Chu Huaian stumbled, his head throbbing with pain.
With his current strength, forcibly using the second form caused significant damage to his soul.
“It seems my Golden Core Stage strength is still a bit strained; it’s better to use it less in the future,” Chu Huaian murmured softly.
…
In the distance, a massive flying ship slowly appeared on the horizon. On its deck stood several young men and women.
“I heard that a few monstrous disciples have emerged in the northern region. Some deliberately suppressed their cultivation to avoid advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage, all for this North-South Hegemony Competition. I wonder if it’s true or false.”
“It should be true. After all, there are such geniuses in every competition. Some have even participated two or three times. Didn’t that Limitless Sect disciple from the last competition suppress his cultivation?”
“This competition will probably be the same. By the way, have any other sects produced any geniuses recently?”
“From what I know, Duan Que of Limitless Sect, Liu Meiqing of Hehuan Sect, Mao Jiu of Lian Shi Sect, Xu Miao of Falling Cloud Sect, and our Ziwei Sect’s Senior Sister Yun Xiang are all at the peak Golden Core Stage. As for the other sects, they likely can’t compare to these five. They are the hot favorites to win this competition.”
“It’s a pity the North-South Hegemony Competition is only open to those below the Nascent Soul Stage; otherwise, we could witness the prowess of that Limitless Sect disciple.”
“They say he’s only thirty this year. To break through to the Nascent Soul Stage in such a short time is truly terrifying!”
“Actually, Chu Huaian from the previous competition wasn’t weak either. If his cultivation hadn’t been crippled, he would probably have advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage by now. What a shame.”
“Shhh, lower your voice. Our sect doesn’t allow discussions about Chu Huaian, lest Yun Xiang Fairy hears.”
“Oh, my bad, my bad. I spoke too quickly.”
“Come closer, I’ll tell you a secret.”
“What secret?”
“I heard that our Star Sect in the southern region has produced an unparalleled genius. Challenging those above his cultivation level is as easy as drinking water for him.”
“There’s such a thing? Why haven’t I heard of such a person?”
“His name is Zhao Shijie. His cultivation talent is the Innate Dao Body from ancient times. Some predict he will represent the southern region and reach the finals.”
“Where did you hear all this? I also heard that Chu Huaian has recovered his cultivation. A while ago, he single-handedly killed seven Golden Core elders. Do you think that’s believable?”
Just as everyone was whispering, a violent explosion came from afar.
Everyone instinctively looked over, only to see streams of sword qi and blade qi crisscrossing through the firelight, spanning a hundred li.
“What powerful sword intent and blade intent! Which sect’s elders are fighting?”
“Those people are wearing unified red clothing. Which sect’s emblem is that?”
“Do we have such a powerful sect in the southern region? No, why do they look so young?”
Whoosh, whoosh—
Over a dozen figures flew out from within the ship’s cabin, standing in mid-air, gazing at the battlefield opposite.
Upon seeing the newcomers, all the disciples on the deck quickly bowed and saluted, exclaiming in unison, “Greetings, Sect Master! Greetings, Elders! Greetings, Senior Sister Yun Xiang!”
Among the dozen-plus figures, a tall, slender middle-aged man in a green robe stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the distance.
“Junior Sect Master, that aura just now, could it be the Chaos Divine Thunder?” an older elder asked the middle-aged man with uncertainty.
“It can’t be mistaken,” the middle-aged man nodded slightly, then muttered to himself, “Could it be that some old monster has emerged?”
Within the crowd, a woman in white with an ethereal aura spoke up, “Master, these people look inherently cruel. Should we go stop them?”
“No need. Every time the North-South Hegemony Competition begins, some sects will slaughter each other like this to reduce their competitors. We just need to watch; there’s no need to intervene,” the middle-aged man said indifferently.
Everyone watched for a while, gradually feeling that something was off. Those people seemed excessively strong.
“Senior Sect Master, should we get closer to take a look?” an elder suggested.
“Forget it. We’ll naturally meet them when we reach the central region. Going now would only cause unnecessary misunderstandings,” the middle-aged man waved his hand, then turned to the woman, “Is your Senior Brother still sleeping?”
“Yes, when I went earlier, he had already drunk himself to sleep.”
“That rascal,” the middle-aged man chuckled and shook his head, a hint of doting in his eyes.
“Master, if you don’t push Senior Brother, he might throw the match, just like last time, deliberately stopping at the top 32,” the woman glared at the middle-aged man teasingly.
“Don’t worry, his cultivation is almost impossible to suppress. Your Senior Brother will know what he’s doing.”
“If Senior Brother had made a move last time, there wouldn’t have been anything for Lu Chuan,” the woman grumbled.
“Who told him he was unlucky enough to encounter Chu Huaian? If he had defeated Chu Huaian, you wouldn’t have been happy.”
Hearing this, the woman’s face flushed slightly, and she shook the middle-aged man’s arm, pouting, “Oh, Master…”
“Your Senior Brother has been low-key for twenty years; it’s time for him to show his edge. In this competition, everyone else will just be a foil.”
At these words, the dozen or so elders present showed relieved expressions and nodded silently.
Who would have thought that the Ziwei Sect’s true genius disciple was not Yun Xiang, but her Senior Brother, a true monster.
He cultivated at three, established his foundation at ten, reached Golden Core at eighteen, peak Golden Core at twenty-six, and now at thirty, he could break through to the Nascent Soul Stage at any time.
Such a heaven-defying talent would be among the top few prodigies even in the Central Continent.
After a while, Yun Xiang suddenly spoke, “Master, do you think Chu Huaian will participate in this competition?”
“Hard to say. Last time, he killed seven elders and caused quite a stir. If he appears, his life might be in danger.”
“Master, can’t you help him just once?”
“Last time, I was powerless and didn’t want the Ziwei Sect to get involved in that muddy water. However, if he appears this time, I can reluctantly protect him once.”
“I knew Master was the best.”
“You, why do you like that boy so much? I think he’s just average.”
“That’s because you don’t understand him, Master…”
…
On the other side, the war gradually subsided.
All two hundred disciples were completely slaughtered by the Hua Xia Sect.
Seeing this, the people of the Myriad Sword Sect were filled with terror, secretly Rejoice that they surrendered quickly, otherwise they would probably have met the same fate.
“Xian Ge, what should we do with these people?” Fang Yuan excitedly ran up to Chu Huaian, pointing at the crowd on another flying ship.
“Let them go,” Chu Huaian waved his hand.
The Myriad Sword Sect members breathed a sigh of relief, immediately turned their ship around, and fled back to their sect at the fastest possible speed.
This competition, it’s better not to participate!
Chu Huaian stood at the edge of the deck, gazing at the massive flying ship in the distance.
If he wasn’t mistaken, that should be the Ziwei Sect’s battleship.
“I wonder if Lin Ting will participate in this competition. If he does, that would be truly interesting.”
Just thinking about the other party’s personality, Chu Huaian couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Xian Ge, why don’t we skip the competition and go robbing instead?” a player excitedly suggested.
Having just robbed two flying ships, this group of people had all tasted the sweetness of it.
Divided equally, the least amount was over a thousand contribution points, and the most, like Fang Yuan, had thirty thousand contribution points.
If they did it a few more times, wouldn’t they achieve financial freedom?
“Let’s grow bigger and stronger, and create new glories! Xian Ge, just say the word, are we doing it?” Fang Yuan shouted excitedly.
“I want the people of this world to kneel and kowtow when they hear the three words ‘Hua Xia Sect’!” Qin Hao echoed from the side.
“Old Chu, what are you hesitating for? Everyone’s waiting for your stance!” Sun Yiyi yelled, holding her iron hammer.
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked at Chu Huaian, then at the crowd, and whispered, “Why aren’t you running? What are you waiting for?”
Fang Yuan and the others were stunned. When they reacted, they realized their bodies had been restrained.
“Xian Ge, let’s talk nicely. With so many people watching, give us some face,” Fang Yuan said with a forced smile, immediately begging for mercy.
“Old Chu, gentlemen use words, not fists. You, don’t come over here!”
Snap—
The sword spirit transformed into a long whip, lashing against their bodies with cracking sounds.
“Holy crap! Ow, ow!”
“Old Chu, don’t hit my butt! Ow, you’re really hitting it! …I was wrong, I was wrong! It was clearly Sun Yiyi’s fault, why am I getting hit too?!”
“Xian Ge, you used to only hit me five times, why did you hit me six times this time? I’m not convinced!”
“Help! Sister Luo Xi, quickly persuade Xian Ge! My butt is going to blossom!”
Crack, crack…












