Chapter 178 - 178 176 Challenge
Chapter 178: Chapter 176: Challenge Chapter 178: Chapter 176: Challenge Liu Wuxiang’s family, upon learning that he had refined the Black Water Mysterious Snake—a top-level bloodline Spiritual Snake—as his Lifebound Spiritual Beast, naturally focused on nurturing him, thus in just one year his cultivation had increased several levels, elevating him from Qi Refinement fourth level to his current Qi Refinement seventh level.
Originally he felt quite content with himself, but after meeting Qin Feng, he promptly discarded any pride he had harbored.
They had both entered the Beast Taming Sect and joined the Spiritual Snake Peak together.
Although initially Qin Feng’s cultivation had been somewhat stronger than his, the difference was marginal.
However, now that he had the full support of his family, instead of narrowing the gap between them, it had widened even more, which left him feeling quite frustrated.
Following Qin Feng into the courtyard, Liu Wuxiang looked around and finally couldn’t help but reveal a young man’s true nature, saying enviously, “I wonder when I could have my own cultivation spot on the mountain like Senior Brother.”
Qin Feng led Liu Wuxiang into a room and sat down, consoling him, “With Junior Brother’s rate of cultivation, it shouldn’t take too long.”
“Not so easy.”
Liu Wuxiang shook his head, “Even though I have my family’s support and haven’t stopped receiving cultivation resources this past year, I can’t just consume Elixir Pills like they’re food.
The cultivation I have achieved so far is already incredibly fast.
…
To reach Foundation Establishment, it will probably take several years.”
“It shouldn’t.”
Qin Feng smiled, “You differ from the other disciples.
Ever since you refined the Black Water Mysterious Snake, you’ve definitely caught the eye of the Peak Master and the other two Elders.
They might discreetly set some tasks for you to test your character and abilities.
As long as you pass their tests, they will surely view you differently, and more resources will undoubtedly be allocated to you, which will further accelerate your cultivation pace.”
“Really?”
“Why should I deceive you?
The Sect supports true talents, especially the Outer Peaks.
Each one has a few talented disciples to hold their ground; otherwise, it would be embarrassing if they couldn’t secure even a single spot in the Inner Sect over several years.
Your talent is good, your personality is also good, and the Lifebound Spiritual Beast you refined is the Black Water Mysterious Snake—a top-level bloodline Spiritual Snake.
The handlers of the Spiritual Snake Peak, being the Peak Master and others, couldn’t possibly neglect you.
The fact that you acquired the Black Water Mysterious Snake in the Mist Swamp must also be known to Elder Yin Qi who led the team.
The reason you haven’t received special treatment probably stems from your lack of tasks outside.
You’ve always been practising within the Sect, which makes it somewhat difficult for the Elders to test you.
Therefore, I personally suggest that you better complete several tasks through the Foreign Affairs Hall.”
Hearing this, Liu Wuxiang immediately rejoiced, “Thank you for the advice, Senior Brother.
I will definitely undertake some tasks and in the future, I will cultivate more diligently to let the Elders see my efforts.”
“It’s not just about cultivating diligently; you also need to stand out while performing tasks so that you can gain the Elders’ recognition sooner.”
Qin Feng elaborated, “Look at Kong Xuan from the Mystic Bird Peak, Wei Yan from the Heavenly Silkworm Peak, Long Qian from the Heavenly Dragon Peak, and Ma Xingkong from the Heavenly Horse Peak—all these disciples possess top-level bloodline Spiritual Beasts and, coupled with their excellent cultivation talents, receive key training in their respective Peaks.
Currently, there are few in the Spiritual Snake Peak who can compare to them.
Ordinary disciples, irrespective of their cultivation aptitude, simply cannot contend with them in combat because the Spiritual Beasts they possess are inferior.
In this regard, you have a big advantage.
Your Lifebound Spiritual Beast is in no way inferior to any of theirs.
If the Spiritual Snake Peak wants to maintain its position in the top ten among the Outer Peaks, it must focus on nurturing disciples like you.
Take Zhao Qinglin, for example; wasn’t he unknown when he first joined the Sect?
But why did he dramatically advance and cultivate to his current realm?
Isn’t it because he refined an Exotic Species Spiritual Snake as his Lifebound Spiritual Beast, thereby catching the eyes of several Elders?”
After hearing all this from Qin Feng, Liu Wuxiang’s confidence soared, “So, I should aim to match Zhao Qinglin.”
“No, you need to be stronger than him.”
Qin Feng shook his head, “I heard that Zhao Qinglin lost to a disciple from the Heavenly Dragon Peak in last year’s Outer Sect competition and didn’t make it to the Inner Sect.
Although his cultivation is stronger than last year, honestly, one year isn’t enough to significantly enhance one’s realm in Foundation Establishment.
At the early stages of Foundation Establishment, the gap in cultivation between the first and the second level isn’t significant enough to be decisive.”
He was defeated in the great competition and eventually eliminated from it, which indicates he wasn’t talented enough.
You need to perform better than him.
When your cultivation is sufficient, strive to achieve success in the Outer Sect’s great competition and avoid repeated failures.
Otherwise, those elders will certainly give up on allocating too many resources to you.”
Liu Wuxiang’s face showed a hint of surprise.
“Senior Brother, are you saying that Zhao Qinglin has already been abandoned by several elders?”
Qin Feng smiled faintly.
“Not exactly abandoned, but they surely won’t use the best resources on him anymore.”
“Oh!”
Liu Wuxiang nodded, understanding what Qin Feng implied.
Just like the opening of the Heavenly Pool Secret Realm, if it hadn’t been for Qin Feng, Zhao Qinglin would likely have secured the entry spot.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t grown enough to earn special regard from people like Liu Xuanling, especially after his defeat at last year’s Outer Sect competition, which further lowered his status in their eyes.
It was precisely because of this that when Liu Xuanling casually offered Qin Feng the entry spot to the Heavenly Pool Secret Realm, Elder Yin Qi had no objection.
Although Qin Feng’s cultivation was somewhat insufficient at the time, Yin Qi didn’t care much and had no intention of fighting for Zhao Qinglin.
To be valued by the elders, one must at least have something valuable to offer, which Zhao Qinglin evidently did not.
Even now, he might not realize that he had already started to lose favor with several elders.
Though Liu Wuxiang couldn’t have guessed all of this, he generally grasped the meaning behind Qin Feng’s words.
“I almost forgot about the important matter.”
After chatting for a bit longer, Liu Wuxiang suddenly slapped his forehead.
“Senior Brother, is it true that you have been taken in as a disciple by Elder Ning Wuxu of the Inner Sect?”
“Eh?”
Qin Feng was taken aback.
“You know about that too?”
“Which peak at the Outer Sect hasn’t heard?”
Liu Wuxiang said, “The news of Elder Ning taking you in has spread far and wide.
Many talented disciples from all peaks are gearing up to defeat you in order to make a name for themselves.
By defeating you, they hope to catch the attention of the Inner Sect’s elders and perhaps be taken in as disciples.
Senior Brother, you must be careful.
With the news spreading so quickly in such a short time, I suspect someone might be scheming against you.”
“Oh?
Scheming against me?”
Qin Feng narrowed his eyes.
“I have only been in the sect for two years, and I usually stay at the Spiritual Snake Peak to cultivate.
I haven’t offended many people.
How could someone be scheming against me?”
“Senior Brother, do you think it could be Zhao Qinglin?”
Liu Wuxiang leaned closer and whispered, “Perhaps he feels that you stole his chance to enter the secret realm and harbors resentment.
He might have deliberately spread this news to make you a target for everyone.
That way, at the end of the year’s great competition, he could still emerge as the strongest disciple of the Spiritual Snake Peak and stand unrivaled.
Otherwise, if you were to shine at the Outer Sect’s great competition as well, wouldn’t you completely surpass him?”
“Hmm, your words do make some sense.”
Qin Feng nodded but soon added, “However, the likelihood that it was him is very small.”
“Why?”
“He’s just an Outer Disciple, after all.
He wouldn’t have extended his reach that far and initially, he couldn’t have known about me being accepted by Master.”
Qin Feng frowned, his mind filled with many unanswered questions.
“Even if Master and Senior Brothers might mention my apprenticeship to their close Sect mates, it should only be known amongst a few in the Inner Sect.
How could it spread so fast?
Hmm, it must have been accidentally leaked to the Outer Sect, then picked up by those with ulterior motives, plotting against me in the dark.
I also don’t know who would be so shameless to use such despicable means against me, deliberately trying to spoil my good fortune and prevent me from entering the Inner Sect.”
He had already figured it out.
During the competition time in the Outer Sect, many would likely aim to defeat him to gain fame and catch the eyes of the Inner Sect Elders.
Humph, Qin Feng thought, what grievances do I have with you that you dare to block my path.
Do not let me catch you; otherwise, I won’t let it go!
At this moment, the mastermind behind this, Hao Shicheng, was still tending his Spiritual Medicine Garden, feeling extremely pleased as he thought of his little junior brother’s frantic struggles in the Outer Sect.
Unfortunately, Qin Feng’s resentment was too slight, and Hao Shicheng had not yet comprehended the Dao Principle, so he did not sense even that small amount of resentment.
Liu Xuanling advised, “Senior Brother, you should be more careful recently, it’s best not to go out or you will definitely be challenged.”
“Let them challenge me, am I supposed to be scared of them?”
Qin Feng sneered, “Although I haven’t been here long, if they underestimate me because of that, they’ll be taught a hard lesson.”
Those eligible to participate in the Outer Sect competition were subject to age restrictions; the veteran Foundation Establishment Disciples had no reason to challenge him.
As for the disciples who had joined the Sect within the last ten years, there definitely wouldn’t be any at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
If anyone had such strength, they would have long secured a place in the Inner Sect instead of wasting time in the Outer Sect.
And he had a Fire Ape at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
Even though the Fire Ape was injured, its war power was still beyond what ordinary Foundation Establishment disciples could handle.
Thus, he was not afraid of any disciple seeking fame by challenging him.
“No need.”
Liu Xuanling advised again, “Senior Brother, your strength is indeed formidable, but how many can you fight?
With 108 peaks in the Outer Sect, if one or two from each come to challenge you, can you truly handle all of them?
Besides, even if you win every fight, can you guarantee you won’t get hurt?
Once injured, just the recovery period would take a considerable amount of time.
You might not even have enough time to cultivate properly before the year-end competition.”
“Uh…”
Qin Feng was momentarily stunned and fell silent.
Although confident, he wasn’t arrogant enough to think he could withstand that many battles.
Moreover, if disciples from each peak decided to challenge him, surely, each would be the finest talents of their peaks, each possessing unique skills.
If he happened to face someone with a special Spiritual Beast and got injured, it certainly would affect his Cultivation progress.
His brow furrowed.
“But I can’t just not go out, right?
Even if I don’t go out for missions, I still need to go to the Market to purchase some Elixir Pills and other Spiritual Objects necessary for Cultivation.
Furthermore, if I hide in Spiritual Snake Peak for fear of being challenged, even if others don’t mock me, I won’t be able to overcome this hurdle in my Daoist Heart.
If fear takes root, my future progress will definitely be slow.”
“This…”
Liu Xuanling was at a loss.
He had come here just to warn Qin Feng to be cautious but had forgotten about the Daoist Heart, which couldn’t afford to keep retreating, else it could turn into a mental blockage and perhaps even become a vulnerability in his spirit later.
“Never mind, I’ll focus on cultivation for now.
As long as those guys don’t go too far, I’ll just ignore them.
If it gets too much, I’ll settle it all during the Outer Sect competition.”
Qin Feng quickly put aside these concerns and didn’t dwell on them.
Currently, he still possessed tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.
If used properly, he could surely elevate his cultivation another level before the year-end competition.
By then, as long as he was powerful enough, he could defeat all dissenters—there was no need to worry about these people and delay his cultivation now.
“As long as you know what you’re doing, Senior Brother.”
Liu Xuanling stood up, smiling as he prepared to leave, “Since Senior Brother has a plan, I needn’t worry.
Thanks for the tip earlier, Junior Brother intends to head to the Foreign Affairs Hall to pick up a mission now.
Senior Brother’s cultivation is progressing swiftly, and I too must try to catch up quickly, lest I fall too far behind and feel discontent.”
“Alright, since that’s the case, I won’t keep you any longer.”
Qin Feng stood up to see Liu Xuanling out.
As Liu Xuanling walked out, he passed by a centuries-old Osmanthus tree in the courtyard and suddenly noticed a palm-sized green-skinned toad lying underneath.
He couldn’t help but take a closer look, intrigued.
The toad, with its intriguing emerald back dotted with star-like patterns, appeared faintly breathless, akin to a newly cultivated Spiritual Toad.
But Qin Feng had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm and certainly wouldn’t nurture a newly intelligent Spiritual Toad as a Spiritual Beast, which would be of no benefit to him and would just take up part of his Divine Sense.
If it weren’t a low-level Spiritual Beast, then this green-skinned toad must possess a very advanced skill in concealing its aura through Divine Skills.
Liu Xuanling was puzzled.
He had seen many books and charts on various Spiritual Beasts, yet he couldn’t recall any that resembled this type of Spiritual Toad.
Perhaps Liu Xuanling had been staring for too long; the Swallowing Sky Toad opened its tightly shut eyes and looked towards him.
For a moment, Liu Xuanling felt a twinge of nervousness.
He soon realized that the strength of this Spiritual Toad must surpass his own, which was causing this reaction.
“Not only is Senior Brother Qin’s cultivation progressing rapidly, but even the Spiritual Beasts with him are impressive.
Looking at this Spiritual Toad, it must already be at the Foundation Establishment Realm, otherwise it wouldn’t cause such a nervous response in my spirit.
It seems I need to work harder, otherwise, I’ll only fall further behind Senior Brother Qin.”
Thinking this, Liu Xuanling hastened his steps and soon left the yard, bidding farewell to Qin Feng.