"Did you hear that right? Wuyue Peak is actually participating this year? Didn't they always forfeit in previous years?"
"Who knows! Maybe they feel they can't bear the humiliation and want to give it a shot? But with their meager abilities, they'd just be there to make up the numbers!"
"Qinghe has occasionally shown up in the sect, but her cultivation level is unknown. I estimate she is not even ranked among the younger generation."
"As for Xiao Chen, his talent was indeed astonishing when he joined the sect. He reached the peak of the Creation Realm at the age of 22, but he has only been with the Five Mountains Peak for three months! What progress can he make in three months?"
"At most, it can stabilize my cultivation level. How can I compare with the geniuses of other peaks?"
"Exactly! Lin Feng of Dongxu Peak and Zhao Meng of Nanyue Peak, haven't they both been immersed in their studies for many years, and some are even close to touching the threshold of the Nirvana Realm?"
"Xiao Chen probably hasn't even mastered the basic techniques of the Five Peaks in these three months!"
The discussions were incessant; almost everyone was pessimistic about the Five Peaks, believing they were just there to make up the numbers.
Some even joked, "This year's Five Summits might just become 'Four Summits plus a backdrop'!"
In the crowd, Ling Xue, dressed in white, stood quietly in the Xi Xuan Peak group, listening to the discussions around her.
His face remained completely expressionless, but his eyes held a confident smile.
Only she knew that Xiao Chen's terror could never be measured by time.
Back in the Cangxuan Realm, he was able to break through quickly even in dire circumstances. Now, his strength must be far beyond what it used to be. Those who underestimate him will be proven wrong sooner or later.
"What are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought." A clear voice rang out as Su Qing walked to Ling Xue's side, her gaze sweeping over the competition platform in the center of the square, her tone casual.
Ling Xue snapped out of her reverie and smiled at her, "Nothing, I was just thinking about the competition later. Is there something you need, Senior Sister?"
"Master just gave the order that you and I will represent Xixuan Peak in this Five Peaks Competition."
Su Qing nodded, a hint of pride in her voice. Being able to represent the peak master in battle was a recognition of her strength.
"We must take the top three spots this year; we can't let the other peaks surpass us."
As she spoke, she glanced at the group from Five Peaks not far away, where only Xiao Chen and Qing He stood, looking rather formidable.
He couldn't help but sneer, "Speaking of which, that Xiao Chen is really overestimating himself, actually daring to sign up for the competition."
"With his strength, he probably won't even make it past the first round of the knockout stage, wasting a spot in the competition."
Upon hearing this, Ling Xue's lips curled into a mysterious smile, a sly glint in her eyes: "Hehe, not necessarily, Senior Sister."
"Oh?" Su Qing raised an eyebrow, looking at her with some surprise. "What? You still think he can create a miracle?"
In her opinion, Ling Xue's words were just to comfort herself, after all, Xiao Chen had joined the sect with her, so there was some affection between them.
Ling Xue didn't explain, but simply smiled and shook her head, her gaze fixed on the direction of the Five Peaks.
Xiao Chen stood beside Qing He, his expression calm, as if the surrounding discussions had nothing to do with him.
She believed that once the competition began, Xiao Chen would use his strength to surprise everyone who had underestimated him.
…………
On the highest point of the Four Directions Sect, the "Star Gazing Jade Tower," five figures with powerful auras stood with their hands behind their backs.
Looking down from the railing at the bustling martial arts arena below, one sees the peak masters of the five main peaks.
Dongfang Shuo, the peak master of Dongxu Peak, fixed his gaze on the thin group from the Five Sacred Mountains below.
Turning to look at Old Huang beside him, who was carrying a wine jug, he said with a hint of teasing, "Old Huang, didn't you always forfeit your spot at the Five Peaks Conference in previous years?"
"Why did you suddenly decide to have your disciple participate this year? Is it because you feel that Five Peaks has been at the bottom for too long and you're losing face?"
Old Huang lowered his head, took a sip from the wine pot, and the wine slid down his chin.
He wiped it off nonchalantly, his tone casual yet domineering: "I can participate if I want, what's it to you?"
"You!" Dongfang Shuo's face darkened, clearly displeased by Elder Huang's attitude, and his aura surged slightly.
Old Huang raised his eyes, and his previously cloudy eyes instantly lit up with two beams of light as he stared directly at Dongfang Shuo.
His tone carried a hint of provocation: "Not happy? If you're not happy, let's have a fight. It'll be a good opportunity to stretch your muscles."
Dongfang Shuo's pupils contracted, he instantly suppressed his aura, let out a cold snort, and turned his head away without saying another word.
He hadn't forgotten that although Elder Huang was often drunk, he was the strongest among the five peak masters, and also the most senior.
In his youth, he single-handedly defeated three elders of the Mo Zezong sect. If they were to fight, he would not come out on top.
Seeing this, the other three peak masters exchanged glances, and none of them dared to interrupt.
Huang Lao's temper was notoriously eccentric in the Four Directions Sect, and he was also very powerful, so no one wanted to offend him.
Just then, a gentle yet dignified aura quietly spread out, and the air above the Star Gazing Jade Pavilion seemed to soften a bit.
The five peak masters turned around and saw a middle-aged man in a gray Taoist robe with a gentle face standing behind them. He was Wen Yizheng, the sect master of the Four Directions Sect.
"Greetings, Sect Master!" The four peak masters, including Dongfang Shuo and Nangong Lie, quickly cupped their hands in respect.
Only Elder Huang remained standing in the same spot, drinking his wine without even lifting his eyelids, as if he hadn't seen the sect leader arrive.
Wen Yizheng was already used to this, and instead of being annoyed, he smiled and shook his head, then walked over to Old Huang's side.
Looking down at Xiao Chen, he asked with a hint of curiosity, "Elder Huang, I've heard a little about Xiao Chen, your new disciple from Five Mountains Peak."
"To have reached the pinnacle of his talent at the age of 22 is truly remarkable. I wonder how he has progressed in the past three months?"
Old Huang took another sip of wine, smacked his lips, and said in a flat tone, "It's alright."
"Not bad?" A hint of surprise flashed in Wen Yizheng's eyes. He knew Old Huang's temperament all too well.
A disciple who is always arrogant and haughty is definitely not simple. "I didn't expect that Xiao Chen could catch your eye."
Old Huang didn't reply, but instead tilted his head back and took another swig of wine. His gaze inadvertently swept over Xiao Chen below, and a hint of barely perceptible approval flashed in his eyes.
Seeing this, Wen Yizheng stopped asking questions, turned to look at the martial arts arena below, and announced loudly: "The Five Peaks Grand Competition will proceed as usual!"
His voice was gentle yet extremely penetrating, clearly resounding throughout the entire martial arts square. The previously noisy crowd instantly quieted down, and all eyes were focused on the Star Gazing Jade Tower.
"The disciples of each peak are free to challenge the disciples of other peaks in one-on-one duels!"
Wen Yizheng's voice continued, "The winner may switch rankings with the challenger; if they are unwilling to go on stage to accept the challenge, they will be eliminated!"
"The final rankings will determine the allocation of resources for each peak in the following year!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the square erupted in chaos.
The Daozi are the young leaders selected by each peak, with a status equivalent to that of the Holy Sons. Each of them is exceptionally talented and powerful.
In previous years, the competition between Daoists was the most exciting part of the Five Peaks Conference. This year, with the participation of the Five Sacred Mountains, there are even more variables.
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