Translator: AnubisTL
The Ascension Conference at Heavenly River Market had been in full swing for several days, showcasing numerous Heavenly Prodigies and providing a thrilling spectacle for the watching rogue cultivators.
Among the participants, Shi Nantian and Nine Heavens stood out most prominently. The former was a scion of a prominent cultivation clan, while the latter had risen from obscurity as a rogue cultivator.
Despite their different backgrounds, the two shared many similarities: formidable strength, exceptional appearance, and extraordinary charisma.
Whenever either of them took the stage, the eyes of the female cultivators in the audience would light up with admiration. Though they refrained from shouting, their infatuation was unmistakable.
"Shi Nantian's methods are a bit too ruthless. He breaks the bones and tendons of any opponent who refuses to surrender!"
"Sigh, while it's true that swords have no eyes on the arena and life and death are a matter of fate, his cold-blooded tactics are truly chilling."
"True, yet so many female cultivators are still smitten with him. Even Fairy Heyue of the Spirit Phoenix Pavilion has shown him special favor!"
"Really? Could Fairy Heyue be considering making Shi Nantian her personal guest?"
"..."
As the rogue cultivators discussed, their gazes drifted, intentionally or otherwise, toward a secluded viewing platform nearby.
A woman with her hair neatly coiled, exuding a gentle and refined aura, sat in the stands, draped in a lotus-green gown. Her posture radiated a delicate, almost pitiful charm.
A thin veil concealed her face, revealing only her poetic and picturesque eyes. A single glance could stir an overwhelming urge to kneel before her.
This was Fairy Heyue, the Spirit Phoenix Pavilion's Courtesan of the Highest Rank.
Once, a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator had publicly declared his intention to forcibly redeem her and take her as his dao companion. However, the matter quickly faded into obscurity, leaving the details of what transpired behind the scenes shrouded in mystery.
It was safe to assume that anyone who dared to misuse their power in such a way would meet a grim end.
This incident underscored that Fairy Heyue's position at the Spirit Phoenix Pavilion wasn't solely due to her exceptional beauty; she also possessed formidable backing.
"Though born into a prominent clan, young Master Shi of the Shi Clan doesn't resemble a delicate flower untouched by hardship. He's clearly a cultivator who has weathered trials and grown stronger through adversity," Fairy Heyue murmured, her beautiful eyes gleaming with an enigmatic light as she studied Shi Nantian, who had just descended from the arena after defeating his opponent.
As the Ascension Conference neared its conclusion, Shi Nantian's place among the top ten was all but assured.
It was clear to everyone that a young disciple with such extraordinary talent would undoubtedly achieve Foundation Establishment after obtaining the Foundation Establishment Pill.
After this, the Shi Clan would have three Foundation Establishment cultivators—a rare feat in the entire cultivation world.
For a long time to come, the Shi Clan of Quiet South Mountain would likely remain unrivaled, leaving other cultivation clans in their dust.
Just as many believed the Ascension Conference was about to conclude, a sudden commotion erupted from below the stage.
A youth with a still-youthful face leaped onto the platform, radiating an aura of soaring ambition and boundless confidence.
"I am Liu Huai'an," he declared. "Who dares to challenge me?" The young man's voice rang with vigor as he glared at the most outstanding participants of the Ascension Conference, including Shi Nantian, Nine Heavens, and several others.
Shi Nantian, Nine Heavens, and the others frowned slightly, puzzled by the sudden appearance of this rule-breaking youth.
They had fought fiercely for days to reach their current positions. How could someone simply appear and demand a challenge?
Soon, a cold voice mocked, "Ignorant brat, you'd better get down from there. Disrupting the Ascension Conference will earn you the wrath of the Heavenly River Sect's Elders."
Liu Huai'an raised an eyebrow and stared directly at the person who had spoken earlier, retorting without hesitation, "Are you afraid of losing to me? Don't worry, even if you do, I won't take your spot for the Foundation Establishment Pill."
His words caused a stir among the crowd, who were baffled by this arrogant young upstart.
Many eyes turned toward the Heavenly River Sect Elders, only to discover, to their shock, that the Foundation Establishment Elders present weren't stopping the youth's disruption. Instead, they were exchanging meaningful glances.
Could this person have a significant background?!
The rogue cultivator who had been rebuffed earlier burned with nameless fury. "Very well," he snarled, "let me teach you a lesson, you ignorant brat who doesn't know the immensity of the heavens and earth."
But as he stepped forward, he noticed both Shi Nantian and Nine Heavens were scrutinizing Liu Huai'an with serious expressions.
Hearing this, Liu Huai'an chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping disdainfully over the rogue cultivator who had placed in the top ten of the Ascension Conference.
In the next moment, the arrogant youth ceased concealing his aura, unleashing it in its entirety.
Boom!
The overwhelming pressure froze the expressions of many in the crowd, their eyes widening with shock.
Tenth Layer of the Qi Refining Realm!
For such a young man to have already reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refining Realm was simply unbelievable!
Could he have started cultivating Qi Refining in the womb?!
Soon, Nine Heavens narrowed his eyes and revealed the fundamental reason for the young man's rapid cultivation progress.
"Heavenly Spirit Root!"
The moment these three words were uttered, the crowd gasped in unison. No wonder his cultivation was so astonishing at such a young age—he possessed the heaven-defying talent of a Heavenly Spirit Root, far more astounding than starting cultivation in the womb.
The rogue cultivator who had just stepped forward now found himself in a dilemma. His face darkened as he recalled recent rumors about this Heavenly Spirit Root prodigy.
The Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator hadn't appeared during the first few days of the Ascension Conference, leading many to believe the rumors were false. Yet here he was, making his grand entrance on the final day.
No wonder the Heavenly River Sect Elder presiding over the Ascension Conference had remained passive. Not only did the young man possess heaven-defying cultivation talent, but his status was also extraordinary—he was the closed-door disciple of a Core Formation True Lord!
"Heh, what's wrong? Too scared to fight?" Liu Huai'an sneered.
The rogue cultivator, now facing such blatant mockery, remained as calm as still water. Instead of letting his anger boil over, he turned his gaze toward the Heavenly River Sect Elders.
Finally, an Elder of the Heavenly River Sect spoke. It was Elder Su Xin, whom Li Qing had met briefly before.
Her figure was voluptuous, and her voice was soft and smooth, as if it could be wrung out like water. Yet her tone carried an undercurrent of subtle authority.
"Junior Brother Huai'an, did Martial Uncle Wan send you here?"
This simple question immediately revealed the young man's extraordinary background—he was indeed backed by a Core Formation Realm expert!
Liu Huai'an dared not be presumptuous this time. He respectfully clasped his hands in a bow and replied, "Elder Su Xin, my master instructed me to come here for training today. Regardless of victory or defeat, it will not affect my qualification for the Foundation Establishment Pill among the top ten!"
After a moment, another, older Foundation Establishment Elder chuckled, "I see. In that case, the Immortal Seeds who were just selected might as well spar with him for practice. Even if they lose, it won't affect their rankings."
With the Elder's assurance, the rogue cultivator who had stepped forward earlier finally looked a little relieved.
"Come on," the Lei-surnamed rogue cultivator said with a smirk. "I'll show you that strong cultivation talent isn't everything. This Lei has slain more than one cultivator with higher cultivation than myself."
Liu Huai'an sneered, "Enough talk. Let's fight!"
As his words faded, the two cultivators unleashed their respective techniques, engaging in a fierce magical duel.
Meanwhile, the Foundation Establishment Elders of the Heavenly River Sect straightened their postures, ready to intervene at any moment, fearing an accident that could lead to serious injury.
Just as everyone's attention was focused on the battle arena, an Enforcement Disciple approached the Elders.
"Elders, there's a rogue cultivator outside claiming to have an urgent matter of utmost importance to report!"
A middle-aged Daoist nun among the Elders asked calmly, "What urgent matter? Didn't he tell you?"
The Enforcement Disciple forced a wry smile. "I questioned him, but he insisted on delivering the information personally to an Elder-level figure, claiming it concerns the safety of Heavenly River Market."
Upon hearing this, the Elders' expressions shifted slightly.
"Since he's a rogue cultivator, he likely wouldn't dare deceive us with such claims," the Daoist nun said gravely. "Where is he? Bring him here for questioning."
Soon, a young man with tattered clothes and a pale, weakened complexion was escorted in by the Heavenly River Sect's Enforcement Disciples.
"Hmm? This isn't your original body. You've seized this flesh!" Elder Su Xin, whose temperament was as gentle and refined as jade, frowned slightly, instantly discerning the unnaturalness of the body.
Having specialized in the study of divine souls, her understanding far surpassed that of other elders of her rank. It was no surprise she could see through the deception.
The other elders, hearing her words, accepted her judgment without question. Several elders' hands began to glow with spiritual light, poised to strike and eliminate the intruder at any moment.
After all, body seizing was a dishonorable act, universally condemned by the cultivation world.
"Speak," an elder with a righteous fury snorted coldly. "This old man is curious to hear what urgent matter you claim to have. If you're merely wasting our time, I won't hesitate to send you to your death a second time."
The speaker was none other than Ye Feng, who had just successfully seized a body and rushed to Heavenly River Market without pausing for breath.
Ye Feng clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Seniors, please forgive my intrusion. I was slain by the Flying Eagle Bandits. Only through a secret treasure was a fragment of my divine soul preserved. By chance, this remnant soul seized the corpse of a deceased Flying Eagle Bandit, allowing me to be reborn."
"The crucial information I must report was gleaned from fragments of the original body's memories during the body seizing process!"
"The force behind the Flying Eagle Bandits is the Shangqing Sect, and they plan to launch an attack on Heavenly River Market today, immediately after the Ascension Conference concludes!"
Upon hearing this, several Foundation Establishment Realm Elders' expressions shifted dramatically. They demanded in tones of shock and fury:
"What did you say?! The Shangqing Sect?!"
Bang!
Someone slammed their fist on the table, their eyes blazing with urgency. "Is this true? Why didn't you report such vital information sooner?!"
Even Elder Su Xin, whose demeanor was usually as gentle as water, trembled slightly. She even considered using soul-searching techniques on the young cultivator to verify the truth of his words.
But such measures proved unnecessary. In the very next moment, a cataclysmic explosion shook the entrance to Heavenly River Market's Grand Formation.
Boom!
The unique spiritual light of several high-grade Restriction-Breaking Talismans erupted like lightning, obliterating a floating island with overwhelming force!
(End of the Chapter)
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