66: Lu Chen: Please leave it to me.

"Actually, that '"Swallowing Yuan Spiritual Vein"' in Qing Province has already broken through to Penetrating Aperture, including that arrogant fellow with the Baxia Bloodline in Yuan Province, who has also entered Penetrating Aperture. The news you received is already half a year old."

"Hiss! Both of them have entered Penetrating Aperture?"

"Then during the 'Three Gates Gathering' afterwards, our Ye Province side is likely to suffer a loss!"

The Three Gates Gathering refers to the small skirmishes that occur when the Disciples from the Dongming Sect's three Mountain Gates gather for various important matters. Generally, it involves the newly prominent Genius Disciples from each Mountain Gate competing. Firstly, this allows them to become familiar with each other. Secondly, it naturally allows the other Mountain Gates to see the Genius Disciples from their own Mountain Gate. Thirdly, it also broadens the horizons of those Genius Disciples, helping them understand that there are mountains beyond mountains and people beyond people.

Of course, it's just a normal competition, and there are no real rewards, so it's considered a small skirmish. However, winning always sounds better when spoken about.

Especially for the Ye Province Dongming Sect where Lu Chen is located, as this is the true location of the Dongming Sect's Mountain Gate. If they were suppressed by the Mountain Gates of Qing Province and Yuan Province, it would be even more embarrassing.

"Logically speaking, a province with a population of hundreds of millions should eventually produce some special geniuses over time. Why is it that both Yuan Province and Qing Province have special Spiritual Veins and special Bloodlines this time, but our Ye Province doesn't? This is truly bizarre!"

"Who says our Ye Province doesn't? Isn't Junior Brother Lu strong enough?"

"His cultivation time is just a bit short. Otherwise, that Ba Xia Bloodline in Yuan Province and the "Swallowing Yuan Spiritual Vein" in Qing Province would have to step aside. Furthermore, Junior Brother Lu also possesses an exquisite Puppet Technique. Even if a Mysterious Method Realm expert were to come from Yuan Province or Qing Province, Junior Brother Lu could still beat them down."

'Three Gates Gathering, Disciple competition?!' Lu Chen specifically pricked up his ears to listen, but instantly dismissed the thought of curiosity.

What's the point of competing among fellow Disciples?

There's no benefit in winning, and even less in losing. Lu Chen was more concerned about whether there were many Monster Corpses in the Ancient Demon Remnant Tomb, whether it was suitable for Nurturing Dao Soldiers, and if there were practical benefits like ghosts.

Competition between fellow Disciples is nowhere near as interesting as Dao Soldiers. Go play somewhere else!

Moreover, he heard that between the three major Mountain Gates, there is also a Grand Competition every hundred years. This time, however, there are rewards, and the rewards are quite generous.

But Lu Chen estimated he wouldn't encounter it. The previous Hundred Year Grand Competition was just last year. To wait for the next one, he would have to wait another ninety-nine years and more. With that much time, Lu Chen might have already ascended and become an Immortal Realm expert. With that kind of strength, who would still play with these little guys in the Sect?

Even the Sect Leader would have to carry his portrait to the Sect's Ancestral Hall and venerate him as an Ancestor.

With a shift in thought, Lu Chen stopped listening and had no intention of getting involved. His entire focus was immersed in the Dao Soldiers within the Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin, and he began to comprehend Intent.

Throughout this journey, Lu Chen had not been idle. He had been comprehending Intent the entire time.

Among them, the Metal Intent had advanced further, breaking through the second layer and entering the third layer, and it was still deepening.

His current Metal Intent was almost at the bottom among all the Intents he had already comprehended. Of course, Sword Intent couldn't be counted, because Sword Intent couldn't be accelerated unless he went to the Sect's Intent Tower and comprehended it using the Intent Spiritual Tablet.

It was just that Lu Chen had never had the time to go, as his main focus had been on improving his cultivation and Nurturing Dao Soldiers.

Getting back to the main topic, Metal Intent was the lowest, so it was also the easiest to comprehend. He estimated that in one or two days, his Metal Intent could break through to the fourth layer and approach the fifth layer.

And the fifth layer of Intent is a level that only experts in the Dao Infant Realm can reach. As long as Lu Chen comprehended the fifth layer, it would mean that he could steadily cultivate and enter the Dao Infant Realm in the future.

On the other side, the three flying ships of the Ye Province Dongming Sect finally arrived above the continuous and endless 'Ancient Lang Mountain Range' as they gradually decelerated.

"Grand Elder, Third Elder, it has been years since we last met. Are you well?" A gentle voice came from a flying ship on the Qing Province side. The voice was clearly not loud, but it continuously echoed in the ears of all Dongming Sect Disciples, like rolling thunder, lingering for a long time.

True Disciples, regardless of strength or status, are equivalent to Inner Sect Elders, and may even be slightly higher. At least in terms of potential, True Disciples are far higher than the Elders.

"Oh? So Grand Elder has entered the Yang God Realm. I did not go to the Sect to offer congratulations. Please forgive me, Grand Elder!" This voice came from the flying ship on the Yuan Province side, but the voice was extremely deep and heavy, giving the illusion of seeing a giant.

"The Breakthrough happened recently. It is understandable that True Disciple Yang did not know," Grand Elder chuckled, and then extended an invitation, "True Disciple Yang, True Disciple Luo, how about a chat in the sky?"

"That is exactly what we intended." The two True Disciples from the Yuan Province and Qing Province sides responded. Then, streaks of rainbow light flashed and disappeared into the depths of the night sky.

Immediately after, Grand Elder and Third Elder also transformed into rainbows and vanished without a trace.

Their departure had the intention of catching up, and also to leave space for the Disciples from the three Mountain Gates to get to know each other and socialize freely.

As expected, after Third Elder, Grand Elder, and the two True Disciples, True Disciple Yang and True Disciple Luo, left, the six Elders from Doujian Peak and Mingjing Peak, as well as the Personal Disciples and registered Disciples of the Peak Lords from various peaks, also went to visit acquaintances within the two major Mountain Gates of Yuan Province and Qing Province.

The remaining Inner Sect Disciples immediately reacted.

Among them, Mysterious Method Realm Disciples from Doujian Peak and Mingjing Peak stepped forward and said with a smile, "Fellow Disciples from the two Mountain Gates of Yuan Province and Qing Province, would you like to spar?"

Soon, a hearty laugh also came from the flying ship on the Yuan Province side, "We have long heard that the Ye Province Mountain Gate is the master of the Dongming Sect, so the fellow Disciples from Ye Province must be extraordinary. Today is a good opportunity, and I would like to ask all Senior Brothers from Ye Province to give guidance."

A stern voice also came from the Qing Province side, "That is exactly what we intended."

"I wouldn't dare to give guidance, but how about a spar?" the Disciple from Mingjing Peak replied.

A Disciple from the Yuan Province Mountain Gate side said, "Since it is a spar, it should be fair to choose one person from each of the Mysterious Method, Penetrating Aperture, and Spirit Transformation Realms."

"Feasible." The Qing Province Mountain Gate side responded.

Doujian Peak and Mingjing Peak naturally had no objections and readily agreed. However, the accompanying Disciples from Danxia Peak, Zhubing Peak, Wudao Peak, and Feilai Peak didn't say much, mostly watching the excitement. After all, Doujian Peak and Mingjing Peak represent combat strength and specialize in their respective fields. The Disciples from the other four peaks have fewer killing techniques and are a bit lacking, but they did not compete.

"Leaving aside the Mysterious Method Realm, within the Spirit Transformation Realm, Junior Brother Lu must be chosen. Junior Brother Lu, come quickly, this is your chance to show off!" Dong Cungang, Han Rong, Zhou Li, as well as Hou Liehu, Zhu Xinzhi, and other familiar Disciples all turned their gazes towards Lu Chen, who was comprehending Intent, and watched with great interest.

'You guys are really okay with letting me bully the little kids in the Spirit Transformation Realm?' Lu Chen waved his hand helplessly, with a sincere expression, and said, "Junior Brother is really not good-looking when it comes to martial prowess, so let's not..."

Before he finished speaking, Lu Chen's ears suddenly heard the Third Elder's faint words, "Go. Win two Spirit Transformation Realm matches, and I will give you one Mysterious Method Realm Monster Corpse. Win two Penetrating Aperture Realm matches, and I will give you ten Mysterious Method Realm Monster Corpses. Win two Mysterious Method Realm matches, and I will give you another two Dao Infant Realm Monster Corpses."

Third Elder spoke? There's such a good thing?!

Third Elder is truly cunning! On the surface, he went to catch up with the two True Disciples, but behind the scenes, he's having him step forward to slap the faces of the two Mountain Gates of Yuan Province and Qing Province!

However, Lu Chen liked it, he liked it very much.

Leaving aside the Mysterious Method Realm, just winning the Spirit Transformation Realm and Penetrating Aperture Realm matches would net him eleven Mysterious Method Realm Monster Corpses for free. Where can you find such a good thing?

Are those eleven Mysterious Method Realm Monster Corpses?

No!

Those are eleven Golden Armor Dao Soldiers.

What made Lu Chen even more envious was the reward of Dao Infant Realm Monster Corpses for defeating the Mysterious Method Realm experts from the other two Mountain Gates!

Dao Infant Realm!

Wouldn't that be enough to assemble two Five Elements Dao Soldiers!

Five Elements Dao Soldiers, controlling the Five Elements, with the Five Elements generating each other, are mysterious and unpredictable. Lu Chen didn't know how strong they could be or what kind of changes could occur.

But he was certain that Five Elements Dao Soldiers were absolutely not comparable to Silver Armor Dao Soldiers or Golden Armor Dao Soldiers. Controlling the Five Elements, with the Five Elements gathered in one body, in addition to strength, there would definitely be more extraordinary changes. Lu Chen was very much looking forward to it!

He was pleasantly surprised and suddenly changed the subject of his half-finished sentence, "Whether I show off or not doesn't really matter. Junior Brother primarily can't stand the people from the two Mountain Gates of Yuan Province and Qing Province acting arrogantly in front of our Yezhou Main Sect. For this battle, Junior Brother will not back down."

His voice was low, carrying a deep infectiousness, making the hearts of the fellow Disciples who heard him surge inexplicably, with a great urge to shout loudly and cheer for Lu Chen.

However, Lu Chen paused, then rubbed his hands somewhat awkwardly and said, "Um. Senior Brothers, can we discuss something?"

Dong Cungang and the others, whose emotions had just been stirred, immediately laughed heartily, "Junior Brother Lu, just say what you need to say. Among fellow Disciples, there's no need to be reserved."

"Junior Brother has a 'slightly' unreasonable request, and I ask for your permission, Senior Brothers." After a pause, Lu Chen quickened his pace, "How about leaving all three matches - Spirit Transformation Realm, Penetrating Aperture Realm, and Mysterious Method Realm - to me?"

All the fellow Disciples: "???"

The emotions that had just been stirred up instantly subsided.

Are you listening to yourself?

It's not enough for you to fight the Spirit Transformation Realm, you want to take on the entire field?!

You are a Late Stage Spirit Transformation Realm expert, how can you handle the Penetrating Aperture and Mysterious Method Realms...

Alright, Lu Chen has Puppets, so he can indeed handle them. Previously, at the foot of Doujian Peak, he had beaten Fan Sheng, a Late Stage Mysterious Method Realm senior Disciple, half to death. Even more astonishingly, Lu Chen had held back 'countless moves' at the time.

Lu Chen not only had one of those dark-gold Puppets that could unleash the 'Earthly Fiend Dragon Slaying Art' and completely dominate Fan Sheng, a Late Stage Mysterious Method Realm senior Disciple, in a one-on-one fight, but he actually had a full twelve of them!

This point was seen clearly by the thirty thousand Inner Sect Disciples in the 'Infernal Ghoul Realm Diagram'; there was absolutely no falsehood.

Even more despairing was that Lu Chen not only had twelve dark-gold Puppets, but also thirty-three dark-silver Puppets, which could also easily hold back Mysterious Method Realm experts.

With this kind of strength, honestly, any Mysterious Method Realm expert who came would be beaten to their knees by Lu Chen!

But strength is strength...

Alright, you're strong, you call the shots.

The Disciples representing the two major combat forces, Doujian Peak and Mingjing Peak, looked at each other, and for a long time, no one was willing to speak.

It was only after a long while that Dong Cungang finally spoke hesitantly, "Junior Brother Lu! Actually, fighting all three matches - Spirit Transformation Realm, Penetrating Aperture Realm, and Mysterious Method Realm - is... well, it's quite tiring. How about you..."

Lu Chen took two steps forward, "Please be sure to leave such tiring work to me."

Dong Cungang: "..."

You brat, you have so many tricks up your sleeve, don't you!

I was just being polite, and you're taking advantage of my words?!

Are you not human anymore?

The fellow Disciples were silent again, until the cool and aloof Feng Yue spoke, "Since Junior Brother Lu needs this opportunity and has the strength, why not let Junior Brother Lu do it! In the end, if we win, it will bring glory to our Yezhou Mountain Gate."

"Since Junior Brother Lu is willing, it's fine to leave everything entirely to Junior Brother Lu."

Previously, Lu Chen's Dao Soldiers had shone brightly, devouring tens of thousands of ghosts in the 'Infernal Ghoul Realm Diagram', which had a significant impact on the Disciples. Although this guy, Lu Chen, was a bit black-hearted, the fellow Disciples actually felt he was more genuine, and their goodwill towards Lu Chen unconsciously increased by several degrees.

Of course, the main reason was that Lu Chen, along with his Dao Soldiers, was quite capable. Under the inherent concept of respecting strength, it was easiest to gain recognition.

So in the end, the fellow Disciples also agreed.

Although they lost an opportunity to show off in front of the Disciples from the three major Mountain Gates, this opportunity was only available to a very small number of people anyway. Giving it to Lu Chen was not bad.

"Alright. The two Mountain Gates of Qing Province and Yuan Province have produced two new '"Swallowing Yuan Spiritual Vein"' and Baxia Bloodline experts. When they are feeling arrogant, it's a good time to let Junior Brother Lu make a move and thoroughly shock them, letting them know the truth that there are mountains beyond mountains!"

'They agreed, good, good. Two Five Elements Dao Soldiers and eleven Golden Armor Dao Soldiers are in hand, I'm making a killing!'

Lu Chen was overjoyed and quickly bowed, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brothers. Lu Chen will definitely not tarnish the reputation of our Yezhou Main Sect."

With Lu Chen selected as the sole candidate on the Yezhou Main Sect side, people were quickly chosen from the other two Mountain Gates of Yuan Province and Qing Province as well.

At this moment, the Third Elder, who was standing somewhere in the sky, sent down a light voice, "Let this item be used to add to the excitement for you juniors!"

As he spoke, a fist-sized object suddenly dropped from the sky. While still in mid-air, it rapidly expanded, and in a flash, it had become a circular battle stage fully thirty miles in diameter, quietly floating in mid-air, no longer descending.

Under the moonlight, a Disciple from the Qing Province Mountain Gate leaped out, stepped onto a Flying Sword, and was the first to land on the battle stage. He then bowed, "Qian Yunzhu from the Qing Province Mountain Gate is not talented, but I am willing to be the first to spar for everyone. May I ask if the Senior Brother from Yuan Province or the Senior Brother from the Yezhou Main Sect will come first?"

This was a young Disciple in the Late Stage Spirit Transformation Realm.

Before the Disciple from the Yuan Province Mountain Gate could respond, Lu Chen had already stepped onto his sword and risen into the air, responding loudly, "Yezhou Main Sect, Doujian Peak, Lu Chen, I request guidance from Senior Brother."

He put away his sword and landed on the stage, standing opposite Qian Yunzhu, who looked no older than twenty.

"This Junior Brother?" Qian Yunzhu looked at Lu Chen and immediately frowned.

Late Stage Spirit Transformation Realm?

With nearly eighty thousand Inner Sect Disciples in the Yezhou Main Sect, could it be that they couldn't find a peak Spirit Transformation Realm expert to match him?

They actually chose a Disciple who was still in the Late Stage Spirit Transformation Realm. Could it be that they were looking down on him, Qian Yunzhu?

Although the peak Spirit Transformation Realm also falls under the Late Stage Spirit Transformation Realm, there is a difference between Late Stage and Late Stage. Peak Spirit Transformation Realm means one can break through Spirit Transformation and enter Penetrating Aperture at any time. In terms of cultivation, they are definitely a step higher than Lu Chen.

But Qian Yunzhu did not want to take this advantage!