Chapter Thirty-Eight: Overcoming All Obstacles

“Master has come out,” many disciples turned their gaze toward Master Lingfeng.

Yang Xiao also looked at Master Lingfeng. It had been a year since he last saw him, and now Master Lingfeng appeared much older than the year before. His hair was noticeably whiter, with barely any black left atop his head.

Staring at the venerable face of Master Lingfeng, Yang Xiao could not help but recall the past. It was Master Lingfeng who had brought him to the Giant Spirit Sect, opening for him the path of cultivation. Yang Xiao had never once regretted this path; indeed, he had always considered it his lifelong pursuit.

Though Master Lingfeng’s features had aged, in Yang Xiao’s heart he remained heroic and spirited, forever as young as he was years ago. This was, of course, because Yang Xiao remembered his master’s kindness, and kept such an impression alive within him.

When Master Lingfeng first brought Yang Xiao to the Giant Spirit Sect, he treated him as a promising disciple, teaching him with care, personally aiding him in cleansing his meridians, opening his spiritual sea, awakening his spiritual senses, allowing Yang Xiao to truly step into the first stage of the Spiritual Sense Realm.

Such a mentor was truly unforgettable.

Later, however, Yang Xiao’s progress stagnated, unable to break through. Master Lingfeng sighed, arranged a residence for him to cultivate on his own, and from then on, ceased to inquire about Yang Xiao’s advancement.

Though Yang Xiao left his master’s guidance, he bore no resentment in his heart. He blamed his lack of talent, and so he trained with diligence, enduring hardships several times greater than others. He hoped that one day, he might achieve something worthy of Master Lingfeng’s notice.

In Yang Xiao’s heart, he regarded Master Lingfeng as a father. What father does not wish his son to become a dragon? Yang Xiao certainly wished to repay his master’s nurture by soaring himself.

Now, standing upon the arena, Yang Xiao could be considered a success. By the standards of the sect’s elite disciples, his cultivation was among the best. Yet, after years of recruiting disciples, Master Lingfeng might have long forgotten this slow-progressing pupil. Every year new disciples joined; who would remember someone so ordinary as Yang Xiao?

Master Lingfeng’s gaze swept over the arena, focusing on those with great potential, barely paying any attention to Yang Xiao.

On the other hand, Master Kurong’s eyes lingered on Yang Xiao with a hint of peculiarity. Was it that she saw something unusual? Or perhaps Lingyun Mei had mentioned Yang Xiao to her?

Yang Xiao studied Master Kurong in return. Though her hair was streaked with white, her face bore no trace of Master Lingfeng’s aging. Rather, it revealed a refined beauty—one could imagine she was quite the beauty in her youth, and even now, her charm had not faded.

Master Lingfeng and Master Kurong sat side by side in prominent seats before the arena. As sect leader, Master Lingfeng sat at the center, with Master Kurong slightly to the side.

At this moment, Master Lingfeng formally announced the start of the contest and explained its rules, including prohibitions against harming fellow disciples, and details about the rewards for those reaching the finals.

With everything arranged, the disciples on the arena began their matches.

Yang Xiao and Ji Ben exchanged respectful gestures and began their bout.

Of course, Ji Ben’s cultivation at the fifth stage of Spiritual Sense was not something Yang Xiao considered threatening, yet Yang Xiao did not immediately unleash any overwhelming moves. He sparred briefly, then revealed a portion of his true strength to defeat Ji Ben.

In this way, he won without being too conspicuous, avoiding unnecessary trouble. Yang Xiao had no intention of claiming first place; he merely wished to reach the top four, so he could obtain the sect’s supreme technique, “Giant Spirit Skill”—which Master Lingfeng promised to all disciples who made it to the last four.

Yang Xiao had long coveted the Giant Spirit Skill. This technique greatly enhanced one’s spiritual power, complementing the Ninefold Golden Body. Usually, only the sect leader could practice it, but now the top four would have the chance, and Yang Xiao naturally desired to master it.

This was one reason he participated in the tournament.

Ji Ben, Yang Xiao’s first opponent, did possess some skill. His Wind-Splitting Palm was inferior to Wuli’s, not yet at its peak, but had reached about fifty or sixty percent proficiency. When unleashed, it could stir sand and stones, tear gold and jade. Unfortunately, his opponent was Yang Xiao. Now that Yang Xiao had reached the eighth stage of Spiritual Sense, his use of Wind-Splitting Palm was far more formidable.

Though Yang Xiao had not deliberately trained the Wind-Splitting Palm, he had some grasp of the sect’s two great techniques, and with his cultivation as support, he countered Ji Ben with the same move. Even without perfect mastery, a casual strike was enough to threaten Ji Ben.

Thus, after exchanging several moves, Ji Ben admitted defeat, knowing he could not contend with Yang Xiao—especially after their bout, he realized Yang Xiao’s cultivation was far above his own. Continuing would only invite embarrassment, so he chose to concede.

After defeating Ji Ben, Yang Xiao’s token displayed the location of his next match. Upon arrival, he faced a new opponent, one who had likewise won a previous bout; for if one lost, they must leave the arena and forfeit further opportunity.

Through successive elimination rounds, Yang Xiao consistently emerged victorious, advancing to challenge the next opponent.

However, the adversaries Yang Xiao encountered in these rounds were rarely formidable, most about Ji Ben’s level. Thus, Yang Xiao’s victories were unsurprising.

Though he suppressed his strength and pretended to win with difficulty, repeated success inevitably aroused suspicion.

After all, no one would believe that luck alone could carry someone so far without sufficient ability.

Gradually, Yang Xiao became a topic of discussion among the disciples; even Master Lingfeng looked at him with newfound interest.