Chapter 333: The Opening

The gale brushed against his face, spiritual energy surging like a tide, wave after wave, vast and mighty, whipping the trees and rocks until they rang with a clanging sound.

At this moment, he had already broken through the formation gate and stood at the foot of Qi Yun Mountain.

Raising his eyes to look clearly, he saw that this mountain truly lived up to its name of 'Aligning with the Clouds,' blocking the sun and piercing the sky, boundless to the furthest gaze, with no one knowing how far it stretched.

It resembled a sky-shrouding silk sash, magnificent and grand!

At this moment, scattered across the hundred or so mountain peaks were several dozen people.

Yet a few gazes cast his way were decidedly hostile, their malice entirely unmasked.

"A Cave-Mystic cultivation... Since this youth defeated all enemies in the Long Gong, expelled Zhou Zhou Shiyuan of the Xiantian Mo Zong, and seized first place, he has vanished without a trace, his whereabouts hidden.

I previously wondered, after he seized first place, exactly what he had demanded from the Long Gong...

Was it a dharma treasure, or perhaps rare pills and treasures?"

On one peak, Wei Yang sighed to Jiang Jiang Tongyuan, whose face was gloomy beside him:

"Only upon seeing the True Person today is it finally confirmed that he also entered a Fan Fan Dongtian for cultivation, and moreover, an upper-grade Fan Fan Dongtian within the Long Gong!

Otherwise, in just these few years, how could he, Chen Heng, have achieved such rapid progress in his Dao arts?"

A patch of indifference filled Jiang Jiang Tongyuan's purple eyes as he said coldly:

"Even if he has reached Cave-Mystic and entered a Fan Fan Dongtian, so what? If we truly clash, who will win and who will lose remains unknown!"

Wei Yang saw that although his reply was cold, as if he did not regard Chen Heng as any great enemy.

But having known Jiang Jiang Tongyuan for many years, Wei Yang was already deeply familiar with his temperament.

He knew that at this moment, a hint of fear actually lurked in the bottom of his heart.

It was merely that he was unwilling to lose face, so he deliberately adopted this posture.

Wei Yang sighed inwardly, his eyes flashing slightly, and fell silent as well.

"The ten seats were already tight, and now suddenly adding such a strong enemy is truly a bitter affair..."

Wei Yang recalled when Chen Heng first entered the Lower Courtyard, he had challenged disciples from various noble clans at Bai Shi Peak, stepping on their heads to make a name for himself.

But at that time.

Whether it was Wei Yang or Jiang Jiang Tongyuan.

Although they were vigilant in their hearts, neither had regarded Chen Heng as any lifelong great enemy.

Yet who could have expected that in merely a few short years, Chen Heng would already possess the qualification to ascend Qi Yun Mountain and compete on the same stage as them.

To the point that even someone like Jiang Jiang Tongyuan, naturally extraordinary and proud-hearted, felt a hidden fear of three parts when facing him.

Reflecting carefully on these events before and after.

It inevitably made Wei Yang momentarily dazed, his heart filled with extreme complexity...

Meanwhile, at the formation gate at the mountain's foot, facing the gazes cast uniformly by all the cultivators, Chen Heng remained calm and composed, his expression showing no change.

He simply transformed into a beam of majestic sword light, soared upward, casually chose a particularly lofty peak, and sat cross-legged on the clouds by himself, paying no heed to those complex gazes.

"This youth is truly arrogant and perverse; everyone present entered the academy for cultivation far earlier than he, yet he does not even address us as Xiao Xiao Shixiong or Senior Sister, how utterly rude!"

At this moment, seeing Wei Wei Daofu's gaze fixed upon Chen Heng, her brows slightly furrowed in thoughtful contemplation.

A handsome man dressed in Zhu Yi happened to witness this scene, and a glint of brightness inevitably flashed in his eyes.

He hurriedly smiled, stepped forward, performed a bowed salute, and eagerly spoke these words.

"Rude?"

Wei Wei Daofu glanced at him, her voice neither warm nor cold.

Upon hearing this, the man hurriedly said: "Surely Senior Sister Wei thinks the same in her heart; that Chen Heng is merely momentarily elated, yet he acts so arrogantly and presumptuously, Senior Sister—"

"Since you say he is rude, then in the upcoming Great Competition, why don't you go on stage, engage him in a dharma battle, and dampen his prestige, how about that?"

The man in Zhu Yi had thought he had vaguely guessed Wei Wei Daofu's thoughts.

He was just about to strike while the iron was hot and leave a deep impression before this beauty.

But before he could finish speaking, he was calmly interrupted, leaving him momentarily speechless, unable to find any words to respond, his face revealing embarrassment.

And seeing the awkward manner of the man in Zhu Yi.

Wei Wei Daofu opened her mouth with an expressionless face and said:

"Momentarily elated? Do you mean the ranking on the New Year's Evaluation or the first place in the Purple Palace Realm of the Long Gong? Even if that person were only at the Purple Palace Realm, killing you should not be difficult, let alone that he is now a person of Cave-Mystic.

Backbiting behind one's back is the conduct of a petty person.

Gu Yuan, I advise you to stay far away from me, do not futilely curry favor any longer, and learn such bird-like noisy matters here!"

"..."

The man in Zhu Yi, named Gu Yuan, seeing Wei Wei Daofu show so little face, turned red and pale in turns, at a loss for what to do with his hands and feet.

In the end, he fiercely flicked his sleeve and departed in shame and anger.

Meanwhile, on two other peaks.

Shi You and He He Lizi, sensing the terrifying momentum spreading from Chen Heng's sword light, both shifted their gazes and could not help but look at Chen Heng one more time.

The former wore an expression of deep solemnity, his usual demeanor, revealing not a shred of what he thought in his heart.

As for He He Lizi, he merely exchanged a glance with Chen Heng.

Then he faintly withdrew his gaze, his expression plain.

"Could it be that Xiao Xiao Shixiong knows this person?"

Behind He He Lizi stood several young men and women.

At this moment, a cultivator at the Cave-Mystic Third Layer suddenly spoke, cupping his hands and asking with a smile.

"I heard that my younger brother He He Manzi holds this person in extremely high regard; seeing him today, he indeed lives up to his famous reputation, which is somewhat interesting."

He He Lizi's voice held no fluctuation as he casually gave an instruction:

"Once the Great Competition opens, to be on the safe side and strive for a sliver of opportunity, you all should avoid clashing with this person, lest you waste your efforts and have to bitterly wait another twenty-four years."

Upon these words being spoken.

The several young men standing behind He He Lizi all straightened their expressions, feeling a warning strike their hearts, and hurriedly cupped their fists in agreement.

And just as the various cultivators of Qi Yun Mountain each harbored their own thoughts.

At the formation gate at the mountain's foot, several cultivators also broke through the array one after another, each seeking a peak to settle upon.

After half an hour had passed, the formation gate suddenly emitted another loud noise; mist churned like river waves overturning, stirring the spiritual energy into ceaseless dance, raising dust and flying fog.

Raising their eyes to look, they saw only a young Daoist, seven feet tall, clad in a wide-sleeved black robe and wearing a coarse hemp crown, slowly stepping out.

His demeanor was peaceful, and from head to toe, he was permeated by a surging vitality that radiated outward, like the lush forests between mountains and marshes, naturally profound and thick.

The young Daoist glanced around and quickly noticed Chen Heng sitting atop the clouds; smiling slightly, he summoned a cloud qi, arrived at the peak, and the two exchanged greetings.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Shen, it has been many years since we last met, yet your bearing is even more impressive than in the past."

Chen Heng said with a laugh.

Hearing this, Shen Cheng waved his hands repeatedly and said, "In front of Chen Chen Shidi, who can dare speak of bearing? As for Chen Chen Shidi himself, in just a few short years of separation, you have accomplished such great deeds, truly making this foolish elder brother feel ashamed!

I feel that my years have truly been wasted in vain!"

Chen Heng and Shen Cheng first met within that Liuhuo Liuhuo Honghua Fan Fan Dongtian.

Since they had jointly fought against the aristocratic cultivators Xiao Xiao Xiujing and Liu Wulong Guan among others, they were certainly not strangers to one another and shared a measure of friendship.

And just as the two were chatting.

Casually discussing idle matters of cultivation.

In barely the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, the formation gate suddenly sounded again, and immediately afterward, Xiao Xiao Xiujing's figure appeared amidst the curling mist.

When Xiao Xiao Xiujing caught sight of Chen Heng's figure, his pupils contracted slightly, and his expression underwent a subtle change.

But in the end, he spoke not a single word, merely choosing a distant peak and flying up to land upon it.

"I have heard that Xiao Xiao Xiujing's thunder methods are formidable; I wonder what kind of seat he truly seeks to contend for? In these past few years, the aristocratic families have indeed produced talents one after another; if this continues, they will become too powerful to control, which is certainly no good thing..."

Seeing this, Shen Cheng could not help but sigh softly in his heart and shook his head.

Subsequently, Liu Wulong Guan, Zhao Tong, and other renowned Refiners from the Four Academies also broke through the formation gate and arrived at Qi Yun Mountain.

Colorful light flooded the sky, making for a truly lively scene.

Thus it was.

Until three days had passed.

At this moment, the many cultivators within Qi Yun Mountain suddenly heard the sound of golden drums; following the noise to look, they saw a patch of emerald cloud, about a mu in size, drifting slowly from the horizon, upon which stood an old man with crane-white hair and a youthful face, holding a nine-segment bamboo staff.

This elder was tall and imposing, his eyes bright and spirited, and in his glances, he naturally carried an aura of stern killing intent.

His accumulated authority was deep and heavy, his presence so fierce it seemed capable of subduing all manner of petty villains and demonic crowds.

Making those with ulterior motives, upon meeting those cold, sharp pupils, inevitably reveal their ugly true colors, their hearts filled with chill and fear!

And at this time, seeing the emerald cloud drift slowly closer.

All the cultivators of Qi Yun Mountain composed their expressions and rose, performing a Daoist salute toward the sky and addressing him as Elder.

"No need for excessive formalities; this old man is Zou Xiuhu, humbly serving as an Elder of the Dao Record Hall; for this great competition, I shall preside at the center and act as arbiter."

After speaking these words, Elder Zou suddenly turned his gaze toward the formation at the mountain's foot, which stretched for nearly a hundred li, saying nothing more.

He merely thrust the nine-segment bamboo staff in his hand downward through the air, causing a vast and mighty power to descend, immediately severing the hub of the earth pulse's spiritual energy and breaking open the formation.

At this moment, there were still over a hundred disciples from the Four Academies within the formation; these people had been pairing off to duel, yet now saw the vast mist surrounding them suddenly scatter, while bright heavenly light shone down from above.

After a brief moment of bewilderment.

They also one by one understood the situation, sighed, ceased their actions, and expressions of regret appeared on their faces.

"I have already given you full three days and nights; if you cannot even pass this trial, then return to your academies to cultivate in earnest, temper your Dao methods, and aim for the next session!"

Elder Zou's face showed no change in expression; he merely spoke these words lightly before withdrawing his gaze.

And as the formation broke open.

That layer of colorful mist, faint and intangible, which had shrouded the vast Qi Yun Mountain, vanished in an instant.

From then on, there were no more barriers inside or outside the mountain.

One could see clearly through it all.

Chen Heng lifted his eyelids and saw that in the distance, the scene had long since become a bustling and lively spectacle.

Every disciple of the Four Academies of Yu Yu Yuchen who had not yet ascended Qi Yun Mountain was there, each employing their own methods to watch the battle from afar.

A single glance revealed.

Heads surging everywhere, truly an immense number.

And the number of disciples from the Four Academies was already considerable.

If one added the retainers, servants, and the like kept by the academy disciples, the number was even greater, fearing no less than five thousand, or even more!

Among this crowd.

Besides seeing Shen Cheng's younger brother Shen Ming, He He Manzi, the Red-Browed Daoist, and other old acquaintances from the Fan Fan Dongtian.

There were also the figures of Mi Hui, Jiang Jiang Daolian, and others.

On a dragon-headed flying boat adorned with exquisite decorations.

Jiang Jiang Daolian was holding Brother Tu Shan Ningning, whose face was full of reluctance, every strand of fur writing out resistance.

As if sensing Chen Heng's gaze, Jiang Jiang Daolian, with a smile that was not quite a smile, lifted the little fox before him and waved its paw at Chen Heng, taking this as a greeting.

And Brother Tu Shan Ningning's look of helpless misery made Chen Heng chuckle and shake his head slightly.

"With Xiao Xiao Shixiong Shen Ming's abilities, the formation at the mountain's foot could not stop him."

At this time, Chen Heng withdrew his gaze and looked at Shen Cheng, who stood shoulder to shoulder with him:

"It seems he seeks stability, aiming to scheme for the next session?"

"Although Shen Ming possesses some ability, if this were still the time of previous great competitions, one might say he could luckily seize one of the Top Ten Disciple seats.

"But this year's Four Academies Grand Competition is different from the past."

Shen Cheng also turned his gaze, sighing softly:

"Even before the opening, He He Lizi, Wei Wei Daofu, and Shi You... these three are destined to take three seats! With that, three out of ten are gone.

The remaining Cave Profound Refiners must fight to the death to ascend; with Shen Ming's current capabilities, he is still slightly lacking, insufficient to handle this situation."

Chen Heng heard this and fell into thought; just as he was about to speak, celestial music rang out from the clouds again, and the sky displayed strange colors.

Several pavilions and star palaces emitted misty auspicious light and swirling blessed qi, winding their way forward, rising on clouds, and settling in the four corner positions.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Zou, since the auspicious hour has arrived, set up the altar and open the forum to receive the oral decree; do not delay!"

At this moment, a teasing voice rose from one of those star palaces, followed immediately by several others chiming in agreement.

"Even I, the Grand Competition Adjudicator, am not in a hurry, yet you cannot wait?"

Elder Zou muttered a complaint inwardly and shook his head slightly.

Nevertheless, he personally set up a incense table, spread a Taiji Bagua Dao diagram flat upon it, offered incense as a rite, and after silently praying for a moment, within a mere instant, a Jin Fu leaped out from the Bagua diagram. From within the Jin Fu came a warm voice that said:

"Since the auspicious hour has arrived, let the competition begin."

Upon this sound, whether elders or disciples, all bowed deeply, their attitudes solemn, daring not to show the slightest negligence.

Once the Taiji Bagua diagram's radiance had completely withdrawn and not a trace of divinity remained.

Elder Zou carefully put away the incense table and other items.

He glanced at the disciples on Qiyun Mountain, then simply pointed a finger toward the sky; ten jade platforms of varying sizes emerged from the clouds, spaced far apart from one another, brilliantly bright and clear.

Even the smallest jade platform was ten zhang in circumference, engraved with dragon and phoenix seals and tadpole seal script; together with the remaining eight jade platforms, they remotely guarded the central spot, the most honorable and magnificent jade platform, which was also situated at the highest point.

Their splendorous lights shot against each other, flashing and intermingling, like ten beautiful suns hanging in the sky!

Illuminating the entire Qiyun Mountain Territory until it was free of even a speck of dust, a scene of pure clarity and transparency!

"The struggle here is based on each one's own capabilities; items such as magical artifacts and secret talismans may not be used. Furthermore, when dueling, there is no need to hold back; with me here, I will surely ensure your lives are not lost..."

At this moment, Elder Zou produced a magical list from his sleeve, read out the Grand Competition rules once, then looked toward the cultivators at the peak and nodded slightly.

The arena fell into a slight silence for a moment; no one spoke, and the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

And after only a few breaths.

Finally, a youth in yellow robes could no longer restrain himself; he transformed into a vortex of wind and rose, breaking the stalemate first.

He landed on the tenth, and thus smallest, jade platform.

"Lou Bing? It is that person again. Chen Chen Shidi Chen, you will soon see a fine show."

Beside Chen Heng, Shen Cheng's gaze shifted, falling upon another peak, and he suddenly smiled.

The moment his words fell, Lou Bing, dressed in yellow robes, also looked down at the cultivators below and clasped his hands in a bow.

But just as he was about to speak, he was suddenly cut off by a thunderous roar.

"You worthless brat! How dare you usurp a superior position? I will duel you!"

Unity

(End of this chapter)