Chapter 355: Fighting Across Levels, Defeating Foundation Building Stage

Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

(TL Note: I’m so happy someone bought the EPUB I’m releasing another bonus chapter. Remember to thank catlas in the comments. It means so much to me.)

“Golden Core Stage?!”

“A Golden Core Stage under eighteen? What kind of cultivation talent is that?!”

“Calling it monstrous wouldn’t be an exaggeration!”

“This is something rarely seen in history, isn’t it?”

“Rare? According to historical records, it’s not something that happens even once in a few hundred years.”

The crowd didn’t know the exact ages of Lan Ting and the others.

In reality, among the three, Bai Ming was the oldest, at eighteen and a few months, while Lan Ting and Yan Tianzhi were both just a few months shy of turning eighteen.

The pressure on the competitors increased significantly, especially on the seeded contestants who had come with confidence, having worked hard to reach Foundation Building and believing they could defeat their opponents to claim the championship.

They never expected a Golden Core Stage cultivator to participate in the festival.

What kind of luck was this?

Foundation Building Stage fighting against Golden Core Stage—how could they possibly win?

Among the contestants, only one wore an excited smile, muttering to himself, “Golden Core Stage, huh? Interesting.”

He was dressed in a black cloak, obscuring his face.

He had been traveling the continent and happened to pass through Qingzhou, where he stumbled upon the festival and decided on a whim to participate.

To others, he appeared to be at the early Foundation Building Stage, but his true cultivation was far beyond that.

His name was Zhou Fangge, and his actual cultivation level was late Foundation Building.

“I’ve never fought a disciple from an immortal sect before. Though this Lu Yang has advanced faster than me, in battle, cultivation level isn’t everything.”

“Even if his cultivation speed is quick, it can’t be that much quicker—he’s probably just reached Golden Core.”

Zhou Fangge had previously defeated an early Golden Core Stage cultivator, though the battle had been somewhat challenging; in the end, he emerged victorious.

“There’s no reason I can’t win.”

“Heh, Lu Yang, I hope you’re a worthy whetstone for my blade!”

…

“Get ready; it’s almost your turn,” Lu Yang said, fist-bumping Meng Jingzhou. It was their first time participating in such a large-scale exchange event, and it was turning out to be quite enjoyable.

“They’re all peers—there might be some formidable opponents hidden among them.”

Meng Jingzhou laughed, “As if I’ve ever held back in a fight?”

They were always cautious in battle, never letting their guard down.

In the judges’ seats, Lan Ting watched Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou fist bump, her eyelids twitching. She sent a message to Bai Ming: “When it’s Meng Jingzhou’s turn, you handle the commentary.”

Meeting Lan Ting’s murderous gaze, Bai Ming nodded heavily, reluctantly accepting the task.

…

The battles continued, each more exciting than the last. Facing opponents of the same age, neither side dared to relax, engaging in calculated maneuvers, hidden spells, and mind games.

Both sides went all out, making the spectators cheer with excitement.

Most of the spectators were at the Qi Training Stage, and they hadn’t expected to see such spectacular battles even among Qi Training Stage cultivators.

Even the sect cultivators responsible for scouting talent nodded frequently, impressed by the high quality of this year’s participants.

“We’re about halfway through the matches, right? Including those who’ve already appeared, we’ve seen five Foundation Building Stage cultivators. There weren’t this many in previous years.”

“You’re right. Especially the fifth one, at mid-Foundation Building Stage—he would’ve been the guaranteed first place in earlier editions!”

Bai Ming glanced at the participant list and introduced, “Our next competitor is Shang Deshui from the Canghai Sect, another highly anticipated seeded contestant. He’s at the early Foundation Building Stage and is particularly skilled in water-based spells, with his mastery of the Water Control Technique being especially impressive.”

Mentioning the Water Control Technique, Bai Ming’s eye twitched involuntarily, remembering how Lu Yang had instantly defeated someone using the Water Repelling Technique.

Shang Deshui flashed a confident smile. At the early Foundation Building Stage, he was prepared to sweep through the preliminary rounds.

“Shang Deshui’s opponent is also a last-minute entrant—Meng Jingzhou of Dao Seeking Sect.”

Meng Jingzhou beamed, waving at Bai Ming.

“Why is there another one from Dao Seeking Sect?” Shang Deshui’s smile froze on his face. One wasn’t enough—they sent two?

Was the Qingzhou Festival such a grand event that it needed two Dao Seeking Sect disciples to participate?

Shang Deshui tried to remain calm. Just because they were disciples of Dao Seeking Sect didn’t necessarily mean they were Golden Core Stage. It was rare to see Foundation Building Stage cultivators under eighteen even once in a few centuries. At most, Meng Jingzhou was likely late Foundation Building, and with skillful maneuvering, there was still a chance to win.

Shang Deshui encouraged himself and pulled a small vial from his sleeve, containing water purchased at great expense from the depths of the East Sea—pure and ideal for water-based techniques.

“Water Control Technique—Simulated Serpent!”

Water vapor surged, and waves splashed as the East Sea water transformed into thin lines emerging from the vial. The water accumulated and changed shape, forming a ferocious serpent.

“Go!”

The serpent opened its blood-red mouth and rushed toward Meng Jingzhou like a roaring tsunami. The serpent’s menacing aura left everyone present in awe.

“Heaven Shaking Six Forms!”

Meng Jingzhou assumed his starting stance and shattered the serpent with a single punch. The serpent exploded into a spray of rain, and his punch, undiminished in power, stopped right before Shang Deshui’s face. The force of the punch knocked Shang Deshui off balance, sending him stumbling backward off the stage.

Bai Ming: “…”

You’re a Golden Core Stage cultivator using Heaven Shaking Six Forms right from the start—anyone watching would think your opponent was Lu Yang!

Bai Ming gave a serious commentary: “The Water Control Technique’s mimicry series is divided into three stages: serpent, flood dragon, and dragon. Generally, it’s not until the late Foundation Building Stage that the Water Control Technique is considered mastered. Shang Deshui being able to use the Water Control Technique to simulate a serpent at the early Foundation Building Stage is truly impressive.”

“It’s clear that Shang Deshui has put in extensive practice offstage and has a deep understanding of water techniques, which is exceptionally rare for someone his age. I’ve only seen such comprehension in a few of my own junior disciples.”

“Victory and defeat are part of the cultivation journey. I hope Shang Deshui won’t be disheartened by this loss and will continue to pursue mastery in water techniques.”

“Meng Jingzhou is Golden Core Stage. Commentary complete.”

A great uproar rose from the audience, who were now filled with admiration for Dao Seeking Sect.

Golden Core Stage—another Golden Core Stage cultivator under eighteen.

Was Dao Seeking Sect really this powerful?

Once considered rare even in centuries, now two of these peerless talents appeared at once!

As the first elimination round concluded, aside from the standout Golden Core Stage cultivators Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, the ten most outstanding participants were at the Foundation Building Stage. The fifty competitors at the peak of Qi Training Stage had already lost the audience’s attention.

Lu Yang was particularly enjoying his battles, especially since his next two opponents were at the early Foundation Building Stage.

The Invincible Core’s suggestion was to fight casually.

Lu Yang couldn’t help but feel nostalgic—he hadn’t had such easy fights in a long time.

Thinking back to the grueling battles in Dao Seeking Sect, Lu Yang felt that this type of fight was more his style.

Everlasting Fairy found the scene deeply nostalgic, as if she’d returned to the good old days of fighting across levels in ancient times. She clamored to seize control of his body, wanting to experience the thrill herself.

With no other option, Lu Yang agreed to let Everlasting Fairy take over for his third match, letting her have her fun.

Meng Jingzhou had a similar reaction to Lu Yang’s, recalling that ever since joining Dao Seeking Sect, aside from the fight with Five Elements Sect, he hadn’t had a proper battle with his peers.

It turned out that fighting with peers was this satisfying.

He was even luckier; his next two opponents were at the peak of Qi Training Stage.

Watching the laughing, carefree Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, Lan Ting and her companions wished they could pretend not to know them.

After four rounds of battles, the top eight were determined.

Aside from the indisputable Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, the remaining contestants included Zhou Fangge, who had been hiding his cultivation, one mid-Foundation Building Stage cultivator, and four early Foundation Building Stage cultivators.

According to the competition rules, the top eight would face off in a chaotic battle, testing their adaptability and teamwork skills.

(End of the chapter)