Cultivation starts from simplifying the exercises

Chapter 2175 Half-Step Heavenly Monarch

"Senior brother, you mean... Junior Brother Chen Fei will also participate in the Grand Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects?"

It's no wonder Ji Siqi lost his composure; the Grand Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects is a grand event of the Yan Yang Immortal Dynasty. Its entry requirements are extremely high, and the competition is far more brutal than any sect's internal competition.

Those who can represent their respective sects on that stage are all exceptional talents and geniuses among the hundreds of millions of cultivators within the Immortal Dynasty's territory.

Generally speaking, only those who have cultivated the core inheritance of the sect to the highest level and whose cultivation has reached the peak of the Tai Cang Realm, or even the level of a half-step Heavenly Monarch, are qualified to participate in the competition, to fight for that one chance to break through to the Heavenly Monarch level for the sect and for themselves.

In the eyes of Ji Siqi, and even the vast majority of Dan Chen Sect disciples, the Ten Thousand Sects Grand Competition was a stage for true disciples like Feng Butong, as well as the sect's top veteran senior brothers and sisters at the peak of the Tai Cang Realm.

Chen Fei? Compared to those established prodigies, he seems insignificant.

"Why can't I participate?" Feng Butong looked at Ji Siqi and asked in return.

He understood Ji Siqi's shock, because according to common sense, Chen Fei was indeed not qualified. But in the cultivation world, especially when it involves clashes between top geniuses, common sense is often the first thing to be broken.

"The Grand Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects is about combat strength, foundation, and unparalleled sharpness among those of the same level, rather than simply seniority and years of cultivation."

Feng Butong slowly said, "The ninth level of the Dao Ruins Returning to Truth Body, this alone is enough to give him a foothold in the Taicang Realm, enough to leave most cultivators of the same level helpless. Based on this alone, he is qualified to participate in the Ten Thousand Sects Grand Competition."

“Then… in your opinion, Senior Brother, Junior Brother Chen Fei…” Ji Siqi hesitated.

Feng Butong did not answer directly, but instead turned his gaze to Ouyang Rui, his eyes filled with inquiry: "Ouyang, you came with Siqi, so you must have seen more than just the battle between Chen Fei and Wu Nianjiao, right? Did you discover anything else?"

Upon hearing Feng Butong's question, Ouyang Rui took out a recording stone from his pocket.

"Senior brother, you are wise! Junior Brother Chen Fei is not only skilled in physical cultivation, but his mastery of array formations is equally astonishing."

"Array Dao?" Feng Butong raised his eyebrows again, his interest growing stronger.

Body refinement and the path of formations are two almost diametrically opposed paths. Body refinement emphasizes channeling immense power into oneself, using sheer force to overcome all techniques. The path of formations, on the other hand, emphasizes borrowing the power of heaven and earth, using skill to overcome brute force, and overwhelming others with sheer power.

Both require an immense investment of energy and time to achieve any success. For a disciple who has undergone a rapid advancement in cultivation within a year to reach the ninth level of a top-tier body-refining technique is already astonishing; if they also cultivate profound array formations…

"What kind of formation is it?" Feng Butong asked.

Ouyang Rui did not answer directly, but instead poured his Yuan energy into the recording stone in his hand.

With a soft hum, a light screen unfolded in front of the three, the light and shadow shifting, revealing the image of Chen Fei facing off against Zhong Ming of Tianzhen Peak in broad daylight.

Within the light screen, Zhong Ming launched the first attack, and the trapping and killing runes from the Eternal Void Time Array instantly took shape, enveloping Chen Fei within them.

Faced with the encirclement of array patterns, Chen Fei pointed his fingers like a sword and drew a line in the air, creating an array pattern almost identical to the one Zhong Ming had set up. In the end, Chen Fei's array was superior and trapped Zhong Ming instead.

The entire battle was less of a duel and more of a comprehensive crushing and instructional exercise by Chen Fei on the art of array formations. From array placement techniques to understanding array formations, Chen Fei demonstrated a level of mastery far surpassing that of Zhong Ming.

The light screen image ended and slowly dissipated.

Silence fell once again in the courtyard.

His physical prowess, capable of defeating an enemy with a single punch, can be attributed to his extraordinary inheritance and unique physique. But his mastery of array formations is also so profound that he can easily overwhelm Zhong Ming of the Heavenly Array Peak, a sect renowned for its array formations…

“The Eternal Void Time Array Scripture… The Undying True Suchness Spiritual Light Mirror…” Feng Butong repeated these two names in a low voice, his eyes swirling with purple light. “Junior Brother Chen’s Undying True Suchness Spiritual Light Mirror should have been cultivated to the ninth level as well. Only the ninth level of the Undying True Suchness Spiritual Light can provide such a vast and pure mental support, allowing him to perform such a high-level array.”

The ninth level, it's the ninth level again!

Ji Siqi and Ouyang Rui were already somewhat numb. They had cultivated the Dao Ruins Returning to Truth Body to the ninth level, and now they had even cultivated the Undying True Light Mirror, an auxiliary technique that was also known for its difficult cultivation, to the ninth level.

Its physical body is invincible, and its spiritual consciousness is also incredibly powerful... What kind of monster is this?

"Body Refinement, Array Dao, Auxiliary Cultivation... all three have reached the ninth level."

Feng Butong muttered to himself, then a meaningful smile appeared on his face. "It seems that what I said before was too conservative."

"Senior brother, given the strength Junior Brother Chen Fei has shown so far, where would he stand in the Grand Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects?"

He wanted to know just how far this monstrous junior brother could go in the eyes of Senior Brother Feng, a man who had truly witnessed the top geniuses of the Immortal Dynasty.

Upon hearing this, Feng Butong glanced at Ji Siqi and Ouyang Rui, and seeing the complex expressions on their faces—a mixture of shock, frustration, and curiosity—he couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

"Siqi, Ouyang, with your current abilities, if you join forces to fight an enemy, how many can you defeat within the Taicang territory of the Danchen Sect?"

Ji Siqi and Ouyang Rui were taken aback, not expecting Feng Butong to suddenly ask this question.

The two exchanged a glance and pondered for a moment.

If the two join forces, they can complement each other's weaknesses and unleash a power greater than the sum of its parts. Ordinary late-stage Tai Cang Realm cultivators are no match for them when they work together.

"With the two of us joining forces, we have nothing to fear from anyone of the same level," Ouyang Rui said in a deep voice. This was his confidence in his own strength, as well as his trust in Ji Siqi.

"Oh?" Feng Butong's smile deepened, and he leaned back slightly against the rough trunk of the Tranquil Tea Tree.

"Then let me tell you, judging from the strength Chen Fei has shown today, even if the two of you join forces right now, you probably still won't be a match for him."

"what?"

Ji Siqi and Ouyang Rui were both shocked. Even though they had already given Chen Fei a very high opinion of his strength, and even though they believed that their chances of winning in a one-on-one fight were slim, hearing Feng Butong's straightforward, even somewhat cruel, conclusion still made them gasp for breath.

Even if the two of them joined forces, they might not be enough to fight?

Doesn't this mean that in Senior Brother Feng's eyes, Chen Fei's strength has far exceeded their level, and may even be close to the level that Feng Butong himself is at?

They knew Chen Feiqiang, but they never imagined he would be this ridiculously strong. He'd only been a beginner for less than a year! This completely overturned their understanding built up over so many years of hard work.

Feng Butong observed their reactions and knew that this conclusion had greatly impacted them. However, he did not offer any words of comfort; some facts had to be faced head-on.

"If Junior Brother Chen can obtain a sixteenth-grade top-rank spiritual material this time, and successfully refine it, breaking through to the peak of the Tai Cang Realm in one fell swoop... in a place like the Ten Thousand Sects Grand Competition where geniuses gather, he will have a great chance to break into the top two hundred."

The top two hundred!

"Only...only the first two hundred?"

Ouyang Rui's eyes widened. Even if he and Ji Siqi were tied together, they wouldn't be a match for Chen Fei. Yet, after breaking through to the peak of the Tai Cang Realm, Chen Fei, with such strength, could only make it into the top two hundred of the Ten Thousand Sects Grand Competition.

“Ouyang, Siqi,”

Feng Butong's voice was gentle, "You have been in the sect for a long time. Although you know the name of the Grand Competition of Ten Thousand Sects, you may not really understand what kind of scene it is, or how cruel it is."

Feng Butong paused for a moment, "Do you think it's easy to be among the top two hundred? Do you think that cultivating the sect's core cultivation technique to the ninth level is enough to make you stand out from your peers?"

Feng Butong looked at the two of them with a deep gaze, "On that Myriad Sects Battle Platform, cultivating one or even several sixteenth-grade top-quality techniques to the ninth level is just standard practice for many geniuses."

"Standard configuration?" Ji Siqi murmured repeatedly. Cultivating the core technique to the ninth level was already a sign of being a top disciple in the Danchen Sect, but in the Ten Thousand Sects Competition, it was just the starting line.

"Great, standard configuration!"

Feng Butong nodded affirmatively, “Of the 108 sects, which one does not have its own unique martial arts? Which one does not have a top-notch inheritance similar to the Dao Ruins Return to Truth Technique, the Nine Heavens Thunder God Technique, or the Eternal Void Time Array Scripture?”

Even some ancient aristocratic families and hidden lineages possess a profound and domineering inheritance that surpasses even my Danchen Sect. Those true prodigies often possess several top-tier cultivation techniques, all of which they have cultivated to a high level, with no weaknesses in offense, defense, escape techniques, soul manipulation, or support.

Junior Brother Chen Fei has now demonstrated ninth-level proficiency in body refinement, array formation, and auxiliary cultivation. While this is certainly excellent on the Myriad Sects Battle Stage, it is not unique, nor is it among the absolute best.

Ji Siqi and Ouyang Rui remained silent, feeling an unprecedented pressure bearing down on them. It turned out that their pride in their cultivation and techniques might not amount to much on a broader stage.

Feng Butong continued, his tone becoming increasingly solemn: "Moreover, the level of cultivation technique is only the foundation. What determines the final ranking, in addition to the cultivation technique, is the cultivation level, the grasp of opportunities in battle, the experience of life-and-death combat, and most importantly..."

He held up a finger, his eyes gleaming with purple light: "The level of a half-step Heavenly Monarch."

"Half-step Heavenly Lord?" Ouyang Rui repeated subconsciously.

"Yes, a half-step Heavenly Lord."

Feng Butong said in a deep voice, "Only by stepping into the half-step Heavenly Monarch level can one truly have the qualification to compete for the top 100 on the Myriad Sects Battle Stage."

He looked at the two of them, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Junior Brother Chen Fei is exceptionally talented and has great opportunities. If he were to break through, his combat strength would indeed far surpass that of ordinary peak Tai Cang Realm cultivators. However, in the Grand Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, there are no ordinary Tai Cang Realm cultivators."

"Therefore, my estimate that he has a chance to break into the top 200 is already quite optimistic. The top 200 is by no means easy to achieve; every step requires a bloody battle, and every fight is a tough one. If he can establish himself in the top 200, his future is limitless."

Ji Siqi and Ouyang Rui remained silent for a long time after listening.

Feng Butong observed the changing expressions on their faces and knew that his words had deeply affected them.

Feng Butong didn't gain much from the ancient Heavenly Court ruins this time, because he had already reached the level of a half-step Heavenly Monarch. Apart from the real seventeenth-grade low-rank spiritual materials, nothing else mattered to him.

However, Feng Butong is not under much pressure in the Grand Competition of Ten Thousand Sects, because Danchen Sect has promised to bestow upon him a seventeenth-grade low-rank spiritual material within a thousand years to help him break through to the Xuanqiong Heavenly Monarch Realm. This is the treatment given to the number one true disciple who has been dominating the rankings for many years.

With this promise, Feng Butong can focus wholeheartedly on the Grand Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, without having to fight desperately for a seventeenth-grade spiritual material. He can hone his skills more calmly, compete with geniuses from all sides, verify what he has learned, and broaden his horizons.

Ouyang Rui and Ji Siqi exchanged another glance, and Ouyang Rui took out the third recording stone from his pocket.

"Senior Brother Feng, this is another disciple of Cuiping Peak, Cao Feiyu. This is a photo of Junior Sister Cao during her battle today. It is said that she and Junior Brother Chen Fei are already Daoist partners. The two of them previously entered the ancient Heavenly Court ruins together and both broke through to the late stage of the Tai Cang Realm."

"Oh? Cao Feiyu?"

A strange light flashed in Feng Butong's eyes. He had naturally heard of Cao Feiyu.

The aloof fairy of Cuiping Peak, renowned for her swordsmanship talent, is said to be proud and solitary. However, he hadn't paid much attention to her before, since Cao Feiyu's cultivation level was only at the mid-stage of the Tai Cang Realm, which limited her combat strength.

"Let's take a look together." Feng Butong's tone showed more interest.

As instructed, Ouyang Rui channeled his Yuan energy into the recording stone. The light screen lit up again, this time showing Cao Feiyu's duel with Ma Chi of Divine Archery Peak in the martial arts arena.

The scene was devoid of any earth-shattering grandeur or dazzling sword flashes. Cao Feiyu simply swung her sword and struck.

With each swing of the sword, a chilling sword intent bursts forth; the arrow shatters, but the sword intent remains.

Finally, with Cao Feiyu pointing from afar, the sword mark suddenly erupted, shattering all the defensive aura around Ma Chi. He himself was thrown out of the arena by an invisible force, like a kite with a broken string, and had no strength left to fight.

Throughout the entire process, from beginning to end, Cao Feiyu did not even move an inch, yet she easily defeated Ma Chi, a disciple of the Divine Archery Peak known for his swift and unpredictable archery skills.

The light screen image has ended.

Feng Butong silently watched the spot where the light screen disappeared, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on his knees again.

"The Heavenly Sword Technique, ninth level, sword intent solidified, like a shadow following her. She has grasped the true essence of this sword technique. Not bad, very good!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the tense Ji Siqi and Ouyang Rui, a very subtle smile curving his lips: "If the two of you join forces right now, you could probably fight this Junior Sister Cao to a draw."

"A draw?" Ji Siqi's facial muscles twitched involuntarily.

Ouyang Rui's eyes were also wide open. Although he didn't speak, his clenched fists and slightly heaving chest showed that he was also extremely unsettled.

Two against one, and it was barely a draw?

This assessment is even more unacceptable than saying that they couldn't defeat Chen Fei even if they joined forces, after all, Chen Fei is a monster who excels in both body refinement and array formation.

Seeing the two people's varied expressions, Feng Butong laughed and said, "What? Do you think I overrated her?"

“Junior Sister Cao’s sword intent is specifically designed to break through all kinds of protective spiritual light and magical treasure defenses. Ouyang, although your Zhenyue Divine Body is strong, it cannot completely prevent her sword intent from eroding you, and the same goes for Siqi. If the two of you join forces, the final result will most likely be that you both suffer heavy losses.”

Ji Siqi felt a bitter taste in his mouth, and the slight pride he felt from making it into the top 20 had long since vanished.

Is this competition even going to let people live?

Similar discussions, exclamations, analyses, and even renewed discussions about fighting spirit are now spreading like sparks in countless caves, courtyards, teahouses, and even the transmission pavilions of the Danchen Sect.

Some people were shocked by the strength of Chen Fei and Cao Feiyu, felt they were no match for them, and had already decided to retreat.

Some people calmly analyzed the situation, looking for the potential weaknesses of the two individuals and how to address them.

Even more intensely, after a brief moment of shock, a fiercer fighting spirit ignited in their eyes. They caressed the divine weapons in their hands, nurturing the supernatural powers within their bodies, their gazes sharp as knives.

As night deepened, the peaks of Danchen Sect stood like silent giants amidst the vast sea of ​​clouds.

Huangshan Peak, located to the west of the main peak, is famous for its uniquely shaped pines, strange rocks, and spectacular sea of ​​clouds.

At this moment, on a huge, protruding green rock at the summit, a figure as upright as a pine tree stood quietly, his robes fluttering in the biting mountain wind.

This man had a handsome face, with slanted eyebrows that flew into his temples and eyes like cold stars. He was none other than Xu Ziqian, the current chief of Huang Shanfeng's generation.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing towards the main peak. There, the final showdown to determine the ownership of the three sixteenth-grade top-rank spiritual materials would take place tomorrow.

The moonlight shone on him, giving him a cool, silvery glow that accentuated his extraordinary demeanor.

A step behind him stood a female disciple in a pale yellow dress. She was beautiful and gentle, and was looking up at Xu Ziqian’s back with admiration in her eyes.

She is Xu Ziqian's junior, Liu Ruxu.

"Senior brother,"

Liu Ruxu's voice was particularly clear in the night wind, carrying a hint of resentment and pride, "After today's competition, everyone in the sect is talking about Chen Fei and Cao Feiyu, praising how amazing they are and how they swept through their peers. They have clearly regarded the two of them as the champions of this competition, standing at the top of all the late-stage Tai Cang Realm disciples."

Hmph, they only know that Chen Fei and his companion received the empowerment from the ancient Heavenly Court ruins, causing their cultivation to skyrocket, but they don't know..."

She paused, then lowered her voice and said, "But little did I know, Senior Brother, you also received an unparalleled inheritance within those ruins. The profound mysteries of that Divine General Technique are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. When Senior Brother reveals his true strength tomorrow, it will surely be earth-shattering!"

Hearing Liu Ruxu's confident compliment, Xu Ziqian's cold smile widened slightly. He turned his head slightly and glanced at his junior sister. The moonlight illuminated half of his face, making his features even more distinct.

"If I have the chance tomorrow, I would really like to personally experience whether Junior Brother Chen's Dao Void True Body can withstand the attack of my Divine General Battle Body."

He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the night to see the figure in green robes: "As for Junior Sister Cao Feiyu's Heavenly Sword Technique, its sword intent is pure, its attacks fierce, truly top-notch. However, my Divine General Technique, brimming with battle intent, is least afraid of such sharpness. Her sword might break through the defenses of ordinary body cultivators, but to cleave my battle body..."

Xu Ziqian shook his head and didn't continue, but his meaning was already very clear.

Liu Ruxu listened with great emotion, nodding repeatedly, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

But then, as if remembering something, a mysterious and excited smile appeared on her face: "Senior brother is absolutely right. However, the techniques are profound and each has its own merits, so it may be difficult to determine which is better for the time being. But what you obtained in the ruins is not just the inheritance of the Divine General Technique!"

Her eyes shone, and her voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation: "That ancient divine weapon, the Breaking Army, which is paired with the Divine General Technique, will unleash a murderous aura that will shatter everything once it is unleashed. At that time, no matter how powerful Chen Fei's Dao Void Returning to Truth Body is, he will probably pale in comparison and have to bow down in submission before the true ancient divine weapon."

Upon hearing the words "Po Jun," Xu Ziqian's eyes flickered slightly, but he then slowly shook his head. (End of Chapter)