Cultivation starts from simplifying the exercises

Chapter 2044 Invitation to Battle

Sensing the almost overflowing emotions of the disciples below, and the increasingly confrontational atmosphere within the hall, Wei Zhongqian gently raised his hand.

An invisible yet powerful pressure instantly spread, not domineering, but causing all the arguing voices to involuntarily quiet down, eventually falling silent, and everyone's eyes were once again focused on him.

Wei Zhongqian slowly spoke: "What you all say makes sense. Chen Fei is indeed qualified to inherit Junior Brother Chu's legacy. However, directly bestowing it upon him may easily cause resentment among the other diligent disciples in the peak."

His gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling on Chen Fei: "In that case, the compromise is to let Chen Fei undergo a test."

Wei Zhongqian paused for a moment, then continued, "The standard will be passing the three peaks set by the sect. Chen Fei, if you can pass the test of these three peaks on your own, then this sixteenth-grade low-rank spiritual material will be bestowed upon you."

"Triple Peak?" A low murmur rippled through the hall.

The so-called Triple Peak is a comprehensive test within the Dan Chen Sect, specifically designed to test disciples' talent, comprehension, temperament, and combat abilities. There are several similar trial grounds within the sect.

The "threefold" does not refer to three mountain peaks, but rather symbolizes three trials of strength, mind, and path, each more difficult than the last, representing a severe test of the disciple's comprehensive qualities.

Those who can pass this test are considered the best among their peers.

Wei Zhongqian proposed using this as a test, clearly intending to use a relatively universally accepted standard to silence the opponents, while also giving Chen Fei a chance to prove himself.

However, Wei Zhongqian's proposal failed to quell all the opposition.

"Senior Brother Wei, is passing through the Three Peaks the only test? Isn't that a bit too easy?" Elder Li, the one who spoke first, frowned and shook his head again.

He glanced down at the fifteenth-level peak disciples below and raised his voice: "More than half of these fifteenth-level peak disciples have successfully passed the Triple Peak! If we use this as the standard to bestow sixteenth-level spiritual materials, how can other disciples who have also passed and even performed better be convinced?"

This test may not be convincing enough to convince the public!

"Elder Li is absolutely right!"

Another disciple from the Tai Cang Realm echoed, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction, "While the Triple Peak can test one's strength to a certain extent, it is ultimately just a basic trial. It might be sufficient to determine ordinary resource rewards, but to use it to decide the ownership of such a precious treasure as a sixteenth-rank spiritual material is indeed too simplistic!"

"Yes, if passing through three peaks is enough to obtain this spiritual material, there are plenty of qualified disciples in the peaks. Why should it be given to the new junior brother Chen?" someone muttered in a low voice, their words particularly clear in the quiet hall.

Opposition has resurfaced, and it seems that no matter what proposal Wei Zhongqian puts forward, someone will always find a reason to oppose it. Behind this lies not just a matter of factual issues, but also complex factional and interest-related matters.

"enough!"

A sharp, cold shout suddenly rang out, drowning out all the noise and discussion!

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Cao Feiyu, who had been sitting silently, had now stood up. Her beautiful face was covered with a layer of frost, and her eyes, which always carried a faint melancholy, were now as cold as swords, her sharp gaze sweeping over the elders and disciples who had spoken out the most vehemently.

Those whose gaze swept over her felt a chill run down their spines and instinctively looked away.

Cao Feiyu's chest heaved slightly as she looked at Elder Li in his black robes. Her voice trembled as she suppressed her anger, but every word was crystal clear:

"Elder Li, you keep saying that Chen Fei only cultivated in the Xuan Yu Realm before and you don't know his talent and ability. So, if he can pass through the three peaks set up by my Dan Chen Sect with such background, it proves that his talent and temperament are both excellent. Isn't that rare enough?"

Cao Feiyu spoke quickly and urgently, with an undeniable air of authority: "Why do you insist on comparing him to those disciples who have been in the sect since childhood, enjoying abundant resources and receiving systematic inheritance? Is that fair?"

“Junior Sister Cao, you can’t say that. The sect rules…” Another elder who had previously agreed tried to speak up.

"rule?!"

Cao Feiyu abruptly turned her head, her gaze flashing like lightning as she glared at the man, directly interrupting him. Her pent-up emotions seemed to find an outlet at this moment; her voice suddenly rose, carrying a deep sorrow and resolute tone, resounding throughout the entire hall:

“That spiritual material of high rank was left behind by Xuan Yu himself! It was left for his future disciple. Now, I want to bestow it upon Chen Fei, who has refined his plane and inherited part of his karma. What’s wrong with that? Does it need so many reasons? Does it need to be compared with so many people?”

Upon hearing this, the entire Danxin Hall fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop!

Everyone was stunned, including the elders and disciples who had vehemently opposed it.

Cao Feiyu's roar, which almost disregarded all reason and spoke only of her true feelings and personal emotions, suddenly left them speechless.

In the end, those sixteenth-tier spiritual materials were Chu Xuanyu's private property, and Cao Feiyu, as his Daoist partner, had the most say in how to dispose of them.

Of course, Cao Feiyu's strong statement almost put her personal feelings in opposition to the sect's rules.

Many people's gazes became complicated. Wei Zhongqian looked at the emotionally agitated Cao Feiyu, his lips moved slightly, and finally turned into an almost inaudible sigh.

Cao Feiyu's question, filled with grief and resentment, still echoed among the beams and pillars of the hall, leaving the room deathly silent, everyone stunned by her emotions. However, this heavy silence did not last long.

"Ha ha……"

A soft laugh suddenly came from outside the hall, breaking the tense atmosphere. The laughter was gentle, yet it carried a condescending and penetrating power.

Everyone looked up and followed the sound to the outside of the hall.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the sky outside the Danxin Hall, standing with his hands behind his back.

He wore a magnificent moon-white robe embroidered with pale gold cloud patterns, a jade crown on his head, and had an exceptionally handsome face. A faint, gentle smile played at the corners of his mouth, but his deep eyes naturally exuded an invisible pressure from someone who had long held a high position.

The young man in white robes calmly surveyed the people in the hall, especially Wei Zhongqian, Cao Feiyu, and Chen Fei beside Cao Feiyu. His smile remained unchanged as he shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of regret:

“Junior Sister Cao, you are mistaken. How can the property of the sect be judged entirely by personal feelings? Junior Brother Chu’s legacy certainly has its special characteristics, but since he has entered the Dan Chen Sect and is under the sect’s protection, its ownership must take into account the sect’s laws and the sentiments of the many disciples.”

If everyone were to dispose of sect resources based on personal feelings, wouldn't that disrupt the order and discourage the disciples?

His words, seemingly reasonable, actually completely refuted Cao Feiyu's idea of ​​private property transfer, bringing the issue back to the level of sect rules and public acceptance.

Cao Feiyu, already agitated, paled upon hearing this. She abruptly looked up, her gaze like two icy spikes piercing Shi Pojun in the air, her voice trembling with anger:

"Shi Pojun!"

Cao Feiyu addressed him by his first name without any politeness, saying, "When did it become your place to interfere and make unwarranted comments on the affairs of my Cuiping Peak!"

Shi Pojun was not from Cuiping Peak, and his appearance to interfere at this moment was, in her view, already an overstepping of boundaries.

Despite Cao Feiyu's stern rebuke, Shi Pojun's smile remained unchanged, even deepening. He leisurely dusted off non-existent dust and replied in a relaxed tone:

"Junior Sister Cao, why are you angry? Why don't I have the right to say a few words?"

His gaze swept over the group from Cuiping Peak below, finally settling on Cao Feiyu and Wei Zhongqian, and he laughed without any attempt to hide his laughter:

"To be honest, I had my nephew Shi Zhou Shuo specially enroll at Cui Ping Peak not only because I thought Cui Ping Peak had excellent teaching methods, but also because of the sixteenth-grade low-rank spiritual material left by Junior Brother Chu."

Shi Pojun's words shocked everyone present.

Although many people share this goal, it is still difficult to accept that they admit it in public. It is blatantly supporting their own children and vying for resources!

Shi Pojun, seemingly oblivious to the sudden change in everyone's expressions, continued, "I originally thought that the Cuiping Summit would follow the sect's rules and compete fairly. Whoever had higher talent, greater potential, and made more contributions to the summit would be able to obtain this spiritual material. In that case, even if Zhou Shuo ultimately failed to obtain it, I would have nothing to say, only blaming him for his lack of skill."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze suddenly sharpening, "But now, it seems that Senior Brother Wei and Junior Sister Cao intend to directly bestow the spiritual materials upon this newly initiated Junior Brother Chen? Isn't that unfair?"

Since that's the case, I, Shi, will naturally have to speak up for my nephew, who has been cultivating diligently on Cuiping Peak for many years, and fight for him!

As Shi Pojun made his intentions clear without any hesitation, almost everyone in the hall focused their attention on a figure standing at the forefront of the fifteenth-level peak disciples.

This person was none other than Shi Zhoushuo.

He was tall and straight, and although his face was not extremely handsome, his features were well-defined, and his eyes shone with a sharp inner light. Standing there, he naturally exuded an aura of calm as a mountain, yet with hidden sharpness.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, he remained calm, showing neither embarrassment nor pride. He simply straightened his back slightly and met the stares of everyone with composure.

"Shi Zhoushuo..." Many people silently murmured this name in their hearts.

It must be admitted that, in terms of talent, cultivation, and potential alone, Shi Zhou Shuo is indeed among the top disciples of Cui Ping Peak who are currently vying for that sixteenth-grade low-rank spiritual material.

His main cultivation technique is the Jingzhe Technique, one of the top fifteen-level inheritances of the Danchen Sect.

This technique is extremely profound. Its greatest feature is that it does not require practitioners to condense the highest-grade Dao foundation from the very beginning.

Cultivators can start with the relatively easy Profound Origin Dao Foundation. As their cultivation deepens, their understanding accumulates, and their resources are infused, they can gradually advance, continuously strengthening their foundation. Eventually, they may be able to achieve the transformation and sublimation of their Dao Foundation, until they condense the Heavenly Origin Dao Foundation!

This is a path of cultivation that involves accumulating knowledge and experience before unleashing its full potential.

Shi Zhou Shuo has already gone very far on this path, and now he is only one step away from condensing the Heavenly Origin Dao Foundation.

For Shi Zhou Shuo at this moment, a suitable sixteenth-grade low-level spiritual material is like a spark that ignites a prairie fire.

That's precisely why Shi Pojun was willing to risk everything and personally intervene to fight for him. Shi Zhoushuo certainly has that value.

"Shi Pojun!"

Wei Zhongqian, who was sitting at the head of the table, finally spoke again. His voice was cold and his face was ashen.

"This sixteenth-grade low-rank spiritual material belongs to my Cuiping Peak and is a legacy of Junior Brother Chu. How to choose and to whom to bestow it is up to my Cuiping Peak to consider and follow its own rules. There is no need for someone from an outer peak like you to interfere!"

If it weren't for the fact that they were fellow disciples and the complex relationships within the sect, Wei Zhongqian would probably have already taken action to expel them.

However, Shi Pojun did not get angry in the face of Wei Zhongqian's almost open rebuke.

“Senior Brother Wei, you are mistaken. If the opinions within your Cuiping Peak are unified and you believe that this spiritual material belongs to Junior Brother Chen, then I, Shi Pojun, will have nothing to say and will turn around and leave immediately without lingering for a moment longer.”

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the elders and disciples below, whose expressions varied and clearly showed discontent, and asked meaningfully:

"But the key point is that even you yourselves don't seem to have a unified opinion right now, do you?"

Shi Pojun's words were like a stone thrown into water, instantly creating even bigger ripples.

“I have already signed up for the Kunyuan Trial next month! Although the trial is dangerous, it is also a way to hone myself and strive for resources. If this Junior Brother Chen doesn’t even dare to participate in the Kunyuan Trial and is timid and hesitant, then tell me, what qualifications does he have to bypass us and directly obtain that rank-level spiritual material? Aren’t I more qualified than him?”

A disciple standing in the front row, with a sharp and capable-looking face, stepped forward first. His voice was loud and clear, filled with defiance and provocation, and his eyes were fixed on Chen Fei.

"Not bad!"

Another disciple immediately chimed in, “The Kunyuan Trial is dangerous, but those demons and demonic cultivators also contain fragments of their rank and even other precious spiritual materials. Participating in the trial allows us to hone our skills, verify our cultivation achievements, and acquire cultivation resources through our own abilities. Why not? Only by undergoing the test of blood and fire can we know who the true pillars of society are!”

"There are hundreds of fifteenth-level disciples in the peak who have signed up to participate in the Kunyuan Trial this time!"

Another person looked around and said loudly, "The trial may be dangerous, but for disciples who are truly capable and courageous, it's really not that big of a deal! If you don't even dare to take this risk, how can you shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting the sect and pursuing the Great Dao?"

Cao Feiyu's icy gaze swept over the fifteenth-level peak disciples who were speaking up one after another. Her beautiful face was even colder, and her jade hands in her sleeves clenched slightly.

Anger surged within her, along with an indescribable sense of disappointment and chill.

Many of these disciples were those who had voluntarily transferred to Cuiping Peak in recent years, or those who had been extremely active and enthusiastic within the peak. Everyone knew in their hearts that their purpose was nothing more than to obtain the sixteenth-grade low-rank spiritual material left behind by Chu Xuanyu.

Cao Feiyu was not initially unable to understand this.

It's only natural for a peak fifteenth-tier disciple to pursue sixteenth-tier spiritual materials and aspire to break through to the Tai Cang Realm. With an opportunity presented to them, there's no reason not to seize it.

After all, the Xuan Yu Realm had been missing for far too long, so long that even Cao Feiyu herself had a vague feeling deep down that the Xuan Yu Realm might have already been completely shattered and dissipated in the void turbulence, and that the spiritual materials in her hand would most likely be given to outstanding disciples within the peak according to the sect's rules.

She could understand their desires and had even tacitly approved of this competition. As long as it was within the rules and based on merit and contribution, she had nothing to say.

But understanding doesn't mean accepting their current pressure!

This attitude of being obsequious at first but arrogant later, and driven by self-interest, filled her with a deep sense of anger.

Not only the fifteenth-level disciples, but even some elders and disciples of the Taicang inner sect who originally held a neutral or wait-and-see attitude began to subtly change their attitudes after Shi Pojun appeared and many disciples spoke out.

An elder from the inner sect of Taicang, who had been kind-faced and had remained silent until now, stroked his beard and chuckled, trying to smooth things over:

"Hehe, everyone, please calm down. Although what Junior Nephew Shi said just now was for personal reasons, his suggestion is not wrong. Letting Junior Nephew Chen participate in a Kunyuan Trial to gain some experience is not a big deal."

If he truly performs exceptionally well in the trials and achieves excellent results, then when he receives that prestigious spiritual material, everyone on the peak will surely be convinced, won't they? This will also save a lot of unnecessary disputes.”

"Elder Liu is right."

Another disciple from the Tai Cang Realm nodded in agreement, "Although the Kunyuan Trial is somewhat risky, it is also a rare opportunity for us cultivators to hone our skills. Going there is really nothing to worry about. If we can use this to gain the respect of others, it would be a wonderful thing."

“Junior Brother Chen only entered the sect yesterday. He knows nothing about the rules and regulations of Dan Chen Sect or the details of the Kunyuan Trial! He has no understanding of the characteristics of the demons in Kunyuan or the distribution of dangers! Now you want to force him to participate in such a dangerous trial. Is this what you call the fairness of the sect?” Cao Feiyu looked directly at the elder and disciple who had spoken.

"Senior Sister Cao!"

A calm voice rang out, drowning out the noise in the hall. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Shi Zhou Shuo, who had been standing silently, suddenly raise his head!

His gaze was piercing as he stared directly at Cao Feiyu, showing no sign of backing down. He raised his voice and said, "You say it's unfair to make Junior Brother Chen participate in the trial right after he arrives!"

"We have cultivated diligently within the peak for many years, made meritorious contributions, and longed for spiritual materials for so long! Now, Junior Brother Chen comes and wants to take away the spiritual materials of high rank that we have been searching for so long. Is this fair? This is the greatest injustice!"

After saying that, he stopped looking at Cao Feiyu, turned around abruptly, and walked step by step, ignoring the surprised looks of everyone around him, straight to the center of the hall and stood in front of Chen Fei.

The two were only about ten feet apart, but Shi Zhou Shuo's heavy, imposing aura pressed down on Chen Fei without reservation.

His gaze, calm yet intensely authoritative, met Chen Fei's eyes directly. He spoke slowly, his voice carrying clearly throughout the entire hall:

"Since no matter which option we choose, people will say it's unfair, then let's have a truly fair competition first."

"Let me fight him openly and fairly!"

"If he can beat me..."

Shi Zhou Shuo's gaze swept over the fifteenth-level disciples around him, finally returning to Chen Fei's face. "That proves he is indeed strong. Even if the Kunyuan Trial is difficult, it is nothing to him. I, Shi Zhou Shuo, am the first to be convinced!"

“But if…” Shi Zhou Shuo’s tone shifted, becoming serious, “he can’t even beat me…”

"Then I advise him not to go to the Kunyuan Trial."

Shi Zhou Shuo shook his head, a mocking expression on his face. "That's not a trial, that's suicide. To force oneself to go is to be irresponsible with one's own life!"

Finally, Shi Zhou Shuo's gaze locked firmly onto Chen Fei once more, his fighting spirit undisguised, and he asked in a deep voice:

"Junior Brother Chen, what do you think of my suggestion?"

Instantly, all eyes in the room once again focused on Chen Fei, who had remained calm throughout. (End of Chapter)