Climbing to the Summit

High-level Qi Refining Cultivators.

Qi Refining was divided into nine stages.

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

Among them, those who reached the fourth stage of Qi Refining, Condensing Qi and Refining Energy, were called high-level Qi Refining Cultivators.

Such figures cultivated Innate Yin Yang Gang Qi, making them impervious to blades and bullets, water and fire. They truly transcended the ordinary, possessing unimaginable strength.

Even in the era thirty years ago, when guns and cannons ran rampant, one of them could overturn the regime of a small country single-handedly.

Guangzhou City had its own cultivator organization, the Garrison Residence!

Yet even the head of the Garrison Residence had only reached the Dao Foundation realm.

That showed just how extraordinary Condensing Qi and Refining Energy was.

Ling Feng took Li ChunJun out of the city, and even out of Guangzhou City. They passed through Mingzhou City and arrived in the territory of Qingniao City, beside the provincial capital of Xuan Province.

Here stood one of Xuan Province's famous scenic attractions: Qingluan Mountain. It was sixteen kilometers from Qingniao City and less than sixty kilometers from the provincial capital. Every year, it drew millions of visitors.

As a result, a luxurious resort called Qingluan Resort had been built at the foot of Qingluan Mountain.

The resort covered an area of more than ten square kilometers. It had hotels, villas, bars, and a host of other recreational and leisure facilities.

But in the eyes of the powerful and influential, ordinary entertainment was beneath their notice.

What could truly draw them was Ascend Peak Tower, deep within Qingluan Resort.

"The true master of Ascend Peak Tower is a mystery. Everyone respectfully calls him Master Qing. Although he has never joined the board of Qingluan Resort Tourism Services Limited, his status stands above it. The resort can operate in peace only because of him. As for the nature of Ascend Peak Tower..."

Ling Feng paused. "It's competition."

"Martial arts matches?"

Li ChunJun asked.

"Yes."

Ling Feng nodded.

"Competition" was merely a polite way of putting it. Ascend Peak Tower existed for one purpose: martial arts matches.

"The Qingluan board members gather death-row convicts guilty of serious crimes from Xuan Province and all across the country, along with Martial Artists who've been driven into a corner, and bring them to Ascend Peak Tower to fight."

Ling Feng drew a deep breath. "Anyone who can win nine consecutive matches at Ascend Peak Tower and reach the summit will be met by Master Qing, who'll clear every crime on their record. Those who perform exceptionally well, or who are innocent to begin with, can even make one request of him."

Li ChunJun had guessed as much.

Ling Zhi's family was reasonably well-off, but they were still only middle class.

No matter how successful Ling Feng had become, how could he possibly have access to truly high-ranking figures?

At the root of his eager assistance was the fact that he had taken an interest in Li ChunJun's strength.

And once someone took an interest in his strength, a fight was inevitable.

"In the thirteen years since Ascend Peak Tower was established, more than twenty people have reached the summit. Most wanted their freedom back, but a few came for Master Qing's connections and influence. Some used his channels for Essence Qi Infusion, hoping to become Body Refining Cultivators. Others sought wealth, fame, or a brighter future."

Ling Feng glanced at Li ChunJun through the rearview mirror. "If you reach the summit, Master Qing's connections and influence will make restoring your good name a piece of cake. With your talent and ability, joining the Red Sun Sword Sect won't be difficult either."

So Rules and laws really were nothing but playthings for those at the top.

A death sentence, a lengthy prison term, or an acquittal—all it took was a word from the powerful.

Li ChunJun didn't answer directly at once.

After a long pause, he asked, "You're saying the Qingluan Resort board members gather death-row convicts from Xuan Province and across the country to fight?"

"Yes."

Ling Feng gave a slight nod. "What makes Ascend Peak Tower so attractive is that every fighter is a Unity Martial Artist. They're all renowned figures. If they hadn't committed crimes, they could live like kings in any city, so they wouldn't willingly risk life and limb."

He paused, then added gravely, "At Ascend Peak Tower, a fighter can admit defeat once he realizes he's outmatched. But once they start fighting, accidents are still easy to come by. So there's a certain death rate."

"Mm."

Li ChunJun replied calmly.

A fight to the death wasn't a child's game. You couldn't just stop whenever you wanted.

Losing control and beating someone to death was perfectly normal.

"Then what do you say..."

Ling Feng asked cautiously.

"When?"

Li ChunJun said directly.

Ling Feng's spirits lifted. "I'll take you to meet Director Zhou right now."

As he agreed, he added, "An eighteen-year-old top Martial Artist will draw plenty of attention. Director Zhou definitely won't turn you down. They'll arrange a match for you soon."

"Fine."

Li ChunJun replied.

"Yan Yan, who reached the summit a year ago, was the one Fang Lieyun arrested. Your strength... definitely puts you among the very best. In theory, you've got a great chance of reaching the summit. Still, you'd better be careful..."

As Ling Feng spoke, he seemed to sense the heavy mood and smiled. "I'm waiting for the day you join the Red Sun Sword Sect and become a cultivator. Then..."

"I won't die."

Li ChunJun cut him off calmly.

He said it as if he were stating a fact.

Interrupted, Ling Feng gave an awkward laugh.

Li ChunJun said nothing more and gazed out the window.

He and Ling Feng...

Had helped each other get what they needed.

Each had gained what he wanted.

He wouldn't consider himself inferior to Ling Feng.

Even if Ling Feng was Ling Zhi's uncle.

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

The resort was practically divided into an outer and inner section.

The outer section was like a small commercial town, not only steeped in classical charm but also filled with the bustle of everyday life.

Visitors and travelers streamed through it without end.

The inner section consisted of villas and little buildings in an antique style, with noticeably more security personnel on patrol.

Even Ling Feng, despite working at the resort, had to get out of the car and continue on foot.

When the two reached an antique-style building surrounded by walls nearly six meters high, a middle-aged man was already waiting there.

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

Ling Feng hurried forward to ask.

The middle-aged man didn't answer. Instead, he looked at Li ChunJun.

A strange expression crossed his face.

After a long moment, he said, "You turned Guangzhou City upside down. I didn't expect you to be this young. The young really are something."

Ling Feng promptly introduced him. "This is Mr. Hua Ying, Director Zhou's personal bodyguard. At Ascend Peak Tower, he can speak for Director Zhou."

"Your exploits are widely talked about, but seeing is believing."

As Hua Ying spoke, he turned to a sturdy young man beside him. "Hua Xiong, isn't there an assessment going on over there? Miss Zhou called it off. Add him to it."

"Yes, Uncle."

Hua Xiong gestured for Li ChunJun to follow.

Li ChunJun guessed that they wanted him to show what he could do.

"You want to fight me?"

He asked.

Hua Xiong looked burly, and judging from his movements, he had also achieved Internal-External Unity, but...

He was clearly weaker.

"Not me. You'll be hunting ferocious beasts."

Hua Xiong replied.

He led Li ChunJun to the side.

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

Seeing that, he could only remind Li ChunJun once more. "I'm not worried about your strength. I'm worried you lack experience... Be very careful!"

Li ChunJun nodded.

Hua Xiong quickly took Li ChunJun to a car. They drove more than ten kilometers and arrived at a remote stretch of wilderness.

This should still have been within the bounds of Qingluan Mountain.

Hua Xiong led Li ChunJun into a small, sturdily built house.

By the time he entered, four people were already waiting inside.

Each of the four carried a menacing aura of Killing Intent.

With one glance, he could tell that all four were Unity Martial Artists.