(A bonus chapter and update over the weekend, seeking collection and recommendations!) ＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ The martial contest in the Minor Sumeru Realm had begun, and Gu Ya, with his youthful excitement, watched with rapt attention. Feng Zikang, however, only glanced briefly; he knew the basic tenets of military combat, and while these competitors possessed cultivation levels higher than his own, their fighting methods and divine abilities were crude and offered little of interest.

He waited solely for the battle between Huo Zhongguang and Liang Sian to commence—that would truly be worth observing.

It was at this juncture that Meng Qinglu approached to foster rapport.

“Junior Brother Feng, in the days to come, when I reside at Dragon-Tiger Mountain, I will rely heavily on your guidance.”

He had already returned to his usual composure, maintaining the appearance of a gentle, refined gentleman, polished as jade. His voice was sincere, and despite Feng Zikang being younger, he remained perfectly deferential. Meng Qinglu paid little heed to the matches occurring in the Minor Sumeru Realm, placing far greater value on Feng Zikang as a person.

“It would be my pleasure. May I ask, Senior Brother Meng, which Elder on Sunset Peak you will be submitting to?”

Being at the fourth layer of Qi Induction did not guarantee acceptance as a direct lineage disciple, but given Meng Qinglu’s special status, the academy would undoubtedly find an Elder to take him on to save face for White Deer Academy. However, which Elder was chosen would reveal the true extent of the Dragon-Tiger Mountain military faction’s regard for him.

“A master tutor has not yet been designated...”

Meng Qinglu naturally showed nothing on the surface, yet a distinct disappointment gnawed at his heart. His preference was to be taken under the tutelage of the Sect Master, Yuan Buhuan. Thus, during today’s grand competition, he had deliberately exerted himself to leave a favorable impression on his prospective master. To have his painstaking efforts undone by a mere child just as he was about to captivate everyone was a bitter pill; an unease began to stir within him.

“Senior Brother need not worry. Your innate talent is exceptional; no matter which Elder you study under, you are bound to achieve great things!”

This statement was true enough, but different teachers meant different resources, and the time taken on the path of cultivation could vary drastically. Should he be placed under an Elder who was idle or possessed low cultivation, the difference from being an inner disciple without a master would be negligible.

“Junior Brother speaks the truth...”

Meng Qinglu could only manage a wry, helpless smile, unable to offer a rebuttal.

Feng Zikang inwardly chuckled, deliberately engaging him in tangential conversation. In his speech, he made sure to specifically mention Luo Lianxin by name, praising her profound talent and high cultivation, suggesting she and Senior Brother Meng would surely find common ground.

“You say her Military Heart Method has already reached the thirtieth level? That she has already received the merit quest for Foundation Establishment? And she is only fifteen?”

Meng Qinglu had always prided himself on his accomplishments. None of his peers at White Deer Academy matched his cultivation speed, and he arrived at Dragon-Tiger Mountain brimming with self-assurance. Seeing that even the senior disciples on Sunset Peak, after decades of cultivation, had produced only one Foundation Establishment cultivator—Liang Sian—he had unconsciously harbored a degree of disdain. To hear Feng Zikang speak of a fifteen-year-old female who was nearly at Foundation Establishment, having mastered their sect’s core method to the thirtieth level… What kind of monster was she?

Seeing Meng Qinglu slump as if struck by despair, Feng Zikang felt even more pleased.

Meng Qinglu was deeply versed in the Confucian art of temperament nurturing; he rarely let joy or anger show on his face, practicing self-restraint and adherence to ritual, burying all desires deep within and striving for control. This sort of person’s inner demons were notoriously difficult to stir.

But no matter his restraint, he was still only a young man of twenty, his composure not yet fully hardened. His competitive spirit was far from extinguished. Moreover, Confucianism traditionally held women in low esteem—the saying goes, “Only petty men and women are hard to manage.” Having grown up at White Deer Academy, hearing that a woman was far surpassing him in cultivation precisely when his own sharp edge had been blunted, Meng Qinglu was, for a moment, utterly lost.

A seed of a heart demon had been planted; one day, it would surely take root and sprout.

“Senior Brother Meng, the contest between Senior Brother Liang and Senior Brother Huo is about to begin. Let us watch closely; it will surely be instructive.”

“Yes, yes.”

Meng Qinglu was distraught, having completely lost the grace he possessed moments before. It took him a considerable time to slowly regain his equilibrium. ※※※ The first seven rounds of matches had concluded. Next up was the challenging bout between Huo Zhongguang and Liang Sian.

Huo Zhongguang’s complexion was ashen, the veins bulging on the back of his hand as he gripped his blade hilt tightly. His eyes, however, held a certain vacancy, as if preoccupied with unspoken thoughts.

Liang Sian remained expressionless. Having lost face in the military strategy demonstration just moments ago, he naturally needed to reclaim it. He was not concerned that Huo Zhongguang possessed the skill to defeat him, but he needed to remain cautious to avoid injury that might embolden others to challenge him. Therefore, although he deeply resented Huo Zhongguang for letting the Ghost God General escape, he planned to settle that score with him later, not in haste.

If Liang Sian knew that the Ghost God General had already been slain by Feng Zikang and Luo Lianxin, and that its Soul Fire Primordial Core had gone to Luo Lianxin, his internal frustration would likely surge even higher.

“Enter the Realm!”

Yuan Buhuan waved both hands. The two men shouted simultaneously, leaping up, and were drawn into the Minor Sumeru Realm by a massive vortex.

Their figures expanded, and their respective magical weapons transformed into a streak of cyan energy and a cluster of cold light, each suspended in the air, confronting each other across the mountainside.

Feng Zikang had been waiting for this moment. Feigning absentmindedness, he slapped his forehead, and an illusory shadow materialized, immediately vanishing without a trace.

Formless and intangible, leaving no shadow—the Avatar of the Formless Heavenly Demon!

He himself remained standing atop Sunset Peak, conversing with the delighted Gu Ya, while his avatar plunged directly into the vortex conjured by Yuan Buhuan, rushing into the Minor Sumeru Realm!

“Junior Brother Huo, it has been decades since we last sparred! Today’s exchange should be kept to a courteous level; let us not damage the harmony between fellow disciples!”

Huo Zhongguang said nothing. He still held a measure of apprehension toward this Senior Brother. He couldn't recall how, in a haze, he had uttered the challenge agreement that day. However, he was a straightforward man; having committed to this wager, he certainly never considered backing down. Despite his lack of confidence, he was determined to find a way to win.

His trump card now was the fifth-level ‘Great Technique of Heavenly Demon Dissolution’—though in his understanding, it was the Confucian divine ability, ‘To hear the Way in the morning, one may die content in the evening.’ Coupled with this was the full twenty levels of the ‘Primordial Unity Infinite Slash.’ Activating the Great Technique of Heavenly Demon Dissolution to double his strength, and then focusing all his vital essence, spirit, and will into a single strike, he was certain he could injure Senior Brother Liang, who was only in the early stage of Foundation Establishment!

“Too much talk is useless! Witness my blade!”

All the grievances and enmities accumulated over the years might well be settled in this single battle! At this moment, Huo Zhongguang’s mind was clear and empty. He stopped contemplating the outcome beyond the fight, suddenly entering a state of profound tranquility.

Huo Zhongguang roared, and the primordial spirit of his serrated long saber reformed in his hand into a cold gleam, sweeping down towards Liang Sian’s head!

“A blade once drawn shall not return! Be careful, Junior Brother Huo!”

Liang Sian gave a dry laugh, attempting to emulate the bold and expansive manner of his master. He waved both hands, and the primordial spirit of a cyan long saber condensed in his grasp. Cold light flickered within the sharp edge. With a slight curl of the blade tip, a casual slash manifested as a half-moon arc of light, meeting Huo Zhongguang’s fierce downward strike.

This was the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade of the former Martial Saint!