Ascend Peak

High-level Qi Refining cultivator.

Qi Refining is divided into nine stages.

True Qi, Mana, Dao Foundation, Condensing Qi, Five Elements, True Fire, Taiyin, Sun, and other realms.

Among them, starting from the Qi Refining Fourth Stage of Condensing Qi and Refining Energy, one is called a high-level Qi Refining cultivator.

Such figures, having cultivated Innate Yin Yang Gang Qi, are impervious to blades and spears, immune to water and fire, truly transcendent, and incredibly powerful.

Even in the era of rampant guns and cannons thirty years ago, they could single-handedly subvert the regime of a small country.

Guangzhou City has a dedicated cultivator organization, the Garrison Residence!

Yet even the head of the Garrison Residence is only at the Dao Foundation realm.

This shows how extraordinary Condensing Qi and Refining Energy is.

Ling Feng took Li ChunJun out of the city, even out of Guangzhou City, past Mingzhou City, and arrived in the Qingniao City area, next to the capital of Xuan Province.

Here lies a famous scenic spot in Xuan Province, Qingluan Mountain, sixteen kilometers from Qingniao City and less than sixty kilometers from Xuan Province's capital, attracting millions of tourists every year.

Therefore, at the foot of Qingluan Mountain, a luxurious Qingluan Resort has been built.

The entire resort covers an area of over ten square kilometers, with hotels, villas, bars, leisure and entertainment facilities, and many other amenities.

However, in the eyes of those powerful figures, ordinary entertainment simply doesn't meet their standards.

What truly attracts them is the Ascend Peak Tower, located deep within the Qingluan Resort.

"The real owner of Ascend Peak Tower is of unknown name; everyone respects him as Master Qing. Although he doesn't interfere with the Qingluan Resort Tourism Service Co., Ltd. board of directors, his status is above the board. It is because of his existence that this resort can operate smoothly, and the characteristic of Ascend Peak Tower..."

Ling Feng paused: "Is competition."

"Martial arts competition?"

Li ChunJun asked.

"Yes."

Ling Feng nodded.

Competition is just a polite term; the meaning of Ascend Peak Tower's existence is martial arts competition.

"The Qingluan board members will find death row inmates who have committed serious crimes, Martial Artists with no way out from Xuan Province, and even all over the country, and have them come to Ascend Peak Tower for martial arts competitions."

Ling Feng took a deep breath: "Anyone who can win nine consecutive matches at Ascend Peak Tower, reaching the pinnacle, Master Qing will come forward and clear all crimes from their record. Some who perform exceptionally well, or are innocent themselves, can also make a request to Master Qing."

Li ChunJun guessed it.

Although Ling Zhi's family background is decent, it's only middle class.

No matter how well Ling Feng is doing, how could he have access to such high-level figures?

His enthusiastic assistance, in the final analysis, is because he values his martial strength.

Since they value martial strength, fighting is inevitable.

"In the thirteen years since Ascend Peak Tower was established, over twenty people have reached the peak. Most did so to regain their freedom, but a few came for Master Qing's connections and network. Some use his channels for Essence Qi Infusion, hoping to become Body Refining cultivators, while others seek wealth, fame, and a promising future."

Ling Feng glanced at Li ChunJun through the rearview mirror: "If you can Ascend Peak, with Master Qing's connections and influence, restoring your innocence will be easy. With your talent and intelligence, entering the Red Sun Sword Sect won't be difficult either."

So, the so-called rules and laws are just toys for those in power.

Death sentences, heavy sentences, acquittals – all depend on a word from the powerful.

Li ChunJun didn't answer directly right away.

After a while, he asked, "Are you saying that the Qingluan Resort board members collect death row inmates from Xuan Province and even all over the country for martial arts competitions?"

"Yes."

Ling Feng nodded slightly: "The reason Ascend Peak Tower is so attractive is that every competitor is a Harmony Martial Master. Such Martial Masters are famous and respected. If they hadn't committed crimes, they could live a superior life in any city, so naturally, they wouldn't want to fight to the death."

He paused, then added cautiously, "In Ascend Peak Tower's competitions, you can admit defeat, but once you start fighting, accidents can easily happen, so there's a certain mortality rate."

"Mm."

Li ChunJun replied calmly.

Life-and-death battles aren't child's play; you can't just stop whenever you want.

It's perfectly normal to accidentally kill someone.

"So, you mean..."

Ling Feng asked softly for instructions.

"When?"

Li ChunJun asked directly.

Ling Feng's spirits lifted: "I'll take you to see Director Zhou right away."

While agreeing, he said, "An eighteen-year-old top Martial Master is a very marketable topic. Director Zhou will definitely not refuse and will arrange things for you quickly."

"Okay."

Li ChunJun said.

"Yan Yan, who Ascended Peak a year ago, was captured by Fang Lieyun. Your strength... is definitely among the top tier. Theoretically, you have a very high chance of Ascending Peak, but you'd better be careful..."

Ling Feng said, then, seeming to feel the atmosphere was a bit heavy, he smiled again: "I'm waiting for the day you enter the Red Sun Sword Sect and become a cultivator. When that day comes..."

"I won't die."

Li ChunJun interrupted him calmly.

As if stating a fact.

Ling Feng was interrupted and gave a sheepish laugh.

Li ChunJun didn't speak again, looking out the window.

Him and Ling Feng...

It could be considered a mutual achievement.

Each gets what they need.

When dealing with him, he naturally wouldn't consider himself inferior.

Even if he is Ling Zhi's uncle.

After driving for more than three hours, they entered Qingluan Resort.

The entire resort was almost divided into inner and outer layers.

The outer layer was like a commercial town, not only quaint but also full of life.

There was a constant stream of pedestrians and tourists.

The inner layer consisted of villas and antique-style pavilions, with a significantly larger number of security personnel patrolling.

Even Ling Feng, as a resort employee, had to get out of the car and walk.

When the two arrived at an antique-style pavilion surrounded by a six-meter-high wall, a middle-aged man was already waiting there.

"Mr. Hua, what did Director Zhou say?"

Ling Feng quickly stepped forward and asked.

The middle-aged man didn't answer but instead focused his gaze on Li ChunJun.

His expression carried a hint of strangeness.

After a while, he asked, "Causing such a stir in Guangzhou City, I didn't expect you to be so young. A formidable young man."

Ling Feng quickly introduced, "This is Mr. Hua Ying, Director Zhou's personal bodyguard. In Ascend Peak Tower, he can represent Director Zhou."

"Although there are many rumors about you, seeing is believing."

Hua Ying said, turning to a burly young man beside him, "Hua Xiong, isn't there an assessment over there? Miss Zhou called it off. Add him to it."

"Yes, Uncle."

Hua Xiong said, gesturing to Li ChunJun.

Li ChunJun guessed that they wanted him to show off his skills?

"Fight you?"

He asked.

Hua Xiong looked burly, and judging from his demeanor, he had already achieved Harmony, but...

He was obviously a bit weaker.

"Not me, hunting beasts."

Hua Xiong replied.

Leading Li ChunJun to the side.

Ling Feng wanted to follow, but Hua Ying stopped him.

Seeing this, he had no choice but to remind him again, "I'm not worried about your strength, I'm just afraid you lack experience... Be careful!"

Li ChunJun nodded.

Hua Xiong quickly led Li ChunJun into a car, and the vehicle traveled more than ten kilometers to a remote mountain area.

This place should also be within the Qingluan Mountain range.

Hua Xiong led Li ChunJun into a small, extremely sturdy house.

When he entered the house, there were already four people waiting.

Each of the four people possessed a Killing Intent that suggested they were not to be trifled with.

With a single glance, he judged that all four of them were Harmony Martial Masters.