Chapter 32: Peak Selection Assembly!
“The Chaotian Sect’s two hundred and thirty-third Peak Selection Gathering begins today!”
Several days later, a resounding voice rang out across the entire Chaotian Sect, shaking the mountains and forests, startling birds into flight.
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”
Countless disciples in white robes crossed the Outer Gate from every direction.
They flew toward the three peaks of the Inner Gate.
Kicking up streaks of dust and smoke.
Amid the crowd, Lu Qingyang moved like the wind, his speed extremely fast.
Is that the Three Peaks?
Looking at the three enormous mountains slowly revealing themselves ahead, Lu Qingyang’s eyes flickered.
Ever since he had risen to the Outer Gate, the legend of the Three Peaks had lingered in his ears.
And now he finally had the chance to see the legendary Inner Gate Three Peaks.
Streaks of spiritual mist shot skyward from the three peaks.
They transformed into enormous mushroom clouds, emitting faint spiritual qi fluctuations that stirred the heart.
This spiritual qi is so dense.
Lu Qingyang’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of joy on his face.
He had never seen such vast spiritual qi.
His anticipation for the Inner Gate Three Peaks only grew.
Flame Grass Peak was the venue for this Chaotian Sect Peak Selection Gathering.
A crowd of Outer Gate disciples surged toward Flame Grass Peak.
At the summit, on a massive White Jade Plaza, over a hundred Outer Gate disciples stood scattered about.
The number of disciples at each Peak Selection Gathering was roughly the same, just over a hundred but under two hundred.
That accounted for a quarter of the Chaotian Sect’s Outer Gate population.
However, of these two hundred or so, only a few dozen would successfully pass the Peak Selection Gathering.
Once the disciples had taken their positions, streaks of azure flowing light descended from the three peaks, hovering in midair.
“Greetings, Inner Gate True Persons!”
The disciples, seeing who had arrived, bowed in unison with clasped fists.
The newcomers were the many Foundation Establishment True Persons of the Three Peaks.
And most were reclusive powerhouse cultivators of the Three Peaks who seldom appeared in the world!
“I hear there are a few rather good disciples among this year’s batch.”
A voice tinged with amusement came from the summit of Flame Grass Peak.
The words had barely landed when a figure leaped down.
The newcomer was none other than the Flame Grass Peak Chief, Song Ge!
As the Flame Grass Peak Chief, his cultivation had reached the peak of late-stage Foundation Establishment.
His strength was immense, enough to be called the number one among the Flame Grass Peak’s Second Generation disciples.
“Heh heh, what do good disciples have to do with your Flame Grass Peak? The strong should all enter my Sword Ridge Peak.”
A sinister cold snort sounded.
The disciples all froze at these words, lifting their heads toward the direction of the voice.
A middle-aged man with a cold expression and a killing intent between his brows walked over from the distance.
“It’s the Sword Ridge Peak Chief, Martial-Uncle Zhao.”
A disciple recognized this person’s identity and gasped in a low voice.
“Rumor has it that Martial-Uncle Zhao once fought a False Core rogue cultivator outside the mountain at the peak Foundation Establishment realm!”
“Though he was ultimately defeated and forced to retreat, such bravery truly commands admiration!”
“Indeed, with Senior Brother Zhao here, Sword Ridge Peak will remain the Chaotian Sect’s greatest peak for another two hundred years!”
Discussions reached Lu Qingyang’s ears one after another.
He nodded slightly.
He had also heard of Zhao Jianfeng’s fearsome reputation.
Inner Gate Elder Zhao, who at peak Foundation Establishment had fought a False Core cultivator.
And retreated intact — that was truly astonishing.
At the same time, this person had an eccentric temperament and was extremely protective of his own. Whoever dared provoke him was doomed.
Even Song Ge, when facing Zhao Jianfeng, could only show anger on his face, not daring to argue further.
“Ahem, silence!”
An aged voice suddenly sounded.
The disciples’ discussions cut off abruptly, each falling silent as a cicada in winter.
An old man draped in a purple robe stepped through the air, his eyes glowing with a faint brilliance that made others not dare look directly at him.
This person was none other than the host of this Peak Selection Gathering, the Flame Grass Peak Lord, Wang Tiande.
“Martial-Nephew Zhao, worthy of one from Sword Ridge Peak — your words are always so grand.”
Wang Tiande glanced sideways at Zhao Jianfeng.
He was a Golden Core great cultivator, naturally a cut above Zhao Jianfeng.
His tone carried a note of condescension.
“Martial-Uncle Peak Lord speaks too heavily.”
Zhao Jianfeng cupped his hands slightly, his expression somewhat awkward.
His cultivation was below Wang Tiande’s, and the other was a Peak Lord besides. At this moment, he could only rein in his arrogance.
“Hmph!”
Wang Tiande gave a light snort, no longer exchanging pleasantries with Zhao Jianfeng.
He began announcing the rules of the Peak Selection Gathering.
“The Peak Selection Gathering — those with clear Dao hearts and refined techniques may enter regardless of talent!”
“The rules are ten platforms set, the crowd challenges the platforms, and those who win ten consecutive matches may enter the Three Peaks.”
“Remember, ten victories is merely qualified, fifteen victories is good, twenty victories is excellent!”
Wang Tiande’s voice rang out, immediately causing a stir.
Many disciples wore expressions of excitement.
The Peak Selection Gathering selected for the Three Peaks, and was also the Three Peaks selecting disciples.
Such rules delighted Lu Qingyang as well.
Only, he was puzzled. The True Persons of Flame Grass Peak and Sword Ridge Peak had already appeared.
Why had no cultivator from Sun-Moon Peak shown up?
Before he could ponder further, the Flame Grass Peak Lord Wang Tiande stepped into midair.
With a flip of his wrist, a bronze inkstone appeared in his palm from thin air.
“The Peak Selection Gathering, begin.”
Wang Tiande tossed the bronze inkstone into the air. It spun, transforming into a streak of flowing light that shot straight toward the White Jade Plaza below.
“Boom!”
“Boom!”
“Boom…”
Waves of rumbling echoed in everyone’s ears, and the bronze inkstone actually split into ten bronze-cast platforms.
“Those who were platform masters before, ascend the platforms at once.”
Wang Tiande’s voice rang out again.
“Yes!”
A resounding voice answered, and streaks of escape light flew up.
Moments later, all ten platforms had their masters.
“Look! Isn’t that Senior Brother Li, who failed Foundation Establishment at the last Peak Selection Gathering? He’s actually participating again!”
“Hisss, it really is him. I never imagined Senior Brother Li would have cultivated to the False Foundation realm of the twelfth layer of Qi Refining!”
“And that one — isn’t that the Spirit Artifact Bureau Director’s own grandson? He’s come to participate too.”
“And that one, look at that one…”
…
Looking at these figures, the disciples all drew in a cold breath.
Their eyes went wide, faces full of shock.
This Peak Selection Gathering was truly spectacular.
Not only were there cultivators from the previous session, but even the kin of various Bureau Directors.
Each of them was armed to the teeth, nearly covered in first-rank high-grade Dharma Artifacts.
“Huh, that last one looks a bit familiar too…”
A sharp-eyed disciple noticed a white-robed youth of about twenty-something in the corner.
“Seems like he’s from the Spirit Field Bureau…”
Another disciple’s eyes flickered, then he understood. “No wonder he looked so familiar. I remember now, that’s Deacon Lu of the Spirit Field Bureau!”
“Hisss, it really is! I didn’t expect even Deacon Lu to participate in this Peak Selection Gathering!”
“Hoo… with Deacon Lu’s comprehension of techniques, entering the Inner Gate shouldn’t be a problem…”
Everyone could not help but swallow.