34: War clouds gather, and heroes are eyeing the battlefield!

As for whether he could force out Zhang Yang's full strength on the Martial Arts Stage tomorrow?

Heroic spirit surged within Fu Lei's chest, and he was brimming with confidence.

Although he hadn't comprehended a Concept, he had been immersed in the Ninth Spirit Aperture for many years; his Cultivation Techniques were polished to flawless Perfection, and his Martial Skills were masterfully refined.

Especially his Xuan-rank Upper-grade Saber Technique, "Nine Sky-Rending Slashes"; its power was domineering and peerless, each strike accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder!

He was confident that with this combat power, even an ordinary first-layer Profound Core Realm Cultivator from the outside world would be no match for him, let alone Zhang Yang, whose cultivation was still weaker than his own.

Realm suppression, overwhelming experience, and the upper hand in cultivation and Martial Skills... countless advantages stacked up.

"In this battle, the advantage lies with me!"

A sharp light burst from Fu Lei's eyes as his pace quickened, sweeping toward a mountain peak deep within the Clear Wind Sect like the wind.

He needed to immediately report the news of Zhang Yang accepting the challenge to the person backing him—the Second Elder's personal disciple, Wang Ming.

Inside an elegant pavilion at the mountain's summit, a handsome young man dressed in brocade robes with a touch of arrogance was sipping tea.

Upon hearing Fu Lei's report, the jade cup in his hand landed on the table with a "snap," and he stood up abruptly.

"What?! That Zhang Yang... actually agreed to your challenge? And the wager is only six hundred Purple Sun Pills?!"

This result was worlds apart from what he had expected! He had been certain that Zhang Yang would flatly refuse, just like the prodigies of previous years.

"Good, good, good!"

A glint flashed in Wang Ming's eyes, and he couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh.

Six hundred Purple Sun Pills to see through the true depth of a potential enemy—in his eyes, this deal was practically guaranteed profit.

"Mm, you've done well. Regardless of whether you manage to test out Zhang Yang's full strength for me tomorrow, I will secure an opportunity for you to gain insight into a Concept. Make sure to seize it."

Wang Ming looked at the man before him, regained his composure, and spoke slowly.

Since Fu Lei had joined his subordinates, he had been dedicated and efficient in his duties.

This was the perfect chance to obtain an insight opportunity for him and bring him completely under his wing.

Hearing this, Fu Lei felt a surge of excitement. He was only one step away from comprehending Saber Intent; he just needed this one chance.

He was confident that with the assistance of a high-level Saber Intent, he would definitely be able to comprehend the first level of Saber Intent.

"Thank you, Master!"

"Alright, you may leave. Prepare well for tomorrow's challenge." Wang Ming waved his hand.

Fu Lei turned and left after hearing this.

Watching Fu Lei's retreating back, Wang Ming sat down again and slowly shook his head.

Saber Intent... how many people has it held back?

Even he estimated that he would have to stay at the Spirit Aperture Realm Ninth Level for a year or two before he could push his Concept to the fourth level.

Even if he reached the Ninth Spirit Aperture before the Inner Sect Grand Competition, he wouldn't choose to break through to the Profound Core Realm.

After all, compared to his future prospects, his ranking in the Inner Sect Grand Competition wasn't that important.

He was determined to obtain a high-grade profound pill!

Of course, more importantly, he knew that even if he broke through to the Profound Core Realm, he wouldn't be able to take first place.

He had long known Du Qi's great name. Now that he had returned, it seemed he was determined to take first place in this Inner Sect Grand Competition.

Even if he broke through to the Profound Core Realm, he wouldn't be Du Qi's match.

However, it was still very important to climb as high as possible in the Inner Sect Grand Competition rankings.

That was why he followed convention and had his subordinates challenge potential opponents to learn their strength in advance.

"On the path of cultivation, one's own strength is ultimately supreme!" Wang Ming cast aside his stray thoughts, his gaze becoming sharp and steady once more.

He flipped his hand, took out five Purple Sun Pills, and swallowed them without hesitation.

Boom!

Once the pills entered his stomach, they instantly transformed into violent and pure heaven and earth origin qi, surging through his limbs and bones.

Wang Ming's body jolted, he let out a muffled groan, and a faint purple-gold luster appeared on the surface of his skin.

Not daring to be careless, he immediately sat cross-legged and formed hand seals, circulating his Sect's profound technique.

Inside his body, his Spirit Apertures lit up one by one like stars, and a powerful suction force was generated.

It forcibly restrained, refined, and purified the violent torrent of Origin Qi,

transforming it strand by strand into even more refined and condensed True Essence power, which slowly flowed into the Spirit Apertures, making their filling light even more brilliant.

The night passed in silence.

Other than Fu Lei coming to challenge him, no one else came that night.

Clearly, Zhang Yang's feat of defeating Fierce Savage yesterday had not yet caused enough of a stir in the hearts of the many inner Sect prodigies.

Many felt his threat was limited, or were still waiting to see.

"It seems I'll need thunderous methods for today's noon battle."

In the faint morning light, Zhang Yang stood by the window, a plan already formed in his mind.

Only by crushing his opponent with absolute power could he ignite the interest of those onlookers.

When that time came, there would naturally be no shortage of Medicinal Pill resources needed for cultivation.

As the morning sun rose, purple Qi came from the east.

Zhang Yang had already entered the Jia-rank Meditation Chamber and sat cross-legged in the center.

Pure heaven and earth origin qi flowed into his body like a trickling stream as he absorbed it with the force of a whale's gulp, nourishing his Spirit Apertures and tempering his True Essence.

Although the challenge was set for noon, on the path of cultivation, every second counted!

As the sun neared its zenith, the appointed time approached.

Zhang Yang rose from the meditation chamber, his Aura restrained and his steps steady, as he walked straight toward the Sect's Martial Arts Stage.

Elder Wang's figure arrived silently, landing beside Zhang Yang, and asked with a chuckle:

"How was it? How many people came to challenge you last night?"

"Just one." Zhang Yang shook his head.

"It's likely because your name hasn't spread yet. Although Fierce Savage's strength improved greatly after leaving seclusion, it's not widely known. If you perform well today, the number of challengers should surge."

Elder Wang said while stroking his chin; he had expected such a situation.

"Mm, I know." Zhang Yang nodded. He intended to make a name for himself this noon.

"It looks like the challenger is here. It's that fellow Fu Lei; you'd better be careful."

"Although he hasn't comprehended Saber Intent, he has cultivated a Xuan-rank Upper-grade Saber Technique, 'Nine Sky-Rending Slashes,' to Perfection. Its power cannot be underestimated!"

Elder Wang watched Fu Lei approaching slowly from not far away, his Battle Intent soaring, and immediately knew who Zhang Yang's challenger was today.

Despite the warning, Elder Wang was as steady as Mount Tai in his heart.

Having witnessed Zhang Yang's Saber Intent, he knew deep down that Fu Lei had absolutely no chance of winning this battle.

This Fu Lei had decent talent, but he had been stuck at the Ninth Spirit Aperture for years, obsessed with comprehending Saber Intent in hopes of condensing a medium-grade profound pill. His persistence was lamentable, but his potential was also clear at a glance.

"You've come." Zhang Yang looked calmly toward the other end of the stage.

"I've come." Fu Lei stepped onto the stage one step at a time, his pace steady. With every step he took, dust faintly rose from the hard Azure Gang Stone beneath his feet.

His whole body erupted with Battle Intent, like a fierce blade about to be unsheathed. His sharp Aura caused the air to let out a faint whine.

"Where's the item?" Zhang Yang asked indifferently.

"Right here!" Fu Lei pulled a warm jade box from his robes.

The lid opened, revealing six hundred Purple Sun Pills inside.

"Elder Wang, please hold onto this for me and preside over this battle." Zhang Yang cupped his hands to Elder Wang.

"Very well." Elder Wang nodded in agreement, and with a wave of his sleeve, the jade box vanished.

Then, his clear voice, infused with True Essence, spread clearly to every corner of the vast martial arts arena:

"Inner Sect Disciple Fu Lei, Spirit Aperture Realm Ninth Level, challenges Zhang Yang!"