"Notify the others: the Grand Luo Sect has issued a challenge and specified to challenge our chief core disciple, Wu Mingxuan. The challenge will take place in one week."
"Furthermore, arrange for the most outstanding core disciples to be selected for potential matches. We must not disgrace the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"The challenger is said to be the personal disciple of the Grand Luo Sect's Sect Master. Although his cultivation is only at the Qi-Condensation Realm, it is claimed that his strength is not inferior to any Core Formation Realm. Be on your guard and ensure that we crush him directly, leaving him no chance to retaliate!"
"Do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, Elder Qin, the middle-aged man, was surprised.
"Qi-Condensation Realm? Challenging a Core Formation Realm? And he's our chief core disciple?"
"Isn't this seeking death?"
However, he promptly responded, "Understood!"
...
In the core disciple area of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Elder Qin personally went to Wu Mingxuan's residence and informed him of the designated challenge from the Grand Luo Sect.
"Grand Luo Sect? Qi-Condensation Realm inner disciple?"
Wu Mingxuan's anger flared instantly.
"As the chief core disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, am I someone that a mere Qi-Condensation Realm practitioner is qualified to challenge?"
"They actually dare to target me for a cross-level challenge. They are truly ignorant and arrogant!"
Being named as a target for challenge by someone of lower cultivation was a kind of unique disrespect.
But unfortunately, in this formal challenge, he had no choice but to participate; he couldn't refuse.
"Jiang Heng, is it?"
"This arrogant individual will surely meet his doom under my sword!"
After notifying Wu Mingxuan, Elder Qin also informed several other core disciples of the sect about the challenge and asked them to prepare for the upcoming matches. Even if they were confident, they needed to be prepared for contingencies.
After all, this was a matter concerning the sect's reputation.
...
Jiang Heng and his two companions spent five days in the West Luo Mountains.
During this time, they killed eighteen Tier 3 fierce beasts and obtained nine spirit herbs.
In addition to the loot seized from the Innate Realm youth, they ended up with 22 pieces of Tier 3 fierce beast fur and 16 spirit herbs in total.
It's worth mentioning that they encountered Tier 4 fierce beasts more than once.
When Jiang Heng tried to confront one head-on, he was easily overwhelmed.
Of course, he only lacked the ability to resist, but the Tier 4 fierce beast was completely helpless against him.
So, Jiang Heng stayed behind, covering the escape of Wen Qingxue and Wen Qingxue from the fierce beast. They eventually reunited at the pre-arranged location, escaping the danger.
On the sixth day, at noon, when the sun was at its peak, the forest in the depths of the West Luo Mountains was almost as dark as night.
Wen Qingxue, with her petite frame carrying a bulging package, walked alongside Jiang Heng as they swiftly moved through the forest.
"This trip may have been risky, but the rewards are substantial. It was worth it!" Wen Qingxue smiled happily.
Even though she received direct guidance in her cultivation from Xiao Lingyun in her mind, her physical body still required resources for nourishment. With her current terrifying speed of cultivation, the consumption of resources was nothing short of terrifying.
Even if her father was an elder of the sect, he couldn't supply her with an unlimited amount of resources for her cultivation.
So, this bountiful harvest was a good thing for her.
Jiang Heng carried the treasure sword seized from the Innate Realm youth on his back and remained vigilant, keeping an eye on their surroundings.
"Be cautious. We haven't left the inner region yet. Don't be complacent!"
Wen Qingxue nodded silently, and they continued their journey.
Occasionally, they would stop, look up at the sky to determine the direction, and examine tree branches to navigate before resuming their journey.
In such a dense forest, especially as they ventured deeper, getting lost posed a greater risk than encountering powerful fierce beasts.
Fortunately, unlike Jiang Heng and Wen Qingxue, Bu Hanyi was extremely knowledgeable about such matters.
Before long, the forest's lighting began to brighten, and the three of them jumped to the top of a tall tree. They could already see the outline of the Heavenly Sword Sect's residence on Dalu Mountain in the distance.
"Already back to the outer area."
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Venturing deep into the Western Luo Mountain Range was a certain level of danger for the three.
Even for Jiang Heng, whose physique defense was astonishing.
Once they were deeply trapped without someone to guide them, they might get lost and encounter even stronger savage beasts, leading to their demise.
Of course, all of this adventure was worthwhile.
The three returned to the Eighth Peak Task Hall, sold all the spoils, and obtained a total of 5800 contribution points! If converted to money, it would be 58,000 silver coins, equivalent to 58 million from their past lives.
And all of this only took five days!
The three divided the contribution points, including the gains from the first day. Jiang Heng received a total of 3050 contribution points.
Adding the previous 1900 points and the accumulated 600 points over six days, his fortune reached 5550 contribution points.
After staying awake for five days and nights, they all felt a bit tired. After parting ways, they each went home to rest.
Jiang Heng went to the Fifth Peak to report to his mentor, Bai Haocang, and then had a good night's sleep at home.
The next morning.
Jiang Heng, who had become vigorous again, exchanged for 500 Blood Qi Pills. Along with the elder arranged by Bai Haocang, he set off for the Heaven Sword Sect.
Riding the Crimson Blood Steed, which could travel a thousand miles a day, the two arrived outside the Heaven Sword Sect's residence at noon.
At this moment, the martial arts arena in the Core Disciple area was bustling with people.
Not only Core Disciples but also some Inner Disciples and Outer Disciples came to watch.
After all, this was not an internal duel of the sect but a formal duel between the top disciples of two major sects. It concerned the face of both sects and drew the close attention of countless people.
"I heard that the challenger from the Dalu Sect is just an Inner Disciple in the True Qi Realm. He dares to challenge our Heaven Sword Sect's chief Core Disciple; he really doesn't know his place!"
"Not only is he arrogant, but he's also humiliating our Heaven Sword Sect!"
"As soon as that kid steps onto the stage, he'll be torn to pieces by Senior Martial Brother Wu!"
"I think Senior Martial Brother Wu won't step onto the stage right away; otherwise, it would make our Heaven Sword Sect's chief Core Disciple look bad, right?"
"That's right. The other Core Disciples with seats are enough to easily deal with the Dalu Sect kid."
"What's all this talk about a cross-level challenge? It's laughable. All the Core Disciples here, even in the True Qi Realm, have overwhelming combat power."
"Even if it's a cross-level challenge, it's at most challenging those self-cultivating cultivators in the Innate Realm outside."
"Our Heaven Sword Sect's Core Disciples with seats are not comparable to those common self-cultivators outside."
Just as the crowd was discussing,
Someone shouted from afar: "The kid from the Dalu Sect is here!"
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
They saw a young, seemingly inexperienced teenager walking slowly with a middle-aged man in black accompanying him.
The youth's expression remained calm, and as he walked, he surveyed his surroundings, showing no signs of being intimidated by the crowd's gaze.
"Kid, step onto the stage and meet your doom!"
At this moment, someone suddenly shouted.
Many others joined in: "Meet your doom!"
The voices of thousands of people converged into a deafening roar.