106: Chapter 106 Collecting Interest

On the Martial Arts Field, the two were already locked in a heated battle.

Zhao Yuan's sword technique was sharp, but the Blood Fiend Sect Disciple's saber technique was bizarre, with every move being sinister and ruthless.

After thirty moves, Zhao Yuan gradually fell into a disadvantage.

"Watch out!"

Someone nearby cried out in alarm.

The Blood Fiend Sect Disciple slashed out, and a dense blood-red light suddenly surged from the blade!

The blood-red light, carrying a foul, fishy stench, lunged straight for Zhao Yuan's face!

Zhao Yuan's expression changed, and he raised his sword horizontally to block!

Clang!

Saber and sword collided, and Zhao Yuan was forced back several steps by the force of the strike!

A notch had actually been corroded into his sword by that blood-red light!

"Hahaha!"

The Blood Fiend Sect Disciple laughed loudly.

"Is this all the trash from the Qinglan Sword Sect can do?"

Zhao Yuan's face turned ashen as he gripped his sword tightly, but he didn't dare to step forward again.

Just then, a hand pressed down on his shoulder.

Zhao Yuan turned his head and saw a calm face.

Li Changsheng.

"Let me."

Li Changsheng said.

Zhao Yuan froze for a moment and hesitated, "Senior Brother Li, he..."

"It's fine."

Li Changsheng stepped forward and looked at the Blood Fiend Sect Disciple.

The Disciple sized him up and sneered.

"Another one seeking death? State your name; I don't kill nameless nobodies."

Li Changsheng didn't give his name, only saying calmly,

"It's just a spar, there's no need for weapons."

"How about this: I'll stand here and let you hit me with three punches first."

"After you've hit me three times, I'll hit you three times. If you're still standing after I'm done, I'll admit defeat."

The entire field broke into an uproar.

Letting a Qi Refining Level 8 opponent strike three times first without fighting back?

Wasn't that just seeking death?

The Blood Fiend Sect Disciple was also stunned for a moment, then he began to grin maliciously.

"Fine! You're looking for death, so don't blame me!"

He put away his saber, clenched his fist, and slammed it into Li Changsheng's chest with a roar!

He put all his strength into this punch!

Bang!

The fist smashed solidly into Li Changsheng's chest.

Li Changsheng didn't budge an inch.

The Blood Fiend Sect Disciple's expression changed.

For the second punch, he channeled his spiritual energy, and blood-red light surged over his fist!

Bang!

Another punch!

Li Changsheng still didn't move an inch, and he didn't even knit his brows.

The Blood Fiend Sect Disciple's face turned deathly pale.

For the third punch, he bit the tip of his tongue and spat a mouthful of essence blood onto his fist!

The power of the punch exploded, carrying a terrifying Blood Fiend force as it smashed violently into Li Changsheng's chest!

Bang!

Li Changsheng was still standing.

He looked down at the spot on his chest where he had been hit and lightly brushed off the dust.

Then he looked up at the Blood Fiend Sect Disciple.

"Three punches are finished."

He said calmly.

"Now, it's my turn."

The Blood Fiend Sect Disciple's face changed drastically, and he turned to run!

But Li Changsheng's movement was faster!

He struck out with a punch that seemed light and airy, like a spring breeze brushing against the face.

The fist landed on the Blood Fiend Sect Disciple's chest.

Bang!

The man was sent flying, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood in mid-air before crashing heavily three zhang away.

He twitched a few times on the ground and could no longer get up.

The entire field was dead silent.

Everyone stared blankly at this scene, unable to believe their eyes.

Taking three punches without fighting back and remaining unharmed.

Countering with one punch and knocking the opponent flat.

Was this the strength of the Qi Refining Level 9 Early Stage?

Li Changsheng didn't even spare the man a glance as he turned and walked out of the crowd.

The crowd automatically parted to make a path for him.

As he walked past, he saw Lin Jingyun standing outside the crowd, giving him a thumbs-up.

He also saw a flash of surprise in Zhou Yuan's eyes.

He even saw a woman in white quietly watching him from a distance—Su Qianxue.

Li Changsheng didn't stop, walking straight back to his room.

The moment he closed the door, he heard a burst of cheering erupt outside.

The Disciples of the Qinglan Sword Sect could finally hold their heads high.

He walked to the window and looked toward the northwest corner.

There, the courtyard of the Blood Fiend Sect was deathly silent.

Li Changsheng's sudden intervention caused the young Disciples of various Sects, who were originally eager to try their hand, to restrain themselves significantly.

Over the next two days, there were some minor frictions among the group.

However, everyone surprisingly maintained a consistent level of restraint, and no fights broke out.

Time passed quickly, and the day of the exchange meeting arrived.

On the first day of the exchange meeting, the streets of Qinglan City were empty as everyone flocked to the event.

As dawn just began to break, the area around the Dao Discussion Platform in the city center was already packed with people.

The Dao Discussion Platform was a high bluestone platform about ten zhang in circumference and three zhang high, with steps on all four sides leading to the top.

The platform was paved with smooth bluestone slabs, and in the very center sat a simple, ancient wooden table with a pot of clear tea and several teacups.

This was prepared for those who went up to discuss the Dao.

Below the platform, heads bobbed in the crowd.

Disciples from various Sects, Loose Cultivators, city commoners, and even some Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators had come to watch this rare grand event.

"I heard that those coming this time are all prodigies from various Sects. There will surely be many profound insights."

"Is that so? Then I must listen carefully."

"Ah, I see. I wasn't going to come, but it seems I made the right choice."

"Listening to their cultivation experiences will also help us improve our own cultivation."

Below the platform, people whispered and discussed among themselves, mostly low-level Loose Cultivators and commoners.

"I heard Chen Yuanba of the Jinyang Sect is going to discuss the Dao. With his cultivation, he must have many profound paths to share."

"Not necessarily. I heard about a Cultivator from the Qinglan Sword Sect with low Aptitude who actually reached Qi Refining Level 9 in just three or four short years. Such a feat must involve profound insights."

"Low Aptitude, yet cultivating so fast?"

"Then that person's insights could show us ordinary people a path."

"I just don't know if he'll get on the platform to discuss the Dao this time."

Around the platform, the five Sects were arranged in different directions, forming a pentagram shape overall.

The Qinglan Sword Sect's group was assigned to an area on the east side of the Dao Discussion Platform.

Li Changsheng sat in the crowd, observing his surroundings.

The Jinyang Sect was on the west side, Medicine King Valley was on the south, Qingxin Pavilion was on the northeast, and the Blood Fiend Sect was on the northwest.

Li Sha sat there, his face still deathly pale and his eyes still blood-red.

His gaze swept through the crowd from time to time, lingering on Li Changsheng for a moment before moving away.

Li Changsheng withdrew his gaze, his expression calm.

At the Hour of Chen, a white-haired old man walked onto the Dao Discussion Platform.

He was the City Lord of Qinglan City, surnamed Xia, a Foundation Establishment Late-Stage Cultivator with quite a reputation in Yunzhou.

"Everyone,"

City Lord Xia spoke. His voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Today is the first day of the Qi Refining Stage Disciple exchange meeting for the major Sects of our Yunzhou. The theme is 'Dao Discussion'."

"The rules are simple. Anyone willing to come up may do so and share their cultivation experiences."

"No matter what you speak of, or for how long, it is all permitted."

"Of course, each Sect must send at least one Disciple to the platform to discuss the Dao and share their high opinions."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, and smiled.

"However, I must remind you that what is said on stage will be heard by everyone below."

"To a certain extent, this Dao Discussion also represents each Sect."

"Whether to hide your light or show your edge is for you to decide."

With that, he walked off the Dao Discussion Platform and sat in a seat in the front row below.

On the platform, only the wooden table, the pot of clear tea, and the teacups remained.

Below, there was silence.

No one moved.

Everyone was watching, waiting to see who would be the first to go up.

The silence lasted for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Finally, a figure stood up.

From the Jinyang Sect's side, a tall and burly youth strode toward the Dao Discussion Platform.

He had a rugged face and sharp eyes, and an unsheathed Iron Sword hung at his waist.

The sword's body was pitch black and lacked any luster, appearing simple and unadorned, yet it radiated a heart-palpitating sharpness.

"Iron Sword" Chen Yuanba.

Qi Refining Level 9 Peak.

He walked onto the Dao Discussion Platform, stood before the wooden table, and swept his gaze over the crowd below.

That gaze was like something physical; wherever it passed, many people instinctively lowered their heads.

"I am Chen Yuanba."

He spoke, his voice booming.

"From the Jinyang Sect. Today, I will speak of the Way of the Sword."