He, isn't he a loser? How come he...

"The 1/2 Trash Bond effect: The Disciple gains a hundredfold increase in cultivation speed, and the Disciple's cultivation level is returned to the Host a thousandfold. Simultaneously, the Host can manually enable or disable the Disciple's cultivation boost at will."

"Congratulations Host, for activating the Bond function for the first time. Your cultivation level is rewarded and directly elevated to the Star Profound Realm."

"Congratulations host, for activating 1/2 of the Trash Bond function for the first time. You are rewarded with the Old Six Halo. Effect of the Old Six Halo: No one can perceive the host's cultivation fluctuations."

"Congratulations host, for possessing a cultivation level for the first time. You are rewarded with the Heavenly Eye. Effect of the Heavenly Eye: You can see through anyone's secrets at a glance."

Hearing the System's voice in his mind, Zhong Qing's face was filled with excitement.

The cultivation he had dreamed of was finally here!

Amidst his excitement, he felt a powerful surge of worldly energy flooding into his limbs and bones without anyone noticing.

"Is this the power of the Star Profound Realm?"

Zhong Qing felt the immense power within his body and couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.

He never expected the rewards to be so generous, directly boosting him to the Star Profound Realm.

The cultivation Realms in this world were divided into Body Refining, Acquired, Innate, Chen Xuan Realm, Star Profound Realm, Moon Profound Realm, Sun Profound Realm, Earth Profound Realm, and Tianxuan Realm.

Generally, those at the Innate stage were seen as immortal-like figures by ordinary people, capable of flying through the air.

The Chen Xuan Realm was enough to become a sect Elder. For instance, the Peak Masters of the several peaks of Xianjiang were only at the Chen Xuan Realm. Yet, he had ascended to the heavens in a single step, directly surpassing them by an entire major Realm.

System, you truly haven't deceived me!

The Old Six Halo and the Heavenly Eye were also quite excellent. The former was the perfect skill for a schemer, and the latter's ability to see through anyone went without saying.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Qing glanced at the System panel again.

「host: Zhong Qing」

「Cultivation: Star Profound Realm.」

「Disciple: Lin Feng, Cultivation: None, Hundredfold Boost available.」

「Activated Bond: Trash Bond 1/2.」

「Obtained Physique: None.」

「Obtained Special Skills: Old Six Halo, Heavenly Eye.」

Truly not bad.

Zhong Qing mused to himself.

At that moment, the recruitment process was coming to an end.

Aside from the few selected as Personal Disciples by the Peak Masters, the others could freely choose to join various peaks as ordinary Disciples.

For a while, the crowd was bustling.

Soon, each peak was filled with fresh blood, becoming incredibly lively.

However, Zhong Qing's Mufu Peak remained deserted, with no one joining at all.

"So many people want to join my Divine Sword Peak again?"

On the high platform, Duan Feng stood with his hands behind his back. He glanced sideways at Zhong Qing and said meaningfully, "However, our Divine Sword Peak is already overflowing with Disciples. Why don't some of you go to Mufu Peak instead?"

As soon as he said this, the applying Disciples became reluctant.

"Peak Master Duan, please don't! Let us join Divine Sword Peak. Whatever you do, don't send us to Mufu Peak, or we'll be ruined!"

"That's right, even the Peak Master of Mufu Peak doesn't know how to Cultivate. If we go there, how can we have a future?"

"Even a dog wouldn't enter Mufu Peak."

"As long as we don't have to enter Mufu Peak, we'd be happy even as a Utility Disciple on another peak."

Anxious voices rose from the crowd.

Such was the cruelty of the cultivation world.

Lack of strength was the original sin; no one would respect you!

"Since none of you are willing to join Mufu Peak, then my Divine Sword Peak will show some leniency and approve your applications."

Duan Feng laughed loudly.

At the same time, he directed a cold gaze toward Zhong Qing.

A mere piece of trash actually dared to talk back to me in public just now.

This Peak Master has plenty of ways to trample you until you can't lift your head, making you suffer utter humiliation.

How could Zhong Qing not know that Duan Feng was finding ways to disgust him? If he had no strength before, he would have had to endure it.

But now, he had the cultivation of the Star Profound Realm. Why should he endure any longer?

"Barking all day long like a dog!"

As soon as Zhong Qing said this, Duan Feng's face turned visibly ashen.

"You little brat, you're looking for death!"

Duan Feng spoke coldly, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

In the next instant...

He erupted with his top-tier Chen Xuan Realm cultivation and directly attacked Zhong Qing, throwing a palm strike down toward him.

Seeing this, the scene fell into a commotion.

First, they couldn't believe a piece of trash like Zhong Qing was so bold as to speak to Duan Feng that way.

Second, they didn't expect Duan Feng to directly attack Zhong Qing, as his status was somewhat special after all.

Before anyone could react...

The palm strike reached the top of Zhong Qing's head almost instantly.

It was so fast that Sect Leader Xuan Yuanhong, who was beside them, didn't have time to rescue him. He could only shout 'Stop!' in anxiety, hoping to deter Duan Feng's attack.

But Duan Feng completely ignored Xuan Yuanhong's words, a cold sneer on his face as he continued his assault on Zhong Qing.

The Seven Peaks of Xianjiang did not exist for no reason; each peak had its own special significance and was laid out with profound Formations. Cultivating in an Immortal Cave built at the nodes of these Formations would yield twice the result with half the effort.

However, there were only so many nodes on a mountain peak. Thus, Duan Feng had long intended to incorporate Mufu Peak into Divine Sword Peak for his Disciples' cultivation.

Once that happened, the overall strength of his Divine Sword Peak would increase dramatically, potentially even surpassing the main peak.

Because of Zhong Qing's existence, his idea could never be realized, so he had long harbored the intention of getting rid of him.

But since Zhong Qing had that specific status, he needed a reason to act.

And now, he had that reason.

A piece of trash dared to speak insolently to the Master of Divine Sword Peak—that was reason enough!

Even if the Sect Leader held him accountable later, he was not afraid.

Coupled with the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of Daoist Nai in the past, today, this Zhong Qing...

He must die!

Under the gaze of countless eyes, the palm strike finally closed in on Zhong Qing.

Some sighed, some felt pity.

But most felt that Zhong Qing deserved it.

However, what happened next shocked everyone to the core.

At the critical moment, Zhong Qing likewise raised his hand and threw a punch toward Duan Feng.

In a flash...

Punch and palm collided.

A massive explosion erupted out of thin air, accompanied by a sharp sonic boom. Powerful remnants of Profound Qi scattered in all directions.

In this collision, Duan Feng, who had initiated the attack, was sent flying backward. His legs carved long furrows into the ground before he could steady himself.

On the other hand, Zhong Qing...

His long robes fluttered slightly as he withdrew his fist and stood with his hands behind his back, looking completely unruffled.

This scene...

Left the entire field in dead silence.

One could hear a pin drop.

From the Disciples and deacons below to the Peak Masters and the Sect Leader above, everyone stared wide-eyed at this incredible sight.

"He... isn't he a piece of trash?"

"How could he..."