Chapter 167: Calamity Beast Attacks
Although Su Yan said he had already gone all out, everyone could tell from his performance that he must still have some strength left; it was just unknown if he could continue pushing upward.
However, no matter what, as a newly promoted disciple, Reverse Hundred Names, occupying the Tiger Ranking 200th Place, such results no one dared to underestimate.
Su Yan came down from the Fighting Platform, and the battles on the remaining few Fighting Platforms were also gradually coming to an end at this time.
Among the first-year disciples, only four remained: Su Yan’s 200th Place, Qingtian 280th Rank, Su Yuntao 287th Rank, Bai Yun 285th Rank.
The remaining new rankings were all occupied by second-year disciples and some third-year disciples.
Once the off-list rankings were set, unexpectedly today there were even disciples within the 200th Place who challenged each other.
Both were True Intent Realm Third Realm Condensing Momentum Martial Artists, but compared to the gatekeeper Ji Lian, their Condensing Momentum had a more majestic aura, and when they made moves, they often condensed even more terrifying power.
The two fought like dragons and tigers, battling a full 120 rounds, barely determining a winner, one heavily injured, the other scratched up.
“The higher the strength ranking, the more terrifying the fights become, and the harder it is to control every detail. No wonder they rarely agree to challenges.”
Winning means recuperating for days even without injury, losing might mean a serious injury.
If not for the periodic examinations, challenges among the top-ranked would require mutual agreement from both sides.
As for playing dirty, pulling strings, or using money power, that depends on your own abilities.
“Rankings are set. Those on the list, go to the Sect Affairs Pavilion to claim this month’s rewards. The new 21 on the list, stay behind.”
Yin Mingchen waved his hand, and the Tiger Ranking names on the Stone Tablet immediately changed, and at the same time, the Tiger Rankings seen at each peak also changed names.
Although the disciples were curious why only the 21 were asked to stay, seeing Elder Yin Mingchen’s demeanor, they didn’t dare linger.
Those with flying mounts rode their Contracted Beasts away, those without intercepted Black Horned Giant Eagles, then each returned to their own lineage.
Qian Mulan stepped forward and said to Su Yan and the other 21: “You all follow me.”
Qian Mulan and the others led Su Yan to a Main Hall in the Sect Affairs Pavilion. In the Main Hall were black wooden chairs for discussions, seven on each side.
This was the Assembly Hall where the sect’s Danqiao Elders gathered to discuss matters when needed.
Qian Mulan and the others each sat down and looked up at Su Yan and the rest.
The 21 stood straight, feeling quite uneasy in their hearts.
“According to sect custom, Tiger Ranking Disciples enjoy pill quotas and contribution point allocations, ten per group, and you are among them. But with rewards come responsibilities; Tiger Ranking Disciples must share the sect’s worries.”
Su Yan’s gaze was calm; presumably, no one was unaware of this.
The tasks to share worries were both responsibilities and also tempering.
“The Hundred Peaks Barrier is about to rotate, and this rotation will cause quite a commotion. I’m afraid the Towns Outside the Barrier have long been infiltrated by Demonic Path demon persons. In the past year, the sect sent 321 disciples outside the Hundred Peaks Barrier for experience; 87 encountered beast tides and Bandit Cultivator attacks, with 45 dead or injured.”
Qian Mulan’s gaze turned cold as she continued: “Although each investigation finds traces of Feral Beasts and Bandit Cultivators, and quite a few perpetrators are killed, this is very suspicious.”
Everyone’s expressions turned serious, their gazes flickering, guessing in their hearts that there must be a mole.
They didn’t rush to respond. Qian Mulan said indifferently: “This matter must be investigated clearly. This time, you 21 will each follow a Danqiao True Person to go guard. Any objections?”
“We should share the sect’s worries.”
Someone took the lead in responding, and Qian Mulan nodded with a smile, saying slowly: “This time, there are five True Persons: from Azure Dragon Peak, me; from Guizang Valley, Dragon True Person; from White Python Peak, Thunder True Person; from Shattered Moon Peak, Water True Person; from Fuyue Peak, Jade True Person. You all go by peak affiliation; the rest will be selected by the True Persons.”
Qian Mulan just gathered everyone and informed them of the matter, without any intention of letting them pick.
Although Yu Xuanfeng wasn’t there, Pu Hanshan selected a few disciples on his behalf.
In this way, the numbers were all assigned.
Su Yan naturally went with Long Qiushui, and there was also a Senior Brother Du Yuan from Guizang Valley, two Hundred Tiger Peak disciples: one second-year disciple Bai Chenyao, and the other Bai Yun.
“You four will be under his jurisdiction; he’ll notify you of any matters.”
After assigning people, they each left the Assembly Hall.
Long Qiushui wasn’t polite and directly handed the matter to Su Yan.
“This disciple understands. I’ll be troubling Junior Brother Su from now on.”
Bai Chenyao and Du Yuan didn’t dare have any objections. Not to mention Long Qiushui being a Danqiao True Person, her arrangements were the highest authority.
Just Su Yan’s strength alone convinced them wholeheartedly.
Long Qiushui nodded: “If you earn contribution points, go exchange for some Pan Yang Pills, Fire Yuan Pills, and such to protect your body—yanggang pills, and prepare for the cold.”
She smiled faintly, stopping there: “By the timing, the Mysterious Jade Cold Pond will open; you can give it a try.”
Once Long Qiushui left, everyone’s eyes lit up.
“I’ve long heard that although Cold Shadow Peak is in Lingnan, it forms its own snow mountain, unchanging year-round. The Earth Vein and underground waterways converge into a special landscape, opening from time to time.”
Du Yuan, having been a disciple longer, clearly knew quite a bit.
Bai Chenyao said: “I heard the Mysterious Jade Cold Pond isn’t controlled by families outside the barrier?”
“The Towns Outside the Barrier exist only thanks to the sect’s protection; the quota to enter the pond has always included a share for our Beast King Sect.”
Du Yuan stopped there. Since Long Qiushui said so, they likely had a chance.
“Junior Brother, shall we prepare together?”
“Senior Brother, go ahead with your business; I’ll go take a look myself.”
Seeing Su Yan’s reply, Du Yuan didn’t continue chatting and headed straight to the Sect Affairs Pavilion.
Su Yan and Bai Yun chatted a bit more, but Bai Yun didn’t stay long.
Today, not only had she fought several bouts herself, but she had also witnessed Condensing Momentum Stage Martial Artists in combat.
The fierce fights were enough for her to comprehend much.
After chatting a few words with her Junior Brother, she didn’t have time to elaborate much, just sharing her recent situation, asking about Su Yan’s, then taking leave.
With such insights, it wouldn’t be long before she could step into True Intent Second Realm, Ruyi Stage.
In the Sect Affairs Pavilion, the disciple in charge of registration allocated contribution points to Su Yan, along with a bottle of Yuan Yi Pills.
“Junior Brother Su, although Yuan Yi Pills are only second-order low-grade, they are extremely helpful for condensing True Intent and accumulating True Essence. Additionally, newly entering the 200th Place, you may select one third-order martial skill, and enter the Vine King Cave once per month.”
“Vine King Cave?”
Su Yan’s gaze shifted slightly: “Senior Brother, could you tell me about the Vine King Cave?”
“You’ve not been in long, so naturally you don’t know.”
The Senior Brother at the counter said: “Besides things like Earth Veins that condense spiritual energy, heaven and earth also form special places that create environments beneficial to martial arts. The Vine King Cave is one of our sect’s blessed lands, where you can temper your mind, question your heart, and condense intent. The deeper you go, the greater the pressure on your mind and the stronger the tempering; rumor has it even Danqiao True Persons may not reach the depths.”
Su Yan’s gaze flickered as he pondered: ‘Is it a formation convergence or naturally formed?’
“Junior Brother, don’t be hasty. The once-a-month opportunity is precious; prepare thoroughly and go at month’s end—the more accumulation, the more useful under such mind-tempering cultivation.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother.”
“Dong”
Before Su Yan left the Sect Affairs Pavilion, he heard a deafening bell toll.
Behind the counter, the Senior Brother’s face changed slightly, saying gravely: “Another beast tide?”
A bell toll means a beast tide; one toll means at least one town attacked.
Two tolls mean one of the Hundred Peaks suffers a beast tide, at least several Calamity Beasts, threatening several county towns.
Three tolls mean a fourth-order Disaster Beast has emerged.
“Cold Shadow Peak’s Bai Shan Town attacked by Calamity Beasts, over ten thousand dead or injured. Immediately dispatch disciples to support!”
Working overtime on Saturday to write a speech draft, came back late, wrote two thousand words first, will make up the rest during the day. Lots of overtime and urgent tasks at year-end, really sorry.
