Chapter 44: Could It Be… Shizun Wants to Take Other…

Three days later, the Disciple Grand Competition began.

The venue for the Disciple Grand Competition was on the Stone Platform near the main peak. There were eight arenas on the platform. The arenas were forged from Bone Rock, a type of ore that even a Nascent Soul stage cultivator couldn’t easily shatter. Defensive Barriers were set up around the arenas, isolating the entire stage to prevent accidental injury to the spectating disciples.

The tournament had seven rounds in sequence, with the only requirement being that a disciple’s cultivation met the standard. Lethal force against fellow disciples was forbidden during the matches. The top three finalists would earn the opportunity to choose a Spirit Tool from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.

The Spirit Treasure Pavilion was the tower where Star Point Sect stored its Spirit Tools. The lowest grade of tool inside was Spirit Grade, and there were even Heaven-rank Spirit Tools. Bai Linghan’s Green Water Sword was something he had chosen from within after entering the pavilion during the last competition.

Lin Chuyun had anticipated that there would be many people at the Disciple Grand Competition, but when he brought Feng Xixing to the Stone Platform, he was still shocked by the dense crowd.

“Shizun?” Feng Xixing sidled up in front of Lin Chuyun, blocking the others.

Lin Chuyun looked around. There were so many people here that he couldn’t see for a moment if any other Peak Masters were present. If it hadn’t been for Feng Xixing putting on a forlorn expression all morning—acting as if every other disciple had their Shizun accompanying them to the competition, while he was the only one who didn’t—he would never have given up his time sleeping in to join this lively scene.

“Where is your first match?” Lin Chuyun ultimately did not choose to leave immediately. He patiently asked.

Feng Xixing looked at Lin Chuyun with a smile, feeling that if Shizun were in his Little Black Cat form right now, his tail would probably be flicking back and forth in irritation.

Wasting no more time, Feng Xixing checked the message slip in his hand, confirmed the location of his arena, and led Lin Chuyun in that direction.

But there were simply too many disciples on this Stone Platform, and Lin Chuyun didn’t feel like using his spiritual pressure to force a path open. As the two walked, they ended up with Lin Chuyun being shielded in Feng Xixing’s arms.

Lin Chuyun looked at Feng Xixing, who was half a head taller than him, and couldn’t help muttering inwardly. He didn’t know what his little disciple had been eating; just three months ago they were about the same height, but now he’d clearly shot up.

If Feng Xixing grew any taller, he wouldn’t even be able to pat his head anymore. His dignity as a Shizun would be swept away too!

Lin Chuyun grumbled in his heart, but he didn’t notice that the previously boisterous Stone Platform had somehow quieted down quite a bit. The surrounding disciples stared at the two with shocked faces, all while tugging on the sleeves of those next to them, inviting them to enjoy the drama together.

Immortal Lord Lin… was actually hugging Senior Brother Feng!

Although rumors had faintly circulated in the Sect ever since the Thunder Echo Grotto opened, claiming Immortal Lord Lin had taken a liking to Senior Brother Feng, most still didn’t believe Immortal Lord Lin would truly shift his affections, because he had previously been so good to Junior Brother Bai. Even a month ago, when Immortal Lord Lin stood up for Senior Brother Feng at Spirit Fire Peak, it didn’t sway them.

Who knew they would all be proven wrong today!

Looking at Feng Xixing, who was protecting Immortal Lord Lin so securely, and Immortal Lord Lin, who showed no discomfort at being held by their senior brother, the spectating disciples felt they had grasped the truth.

No wonder… No wonder Immortal Lord Lin hasn’t sought out Junior Brother Bai lately.

Feng Xixing realized the surroundings had suddenly gone quiet and couldn’t help but sweep his eyes around, meeting the disciples’ strange gazes. He frowned slightly, feeling for the first time that he couldn’t quite understand what these disciples were thinking.

Why were some people looking at him with expressions of gratification? And why were others nodding at him full of encouragement?

“What’s wrong?” Lin Chuyun noticed Feng Xixing had stopped walking. He poked his head out from his arms with some confusion and glanced around. The nearby disciples all seemed to be busy; although their voices were a bit low, it didn’t seem like anything was out of the ordinary.

Feng Xixing came back to his senses, his gaze sweeping over the disciples who had hurriedly turned away just before Lin Chuyun poked his head out. He shook his head. “It’s nothing. This disciple was just confirming the direction.”

Lin Chuyun ceased to be suspicious and obediently allowed Feng Xixing to continue leading him forward under his protection. Feng Xixing’s timing was precise; just as the two reached the edge of the viewing stands, the Disciple Grand Competition officially began.

On the Stone Platform, the first group of disciples had already started fighting. Both were in the Foundation Establishment stage, but there was a clear difference in their strength. Victory was decided in just two or three moves.

The loser wasn’t resentful. He cupped his fist respectfully to the winner with a word of congratulations, then jumped off the platform. The people waiting below were probably his fellow brothers and sisters. Seeing his dejection, they comfortingly rubbed his hair and spoke a few words of encouragement.

“Disciple,” Lin Chuyun suddenly called out to Feng Xixing, watching that boisterous group. “You… would you like a few more junior martial brothers and sisters?”

Feng Xixing’s pupils constricted slightly, and the smile on his face stiffened. He tilted his head slightly downward to look at his Shizun, a hint of confusion in his eyes. “Why would Shizun suddenly ask this question?”

Could it be… that Shizun wants to take other disciples?

Lin Chuyun had also spoken on impulse. He actually regretted it somewhat the moment he said it. Although having many disciples and being lively and cheerful was nice, he wasn’t someone who enjoyed such clamor. If he had more people, he’d have to expend mental energy to manage them, and if he taught poorly, wouldn’t that be leading disciples astray?

“It’s nothing much… just asking.” Lin Chuyun brushed the matter off vaguely and glanced at the two competitors on the Stone Platform. “Disciple, you should go prepare. It should be ending soon.”

It was already the third group’s match on the platform. The second match had been even faster than the first; the Foundation Establishment cultivator had conceded immediately upon seeing his opponent was at the Golden Core stage.

The third match took some time. Both were in the Early Golden Core Stage, both had just recently advanced, and their Spirit Tools were roughly equivalent. Their fight was surprisingly back-and-forth.

However, Lin Chuyun could clearly see that one disciple’s spirit power reserves were slightly greater than the other’s. In a match like this, just that little bit more was enough.

Sure enough, before long, the other disciple’s spirit power was exhausted, and he was knocked off the platform with a palm strike.

Seeing that they were starting to urge him over, Feng Xixing had to temporarily abandon the idea of pursuing the question and went to wait by the Stone Platform for his turn.

Lin Chuyun retracted his gaze and yawned out of boredom. These matches were far too dull, not even as thrilling as his little disciple slaying Demon Beasts in the Thunder Echo Grotto. Once his little disciple was done fighting, he was going straight back to catch up on sleep.

With that thought, when the fourth group’s match was announced, Lin Chuyun looked up very casually.

“Fourth group: Spirit Cloud Peak’s Feng Xixing versus Spirit Water Peak’s Wu Ge.”

An incredibly familiar name.

Lin Chuyun’s expression stiffened for a moment. When he looked over again, his gaze held some complexity. Both were already standing on the arena. Lin Chuyun first glanced at his own little disciple, before his gaze silently shifted to his opponent.

Wu Ge.

In the original book, when Feng Xixing had captured the Original Host from Star Point Sect, this person had played a part. Back then, Star Point Sect was in chaos. Of the seven Peak Masters, some were dead and others injured. Xu Quanfeng was only at the Nascent Soul Late Stage and had no choice but to take over as the Sect Leader of Star Point Sect.

Everyone thought Star Point Sect was going to fall.

At that time, the Devil Realm’s army was surrounding Star Point Sect’s perimeter. Feng Xixing personally led the Devil Army and declared that if they just handed over Lin Chuyun, he would spare the lives of everyone else. Although Xu Quanfeng detested Lin Chuyun immensely, he was unwilling to bow to the people of the Devil Realm.

And then—it was this Wu Ge. He secretly infiltrated Spirit Cloud Peak at night, put on an act of being worried for the Original Host, then turned around and inflicted severe injuries on him, delivering him into Feng Xixing’s hands.

If he had done it for the sake of the Sect, that would be one thing, but this man had acted purely for himself.

Although Lin Chuyun harbored no fondness for the Original Host, he truly couldn’t bring himself to like such a duplicitous villain.

The command marking the start of the match rang out, pulling Lin Chuyun back to his senses. He didn’t spare Wu Ge another glance, completely unaware that his previous dazed staring at Wu Ge had all been witnessed by Feng Xixing.

Feng Xixing narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze towards Wu Ge carrying a hint of hostility.

Being stared at like this irritated Wu Ge. Naturally, he didn’t hold back with his attacks. Several condensed Water Swords thrust towards Feng Xixing simultaneously.

Feng Xixing didn’t move a step. The Ice Frost in his hand swirled, directly dispersing the incoming Water Swords.

Seeing this, Wu Ge’s face darkened. He changed his Spirit Art, and at some unknown time, rain began to fall on the field. The fine drizzle seemed completely harmless as it drifted gently across the arena, yet it could not approach Feng Xixing at all.

“Damn it…” Wu Ge cursed under his breath.

When he found out his opponent was Feng Xixing, he had felt a bit relieved. After all, just a month ago, Feng Xixing had only just stepped into the Early Golden Core Stage and didn’t have a single Spirit Tool on him. Under those circumstances, defeating Feng Xixing should have been a piece of cake.

Who knew that now, whether he had a Spirit Tool or not was still unknown, but Feng Xixing’s cultivation level was definitely not just the Early Golden Core Stage.

Wu Ge himself was at the Early Golden Core Stage, yet he couldn’t sense Feng Xixing’s cultivation level. There was only one possibility for this situation: Feng Xixing’s cultivation was higher than his.

How exactly was this guy cultivating so fast…

Wu Ge sidestepped to dodge the Ice Blades falling from the sky and thrust several more Water Swords backhandedly. But his attacks were either easily blocked by Ice Frost or casually neutralized by Feng Xixing.

As the match progressed, a layer of water gradually spread across the entire arena.

That was left behind by Wu Ge’s exertion of spirit power. Wu Ge lowered his head and surveyed his surroundings inconspicuously. With a flip of his Spirit Art hand seal, he conjured a fist formed from water and sent it blasting over.

Although Feng Xixing raised a hand to block it, the force still pushed him back two steps. And with those two steps, Feng Xixing’s foot landed right in a puddle of water.

A flash of joy crossed Wu Ge’s eyes. His hand seals changed rapidly, and instantly, two pairs of large hands condensed from water emerged from the puddle, firmly trapping Feng Xixing’s legs.

“Junior Brother Feng is far too careless,” Wu Ge said, relaxing once he saw Feng Xixing trapped, his tone mocking.

The entire field was covered with his water. As long as Feng Xixing touched even a little of this water, he would be completely ensnared by him.

Feng Xixing glanced down at the hands trapping him, his expression still unchanged. Seeing Feng Xixing so dismissive of him, a flicker of displeasure appeared in Wu Ge’s eyes. His original plan to simply throw Feng Xixing out vanished instantly.

Before he threw him off, he was going to make Feng Xixing suffer a good deal!

Wu Ge smirked coldly and stepped forward twice. Naturally, he didn’t need to avoid the water on the ground; he deliberately stepped right into a puddle in front of Feng Xixing.

However, the instant he touched the water’s surface, Ice Frost inexplicably appeared within the water on the ground. The frost spread extremely quickly, and by the time Wu Ge sensed something was wrong, his legs were already frozen solid to the ground.

“You!” Wu Ge’s expression changed drastically. His spirit power gathered rapidly beneath his feet, but he was unable to shatter the ice.

Was Feng Xixing’s spirit power really this much stronger than his?

Wu Ge felt a twinge of unease, but he still tried to reassure himself. It’s fine. Feng Xixing is trapped too. At worst, it’ll be a draw—

He hadn’t even finished his self-comforting thought when he saw the Spirit Sword in Feng Xixing’s hand, not even drawn from its sheath, directly shatter the two hands he had conjured into pieces.

Watching Feng Xixing easily break free, Wu Ge gritted his teeth, but unwilling to give up so easily.

His brow shifted, and he retracted his spirit power, looking at Feng Xixing with a helpless expression. “As expected of Junior Brother Feng, already at the Golden Core Middle Stage.”

Feng Xixing didn’t speak, just silently watching him.

Wu Ge smiled bitterly with a forced look, his gaze towards Feng Xixing full of sincerity. “This Senior Brother truly is no match for you. For this first match, this Senior Brother will…”

A sharp, air-tearing sound rang out in the arena. A nearly invisible sharp blade stabbed towards Feng Xixing from behind. Because the distance was so close, by the time the sound was heard, the blade was about to pierce Feng Xixing’s body.

“Feng Xixing!” Lin Chuyun shot up, raising his hand to strike the blade down.

At such a dangerous moment, Feng Xixing actually had the leisure to smile and shake his head at Lin Chuyun. As for the blade behind him, he didn’t bother to pay it any mind. He lifted his other hand and directly froze Wu Ge into a solid block of ice.

“Clang—”

“Thud—”

The sound of the blade striking Feng Xixing’s body and the sound of Wu Ge being thrown off the arena rang out simultaneously.

Lin Chuyun froze for a moment before reacting. His little disciple was wearing the Ice Void Robe; how could he be injured so easily? It was Wu Ge who, having his hands and feet frozen together when Feng Xixing tossed him, landed on the ground and rolled twice.

“Feng Xixing is victorious.”

Feng Xixing descended from the Stone Platform, but his expression wasn’t overly happy. Instead, it carried a trace of hesitation and contemplation. Off to the side, Wu Ge had finally been freed from his icy prison, his face a livid green.

In today’s match, he had not only lost but had been thrown off the stage by a junior brother in front of so many people. If Feng Xixing hadn’t been wearing the Ice Void Robe given by Lin Chuyun, how could he possibly have lost?!

“Junior Brother Feng… is exceptionally talented,” Wu Ge couldn’t swallow this insult. Gritting his teeth, he approached again and spoke, “I wonder what Spirit Pill or miraculous medicine Junior Brother Feng consumed, to advance from the Early Golden Core Stage to the Middle Golden Core Stage in a single month?”

Lin Chuyun’s expression darkened. He frowned at Wu Ge. This man appeared to be praising his little disciple’s talent, but he was insidiously mocking him for using medicine to forcibly boost his cultivation level.

Unfortunately for him, Feng Xixing hadn’t paid the slightest attention to what Wu Ge said. His mind was currently fully occupied pondering why Lin Chuyun had suddenly wanted to take on disciples.

Could it be that he had done something wrong somewhere?

Was his fur-smoothing technique this morning incorrect? Was his touch too heavy when wiping paws? Or last night, when warming the little black cat’s belly, had his palm temperature been too low?