73: Chapter 73 What exactly are cultivators?

If it weren't for Ximen Chuixue encountering Shi Feixuan during the draw, the final four might have been entirely monopolized by the Martial Arts Hall.

This had become the consensus among almost everyone.

Sikong Changfeng announced that today's competition was concluded.

The final champion would be decided tomorrow.

Although the sky was still relatively early, no one raised an objection.

Having witnessed four spectacular duels, the crowd was already fully satisfied.

This time, as Su Rui returned with his Disciples, the Snow Moon City faction did not extend any further invitations.

Sikong Changfeng, however, took Sikong Qianluo back into the city.

The rest were sent back to the Martial Arts Hall via two carriages arranged by Snow Moon City.

Today's competition naturally became the hottest topic of discussion in Snow Moon City.

Although many people watched the final two matches with only partial understanding, the brilliance and intensity of the fights were still astonishing.

In the eyes of some masters, the level of danger in those two battles was no less than the first two matches.

The duel between Ximen Chuixue and Shi Feixuan in the third match attracted particular attention.

The exchange of Sword Qi between the two, culminating in them drawing their swords against each other, created a breathtaking tension.

Although the fourth match was equally fierce, if they had truly fought to the death, one of them would likely have been severely injured.

However, because the two shared the same lineage, no matter how perilous the confrontation, it remained a touch-and-go spar and would not result in any real accident.

Therefore, discussions surrounding the Martial Arts Hall Disciples focused more on the Martial Skills and techniques they displayed.

But quite a few people were also very interested in what Su Rui said when he gifted Magical Artifacts to his Disciples.

Especially his words to Yin Luoxia when he took out the snow rainbow silk, which sparked intense curiosity among everyone.

What exactly are Cultivators?

Do Immortals truly exist in this world?

Those who heard these words felt their curiosity almost ignite.

Regrettably, no one dared to rashly approach Su Rui to ask for answers.

However, Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng still had a path to follow.

After the Grand Competition ended, the two of them traveled to Cang Mountain together.

Li Changsheng had already returned to the cave where he was previously in seclusion, repeatedly pondering the words he had heard from Su Rui.

Sensing the arrival of Baili Dongjun and the other, he directly told them to enter the cave.

The two had just arrived and had not yet stabilized their footing when the City Lord's voice reached their ears.

They exchanged a glance and walked towards the cave entrance.

"Greetings, City Lord!"

Seeing Li Changsheng sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, the two immediately bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities. How have you two considered what I said earlier?"

Li Changsheng had originally intended to select a few Genius Disciples during this Grand Competition.

But now it seemed that they were either successors from other factions or people from the Martial Arts Hall.

Although those Martial Arts Hall Disciples possessed outstanding talent, making him clash directly with the Martial Arts Hall Master for their sake might not necessarily succeed in taking them as his own.

Naturally, he would not do such a thankless job.

Thus, his gaze fell upon Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng before him.

The talent of the two was already extraordinary, and their cultivation was now considerable, with a renowned reputation.

Therefore, he placed the choice in their hands.

Hearing Li Changsheng's question, the two exchanged another look.

"Greetings, Master!"

They actually already had teachers.

However, the land of Northern Li was quite lenient regarding discipleship; it was not uncommon for one person to have several masters.

Seeing the two perform this grand ceremony, Li Changsheng nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good. You two have worked hard during this period."

Li Changsheng lightly waved his sleeve, signaling them to rise, a hint of a smile in his tone.

"Master jokes. This is our duty,"

Baili Dongjun spoke first.

"Recently, the Demonic Cult from beyond the Heaven Beyond Heaven is making moves against Northern Li, having already mobilized a large army. It seems they also have designs on Snow Moon City."

He continued immediately.

"I have heard about this matter.

Back then, I repelled the Demonic Cult's eastern expedition with a broken sword, but they never truly stopped their advance.

However, this time, I have no intention of interfering,"

Li Changsheng looked at Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng, his tone calm.

"This is a trial for your generation; it should not be borne by an old man like me, a remnant of the old era."

"For Master to say that, it doesn't sound like an elder lingering in past times,"

Sikong Changfeng smiled upon hearing this, with a trace of teasing in his words.

"The Great Chun Skill is a Mind-Cultivation Technique I comprehended from an Immortal's book. I can return to youth once every thirty years."

Li Changsheng explained.

"Immortal's book?"

Both Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng were startled.

"If you are interested, I can also teach it to you."

Li Changsheng's tone was indifferent, as if he did not care much about this Cultivation Technique.

However, the threshold for practicing the Great Chun Skill was extremely high; it was difficult for anyone without exceptional Comprehension Ability to grasp, and even one in ten thousand might not attain its true essence.

He harbored doubts about whether the two before him possessed such Aptitude.

Afterward, he slowly spoke of the price of longevity.

"Everyone in the world seeks longevity, yet they do not realize that living too long is actually a curse—you must watch your loved ones leave you one after another."

As he spoke, Li Changsheng's expression dimmed slightly, a trace of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.

"We ask Master to allow us time to deliberate carefully before replying on this matter,"

Baili Dongjun spoke up.

"That is only proper."

Li Changsheng nodded, quite satisfied with his Disciples' calmness and restraint.

To remain unshaken in the face of the temptation of longevity was already rare.

"Has Teacher ever heard of a person who Cultivates Immortality?"

Sikong Changfeng suddenly asked.

Li Changsheng's gaze flickered slightly, showing a hint of distraction, as if recalling something.

"I still cannot confirm that person's identity to this day,"

he said slowly. "I have never truly seen a person who Cultivates Immortality.

However, when I was young, I did encounter a powerful expert who could control the power of heaven and earth; perhaps that is what the world calls a Cultivator."

The two nodded upon hearing this, yet they still vaguely felt that the Cultivator mentioned by Su Rui seemed different from the person Li Changsheng spoke of.

"After the Grand Competition, I plan to go and meet that person personally,"

Li Changsheng said, taking out a small booklet and several jade bottles from his robes.

"This is the cultivation Mind-Cultivation Technique for the Great Chun Skill, and these are a few Jade Dew Essence Pills."

He handed the items to Baili Dongjun.

"Consider these as the rewards for this Grand Competition. You two decide how to distribute them yourselves.

You already have some understanding of the Great Chun Skill, and the Jade Dew Essence Pills are highly beneficial for those at the Earth Realm to achieve a Breakthrough into the Carefree Heaven Realm."

"Yes."

Baili Dongjun accepted them, hesitated for a moment, and then reminded him:

"That person's strength is unfathomable; please, Master, be extremely careful."

"I am aware of that,"

Li Changsheng responded faintly. "Furthermore, the Demonic Cult has set up a Gu Xu Formation spanning a hundred miles near Snow Moon City; you must pay extra close attention to it."

"Gu Xu Formation?"

Sikong Changfeng frowned upon hearing this.

He knew this was one of the Demonic Cult's signature Formations. Once they joined forces to deploy it, they could actually contend against experts far surpassing their own strength.

And a Gu Xu Formation of this scale was extremely rare.

"Once this Formation is activated, it will turn the entire area into a ghost domain, filled with illusions. Those with slightly weaker minds will become lost within, and the consequences are unimaginable,"

Li Changsheng's tone was grave.

"Yes."

Although the two had long sensed the Demonic Cult's movements, they hadn't expected them to be so audacious.

"I have never seen a Formation of this magnitude either; I wonder what kind of change it will trigger,"

Li Changsheng sighed.

In terms of audacity, the Demonic Cult was indeed not to be underestimated.

"Fortunately, the Formation has not yet fully taken shape; you still have time to respond."

With that, he waved his hand, signaling the two to leave.

Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng exchanged a look, somewhat speechless.

They had just been accepted as Disciples and had wanted to ask Master more about Cultivation matters, but Li Changsheng clearly had no intention of dwelling on the topic.

The two could only take their leave and return to their respective residences.

Baili Dongjun began preparing the rewards for after the Grand Competition.

However, given the current situation, it seemed unnecessary to prepare too many.

But similar situations had occurred in previous Grand Competitions.

The rewards could be prepared first and distributed to everyone when they returned to Snow Moon City.

Snow Moon City had always kept its word; what it said, it would do.

This method naturally made everyone trust Snow Moon City's credibility even more.

In any case, they certainly would not be treated unfairly.

Sikong Changfeng returned to his residence. The servants and maids in the manor had all changed into thick winter clothes.

Over at the training grounds, waves of cold air were slowly spreading outwards.

When he arrived, a thin layer of frost had already covered the ground.

A small figure was holding a bright red spear, moving with clean, crisp actions, wielding it skillfully.

Fiery red Qi surged and rolled above the spear, as if flames were burning.

Yet, the aura was not scorching hot, but rather carried a bone-chilling coldness.

"Father, watch this move!"

Sikong Qianluo had completely mastered the first level of the Profound Ice Spear Technique—"Drifting Snow."

Seeing Sikong Changfeng arrive, she changed her spear stance, and countless crystalline ice flowers immediately appeared in the air.

Sikong Changfeng flicked his sleeve, and the spear on the nearby weapon rack flew up, landing steadily in his hand.

He lightly shook the spear shaft, and the frost covering it immediately fell off in rustling sounds.

"White Horse, Long Spear, Howling West Wind!"

The power of his move was countless times greater than when his daughter executed it.

As he thrust his spear, a fierce wind suddenly rose, surging upward like a coiling tornado.

The ice crystals filling the sky were swept up, scattering into the heights.

In the skies above Snow Moon City, specks of snow quietly began to fall.

But just as people noticed the snow, when they looked up again, the snowflakes had already vanished.

The spear planted on the ground, Sikong Qianluo pouted and stared at her father, her small face puffed up, her mouth almost capable of hanging a bottle of oil.

"Father is unfair!"

"..."

Looking at his daughter's expression, Sikong Changfeng, who always doted on her, was momentarily speechless.

You were the one who attacked first!

And her few moves now, he truly dared not take them lightly.

After all, he had suffered losses before, and his fatherly authority was almost completely gone.

This time, going all out was precisely to let his daughter know that her old man was not to be trifled with either.

Unfortunately, his daughter never reasoned.

"Alright, alright, little princess, let Dad take a look at your spear."

He walked forward, wearing a placating smile.

"Hmph, I'll let you look, but this is a treasure Teacher gave me, you're not allowed to take it!"

The moment he took hold of the phoenix blood spear, Sikong Changfeng's expression shifted slightly.