Chapter Thirty-Four: The Grand Outer Sect Tournament

“Since you have stepped onto the Life and Death Platform, you must entrust your fate to the heavens. As a respected Elder of a peak, you lay hands on a junior after your disciple's defeat and even storm my Sword Vault Peak with murderous intent. Do you truly think my Sword Vault Peak is powerless?”

Sun De hurriedly replied, “Brother Cangfeng, I absolutely did not mean that... I know I have overstepped this time. Please, don’t be angry, brother. I sincerely apologize for my offense.”

To attack Master Cangfeng? Even with a hundred times the courage, Sun De would never dare. The stronger he became in recent years, the more he sensed the unfathomable depths of Master Cangfeng’s power.

Though Cangfeng had not acted, merely standing there with perfect calm, he radiated an aura of invincibility.

Having learned the full story, Master Cangfeng understood Sun De’s anguish at losing a disciple and decided not to pursue the matter of his violent intrusion.

“Do you still intend to seek revenge on my disciple?”

Sun De glanced at Lin Cheng, standing behind, his eyes still blazing with fury. Yet, knowing that with Cangfeng present, he no longer had any chance, he was forced to swallow his anger.

Looking up at Master Cangfeng, he shook his head with a sorrowful sigh, “I will not trouble Lin Cheng again.”

Turning away, he transformed into a streak of rainbow light and vanished into the horizon.

After Sun De’s departure, Master Cangfeng approached Lin Cheng, studying him closely.

“Eleventh level of True Qi Grandmaster... How did you manage this?”

Lin Cheng scratched his nose and replied with an awkward smile, “Well... During a sect mission, I stumbled upon some fortune in the molten veins, and with your teachings ever in mind and diligent cultivation, I broke through to the Grandmaster realm without even realizing it.”

Knowing his disciple might harbor certain secrets, Master Cangfeng did not press further. He checked Lin Cheng’s injuries, and seeing they were no longer serious, he led the group to the Cangfeng Hall.

In the main hall of Sword Vault Peak, Master Cangfeng sat at the head, patiently expounding the Dao, answering questions on cultivation, and generously sharing all his insights and experience.

It was deep into the night before he finally took his leave, leaving the others immersed in profound enlightenment.

No one knew how much time had passed before Jiuchi slowly opened his eyes. If one looked closely, one would sense an indescribable change about him, as if he had grown even stronger.

As the others awakened, each wore a look of deep, unspoken joy—they had all gained something.

Lin Cheng rose and approached Jiuchi, bowing deeply.

“Thank you, Brother Jiuchi, for lending your aid. I will never forget your kindness.”

Seeing Lin Cheng so earnest, Jiuchi raised him up with a laugh, “Little brother, do you take me for an outsider?”

“Brother, you overstate it. I have never thought so.”

“Well then, no need for thanks among family.”

With that, he unslung the wine gourd from his waist, took a hearty swig, and praised, “Excellent wine!”

Lin Cheng laughed heartily at his unrestrained manner, and behind him, Niu Shisan and Han Meng also broke into happy smiles.

...

Dong. Dong.

Two deep, lingering peals of the bell echoed, breaking the tranquil morning.

“What’s happening?” Some disciples, unaware of the reason, were startled from their meditation.

“Two bells... Is it... the Outer Sect Tournament?”

“Is today the day of the tournament?”

Before long, many disciples emerged from their abodes, discussing the news. For most inner disciples, the outer sect competition held little interest, but some went to watch for the excitement.

Lin Cheng, just awakening from meditation, wondered in confusion if something major had happened in the sect. Having devoted himself solely to cultivation lately, he was unaware that today was the biennial Outer Sect Tournament. Puzzled, he rose to see what was amiss.

“Madman, madman! Wake up and watch me show my prowess today!” Even before he left his quarters, Lin Fatty’s boisterous shouting reached him.

Seeing even Wang Shan, Han Meng, and Qi Niu had gathered, Lin Cheng was surprised. “What’s going on? Why is everyone here? Has something happened?”

Niu Shisan exclaimed, “My goodness, brother! Must you spend every day just cultivating? You should get out sometimes, listen to the grapevine, admire the pretty junior sisters... isn’t that wonderful?”

Pang Bo was silent.

Wang Shan agreed, “That’s right, Junior Brother Lin, Niu has a point. You ought to get out more.”

Han Meng chimed in, “You think our little brother is like you lot, always up to some mischief?”

At this, the group grew animated. Lin Tiger leapt up indignantly.

“Hey, hey, hey, Senior Sister, that’s unfair! I, Lin Fatty, have been training day and night for this tournament. Not like you lot, who just waltzed into the inner sect through the side door...”

With that last remark, Lin Fatty was met with murderous glares. Amidst flying dust, fists flew until all were satisfied.

Left sprawled on the ground, Lin Fatty’s panda eyes stood out starkly.

From their banter, Lin Cheng realized today was the tournament. He hauled Lin Tiger to his feet, and together they headed for the main peak’s plaza.

By then, the plaza atop Qingyang Peak was already thronging with tens of thousands.

Most wore blue—the outer disciples. Here and there, green-clad menial disciples mingled, and among the crowd, inner disciples bantered and critiqued, assessing the odds of various outer disciples.

As Lin Cheng and his friends strolled in, whispers rippled through the crowd.

“Look, isn’t that...?”

“Sword Vault Peak’s Lin Cheng... Didn’t expect him to come.”

“I saw him on the Life and Death Platform, single-handedly defeating two inner disciples from Qingyang Peak—wiped them out in a flash.”

“I heard after that, Elder Sun went to Sword Vault Peak for justice, but I don’t know what happened next.”

“Well, obviously, seeing how lively Lin Cheng is now, Elder Sun didn’t do anything to him.”

“Do you think Master Cangfeng is just for show? He’s said to be the second strongest in all of Azure Sun Sect...”

As the group walked on, Lin Tiger teased, “Madman, you’re a celebrity now.”

The others grinned at Lin Cheng, who could only shrug helplessly and find a spot to wait quietly.

“Brother Lin Cheng, you’ve come to watch as well!” Amidst the sea of people, Bai Lu approached cheerily, followed by Ouyang Bo, whose face was beet red. Catching Lin Cheng’s glance, he slunk into the crowd in embarrassment.

Seeing Bai Lu, Lin Cheng smiled. He remembered that, were it not for her bringing Senior Sister Han Meng, he might have suffered a beating.

“Senior Brother Lin Cheng, I heard you displayed great might on the Life and Death Platform, defeating Zhang Yan and Zhan Peng alone. I was astonished for days... You’re amazing!”

Embarrassed by Bai Lu’s adoring gaze, Lin Cheng scratched his nose and changed the subject, “I suppose you’re here for the tournament as well, Junior Sister Bai?”

She nodded, “Yes, but I never expected you’d come to watch.”

His companions, seeing this, could hardly miss Bai Lu’s feelings for Lin Cheng. They all looked skyward, feigning ignorance.