The Peak Masters never expected Chen Pingping to agree to their proposal to raise the permissible weapon grade...
That's a Third-Grade Weapon!
Once it appears in the Newcomer's Competition, it would sweep aside all powerful opponents.
The Three Peaks didn't mind; each had a prodigy recognized by a Third-Grade Weapon, usable as a trump card. But what about Qingfeng?
For someone with Guang Xiaoyu's aptitude, possessing a Second-Grade Weapon was already quite impressive.
The three Peak Masters exchanged smiles, each harboring their own schemes.
However, Sect Leader Baili Jiansan was inwardly fuming. You didn't even refute their suggestions, and now you want to include pets in battle? What are you thinking? Others wield powerful weapons, unleashing bursts of power, and you want Guang Xiaoyu to drag a cow over to MOO MOO MOO? Or carry that little black dog to WOOF WOOF WOOF?
Baili Jiansan was utterly speechless.
But the three Peak Masters were practically convulsing with laughter. The Wanjian Peak Master spoke up, "Since Chen has so enthusiastically agreed to our proposal, then... Wanjian Peak also agrees to his suggestion."
The Jiuli Peak Master added with a laugh, "I agree as well. Bringing pets along is a great idea! It's a bold attempt that might add a lot of fun to the Newcomer's Competition!"
MM-HMM!
It certainly adds a lot of fun for the Three Peaks.
As the "comic relief" of the event, Qingfeng truly lived up to the name.
The Snow Storm Peak Master agreed with a smile, "Agreed."
Baili Jiansan: "..."
In the hours that followed, many rules for the Newcomer's Competition were established.
Aside from the Wanjian Peak Master's proposal, the Jiuli Peak Master also made one, requesting to expand the battlefield from the original one hundred meters to five hundred meters. The reason was simple: expanding the battlefield would allow the new disciples to perform better, unconstrained by a small area.
At this, Baili Jiansan furrowed his brow.
Chen Pingping understood the reason clearly. Guang Xiaoyu using her movement technique to defeat Zhuge Wushuang had evidently left a significant mark on the Jiuli Peak Master. If the battlefield size increased, it would be more advantageous for Zhuge Wushuang. After all, Zhuge Wushuang was a Different Body and had cultivated an advanced movement technique. Meanwhile, Guang Xiaoyu had no such movement technique in her cultivation...
Chen Pingping was about to object, but the other two Peak Masters had already expressed their agreement with the Jiuli Peak Master's proposal. Chen Pingping had no choice but to nod.
After the meeting ended, Baili Jiansan kept Chen Pingping behind and sighed, "You were too impulsive."
All four Peaks had agreed. Even as the Sect Leader, it was difficult for him to refute them. He wanted to help Qingfeng but had no way to do so... If Qingfeng were to lose the Newcomer's Competition, it would mean disbandment and absorption into the other Three Peaks.
How would he face his stubborn Junior Sister Wen Yuqing when she returned?
Chen Pingping's expression was calm. "Headmaster, rest assured. Rules are, after all, just rules. True strength is what matters."
He was very confident. Not just because of Guang Xiaoyu, but more so because he believed in the System, Lao Huang, and Hei.
...
BANG!
In her room, Guang Xiaoyu, who was consolidating her cultivation realm, almost suffered a backlash from the Nine Revolutions Demon God Skill. Fortunately, the power of One Qi Turns into Three Clarities suppressed it.
Her heart trembled; she was deeply moved. This technique is extraordinary, not a common cultivation method.
As a supreme Demon Emperor, she had witnessed countless cultivation techniques, so many they were practically innumerable. But the cultivation technique her Senior Brother had given her was something she had never seen or heard of. Furthermore, it was quite peculiar; practicing it gave one a sensation of being infinitely close to the Great Tao. Compared to the domineering Nine Revolutions Demon God Skill, this new technique was more like a gentle consort, always soothing the Demon God Skill at critical moments, calming it. Often, the power it exerted far surpassed Guang Xiaoyu's understanding of cultivation.
Could it truly be a Divine Clan cultivation technique?
Guang Xiaoyu fell into a quandary. One Qi Turns into Three Clarities is so powerful... Should I abandon the Nine Revolutions Demon God Skill?
After a long time...
She sighed lightly. Forget it. I'll cultivate it for now and see.
Choosing One Qi Turns into Three Clarities meant she would have to abandon her familiar path of Demon Tao cultivation and embark on an unknown one.
The risk is enormous!
「A FEW DAYS LATER」
Days passed. She finally consolidated her cultivation realm, reaching a new level of comprehension for both One Qi Turns into Three Clarities and the Nine Revolutions Demon God Skill. She had a feeling these two techniques complemented each other; abandoning either would doom her cultivation.
She pushed open the door, and long-awaited sunlight showered over her. It was warm and immensely comfortable.
Arriving at the hillside again, she saw the same familiar scene.
The budding sense of mystery she had just begun to feel towards her Senior Brother... suddenly vanished.
How could her Senior Brother possibly be a hidden expert? The Spiritual Medicines were merely gifts from their Master, as were the cultivation techniques and weapons. At least, Guang Xiaoyu had never seen any great expert who grew stronger day by day from herding cattle and raising dogs. Is it because of his poor aptitude? It seems her Senior Brother must have endured many hardships in the past. That must be why he's given up on himself, right?
Guang Xiaoyu clenched her small fists tightly. My Senior Brother... even if he were a pig, I, this Emperor, will make him stand tall!
Looking at Chen Pingping's back, her gaze grew even more determined.
"AH?"
Chen Pingping noticed her and smiled. "You're out of seclusion?"
Guang Xiaoyu approached him. "Senior Brother, let's cultivate together from now on!"
Chen Pingping: "???"
He said, "Let's put cultivation aside for now. I have something to tell you." Then, he recounted the rules of the upcoming Newcomer's Competition one by one.
When he mentioned the proposals from the meeting, Guang Xiaoyu couldn't contain her anger. "Damn it! They're clearly targeting us!"
With my poor aptitude, having only reached the fifth stage of the Breaking Sun Realm, I'm definitely not capable of earning the recognition of a Third-Grade Weapon. Unlike the geniuses of the Three Peaks, who probably each have one already, right?
When Chen Pingping spoke about expanding the battlefield, she tensed up, the rage burning inside her flaring...
The larger the area, the more advantageous it is for Zhuge Wushuang. This is going too far!
Guang Xiaoyu ground her teeth. "Senior Brother, didn't you have any counter-proposals?"
The proposals from the Three Peaks, and their unanimous agreement, were so blatantly targeted.
Chen Pingping smiled proudly. "Of course I do! I'm not a fool, you know."
"OH?"
Guang Xiaoyu suddenly became excited. "Quick, Senior Brother, tell me!"
He pointed at Lao Huang not far away. "My suggestion is to allow pets in combat."
Guang Xiaoyu: "..."
"How about that? Aren't I amazing? The cultivators of the Three Peaks each have their strengths, but they don't have pets... That's their weakness!" Chen Pingping said smugly. "HEY! Junior Sister, where are you going? I haven't finished speaking! Wait, don't go!"
Sigh... Am I expecting too much from my Senior Brother? After all, he's just a mortal.
Guang Xiaoyu sighed softly. Oh well. If I really lose this competition, I can just take Senior Brother and leave the Wuji Sect. We'll find a place to cultivate in seclusion. Hmph... I don't care for this Wuji Sect anyway.
Having made her decision, she no longer cared about her Senior Brother's proposal.
If he wants to bring pets into battle, so be it.