Chapter 103: Huang Suyu Returns

"Have you heard? This Alchemy Conference produced a huge upset?"

"Oh? What upset? Could it be that this time it wasn't a Yu Ding Peak alchemist who took first place?"

"That's right, you guessed it!"

"For real? Yu Ding Peak alchemists have always been stronger than those of other peaks; alchemy is their specialty, how could they lose to another peak?"

"They lost, they lost, and not just to one person — they lost to two! This time the Yu Ding Peak alchemist only ranked third; the top two spots went to Yushou Peak and Spell Technique Peak respectively!"

"Yushou Peak, Spell Technique Peak? They can also take first place? Heavens, was this Alchemy Conference that simple?"

"On the contrary, this Alchemy Conference was even harder than the previous ones; the pills refined were all strange, obscure, unpopular ones — precisely because of that, alchemists from other peaks got a chance."

"What are those two alchemists called? I'd better remember their names well."

"Listen well: first place is Yu Changsheng of Yushou Peak, only at Qi Refining Seventh Layer, merely seventeen years old yet he seized the Alchemy Conference championship — limitless future; second place is Mi Lifu of Spell Technique Peak, just looks a bit sleazy, alchemy skill is passable."

"Yu Changsheng, Mi Lifu — I've memorized them. If I get the chance I'll go to them for pill refining; I bet their fees are much cheaper than that bunch at Yu Ding Peak."

"Heh heh heh, they might not necessarily accept you."

At Yujian Peak, on Lingya Cliff Mountain, several disciples were discussing the results of this Alchemy Conference; nearby, Zhuang Yan sat cross-legged waiting for a cave dwelling to open up, his ear twitched, his expression somewhat startled.

"Yushou Peak, Yu Changsheng — could it be that Junior Martial Brother Yu I know?"

Zhuang Yan's expression showed surprise, somewhat unable to believe it.

Ever since becoming an Outer Sect Disciple of Yujian Peak, these past few months he had been diligently practicing swordsmanship; his luck was not bad — he passed the first trial of Sword Valley, gained the Outer Sect Disciple's extra reward, and his realm surged from Qi Refining Fifth Layer to Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

Now he waited before the cave dwelling for his chance, planning to challenge an Outer Sect Disciple and, using the spirit stone vein here, break through to Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

He did not know alchemy, nor did he have any other means to earn spirit stones; he understood only sword control and the sword arts taught by Yujian Peak — perhaps because he was slightly more outstanding in swordsmanship than other Outer Sect Disciples, he had received affirmation from a Transmission Elder, which was why his cultivation base and strength advanced by leaps and bounds.

Otherwise his strength might not have changed so fast; at least now, facing Wang Qizheng's dagger again, he would not be flustered, and might even have a chance to defeat him!

The sword is the lord of a hundred weapons; as long as one understands some sword principles, fighting above one's level is no problem for a Sword Cultivator.

"Haven't contacted Junior Martial Brother Yu for a while; didn't expect he's also so outstanding in alchemy. After I snag a cave dwelling, I should write him a letter to congratulate him."

Zhuang Yan stroked the long sword before him; this sword was whitish, looked very ordinary, yet emitted a thread of cold light — once drawn, one could feel its sharpness.

This sword was a Middle-grade Magic Artifact he had an Artificer reforge using the Dragon Chant Sword Yu Changsheng gave him as material; its effect was no worse than the Dragon Chant Sword.

Zhuang Yan sighed inwardly; if not for this sword by his side, he probably still wouldn't have passed the first trial of Sword Valley.

Sword Valley is the trial ground for Yujian Peak's Outer Sect Disciples — for example, Yushou Peak's Ten Thousand Beasts Secret Realm — but Sword Valley mainly tests swordsmanship, understanding of the sword; the enemies are also swords! Relying on this Cold Moon Sword, after passing the first trial he comprehended a little sword principle, and therefore had the confidence to vie for a cave dwelling here.

"Crack!"

A cave dwelling's gate opened at this moment.

Zhuang Yan raised his head to look, but did not stand up to seize it.

Lingya Cliff Mountain has hundreds of cave dwellings; the earlier the number, the stronger the disciple inside — those within the first hundred are almost all Inner Sect Disciples, whose strength is not something he can challenge.

And this opened cave dwelling was precisely within the first hundred — Number Eighty-Two.

"Phew, haven't come out for a breath of fresh air in a long time." Inside the cave dwelling, that Inner Sect Disciple had just walked out and taken a breath; his eyes suddenly changed.

At the same time, the other disciples waiting for other cave dwellings on Lingya Cliff Mountain also sensed something was wrong! "This is Sword Intent?! Such a sharp feeling!"

Zhuang Yan looked up and saw a white light streak across the sky, flying rapidly toward this direction; that fully revealed sharp aura was like a sword!

Sword Intent — he still hadn't comprehended a trace of it; currently he was still in the process of realizing sword principles.

"That's Huang Suyu!"

When that sword-shadow white light landed on Lingya Cliff Mountain and the comer's figure became clear, Zhuang Yan's pupils shrank involuntarily, greatly shocked.

Huang Suyu, a genius figure among Yujian Peak's Outer Sect Disciples; therefore many disciples recognized him.

And because Zhuang Yan knew the other party had a conflict with Yu Changsheng, and his younger brother Huang Li died under unclear circumstances, after arriving at Yujian Peak he had paid special attention to news of Huang Suyu.

Unfortunately, after he came, Huang Suyu disappeared without a trace; when he previously wrote to Yu Changsheng about this matter, he had also speculated the other party might have left the sect to seek a Foundation Establishment Pill, an opportunity to break through to Foundation Establishment.

He never expected to actually see the other party at this time!

Zhuang Yan immediately lowered his head, not daring to observe with Divine Sense, even moving his eyes away from the other party, to avoid being noticed.

Just from that one glance, some things could be seen: at this moment Huang Suyu had not yet broken through to Foundation Establishment.

But the other party appearing here, returning to the sect, might mean he had already gathered the materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill, or bought one!

Whatever the case, this is a terrible situation; since Huang Li and Wu Shang died, Zhuang Yan did not believe Huang Suyu could sit down with Yu Changsheng and talk things out, resolving the conflict.

Going by Huang Suyu's past reputation — ruthless and merciless — upon learning the cause of Wu Shang's death and that Yu Changsheng was still alive, he would certainly act personally!

"I must notify Junior Martial Brother Yu as soon as possible, tell him to stay put at Yushou Peak, not go out, make preparations, so as not to fall victim to Huang Suyu's poisonous hands!"

"I still owe Junior Martial Brother Yu a huge favor — a life!"

Just as Zhuang Yan made up his mind in his heart.

Ahead, Huang Suyu, who had landed before Cave Dwelling Eighty-Two, fixed a cold gaze on that Inner Sect Disciple and spoke impatiently: "Hand over the cave dwelling, leave!"

That Inner Sect Disciple, hearing this, immediately laughed.

"I know you — Huang Suyu, right? You have some fame among Outer Sect Disciples, but you seem a bit too arrogant and domineering, failing to recognize your own place!"

"I'll give you one chance — scram!"

As he spoke, this Inner Sect Disciple's expression also turned cold; he waved his hand to drive him away.

However, what awaited him was a single sword! Huang Suyu struck; that sword light pointed straight at the Inner Sect Disciple, without the slightest hesitation, killing intent pervading! "Courting death!"

That Inner Sect Disciple flew into a rage; he was already a Qi Refining Peak cultivator, same realm as Huang Suyu, but his strength was above the other's — in the Inner Sect, even Foundation Establishment First or Second Layer Sword Cultivators wouldn't dare draw their sword against him.

This little Outer Sect Disciple actually dared to make the first move against him!

"Clash!"

Two sword lights collided before the cave dwelling; a Qi wave surged several zhang high; many Outer Sect Disciples narrowed their eyes, watching in extreme surprise.

(Chapter End)