Journey to Tongtian Peak

Han Fei originally wanted to borrow the power of the ancient gods in the crowd, but at this moment, Daoist Sanyuan was rapidly approaching. To avoid revealing too many secrets, Han Fei could only watch the man in black leave, though he had already noted down the man's features.

The man in black was definitely a disciple of the Tianyuan Divine Sect. He would meet him again sooner or later.

Daoist Sanyuan landed beside Han Fei and said with concern, "Han Fei, are you alright?"

Han Fei shook his head. "I'm fine, Master. Why are you here?"

Daoist Sanyuan sighed. "The dark guards said you left Taihe Peak again, so I was worried and followed you. I sensed the spiritual energy explosion here and guessed you must be around. Who was that black-clothed person who just escaped?"

Han Fei shook his head. "His cultivation shouldn't be in the Innate Realm. Judging by his build, he should be very young. He could freely enter and exit Taihe Peak, making the restrictions there seem like nothing to him. Either he's familiar with it, or someone inside Taihe Peak is working with him."

Daoist Sanyuan's expression turned grim. "Forget it, as long as you're alright. We'll investigate his identity slowly. I don't know what the dark guards of Taihe Peak are good for. By the way, why did you come here? Did he ask you to meet him?"

Han Fei's mood immediately became very dejected. He turned to look at the lava fissure and recounted the events to Daoist Sanyuan.

Daoist Sanyuan didn't feel much about Dong Jie's demise. After all, Taihe Peak had hundreds of people, and Dong Jie's talent wasn't high. Han Fei had brought her in, so she naturally wouldn't attract Daoist Sanyuan's attention.

However, Daoist Sanyuan understood Dong Jie's significance to Han Fei. He had seen Dong Jie's meticulous care for Han Fei over the past few years.

He couldn't say much at the moment, only offering Han Fei some comfort.

The two returned to Taihe Peak. Coincidentally, as they entered the peak, Han Fei saw Wang Rui.

Han Fei ignored Daoist Sanyuan beside him and immediately walked towards Wang Rui.

Wang Rui was standing in front of his side hall. After greeting Daoist Sanyuan, he saw Han Fei approaching him furiously.

Wang Rui frowned and said guiltily, "Ninth Junior Brother is so filial, staying up late to accompany Master for a walk."

Han Fei nodded. "Yes, Senior Brother. You're quite leisurely too, not resting late at night, waiting for news here?"

As he spoke, Han Fei had already reached Wang Rui's face. Wang Rui looked confused. "Waiting for what news? What are you talking about?"

Han Fei angrily leaped up and punched Wang Rui in the face. Caught off guard, Wang Rui was sent staggering backward by the blow.

"You're still pretending? Did you tip off the disciples from the outer peaks? Don't deny it. I could tolerate anything you did to me, out of consideration for our fellow disciples. But you actually targeted someone close to me. You're looking for death, aren't you? I'll grant you your wish."

Wang Rui was also furious. "Han Fei, you're truly a madman. Master is here, and you dare to be so presumptuous."

As he spoke, Wang Rui also charged at Han Fei.

Han Fei swung his fist and met Wang Rui's blow.

However, it wasn't a head-on collision. Both their fists struck each other's chests.

Bang! A wave of energy spread out. Han Fei slid back several meters, his feet scraping the ground. Wang Rui, on the other hand, was sent flying back nearly ten meters, landing on the ground and spitting out a mist of blood.

Han Fei gasped for air, forcing down the churning Blood Essence. Wang Rui was, after all, at the eighth level of the Innate Realm. This blow had injured Han Fei, and Wang Rui was also wounded by Han Fei.

However, Han Fei's physical strength was greater than Wang Rui's, so Han Fei's injuries were lighter.

Bang! The marble slab beneath Han Fei's feet shattered as he forcefully stabilized himself.

Daoist Sanyuan snorted, "Do you two still have any respect for me? Han Fei, go back and heal quickly. The Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is less than two days away. We'll settle this after the tournament."

Han Fei took a deep breath, pointed at Wang Rui, and said, "Don't let me find out this has anything to do with you, or I promise you'll have a very miserable death."

With that, Han Fei walked across the vast square towards his side hall. As he passed Dong Jie's pavilion, Han Fei paused, his mood becoming even more dejected.

Wang Rui slowly got up. Daoist Sanyuan said in a low voice, "Does this matter have anything to do with you?"

Wang Rui looked bewildered. "Master, I don't even know what happened. What does it have to do with me?"

Seeing that Wang Rui didn't seem to be lying, Daoist Sanyuan sighed slightly, turned, and walked towards Taihe Hall.

In his side hall, Han Fei sat on a futon, unable to enter a state of cultivation no matter what he did.

Yellow Emperor: "Alas, how can one concentrate on cultivation with worries in their heart? In the path of cultivation, life and death are but a thought apart. There's no need to dwell too much on the past."

Han Fei: "But Dong Jie died because of me."

Chiyou: "Pangu died for countless people! Who shed a tear for him?"

Pangu: "...Can you stop using me as an example?"

Yellow Emperor: "Don't you want to learn the Dragon Slaying Sword Art? I'll teach you now."

For a full two days and nights, Han Fei did not step out of his side hall. No one knew what Han Fei was doing, including Daoist Sanyuan.

Of course, as long as Han Fei didn't have any accidents and could participate in the Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament on time, that would be enough. For him, ranking was paramount. Judging by the clash between Han Fei and Wang Rui, Han Fei's combat power was almost on par with the eighth level of the Innate Realm.

With this, Han Fei truly had a chance to contend for a good ranking. He didn't aspire to a high one; as long as he could crush more than half of the disciples in the Thirty-Three Peaks, he would be satisfied.

Of course, he didn't expect Han Fei to win the championship, because he knew that three people on the main peak, Tongtian Peak, had broken through to the Spirit Gathering Realm.

Two of them were the personal disciples and daughter of Sect Master Qi Xiaotian. Setting aside their cultivation levels, their combat power alone would definitely be terrifying. As the inheritors of the Sect Master, they would not be stingy with resources, and their weapons would likely be the best.

Besides Tongtian Peak, there were several other main peaks with outstanding disciples, and even those at the ninth and tenth levels of the Innate Realm were not uncommon.

"Han Fei, oh Han Fei, if you can rank in the top twenty, Taihe Peak will have avenged its humiliation."

As dawn broke, the stone door of Han Fei's side hall slowly opened, and Han Fei walked out with a cold expression.

In front of the side hall was a large bluestone plaza. At the center was the path leading up to Taihe Hall. Around the plaza were ten side halls, one of which was Han Fei's.

At this moment, the plaza was filled with disciples of Taihe Peak.

As Han Fei emerged, almost all the disciples turned their gaze towards him.

Daoist Sanyuan waved his hand, signaling Han Fei to fall in line.

After Han Fei took his position, Daoist Sanyuan said, "The Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament is imminent. Lu Zhong has disappeared, so Wei Ying will take his place."

Wei Ying was stunned. She was also a disciple of Daoist Sanyuan, ranked fifth. During the tournament selection, she had lost to Lu Zhong by a single move.

That was why Daoist Sanyuan had her replace Lu Zhong.

"Yes, this disciple obeys."

Daoist Sanyuan continued, "The tournament will be held at the main peak, Tongtian Peak. Disciples who wish to spectate may go on their own, but the number cannot exceed one hundred. Elder Brother Eight will be responsible for registering the attendees."

Han Fei's eighth senior brother, Ba Tu, cupped his fists and accepted the order.

Then, Daoist Sanyuan flicked his sleeve, and Han Fei and the other four disciples felt a sudden buoyancy beneath their feet as they slowly began to fly.

The six of them quickly flew towards Tongtian Peak.

Below, all the disciples of Taihe Peak immediately shouted in unison, "We wish our senior brothers a triumphant return..."

In the crowd, Wang Rui clenched his fists. This was a task he, as the eldest disciple, should have been given, but Daoist Sanyuan had entrusted it to Ba Tu.

This undoubtedly deepened Wang Rui's hatred for Han Fei.

Wang Rui whispered, "Just you be proud. You've provoked someone you shouldn't have. I'll see if you can make it down Tongtian Peak in one piece this time."

High in the sky, Han Fei gazed at the beautiful scenery of the Tianyuan Divine Sect and exclaimed in amazement.

Of course, it wasn't just him; his senior brothers were much the same.

Towering mountain peaks reached into the clouds. These were the other main peaks, each as grand as their own Taihe Peak. Normally, they were static, but now, flying through the gaps between them offered a unique spectacle.

Daoist Sanyuan cautioned, "Although Taihe Peak is ranked last, we mustn't lose face. We are, after all, a part of the Tianyuan Divine Sect."

"Of course, rankings are important, but your safety comes first. If you can't win, concede promptly. There's no need to fight desperately. Do you understand?"

The five disciples responded in unison, "Yes, Master..."