others showed complex expressions and decided not to continue following, choosing to run off in other directions.


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    Whether they chose to follow Xing Peng and the others or not, these trial participants inevitably ended up forming teams with other participants. Having heard Jin Disan''s introduction to Devil¡¯s Desert, they all knew the desert was dangerous. Being alone could easily lead to their downfall, so they chose to stick together during their journey.


    Xing Peng and Jin Disan didn''t pay attention to the actions of the others. After Xing Peng took the lead, their pace significantly increased, not knowing whether Xing Peng was running blindly. Since he took over, he just sprinted in one direction without saying a word.


    They ran for two hours, during which Xing Peng and the others didn''t stop to rest, making the trial participants following them increasingly anxious about whether to continue following. Now, after two hours, they didn¡¯t even know where they were, and even if they wanted to give up, it was too late. Although they were wavering, they still gritted their teeth and continued following Xing Peng.


    In these two hours, Xing Peng and the others didn¡¯t encounter the man-eating ants and Fire Scorpion that Jin Disan mentioned. Not only did they not meet these fierce beasts, but they also didn¡¯t encounter any other dangers. It seemed as if the desert wasn¡¯t as perilous as imagined.


    "Zhang San, should we really keep following? It seems like there are none of those legendary man-eating ants and Fire Scorpions here. Look, should we find a new place to move forward? I always feel it¡¯s unreliable to follow so blindly," Li Xiaocuan whispered again next to Zhang San.


    Zhang San glared at Li Xiaocuan irritably, "Why all this pointless talk? Now that we¡¯ve come this far, how can we just choose another direction randomly? If you don¡¯t want to continue following, then leave by yourself!"


    "Uh¡­ this¡­ this¡­ I was just a bit anxious since we''ve been walking for two hours and still haven¡¯t found Moon Night City! Since you, Zhang San, plan to keep going, of course, I will keep going too, and definitely won¡¯t leave alone," Li Xiaocuan hastily assured, patting his chest. His strength was far inferior to Zhang San''s, and if he left, Li Xiaocuan wasn¡¯t sure he could survive on his own. If it weren¡¯t for Zhang San''s protection in Blackwater Plains, he would have died long ago.


    "In that case, stop your whining. We¡¯ve only walked for two hours; did you really think we could find Moon Night City in such a short time? You''re being too imaginative! Didn¡¯t you listen carefully to what the red-haired envoy said? He gave us seven days. If a task supposed to take seven days could be done in two hours, would this still be called the third trial of the White Tiger Academy?!" Zhang San glared at Li Xiaocuan as if he was looking at an idiot, then no longer spoke and suddenly increased his pace.


    Li Xiaocuan, scolded by Zhang San like this, had an extremely embarrassed expression and didn¡¯t suggest anything unreliable anymore, quietly following Zhang San. Although he didn¡¯t speak, he still harbored some wild guesses in his heart, feeling an urge to give up following Xing Peng and the others. The desert was desolate and uninhabited, filled only with yellow sand. The longer he stayed, the more irritable Li Xiaocuan became.


    About two hours later, Xing Peng, who had been walking briskly, suddenly stretched out his right hand, signaling Jin Disan and the others to stop. Jin Disan and the others quickly halted, looking at Xing Peng puzzled, not understanding why he did this.


    "There¡¯s a situation ahead, everyone be careful!" Xing Peng said solemnly.


    Hearing this, Xing Jianfeng and the other Xing family descendants tensed up, preparing themselves fully, while Shangguan Meiyu and Jin Disan looked at Xing Peng with puzzled faces, not understanding how Xing Peng knew there was a situation ahead. As Heaven Level warriors, they hadn¡¯t noticed anything amiss ahead!

 Chapter 61: Sandstorm

    Xing Peng felt the puzzlement of Shangguan Meiyu and Jin Disan, but he didn''t clarify their doubts. Instead, he stared solemnly into the distance, his expression growing more grave by the moment. Since leading the way, he had been using the technique of ''Heavenly Sight, Earthly Listen.'' At this moment, Xing Peng could clearly hear a devastating sandstorm sweeping towards them from afar. Initially, he thought it was just his misconception, but after listening carefully for a while, he was certain that a sandstorm was indeed approaching.


    "Everyone, follow me quickly, the sandstorm is coming!" Xing Peng suddenly shouted, then pulled Shangguan Meiyu and dashed towards a huge sand dune nearby. Upon reaching the dune, he struck it with his palm, unleashing a mountain-toppling force that smashed into the sand dune, creating a large pit. After the strike, Xing Peng''s palm force did not cease; he continued to bombard the dune with several more palms, eventually carving out a cave dozens of meters wide.


    As soon as Xing Peng had created such a large cave, Xing Jianfeng and others rushed over. Following Xing Peng''s signal, they all entered the cave. This action was not hidden from other martial artists following them. Seeing Xing Peng''s sudden action, they exchanged glances and quickly excavated another cave nearby.


    After Xing Jianfeng and the others entered the cave, they didn''t let their guard down. Under Xing Peng''s direction, they all circulated their Profound Qi to the peak and formed the Single File Serpent Formation, staying inside the cave.


    As for Xing Peng, Shangguan Meiyu, and Jin Disan, the three Heaven Level martial artists, they didn''t do the same. Although the sandstorm was extremely dangerous, they also had means to cope with it.


    Seeing that Xing Jianfeng and others had followed his instructions, Xing Peng immediately stepped out of the cave, then stood boldly in the open space, looking solemnly into the distance, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit and endless excitement.


    "Peng brother, are you planning to temper yourself with the sandstorm?" Shangguan Meiyu also followed Xing Peng out of the cave, looking at him curiously.


    Xing Peng nodded, "You better hurry back into the cave. Once the fierce wind starts, you, being a girl, might have a wardrobe malfunction."


    "No! If Peng brother is preparing to temper himself with the sandstorm, of course, I will also use the sandstorm to temper myself. I have only heard that sandstorms are very powerful, and even Heaven Level martial artists might be killed by sandstorms, but I have never seen one with my own eyes." Shangguan Meiyu played with a strand of her hair, firmly shaking her head.


    "Hehe, Fairy Yu, are you sure you want to stay here? If you have a wardrobe malfunction later, I won''t pretend to be a gentleman." Jin Disan, hearing Shangguan Meiyu''s words, chuckled mischievously.


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    "If you dare, if you dare to peek, humph, I will blind your eyes," Shangguan Meiyu glared fiercely at Jin Disan.


    "Er..." Jin Disan looked dejectedly at Shangguan Meiyu, "Is it necessary to be so harsh? When the fierce wind blows later, even if I don''t want to look, I might involuntarily see something I shouldn''t."


    "Hmph, I don''t care. If you see anything, you''re dead! Although you, the little killer king, are very powerful, hehe, I know you are most afraid of your father. If your father finds out you dared to peek at your brother''s close female friend, what do you think the killer king would do to you!" Shangguan Meiyu cunningly huffed.


    "Fine! I admit I can''t provoke you!" Jin Disan stared at Shangguan Meiyu speechlessly, muttering to himself, "The old man wasn''t wrong after all. Indeed, only the villain and women are difficult to raise." As he muttered, he suddenly turned into a long rainbow and dashed towards the distance, disappearing from Shangguan Meiyu''s sight in the blink of an eye.


    Seeing this, Xing Peng shook his head amusedly, thinking, "When did this girl become my close female friend?"


    As soon as Jin Disan left, the surrounding air suddenly became turbulent. Then, a majestic pressure approached Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu from afar. The sky suddenly became oppressive, darkening until nothing could be seen within arm''s reach, making life seem very insignificant under nature''s might.


    "Boom!" Deafening explosions sounded continuously, shaking heaven and earth, turning everything upside down, covering tens of thousands of meters with a violent force.


    It was as if the apocalypse had arrived, the power of nature made Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu''s faces involuntarily grow serious. Although they were prepared to use the sandstorm to temper themselves, the ferocity of the sandstorm was not just for show in books. Heaven Level martial artists could survive a sandstorm because they could quickly evade before its arrival, and few people would choose to face a sandstorm head-on like Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu.


    Flying sand and rocks, dark skies, and strong winds made it painfully difficult to see. Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu''s hair whipped about like black torrents the moment the sandstorm arrived.


    Standing in the open, they looked like a golden boy and jade girl, their eyes determined, and the Profound Qi in their bodies surged intensely, ready to face the sandstorm at any moment.


    "Boom!" The sandstorm, carrying vast clouds of sand like a ferocious dragon, came upon Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu in the blink of an eye, attempting to swallow them whole.


    "Ethereal Fairy Step!"


    "Wind Shadow Steps!"


    The moment the sandstorm struck, Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu simultaneously executed their most proficient movement techniques. With these techniques, they moved through the sandstorm like flying fish.


    As the saying goes, let him be strong, and I will be the gentle breeze that sweeps the mountain!


    Facing such mighty force, neither Xing Peng nor Shangguan Meiyu tried to resist the sandstorm recklessly. Although their current strength seemed not bad, having reached Heaven Level, the sandstorm before them was still not something they could easily conquer.


    The sandstorm was filled with a large amount of yellow sand. Although Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu both had exceptional movement techniques that allowed them to move through the sandstorm, the yellow sand still landed on them in large quantities.


    Under normal circumstances, this yellow sand wouldn''t have much offensive power. However, when mixed into a sandstorm, its force became significantly formidable. As this yellow sand swept over Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu with the sandstorm, their faces involuntarily changed, and they unreservedly executed their body-protecting techniques.

 Chapter 62: Self-Challenge

    "Pop pop pop!" The yellow sand hit Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu, making a series of crisp bursting sounds. The two had already left the ground with the storm, narrowly navigating through the tempest.


    Challenging the limits of life, honing oneself in danger!


    After experiencing such a fierce sandstorm, the situation for Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu was not as optimistic as they appeared. The Profound Qi in their bodies was depleting very quickly, with a third of their Profound Qi exhausted in the blink of an eye.


    However, although the sandstorm was fierce, it also, paradoxically, provided Xing Peng with a sense of progress in his Profound Qi, which improved as it was being consumed massively. At this critical moment, the operation speed of his Profound Qi reached 200 percent, a performance beyond the norm.


    Sand and stones flew everywhere, darkening the skies! Countless sands were lifted by a formidable force and then traveled with the storm to other places.


    Xing Jianfeng and others, though hiding in a cave, found their situation far from optimistic. The huge sand dune where they were located was almost completely lifted by the sandstorm. The strong suction made them deeply feel the pressure.


    "Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!" Waves of sand spread in all directions, the powerful storm embodying a destructive force that made everyone instinctively tremble with fear.


    "My god, this sandstorm is too fierce. We''ve hidden so deep underground, and yet we can still feel such terrifying pressure!" Li Xiaocuan, hiding in the cave, gripped a long spear embedded in the ground, exclaiming in shock.


    "Shut up!" Zhang San knocked on Li Xiaocuan''s head, "Less talk, dammit!"


    "Ouch!" Li Xiaocuan grimaced in pain, "Why are you so hard on me!"


    "If I''m not hard on you, will you ever learn? Close that mouth of yours that''s always screaming. If you scream again, you''re dead!" Zhang San glared at Li Xiaocuan fiercely, as if to say, if the sandstorm doesn¡¯t kill you, I will.


    Seeing Zhang San like this, Li Xiaocuan quickly shut his mouth, then looked at Zhang San with innocent eyes, a face full of grievance.


    Zhang San pursed his lips and no longer paid attention to Li Xiaocuan''s antics, focusing entirely on circulating his Profound Qi to steady himself in the cave.


    Scenes like that of Li Xiaocuan and Zhang San were common in the cave. Those who had entered the cave, at this moment, had looks of relief on their faces. Thankfully, they had prepared before the sandstorm hit. Otherwise, by the time they reacted when the sandstorm approached, they would have been blown to who knows where.


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    "Everyone, this sandstorm is too strong. In order not to be swept away by the sandstorm, I suggest we combine our strength to resist the sandstorm together!" A trial participant suddenly spoke up.


    Hearing this, Zhang San and the others exchanged glances, then nodded simultaneously. They then gathered together, collectively channeling their Profound Qi to resist the sandstorm.


    Most of Zhang San and the others were Earth-tier martial artists. When these hundred or so people simultaneously channeled their Profound Qi to resist the sandstorm, their pressure was significantly reduced, easing their anxious hearts.


    However, Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu, who were in the eye of the sandstorm, were not in good condition. Both of their faces had turned pale. The longer they stayed in the sandstorm, the more clearly they could feel the formidable power of nature.


    Although Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu had displayed extraordinary mobility, allowing them to navigate through the storm, they still felt as if their bodies were about to be torn apart by the tremendous force.


    "Peng brother, I can''t hold on much longer!" A voice transmission suddenly entered Xing Peng''s ears from Shangguan Meiyu.


    Hearing this voice transmission, Xing Peng quickly looked towards Shangguan Meiyu. Frowning slightly, he saw that her delicate face was devoid of color, pale, and blood was seeping from the corners of her mouth.


    "This girl is internally injured!" The moment Xing Peng saw this, he moved with ''Wind Shadow Steps'', forcibly stepping on the wind to reach Shangguan Meiyu''s side, then held her hand.


    "Little girl, I told you to enter the cave earlier, but you wouldn''t listen. Now do you regret it?" Xing Peng transmitted his voice to Shangguan Meiyu while blaming her. Meanwhile, his movements didn''t stop; like a phantom, he led Shangguan Meiyu, dancing with the wind.


    "I... I wanted to be with Brother Peng!" Shangguan Meiyu pouted cutely.


    "You..." Xing Peng shook his head, not knowing what else to say. Although he had interacted with Shangguan Meiyu for a while and knew some of her temperament, he still hadn''t fully understood her, so he was somewhat skeptical of her words.


    After shaking his head slightly, Xing Peng no longer said anything and continued to navigate through the sandstorm with Shangguan Meiyu.


    Originally, navigating through the sandstorm alone was already difficult for Xing Peng. Now, with an additional person, his pressure increased significantly, forcing him to be fully alert. Any negligence would result in him and Shangguan Meiyu being swept away to an unknown location by the sandstorm.


    Riding the wind and breaking the waves, moving with the wind! In this extreme challenge, Xing Peng made significant progress in his light-body techniques, inspired by the wind of the sandstorm.


    The wind is formless, the clouds shapeless. Integrating one''s light-body technique with the wind, going wherever the wind goes. Embracing all, greatness lies in tolerance!


    For a moment, Xing Peng seemed to become a sponge, absorbing the gales that bombarded him as if recognizing a kin, reducing the pressure he felt.


    The sandstorm came quickly and left just as fast. When Xing Peng vaguely caught the rhythm of the wind, able to move freely within it, the sandstorm suddenly vanished without a trace. Everything around calmed down in an instant, the sun hung high again, and the sand returned to the earth. If not for the clear traces left by the sandstorm on the ground, Xing Peng might have thought it all an illusion.

 Chapter 63: Discovering the Oasis

    Seeing the sandstorm dissipate so abruptly, Xing Peng furrowed his brows. He had just grasped a rhythm in the wind when the sandstorm vanished in such a bizarre manner. This left Xing Peng as frustrated as someone who prepares for a battle by undressing a beautiful woman, only for her to suddenly say she is on her period.


    Shangguan Meiyu''s delicate hand was held by Xing Peng. She did not withdraw her hand or interrupt him. She clearly understood Xing Peng''s current state. She calmly watched him, her eyes flickering, wondering what she was thinking.


    After taking a couple of deep breaths, Xing Peng completely dispelled his frustrated thoughts. He smiled at Shangguan Meiyu and, through the hand he held, channeled Profound Qi into her body, healing her injured organs.


    With the infusion of Xing Peng''s Profound Qi, Shangguan Meiyu''s pale complexion quickly returned to its original color.


    "Thank you," Shangguan Meiyu said softly and complicatedly to Xing Peng.


    Xing Peng simply smiled lightly, without saying much more.


    "Phew, that damn sandstorm was really powerful. I was almost snuffed out by it!" Jin Disan suddenly appeared from a distance, saying with a sense of relief.


    At this moment, Jin Disan was in a sorry state, with a dirt-covered face. His clothes were no longer as immaculate as they had been at the start. Although he had distanced himself from Xing Peng and the others, he was still within the reach of the sandstorm and had also endured its assault.


    Xing Peng glanced at Jin Disan and, seeing that he was unharmed, nodded at him. Then, he looked aside, only to see the sand dune where Xing Jianfeng and the others had taken shelter mostly gone. The entire dune had collapsed, and Xing Jianfeng and the others were emerging from the sand, their faces pale. Seeing this, Xing Peng quickly moved towards them.


    Not far away, the trial participants following Xing Peng were also in a bad state. People continuously crawled out of the sand. Although they did not confront the sandstorm as Xing Peng and Shangguan Meiyu had, they still felt the pressure deeply.


    "Phew, the crisis has finally passed. The damn sandstorm has finally disappeared! Damn, it was terrifying. I thought I was going to die!" Li Xiaocuan climbed out of the sand, greedily breathing in the air and feeling relieved. If it weren''t for the joint efforts of the trial participants to withstand the sandstorm, they would probably have been killed by it.


    The trial participants around Li Xiaocuan felt similarly upon hearing his words, their expressions changing unnaturally.


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    "Xing Peng, you scared me to death. It was so scary, I almost thought I was going to die!" As soon as Xing Peng approached Xing Jianfeng and the others, Xing Xiaofeng suddenly hugged him, showing a frightened expression.


    "Get lost!" Xing Peng''s brow twitched, and his forehead was covered in black lines. He punched Xing Xiaofeng, sending him flying tens of meters before crashing down with a series of ''boom'' sounds. However, Xing Xiaofeng wasn''t injured, as Xing Peng''s punch, though appearing fierce, was executed with the power of Striking across mountains. The attacks hitting Xing Xiaofeng were absorbed by the sand beneath him.


    After sending Xing Xiaofeng flying, Xing Peng checked the condition of Xing Jianfeng and the others. Finding no injuries, he relaxed and then had them rest briefly before leading the team forward again.


    ...


    Two days later, still in the endless desert, Xing Peng led Xing Jianfeng and the others at a speed far beyond that of ordinary people. Behind them, a small tornado was chasing in their direction.


    Since experiencing the sandstorm two days ago, Xing Peng and his team had encountered several tornadoes and sandstorms. From the initial shock to now treating them with indifference, their transition took very little time.


    After two days of encounters, they realized that the desert had various types of sandstorms. Some were extremely powerful, while others were mere bluffs without much lethal force.


    For instance, the small tornado behind them had a force above level nineteen, but it posed no threat to them, who were at least at the early Earth Level. Thus, they paid little attention to the tornado chasing them.


    "Gurgle!" The sound of a protesting stomach. Li Xiaocuan, following Zhang San, touched his stomach awkwardly. It had been many days without food, and Li Xiaocuan was really struggling.


    "Zhang San, do we really have to keep wandering aimlessly in this desert following Jin Disan? It''s been two days, and we haven''t come across any oasis. Are we lost?" Li Xiaocuan, with dry lips, looked at Zhang San in confusion.


    The desert was a place of intense sunlight without any food. Even though Li Xiaocuan and the others were Earth Level warriors, they were starving. Li Xiaocuan was unsure if he would starve to death in the desert. He estimated that if a cow appeared in front of him now, he could eat it all by himself.


    "Can''t you talk less? My ears are almost growing calluses from listening to you these past two days!" Zhang San irritably glared at Li Xiaocuan. After two days of running, Zhang San also began to doubt the wisdom of following Jin Disan.


    "I know I shouldn''t ask, but... but I''m really feeling very hungry. I could eat a whole cow right now!" Li Xiaocuan drooped his ears, disheartened.


    "You''re hungry, and you think I''m not? Starving, you still have to bear with it. I believe Jin Disan will find a way out. After all, Jin Disan is the young master of Jin Bi Manor! I''m sure he can find the location of Moon Night City, definitely!" Zhang San, like a gambler, clenched his teeth.


    "Wow! Look! Look to the left! An oasis, it''s an oasis! Oh my god, an oasis!" At that moment, voices filled with surprise and joy suddenly came from the other trial participants, shocking Zhang San and Li Xiaocuan. They quickly turned their gaze to the left. Seeing the oasis, their eyes lit up with fervor, and they propelled their movements to the extreme, rushing towards the oasis like lightning.


    Not only Zhang San and Li Xiaocuan, but all trial participants who saw the oasis acted in the same manner.

 Chapter 64: Man-Eating Vine

    This is an extremely lush oasis, filled with flowers and grass. Around these plants, there are many green vines sprawling across the oasis, making it brim with vitality, resembling a green ocean. At the center of the oasis lies a deep blue lake, its water so clear that one can see fish swimming about.


    Upon discovering the oasis, Xing Peng, Shangguan Meiyu, Jin Disan, and others didn''t rush towards it like other trial participants did. After all, before participating in this trial, they had already received some food from the red-haired envoy.


    Although it had been two days and the food they ate had been digested, at their level, not eating for a couple of days wasn''t much of an issue, so there was no need to hurry. They walked at the back, observing the oasis as they moved.


    "God, what is this! Get away! Quick, get away!"


    "Help! Save me, please save me!"


    "......"


    Screams of terror suddenly erupted from those who had first rushed into the oasis. Along with these screams, the bodies of some martial artists exploded. When Xing Peng heard these screams, he was stunned, and his expression unnaturally changed. He had used the technique ''Heavenly Sight, Earthly Listen'' to sense the oasis before, and it seemed like there were no signs of life. How could these martial artists who entered first emit such tragic screams?


    Immediately looking forward, Xing Peng''s eyes revealed shock. Those trial participants who were at the forefront, the moment they reached the lake, the vines that sprawled across the oasis suddenly wrapped around their bodies. Some unsuspecting trial participants were instantly torn into pieces by the vines.


    "Xing Peng, be careful, these are man-eating vines! To think there are man-eating vines here, this is unbelievable!" Jin Disan''s voice, slightly excited, rang beside Xing Peng.


    "Man-eating vine? What is that?" Before Xing Peng could respond, Xing Jianfeng, standing beside him, asked with some confusion. Although Xing Jianfeng had read many books in the Xing family, he had never come across any records about these man-eating vines.


    "Man-eating vines are a kind of mutant plant that naturally craves human blood. Its roots are filled with deadly poison, capable of easily paralyzing human nerves. Even Heaven Level martial artists could fall if attacked rashly by a man-eating vine. Therefore, one must never be entangled by these vines, as thousands of them will attack and kill you," Jin Disan explained, glancing at Xing Peng and the others with barely concealed joy. "However, although these man-eating vines are fierce, the essence contained within them is a cultivation treasure for martial artists, capable of significantly enhancing our Profound Qi cultivation."


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Hearing this, the eyes of Xing Jianfeng and others lit up, each harboring intense interest in the man-eating vines.


    "Shssh!" Nearby, trial participants were occasionally killed by the man-eating vines. These vines, in a flash, lashed out with numerous whip shadows, and any trial participant who was not careful enough would be slain by these vines.


    While the vines attacked other trial participants, some vines near Xing Peng and his group also launched an attack towards them. Seeing these vines attack, Xing Peng and his companions did not hold back, each launching attacks at the vines.


    "Boom boom boom!" Xing Peng, taking the lead, used The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, and any vine hit by his palm force instantly turned into debris. The powerful palm force created holes in the ground.


    Man-eating vines and Venus flytraps looked pleasing from afar, but once humans approached, they would attack. These man-eating vines were even more evil than Venus flytraps, attacking only humans and not any creature that came close.


    "Xing Peng, the man-eating vines on this oasis must have a main body hidden underground. As long as its main body is destroyed, these other vines will naturally die!" Jin Disan approached Xing Peng and said.


    "Main body?" Xing Peng frowned, then pushed his ''Heavenly Sight, Earthly Listen'' technique to its limit. Initially, he hadn''t detected any life signs from these man-eating vines because they were in a state of rest. But now, as these vines attacked the trial participants, Xing Peng suddenly detected extremely active life signs.


    Quickly locking onto the location of the man-eating vine''s main body through sound, Xing Peng nodded at Jin Disan and then abruptly separated from the group, shooting towards the left side of the oasis like a cannonball. He then continuously launched palm strikes at the ground.


    "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The powerful palm force bombarded the ground, creating numerous cracks. As the ground cracked open, the earth shook violently, as if a life form had reached its end, shaking the entire oasis. Along with the shaking of the oasis, a thick essence suddenly oozed out from underground, along with a refreshing fragrance that abruptly entered Xing Peng''s nostrils.


    The moment this fragrance entered Xing Peng''s nostrils, his internal Profound Qi trembled violently, as if stimulated by something significant, causing his pupils to shrink and his eyes to fixate on the oozing essence.


    "Is this essence from the man-eating vine? It can actually provoke fluctuations in my internal Profound Qi!" Xing Peng was inwardly shocked.


    Almost at the moment Xing Peng caused the essence to ooze out from underground, the surrounding vines that attacked other trial participants suddenly stopped their assault, and all the vines turned into lifeless objects in an instant.


    Seeing the vines stop attacking, the nearby trial participants did not let down their guard, each cautiously watching their surroundings, filled with shock. In just a short moment, no less than forty trial participants had died on the oasis.


    Among these forty people, several martial artists had reached the late Earth Level! It was hard to believe that these late Earth Level martial artists could be killed by these mutant plants if one hadn''t seen it with their own eyes.


    "This essence is so rich, it seems this man-eating vine must have lived for no less than a hundred years!" Jin Disan, following closely behind Xing Peng, came to his side, excitedly glanced at the essence on the ground, and then suddenly plunged his hand into the ground where the essence was erupting, pulling out a vine as thick as a thigh.