Chapter 645 - 64: The Grand Competition Begins with a Race to the Forefront
As the sound emerged, all eyes turned to see a river of celestial water surging through the sky. Jade-like waves churned, white foam sparkling like snow, as two fearsome Ink Flood Dragons bound with Golden Locks pulled a black Dragon Python carriage, stirring up tumultuous waves and rolling surges as it advanced.
Qi Yuntian, dressed in a Fu Bo Xuanqing Daoist robe, silk tied around his waist, his wide sleeves flowing like clouds, bore a solemn demeanor. Beside him stood two Daoist boys holding scrolls, and he sat upright within the carriage as it approached.
In just moments, the carriage landed atop the First Peak. With a light wave of his sleeve, Qi Yuntian gathered the vast celestial water, as though tens of thousands of acres of heavenly water cascaded down at once. A great rumbling sound echoed, shaking the entire mountaintop gently. When the commotion subsided, the roaring waves vanished without a trace, leaving only a resonating tremor lingering in the air.
At this moment, aside from the absence of one person from the Third Peak, nine of the Top Ten Disciples had arrived. From each of the Eight Peaks, whether master and disciple or noble family members, all rose and inclined their heads in salute, collectively declaring, "We greet the Senior Brother."
Qi Yuntian stood dominating the peak’s summit, his posture tall and unwavering, majestic as a towering mountain and radiant as a lofty ridge. His piercing gaze scanned the circle of disciples, pausing slightly when passing the Third Peak, before continuing onward. In a measured tone, he said, "Rise, fellow disciples."
The disciples heard his words and promptly straightened their postures.
At that instant, a girl riding a crane flew over, loudly announcing, "Greetings to True Master Qi. Junior Master Zhong is currently in seclusion, seeking insight, and has reached a critical juncture. I fear he will be unable to attend this great competition."
Her message was delivered with crystal clarity, carrying distinctly to everyone present. Qi Yuntian gave a faint smile and responded, "Junior Brother Zhong cultivates diligently. This is truly a blessing for our sect. As for this great competition, it matters not if he cannot attend."
Among the Top Ten Disciples, Zhong Muqing had abstained from appearing at the great competition for over a hundred years.
This individual had originally been a disciple of True Master Meng and shared the same sect lineage as Qi Yuntian, with their ages being roughly equal. However, his cultivation achievements fell slightly behind. After a major upheaval within the sect years ago, Qin Zhenren took notice of him and made him her disciple.
Despite being one of the Top Ten Disciples, Zhong Muqing repeatedly avoided attending competitions, yet no one dared to criticize him.
This was entirely because of True Master Qin’s exceptionally elevated status within the sect. As the daughter of the previous Sect Leader, she was quietly supported by several elders from Du Zhen Hall. Whether they were noble families or disciples from a single lineage, none wished to offend her, even if they couldn’t win her favor.
Moreover, this esteemed True Master seldom made an appearance and rarely involved herself in sect affairs. If it hadn’t been for the Three Pools Lake Demon abducting her disciple, she wouldn’t have bothered to set foot on Bamboo Island during the prior incident.
Zhong Muqing’s absence from the great competition was likely at True Master Qin’s instruction, to avoid entangling himself in sect disputes.
Figures like Huo Xuan and Du De, noble family disciples, had long grown accustomed to this. Besides, the status of being one of the Top Ten Disciples was limited to a span of 360 years per individual, and even though he avoided contention, there would come a day when the position would need to be relinquished.
With Qi Yuntian’s arrival, an unparalleled aura seemed to descend, rendering the other Eight Peaks entirely silent. The disciples from noble families ceased their earlier casual chatter, adopting a more reserved demeanor.
Zhang Yan secretly nodded to himself. Qi Yuntian was indeed worthy of being the third-generation Senior Brother, as none among the noble family disciples could yet hope to rival him.
No wonder the master-disciple lineage, despite having only three members among the Top Ten Disciples, regularly held the upper hand. Even with just Qi Yuntian alone, he could suppress all challengers.
Zhang Yan turned his attention toward the Second Peak. It was rumored that the cultivator there was but a step away from the Nascent Soul Realm. However, if that step was not taken properly, the Nascent Soul achieved would fall short of perfection. It remained uncertain when this cultivator would make their move.
Huo Xuan sat alone atop a rocky outcropping on the peak, silent and still.
His face was thin, his cheeks hollowed, and his eyes slightly sunken. Draped in a gray Azure Sun Daoist robe, his appearance was largely unremarkable. Yet within his gaze, fleeting flashes of chilling brilliance occasionally emerged.
From the depths of the valley below, the Great Array stirred once more, and one after another, more than thirty Hua Dan Cultivators emerged. Each one who had passed through the array had defeated at least a dozen fellow disciples during their trials and could be deemed the most talented and outstanding figures within the Mingcang Sect.
Ren Mingyao stepped out of the Array Gate, initially striding forward with confidence. Yet upon seeing Zhang Yan and Ning Chongxuan seated amidst the clouds, his expression shifted slightly, his pace faltered, and he stopped abruptly.
Someone behind him called out, "Senior Brother Ren, what’s the matter?"
Without waiting for an answer, the person followed Ren Mingyao’s gaze and saw the two figures above, exclaiming in awe, "So it’s Brother Ning and Brother Zhang. Judging by their bearing, it seems these two intend to challenge for positions among the Top Ten Disciples. Such boldness indeed!"
Ren Mingyao suddenly felt a wave of unease, reacting sharply, "Senior Brother Ning, backed by Master Sun and Brother Qi, has considerable chances of success. But as for Zhang Yan? That’s far from certain. Among everyone here atop the peaks, which one of them hasn’t cultivated for over a hundred years? For him to set his sights on the Top Ten Disciples’ ranks despite not yet achieving the Hua Dan Realm—I’d call that sheer overestimation!"