White Cloud Peak

Everyone exchanged glances. Lu Ming naturally had no intention of withdrawing, and after surviving three brushes with death, Cui Bai had long since undergone a transformation, so he naturally would not withdraw either.

The remaining three hesitated somewhat, but in the end, none of them chose to withdraw.

"Excellent."

Only then did Elder Ming reveal a satisfied smile. He then officially granted them the identities of inner sect disciples.

First, he gave each of them an identity token for an inner sect disciple. Then he gave each person two jade tablets the size of fingernails.

According to his explanation, they could take these jade tablets to the Martial Skill Pavilion to receive martial arts and to the Armory Pavilion to claim weapons suited to them.

These were all entry benefits for inner sect disciples.

He then gave them a rough introduction to the other matters before letting them find out for themselves.

"Next, I plan to go to my lodgings first. Who's coming with me?"

After Elder Ming left, Cui Bai was the first to speak.

"I want to go to the Martial Skill Pavilion first. I'll pick out a martial art before doing anything else."

The disciple surnamed Qi spoke impatiently.

The female disciple and the other person also nodded in agreement. Clearly, they wanted to choose their martial arts first as well.

"What about you?"

Cui Bai looked toward Lu Ming.

"I'll settle in at my lodgings first." Lu Ming thought it over before answering.

"Then let's go together."

The five then split up.

White Cloud Peak was one of the areas where inner sect disciples lived. Row upon row of independent courtyards had been built on the mountain, and the surroundings were quiet and beautiful.

Clouds and mist often rose there, giving the entire White Cloud Peak the feeling of being shrouded in clouds and veiled in fog, like a celestial paradise.

"We're here. I didn't expect us to be assigned to this mountain. We're pretty lucky."

Lu Ming and Cui Bai had first returned separately to the outer sect to pack their things. Then they came together to the foot of White Cloud Peak. Seeing the mountain before them, Cui Bai spoke happily.

Lu Ming asked, "Is there anything special about White Cloud Peak?"

Along the way, the two had become fairly familiar with each other. Moreover, Cui Bai greatly admired Lu Ming's strength and did not regard him as some good-for-nothing who had relied on connections and pulled strings to get in.

Thus, he replied, "You just arrived, so you don't know. I heard before that White Cloud Peak has the best living conditions among all the inner sect mountains. Some people wanted to move here but never got the chance. We're lucky."

Lu Ming nodded and took in the surrounding environment. It truly was refreshing and uplifting.

"Let's go."

The two did not linger at the foot of the mountain and headed toward their lodgings halfway up the slope.

The courtyards here were not built densely. Each was separated from the next by more than a dozen paces. Lu Ming and Cui Bai were quite lucky: they had been assigned two neighboring courtyards.

However, a crowd had gathered around the place. When they saw the two arrive, one person stepped out of the crowd and exclaimed in surprise, "Cui Bai, it's actually you."

"Du Shaohai." Cui Bai clearly knew the other man, but his expression darkened.

Seeing this, Lu Ming felt that the two probably did not get along.

Sure enough, Du Shaohai spoke with a hint of mockery:

"You finally passed the assessment. I originally thought you'd already been kicked out and that we'd never have the chance to meet again."

Cui Bai snorted coldly. "Cut the crap. What are you doing here?"

He did not believe that Du Shaohai had learned he passed the assessment and deliberately waited here to cause trouble. There had to be another reason.

"That's right. I just heard from the people at the Deacon Hall that the courtyards here have already been assigned. Looks like they were assigned to you."

Du Shaohai glanced toward Lu Ming as well.

Cui Bai frowned deeply. "So you're blocking the way because you want to take our lodgings?"

"Don't make it sound so ugly."

Du Shaohai chuckled. "As long as the exchange is voluntary, the sect won't interfere."

His meaning was already perfectly clear.

Knowing that Du Shaohai had come with bad intentions, Cui Bai sneered. "And what if I refuse?"

"You'll be willing."

Du Shaohai pressed his fingers, producing a series of crisp cracks, then slowly said:

"More than half a year ago, you and I were both in the outer sect. Relying on your External Skill, you left me helpless."

"But now I entered the inner sect more than half a year before you and have already learned a Human-grade, high-stage fist technique. I'm no longer someone you can contend with."

Cui Bai's heart sank when he heard this. He knew that today, they would have to settle things with their fists.

However, just as Du Shaohai had said, he had entered the inner sect half a year earlier, so the cultivation arts and martial skills he had learned were of a higher level.

Cui Bai would definitely suffer for it if he fought him.

Seeing this, Lu Ming was about to step forward. He had seen that these people had not come specifically for Cui Bai, but for the courtyard.

Since they intended to force him into willingly giving it up next, it would be better to strike first.

Cui Bai stopped him, however, shaking his head. He then said to Du Shaohai:

"Fine. Today, I'll see just how much your strength has improved after entering the inner sect half a year earlier!"

With that, a burst of yellow light suddenly surged from his body. He then strode forward, leaving a deep footprint in the ground with every step.

"That should be the Human-tier Mid-grade cultivation art, Thick Earth Art."

Someone behind Du Shaohai recognized Cui Bai's cultivation art.

"Thick Earth Art cultivates both the inside and outside. It produces a powerful physical body and dense inner qi. Unfortunately, it's ultimately only a Human-tier Mid-grade cultivation art. Once you reach the Zhen Qi Realm, it won't be enough."

"Exactly. Those who have just entered the inner sect ultimately can't compare with those of us who entered earlier. I bet one move will decide the victor."

"The opponent's physical strength looks extremely formidable, so his defense must be strong too. I bet it'll take two moves."

The people continued discussing among themselves. Lu Ming listened while keeping his eyes on the fight.

By then, Cui Bai had already walked to the center and stood there, his gaze resolute. "Come."

Du Shaohai naturally did not hold back either. With a light leap, he landed opposite Cui Bai and said coldly:

"I'll tell you this. Although I've only been in the sect for more than half a year, I immediately skipped the one-year protection period and accepted a mission. Thus, I used Contribution Points to exchange for an extremely advanced movement technique."

As he spoke, a proud expression appeared on his face. "However, I don't plan to use movement techniques to fight you by evasion. I intend to defeat you openly and honorably with my fist technique."

"Take my fist!"

With that, Du Shaohai launched the first attack. True qi surged around his fist. While he was still in midair, he sent out three waves of fist force in succession.

"That's the third form of the Demon Sweeping Fist—Sweep Away Demons. I didn't expect Du Shaohai to use his strongest move right from the start."

"He's probably planning to decide the victor with one move."

"Then bring it on!"

Seeing the other man's imposing momentum, Cui Bai felt a heavy pressure in his heart, but his face remained fearless. His true qi roiled, and his entire body gave off a series of crackling sounds.

He did not dodge. Instead, he shouted and threw three punches in succession at the incoming fist forces.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The true qi collided, immediately erupting with a series of violent explosions. Under Cui Bai's three punches, the incoming fist forces shattered with a thunderous boom.

However, after breaking apart the fist forces, Cui Bai's expression grew even more solemn. During the exchange, he had also been forced back three steps, which showed just how overbearing his opponent's fist force was.

Fortunately, his physical body was powerful, and he had not been injured.

"Again!"

Yet before Cui Bai could steady himself, Du Shaohai had already closed in. His fists, covered in true qi, hammered out one after another.

The two were now engaged in close combat.

Having experienced the dominance of his opponent's fist force, Cui Bai naturally did not dare clash head-on again. He could only attack while neutralizing the blows. Whenever he truly could not evade, he had no choice but to endure them with his physical body.

Finally, after taking one punch squarely, his body flew backward like a kite with its string cut.

The victor had been decided.

Lu Ming's eyes and hands were swift. The instant Cui Bai flew backward, he leaped up and caught him precisely.

Then, while still in midair, he spun several times, dispelling the tremendous force transmitted from Cui Bai's body before landing steadily.

"What superb movement technique!"

Lu Ming's entire process of catching Cui Bai had been elegant and graceful. In particular, the fact that he could still spin several times in midair while carrying another person showed how profound his movement technique was.

A burst of cheers rang out.

"Thank you."

After landing, Cui Bai thanked him. He had not suffered a serious injury, though his face was somewhat pale.

Most of the force had been canceled out by his physical body.

Lu Ming nodded, indicating that there was no need to thank him.

At this moment, Du Shaohai spoke. "You've already lost. Can you give up the courtyard now?"

Although Cui Bai's expression was ugly, he could accept defeat. He was just about to say that his skill was inferior when Lu Ming stopped him.

Lu Ming stepped forward and said, "He's my friend. I can't give the courtyard to you. Unless you can beat me."

"You?"

Du Shaohai sized up Lu Ming. To be honest, Lu Ming's movement technique had indeed dazzled him just now, but only for a moment.

He was confident that his own movement technique could do the same. Besides, Lu Ming was merely a disciple who had just entered the inner sect.

"Fine. I'll give you this chance, but I can't make a move for nothing. How about this? If you lose, you'll hand over your courtyard too."

"I agree."

Lu Ming accepted directly. Although it was somewhat unfair—the courtyard was originally his, while Du Shaohai had contributed nothing and was simply using it as a wager—defeating him would not take much effort, so there was no need to waste time arguing.

"Courageous. Take my move!"