Chapter 36: Reaching the Summit

Chapter 36: Reaching the Summit

Huntian Battle Tower, Ninety-Seventh Floor.

Two figures clashed violently, their blades and swords colliding repeatedly, sending sparks flying in all directions, piercing through everything.

Another fierce collision sent shockwaves of power rippling outward, forcing both figures to retreat.

In that instant, an incredibly sharp sword light split the void, leaving behind a fine, straight scar in the air as it slashed toward a figure shrouded in crimson tides with unparalleled killing intent.

"Is this sword your reliance?"

Ye Yunqi’s eyes fixed on the incoming sword light, a cold and cruel smile curling at the corners of his lips.

Around him, layers of blood-red light surged like tides as he unleashed his Huntian Force, tempered four times, without reservation. Infused with the might of his Saint-Level Tidal Bloodline, its power skyrocketed, surpassing even the usual fifth tempering and rivaling the strength of a sixth-tempered Huntian Force.

A crimson blade light erupted, slashing through the air with overwhelming dominance, shattering that peerlessly sharp sword light in an instant.

The second slash followed, and Chen Feng’s figure was immediately cleaved apart, dispersing into nothingness.

"Chen Feng, is this all the strength you have now? Pathetic..."

Ye Yunqi stood tall, his blade in hand, laughing heartily as he watched Chen Feng’s figure dissipate. It was as if all the resentment and frustration in his heart had been released through that laughter.

At this moment, he longed to challenge Chen Feng directly, to repay the humiliation of being defeated by a single sword strike. But remembering his master’s instructions, he suppressed the urge.

"Congratulations to Tiancang Peak’s True Disciple Ye Yunqi for successfully challenging the Huntian Battle Tower, now ranked fourth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking."

The Tower Spirit’s voice echoed throughout the Huntian Battle Tower, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present.

"Who?"

"It’s Ye Yunqi! Ye Yunqi, the disciple of Tiancang Peak’s Great Elder Mo!"

"Wasn’t it said that he was severely injured by Chen Feng’s sword before? Was that just a rumor?"

"Fool! How could it be fake when so many witnessed it? Great Elder Mo must have healed Ye Yunqi’s injuries."

"Being a True Disciple is so advantageous. They lack no resources, unlike us who have to struggle just to obtain a single Foundation Establishment True Pill."

"Is that the point here? The real point is that Ye Yunqi not only recovered but grew even stronger! He defeated Chen Feng’s shadow—doesn’t that mean his current strength surpasses Chen Feng’s?"

Before the exclamations and discussions could die down— "Congratulations to Tiancang Peak’s True Disciple Ye Yunqi for successfully challenging the Huntian Battle Tower, now ranked third on the Hidden Dragon Ranking."

The Tower Spirit’s cold voice rang out once more.

Silence fell instantly, every face frozen in disbelief.

Less than half a quarter-hour later— "Congratulations to Tiancang Peak’s True Disciple Ye Yunqi for successfully challenging the Huntian Battle Tower, now ranked second on the Hidden Dragon Ranking."

Everyone was utterly dumbfounded.

A short while later— "Congratulations to Tiancang Peak’s True Disciple Ye Yunqi for successfully challenging the Huntian Battle Tower, now ranked first on the Hidden Dragon Ranking."

Boom!

It was as if a thunderbolt had struck their minds. Everyone was completely stunned.

A figure emerged from the tower, projected outward. Ye Yunqi strode forward, head held high, laughing triumphantly.

"Hahahaha, Chen Feng, what do you even amount to...?"

"In this generation of the Huntian Sect, I, Ye Yunqi, shall reign supreme! Hahahaha..."

His laughter was grand and overwhelming, surging outward like tidal waves in all directions. Those gathered around the Huntian Battle Tower found it nearly unbearable, their ears ringing from the deafening sound.

They stared in shock at the laughing Ye Yunqi, sensing an immense aura rising from him, as if it could pierce the heavens themselves.

Though Ye Yunqi departed, news of his challenge in the Huntian Battle Tower and his ascension to the top of the Hidden Dragon Ranking quickly spread throughout the sect, causing even greater astonishment.

---

Juejian Peak.

The fierce flames beneath the massive cauldron gradually died down.

The medicinal liquid inside had turned clear as water, its fragrance completely dissipated. Chen Feng’s eyes snapped open, sharp and penetrating, radiating an unstoppable cold light.

He leaped up, his Force vibrating, causing the water droplets clinging to his body to shatter and scatter.

Landing firmly, Chen Feng swiftly dressed. His flesh, bones, and muscles now contained a strength several times greater than before, making his body feel heavier—yet not sluggish in the slightest. Instead, he felt more agile than ever.

His Qi and Blood surged within him like a roaring river.

When he calmed his mind, Chen Feng could almost hear the sound of his own Qi and Blood rushing through his veins, roaring like a mighty river.

Qi and Blood were the foundation of the human body. The stronger they were, the more robust the physique, making cultivation in the Body Forging Realm smoother.

The training of the Huntian Sword Body wasn’t just about strengthening skin, flesh, bones, and organs—it also continuously enhanced one’s Qi and Blood. After all, a powerful physique was needed to contain vigorous Qi and Blood, while strong Qi and Blood nourished a powerful physique. The two complemented each other.

"Right now... I might have a chance to defeat the third-ranked on the Huntian Battle Tower," Chen Feng mused silently.

But whether he could truly win would only be known after a battle.

Wang Yuandao had handed him several more bottles of Blood Coagulation True Pills, urging him to cultivate diligently.

Chen Feng was no longer a novice. He knew that within the Huntian Sect, a single Foundation Establishment True Pill was worth ten Contribution Points, while a Blood Coagulation True Pill was worth thirty.

What did that mean?

Challenging the Huntian Battle Tower—from the first to the tenth floor—granted one hundred Contribution Points per floor. From the eleventh to the twentieth, two hundred per floor, and so on. From the ninety-first to the hundredth, each floor awarded one thousand Contribution Points.

It sounded like a lot, but ordinary Body Forging Realm cultivators could hardly succeed in such challenges.

And those capable of reaching higher floors usually didn’t lack resources in the first place.

Take Chen Feng, for example—his Huntian True Disciple Token now held a staggering fifty-two thousand Contribution Points.

Yet, he currently had no use for them.

Truly, some had too little, while others had too much.

A sudden thought struck Chen Feng.

"If one Foundation Establishment True Pill is worth a thousand silver taels or ten Contribution Points, doesn’t that mean one Contribution Point equals a hundred silver taels?"

"Then... I must possess five million two hundred thousand silver taels?"

Chen Feng tried to imagine it—that much silver would pile up into a mountain.

Then another realization hit him. The rare herbs he had consumed during his two sessions of cultivating the Huntian Sword Body must have cost at least over a million silver taels combined.

That was more than ten thousand Contribution Points.

"Without sufficient financial backing, progress in martial cultivation is nearly impossible," Chen Feng couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Fortunately, he possessed the Divine Talisman Of Creation, which had helped him establish a solid foundation, allowing him to strike the drum four times and earn the status of a true disciple. He was also fortunate to be accepted as a disciple by his master. Otherwise, relying solely on his own efforts, it would have taken who knows how long to reach this level of cultivation.

"I must train with all my might and strive to improve myself—not just for my own sake, but also for the reputation of my master," Chen Feng vowed silently.

After leaving the training building, he prepared to return to his pavilion to continue refining his force.

"Chen Feng, Ye Yunqi has recovered from his injuries, and his strength has grown even stronger," Li Xinyue approached him, her expression grave.

"Oh?" Chen Feng couldn't help but show a trace of surprise.

But upon reflection, it made sense—Ye Yunqi was the disciple of the Grand Elder of Tiancang Peak. Since he hadn't died outright, it was only natural that Mo Wusheng would heal him. Still, recovering in just a day or two was astonishingly fast.

"Ye Yunqi has claimed the first place on the Hidden Dragon Ranking," Li Xinyue said solemnly.

Chen Feng was momentarily stunned.

He had stopped at fourth place, knowing full well how formidable the third-ranked disciple was. Even now, after achieving the Huntian Sword Body Second Stage, he wasn’t entirely confident he could defeat them.

Yet Ye Yunqi had actually taken the top spot.

Indeed, his strength had grown far beyond what it was before.

For a moment, Chen Feng felt the weight of pressure, but it didn’t discourage or intimidate him.

"Ye Yunqi, you’ve improved, but so have I. I will still surpass you."

"The next time we fight, I will cut you down with my sword."

Silently making this resolution, Chen Feng bid farewell to Li Xinyue and immediately returned to his pavilion to begin refining his formidable Huntian Sword Force.

Force refinement became increasingly difficult with each stage. He had no idea how long it would take to complete the fourth refinement.