Wu Han Cheng tapped the table with his finger, seemingly unintentionally, and said: "Brother Huang, which senior brothers from your sect are going to the Dharma Assembly this ti? Is Master Qi going as well?"
When he ntioned the words "Master Qi," although he feigned indifference, there was a noticeable touch of concern in his eyes.
Huang Fuzhou gently shook his head and said, "Brother Qi stepped down seventy years ago, and is no longer one of the top ten disciples. Currently, he is in seclusion in the Mystic Water Zhen Palace, rarely making public appearances. He won’t be attending this assembly."
Wu Han Cheng visibly relaxed, picked up the wine cup on the table, drank a sip, and insincerely said, "What a pity, what a pity."
During the last sword contest among the Sixteen Sects, the Mingcang Sect was in the midst of a fierce struggle for the sect leader’s position, causing many disciples from the master-disciple line to either die in vain or self-destruct.
When that vicious person left, in a fit of anger due to failing to seize power because of noble family interference, he slaughtered many disciples from the Five Great Families.
As a result, the once grand Mingcang Sect had sparse capable disciples by the ti of the contest, with only Qi Yuntian attending alone.
Fortunately, Qi Yuntian lived up to expectations. At the Sword Fighting Conference, relying on Mingcang Sect’s top divine skill, Dragon Coiled Great Thunder Seal, he fought off over ten opponents before matching evenly with Qing Chenzi of the Shaoqing Sect, ending in a draw.
Following that battle, Qi Yuntian beca renowned across the world. Although it was known that Mingcang Sect had weakened after the internal strife, no one dared to underestimate them.
Such a formidable figure, despite Wu Han Cheng’s pride, he had not the slightest intention of opposing him.
Upon learning that this important contest would exclude him, Wu Han Cheng felt much more confident, thinking, "If Qing Chenzi is also absent this ti, two strong opponents are reduced. Although my Pingdu Sect doesn’t expect to take the top spot, we still have hope to enter the top five of Xuann."
He put down the wine cup and asked again, "I have been cultivating in the mountains for a long ti and must ask Brother Huang, aside from Brother Zhong, who else is attending the assembly?"
Huang Fuzhou, believing the situation was already determined and thinking it harmless to share, since Pingdu Sect was considered an ally of Mingcang Sect, said, "For this sword fight, Brother Huo is definitely going."
Wu Han Cheng nodded and said, "True Master Huo is skilled in Mysterious Skill and is the chief among your sect’s top ten disciples. I’ve heard he is an exceptional Great Cultivator proficient in two cultivation techniques. I must seek his guidance."
At this mont, Yue Longshan spoke up, "There’s another, Senior Brother Luo Qingyu, also known as Luo Qing."
Wu Han Cheng was not familiar with Luo Qingyu, and after probing a few sentences to uncover his cultivation technique’s origin, Huang Fuzhou’s vague responses left him unsure if it was because he truly didn’t know or was deliberately evasive.
Wu Han Cheng cursed inwardly, pondered briefly, then suddenly asked, "I heard that your sect has soone nad Zhang Yan, who has achieved the rare First Grade Gold Core. There are also rumors that he has entered the Nascent Soul Realm. Will he attend the assembly this ti?"
With Zhang Yan’s first-class elixir formation, many disciples of Wu Han Cheng’s generation in the Pingdu Sect were both shocked and defiant upon hearing it, many thinking that defeating him in a major contest would bring considerable prestige to themselves.
Wu Han Cheng had heard vague rumors of Zhang Yan’s formidable reputation, but the stories varied wildly, so true, others false or exaggerated, making it difficult for him to tell what to believe.
Yue Longshan, after failing to please True Master Qin by capturing Liu Yanyi, and being scolded instead, ca to despise Zhang Yan by association. He sneered and said, "Zhang Yan has only been cultivating for a hundred years. Do you really believe he’s reached the Nascent Soul Realm?"
Wu Han Cheng pondered seriously for a mont, then suddenly laughed and shook his head, "There may be prodigies in this world, but if this Junior Brother Zhang has only been cultivating for just over a century, then it’s not credible."
Cultivation for Xuann Feathered Warriors involves both divine skills and Daoist cultivation, which are like fish and bear’s paws, hard to have both simultaneously.
Like Zhou Chongju, just a few decades older than Qi Yuntian, yet he had already advanced to the Nascent Soul Third Realm, due to not only his innate talent but also because he did not pursue any divine passage skills, knowing well that immortality was beyond reach.
However, Qi Yuntian, though not as advanced in Daoist cultivation, practiced three divine skills and, in a real fight, would most likely have defeated Zhou Chongju.
In Mingcang Sect, the Five Skills and Three Scriptures can only be truly mastered when practiced with corresponding divine skills.
If one seeks montary glory among peers by practicing mismatched Dharma techniques, it’s uncertain how much ti would be wasted.
Wu Han Cheng firmly believes there is no cultivator whose divine abilities are formidable, whose Daoist cultivation is profound, and who also advances rapidly on the cultivation path.
In matters requiring ticulous effort, it might be manageable, but barriers like Burning Points and Shell Barrier could take decades, even a hundred years, to overco easily.
Yue Longshan snorted and said, "Exactly, those baseless claims might be concocted by so small-minded individuals to elevate their own status. As soone of profound cultivation, how can you believe such rumors?"
Wu Han Cheng pondered, "From Yue Longshan’s tone, it seems Zhang Yan has no place in the upcoming contest. Peculiar; could Zhang Yan truly be overrated?"
Though still skeptical, Wu Han Cheng inevitably thought less of Zhang Yan.
Huang Fuzhou frowned upon hearing Yue Longshan belittle Zhang Yan.
Having once been defeated by Zhang Yan, this would only make himself seem more incompetent if things continued like this.
Moreover, no matter what, Zhang Yan is still one of Mingcang Sect’s top ten disciples. In-fighting might be their internal matter, but it wouldn’t make sense to disparage one’s fellow disciple in front of outsiders.
He thought of speaking up but then reconsidered, thinking, "Why should I ddle in these trivial matters? Let them be; when they encounter Junior Brother Zhang, they’ll pay the price."
...
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for recomndations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian). Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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