Chapter 39: System

Now that the sect had issued the notification, there was certainly no going back; he had already entered the top eight, and he carried the expectations Liu Ling had placed upon him.

Not for himself, but for Liu Ling and for Xiaozhu Peak, it was difficult for him to even think about conceding in the top eight anymore.

Just at this moment, a voice suddenly echoed in Su Zhangqing's mind.

【Emergency mission: Host, seize the crown of this Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament to receive the reward: self-comprehension of the "Covering Heaven Method"!】

Covering Heaven Method?!

Upon hearing this name, Su Zhangqing's heart jolted.

He knew this all too well; it was a cultivation technique practiced by a Heavenly Emperor protagonist in a story, incomparably heaven-defying, with no other technique capable of matching it.

That Heavenly Emperor protagonist alone, after practicing this technique, grew directly into the number one Heavenly Emperor of the myriad worlds, shielding the heavens and myriad worlds all by himself, his combat power sweeping across the past, present, and future, standing proudly above the nine heavens, overlooking the reincarnation of all ages.

The most heaven-defying aspect of this technique is this.

The path of cultivation is for practitioners to seize the fortunes of heaven and earth and encroach upon the mysteries of the sun and moon; no matter what, they must rely on this world and depend on the vast Heavenly Dao to defy the natural order, but this also carries drawbacks: if heaven and earth cease to exist, the Great Dao collapses, and spiritual energy dries up, the era of ten-thousand-year Daoist arts will eventually head toward extinction, and those who cultivate the Dao will find it difficult to seek heaven-defying opportunities again.

As the saying goes, one may cultivate the Dao for a million years, but when the Age of Dharma's End arrives, all becomes void; all living beings in the world are unable to escape this cycle.

The Covering Heaven Method is different; it emphasizes going against the grain.

It completely sheds the shackles of cultivating the Dao, cultivating the self, and relying on the self; in terms of the path, everything is centered on the clarity of the True Self, and everything is honored by the strength of the True Self. Even if the universe of heaven and earth were to wither, even if the world's Heavenly Dao were to collapse, with no Great Dao rules and no spiritual energy for living beings, it would still allow the practitioner to remain in the world, undying.

Take the current Qingyun Sect, for example; in short, it cannot escape the shackles of the Taiji Profound Clarity Dao, as everything relies on the spiritual laws of heaven and earth, wielding the power of heaven and earth to borrow and unleash divine abilities.

But the Covering Heaven Method relies on one's own infinite potential, with the physical body containing endless supreme truths, until one forges their own Great Dao, which will tower above the boundless universe; no matter how heaven and earth change, I shall remain towering and undying.

"I can actually obtain such a technique? Good for you, System, for not saying so earlier!"

Su Zhangqing recovered from his shock and angrily rebuked the System in his mind.

If he had known about such a benefit earlier, he wouldn't have needed to think about finding an excuse to give up; he would have swept through everything to take this first place long ago.

What heaven-gifted talent, what hiding one's light—nothing could block his conviction to take the Covering Heaven Method.

【Missions are determined based on the experiences of the host; even if mentioned now, it is not too late, as long as the host goes all out to take this first place.】

The System explained in its usual cold, icy tone.

"That is true; there are only two matches left in the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament before entering the final round. As long as I can win this last match, the Covering Heaven Method will be within my grasp."

Su Zhangqing muttered to himself.

Having entered the top eight without a fight, he didn't know who he would encounter next, but he had an idea of the general list of names.

Lu Xueqi, Zhang Xiaofan, Ceng Shushu, and the others were certain to win, along with Qi Hao and those other heaven-gifted talents from each peak.

He only hoped he wouldn't run into Lu Xueqi and the others too soon!

Qi Hao was currently at the Foundation Establishment Ninth Realm; regardless of his strength or the development of the story, he was the frontrunner for this Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, and he was the greatest obstacle to Su Zhangqing taking first place.

If that were the case, Su Zhangqing realized that his current Foundation Establishment Fifth Realm strength would not be enough to face Qi Hao, and he needed to raise his realm within these two days.

Therefore, Su Zhangqing returned to his residence and began to cultivate. On the third day of the martial arts tournament, because of Liu Ling's concession, he had no match, so he simply spent the entire day in seclusion.

It was during this one day of seclusion that, when Su Zhangqing opened his eyes again that evening, he had already broken through another realm, successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment Sixth Realm.

However, Su Zhangqing was not satisfied with this; every bit of improvement before the final battle meant another fraction of a chance at victory, so it was not yet time to relax.

By the fourth day, Su Zhangqing had cultivated through the night, finally raising his cultivation to the Foundation Establishment Stage 6 Peak, only a step away from the seventh realm.

The results were out, and as Su Zhangqing had hoped, he did not encounter any of his good friends, but instead faced a senior brother from Zhaoyang Peak with a cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Fourth Realm.

When Su Zhangqing appeared on the arena, everyone cast their gazes toward him.

Because a person at the Foundation Establishment Stage 1 had managed to force their way into the top eight—not to mention that the disciples had never heard of such a thing, even the various Peak Masters, having experienced several Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournaments, had never encountered such an absurd situation.

Was this kid really hiding his strength, or was it just luck?

Today could be considered a battle of proof.

Amidst the gaze of the crowd, Su Zhangqing leaped onto the stage and stood opposite that senior brother, swords in hand.

"Junior Brother Zhangqing, blades have no eyes. If I happen to injure you, you should concede early; do not force yourself, or I will find it difficult to bear the responsibility."

That senior brother greeted him first.

"Senior Brother, offend me then!"

Su Zhangqing did not offer any polite pleasantries; after just saying "offend me," he took the initiative to strike, slashing out with the Gale Sword Technique.

Just like yesterday, a gale instantly whipped up on the arena, and gusts of wind whistled toward that senior brother. Everyone widened their eyes to watch this fierce offensive, from sweating for Su Zhangqing, who was at the Foundation Establishment Stage 1, to now looking forward to seeing how the senior brother from Zhaoyang Peak would receive this move.

Feeling the gale sword Qi breaking the ground and slicing through the air as it struck violently, the senior brother gritted his teeth and raised his long saber to receive the move, only to be swept into the gale sword Qi in an instant.

A few seconds later, a figure was thrown out from the gale and landed straight off the arena; without a doubt, it was that senior brother from Zhaoyang Peak.

The entire arena fell into instant silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

One move?!

The winner was decided in just a single move?!

Everyone fell into a frantic silence; this scene was too shocking. Su Zhangqing, at the Foundation Establishment Stage 1, had defeated a senior brother at the Foundation Establishment Fourth Realm in just one move.

Of course, it wasn't just the disciples who reacted this way; that group of knowledgeable Qingyun Sect Peak Masters also looked around at each other in surprise.

Daoxuan squinted his eyes as he watched Su Zhangqing; this child's shocks were becoming more astonishing day by day. Even though he had been Sect Leader for hundreds of years, he had never seen such a shocking scene.

Yet, after Su Zhangqing used the move, he slightly cupped his hands and bowed to the senior brother who had landed on the ground. After apologetically saying, "Offend me!", he leaped off the arena and walked calmly and unhurriedly toward the outside of the martial arts arena.

He left the place under the astonished gazes of the crowd, as if this victory or defeat was of no importance to him, just like he had casually practiced a sword move.

(End of chapter)