69: Chapter 69 Another Storm

"Brother Changsheng, don't go."

"There are many of them. Wang Xin is at Qi Refining Level 4, and he has two helpers at Qi Refining Level 3. You're alone..."

"Don't worry."

Li Changsheng patted his shoulder.

"Recover well. I'll handle this."

He turned to leave, but Shi Tiezhu suddenly called out to him.

"Brother Changsheng!"

Li Changsheng looked back.

Shi Tiezhu gritted his teeth, his eyes red.

"I... I'm too useless. You gave me Medicinal Pills and resources, but I... I still couldn't beat them..."

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment, then walked back, knelt down, and looked him in the eye.

"Tiezhu,"

His voice was very soft but steady.

"Do you know why I've been able to make it this far?"

Shi Tiezhu shook his head.

"Because I never doubt myself."

Li Changsheng looked at him.

"You should be the same. If you lose this time, win it back next time."

"A broken arm can be mended."

"But if the spirit inside you breaks, then it's truly over."

He stood up and gave Shi Tiezhu one last look.

"Wait for me."

Stepping out of the infirmary, it was already dark.

Li Changsheng stood at the door, gazing at the brightly lit direction of Wanqi Peak, his eyes deep.

Wang Xin. Qi Refining Level 4. Zhao Yan's subordinate.

He was in no hurry to act.

There were still two weeks until the Minor Competition.

When the time came, he would stand on the arena stage.

And if that man named Wang Xin also participated in the Minor Competition, it would be the perfect opportunity.

If he didn't participate...

He already had a plan in mind.

The next day, Li Changsheng went to the marketplace.

He didn't go to Lingcao Hall; instead, he went to a shop that specialized in selling information.

Every Outer Sect Disciple knew about such places; one could buy all sorts of information for a few Spirit Stones.

"I'm looking for information on someone."

He pushed twenty Spirit Stones forward.

"Wanqi Peak Outer Sect Disciple, Wang Xin, Qi Refining Level 4."

"I want his details: where he lives, what he usually does, his recent movements, and especially whether he's signed up for this Minor Competition."

The stall owner was a skinny man with a face like a monkey. He took the Spirit Stones and chuckled.

"Wang Xin? What a coincidence, I just received news about him."

"He's signed up. He's been drawn into Group D. His first-round opponent is at Qi Refining Level 3—a guaranteed win."

Li Changsheng nodded and asked again.

"What about his two helpers?"

"One is Zhang Sanli, the other is Li Daquan. Both are at Qi Refining Level 3, and both have signed up. They're in Group C and Group E, both in the first round."

Li Changsheng noted this and took out another thirty Spirit Stones.

"One more person: Zhao Yan. Did he sign up?"

The stall owner took the stones and flipped through the ledger in his hand.

"Zhao Yan? He did. He's in Group A, a seeded contestant, so he has a bye in the first round."

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment, then got up and left.

Walking through the streets of the marketplace, he calculated silently in his heart.

Wang Xin, Zhang Sanli, Li Daquan. Three against one Shi Tiezhu.

If they all encountered him during the Minor Competition...

A faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

That smile was very cold.

For the remaining time, Li Changsheng kept a low profile.

During the day, he continued to tend the spirit fields, and at night, he repeatedly practiced the Green Wood Fist and the Qinglan Sword Art.

A hundred years of combat experience merged into his body. Every punch and every sword strike bore the mark of that Lin Yue from the simulated world.

The Spirit Tea Tree had grown another section taller, its leaves becoming even denser.

The Jade Dew Ginseng also grew more robust, its roots extending beneath the soil, showing a slight tendency to spread outwards.

Li Xiaocao visited twice, bringing seeds for several rare Spirit Medicines.

Li Changqing also came by, saying she had also signed up for the Minor Competition and was placed in Group B.

They had both heard about Shi Tiezhu's incident and were furious, but Li Changsheng talked them down.

"You two focus on preparing for the Minor Competition."

"I'll handle this."

On the night of the thirteenth day, Li Changsheng practiced the Green Wood Fist for the last time.

By the ridges of the Hundred Herb Garden, he performed the thirteen forms over and over—from the first form to the thirteenth, then from the thirteenth back to the first, in a continuous cycle.

With every punch thrown, a faint green fist shadow remained in the air, lingering for a long time.

On the thirteenth repetition, he suddenly pulled back his fist and stood still, closing his eyes in deep thought.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and slowly threw a punch.

This punch was extremely slow and light, carrying no apparent power.

But the moment the punch was thrown, the surrounding air seemed to freeze for an instant.

Then, a vigorous burst of vitality exploded from the tip of the fist.

It was the Concept of "Withered Wood Meets Spring"—finding life in the place of death.

He withdrew his fist and let out a long breath.

It was done.

Tomorrow was the Minor Competition.

He walked back to the storage room and, under the lamp, performed a final check of his equipment.

An ordinary iron sword, two bottles of clear heart liquid, three qi gathering pills, and the azure jade plaque representing his status as a formal Outer Sect Disciple.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

He gazed at the distant Wanqi Peak and whispered to himself:

"Wang Xin, Zhang Sanli, Li Daquan... and Zhao Yan."

"We'll settle Tiezhu's score on the arena stage."

The lamp flame flickered, reflecting on his face in shifting light and shadow.

His eyes were terrifyingly calm.

The day of the Sect's Minor Competition finally arrived.

Just as dawn broke, the Martial Arts Field was already bustling with people.

Thirty-six arena stages were arranged in a triangular formation, their bluestone surfaces glinting coldly in the morning light.

Disciples from various peaks, dressed in different colored robes, gathered in small groups, waiting for the results of the first-round draw with excitement, nervousness, or feigned composure.

Li Changsheng stood at the edge of the crowd, his gray robes fluttering slightly in the wind, with that ordinary iron sword hanging at his waist.

His aura was revealed to be only at Qi Refining Level 3, lower than most of the participants.

No one gave him a second glance.

This was exactly what he wanted.

"Brother Changsheng!"

Hurried footsteps came from behind.

Li Changsheng turned and saw Shi Tiezhu walking quickly toward him. His right arm was still bandaged and in a sling around his neck, but his complexion was much better than before.

"Why are you here?"

Li Changsheng frowned slightly. "Your injuries haven't healed yet."

"They're seventy to eighty percent better."

Shi Tiezhu grinned, but his eyes held complex emotions.

"Brother Changsheng, I came to cheer for you. You... be careful."

Li Changsheng looked at him and said nothing more, only nodding his head.

At that moment, two more figures approached.

Li Changqing was dressed in green martial attire, a standard-issue longsword hanging at her waist, looking heroic and imposing.

Beside her was a small figure.

Li Xiaocao had also come, wearing the attendant robes of the Hundred Herb Garden, her small face tense.

"Changqing, Xiao Cao."

Li Changsheng nodded to them.

Li Changqing looked at him, hesitated for a moment, and finally whispered.

"I've looked into everything. Wang Xin, Zhang Sanli, and Li Daquan are all scheduled for today. You..."

"I know."

Li Changsheng interrupted her. "Just watch."

In the distance, the crowd suddenly became restless.

"The draw results are out!"

"Let me see, let me see!"

"Group D... Wang Xin against Zhao..."

Someone was reading the names but suddenly paused.

"Eh? Li Changsheng?"

"Wang Xin against Li Changsheng? Who is this Li Changsheng?"

A faint smile appeared on Li Changsheng's face.

"Sometimes, spending some resources can still get things done."

He turned and walked toward the arena stage.

Behind him, Li Xiaocao tightly gripped the corner of Li Changqing's sleeve and asked in a low voice.

"Sister Changqing, can Brother Changsheng win?"

Li Changqing didn't answer.

She watched the retreating figure as it gradually moved away, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

That back was no longer the same as it had been when they walked out of Qinghe Town six months ago.