Chapter 42: Ninth Layer of the Battle Spirit Pill Realm

Five disciples?

Fang Wang raised his brows, curiosity stirring within him. Besides himself, Zhou Xue, and Gu Li, could there be two other disciples blessed with Earth-Origin Spirit Treasures? This made him look forward to the upcoming matches even more.

After Zhou Xue was substituted, the Second Peak suffered another defeat. Its peak master simply forfeited, not allowing the last two to take the stage. It was not until dusk that another peak finally challenged the Third Peak. This time, Yang Yuanzi quickly spoke over Li Yu, sending the other disciples up first, leaving Fang Wang for last.

Such an arrangement was meant to give Fang Wang time to recover to his peak and also offered the other disciples a chance to show their skills. The other disciples of the Third Peak who were slated to fight all grinned—each had worried Fang Wang might sweep all opponents by himself, leaving no opportunity for them to enter the fray.

The Nine Peaks Tournament was a matter of honor for each peak, and the number of individual victories determined who would be eligible for the great fortune to come. Each was eager to seize their chance.

First up was Zhou Bo, who managed to hold out for a hundred exchanges before conceding defeat. At least he was not badly injured. Next was Senior Brother Li Yu. With cultivation at the seventh layer of the Spirit Pill Realm, he won three consecutive rounds before finally being overcome.

Li Yu’s performance did not amaze the disciples from other peaks; it was expected. The peak masters only sighed, a tinge of disappointment in their eyes. Fang Wang knew Li Yu was already over two hundred years old and still stuck at the Spirit Pill Realm, evidence enough of his mediocre talent.

The third to mount the stage was Gu Li. The disciple who had defeated Li Yu was switched out by their peak master, and Gu Li, relying on her Earth-Origin Spirit Treasure and her family’s Five Saints Sword Art, dazzled the entire city. Though only at the Spirit Molding Realm, she still overcame an opponent at the first layer of the Spirit Pill Realm.

Every peak had its own inherited arts and spells, but disciples like Gu Li, hailing from prestigious families, had their own techniques and legacies. They joined the Grand Abyss Sect mainly for access to the resources controlled by the nine great sects. There had been other sword cultivators on stage before, but none as pure as Gu Li. With her radiant Five Saints Sword Art, her name began to spread.

Her subsequent opponents were all below the second layer of the Spirit Pill Realm, even including a few at the Spirit Molding Realm. This made Fang Wang suspect Yang Yuanzi had asked the other side for some leniency.

After three consecutive victories, Gu Li was replaced. The later battles saw both wins and losses, but in the end, the Third Peak held onto its current ranking, making all the disciples realize the Third Peak had truly risen.

For the next three days, Fang Wang did not appear, while the other disciples had all taken their turns. Each time, the peaks ranked below them issued challenges. Ultimately, the Third Peak managed to hold on to its spot.

These three days were filled with exhilarating battles—nearly all among the top five peaks. The Second Peak even produced a genius with an Earth-Origin Spirit Treasure, and one who was already at the Spirit Pill Realm.

His name was Ye Xiang. Fourteen years since entering the sect, he had not participated in the previous Nine Peaks Tournament and had not fought in the earlier days of this tournament, so he had little renown. This time, however, he won seven matches in a row and instantly became famous throughout the Grand Abyss Sect.

With Ye Xiang representing it, the Second Peak secured second place. They could not defeat the First Peak, but neither could any other peak defeat them.

The First Peak crushed the Second, and the Second in turn crushed all others...

On the morning of the sixth day, another peak challenged the First. This time, Lu Yuanjun took the stage.

Lu Yuanjun won nine matches in a row, each victory secured within two moves. He did not even have to take a step, appearing even more unruffled than Fang Wang, and his opponents were of higher caliber. Though Lu Yuanjun won quickly, his adversaries were almost unscathed—merely sealed and forced to concede.

Thus, Lu Yuanjun secured nine victories and locked in the last nine seats. Afterward, he no longer appeared, leaving the stage to the other disciples.

At noon, as two peaks finished their match, Yang Yuanzi spoke up, “Third Peak, challenge the First Peak!”

The whole city was electrified!

After days of lying low, the Third Peak was finally aiming for a higher ranking, and this time, they were directly challenging the First Peak!

The spectators did not care so much about the Third Peak’s overall score; what they awaited was Fang Wang’s performance. Against the mighty First Peak, the Third Peak would surely send out Fang Wang—without him, there was no contest!

“Fang Wang, you go first,” Yang Yuanzi instructed directly.

Fang Wang nodded and walked to the edge of the platform amid the encouragement of his peers. His heart burned with anticipation. The First Peak was full of experts, but the one he most wished to challenge was Lu Yuanjun. He wanted to see just how great the gap was between them.

Yet at that moment, a commotion swept through the city, for someone from the First Peak leaped onto the dueling stage.

“It’s him!”

Li Yu cried out in dismay.

Fang Wang fixed his gaze. On the stage stood a man in blue, his long hair tied carelessly at the back with a grass rope. His features were rather handsome, but the stubble on his face gave him a slovenly, rakish air.

“Xu Lang, ninth layer of the Spirit Pill Realm, possesses a supreme-grade Profound Origin Spirit Treasure. He’s the second most outstanding disciple after Lu Yuanjun in the First Peak, once their senior disciple, and once the top genius of the Grand Abyss Sect—he only stepped down after losing to Lu Yuanjun. Brother Fang, be careful!” Zhou Bo quickly explained.

Ninth layer of the Spirit Pill Realm!

Fang Wang was not intimidated; on the contrary, his spirits soared.

Excellent!

He vaulted onto the stage, light as a crane, and landed softly.

Xu Lang rested his right hand on the bamboo staff at his waist, lifting his chin and regarding Fang Wang with scorn. He grinned, “Brother Fang, Lu Yuanjun says you’re strong. Don’t disappoint me.”

Fang Wang raised his right arm, and the Celestial Halberd materialized beneath his palm. Grasping it, he replied, “I will do my utmost, but I hope you won’t blame me when you lose, Senior Brother.”

The thirty-two golden mirrors not only reflected the action but also broadcast the contestants’ words. Hearing their exchange, everyone could sense the tension.

A female disciple from the First Peak smiled at Zhou Xue, “Your kinsman is quite confident.”

Zhou Xue replied with a smile, “He’s only nineteen—this is the age of boundless ambition. If not now, when will he ever be confident?”

Nineteen!

The disciples of the First Peak were visibly shaken. Only Lu Yuanjun retained his smile, as if eagerly anticipating Fang Wang’s performance.

Facing Fang Wang’s bold reply, Xu Lang snorted, drew the bamboo staff from his waist—revealing it to be a sword.

Without another word, Xu Lang hurled the bamboo sword. It gleamed coldly, its speed matching—or even surpassing—the Celestial Halberd Fang Wang had thrown before.

Fang Wang’s eyes narrowed. With a thunderous roar, he launched the Celestial Halberd, hurtling forward like a cannon shot.

Clang!

The moment the two weapons collided, the bamboo sword erupted with a surge of sword energy, shaking the dueling platform.

Almost simultaneously, Fang Wang and Xu Lang dashed forward. Even though Fang Wang used the Shadowless Step, and Xu Lang had farther to traverse, both reached their weapons at nearly the same time.

They each seized their armaments—Fang Wang swinging his halberd with tremendous force, Xu Lang nimbly dodging, flipping in the air to slash at Fang Wang.

A fierce close-quarters battle erupted, halberd clashing with sword in a symphony of ringing steel, the brilliant gleam of blades flashing with cold light.

Their movements were so fast that, within a radius of five paces, they crisscrossed constantly, their forms a blur to any disciple below the Spirit Pill Realm. The city was dead silent—no one dared miss a moment.

The disciples of the Third Peak were anxious for Fang Wang, while those of the First Peak were astonished.

“Senior Brother Xu wields a supreme-grade artifact—he spent a million contribution points to get that!”

“That means Fang Wang’s life-bound spirit treasure must be of very high grade—almost certainly an Earth-Origin Spirit Treasure.”

“It must be! Just compare him to Ye Xiang!”

“Nineteen and already fighting against the ninth layer of the Spirit Pill Realm. Xu Lang is no ordinary man—he’s a genius himself.”

“No wonder Senior Brother Lu said he was stronger than all of us. What a pity such a genius didn’t join our First Peak.”

Zhou Xue watched Fang Wang, a smile playing at her lips. He filled her eyes entirely.

Boom!

Xu Lang unleashed a surge of sword intent. With a single strike, a hundred blades of sword energy swept toward Fang Wang like a storm, awe-inspiring in its might.

Fang Wang planted the Celestial Halberd into the ground with one hand. Mysterious Yang spirit energy erupted, forming an invisible barrier. His robes billowed violently, but he stood immovable, exuding an aura of utter dominance. As the sword energy struck, a wall of force ten zhang high rose instantly—a breathtaking sight.

Xu Lang leaped skyward, gripping his bamboo sword in his right hand. In his left, he summoned his life-bound spirit treasure—another sword, but one with only a hilt. He gripped it in reverse, and under the sunlight, the faint outline of the blade could be seen.

Fang Wang looked up, Mysterious Yang Truefire blazing in his eyes. His right hand ignited with truefire, swiftly enveloping the Celestial Halberd. He released his grip, then kicked the haft with his right foot. The halberd, now wrapped in roaring flames, spun upward. As the blade pointed down, he caught the shaft and swung upward.

The mighty Mysterious Yang Truefire transformed into a soaring dragon of flame!

It all happened in the blink of an eye—a dazzling spectacle. Xu Lang had yet to swing his sword, and already a massive fire dragon loomed before him, its head several times larger than his entire body.