Chapter 51

At a glance I could tell Hong Zun was talking nonsense; given his personality, wouldn't it be nicer to just drink in his Dong Fu? Why run out to wander aimlessly.

However, Qing Shi didn't say much more; this time coming to Divine Sword Peak, his feeling was that everywhere exuded a strange vibe.

Not only were all the disciples injured, but the stewards and elders were as well.

Moreover, just now many disciples all rushed toward the mountain base at once—what's going on? This left Qing Shi puzzled.

He planned to secretly observe a bit, to see what kind of mischief his old friend's Divine Sword Peak was up to.

Thinking of this, Qing Shi smiled and said.

"This time I'm fine; I'll stay a few more days at Divine Sword Peak."

"What did you say?"

It was originally just an ordinary remark, but who would have thought that hearing it would provoke such a big reaction from Hong Zun.

The more this happened, the more curious Qing Shi felt, so he smiled and replied.

"I said I'd stay a few more days at your Divine Sword Peak—how, you won't not welcome me, will you?"

Hearing this, Hong Zun's expression turned somewhat odd.

"That's not it; I've just been busy lately, so I'm afraid............"

The refusal in his words was already quite obvious, yet Qing Shi pretended not to understand.

"No problem, you don't need to mind me; just go about your business."

The two old-timers each had their own ulterior motives; having said that much, Hong Zun couldn't say more, so he could only prepare lodgings for Qing Shi and his disciple.

After drinking a little and chatting for a little over one Shíchén, Qing Shi took his leave to rest.

The next morning, still with the sky just beginning to lighten, Qing Shi, who had originally been sitting cross-legged with eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes.

"It's starting again?"

He keenly sensed the movements up and down Divine Sword Peak.

Last night had already left Qing Shi bewildered; these Divine Sword Peak disciples were practicing cultivation all night—such dedication made even Qing Shi feel a bit insecure.

Although disciples of the Dao Yi Sect used to be diligent too, this is no longer just a matter of diligence; it has completely veered into self-torture.

Now, as the sky just brightened, the many disciples who had been painstakingly cultivating seemed to instantly receive some signal, each with green light flashing in their eyes as they rushed down toward the mountain base.

Not only the disciples, but the elders on the peak, Inner Disciples Xu Jie, Liu Shuang, Lu Youyou, and others also swiftly rushed toward the mountain base.

"That old coot is moving too."

Finally sensing that Hong Zun had also left his Dong Fu—perhaps afraid of being discovered—this old coot was still sneaking about.

If Qing Shi hadn't been keeping watch on the Dong Fu, he probably would have really been outrun by that old coot.

Out of curiosity, Qing Shi rose directly and went to the Yuàn zhōng, where he saw the little Wang Yao already up and practicing cultivation.

If it were before, Qing Shi would probably think little Wang Yao very diligent, but now he can only say she cannot compare at all with the Divine Sword Peak disciples.

They cultivate all night; it's not even the same level.

"Master."

Seeing Qing Shi, little Wang Yao smiled and said.

"Master has something to attend to; you wait here for me."

He didn't have time to explain to little Wang Yao; Qing Shi dropped a sentence and vanished on the spot.

Following the crowd all the way to the mountain base, he finally saw a mass of disciples fighting in a melee outside a small cottage, leaving Qing Shi completely bewildered.

What's going on? Fighting first thing in the morning? When did the Divine Sword Peak disciples become so fierce?

It's one thing for disciples to spar, but even many stewards are fighting—this is outrageous.

Moreover, with Qing Shi's eyesight it's naturally clear that nobody is holding back; they're really fighting.

Aside from not delivering killing blows, the longswords slashing into bodies truly split skin and flesh, leaving a bloody mess.

Even so, the many disciples showed no retreat at all, each acting as if they'd taken some stimulant, fierce and relentless.

I completely can't figure it out—what's the point?

Only after the melee ended did the many disciples split into four teams; the victors lined up obediently, utterly ignoring their wounds and bloodstains.

"Mealtime."

As the voice rang out, the many disciples entered the small cottage in order and then began to serve themselves food.

Serving food? Seeing this, Qing Shi was dumbfounded.

So all that fighting just now was for food? Were the victorious disciples competing for a spot to eat?

It's utterly worldview-shattering—can cultivators really scramble for a bite of food like common beggars?

As cultivators, once we set foot on the path of cultivation, those so-called grains and legumes hardly hold any allure.

Even precious demon beast meat is eaten only because it aids cultivation.

But right now, what these disciples are eating is clearly just ordinary food.

Why is that?

Carefully approaching from the shadows, it wasn't long before a fragrance assailed his nostrils.

"Smells great."

He blurted out involuntarily, and at that moment Qing Shi seemed to somewhat understand why these Divine Sword Peak disciples were giving their all.

Even he, under that aroma, felt his appetite stir; especially seeing everyone eat with such gusto, saliva unconsciously began to flow.

Soon he spotted Hong Zun in the crowd, at that moment holding a basket of soup dumplings, eating them nonstop, mouthful after mouthful.

He gulped down a mouthful of saliva, then Qing Shi flashed forward and instantly appeared beside Hong Zun.

Hong Zun, busy gobbling his food, didn't react at all—the soup dumpling in his hand just disappeared.

"Huh?"

"Who the hell snatched my soup dumplings? Is there any rule left?"

Their abilities were roughly equal, but Qing Shi launched a surprise attack while Hong Zun had no defenses at all, so by the time the angry shouting rang out, Qing Shi had already shoved a soup bun into his mouth.

It was hot, but the flavor instantly opened a new world for Qing Shi.

His eyes widened instantly, and he didn't even bother with the scolding Hong Zun beside him.

At the sight of Qing Shi, Hong Zun could no longer hold back.

"Old thing, is there any law left? This is mine."

Wuuuuu.............

Having just finished one, he hurriedly stuffed a second in, speaking indistinctly.

Faced with this scene, Hong Zun's eyes nearly burst; seeing only the last soup bun left, he directly chose to attack.

"You're still eating? Hand over the bun."

Hong Zun tried to grab it, but Qing Shi was a step faster; even with the bun still in his mouth, he shoved the last one in as well.

He didn't care whether his mouth could hold it, his whole old face bulged out.

It was gone; watching the last bun disappear, Hong Zun stood there dumbfounded.

"Old thing, you're going too far."

Saying that, Hong Zun lashed out with a palm, while Qing Shi continued eating and launched a counterstrike.

The two instantly leapt into the air, and above Divine Sword Peak they began a great battle.

"Wow, Shīzūn and Qing Shi are fighting."

"Can that be called a fight? This is just sparring."

"Oh oh, right right, sparring sparring."

The disciples not only had no worry, but actually looked forward to it; after all, it's rare to see experts of Hong Zun's level clash.

Eating breakfast while watching experts clash—could there be anything happier in this world?