bookbashuk Chapter 338 The Roc Fights the Dragon, The Withered Tree Plots! [Bonus Chapter for Donations]
Chapter 338 The Roc Fights the Dragon, The Withered Tree Plots! [Bonus Chapter for Donations]
Chapter 338 The Roc Fights the Dragon, The Withered Tree Plots! [Bonus Chapter for Donations]
"You do have some self-awareness."
After a moment of hesitation, the red pheasant finally spoke.
Her voice remained calm, but it lacked that cold distance.
"Our bird race's body-refining techniques are indeed unique. Unlike the beast race, which pursues pure strength and defense, or the scaled race, which focuses on defense and regeneration."
When we cultivate our bodies, we prioritize lightness, resilience, and agility, and almost all of us also cultivate the wind attribute.
In order to maintain sufficient resilience and explosive power during high-speed movement and agile changes.
She spoke slowly, clearly having a deep understanding of this principle.
"I do know several good manuals on body tempering for the bird race."
Among them, the "Heavenly Feather Body Tempering Technique" follows the path of extreme sharpness and speed.
The wings are forged into sharp, divine metal blades, suitable for swift and aggressive species such as eagles, falcons, and roc.
"The Crimson Phoenix Nirvana Scripture focuses on tempering and restoring vitality. When cultivated to a high level, one can draw upon the true fire of the phoenix to forge the body."
Limb regeneration is not difficult, which suits my species of fire-eating birds such as the Red-feathered Pheasant and the Fire Crow.
"There is also a technique called 'Tianpeng Fighting Dragon Technique,' which is said to be derived from the ancient legend of the Tianpeng fighting a true dragon. It is fierce and domineering, combining strength and speed."
However, it requires extremely high standards of bloodline and temperament, and no one has mastered it in recent years... This seems to be the core secret of your Golden-Winged Clan in the Upper Realm.
"And all of these can be found in the library."
The red pheasant, as if reciting a familiar story, recounted the characteristics of several top-tier body-refining manuals suitable for avian races.
Xu Feng listened attentively, quickly analyzing the situation in his mind.
The "Heavenly Feather Body Tempering Technique" emphasizes speed and sharpness, which aligns with his current "Wind Force" and "Star Force," but it is somewhat one-dimensional.
The "Red Phoenix Nirvana Scripture" has a good effect on restoring fire attribute and vitality, but he is not a fire-attribute bird, so forcibly cultivating it may be counterproductive.
The "Tianpeng Fighting Dragon Technique" sounds the most comprehensive, fierce and domineering, taking into account both strength and speed, and also carrying the true meaning of "fighting".
It seems more suitable for a martial artist like him who pursues practical combat and follows a complex "force" path.
"Thank you for your guidance, Peak Master!" Xu Feng bowed again, expressing his sincere gratitude.
The fact that the red pheasant was willing to say so much already shows a great deal of kindness.
Red Pheasant waved his hand casually, "It's just common sense. You'll see when you go in, but—"
She abruptly changed the subject, a sharp glint flashing in her phoenix eyes.
"The path of body refinement places the greatest emphasis on foundation and resources."
"Profound secret manuals are indeed powerful, but the rare and precious materials and special environments required for cultivation are extremely demanding."
Without sufficient support, forcibly practicing advanced techniques will only harm oneself.
For example, my Crimson Feather Pheasant Clan, and even the higher-ranking Phoenix Bloodline, primarily use fire to refine their bodies.
By drawing upon earth fire, heavenly fire, and even one's own natal fire to temper the physical body, one can eliminate impurities and retain the essence, allowing the bloodline to return to its ancestral state and the physical body to become like divine gold.
The Golden Roc clan above you traditionally places greater emphasis on wind cultivation.
He hones his physique with the fierce winds of the heavens and the turbulent currents of space, pursuing the ultimate speed and sharpness, so that his physical body becomes like the sharpest blade.
As for other bird species, there are also those that are "forged by lightning," "forged by ice," "forged by poison," and so on, and so on.
Although you have received some rewards, it is far from enough to support the cultivation of a top-tier body-refining technique to its full potential.
This is a friendly reminder, but also a subtle inquiry into whether you have enough resources.
Xu Feng smiled slightly and said frankly, "What the Peak Master said is absolutely right. Jin Mu also knows the importance of resources, so he plans to proceed step by step."
First, browse through the scriptures in the library to find a Dharma method suitable for your current foundation and resources.
If the opportunity arises in the future, we will seek more advanced methods.
This pragmatic attitude earned the red pheasant even more admiration.
He is not greedy for quick success and knows how to act within his capabilities; this child has a truly good character.
"It's good that you know what's going on." Red Pheasant nodded slightly and said no more.
Xu Feng knew it was time to take his leave.
He bowed solemnly again: "Thank you for your guidance today, Peak Master. If I achieve something in the future, I will never forget your kindness today."
""
After saying that, he didn't linger and turned to walk out of the hall.
His steps were steady, and his back was upright.
There was no hesitation or ambiguity, and he did not make any frivolous moves as he had done before.
It was as if they had truly come to humbly seek advice, and then left with equanimity.
Red Pheasant watched his departing figure until it disappeared into the light and shadow outside the palace gates.
Silence returned to the hall.
She withdrew her gaze, leaned back on the throne, and unconsciously twirled the strand of red hair around her fingertips.
Involuntarily, the image of Xu Feng earnestly asking for advice and sincerely thanking him appeared in his mind.
The image gradually overlapped with the one that had previously domineeringly embraced her waist and "straightforwardly" argued with her in the Tian Shu Palace.
"Kaneki————"
Red Pheasant murmured the name, a complex and unfathomable light flashing in her phoenix eyes.
This person truly was someone she couldn't quite understand.
However, compared to the initial pure anger and hostility.
At this moment, what she felt most was a curious curiosity and a barely perceptible hint of anticipation.
Hopefully, he will gain something from the library.
What kind of performance will he deliver in the ranked matches three days from now?
Or perhaps I'm looking forward to seeing him in a different guise next time?
Red Pheasant gently shook her head, suppressing her chaotic thoughts.
"What do I care?"
She closed her eyes and continued to regulate her breathing, consolidating the improvement in her cultivation after taking the "Hundred Refinements Golden Body Pill".
However, the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her true feelings, which were not as calm as they appeared.
Xu Feng walked out of the main hall of Red Cloud Peak, feeling quite emotional.
Hongzhi's attitude today was much better than he had expected.
It not only explained in detail the key points of the bird race's body-refining techniques, but also pointed out several key classic texts and emphasized the importance of resources.
This favor is indeed substantial.
"The Heavenly Roc Dragon-Slaying Technique —" Xu Feng murmured the name.
Taking into account strength, speed, and the true essence of combat, it does indeed sound like the most suitable choice for him.
Moreover, he had heard of this technique many times before.
As a member of the Golden Wing Clan, if I don't choose this technique, it will definitely arouse suspicion from outsiders.
However, as Benihiko also said, no one has mastered it in nearly a thousand years, and the requirements are extremely high.
"Let's see how it goes. If it really doesn't work, the Heavenly Feather Body Tempering Technique or the Crimson Phoenix Nirvana Scripture can also be considered as alternatives."
Xu Feng gradually formed a plan in his mind.
He didn't linger any longer and went straight back to Jinpeng Peak.
As Xu Feng was pondering, he suddenly saw two people walking towards him on the mountain path ahead.
It was the Peak Master of Qingxuan Peak, and an old man dressed in a dark green robe, with a withered face and a deep, profound aura.
Xu Feng recognized the old man from the portrait; he was none other than the fifth-ranked peak master of Little Green Sky Mountain—"Peak Master of the Dead Tree".
It is said that its true form is an ancient, exotic demonic plant that has lived for countless years and possesses unfathomable strength.
"Peak Master Jinmu."
When the Qingxuan Peak Master saw Xu Feng, he nodded slightly as a greeting.
The master of the withered tree peak merely glanced at Xu Feng with his cloudy eyes, which seemed to have seen many vicissitudes of life.
However, after just one glance, the Master of the Deadwood Peak could not look away.
"Greetings, Peak Master Qingxuan, Peak Master Kumu." Xu Feng felt that the old man looked a bit strange, but he didn't think much of it and clasped his hands in greeting.
Peak Master Qingxuan asked, "Peak Master Jinmu, did you just come from Red Cloud Peak?"
"Yes, I have some questions about cultivation and would like to ask Peak Master Hongzhi for guidance," Xu Feng said frankly.
A knowing glint flashed in Qingxuan Peak Master's eyes. He nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
The master of the withered tree suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse and dry, like an old tree rubbing against each other: "Master of the Golden Roc Peak, would you be interested in sitting with me?"
"I recently acquired some top-grade spiritual tea, which is quite effective in nourishing the spirit."
Xu Feng immediately smiled slightly: "Thank you for your kindness, Peak Master Kumu, but I am truly sorry."
I'm looking forward to performing well in the grand competition at the mountain gate in three days, so I'll probably have to go into seclusion for the next few days.
The master of the withered tree peak then withdrew his gaze and said with a hint of regret, "If that's the case, then let it be."
After saying that, he walked straight ahead.
Peak Master Qingxuan gave Xu Feng an apologetic smile and followed him.
Xu Feng stood there, watching the two figures disappear into the distance, especially the hunched back of the Drywood Peak Master, which seemed to contain boundless vitality. His brows furrowed slightly.
That old man's gaze just now was malicious.
what's going on?
Xu Feng shook his head, suppressing these thoughts for the time being.
The ranking battle three days from now, and the trip to the Scripture Pavilion, are the most important things right now.
He turned around and strode towards Jinpeng Peak.
Next, besides entering the library, he also needs to devise a plan on how to integrate his own combat power with the methods of the alien race to maximize their effectiveness.
During this time, Xiaofeng also brought back some news about the ranked battles.
Due to the recent passing of several peak masters, four new peak masters were temporarily recruited for this ranking.
With the rise of Xu Feng as a dark horse, the landscape has changed dramatically.
The previously stable ranking of the top eighteen peaks is about to undergo a dramatic reshuffle.
As is customary, the ranking battle is a straightforward and decisive duel.
The winner is king.
"Brother, according to my investigation, many veteran peak masters who have been in seclusion or away for many years will return for this ranking."
Xiaofeng reports.
The three peak masters, "Red Pheasant," "Azure Mystery," and "Thunder Prison," are undoubtedly in a secure position.
However, the rankings from fourth to tenth will likely see fierce competition.
Especially since the position of the tenth peak master is vacant, it will undoubtedly be the focus of contention.
Xu Feng nodded slightly.
The tenth peak was originally the Angry Dragon Peak of Jiaolin.
Now that it's vacant, who knows how many people are eyeing it.
Given his current strength and achievements, he has a very good chance of winning this position.
However, they will also become the target of public criticism.
"Furthermore," Li Wen added, "Envoy Youquan seems to be taking this ranking quite seriously and may personally intervene, or even—arrange some 'special' tests."
A glint of light flashed in Xu Feng's eyes.
The "Special Trial" of the Hidden Spring?
This is probably not a good thing.
"It's alright," Xu Feng said calmly. "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. In the ranking battle, strength will ultimately prevail."
He has full confidence in his current abilities.
Seventy-two throwing knives, a berserk base force, and the Flying Star Moon-Severing Blade has a power amplitude of nearly seven times.
In addition, there are trump cards such as the Chaos Pearl, the Star Disc, and the Star God Weapon Cloud Slayer obtained from the Divine Ape Clan.
Even when facing top-tier veteran peak masters like Hongzhi and Qingxuan, he has the strength to fight!
As for the obstacles that Youquan might throw at us—we'll just have to deal with them as they come.
After tidying up briefly, Xu Feng went directly to the Sutra Repository that evening.
"Three days—hopefully I can find what I need."
Xu Feng looked up at the majestic, ancient, and weathered seven-story stone pagoda.
On the top of the tower, the three ancient seal characters "Zangjingge" (Scripture Repository) gleamed in the sunlight.
"Tap tap".
Xu Feng stepped onto the stone steps in front of the Sutra Repository.
The old man in blue robes, with a deep and composed demeanor, drooping eyelids, and an air of constant drowsiness, was still guarding the pavilion.
Xu Feng revealed the temporary token bestowed upon him by Envoy Ling Feng.
The old man raised his eyelids, his cloudy gaze sweeping over the token, then he gave Xu Feng a deep look before slowly nodding.
They cleared the way for the stairs leading to the fourth floor.
"Three days."
A hoarse voice rang in Xu Feng's ears.
Xu Feng nodded slightly, then walked straight up without lingering.
What comes into view are rows of towering bookshelves made of some kind of strange wood.
The bookshelves were neatly organized, displaying tens of thousands of ancient books, jade slips, bone fragments, and leather scrolls.
A faint protective glow emanates from the surface of the bookshelf, ensuring that these precious heirlooms are not eroded by time.
This is where the true essence of Xiaoqingqiong Mountain lies!
Xu Feng took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming: "Let's begin."
The three days in the library passed in the blink of an eye.
When Xu Feng emerged from the vast sea of books, his eyes held not only tranquility but also a profound depth and understanding.
The gains over these three days far exceeded expectations.
He not only found the complete text of "The Heavenly Roc Fighting Dragon Technique", but also unexpectedly discovered some scattered records about the "Ling Shu Era" on an ancient bone fragment in a remote corner.
Although he was bound by the rules, he could not copy it and take it away.
But with his current mental strength and photographic memory, the core essence has been fully imprinted in his mind.
more importantly.
Combining the guidance of the red pheasant with his own insights, he gained a systematic understanding of the way of "body refinement" for birds and even more broadly.
The "Tianpeng Fighting Dragon Technique" is indeed exquisite.
To master this technique, one must not only have extremely high requirements for qi, blood, and spirit, but also need to use rare and precious natural materials as a guide, combined with extreme environments, such as the life-and-death trials of the Nine Heavens Gale Layer, in order to possibly enter the field.
According to the secret method, the so-called Nine Heavens Gale Layer is an environment that only exists in the upper realm.
Dimension 13 does not have this kind of environment.
Therefore, this secret technique is extremely difficult to cultivate in the 13th dimensional realm, no wonder no one has mastered it in thousands of years.
This is what the red pheasant meant by resources and opportunities, neither of which can be lacking.
However, after knowing this...
Xu Feng unexpectedly discovered that he might actually know of a secret place similar to the Nine Heavens Gale Layer, which might be able to help him cultivate this technique.
However, this can only be done after tomorrow's ranked matches are resolved.
With a bountiful harvest, Xu Feng returned to Jinpeng Peak in the evening.
However, as soon as he stepped into the main hall area at the summit, Xu Feng keenly sensed something unusual.
A faint, unfamiliar energy fluctuation lingered in the air, along with—a very faint smell of blood.
"Brother!" Xiaofeng rushed forward, his face grave. "You're finally back!"
"What happened?" Xu Feng's eyes narrowed.
"Someone broke into Jinpeng Peak last night!"
Li Wen emerged from the shadows, his voice low and deep.
"This person is extremely powerful, at least at the level of a Limit Lord, and is proficient in stealth assassination. The target—seems to be your meditation room."
Xu Feng frowned: "Where is he? Did you get a good look at his face?"
"No," Li Wen shook his head. "This person is dressed in black and masked, his movements are strange, and he conceals his aura very well."
When I noticed the commotion and rushed over, he had already severely injured his double pupils and left.
"Double pupils?" Xu Feng's heart tightened. "How is he?"
"He was seriously injured," Xiaofeng said in a heavy tone. "The opponent was ruthless. Chongtong desperately resisted several moves, but was struck in the chest by a palm, which injured his heart and lungs."
If Li Wen hadn't arrived in time, and the other party seemed to have some reservations and quickly retreated, I'm afraid—"
Xu Feng's face darkened.
"Take me to see him."
Soon, Xu Feng found the unconscious Chong Tong in a side hall.
The high-ranking lord of the Falcon Clan was deathly pale, his breath was weak, and his chest was wrapped in thick bandages with faint traces of blood seeping out.
A member of the Longevity Flower Clan who recently joined the peak is performing a ritual to stabilize his injuries.
Upon seeing Xu Feng, he struggled to sit up.
"Lie down."
Xu Feng held him down.
"Peak Master—your subordinate is incompetent—" Chong Tong's voice was weak and filled with guilt.
"It has nothing to do with you. The person who came is far stronger than you." Xu Feng shook his head and carefully examined his injuries.
The palm strike was powerful and insidious, carrying a strange corrosive intent that not only damaged the physical body but also subtly eroded the vital energy and blood.
If it weren't for the solid foundation of double pupils and a strong physical body, he would probably have been killed with a single palm strike.
"Such insidious power—" Xu Feng's eyes turned cold.
"Please rest assured, Peak Master, Chong Tong has taken the healing pills and is out of danger, but he needs to rest quietly for more than a month."
The female lord named "Azure" said with a smile.
She is a high-ranking plant lord who recently joined Golden Roc Peak and is skilled in healing and recovery.
Xu Feng nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work."
"Can you make out the appearance of the person or their fighting style?" Xu Feng then asked, looking at the person with double pupils.
Double Pupil tried hard to recall, then slowly shook his head: "The person was shrouded in a layer of gray-green mist, making it impossible to see his face clearly."
The moves—seemingly ordinary, but incredibly powerful; a subordinate's full-force punch was shattered by a casual palm strike.
Xu Feng's gaze narrowed slightly.
He comforted Chongtong with a few words, left some healing pills, and then turned and left the side hall.
"Brother, this matter—" Xiaofeng followed out, looking worried.
"It's alright." Xu Feng waved his hand, his expression returning to calm.
He hesitated for a moment, then said to Xiaofeng, "You continue to guard Jinpeng Peak and strengthen vigilance, especially at night. I'll be right back."
"Where is my brother going?" Xiaofeng asked.
"Go and report to Peak Master Qingxuan," Xu Feng said calmly, "Someone dared to openly attack a core disciple of a peak on the eve of the ranking battle, seriously injuring the peak master's close attendant."
This is a provocation against the rules of Little Green Sky Mountain; this matter cannot be settled privately.
Xiaofeng was stunned for a moment, then understood, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.
Reporting this matter would not only be justified, but would also allow the Qingxuan Peak Master and even the sect to exert pressure and uncover the truth.
clever!
Xu Feng didn't delay any longer. His figure transformed into a golden light and rushed directly towards Qingxuan Peak.
About half an hour later.
A streak of azure light and a streak of golden light came from the direction of Tian Shu Peak and landed on Jin Peng Peak.
It was Peak Master Qingxuan and Xu Feng.
She was still dressed in a light blue palace gown, her expression aloof, but with a hint of solemnity between her brows.
Peak Master Qingxuan first carefully examined the signs of fighting near the meditation room, and then personally checked the injuries of Chongtong.
When she sensed the lingering, corrosive energy, her pupils contracted slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.
"The person who made the move was extremely powerful, possessing a remarkably high level of skill in the transformation and application of 'life' and 'death'."
Peak Master Qingxuan spoke slowly, his tone devoid of emotion.
"I will personally investigate this matter and give you an explanation."
"Thank you, Peak Master," Xu Feng cupped his hands, paused, and then said, "However—tomorrow is the ranking battle, and I am worried—"
"Don't worry," Peak Master Qingxuan interrupted him, giving Xu Feng a deep look. "During the ranking battle, the mountain gate's restrictions will be fully activated. No one is allowed to provoke or use violence in private. You only need to focus on the competition."
These words are both a promise and a reminder.
"Yes, I understand." Xu Feng nodded.
The Qingxuan Peak Master said no more and transformed into a beam of azure light, departing.
But Xu Feng noticed that the direction she left was not Tian Shu Peak, but rather—the direction of the fifth peak, Ku Mu Peak.
"It's him?" A cold glint flashed in Xu Feng's eyes.
Deadwood Peak.
Unlike the fiery Red Cloud Peak and the sharp Golden Roc Peak, the Dead Tree Peak is covered with all sorts of strangely shaped ancient trees and vines.
The air was filled with the rich fragrance of plants and trees, and a faint, decaying scent, as if it had been accumulated over the years.
There are no magnificent palaces at the summit, only a huge "treehouse" naturally formed by countless thick vines.
The figure of the Peak Master of Qingxuan Peak appeared silently outside the treehouse.
"Senior Brother Kumu, Qingxuan has come to visit." Her clear, cold voice pierced through the gaps in the vines.
A moment later, the vines rustled and parted to create a doorway.
The treehouse has a spacious interior with soft moss on the floor and glowing moss inlaid on the walls.
Deepest inside, on a chair naturally formed from the roots of a thousand-year-old tree, the Deadwood Peak Master slowly opened his cloudy eyes.
"Junior Sister Qingxuan, what brings you here so late at night?" Peak Master Kumu's voice was hoarse, like the rubbing of old tree bark.
The Peak Master of Qingxuan Peak stepped into the room, staring directly at the withered tree without any formalities.
"Senior Brother Kumu, Jinpeng Peak was attacked last night. The Lord, Chongtong, was seriously injured, and his wounds still contain pure withering and flourishing life and death energy."
""
"How do you explain this?"
Her tone was calm and left no room for argument.
The withered face of the withered peak master showed no surprise, as if he had already expected Qingxuan to come.
He remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Since Junior Sister has sensed my aura, why ask any more questions?"
They actually admitted it outright!
Peak Master Qingxuan's eyes flashed sharply: "Senior Brother! Why did you attack Jinmu?"
He is now a meritorious official of the mountain gate, enjoying great prestige, and is highly regarded by the two envoys!
How dare you act like this! Where do you place the rules and regulations of the sect?!
"rule?"
The master of the withered tree peak chuckled, his laughter dry and unpleasant.
"Rules are for mediocre people, Junior Sister Qingxuan. Didn't you notice? That Jinmu—has the aura of a sacred artifact of our Tree Clan!"
Peak Master Qingxuan was taken aback: "A sacred artifact of the Tree Clan?"
"good!"
A terrifying glint suddenly flashed in the turbid eyes of the Drywood Peak Master, filled with boundless desire and greed.
"Although it is extremely secretive, he definitely has a treasure within him that is related to the origin of my tree race."
That aura—pure, vast, and brimming with boundless vitality—even made my withered body tremble with dread and yearn!
He was so excited that he trembled slightly.
"That is what I have been searching for all my life, the key that allows me to break free from my constraints, return to my origins, and even glimpse a higher realm. I must obtain it!"
Upon hearing this, Peak Master Qingxuan's expression darkened completely.
She finally understood why Kumu had lost his composure, even going so far as to violate the mountain gate's rules.
For a dead tree, which has lived for countless years and whose true form is an ancient demonic plant.
An opportunity to elevate one's fundamental nature and break through to a higher realm is more important than anything else!
"Even so, you shouldn't have acted on your own, and you especially shouldn't have made a move the night before a ranked match!"
"The peak master of Qingxuan Peak said coldly."
"Do you know how Envoy Lingfeng and Envoy Youquan will deal with you if this matter escalates? Jinmu is no longer a pushover you can easily manipulate!"
"Moreover, the mountain gate has its own rules! If you have any requests, you may inform the two envoys, Lingfeng and Youquan."
Or perhaps they should have engaged in a legitimate transaction with Kaneki! To launch a sneak attack—what kind of behavior is that?!
Moreover, this is the eve of the ranking battle. If Kaneki is affected by this, and the two envoys investigate, how will you explain it?"
The withered face of the Master of the Deadwood Peak was expressionless, except for the dark green light that flickered deep within his eyes.
"I can't wait any longer."
He spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a sense of weariness and obsession.
"My lifespan is coming to an end, my body is withering away, and I am nearing the end of my life."
Ordinary longevity-promoting treasures have negligible effect on this old man.
That treasure is my only hope!
"Jinmu has great potential, and he is also favored by Ling Feng and others."
If we wait until he has fully grown his power, or if the two envoys intervene, it will be as difficult as ascending to heaven for me to succeed.
The only chance of survival is to strike swiftly and decisively before it fully matures, seize the treasure, and then retreat into seclusion.
The master of the withered tree peak had a sinister look in his eyes.
"As long as I obtain that sacred artifact, I am confident that I can break through to the Star God realm in a short period of time!"
"At that time, even Lingfeng and Youquan, what can they do to me?"
"You!" Peak Master Qingxuan was speechless with anger.
Seeing the other person's crazed expression and distorted face, she knew that Kumu had gone astray.
"I'm warning you one last time, Deadwood."
Peak Master Qingxuan took a deep breath, his tone icy cold.
"You are absolutely forbidden from attacking Kaneki during the ranked matches."
Whatever your thoughts, we'll discuss them after the ranked matches end. If you dare to make any further moves—”
A sharp killing intent suddenly surged from her body.
Although it hadn't fully erupted, it made all the vines inside the treehouse tremble.
"A breakthrough? You probably won't even have the chance to break through!"
The master of the withered tree peak stared at Qingxuan for a long time, his eyes filled with a mixture of greed and struggle.
Finally, he slowly suppressed his aura and returned to his withered appearance.
"Very well—for my junior sister's sake, I'll wait until the ranked matches are over."
He closed his eyes, his voice returning to its usual calm.
Looking at the man before him who had lived for countless years but was now like a candle flickering in the wind, the Qingxuan Peak Master felt a mix of emotions.
"I can suppress this matter for now and not report it to the two envoys."
But you must promise that during the ranking battles, you will absolutely not attack Kaneki again! And you must not harass Jin Pengfeng again!
After the ranking battle, if you are truly determined to obtain that treasure, you can seek an opportunity to discuss it with Kaneki or petition the higher envoy.
But such sneak attacks must never be repeated! Otherwise, don't blame me for informing the envoy and dealing with the matter according to the sect's regulations!
The master of the withered tree peak remained silent, his dark green aura surging erratically around him.
Clearly, he was struggling internally.
a long time.
The surging energy gradually subsided.
"----good."
The master of the withered tree peak uttered a single word in a hoarse voice.
Peak Master Qingxuan knew that this was already the biggest concession that Kumu had made.
She gave the withered tree a deep look, said nothing more, turned and transformed into a blue light and left.
Inside the treehouse, silence returned.
a long time.
The master of the withered tree peak slowly opened his eyes, looking towards the direction of the Golden Roc Peak, his eyes burning with greed.
"Kinki — The World Tree —"
He murmured softly, his withered fingers tapping lightly on the tree root chair.
Jin Pengfeng.
Xu Feng was unaware of the specifics of the conversation between Qingxuan and Kumu.
But judging from the slightly solemn figure of the Qingxuan Peak Master as he left, and the possible reaction of the Kumu Peak, he already had some guesses in his mind.
"Deadwood Peak...The Tree Clan?"
Xu Feng introspected on himself.
Aside from treasures like the Chaos Pearl, the Star Disc, and the Cloud-Cutting Blade, what else can be associated with a "tree"?
Perhaps only—the ever-growing silver divine tree within his body!
"Did the Lord of the Withered Tree sense the aura of the Divine Tree?"
Xu Feng felt a chill run down his spine.
The sacred tree is one of his greatest secrets and foundations, and it must not be lost!
The other party was actually able to sense the presence of the divine tree within their body...
Ranked Matches —
Xu Feng gazed out the window at the deep night, his eyes slowly rising with fighting spirit and killing intent.
Originally, he only wanted to secure a higher position in the ranked matches to gain more resources and privileges.
But now—
"The Master of the Deadwood Peak — The Fifth Peak —"
Xu Feng's lips curled into a cold smile.
"Since you're courting death, then this ranking battle will use your fifth peak position as a stepping stone for my Golden Roc Peak to truly make a name for itself!"
Silent all night.
The next day, the sun rose.
At the summit of Xiaoqingqiong Mountain, lies the martial arts arena.
Eighteen high platforms stand in a ring.
On the largest martial arts arena in the center, envoys Ling Feng and You Quan sat in the main seats.
Peak Master Qingxuan, Peak Master Hongzhi, and other top-ranked peak masters stood on either side.
Below, disciples of the Eighteen Peaks gathered, their heads thronging the area, creating a lively yet solemn atmosphere.
The monthly battle for the ranking of the eighteen peaks is about to begin!
Xu Feng, dressed in a golden robe, stood before the group from Jinpeng Peak.
His gaze calmly swept across the entire area, finally pausing slightly on the high platform that belonged to "Deadwood Peak".
There, the master of the withered tree sat quietly like the gnarled roots of an old tree. As if sensing his gaze, he slowly raised his eyes.
Eyes facing each other.
One is as sharp as a star, the other as murky as an abyss.
Invisible sparks, as if colliding in the air.
"Ranked match, begin!"
The cold voice of the Peak Master of Qingxuan Peak resounded throughout the entire venue.
In the center of the training ground, a huge bronze bell suddenly floated into the air.
The bell is engraved with intricate animal and bird totems and star patterns.
Beside the bell, an old man in gray robes, whose aura was obscure and who seemed to be one with the ancient bell, slowly raised his withered hand and gently tapped the bell.
"Thump—"
The deep, resonant sound of the bell spread out like ripples.
It wasn't deafening, but it had a strange penetrating power.
The sound instantly spread throughout the entire mountain peak, and seemed to resonate in the hearts of everyone.
As the bell tolled, eighteen circular platforms slowly rose.
"The rules are the same as in previous years."
The aloof voice of the Peak Master of Qingxuan resounded clearly in everyone's ears through some kind of formation.
"The ranking of the eighteen peaks is conducted in two rounds."
"Round 1: Challenge. Players ranked lower can challenge those ranked higher."
Each person has only one chance to challenge. The winner will take their place in the rankings, while the loser will retain their original ranking.
"The second round is the top ten ranking battle. The top ten peak masters can challenge each other to re-establish the order."
Each person can take on the challenge twice, but there is no limit to the number of times you can accept the challenge.
"In the competition, the point must be reached and then stopped; no one may be intentionally killed."
If one side concedes defeat or loses its fighting ability, the other side must stop fighting.
Those who violate the rules will be disqualified and severely punished.
The rules are simple and clear, yet full of variables.
The first round of the challenge, in particular, gave the lower-ranked peak masters a chance to make a comeback.
The second round of the top ten ranking battle was a true clash of titans.
Xu Feng is currently ranked 18th, which is the last place, although his strength has long surpassed this ranking.
According to the rules, he can challenge any of the seventeenth peaks.
If it wins, it will take over the ranking;
If we lose, we'll still be number eighteen.
Therefore, this first round was almost stress-free for him.
"Round 1, the challenge, is now beginning."
"Jinmu, the peak master of the eighteenth peak, Golden Roc Peak, you may begin the challenge."
After Qingxuan Peak Master finished his announcement, he stepped aside and watched the battle with Ling Feng and Youquan.
Swish!
All eyes turned to Jin Pengfeng.
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