As the day began to brighten, Yang Kai awoke and, after a brief wash, took a broom from the corner of his small solitary dwelling in the High Heaven Pavilion.
Standing at the doorway, he stretched lazily and glanced at the faint light of dawn on the horizon.
He closed his eyes and enjoyed a moment of tranquility before opening them again and swaying the broom in his hand.
Bending down, he diligently cleared the ground of dust and fallen leaves.
Wearing a simple and clean green robe, Yang Kai appeared older than his years, his mature demeanor adding a few years to his age.
His posture was as upright as a spear, and even while performing the simplest tasks, his expression was meticulous.
His movements were measured, and he manipulated the broom with such skill that it seemed like an extension of his arm.
With each step he took, the accumulated dust and debris on the ground seemed to come alive, swirling as if they had sprouted legs.
Yang Kai was a trial disciple of the High Heaven Pavilion. He had started his cultivation in the sect three years ago but had only managed to progress to the third level of the Body Tempering Realm.
His fellow disciples who had joined the sect alongside him had long surpassed this stage, having found opportunities to learn from experienced masters and soaring to greater heights.
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In contrast, Yang Kai found himself falling behind
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After three years at the third level, his talent could only be described as mediocre at best.
With limited options, Yang Kai accepted the task of keeping the sect's premises clean, supporting himself while continuing his cultivation.
The High Heaven Pavilion had a distinct atmosphere, characterized by fierce competition among its disciples.
Within this sect, the capable rose to the top, while the weak were cast aside. The law of survival of the fittest was vividly displayed within its ranks.
While other sects might foster camaraderie among their disciples, such sentiments were non-existent within the High Heaven Pavilion.
If one wanted to advance, one had to climb over their fellow disciples' shoulders, even if it meant stepping on their dreams. That was the harsh reality.
The High Heaven Pavilion was renowned throughout the land for its strict discipline.
Although it might not have ranked as a supreme sect, its disciples' brutal competition set it apart.
This harsh environment molded its disciples into formidable individuals, and few dared to challenge them in the outside world.
However, Yang Kai's current situation of being surrounded by numerous eager disciples was primarily due to another rule of the High Heaven Pavilion—the challenge rule.
High Heaven Pavilion Sect Rule #1: Every disciple of the High Heaven Pavilion is entitled to one challenge opportunity each day, and one opportunity to be challenged every five days!
The strength difference between the two sides must not exceed three levels. Avoiding battle or showing fear is forbidden; violation leads to expulsion from the sect.
The victor awards corresponding contribution points based on the opponent's disciple level, while the loser deducts contribution points based on their own disciple level. Contribution points are also known as sect contribution value!
This is the unique feature of the High Heaven Pavilion.
To put it simply, contribution points in the High Heaven Pavilion are equivalent to money. As long as you have enough contribution points, you can exchange for anything you want at the sect's logistical department—elixirs, manuals, weapons, armor, anything related to cultivation can be exchanged.
Of course, you can also exchange for gold and silver items, but generally speaking, sect contribution value is hard-earned, and ordinary disciples are reluctant to exchange it for money.
There are many ways to earn sect contribution value, such as handing in the treasures you find or completing tasks assigned by the sect.
One of the most common and simplest ways to earn contribution points is through challenges! By challenging fellow disciples whose strength is within three levels of your own, you can gain contribution points if you win.
So, that's why there are so many people gathered around Yang Kai early in the morning. Anyone would know to target the weakest link.
The name of Yang Kai is well-known within the High Heaven Pavilion. It's not just because he carries the identity of a rare trial disciple, but also because from the time he entered the High Heaven Pavilion until now, he has hardly ever won! Every time he's challenged, he ends up losing.
Those who pay attention naturally remember when Yang Kai was last challenged. Today is the fifth day since the last time, according to the sect rules, he can be challenged again.
Who wouldn't be tempted by the easily attainable contribution points? Even though winning against Yang Kai wouldn't yield many contribution points, every little bit counts.
Moreover, the disciples who would challenge Yang Kai aren't wealthy or noble individuals; they wouldn't find those meager contribution points to be too little.
In the arena, Yang Kai and Zhou Dingjun had already assumed their stances. They said in unison, "Please enlighten me!"
Even though the words were polite, anyone could tell that Yang Kai was going to get a thorough beating today!
As the words fell, Yang Kai launched his attack. His slender and weak body burst forth with astonishing combat power.
Taking a step forward, he clenched his fist and struck at Zhou Dingjun's chest. The attack was simple and direct, the fist was swift and fierce, as if all his strength had been poured into it.
This punch was a basic technique that every low-level disciple of the High Heaven Pavilion had practiced.
The technique itself wasn't profound; it was just meant to help disciples strengthen their bodies. The moves were naturally simple.
Zhou Dingjun remained calm, a faint smile on his face. It was because he was two levels higher in cultivation than Yang Kai, so there was no suspense in this battle. Just as Yang Kai's fist was about to land, Zhou Dingjun smoothly twisted his body, and his robust frame suddenly seemed agile.
The fist grazed his clothes and missed Zhou Dingjun by a hair's breadth.
Before Yang Kai could retract his fist, Zhou Dingjun had already knocked his elbow against Yang Kai's forearm, simultaneously lifting his knee slightly, and hitting Yang Kai's abdomen.
Yang Kai grunted, suppressing the piercing pain. He shifted his foot and hastily retreated, narrowly avoiding Zhou Dingjun's swiftly following third strike.
"Hmm?" Zhou Dingjun was surprised. He hadn't expected this third-level Body Tempering disciple to anticipate his actions, knowing how he would counter. This disrupted his plan to defeat Yang Kai with a single blow.
However, this minor mistake didn't affect the overall situation. Zhou Dingjun's thoughts quickly shifted. He pursued Yang Kai while thinking he could end the fight during Yang Kai's momentary breath-catching.
Little did he know, just as he was thinking that, Yang Kai had already rushed forward again. When his body was less than three feet away from Zhou Dingjun, he suddenly flicked his body slightly, and his legs swept out like long whips, aiming at Zhou Dingjun's lower body.
Leg whip! Another basic technique that every low-level disciple of the High Heaven Pavilion had practiced.
However, when executed by Yang Kai, it appeared to hold insights that even disciples much higher in cultivation found enlightening.
It turned out leg whips could be used like this.
Before the spectators could fully appreciate it, a light thud sounded as Yang Kai was sent flying again.
"Again!" Yang Kai shouted through gritted teeth, his eyes burning with intense battle spirit.
"Thud..." Yang Kai was launched again.
"Again!"
"Thud..." Yang Kai was airborne once more.
Some of the onlookers had left early, unable to watch any longer. Others whispered, "Does he think he's winning?"
"Haha, does he not know about Yang Kai's reputation and just came to challenge him?"
"This is getting interesting."
Zhou Dingjun raised an eyebrow. He indeed didn't know much about Yang Kai.
He had heard his name mentioned by people passing by and had joined in when he saw a crowd gathered around. However, he hadn't expected to be so lucky as to be chosen as Yang Kai's opponent.
But wasn't this considered a win? He had sent Yang Kai flying with a single punch, securing an overwhelming advantage.
According to sect rules, Yang Kai should surrender because there was no need to continue the fight.
"Again!" Just as he was thinking this, Yang Kai, who had been knocked down on the ground, had already stood up.
There was no hint of discouragement in his eyes; if anything, his battle intent had grown stronger. However, his face, which was already pale, had turned slightly paler after taking that punch.
Before Zhou Dingjun could reply, Yang Kai charged once more. When he was just under three feet away from Zhou Dingjun, he suddenly bounced, and his legs swept out like long whips, targeting Zhou Dingjun's lower body.
A leg whip! Again, it was a basic technique that every low-level disciple of the High Heaven Pavilion had practiced. However, as executed by Yang Kai, it seemed to hold insights even for those many levels above him.
Before the spectators could fully appreciate it, a light thud sounded, and Yang Kai was sent flying again.
"Again!"
"Thud..." Yang Kai was airborne once more.
With each strike, Yang Kai's resilience and determination were on full display. He had been sent flying several times, his face was swollen, and his eye sockets were turning black, yet his resolve remained unshaken.
No matter where he fell, he got up from there and shouted to continue the fight.
After repeated instances, Zhou Dingjun's expression finally changed. "Are you crazy? If you don't surrender soon, you'll get seriously hurt!"
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AN~ These are the first two chapters of the Martial Peak, If the response is good I will translate more chapters, so if you like the chapter and want me to complete this novel please tell me in the comments.
if the response was good I will upload more.
and for the Mc's character- he is not a dense person, not naive and nor too good... and yes there will the harem in the story but the romance is good, this is what I have to say....