Chapter 188: Preparing To Climb The Rankings
Su Yan’s gaze undoubtedly made Pang Tianhu’s heart clench. He thought, “As expected, he’s not an ordinary disciple. But since he’s offended the Qing family, then consider him unlucky.”
Before Qing Tianyi’s battle, Su Yan was merely a whetstone in the eyes of the Qing family.
But after that battle, he became Qing Tianyi’s inner demon.
For a martial artist to cultivate true intent, it is inherently a fusion of spirit, bloodline, and true essence. To continuously condense and elevate true intent, one must possess an indomitable spirit.
This can be done by nurturing intent through combat, constantly solidifying one’s own momentum, and thus achieving Condensing Momentum and Divine Union, or by firmly adhering to one’s own path and seeking it within oneself to nurture true intent.
Regardless of the method, a perfect spirit naturally leads to easier progress and a smoother breakthrough.
Conversely, with obstacles in one’s heart, it becomes difficult to calm down.
Qing Tianyi had been cultivating desperately these past few days, but his progress had slowed compared to before.
The Qing family intended to break this inner demon, also wanting to suppress Su Yan and establish their prestige.
“Qing family, Pang Tianhu! Ranked 187th on the Tiger Ranking, I request your guidance!”
Pang Tianhu’s gaze was fierce, like that of a fierce tiger.
Behind him, a blood tiger ascended, which was the Blood Tiger True Intent, its oppressive killing intent directed straight at Su Yan.
Su Yan found it laughable, “Who gave you the courage to think you’re stronger than me?”
“We’ll only know who’s stronger after we fight.”
Pang Tianhu, resolute in the duel, immediately attacked. Tiger shadows entered his fist as he charged, aiming directly for Su Yan’s face.
Su Yan’s eyes sharpened. Without politeness, he raised his hand and condensed a Star Picking Hand that was over twenty feet wide.
Starlight flowed, exuding dominance.
As the fist shadow reached him, this Star Picking Hand slapped directly towards it, instantly suppressing it.
Pang Tianhu’s expression trembled. He was at the Minor Accomplishment stage of Condensing Momentum, yet he couldn’t even withstand a single punch?
His fighting spirit ignited. The Blood Tiger True Intent condensed into momentum and lunged forward, intending to crush Su Yan.
But in the next moment, he only saw Su Yan raise his eyes and grab the lunging Blood Tiger True Intent with his Star Picking Hand.
The Blood Tiger True Intent roared and unleashed a fierce attack.
However, the Star Picking Hand was even more powerful. With a mere squeeze, half of its body instantly disintegrated.
Pang Tianhu charged forward, his internal energy vibrating. His true intent had suffered such a heavy blow in a single exchange, and his breathing was unstable.
“Scram.”
Su Yan transformed the Star Picking Hand into a fist and attacked, like chasing stars and catching the moon, directly blasting Pang Tianhu away.
Although Pang Tianhu was strong, compared to Su Yan, who had condensed six true intents, whose meridians were constantly being strengthened, and whose true essence was abundant…
His strength did not hold a significant advantage.
In a brief exchange, a mysterious beast true intent, resembling a fierce insect, faintly appeared behind Su Yan.
Pang Tianhu had already fallen to the ground, blood oozing from his nose and mouth, unable to get up for a while.
“What are you doing!”
Mountain Guard disciples streamed in, their gazes sweeping over the disciples present.
Li Jin, who was at the forefront, had her pupils constrict slightly. The calm Su Yan and the fallen Pang Tianhu presented a stark contrast.
However, this Pang Tianhu was an inner disciple ranked 187th on the Tiger Ranking. Su Yan had only joined the sect less than a year ago and had only barely reached 200th on the Tiger Ranking two months prior.
“Fighting in the Vine King Cave, do you want to go to the Law Enforcement Hall to receive punishment?”
Li Jin snorted coldly. Su Yan calmly replied, “Then you’ll have to ask him.”
“Senior Sister Li, it was Pang Tianhu who challenged Junior Brother Su Yan.”
Someone spoke up to support them, though it was evident to Li Jin without being said.
“Fighting occurred in the Vine King Cave. Pang Tianhu, go to the Law Enforcement Hall to receive punishment yourself.”
Pang Tianhu had recovered by now, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
“This disciple obeys.”
The farce subsided, but the gazes of all the disciples in the valley towards Su Yan had changed significantly.
Su Yan’s strength might be even greater than rumored.
A disciple like this would likely become a true disciple seedling in the future.
Su Yan glanced at the crowd indifferently, turned, and walked towards the Vine King Cave, stepping inside.
The vines continuously spread, wriggling subtly and emitting a faint fluorescence, as if alive, approaching his body.
A special power began to envelop his body, and spiritual pressure emanated.
Su Yan focused his spirit, and his true intent gradually enhanced his body, resisting this pressure.
Swoosh.
A vine lunged, heading directly for Su Yan’s face.
The Star Moon Centipede True Intent transformed into tendrils that swept out, severing it. The vine instantly turned into an illusion and disappeared.
Su Yan suddenly reacted. This was an illusion. The tempering in the Vine King Cave had begun.
He took a step forward, and the surrounding environment had undergone a colossal change.
The original cave had vanished. Vines continuously grew, transforming into towering ancient trees. A dim forest suddenly appeared before him.
With the appearance of the forest, Su Yan felt an ancient, profound pressure emanating from his spirit.
‘So this is how one tempers the spirit.’
Su Yan walked towards the center of the forest, his spirit constantly concentrated, the power of his true intent circulating. The Star Moon Centipede then partially revealed its form, resisting this pressure.
The deeper he went, the more the vines moved, the tree shadows swayed, and every action carried immense spiritual pressure.
Countless vines attacked, directly targeting his spirit. Upon impact, his body suffered no major harm, but he felt a needle-like pain.
After just one strike, Su Yan’s spirit was roused. The true intents of the Star Moon Centipede, Gold-Eating Demon Insect, and others were deployed one after another, continuously severing the attacking vines.
‘True intent solidifies, generating momentum from solidity, and Condensing Momentum then becomes a minor deity…’
Su Yan’s eyes became increasingly bright. His spiritual energy consumption continued to increase, but his comprehension of true intent became increasingly clear at this moment.
Drip.
Su Yan continued to venture deeper when suddenly, a dripping sound came from the leaves. Large raindrops fell, and a layer of white frost instantly formed on the leaves.
Su Yan was also struck by the freezing rain. In an instant, he felt as if his spirit had been frozen.
The consumption of spiritual power intensified.
In the forest, rustling sounds could be heard. Mountain Imps made of vines attacked, heading straight for Su Yan.
Su Yan looked up, fearless, his spirit undisturbed.
The Star Moon Centipede, Poison Star Ape, Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon, Flame Armored Scorpion, Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust, and Gold-Eating Demon Insect—six true intents appeared, guarding Su Yan like guardians.
Kill!
Wave after wave of Mountain Imps attacked, and Su Yan’s true intent beast spirits fought valiantly.
With each Mountain Imp that fell, it turned into tiny specks of fluorescence and merged into the bodies of the true intents.
The true intents continuously solidified, while Su Yan’s spiritual power was consumed like a torrential flood.
One hundred…
Su Yan felt his spiritual power gradually depleting.
The more mountain imps died, the more intense the cold, deadly pressure around him became.
The power of the Vine King Cave far exceeded his imagination.
His gaze was firm as he continued to control his true intent beast spirits to attack.
Two hundred…
When the corpses of mountain imps covered the ground and then turned into fluorescence, at the two hundred and first one, it transformed into a Yaksa Monster.
Su Yan’s heart sank: ‘Has my spiritual power consumption led to my mind leaking out?’
The Yaksa Monster was not a monster within the Vine King Cave. It could only have been generated by the Vine King Cave capturing his spiritual fluctuations.
“I want to see what you can see.”
The oppressive pressure escalated. At this moment, Su Yan felt as if a weight had settled on his shoulders.
If his spiritual body could manifest, he would likely appear to be bowing under the resistance.
“You brat Su Yan, return my Ma family’s life!”
Ma Tianhong, transformed into a Yaksa Monster, charged forward. Su Yan raised his eyes, and the Gold-Eating Demon Insect had already rushed out…
The final battle raged, from three hundred, four hundred, until finally, at five hundred and twenty-one, the Yaksha King’s pressure drained his last trace of spiritual power.
Buzz.
His spirit trembled. Su Yan had arrived at the entrance of the Vine King Cave, his face slightly pale. It took him a long while to step out.
Outside the Vine King Cave, disciples gathered, preparing to enter for cultivation, all looking at Su Yan, who had just emerged, with expressions of shock.
“Two hours. For his first attempt, he persisted for two hours. Even Senior Brother Xiang Ge back then didn’t last that long.”
On the Dragon Ranking, Xiang Ge was already a highly ranked disciple; his abilities were not mere boasts.
Is it really appropriate to compare Su Yan to someone like that?
Someone couldn’t help but want to retort, but then they remembered that Su Yan had persisted for a full two hours.
Under increasingly intense spiritual pressure, and with countless feral beasts and enemies surrounding him, he persisted for two hours.
This was enough to prove the terrifying nature of his spiritual power and his combat power.
Su Yan walked past the crowd, his mind immersed in the gains from his recent experience.
【 True Intent Realm As Desired Stage: 205/400 （ Great Accomplishment ）】
‘In just one cultivation session, my progress increased by nearly a hundred points. No wonder it’s a treasure land for cultivation… but it’s also related to how long I persisted.’
Su Yan naturally didn’t believe everyone who entered the Vine King Cave would achieve such results.
He strode out of the mountain valley, his expression quite playful.
Since his As Desired stage had seen a breakthrough, he might as well find some trouble to continue building his true intent’s momentum.
Su Yan arrived at Gui Cang Mountain’s Training Ground. Many people had already noticed the changes; Su Yan’s name had suddenly risen above Pang Tianhu’s.
“When did Junior Brother Su defeat Pang Tianhu?!”
Everyone was puzzled, especially the disciples of the same cohort.
Wang Wuyang muttered, “It’s only been two months and three days, just two months since the last arena match. What a monster.”
In two months, such a rate of progress was truly unimaginable.
“Do you think Junior Brother Su is preparing to fight his way further up?”
Someone couldn’t hold back and finally asked the question.
“That’s for sure, but the pace won’t be as fast as before. I think Pang Tianhu was just a test run; perhaps he can climb within the top 150 this time.”
The speaker was Bai Wenyue. Only those who had fought Su Yan knew how terrifying the strength of his contracted beast was.
At the same cultivation level, if one didn’t have sufficient means, they absolutely couldn’t suppress his contracted beast.
Some people in the crowd disagreed with this view and, without realizing it, began to argue, each stating their own opinion.
However, no one noticed that from behind the crowd, Su Yan had been pulled aside by Gu Songde.
“Junior Brother, you truly are astonishing.”
Gu Songde’s words were not mere pleasantries; he genuinely couldn’t fathom his junior brother’s true capabilities.
Although still at the Second Realm of the True Intent Realm, his combat power completely warranted an extra level.
The Beast King Sect had geniuses as numerous as carp crossing a river, more than one could count.
But few had emerged as outstanding as this.
“Pang Tianhu attacked first, but are the people behind him in the Qing family truly idiots?”
Su Yan spoke frankly. Gu Songde chuckled, “Junior Brother, you’ve misjudged.”
“Hmm?”
Gu Songde said, “The Qing family isn’t truly that arrogant. With two Dan Qiao realm cultivators, Qing Yunheng and Qing Yunke are both geniuses. Their hundred years of influence have granted the Qing family such a vast industry.”
Hearing Gu Songde say this, Su Yan’s eyes flickered slightly. He considered a possibility: “Is Qing Yunheng’s lineage deliberately making themselves disliked to reduce the prominence of another lineage?”
“There’s some truth to that, but Qing Yunheng himself is also an overbearing elder.”
Gu Songde continued, “His behavior does indeed reduce the elders’ concerns about them. But more importantly, it’s about attracting talent and competing for resources.”
“If the Qing family’s reputation grows stronger and their influence expands, then when some outer disciples or even inner disciples descend the mountain, won’t they need a good place to settle?”
The Qing family’s influence in Southern Sky City needed to grow, and a growing family power could, in turn, support Qing Yunheng’s side, attracting more talent.
Pang Tianhu was one such example.
Su Yan frowned slightly: “The sect is becoming familialized; does no one manage this?”
“How to manage it, or rather, is it necessary to manage it?”
Su Yan was taken aback, and saw Gu Songde chuckle.
A sect is not a company, but a gathering of strong individuals.
While one lineage becoming familialized might be undesirable, isn’t a master-disciple lineage another form of familialization?
As long as the strongest Head Seat and the Sect’s Old Ancestor remained, everything would continue to operate stably.
The sect only needed to deal with those who were disobedient.
“If Junior Brother is worried about retaliation from the Qing family, there’s no need. Even if Uncle Long isn’t here, no one will easily provoke your lineage.”
“Senior Brother, I need to trouble you with something.”
Gu Songde paused: “What do you intend to do?”
“Help me collect a list of disciples on the Inner Sect Tiger Ranking who are affiliated with the Qing family.”
Gu Songde: ?
People don’t easily dare to kill you, but picking them off one by one like this, isn’t that a bit excessive?
“Don’t anger Elder Qing Yunheng, making him deal with you in a way that causes him to lose face.”
Su Yan smiled: “It’s just a Tiger Ranking challenge; the sect’s laws are paramount.”
Gu Songde nodded: “I’ll give you the list this afternoon. The Qing family has quite a few disciples, and there are a few on the Tiger Ranking, but not many.”
Gu Songde was a man of action. The list arrived that afternoon, and he instructed a reliable disciple to deliver it to Su Yan’s courtyard.
“Tiger Ranking 98th, Qing Tianyu, cultivation at the Fourth Realm of the True Intent Realm; Tiger Ranking 129th, Qing Zixuan, cultivation at the Fourth Realm of the True Intent Realm; Tiger Ranking 145th, 157th, 169th…”
After reading the list, Su Yan sighed slightly. The Qing family certainly had some capabilities.
With two Dan Qiao Realm martial artists managing for a century and abundant resources, it would be strange if they didn’t produce a few geniuses.
However, to his surprise, the Qing family was a lineage of Spirit Sealers. In particular, the Family Head, Qing Yunke, was a Third-order Mid-grade Spirit Sealer capable of crafting Third-order Spirit Sealing Talismans.
This was no niche profession.
He had also used Spirit Sealing Talismans like the Smoke and Mist Bear and had witnessed their effectiveness in detaining beast souls or sealing true intent to fight on behalf of the user.
Used properly, they were no less effective than a skilled opponent of the same level.
It was precisely these skills that allowed the Qing family to truly establish their footing in Southern Sky City, becoming one of the eight major families.
“Alright, I’ll start with Zhao Yi’an, ranked 169th. He’s the son of a Qing family guard and an admirer of Qing Zixuan… could he be a simp?”
