Chapter 102: Chapter 79: The Heaven-Filling Map Appears, the Seven Peaks Grand Competition Officially Begins

There were three major families around Jade Lake City. At this moment, Hong Kun, the scion of the Hong Family, was staring at the disciples of the Six Extremes... Holy Sect in the VIP room, his face etched with worry. "Sigh, I don’t know what the Frost Moon imperial family is thinking. Why would they lift the warrant for the Six Extremes Sect and allow them to expand within the Immortal Dynasty’s borders?"

Cheng Yong, who stood beside him, had a much clearer perspective. "It can’t be helped. With the invasion of Demonic Fiends and the strange Evil Spirits, the situation within the Immortal Dynasty is on the brink of collapse. The Six Extremes Sect is merely domineering, not cruel. And at the end of the day, they are still part of the human race. At a time like this, the Frost Moon imperial family has no choice but to put aside old grudges and unite all available forces to ensure its survival."

He paused, then continued in a hushed tone:

"I heard that to deal with the strange Evil Spirits and the Evil God Cultists, Frost Moon is even planning to temporarily reconcile with the Demon Race..."

This seemed to be a taboo topic, and Cheng Yong was unwilling to say more. Seeing that Hong Kun was still frowning, he changed the subject to comfort his friend:

"Don’t worry too much. The Immortal Dynasty has placed restrictions on the Six Extremes Sect. For now, aren’t they acting according to the rules?"

These words did indeed allow Hong Kun to breathe a sigh of relief.

After him, Zhu Feiyu, the scion of the Zhu Family, also spoke up. He was a young man with sharp, sword-like brows and star-like eyes.

His expression was sharp, and as he looked toward the room where the Six Extremes Sect disciples were, his demeanor stood in stark contrast to the other family scions present.

There was no fear on his face, only an eagerness for a fight. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"You’re all too intimidated by the Six Extremes Sect’s reputation; your minds are in disarray. I admit the Six Extremes Sect is powerful. If their main force were nearby, no one in all of Jade Lake City could stop them."

"But the mighty Six Extremes Sect wouldn’t bother with a small, remote place like ours. Their main force is in the imperial capital. The ones who came this time aren’t even from one of their six halls and have no True Inheritance. They’re just two Inner Sect disciples. They might not even be able to beat the Seven Profound Sect..."

As he spoke, a sharp Sword Intent erupted from Zhu Feiyu. The chilling aura of the Sword Intent added a cold arrogance to his voice: "And they certainly won’t be able to beat me!"

The power that erupted from Zhu Feiyu made Cheng Yong’s and Hong Kun’s hearts pound, yet it also brought them a sense of reassurance.

"Exactly! We still have Zhu. In this competition, it’s still anyone’s game."

...

While the family disciples outside were strategizing, the man and woman standing on opposite sides of the room within were also conversing.

"Senior Brother, those family disciples outside are getting restless. They’re preparing to challenge you. Hee hee, the time has come to show them the might of our Six Extremes Sect—and your strength! Once we’re inside the Heaven-Filling Map, just go all out and slaughter them all. I’m sure you can take care of every last one of them!"

The speaking girl was lively and cute. As she looked at the man standing with his saber, she clasped her hands together, her eyes filled with adoration. It was the kind of gaze that could stir a man’s heart, easily spurring one to acts of courage and impulsive deeds.

Alas, her words and actions had no effect whatsoever on Li Feng. Rolling his eyes, he just sneered, "Provoke everyone the moment I get in? Junior Sister, you really must think I haven’t found a fast enough way to die!"

Seeing that Li Feng was ignoring her, Hua Lingdie clicked her tongue. "What a coward. Doesn’t your Blood Blade Hall always boast about being ruthless and decisive? How did you end up so timid?"

"We’re decisive, not stupid. If you think my saber isn’t sharp, I can let you have a taste right now..."

CLANG!

As Li Feng spoke, the long saber at his waist slid an inch out of its sheath, and a thick, bloody stench instantly filled the room.

Fellow sect members from different halls, yet they were at each other’s throats. This was the true, vicious style of the Demon Sect.

However, the fact that they were still trying to sabotage each other at a time like this proved one thing.

They didn’t see either Zhu Feiyu outside or the disciples of the Seven Profound Sect as a threat.

If they felt threatened, they wouldn’t have been so nonchalant.

...

After a brief standoff, the two ultimately didn’t fight.

"What a bore."

Muttering a curse under her breath, Hua Lingdie skipped out of the room.

She left, and Li Feng sheathed his long saber.

He glanced up at Zhu Feiyu outside the door, then at the Seven Peaks of the Seven Profound Sect, and a savage grin appeared at the corners of his mouth.

’I hope you all can give me a good time...’

...

Although undercurrents were surging, the Seven Profound Sect’s Seven Peaks Grand Competition proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Some formed alliances for mutual aid, some were confident they could crush everything with their overwhelming strength, and others just wandered around the Seven Profound Sect with a playful attitude, not taking the competition seriously at all.

And while everyone was busy, Su Lingya of Cuixiang Mountain sought out Xie Yushuang and invited her to visit Cuixiang Mountain again.

"Since you all see me as a traitor, why would I go back?"

With Zhong Ming backing her, Xie Yushuang was full of confidence, and her tone showed no weakness.

Su Lingya, however, didn’t get angry. She took a step forward, held Xie Yushuang’s hand, and said apologetically, "I’m sorry, Junior Sister Yushuang. You’ve been wronged because of a villain’s machinations."

"But rest assured, that villain has received the punishment he deserves."

Having said that, seeing that Xie Yushuang’s expression remained impassive and cold, Su Lingya added softly, "Also, Junior Sister, I want to be honest with you—your position by Zhong Ming’s side isn’t secure."

These words made Xie Yushuang’s gaze sharpen.

"Are you trying to drive a wedge between me and Senior Brother?"

"Junior Sister, you misunderstand. That’s not my intention at all." Waving her hand, Su Lingya spoke with an elegant posture, yet every word was earnest: "I’m just speaking the truth. Senior Brother Zhong is very strong, which is a good thing, but because of it, there are a great many girls flocking around him."

"Among them, Yi Yunya was the first to follow Zhong Ming, and back then, she gambled everything for Senior Brother Zhong. That bond has made her position extremely stable."

"But besides her, the rest of you are all replaceable."

"Aren’t the people from the Dong Family and the Qin Family trying to push you out and take your place?"

...

These words left Xie Yushuang somewhat speechless. This was indeed something she worried about.

Just as she was filled with anxiety, Su Lingya gripped Xie Yushuang’s hand and said in a gentle yet persuasive tone, "If things continue like this, you will definitely be replaced."

"But we at Cuixiang Mountain will help you."

"This isn’t a trap, and there’s no conspiracy."

"No matter what, you are a disciple of Cuixiang Mountain. And Senior Brother Zhong is so powerful that making an enemy of him would be extremely unwise. Befriending him is the correct path."

"Since you are already by Senior Brother Zhong’s side, the best way to foster good relations with him is to increase your own strength and solidify your position with him..."

These words ultimately moved Xie Yushuang’s heart, causing her to return to Cuixiang Mountain once more.

But this time, she was no longer met with bullying and insults. All the disciples who looked at her now did so with fear, envy, and respect.

This feeling of being the center of attention was very comfortable for Xie Yushuang.

Afterward, she met First Senior Sister Ning Yunlu on Cuixiang Mountain, who was also amiable toward her.

"I’m sorry. Due to my poor management, you have been wronged..."

After comforting Xie Yushuang for a while, Ning Yunlu gave her a promise:

"From now on, Cuixiang Mountain will cultivate you as an Inner Sect Disciple. You will be given the best treatment in terms of cultivation resources and guidance on your Cultivation Technique."

All these benefits made Xie Yushuang finally decide to return to Cuixiang Mountain. However, she also made her stance clear—she would continue to stay by Zhong Ming’s side, prioritize his interests in all matters, and even use Cuixiang Mountain’s resources to support him.

Neither Su Lingya nor Ning Yunlu minded this.

However, Cuixiang Mountain wasn’t offering so much for nothing. Firstly, they wanted to resolve the hostile relationship between Zhong Ming and Cuixiang Mountain.

Secondly, they hoped that if Cuixiang Mountain encountered danger, Zhong Ming would help them.

For example, in this Seven Peaks Grand Competition.

Regarding this, Xie Yushuang didn’t agree immediately. Instead, she first returned to discuss it with Zhong Ming.

"Resolve the hostile relationship with Cuixiang Mountain? I don’t really care about that. I only went up against them because of you. If they compensate you properly and make up for the grievances you suffered, then ending the hostility is fine."

At this point, Zhong Ming asked one more question: "Was Yuan Wei punished?"

"Yes." Xie Yushuang nodded quickly, her mood visibly brightening. "For spreading rumors and slandering a fellow sect member, he has been demoted to a D-Class Disciple. All his benefits and privileges have been revoked. Also, because of what happened, many of our fellow disciples at Cuixiang Mountain hold a grudge against him."

Hearing this, Zhong Ming felt a bit more at ease. He knew that Yuan Wei’s future days would not be easy.

And that was just what Zhong Ming had hoped for:

’Those who provoke me never get away without paying a price.’

After muttering this to himself, Zhong Ming brought up Cuixiang Mountain’s second request.

"During the Seven Peaks Grand Competition, if Cuixiang Mountain is in danger, I can help them out... That’s also fine, but they’ll need to pay a sufficient price."

"That’s not a problem," Xie Yushuang said. "When I was leaving, the senior sisters told me that as long as you’re willing to help, the price is negotiable."

...

Just like that, by relying on his absolute strength, Zhong Ming had turned his former enemies at Cuixiang Mountain into allies who were actively seeking his favor.

And this caused Zhong Ming to gaze at the flowing clouds in the sky and sigh softly:

"In this world, if you’re strong enough, things really do become simple and beautiful."

After this moment of reflection, Zhong Ming collected his Heart Spirit and poured all his energy into his cultivation.

What he, Xie Yushuang, and Su Lingya didn’t know was that their earlier conversation had been overheard.

In the shade of a distant tree, a young girl in a light purple dress twirled a lock of her hair around her fingertip, her eyes full of amusement. "Cuixiang Mountain actually bowed its head to Longxi Peak," she mused. "Hee hee, that’s not what I heard."

"Interesting. It seems Longxi Peak will have a surprise for me in this Seven Peaks Grand Competition. Hee hee..."

...

Outside of Cuixiang Mountain, very few people knew the true extent of Zhong Ming’s strength, which allowed him to pass another uneventful day.

「As time went on, the end of the month soon arrived.」

DONG!

On this day, with the resounding toll of a heavy bell, all the new disciples of the Seven Profound Sect, no matter what they were doing, rushed toward the central plaza of the sect.

And there, a massive formation map shrouded in layers of Mist was already hanging high in the sky. A faint spiritual light flowed along its edges, lending the enormous Treasure Map an air of mystery and majesty.

At the same time, the area around the formation map was filled with the seated elders of the Seven Peaks and the family Cultivators from around Jade Lake City, all there to observe the ceremony.

With that, the Seven Peaks Grand Competition had officially begun!