Ground Competition of Dream Origin Stage . . .
While Yue Changtian had expected Cha Chongxiao to deliver an outstanding performance during the competition, he could have never foreseen the magnitude of his accomplishment.
In just five days, Cha Chongxiao ascended from level seven to level nine, a feat that seemed like the stuff of legends and myths. It was almost beyond belief, but it had undeniably happened.
During the afternoon of that fateful day, Cha Chongxiao took the competition by storm, defeating every so-called prime disciple with the finesse of a whirlwind sweeping away dust from the floor. No one was left standing.
In the following three days, he found himself without any challengers. Having bested every Spirit Origin Stage disciple, there was no one left for him to fight. So, he leisurely spent his time in between periods of cultivation, dedicating a mere two hours a day to the ground competition.
He would entertain the disciples who gathered to challenge him, swiftly defeating them, and then return to his cultivation with the same casual demeanor.
Cha Chongxiao's extraordinary performance had left the other disciples feeling overwhelmed and disheartened. No one dared to question his power now, and those who had once hoped to make a name for themselves in front of the elders were now lamenting their unfortunate timing.
For Ye Chongxiao was simply too good, leaving no opportunity for others to shine. The talented disciples who had waited for their moment were now in the shadow of a true prodigy. Their potential achievements were rendered insignificant.
Yue Changtian took action, aware of the dire situation. He made the decision to allow Cha Chongxiao to participate in the combat competitions of level one and two of the Dream Origin Stage, despite his peak Spirit Origin Stage status.
The prime Spirit Origin Stage disciples had all been defeated by Cha Chongxiao, leaving him unchallenged within his own realm. It was time to push him to his limits. Furthermore, the exceptional talents of the sect could no longer remain in the shadows. Cha Chongxiao had inadvertently crushed their self-esteem and created a sense of despair.
The once-proud and talented disciples were now questioning their own abilities. They wondered, "Was I too arrogant? Am I utterly worthless?" Such doubts were detrimental to their cultivation.
Cha Chongxiao shone like a brilliant full moon in the sky, eclipsing the other stars around him. While this was undoubtedly beneficial for the sect to have such a remarkable disciple, it also created frustration among the other disciples who felt overshadowed.
It was clear that while Cha Chongxiao had the potential to become an extraordinary cultivator, he could not replace the roles of all the other disciples just yet. The sect needed a balance of talents to thrive.
Yue Changtian carefully weighed the implications of the situation and made a prompt decision. Allowing Cha Chongxiao to participate in the Dream Origin Stage competitions was not in violation of any rules. In fact, it was a strategic move to give him a taste of higher-level combat.
The prime Spirit Origin Stage disciples were no longer a challenge for Cha Chongxiao, and continuing to defeat them would not be beneficial for him or the other disciples. It could potentially lead to an overinflated ego and an absence of humility.
Thus, Cha Chongxiao was directed to enter the ground competition of the Dream Origin Stage. His opponents would be disciples at level one of the Dream Origin Stage.
Returning to the group of Xiao Mufei, where he had started his journey, the atmosphere was filled with intrigue. Those disciples who had traveled alongside Cha Chongxiao months ago were eager to witness his downfall. They hoped to see this so-called genius get a taste of defeat. In their minds, it would have been a delightful experience to challenge and defeat such a prodigious disciple. They wished they could have participated and envisioned how Cha Chongxiao would be soundly beaten.
"Knock him down! Li Feng, it would be embarrassing to lose to him. If you do, don't mention that you know me..."
"Yes, beat him soundly! Punch him right in the face, just don't break any bones..."
The Dream Origin Stage disciples from Xiao Mufei's group, familiar with Cha Chongxiao, gathered around, eager to witness what they expected to be his humiliation.
The audience buzzed with anticipation, like a bustling marketplace. However, when the battle began, an eerie silence overtook the crowd. What they witnessed was utterly astonishing.
Cha Chongxiao, who had just recently reached level nine of Spirit Origin Stage, fought evenly against his Dream Origin Stage opponent. Both combatants fiercely exchanged blows, with neither giving ground. Cha Chongxiao even appeared to be dictating the pace of the fight.
The onlookers were dumbfounded, muttering, "How is this possible?" Level nine Spirit Origin Stage versus level one Dream Origin Stage. While it may seem like just one level of difference, in reality, it represented a considerable gap.
No matter how talented a level nine Spirit Origin Stage cultivator was, they were not on the same level as a Dream Origin Stage cultivator. Previously, there had been talented disciples who ventured into Dream Origin Stage competitions as Spirit Origin Stage prime disciples, but none had ever claimed victory. Spirit Origin Stage disciples were typically no match for Dream Origin Stage opponents.
Cha Chongxiao was undoubtedly a prodigious talent, but he had just reached level nine. He was not at the peak of level nine and had not surpassed the initial stages. By all accounts, he should have been considerably weaker than a Dream Origin Stage cultivator. The expectation was for him to be humbled, to stand and be defeated, gradually progressing to become a Dream Origin Stage cultivator. However, what was unfolding was utterly inexplicable and defied all common sense.