Next! . . .
In fact, Cha Chongxiao was the one dictating the flow of the battle. He had taken the initiative, methodically refining his attacks to gain control.
With each passing moment, it was evident that the fight was no longer an even match. Cha Chongxiao's relentless and ferocious assault left Li Feng struggling to defend himself. He was barely able to hold his ground and couldn't mount a counterattack.
Cha Chongxiao's strikes transformed into a relentless storm, each blow crashing with overwhelming force. The climax of this intense confrontation came with a resounding impact.
- Boom! -
The fight was over. Li Feng was sent flying, propelled dozens of meters away until he collided with a massive tree. The tree quivered, shedding its leaves like the stunned gasps of the crowd.
Everyone was completely taken aback. They stared at Cha Chongxiao with a mix of awe and disbelief, as if he were a supernatural being.
Even Li Feng, who had just managed to get back on his feet, regarded Cha Chongxiao with astonishment. He was still grappling with the question, "How did I lose? How could I be defeated by a Spirit Origin Stage cultivator?"
Their shock was palpable, and though they couldn't believe it, the truth was undeniable.
Xiao Mufei, feeling a twinge of embarrassment, quickly called for the next match.
"This is embarrassing. My Dream Origin Stage disciple lost the battle," he thought. "This needs to be resolved promptly before it gets out of hand."
In the past, a few Spirit Origin Stage disciples had managed to win their first match upon entering the upper-grade competition. However, none of them succeeded in the second bout. They were consistently beaten by the other Dream Origin Stage disciples, a designed lesson meant to instill humility in the prime disciple.
As Xiao Mufei announced the next fight, another level one Dream Origin Stage disciple stepped onto the stage. Unfortunately, this one fared no better and was defeated even more swiftly, taking only the time it took for an incense stick to burn.
"Next!" Xiao Mufei called, his discomfort evident.
"You may have defeated one or two of my disciples," he seemed to be thinking, "but can you handle the third and fourth? I have plenty of level one Dream Origin Stage disciples."
The cycle continued as Cha Chongxiao triumphed over each opponent, leveling one and then level two Dream Origin Stage disciples with ease.
"Next!"
"This bunch of useless individuals! Next!"
And so it went, with each new opponent being dispatched just as swiftly as the last.
That night, Yue Changtian received an astonishing message: "Cha Chongxiao has won all twenty-eight bouts against level one and two Dream Origin Stage disciples. He is now the prime disciple of the thirty-ninth subbranch in the twelfth branch."
Yue Changtian was utterly flabbergasted.
"Is this message genuine?" he wondered.
"A level nine Spirit Origin Stage disciple defeated twenty-eight Dream Origin Stage disciples consecutively and became the prime disciple?"
"How... How is this even possible?"
He read the message repeatedly, slowly coming to terms with the improbable truth.
Leaving his fish behind, he ascended the mountaintop, in search of answers.
"Grandmasters... Your... Your disciple... He is totally insane... Ah... What... What happened... Are you the three grandmasters?" Yue Changtian, upon seeing the three elderly men, uttered these words in a tone of profound shock.
As the Prime Master of Cold Moon Palace, Yue Changtian possessed keen observational skills. Within Cold Moon Palace, his familiarity with the three grandmasters surpassed that of anyone else. About a month earlier, he had witnessed the three old men channeling their life energy into Cha Chongxiao's body to refine his physical condition. By all rights, they should be nearing death at this point. Yet, the three grandmasters before him were brimming with vitality, their elderly appearances notwithstanding.
[What could possibly explain this?]
[Is it a fleeting illusion?]
[It certainly doesn't seem that way.]
[So, what is it then? Could there be a logical explanation?]
Yue Changtian didn't articulate the words he had initially intended, instead uttering nonsensical phrases. The three old men were well aware of what was transpiring. They understood that Yue Changtian was reeling from the shock of encountering individuals he believed to be on their deathbed. How could he not be startled?
Lei Dadi chuckled and said, "Young man, what are you babbling about? Your words don't make any sense. If we aren't who we appear to be, then who are we? Listen to yourself. You're the Prime Master of our sect. Shouldn't you maintain composure? You're more flustered than our junior disciple. How embarrassing!"
While speaking, he projected his voice with impressive vigor and resonance. A month ago, he had appeared exceedingly frail due to the loss of life energy. However, now, Yue Changtian sensed a profound and intense level of cultivation within him. He finally comprehended the situation. With respect, he declared, "Congratulations, grandmasters. Your life energy has been restored. This is a great boon for our sect!"
Yue Changtian was genuinely congratulatory. Without the presence of the three grandmasters, Cold Moon Palace would have been considerably weakened, much like the Misty Cloud Palace without Xuan Bing. He didn't understand what had prolonged the lives of the three elderly men, but he acknowledged the significance of the matter. As the Prime Master of the sect, this knowledge alleviated a significant burden from his shoulders.
Feng Wuying interjected, "Enough with the flattery. Your compliments have become tiresome. It began as a pleasant occasion, but your words have made it tedious. Let's return to business. Just tell me what you require. Is your Disciple Brother Cha in trouble?"
Yue Changtian was somewhat embarrassed and smiled wryly. "He is truly exceptional. Despite being in the Spirit Origin Stage, he has already defeated disciples of the Dream Origin Stage... That..."
The three grandmasters had been repeatedly astonished by Cha Chongxiao over the past three months and had seemingly grown accustomed to it. None displayed any extraordinary reactions.
Yun Piaoliu responded indifferently, "So what? Why do you need to exclaim and shout like this? You are the Prime Master of Cold Moon Palace, for heaven's sake. Show some poise. He is my disciple, naturally he is extraordinary! He should win! Do you expect him to be defeated, tortured, beaten repeatedly..."
Yue Changtian was taken aback. He wasn't sure how to respond.
[Why are the three grandmasters so composed?]
[Shouldn't they exhibit at least a degree of amazement?]