Free Web NovelChapter 427: Chapter 423: A Holy Stele Expert Makes a Move
Imperial City, Imperial Saint Institute.
In the Upper Court plaza, a massive boulder levitated and transformed into the Saint Institute Battlefield. And on this battlefield, a Middle Court Disciple was challenging an Upper Court Disciple.
Outside the Saint Institute Battlefield, a sizable crowd had gathered to watch. Even some experts from the Holy Stele had come. They had all appeared because the Middle Court Disciple challenging an Upper Court Disciple had a rather special background.
His name was Yang Peng, and he was from the same sect as Lin Hao.
"This guy is only at the Fifth Layer of the Elemental Realm, but he actually dares to challenge one of our Upper Court Disciples. Who does he think he is, Lin Hao?" Among the spectators were several Upper Court Disciples, who stared at the Saint Institute Battlefield with undisguised contempt.
"Exactly. To challenge one of us Upper Court Disciples, you should be at the Eighth Layer of the Elemental Realm at the very least. I bet he saw Ling Xiao’s narrow victory and thought we were easy targets," another Upper Court Disciple chimed in.
"Ever since the news of the Six Great Saint Institutes’ martial competition spread a few days ago, every Tom, Dick, and Harry has been getting desperate. It’s understandable." Another disciple spoke up; from his tone, he was clearly an Upper Court Disciple as well.
"For Yang Peng to last this long without being defeated at the Fifth Layer of the Elemental Realm is amazing! Way to go!" a Middle Court Disciple exclaimed in a hushed, impressed voice.
In reality, Yang Peng had only just managed to withstand ten of his opponent’s moves.
But one had to remember that Yang Peng’s cultivation was only at the Fifth Layer of the Elemental Realm, while his opponent was already at the Eighth Layer of the Elemental Realm.
Withstanding ten moves was already an impressive feat.
"It’s no use. The gap between them is just too wide. I estimate Yang Peng will be defeated in another three to five moves," said another Middle Court Disciple, this one at the Sixth Layer of the Elemental Realm.
On the Saint Institute Battlefield, the fight was exceptionally fierce, with astral winds raging. In the blink of an eye, another ten moves had passed.
Although Yang Peng was at a disadvantage, he remained undefeated.
Now, many of the disciples were stunned.
Even the eyes of some disciples from the Holy Stele flashed with shock.
"His fist technique and Body Technique are by no means ordinary. Later, go find him and borrow them." The eyes of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth glinted as he sent a voice transmission to a disciple behind him.
"Young Master, what if Lin Hao comes back?" the disciple hesitated before finally asking.
"Heh, if my calculations are correct, that letter won’t take more than two days to reach the Heaven-Stepping Sect. By the time Lin Hao gets back to the Saint Institute, we’ll be long gone. Why worry about someone who isn’t even qualified to participate in the martial competition?"
"Yes, Young Master."
While the two were conversing, Yang Peng exchanged another five moves with his opponent.
"Yang Peng will be defeated within three moves. Go and get ready," the Young Master transmitted again.
And just as his words faded, Yang Peng suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and tumbled off the Saint Institute Battlefield, defeated.
It had been exactly three moves.
’Once I get his Body Technique and martial arts, I’m confident I can move up another rank.’ The Young Master drifted down from the sky above the Upper Court plaza, his gaze fixed on a stone stele at the edge of the square.
There was nothing beneath his feet; he had been hovering in midair the entire time.
"Lin Feichen, the Saint Institute Disciples depart in four days. Before then, I will claim the sixth spot on the Holy Stele." The Young Master murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear.
Then, the young master glanced at Yang Peng, who was struggling back to his feet. A strange light flashed in his eyes before he turned and walked straight away.
Just as he left, the sound of clashes once again rang out from the Saint Institute Battlefield.
In four days, the Upper Court Disciples would depart for the Six Great Saint Institutes’ martial competition. No one knew how many Middle Court Disciples were desperately trying to become Upper Court Disciples at this very moment.
Failing to become an Upper Court Disciple meant losing the chance to enter the Heaven-Breaking Pavilion. For a Martial Artist, this was an unimaginable blow.
"Yang Peng, are you alright?"
After Yang Peng’s defeat, almost no one would come and speak to him at a time like this, save for a few.
In fact, ever since the news of the martial competition between the Six Great Saint Institutes had spread, even Chen Qian and Wenren Yuxin had been challenged.
And Ling Xiao, who had just barely defeated an Upper Court Disciple with his cultivation at the Seventh Layer of the Elemental Realm, was still laid up in bed.
The one who had just spoken was the chubby Wenren Feiming.
"I’m fine. Chubby, why aren’t you in a hurry? Don’t you want to participate in the Six Great Saint Institutes’ martial competition?" Even the usually quiet Yang Peng couldn’t help but feel a bit curious upon seeing Wenren Feiming.
Wenren Feiming did not receive different treatment just because he was from one of the four great families; he was also a Middle Court Disciple.
Wenren Feiming chuckled, looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, and said conspiratorially, "There are still four days left, no rush. I’m guessing there’s going to be a good show to watch over the next few days. I’ll just pick up the scraps when the time comes."
"A good show? What good show?"
"Not all of the Upper Court Disciples come from prominent and powerful clans; many have no background to speak of. But for the Middle Court Disciples, and even the Lower Court Disciples, it’s the opposite—many of them are from various family clans. These clans won’t give up on the chance to enter the Heaven-Breaking Pavilion, not even for a sliver of hope."
Yang Peng immediately understood. "You mean, in the next few days, we’ll see situations where many disciples challenge a single person?"
"Of course. The Upper Court Disciples may have extraordinary cultivation, but even an elephant can’t withstand a swarm of ants. By using attrition tactics, they can wear down and secure quite a few spots."
"How outrageous!" Yang Peng exclaimed in fury.
He came from a humble background and couldn’t even awaken his bloodline. If it weren’t for Lin Hao, his life would have been ruined long ago. Now, hearing this news, he was naturally filled with righteous indignation.
"It doesn’t matter how you’re defeated; if you lose, you’re destined not to enter the Heaven-Breaking Pavilion. Elimination is just a matter of time. You don’t need to be so angry about it." Wenren Feiming shook his head. He saw things far more clearly than Yang Peng.
Yang Peng froze, understanding his meaning.
Ultimately, any defeat came down to a lack of strength. Yang Peng believed that if his name was carved on the Holy Stele, no one would dare to challenge him.
"Good, as long as you understand. Can you still fight?" Wenren Feiming asked suddenly.
"I can," Yang Peng replied, though he didn’t know what Wenren Feiming was getting at.
He had forged his Divine Soul long ago, and his constitution was far beyond that of an ordinary person. Besides, the disciple just now hadn’t dealt a fatal blow. His injuries weren’t serious and wouldn’t take long to heal.
"That’s good. Since you’re from the same sect as Brother Lin, I believe you won’t let them get what they want," Wenren Feiming said, patting Yang Peng on the shoulder. He then walked away, leaving a bewildered Yang Peng behind.
After a brief moment of surprise, a harsh glint flashed in Yang Peng’s eyes.
The next moment, after a few violent coughs, Yang Peng staggered away.
Wenren Feiming also paid no mind to the battles on the Saint Institute Battlefield and chose to leave.
A short while later, Wenren Feiming appeared in a room.
In the room, Wenren Yuxin stood in a long dress, holding an ancient book, completely absorbed in her reading.
"Sis, who exactly is going to make a move on Yang Peng?" After waiting for a long time, Wenren Feiming finally couldn’t hold back any longer.
Wenren Feiming had just gone to warn Yang Peng at Wenren Yuxin’s behest, but she hadn’t told him who the perpetrator would be.
Wenren Yuxin’s gaze remained on her book as she softly uttered a name.
