Human Ranking Competition Day, Xuyun Peak.
Li Ping'an was waiting for his debut.
For this Myriad Cloud Sect internal tournament, the three main venues were Xuyun Peak for the Human Ranking battles, Colorful Cloud Peak for the Earth Ranking battles, and the Main Peak for the Heaven Ranking battles.
According to Li Ping'an's "truly exclusive information," the competition for hosting rights had been exceptionally fierce.
The immortals of every peak had shown tremendous enthusiasm for the matter. Of the sect's thirty-six peaks, twenty-seven had voluntarily submitted applications within two days.
The downside of Li Dazhi's broad circle of friends had become painfully apparent in this matter.
Friends familiar with the various peaks kept coming to him, leaving Li Dazhi overwhelmed.
Even the Peak Masters, elders, and old immortals from each peak had directly alerted the Sect Leader in their struggle to secure this opportunity to bring glory to their own peaks.
Fortunately, Li Dazhi withstood pressure from all sides and ultimately adopted a relatively fair method—drawing lots.
The Preparations Hall also set a rule: peaks selected this time would not participate in the next drawing, until every peak had taken a turn.
Just as the various peaks were eagerly awaiting the draw for the three slots, the Sect Leader suddenly took a stroll through the Affairs Hall and had a pleasant chat with Li Dazhi and several elders.
After careful consideration, the Preparations Hall permanently fixed the Heaven Ranking battles at the Main Peak. The drawing would only determine the venues for the Earth Ranking and Human Ranking battles.
The Sect Leader's charm.
Just as Li Ping'an had anticipated, the selected Xuyun Peak and Colorful Cloud Peak displayed unprecedented enthusiasm.
—Immortals cared greatly about appearances, and immortals of great sects cared even more about reputation.
Roughly eighty percent of the disciples below the Origin Immortal Realm from both peaks had mobilized to assist the preparations team in setting up the venues. Qi cultivators flew through the skies and tunneled through the earth in a flurry of activity, arranging everything properly in half a day.
Take Xuyun Peak's grandeur, for instance:
A square stone platform a hundred zhang long and wide floated in midair halfway up the mountain. One viewing platform had been built along the mountain's slope, while the other three sides were cloud platforms formed by immortals with immortal arts.
Two to three thousand Inner Sect and Outer Sect Disciples, several hundred immortals from various peaks, and nearly a hundred distinguished guests from friendly sects had gathered here to watch the battles.
This was only the Human Ranking battle, and Xuyun Peak itself did not have many particularly appealing features.
The Earth Ranking venue over at Colorful Cloud Peak was more than twice as large as this one!
Considering Colorful Cloud Peak's special status as the "maternal home of all peaks," as well as the fact that its female cultivators had rushed overnight to make more than ten thousand "spectator souvenirs," the Earth Ranking battles were expected to draw over a thousand immortal spectators and more than four thousand sect disciples—perhaps even five or six thousand!
Such a grand occasion was rare within the Myriad Cloud Sect even once in a thousand years!
At the very top of the viewing platform, Daoist Yun Mo, Sect Master of the Myriad Cloud Sect, chatted with the leaders of several friendly sects while watching the battles, the corners of his mouth never once dropping.
The more the Sect Leader watched a slightly plump Origin Immortal busily flying about on clouds, the more pleasing he found him.
Of course, Li Ping'an could not hear the Sect Leader's thoughts right now. All he could hear were the discussions and laughter around him, as well as the calls of that old Origin Immortal Realm referee.
"Next match! Human Thirty-Five versus Human Twelve! Disciples, take the stage!"
It was time.
Li Ping'an quietly exhaled, quickly walked to the desk by the edge of the arena, handed the old Deacon before him the Jade Token marked "Human Twelve," then turned and leaped onto the floating arena.
His first opponent was a young female immortal child whose face was still full of childishness. She held an immortal treasure lampstand and cupped her hands sweetly toward Li Ping'an.
It could not be helped. The Human Ranking standard was "disciples who had entered the sect within the last five years." Li Ping'an had only begun cultivating as an adult, so situations where an adult fought a child were inevitable.
Li Ping'an used a few talisman arts and easily sent this senior sister, who was nearly finished with Foundation Establishment, beyond the boundaries of the arena, claiming a simple victory.
The little girl pouted and nearly burst into tears.
Li Ping'an lowered his head awkwardly and made a Daoist salute. "My apologies."
Quite a few disciples on the three sides smiled and chuckled. Li Ping'an quickly slipped off the arena, retrieved his Jade Token, and entered the lineup for the next round of duels.
The early stages of the Human Ranking battles were indeed somewhat lacking in spectacle.
Fortunately, the disciples had all practiced their combat techniques, and they fought quite seriously, making the battles lively and vivid.
Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning's paths through the tournament were both rather smooth.
Across four consecutive matches, no one forced Li Ping'an to reveal anything beyond talisman arts.
With the Swallow Escape Stakes, Mu Ningning easily defeated three disciples. In her fourth match, she encountered an opponent in the early Void Refining Realm. The battle was fraught with danger, and she only narrowly won in the end by taking an unconventional approach.
In that battle, Mu Ningning defeated a Void Refinement Realm opponent while in the Light Condensing Realm, stunning everyone present with her skill.
The top three of the Human Ranking could participate in the Earth Ranking battles.
Mu Ningning had worked herself up for this, all so she could return to her own peak and show off the magical treasures and artifacts her senior brother had given her before her senior sisters.
After four battles, Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning had both reached the top eight of the Human Ranking. With only three more matches, the Human Ranking placements would be decided.
This also meant that their upcoming opponents could no longer be underestimated.
Sure enough, Li Ping'an's opponent in his fifth match forced him to use his spear formation.
He was a male cultivator of seventeen or eighteen, broad and muscular, with dark skin. His mana surged continuously around him, displaying the formidable strength of the early Void Refining Realm.
He wielded a demon-subduing pestle and seemed to follow the rather rare path of body cultivation. Even his voice was rough and bold when he introduced himself.
"Xuyun Peak, Yu Yingshu, fourth level of Void Refinement!"
Li Ping'an cupped his hands and smiled. "Li Ping'an, disciple of Immortal Qingxu, fifth level of Light Condensing Realm."
"I know you," Yu Yingshu said with a grin. "I saw it when your master took you in. Your foundation was rather weak after three years at Flowing Cloud Temple. How about I give you one arm?"
"Just give it your all, Fellow Daoist," Li Ping'an said seriously. "We will stop at the proper point. There is no need for such concessions."
"Hahaha! Good! Then watch out for my staff!"
Yu Yingshu shouted and leaped dozens of zhang like a fierce tiger. The demon-subduing pestle in his hand blossomed with brilliant golden light, and Li Ping'an could even hear the sound of chanting scriptures.
A body-combat technique fused with the Western Teachings' demon-subduing arts?
Li Ping'an knew he could not dodge at this moment, or he would surely invite a thunderous blow from his opponent. His left hand clenched empty air as he bent his legs and sprang up. A silver-white spear appeared in his grasp, and he shot forward like a flood dragon emerging from the sea, its tip aimed straight at Yu Yingshu's shoulder!
"Good!"
Golden light swelled around Yu Yingshu's body as he raised the demon-subduing pestle and smashed downward. The move looked simple, but it concealed many variations.
Li Ping'an understood immediately. If he yielded even slightly, his opponent would seize the initiative and momentum, allowing him to unleash one hundred and twenty percent of his strength.
When fighting a cultivator like this, even if the opponent's cultivation was far higher, he had to first cut off the opponent's momentum!
Thus, Li Ping'an gripped the spear with both hands, swaying left and right as mana erupted from his entire body. A point of cold light burst from the spear tip.
Clang!
The sound of weapons colliding rang through the mountains, and a ring-shaped shockwave swept sideways through the air.
Yu Yingshu's body arched backward while Li Ping'an fell toward the ground like an arrow.
Li Dazhi, watching at the edge of the arena, suddenly felt his heart rise to his throat. He stood and stared intently at the figure on the stage.
Yu Yingshu adjusted himself and immediately dove after him.
Just before Li Ping'an hit the ground, his body suddenly flipped. He swayed from side to side like a falling leaf, then with a bang, three misty cloud phantoms burst forth as layers of cloud and mist flooded the arena.
Myriad Cloud Sect immortal art: Cloud Soaring Illusionary Form!
Many Myriad Cloud Sect immortals outside the arena lit up.
Most immortals knew this immortal art was incomparably complex and required exceptional comprehension to learn. Yet they had not expected to see it today from a disciple in the Light Condensation Realm.
Yu Yingshu's attack missed. He immediately tried to turn and evade, but the surrounding cloud mist had already formed. Three spear shadows came whistling toward him, forcing him to block left and parry right.
He reacted extremely quickly. Only his Daoist robe was torn open by the spear shadows, yet he had already judged that he could not handle Li Ping'an's spear formation. He immediately shot into the sky, intending to break through from above.
Two phantoms suddenly flashed out from either side, and two gleaming immortal treasure spears smashed fiercely downward!
Yu Yingshu swept his demon-subduing pestle sideways, blasting the phantom on the left into cloud mist.
But the other spear struck Yu Yingshu solidly across the back, chopping him from midair and driving him into the cloud formation!
Whistling sounds rang out beside Yu Yingshu's ears once more as spear shadows shot at him again from every direction.
The piercing power of these spear shadows surpassed even sword-control arts of the same realm!
Yu Yingshu had ample skill but found it difficult to use. He dodged left and right through the clouds and mist, his momentum falling completely behind.
Worse still, as the incoming spear shadows continually shattered, the clouds and mist around Yu Yingshu grew thicker. They not only obstructed his spiritual sense, but bursts of music also sounded, making it difficult for him to concentrate.
Spear formation, illusion arts, talisman arts.
Li Ping'an strictly followed his master's instructions and used only three types of techniques.
As for his spear formation itself, it incorporated sword-control arts, Cloud Taming Technique, maze formations, movement techniques, and more. That did not count as violating his agreement with his master.
After the spear shadows bombarded him chaotically for a moment—
"I concede!"
Yu Yingshu panted heavily. His Daoist robe was in tatters, and the large hand gripping his demon-subduing pestle trembled without stop.
There was not a single wound on him, only a dozen or so shallow scratches.
It was not that his body had become as sturdy as metal and stone. Li Ping'an had clearly held back and had not allowed him to bleed.
A faint breeze blew past, and the cloud mist on the arena immediately dispersed.
Li Ping'an appeared in a corner, cupped his hands toward Yu Yingshu, and said, his Daoist robe not even showing many wrinkles, "You let me win."
"Your formation truly is formidable! Hahaha! I am utterly convinced!"
Yu Yingshu laughed loudly.
"Earlier, I made plans with several senior brothers and sisters I know to battle them in the Earth Ranking. They spent several days figuring out how to counter my demon-subduing pestle. Who would have thought that, in the end, what would appear before them would be a Cloud Soaring Spear!"
Li Ping'an smiled. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for the name. This spear formation of mine shall be called the Cloud Soaring Spear from now on."
Yu Yingshu froze for a moment, then threw back his head and laughed. He gave Li Ping'an a Daoist salute, turned, and leaped off the arena.
A gong rang out nearby.
"The victor, disciple of Qingxu, Li Ping'an!"
At the edge of the arena, Mu Ningning happily gave him a thumbs-up, then clenched her little fists and seriously prepared for her next battle.
In a corner of the viewing platform.
Li Dazhi grinned broadly, radiant with joy.
The elders and Deacons beside him naturally showered Li Ping'an with praise.
"Martial Aunt Dazhi, Ping'an actually possesses such skill!"
"A Light Condensing Realm cultivator can challenge a Void Refinement Realm cultivator across realms and win so effortlessly. It truly makes one take notice!"
"Ping'an's calm and steady temperament is even more rare!"
"Ah!"
Li Dazhi laughed.
"Everyone, stop praising him, stop praising him. Do not praise the child into becoming spoiled!
"Ping'an's aptitude is not good, but he has always worked diligently and striven forward. Even I, his father, feel quite ashamed when compared with him."
The elders praised him another round, and Li Dazhi felt thoroughly pleased with himself.
As they chatted, Li Dazhi suddenly sensed a thread of immortal sense spying on him. He instinctively looked into the distance and happened to meet the gaze of a beautiful female immortal.
An immortal's eyesight naturally surpassed that of mortals.
The one meeting Li Dazhi's gaze was none other than Elder Xiao Yue, who had only returned to the mountain gate yesterday to observe the ceremony.
Xiao Yue was dressed much more simply today. She did not wear any of those long dresses that used plenty of fabric yet protected nothing. In a simple purple dress, combined with her naturally outstanding figure, beautiful face, and mature, alluring bearing, she naturally drew the covert attention of many young male cultivators.
At this moment, she looked at Li Dazhi with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Li Dazhi looked at Xiao Yue. Though somewhat puzzled, he habitually revealed a kind, gentle smile and cupped his hands toward her.
Xiao Yue gave a slight curtsy, then turned to look toward the arena.
Strange. Why was Elder Xiao staring at me just now? Is Vice Sect Master Mo Yi plotting something unpleasant?
Xiao Yue considered inwardly, Could it be that this man has developed mortal feelings for this elder? He possesses great fortune and is also a disciple of a Golden Immortal. Although my master is a disciple of Ancestor Master Kongming, it is not beyond consideration... Still, I cannot grow too close to him for now. Sigh, this really is troublesome.
"Good!"
Cheers erupted around them, followed by the jubilant cries of a group of female disciples.
On the arena, Mu Ningning's Swallow Escape Stakes came to a steady halt. A female cultivator in the late Light Condensation Realm sighed, cupped her hands toward Mu Ningning, and withdrew dejectedly.
Mu Ningning was also covered in fragrant sweat. She searched for Li Ping'an, then pursed her lips and smiled at him.
Her realm was ultimately still too low. Reaching the top four of the Human Ranking had already taken considerable effort.
However, as long as she did not encounter Li Ping'an in the next match, she would naturally enter the top three of the Human Ranking and return to Colorful Cloud Peak to compete with the Earth Ranking disciples.
Li Dazhi had long prepared for this.
Wei Yanzi appeared at the referee stand at just the right moment and simply assigned the four disciples' names, finding an opponent for Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning respectively.
Wei Yanzi's reasoning was quite sufficient as well. "It has not been easy for these two Light Condensing Realm disciples to reach this point. Everyone enjoys seeing the weak defeat the strong, so let us see whether they can create a fine tale."
Several old Deacons nodded with smiles, raising no objections whatsoever.
A little less than an hour later.
Li Ping'an and Mu Ningning, each having defeated their next-round opponent, appeared on opposite sides of the arena.
Li Ping'an smiled and nodded to Mu Ningning, clearly intending to yield to her.
The first and second place rewards in the Human Ranking only differed by a few spirit stones. Letting her be happy was no great matter.
"This match, junior sister..."
"Oh dear, oh dear."
Mu Ningning suddenly fell weakly to the ground. A glimmer rippled through her Peach Blossom Eyes as she held her chest, lowered her head, and spat out a tiny arrow of blood. Suddenly seeming possessed by a frail beauty, she said delicately:
"Oh no, I fought too fiercely just now and ended up suffering internal injuries. What should I do?
"These treasures of mine were all given to me by Senior Brother. There is nothing wrong with conceding anyway. I could not beat him in the first place.
"I concede. Cough, cough cough. Senior Brother, hurry and give me a hand."
The corner of Li Ping'an's mouth twitched. The delicate Mu Ningning blinked at him, while several senior and junior sisters who had already arranged this stepped forward to support her. The arena was filled with charming girls and unceasing laughter.
The immortals also smiled among themselves. The Amusement Immortals had already begun transmitting voices to discuss the romantic entanglements of the younger disciples.
Li Ping'an broke into the Earth Ranking battles as the Human Ranking's first-place contender!
Outside the arena, a large hand slowly descended and patted the shoulder of Li Dazhi, who wore the smile of a loving father.
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