Penglai Island

"Disciple Cao Youqian has achieved minor success in the Chaos Body Refining Art. The host is rewarded with the Chaos Body Refining Art reaching perfection."

"Disciple Cao Youqian achieved minor success in his Tyrant Divine Physique. Since the host's Divine Physique has already reached its peak, the host is rewarded with +10 to the True Essence of the Great Dao."

Upon hearing the system notification, Chu Feng's face lit up with joy, and he murmured:

"I didn't expect that kid Daqian to have mastered the Tyrant Divine Physique so quickly. I thought he would need to cultivate for a while longer. It seems that the kid gained a great opportunity by suppressing the Child of Fortune this time."

However, on the other hand, since the Daqian has become stronger, it's only a matter of time before Chen'er becomes stronger as well.

Thinking of this, Chu Feng was immediately in a great mood; he had to have a couple more drinks tonight to celebrate.

Within Gathering Thunder Valley.

After a month of seclusion, Song Zhaoyi broke through to the Heavenly Origin Realm and continued his training in Gathering Thunder Valley with Cao Youqian.

"Brother Qian, where do you plan to go after leaving Gathering Thunder Valley?"

Cao Youqian's face showed a thoughtful expression. "I plan to visit various dangerous places to temper my body, so that I can become stronger."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhaoyi's eyes flickered slightly, and she asked, "Brother Qian, have you heard of Gale Gorge?"

Cao Youqian began to ponder, then murmured, "Gale Gorge, you mean the Gale Gorge outside the Yellow Springs Abyss?"

Song Zhaoyi nodded slightly. "That's right, that's the place. Before, I couldn't go to Gale Gorge because I hadn't reached Heavenly Origin. The gale blowing from Yellow Springs Abyss can also harm the soul. Cultivators below Heavenly Origin who enter Gale Gorge will die without a chance of survival."

After listening, Cao Youqian said, "That is indeed a good place for cultivation. Let's take a look around and then head to Gale Gorge. Hopefully, we can break through to the Spirit Nurturing Realm there, and then fight our senior brother next time we meet him."

Song Zhaoyi tilted her head and asked, "Brother Qian, why do you always want to beat up your senior brother? Do you two not get along?"

Upon hearing Cao Youqian's jade-like face flushed with embarrassment. He coughed lightly twice, feigning surprise, "Ahem... ahem... My relationship with my senior brother is naturally the best, but since he is the strongest of the younger generation, no one else is qualified for me to challenge."

Seeing Cao Youqian's gaze gradually harden, Song Zhaoyi clenched her Fist Dao, "Brother Qian, you can definitely do it. In my heart, you are the strongest."

Cao Youqian smiled slightly without offering further explanation, but his determination to become stronger only grew stronger.

Wanli away, at the port of Azure Flood Dragon Island in the East Sea.

A young cultivator with a blank expression and sharp eyes sneezed twice in a row.

Achoo, achoo!

"Senior Brother, are you alright?"

Seeing Xiao Chen sneeze, Liu Yue'er couldn't help but ask him with concern.

Xiao Chen shook his head. "I'm fine. It's probably just that guy from Daqian who wants to beat me up again."

???

Liu Yue'er's eyes were full of question marks, "Senior Brother, why are you so hostile towards Junior Brother Qian? Why do you think about beating him up every day?"

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "There aren't many cultivators of my generation in this world who can withstand even a few of my sword strikes. I can't exactly go to my master's place to get tortured every day, can I?"

Pfft...

Upon hearing this, Liu Yue'er couldn't help but chuckle, "Senior Brother and Junior Brother Qian have a really good relationship."

Xiao Chen didn't explain, but walked towards a ship on the dock. This ship was the treasure ship bound for Penglai Island.

Liu Yue'er put away her smile and followed closely behind. After paying the fare, the two arrived at a private room on the third floor of the treasure ship.

As passengers boarded the ship one after another, a frail voice soon came from the ship.

"Distinguished guests, our next stop is Penglai Island. We will be passing through the Storm Sea along the way. We hope that you will not leave your rooms unnecessarily. If needed, you can ring the bell in your room."

"If anyone leaves their room or cabin without permission and something happens, the Wind Rider will not be held responsible."

After the old man finished speaking, a loud voice rang out again.

"Weigh anchor, hoist the sails!"

Before long, the treasure ship left the dock and headed into the depths of the East Sea.

As soon as Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er entered the cabin, they sat cross-legged and began to cultivate.

Seven days later, the two were awakened by a loud noise.

Xiao Chen opened his eyes and walked towards the window of the room.

Outside, dark clouds loomed and towering waves surged, even though the Wind Rider was protected by defensive formations.

But in this boundless sea, it is like a fallen leaf, only able to sway with the giant waves.

"Senior Brother, look! A waterspout is coming over there!"

Liu Yue'er's voice suddenly rang in Xiao Chen's ears. He subconsciously glanced around and saw a waterspout sweeping towards the direction of the treasure ship from the southeast.

Xiao Chen could clearly sense that the treasure ship was retreating uncontrollably in the southeast direction.

A commotion immediately erupted from the boat. Liu Yue'er, looking at the hundreds-of-feet-high waterspout, turned deathly pale with fright.

Just as everyone was filled with worry, a figure leaped high from the ship, slashing at the waterspout with a knife in his hand.

"Overturning the Sea!"

Clang!

With a single stroke, the waterspout was instantly cleaved in two, splashing into the sea.

The figure landed back on the treasure ship as if nothing had happened.

Upon seeing this strike, Xiao Chen muttered, "Nirvana cultivator."

Liu Yue'er said, "I didn't expect that there would be Nirvana cultivator on such a mere ship. It seems that the power behind the Wind Rider is quite considerable."

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "To be able to do business in this East Sea, you must be no ordinary person. According to the old fisherman, we can reach Penglai Island by crossing this sea. Let's continue our cultivation for a few more days."

"Um."

Liu Yue'er nodded, and the two continued their cultivation.

The appearance of the waterspout was just a minor incident for the Wind Rider.

Three days later, the speed of the Wind Rider decreased significantly.

Around noon, the aged voice rang out again.

"Fellow Daoists, we have arrived at Penglai Island. My return journey on the Wind Rider will take place in six months. If any of you wish to travel by ship, please do not forget the time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the defensive array on the Wind Rider deactivated, and the massive iron anchor fell into the sea.

In no time at all, the Wind Rider came to a stop at the port.

Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er disembarked from the ship together. They didn't disguise themselves much, but simply concealed their aura and walked among the crowd, indistinguishable from other Heavenly Origin cultivators.

As soon as the two left the port, a shifty-eyed Dao Foundation cultivator approached them with a smile.

"Esteemed guests, you must also be here to participate in the Penglai Sword Debate, right?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen said calmly, "So what if it is, and so what if it isn't?"

"..."

The cultivator paused for a moment before saying, "My name is Huang San, and I'm a hangman on Penglai Island. I know everything about this island. You two esteemed guests only need to pay me ten low-grade spirit stones a day, and I can arrange whatever you want to know or where you want to stay."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen casually took out ten spirit stones from his storage ring and tossed them over. "First, take us to find a place to stay, and while you're at it, tell us about the Sword Debate Tournament."