Chapter 50: Abnormal

Having revealed their identity and purpose, Qing Shi and his disciple were directly allowed to pass.

Passing through Shanmen, they entered Divine Sword Peak and walked up the stairs all the way to the summit.

But just as the two were going up the mountain, the ground suddenly shook.

"Master."

Wang Yao felt the ground tremble, turned her head in puzzlement to look at Qing Shi, while Qing Shi frowned slightly.

This is the sound of people running, and there are quite a few—what's going on?

Not long after, a black torrent came rushing from the end of their sight; only when it drew near did they realize it was a multitude of Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ.

Pulling Wang Yao aside, Qing Shi looked at the many Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ chasing each other, frantically sprinting, and Qing Shi was puzzled.

"Has something happened?"

So many Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ gathered together, recklessly rushing down the mountain—this is highly abnormal.

Moreover, even stranger, each of these disciples bore wounds, and they were shouting.

"Don't squeeze me!"

"Watch my Flowing Light Step."

"Your entry-level Flowing Light Step—do you really have the nerve to bring it out and embarrass yourself? Or let your senior brother show you how it's done."

"Want to leave? Have you asked me? Take my sword!"

In the midst of running, a disciple could not hold back and struck out; for a moment, many Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ fought while running, tangled together.

"Master, are they sparring?"

Watching this chaotic scene, Wang Yao asked doubtfully; Qing Shi's mouth twitched, and he replied uncertainly.

"Probably."

It indeed looks like sparring, but who spars while running, and moreover, it seems their goals are all the same.

The strange behavior of the many disciples left Qing Shi bewildered for a moment.

But this wasn't over; soon, silhouettes appeared in the sky.

Inner Door Disciples, Stewards, and even Elders—each shot swiftly across the sky.

Moreover, these Stewards likewise struck at each other, becoming tangled in combat.

Various arts continually attacked each other.

This scene left Qing Shi dumbfounded—something is wrong with Divine Sword Peak; what is going on?

It's one thing for the disciples to spar, but why are the Stewards fighting too, and those Elders—in such a hurry, where are they headed?

No one paid attention to Qing Shi and his disciple; the many disciples rushed past them, not one giving them any heed.

It's mealtime; who has the leisure to worry about other things—now it's all about grabbing a spot.

Watching the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ running past before them, Wang Yao wondered aloud.

"Master, did the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ always train like this? It feels so cruel—look, these disciples all bear wounds."

This time Qing Shi didn't know how to answer—before? The former Divine Sword Peak was never like this.

These disciples were each like madmen.

Truly strange; shaking his head, Qing Shi couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking—when he meets Hong Zun, he'll ask and find out.

After the disciples had passed, Qing Shi led Wang Yao onward toward the summit.

Outside the kitchen, there was, as expected, another great battle.

The disciples hardly spoke; upon meeting, they immediately struck out and fought together.

What's more, in just a few days, whether Menial Disciples, Outer Door Disciples, or Inner Door Disciples, everyone's strength has noticeably improved.

Their cultivation may not have seen a major breakthrough—after all, the time is too short—but as for the application of arts, it is definitely a marked improvement; in combat they are faster, more precise, more ruthless, and their practical ability has increased enormously.

"Junior apprentice brother, your Sun-Piercing Sword Method still needs more practice—step aside."

Two Inner Door Disciples fought fiercely, executing the same sword technique; however, one had only attained minor accomplishment, while the other had already reached major accomplishment.

Thus, without a doubt, that disciple was pierced by a sword and withdrew from the competition in defeat.

His face was full of reluctance.

"Damn it, have you broken through to the major accomplishment realm?"

"That's right, so I, as senior brother, have claimed today's meal."

He felt furious inside, secretly vowing to give his all and quickly break through to major accomplishment in his Sun-Piercing Sword Method.

The battle was fierce; after a great fight, the disciples who had secured positions lined up according to different squads.

Meanwhile, Ye Zhangqing also had the food ready.

Each was stained with blood, but at this moment no one cared; they eagerly awaited the start of the meal.

"Good, good, good, Ye Zhangqing's culinary skills have improved again."

"The effect is also stronger than before; I feel our injuries are healing faster."

Each disciple devoured their big bowl like a demon reborn, wolfing down their food.

As if eating any slower would cause their food to be snatched away.

After finishing the meal, the disciples skillfully washed their own bowls, cleaned up, and then left one by one.

As they left, they still didn't forget to boast to the companions who hadn't secured a spot.

"Junior apprentice brother, let me tell you, today's stir-fried pork is even better than before—too bad you didn't get any."

"Content, being able to eat Ye Zhangqing's meals every day, I feel I have nothing left to pursue."

"I've eaten like this for three days straight—sigh, this life is truly happy yet boring."

Hearing these words, the disciples who hadn't secured a spot gritted their teeth, 'What's there to show off? Next time, I'll slash you down with a sword and make you watch me eat.'

Seeing the disciples off, Ye Zhangqing habitually opened his personal panel.

【Host: Ye Zhangqing.】

【Identity: Dao Yi Sect Menial Disciple.】

【Cultivation: Meridian Opening Realm entry (86351/100000)】

【Technique: Bright Mind Technique, perfected (10000/10000)】

【Skill: Shadow Blade, perfected (10000/10000)】

【Seven Star Steps, perfected (10000/10000)】

【Spiritual Jade, accomplished (8657/30000)】

【Reputation: Fame gradually emerging.】

【Talent: Medium grade middle stage (48365/50000)】

【Foundation: Medium grade upper stage (3016/70000)】

【Comprehension: Upper grade middle stage (79995/100000)】

Cultivation didn't increase, but Shadow Blade and Seven Star Steps are already perfected, and foundation also broke through to medium grade upper stage.

This speed is already quite fast, after all only a few days have passed.

Not bad.

After resting a while, Ye Zhangqing began his daily Xiūliàn.

On the other side, Hong Zun, returning from the kitchen to his dwelling, saw from afar Qing Shi and his disciple.

How did you get here, you old thing?

Just happened to be passing by, came to see you.

The two were quite familiar, so in conversation they had no reservations; they invited the two into the Dong Fu, and Qing Shi asked strangely.

Where did you just go?

When they arrived, Hong Zun wasn't there; not only Hong Zun, but the entire mountain peak area had no one, the elders weren't there, nor a few inner disciples; it seemed only Zhao Zhengping's Dong Fu had someone.

However, the Dong Fu was closed, likely in secluded cultivation, so Qing Shi also didn't disturb.

Not a single person was around; Qing Shi also casually asked out of curiosity, but upon hearing this, Hong Zun hemmed and hawed a bit.

Didn't go anywhere, just wandered around a bit.

Subconsciously wanting to conceal Ye Zhangqing's existence, but Qing Shi obviously didn't believe it; given their old friendship, could he really not tell whether this old drunkard was telling the truth or not?