Chapter 92: Li Kanten

The Iron-level supreme techniques are not worth mentioning for now, but Bronze-level supreme techniques are truly invaluable treasures. For the youths ranked in the top ten, the privilege to freely borrow such high-grade techniques is enough to excite anyone.

Even Qiu Yingying narrowed her eyes sharply. Since obtaining the complete master-level supreme technique "Ninefold Sword Waves," her strength had soared. If she could slay enough evil demons in this battle, she would have a chance to ascend the Demon-Subduing Ranking—perhaps even break into the top ten among the younger generation. That would grant her access to borrow Iron and Bronze supreme techniques from the three great sects, another opportunity for a leap in power.

With this in mind, Qiu Yingying clenched her fists, her fighting spirit surging.

Li Kantian was equally exhilarated. Ever since he was pushed to third place by Qingxi, who had suddenly emerged on the disciples' points ranking, he had been feeling pent-up frustration. Now, with the upcoming battle against the evil demons, his chance to regain his standing had finally arrived.

...

Qingxi leaned lazily against a tree, listening to the messenger Mo Kongxiao's words, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. A great opportunity had arrived.

Just thinking about the spatial imprints in each demon’s heart core, the vast vitality, and the abundant five-element origins, he almost started to drool. For many, the extraterrestrial demons were calamities. But to Qingxi, they were opportunities not to be missed!

He could hardly wait; he even wanted to set out immediately. With his reading and scanning abilities, he had no fear of failing to find the demons. As long as they appeared in his sight, none could escape him—provided, of course, he was strong enough to defeat them.

In front of the sect’s grand hall, after finishing his speech, Mo Kongxiao, worried the crowd still hadn’t grasped the situation, added, “Within the Yun Chuan Prefecture, the Demon-Subduing Ranking has always had a single main list, but due to the special circumstances this time, a secondary list will be established exclusively to record the achievements of the younger generation under thirty.”

Normally, Mo Kongxiao wouldn’t have bothered to add this explanation. But remembering that Qiu Yingying was a prodigy ranked among the Seventy-two New Stars, with a profound spiritual root and a metal sword soul, her potential rivaling the top talents of the Purple Firmament Sect, he felt compelled to elaborate.

In Mo Kongxiao’s view, Qiu Yingying was the only one in the entire Lingyuan Sect qualified to make it onto the secondary list.

With that, he and Sect Master Qiu Mingzi returned to the grand hall.

Not long after, everyone saw Mo Kongxiao stepping on sword light, flying out of the hall, trailing a splendid red tail flame.

“Huh, strange...” As he departed, Mo Kongxiao suddenly turned his face toward where Qingxi stood. He found the young man peculiar. Others, upon hearing of the extraterrestrial demons’ invasion, were either fearful, nervous, or brimming with fighting spirit; only Qingxi wore the honest smile of a farmer anticipating a bountiful harvest, as if he were awaiting his prey.

“Hmph, perhaps he’s just an inexperienced youth, hasn’t suffered a beating, and doesn’t know how terrifying these demons really are,” Mo Kongxiao thought, riding the sword light swiftly away. As the messenger of the Purple Firmament Sect, his purpose in the Eastern Region was to deliver news of the demons’ invasion. He still had to visit Water Immortal Sect, Red Flame Sect, and Bliss Sect, so he couldn’t waste time here.

Once Mo Kongxiao left, Qiu Mingzi’s expression grew serious. The order for all cultivators to go into battle made him believe the demon invasion was extremely grave. He spoke in a deep voice: “The demons have invaded, threatening all living beings. As a star-level sect, Lingyuan Sect must shoulder its responsibility. From today onward, all disciples must travel in groups and be accompanied by an innate realm true disciple or elder.”

Afterward, Qiu Mingzi gave further careful instructions.

That night, Qingxi was packing his belongings. The task hall had already issued the latest “Demon-Subduing” assignments, detailing the point system. Upon hearing the news, Qingxi hurried to pack, preparing to descend the mountain overnight to hunt demons. For him, this was a golden opportunity for a surge in strength.

Just then, two figures approached his residence.

Qingxi was shouldering a large bag, holding the ear of his dragon horse in his left hand, while a small golden ape perched on his right shoulder—a picture of someone about to flee.

Seeing him like this, the two newcomers were stunned.

The chubby one exclaimed in surprise, “Brother Qingxi, you... you’re not planning to run away, are you? Even though the extraterrestrial demons are about to invade, there’s no need to be afraid!”

The speaker, of course, was Lin Feng.

The other was a white-robed youth carrying a treasured sword, with a distinguished air and an indescribable handsome elegance.

Li Kantian looked at his junior brother, who seemed poised to escape, and rolled his eyes, regretting his visit.

“Run away?”

Qingxi was dumbfounded. Glancing at his large bag, he realized the misunderstanding and quickly explained, “I was about to go to the task hall to exchange points. What brings you here?”

He looked at Li Kantian in white, activating his reading function.

[Race: Human]
[Name: Li Kantian]
[Spiritual Root: Peak-grade Spiritual]
[Cultivation: Peak Early Innate]
[Age: Twenty-five]
[Talent Martial Soul: Semi-awakened]
[Note: This person is a disciple under Sect Master Qiu Mingzi of Lingyuan Sect, ranked second among all third-generation disciples, just behind Qiu Yingying, and is Lin Feng’s senior brother.]

“Li Kantian... isn’t he the second senior brother among the true disciples? If he and Lin Feng came together, could they be looking for Master?” Qingxi was full of confusion.

Upon hearing Qingxi mention exchanging points, Li Kantian’s eyelid twitched. On the way here, Lin Feng had already told him that Ouyang Changfeng’s sole disciple was the one who had suddenly risen to second place on the points ranking overnight. When he learned that Qingxi had assisted Qiu Yingying in completing the five-star task “Explore Ancient Luo, Retrieve Supreme Technique,” earning a huge sum of points, Li Kantian felt rather bitter. He had diligently slain rampant Profound-tier beasts, accumulating seventeen thousand points, yet Qingxi had earned twenty thousand in a single trip to the forbidden zone. His own efforts suddenly seemed so worthless. If not for the sect master’s order, he wouldn’t have wanted to come here at all.

Lin Feng explained, “Junior brother, here’s the situation—due to the extraterrestrial demons...” He explained their purpose.

To counter the invasion, Sect Master Qiu Mingzi personally reassigned all inner disciples with cultivation above the twentieth level of Qi refinement into different teams. Each team must have at least one innate realm true disciple or elder leading, responsible for patrolling the Eastern Region and hunting the invading demons. Originally, Lin Feng and Qingxi were assigned to Qiu Yingying’s team. But Qiu Yingying, eager to quickly climb the Demon-Subduing Ranking, chose to venture out alone. Left with no choice, Qiu Mingzi reassigned Lin Feng and Qingxi to Li Kantian’s team.

Li Kantian had grown up under Qiu Mingzi’s watchful eye. Though slightly arrogant, he was kind-hearted, so Qiu Mingzi felt at ease entrusting Lin Feng and Qingxi to him.

Hearing their purpose, Qingxi had just wanted to say he’d already advanced to the innate realm and intended to go out alone. But remembering that Lin Feng was a child of fortune, teaming up with him would surely bring luck. So, he smiled and said, “In that case, I’ll have to trouble Senior Brother Li to look after us on this journey.”