abnabooks Chapter 2169 You Shouldn't Have Come
Chapter 2169 You Shouldn't Have Come
In the sky, various flying magical artifacts and spirit beast mounts shuttled back and forth, dazzling and colorful.
On the ground, the viewing areas carved out from the nine mountain peaks, as well as the cloud corridors between the peaks and the makeshift stands, were all packed with people. The noise was deafening, the discussions were lively, and the clamor reached the heavens.
"Look! That's Senior Brother Wu Hui Jian Liu from Tianjian Peak. It's said that his Wu Hui Jian Jue has reached the pinnacle, and his sword strikes never return. He's a hot favorite to win this competition."
"Not only Senior Brother Liu, but look over there, isn't that Senior Sister Sun, the Medicine King of Hundred Herbs Peak? Not only is her alchemy skill unparalleled among her generation, but her wood-type supernatural abilities are also superb. It is said that she has received the true teachings of Hundred Herbs, and her strength is unfathomable."
"Is that Senior Brother Yue from Hou Tu Peak? His aura is so imposing, it feels like a divine mountain pressing down on us even from this distance."
"Hey? Isn't that Chen Fei, the newly promoted senior brother from Cuiping Peak? He's here too. I heard he just returned from the ancient ruins, broke through two realms in a row, and entered the late stage of Tai Cang. He's really making waves."
"Chen Fei? Is that the one who received the empowerment? His cultivation has improved quickly, but since it's all thanks to the empowerment, his foundation is probably not stable. Moreover, his combat experience is still unknown. Compared to those senior brothers and sisters, he's probably still lacking."
"That's not how it works. Someone who can return from the ancient Heavenly Court ruins and obtain such a great opportunity is no ordinary person."
"It's said that even some senior disciples who have been in seclusion for many years have come out of seclusion for this competition. It will be difficult to stand out from the crowd!"
The spectators identified the rarely seen prominent figures from the inner sect, discussing their achievements, unique skills, and chances of winning the championship.
The air was filled with a complex mix of emotions: excitement, anticipation, envy, and even a hint of jealousy.
For the vast majority of disciples and elders at the fifteenth and sixteenth levels, those three top-grade spiritual materials were certainly tempting, but they were self-aware enough to know that their own strength was not up to par with such treasures.
But that didn't stop them from coming to watch the game.
This grand sect competition, at this level, brought together almost all the elite late-stage Tai Cang Realm cultivators from the inner sect. Its intensity was comparable to the pinnacle battle of the Dan Chen Sect in the past hundred years.
Witnessing the duel between these top masters and observing the exquisite application and mutual restraint of different techniques and supernatural abilities may become an opportunity for them to understand their own path.
Therefore, even if they had to arrive early to secure a spot, and even if the competition might last for several days, nothing could dampen their enthusiasm.
The area around the Nine Peaks of Martial Arts was already completely surrounded.
As the first rays of dawn pierced the clouds and shone upon the Nine Peaks of Martial Arts, which resembled nine sharp swords piercing the sky, nine magnificent and vast auras soared into the sky from the central floating platform, instantly overwhelming the entire area.
"quiet!"
A clear, melodious sound, like the clinking of gold and jade, resounded distinctly in every corner of the Nine Peaks of Martial Arts.
The sound wasn't loud, but it seemed to strike directly at everyone's soul, clearing their minds. The entire room fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Immediately afterwards, the phantom of an old man dressed in a purple-gold Taoist robe appeared in the air surrounded by nine peaks. He was one of the hosts of this competition, the deputy hall master of the Hall of Punishments, Lei Ji Zhenjun.
Lei Ji Zhenjun's gaze swept across the dark crowd below, pausing briefly in the area where the contestants were gathered, before he slowly spoke:
"By the grace of the sect, three sets of sixteenth-grade top-quality spiritual materials have been bestowed upon the disciples to encourage them to strive for excellence. Today, the martial arts competition will be held, and the rules are as follows. Everyone must remember them."
Lei Ji Zhenjun's voice carried an undeniable majesty:
"First, the competition will be held simultaneously in the martial arts arena of the Nine Peaks of Forging Martial Arts. Opponents and matches will be determined by drawing lots. The referees and elders of each peak will supervise and adjudicate the competition, and the central main stage will arbitrate the proceedings."
"Second, the competition will end when it reaches its limit. However, swords have no eyes, and supernatural powers are difficult to control. If you are no match for someone, you may loudly admit defeat or fall out of the training ground, which means you have been defeated."
"three,"
Lei Ji Zhenjun paused deliberately, "Because there are three top-grade spiritual materials in this competition, the format is not a single-elimination tournament. All participants start with no losses. Each loss counts as one defeat. Only those who accumulate two losses will be eliminated. This process will continue until the top twenty are determined!"
These words immediately sparked a murmur of discussion below.
"Elimination only after accumulating two losses? That rule... is fair."
"That's right. In this way, even if you're unlucky and encounter a top expert in the first round, you'll still have another chance. In the end, the one who stands out will definitely be someone with excellent strength, resilience, and luck."
"Yes, if it were a single-elimination tournament, what if two top experts met early on? Wouldn't that be unfair? The current rules give everyone more opportunities to showcase their abilities and better demonstrate their strength."
This rule is indeed much more reasonable than a simple single-elimination format, as it minimizes the impact of the draw and allows truly capable individuals to go further.
After the discussion subsided, Lord Lei Ji continued to announce: "Fourth, during the competition, participants may use their own magical artifacts, talismans, elixirs, and other external items, but they may not use life-saving talismans or treasures that exceed their control. If such items are found, the participant will be immediately disqualified."
"Now, all participants, proceed to the corresponding mountain training ground according to your drawn number. The competition shall begin immediately."
"boom!"
As Lei Ji Zhenjun finished speaking, beams of light shot up from the tops of the nine Forging Martial Peaks. Within these beams, massive light screens unfolded, displaying rapidly scrolling battle information.
Nearly a thousand participants, according to their drawn numbers, transformed into streaks of light, shooting towards different mountain peaks. The scene was magnificent, like a thousand stars falling to earth and a hundred rivers flowing apart.
Chen Fei glanced down at the jade talisman in his hand, then moved slightly, transforming into a streak of azure light and flying towards the direction of the third peak.
At the same time, the array of nine mountain peaks hummed and shone brightly, completely isolating the inside from the outside.
Deafening cheers, shouts of encouragement, and discussions erupted like a tsunami from all the viewing areas, instantly igniting every corner of the Nine Peaks of Martial Arts.
The Third Peak Martial Arts Arena.
Chen Fei, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, calmly stepped into the arena.
His arrival did not cause much of a stir. Although Chen Fei already had a considerable reputation within the sect, especially with the widely known rumor of breaking through two realms in succession, it was still a short time, and many people remained skeptical about his true combat strength.
Many people turned their attention to the other end of the training ground.
At almost the same time, a slender figure entered the arena.
Wearing a pale yellow palace dress with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the hem, she moved gracefully, her figure as swaying as a willow in the breeze, exuding a gentle and charming beauty.
Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with a jade hairpin. She had a beautiful face, with delicate features, especially her eyes, which were clear as water, yet held a hint of melancholy in their gaze, making her all the more pitiful to behold.
However, those who know her would never dare to underestimate her in the slightest, much less associate her with the word "weak".
Wu Nianjiao.
A disciple of Hundred Flowers Peak, with a cultivation level at the peak of the late stage of the Tai Cang Realm, he has been famous for many years.
She was not known for her fierce and domineering nature, but rather for her mastery of a musical supernatural power called the Seven Emotions Heavenly Sound Technique.
Before the start of this competition, many enthusiastic people in the sect compiled a list of sixteen finalists based on past performance, cultivation level, and supernatural abilities. These sixteen individuals were considered the most likely candidates to win the three top-grade spiritual materials.
Wu Nianjiao was prominently listed among them.
No one expected that in this first round, Chen Fei, who had just made a name for himself, would run into this recognized powerhouse.
"It's actually Senior Sister Wu Nianjiao! Chen Fei's luck... is just too bad!"
"Yes, Senior Sister Wu's Seven Emotions Heavenly Sound Technique is incredibly powerful. Although Senior Brother Chen Fei has advanced rapidly, he might suffer a loss against such a veteran expert."
“The cultivation gained through initiation is ultimately a castle in the air. Encountering a master like Senior Sister Wu is a good opportunity to test its true value.”
A murmur arose around them, a mixture of surprise, regret, schadenfreude, and anticipation.
Clearly, most people don't have a high opinion of Chen Fei. After all, Wu Nianjiao's reputation is well-deserved, while Chen Fei's is mostly based on rumors.
Chen Fei naturally recognized Wu Nianjiao. Within the sect, this fairy's name was extremely well-known, and he had heard of her often even without deliberately inquiring. He never expected to encounter her in his very first battle of the competition.
At the same time, Wu Nianjiao, sitting opposite him, also raised her eyes, which seemed to hold the beauty of autumn water, and looked at Chen Fei. Her gaze swept lightly over Chen Fei, and her brows twitched almost imperceptibly.
"Chen Fei? I know you. You broke through two realms in the ruins and entered the late stage of Tai Cang... Your luck is truly amazing." Wu Nianjiao's tone was flat, and it was impossible to tell whether it was praise or something else, as if she was just stating something that everyone knew.
"But luck is luck, and strength is strength."
Wu Nianjiao's voice remained cold and clear, yet it resonated throughout the entire training ground and reached the ears of all the spectators, "It is your good fortune that you obtained an opportunity from the ancient Heavenly Court ruins. However, to think you can compete for this top-grade spiritual material based solely on that..."
She paused, and beneath the sleeves of her pale yellow palace dress, a section of her fair, jade-like wrist was revealed. Her fingertips unconsciously brushed against a strand of hair hanging down her chest.
"You're a bit too early."
As soon as the words were spoken, the arena fell silent. The murmurs from the stands also subsided considerably, and everyone held their breath, watching the two figures in the arena.
Wu Nianjiao's words were anything but polite.
But upon hearing this, Chen Fei showed little anger on his face; instead, a smile appeared on his face.
"Early or not early,"
Chen Fei spoke, her voice not loud, yet carrying a peculiar penetrating power, "You'll only know after you try, Senior Sister Wu, please!"
Wu Nianjiao's eyebrows twitched slightly again, seemingly surprised by Chen Fei's reaction.
"interesting."
Wu Nianjiao parted her red lips slightly and uttered three words. Then, she said no more, and her eyes, which had been carrying a faint trace of sorrow, instantly became calm and focused. An invisible aura quietly spread out from her.
In the training ground, although no sound was heard, all the spectators felt the surrounding space become viscous, and a strange emotion began to grow in their hearts.
The Seven Emotions Heavenly Sound Technique moves one's emotions even before one hears its sound.
This is the highest realm of the Way of Music, using one's own emotions to influence the Qi of Heaven and Earth, and then using the resonance of Qi to affect the minds and spirits of others. Wu Nianjiao has not yet truly made a move; merely by unfolding her aura, she has already demonstrated her unparalleled mastery of the Way of Music.
Chen Fei stood still, completely unaware of the invisible aura emanating from him.
"If that's the case,"
Wu Nianjiao's clear, cold voice rang out again, this time with an ethereal and distant charm, as if it came from the horizon, "Let your senior sister see just how much skill you've gained from the initiation. This piece is called 'Parting Sorrow,' please have your opinion, junior brother."
"Buzz!"
A deep, resonant tremor erupted from the void before her. Radiance flowed, and primordial energy gathered; in an instant, a gigantic zither materialized out of thin air and hovered before Wu Nianjiao.
This guzheng is about twelve feet long, with a deep dark purple color all over. It is neither wood nor jade, and its body flows with a cold, metallic luster.
Wu Nianjiao's pale yellow palace dress fluttered without wind. She did not sit down, but stood behind the zither, raised her right arm, her five fingers long and slender like jade, and pressed down on the center of the zither strings.
Instead of plucking a single string, the palm covers several strings, striking and brushing them with a peculiar technique.
"Clang!"
A series of reverberations, filled with the chilling aura of war, suddenly exploded out. The sound was no longer invisible, but transformed into a visible pale gray sound wave, centered on Wu Nianjiao, sweeping towards the half of the training ground where Chen Fei was located.
Wherever the sound wave passed, the extremely dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth within the martial arts arena seemed to receive a command, frantically converging, compressing, and shaping itself towards the spreading sound wave.
In an instant, countless attacks of various shapes condensed at the tip of the pale gray sound wave.
There were crescent-shaped sonic blades with sharp edges, spinning and whistling. There were dark-colored sonic boom spheres, crackling and radiating destructive energy. There were gray sonic spears formed from the condensation of killing sounds, their tips pointing directly at Chen Fei, sharp and incomparably fierce.
There were even eerie sound patterns, as thin as mist yet twisted and writhing, spreading like living things, causing even the light to distort slightly wherever they passed, emanating an aura that bewildered the mind.
The attack was overwhelming, blotting out the sky.
The Seven Emotions Heavenly Sound Technique is one of the sixteenth-tier top-grade inheritances treasured in the Dan Chen Sect's Scripture Pavilion. Its power is renowned within the sect.
This method is not simply a technique of using music to bewitch the mind, but a rare and comprehensive lineage.
It requires cultivators to emphasize both their spiritual power and physical strength, using a unique method of sonic vibration to temper their bodies. This allows cultivators to gain powerful spiritual attacks and area control abilities, while also possessing a robust physique and close combat capabilities comparable to other body cultivators of the same level.
What's even more remarkable is that the Seven Emotions Heavenly Sound Technique combines the principles of music with the concepts of formations, talismans, and even puppetry. At its highest level of cultivation, one can create formations with sound, manifest forms with sound, and control puppets with rhythm; the methods are ever-changing and impossible to defend against.
It can be said that those who have mastered this technique have almost no weaknesses, making them all-around cultivators of the same level and extremely difficult to deal with.
Wu Nianjiao possesses both exceptional talent and perseverance, and has already cultivated this technique to the eighth level, just one step away from the highest level of perfection, the ninth level.
The moment he made his move, he materialized sound waves, drawing upon the primordial energy of heaven and earth to create weapons, demonstrating his profound cultivation and exquisite control over the Seven Emotions Heavenly Sound Technique.
In the stands, many cultivators who knew Wu Nianjiao nodded slightly, their faces showing admiration. This attack, seemingly just a probe, had in fact sealed off all of her opponent's escape routes, forcing her to take the hit head-on.
All eyes were focused on the figure in cyan, eager to see how he would deal with the fierce attack.
Chen Fei stood still, without moving an inch.
He didn't even look up at the whistling attacks; his gaze remained calmly fixed on Wu Nianjiao, as if the attacks, which would have thrown ordinary late-stage Tai Cang Realm cultivators into a frenzy, were merely a gentle breeze.
Just as the first sharp-edged gray sonic blade was about to strike Chen Fei.
"Om..."
A buzzing sound, seemingly emanating from the very end of time, quietly arose within Chen Fei's body. The sound was not loud, yet it carried a profound and ancient quality, instantly overwhelming the sharp hissing and soul-stirring attacks brought by the overwhelming sonic assault.
Centered on Chen Fei, a ring of pale golden ripples suddenly spread outwards.
These ripples were not generated by Yuan Power, but rather belonged to the unique Dao Domain of the Dao Ruins Returning to Truth Body.
The pale golden Dao Domain was initially just a thin layer, clinging tightly to Chen Fei's body. But the moment it appeared, it transformed into a pale golden force field with a diameter of three zhang, protecting Chen Fei within it.
Within the Dao Domain, countless golden runes could be faintly seen flowing and dying on the force field barrier, emanating a majestic Daoist charm that was impervious to all laws and eternally existent.
The next moment, Wu Nianjiao's barrage of attacks slammed into the pale golden Dao Domain.
The anticipated violent explosion and energy annihilation did not occur. All attacks vanished silently, dissolving into the most primordial energy of heaven and earth.
Just as all the attacks were blocked by the Dao Domain, the pale golden Dao Domain suddenly contracted rapidly inward.
Like a whale sucking in water, the Dao Domain was forcibly pulled and devoured, centered on Chen Fei's body, and surged towards Chen Fei's body all at once.
"boom!"
The instant all the Dao Domains, along with the raging energy they had devoured, entered Chen Fei's body, a terrifying aura erupted from Chen Fei and soared into the sky.
A terrifying pressure that suppressed the void and annihilated all laws, like a tangible mountain, pressed down in all directions.
On the high platform, the elder who had been resting with his eyes closed suddenly opened them.
The clamor, discussions, and exclamations in the stands suddenly ceased, and everyone stared in disbelief at the imposing figure in the center of the field.
The deathly silence lasted for less than a moment before it erupted into chaos.
"That's... the Dao Ruins Returning to Truth Body?"
"No mistake! Invulnerable to all laws, and able to absorb external forces to nourish itself... This is precisely the characteristic of the Dao Ruins Returning to Truth Body when cultivated to a high level."
"It's the Dao Ruins True Body! His Dao Domain just contracted into his body, and his aura surged, clearly a sign that the Dao Ruins True Body has been triggered. Although it hasn't fully manifested yet, this aura, this sense of oppression... it's definitely a precursor to the Dao Ruins True Body."
"The True Body of Dao Ruins? To even begin to use the True Body of Dao Ruins, one must at least cultivate the Dao Ruins Returning to Truth Body to the eighth level. How long has it been? Even if one received the empowerment, can empowerment directly bestow the Dao Ruins Returning to Truth Body?"
"Before entering Kunyuan, he must have already begun cultivating the Dao Ruins Returning to Truth Body and had achieved a very deep level of mastery?"
"Impossible. Cultivating the Dao Void Returning to True Body is extremely difficult; it's not something that can be achieved simply through comprehension. Senior Brother Feng Butong was a genius; how long did it take him to initially manifest the Dao Void True Body? How long has Chen Fei been cultivating?"
"But the facts are right in front of us. That Dao Domain just now, that devouring attack method, and this terrifying aura now... Besides the initial display of the Dao Void True Body, what other technique has such characteristics?" (End of this chapter)