Fairy Attack

(PS: Today it dropped to fifth among the new books in its category, but thankfully it has now surged into the top three. I still need your continued support.)

The Asura Warship, over a hundred zhang long, was like a ferocious beast soaring through the skies. Divided into upper and lower decks, it did not feel crowded even with more than five thousand disciples who had comprehended Qi Energy aboard after the Grand Tournament. Every disciple was filled with amazement at the Asura Warship's sheer size.

They had never even seen such a huge ship on water, much less one flying through the air. The hundred-zhang Asura Warship had three secondary cannons on each side, as well as a massive main cannon at the front. Powered by spirit stones and inscribed with formations, they could draw out the energy within the spirit stones and turn it into powerful spell attacks.

The very word "spells" brought reflexive thoughts of summoning wind and rain, commanding thunder and fire, moving mountains and filling seas—powers far beyond human imagination. Once one reached the Return to Simplicity Tenth Layer and successfully endured the Heavenly Tribulation, one could enter the stage of Refining Qi to Spirit, truly breaking free of the shackles of mortality.

Refining Qi to Spirit? Spells? To disciples who had only recently comprehended Qi Energy, such things were still far too distant. Thus, these Spirit Stone Cannons capable of firing spell attacks naturally aroused everyone's curiosity.

With more than five thousand disciples aboard, the Asura Warship naturally also carried many staff members from the headquarters. As they flew toward the headquarters, these staff members began explaining matters concerning the Asura Sect headquarters to the disciples, lest the five thousand or so newcomers run about like headless flies when they arrived.

Bright light sketched an image of the Asura Sect headquarters in midair: where the lodgings were, where the Dining Hall was, where the Martial Arts Arena for cultivation was, as well as the Forging Hall, Pill Hall, Quest Hall, Trade Hall...

The image of the Asura Sect headquarters formed in midair was immensely grand. Zhuge Xiang sat half-reclined in a secluded corner, watching carefully while silently regulating his breath. Although the Grand Tournament had ended and the staff had treated his injuries, the weak period following the Bloodthirsty Technique would last around two days, leaving Zhuge Xiang feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Beside Zhuge Xiang, Niu Geng carefully flipped through the cultivation method for the Five Poisons Palm, with the Yin Gu Pot resting nearby. Seeing that Zhuge Xiang was regulating his breath, none of the five thousand or so disciples dared come over to disturb him. A big fist was hard reason, and this was displayed most vividly in a Demonic Sect. The strength Zhuge Xiang had shown filled them with awe.

"Congratulations on taking first place in the Grand Tournament." While Zhuge Xiang devoted part of his attention to regulating his breath and listening to the explanations about the Asura Sect, a crisp voice rang out. Lu Yuling had come before him and spoke calmly. Her white dress fluttered lightly, and she remained as graceful as ever.

"Not at all. It was just luck," Zhuge Xiang replied with a smile as he looked at Lu Yuling before him.

That truly was the truth. Though he possessed the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer and a Proficient Level Bloodthirsty Technique, without the Super Spirit Qi Secret Medicine, Zhuge Xiang would have been no match for Lu Yuling. Toward the end, he had even used up his Healing Pill. It could be said that Zhuge Xiang had exhausted every trick in his arsenal, burning through all those one-use consumables before barely claiming first place. If the Grand Tournament were held again, Zhuge Xiang would have no confidence at all.

"Luck is also a part of strength. A win is a win." Lu Yuling shook her head slightly. She was unused to Zhuge Xiang's modesty. In her heart, Zhuge Xiang was the sort of person who was decisive and straightforward.

As she spoke, she glanced at the Storage Belt around Zhuge Xiang's waist and asked in surprise, "Is that Storage Belt for your own use? Don't you already have a storage item?"

"I have a storage item?" Zhuge Xiang was stunned by Lu Yuling's sudden remark.

"When you killed the Fox Demon that day, didn't you take out your blood saber? And at other times, you often took out pills, martial art manuals, and other things, didn't you?" Lu Yuling found Zhuge Xiang's bewilderment strange instead.

Only then did Zhuge Xiang understand. She must have meant the items that dropped when he defeated opponents. Whether it was the Blood Refinement Saber, the Experience Scroll, or skill books like Explosive Steps, they had all appeared directly in his hands. No wonder Lu Yuling had never asked about it—she had always assumed that, like her, he possessed a storage item.

With a smile, Zhuge Xiang said, "My previous storage item was too small. It wasn't enough."

Lu Yuling nodded. She had only asked casually and had no intention of probing further. Before long, Hua Nongying came over and directly pulled Lu Yuling away.

Lively by nature, she was even more energetic aboard the Asura Warship, curious about everything. After the Grand Tournament, her relationship with Lu Yuling had instead become one of friendship.

After Lu Yuling left, Ji Wuxue came over as well. On one hand, he congratulated Zhuge Xiang on winning first place in the Grand Tournament; on the other, he said he would cultivate diligently and challenge him to another duel. Zhuge Xiang had a fairly good impression of Ji Wuxue, so he nodded and agreed.

"Congratulations on taking first place in the Grand Tournament." However, after Ji Wuxue left, Zhuge Xiang was somewhat surprised to see Ling Wufeng come over as well.

Although he had never interacted with Ling Wufeng, since the man had come to congratulate him, Zhuge Xiang naturally would not greet him coldly. Smiling, he nodded. "You weren't bad either. Third place."

"Actually, I find it very strange. This shouldn't be happening." Ling Wufeng looked at Zhuge Xiang seriously, his face full of vexation, as though there were something he simply could not understand. "Your strength may be impressive, but you're not as handsome as I am, nor do you have my cool aura. Why does Lu Yuling alone regard you so differently?"

"Uh..." Ling Wufeng's words left Zhuge Xiang rather speechless. So congratulating him was only secondary—his main purpose was to ask about the relationship between Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling?

"Don't worry. Cultivation is my priority right now. Lu Yuling and I are merely ordinary friends." Thinking of how Ling Wufeng had revealed his cultivation on the Duel Platform to express his interest in Lu Yuling, Zhuge Xiang assumed he had come to sound out the relationship between them.

"There's no reason for it. Don't girls all like cool boys like me? Why does it seem like I hold no attraction for her at all?" Ling Wufeng clearly had not listened to Zhuge Xiang's answer. He lowered his head and muttered in confusion, then slowly walked away.

Ling Wufeng, with his superb Flying Dagger technique and cold demeanor—that was the impression he gave everyone. Yet today, Zhuge Xiang discovered that Ling Wufeng's apparent coldness was all an act. He thought it would make him more attractive to girls, but deep down, he was simply a closeted show-off.

The Endless Mountain Range stretched for a hundred thousand li. Traveling to the headquarters aboard the Asura Warship required a voyage of a full forty-eight thousand li, yet the Asura Warship needed only three short days to arrive. Its speed was evident.

After two days, everyone had more or less learned the basic knowledge about the headquarters. Their initial curiosity and excitement toward the Asura Warship gradually cooled as well. Once the first bustle had passed, everyone slowly quieted down, waiting for the Asura Warship to return to the headquarters.

Wooooo...

Without any warning, a sharp, piercing alarm suddenly rang out aboard the Asura Warship, making everyone rise to their feet. There was only about half a day left, with the final eight thousand li remaining before they reached the headquarters, yet this shrill alarm had suddenly sounded.

"What happened?" The piercing alarm filled everyone with unease. They began discussing it among themselves, and chaos broke out. Then a man cried out in alarm, "Look! What is that?"

Turning to look, they saw three enormous birds blocking the Asura Warship's path. Their gigantic bodies were actually large enough to rival the Asura Warship itself, radiating powerful and terrifying auras...

"Fairies!" The sect official responsible for transporting the disciples—the host of the Former Top Eight finals—wore a grim expression as he spoke in a low voice.

Human cultivators had three stages of cultivation: Refining Essence to Qi, Refining Qi to Spirit, and Refining Spirit to Void. Demonic Creatures likewise had three stages: Monster Beasts, Fairies, and monsters.

In other words, these Demonic Creatures had already cultivated into Fairies and were no longer mere wild beasts. Demonic Creatures that had passed the Heavenly Tribulation could awaken their Innate Divine Abilities, and their strength was equal to cultivators at the Refining Qi to Spirit stage. This time, three avian Fairies had blocked the Asura Warship's path...

Their howls seemed capable of tearing apart the sky. Looking down, one could see thousands upon thousands of Monster Beasts in the mountains below, lifting their heads high and roaring at the Asura Warship. Clearly, if the Asura Warship were shot down, it would fall right into the jaws of these Monster Beasts.

"Damn it, we actually encountered three Fairies! Contact the sect immediately and request reinforcements! Activate the Asura Warship's defensive barrier! Gunners, prepare to attack—blast those three Fairies to death!"

Although the official's expression was grave, orders poured continuously from his mouth. The other sect staff members, though startled, did not panic. The bearing of a great sect truly was different. But could the Asura Warship withstand three Fairies? Only Heaven knew.