Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Chaos in the Bamboo Forest

The competition was progressing rapidly, leaving little time for participants to prepare before the next round began.

That evening, while Jiang Hanzheng was asleep, Helang thoroughly examined his body, healing all his injuries with spiritual energy. To help him better face his opponents, Helang rummaged through his storage ring and gave him top-tier talismans once used by his original self.

Among these treasures, the most exceptional was a robe crafted from the silk of a thousand-year-old silkworm and specially designed by the Nine Suns Sage.

Helang didn’t elaborate on its extraordinary value, merely instructing Jiang Hanzheng to wear it and not take it off.

When Kong Huai saw Jiang Hanzheng in this robe, his pupils contracted slightly in surprise.

It wasn’t for no reason—this robe was priceless. It was impervious to blades and weapons, resistant to extreme temperatures, and could partially nullify the spiritual suppression of higher cultivation levels. It was a dream item for any cultivator. Even among the Tianshan Sect and the entire cultivation world, such a treasure was exceedingly rare. Even their master had only worn it a handful of times.

Seeing this fabled robe again on Jiang Hanzheng left Kong Huai stunned.

He knew their master favored this boy, but he hadn’t anticipated it to this extent. Swallowing hard, Kong Huai’s mood turned somber, and he couldn’t resist sneering.

“What’s the use of countless treasures protecting someone without true strength?”

Casting a sidelong glance at Jiang Hanzheng, Kong Huai turned and walked away with a haughty demeanor, leaving Jiang Hanzheng gripping his sword hilt tightly, silent and hesitant.

…

The third round of the competition introduced a new format. The venue was no longer confined to the sect grounds but extended to a bamboo forest on the mountain. The area was carefully delineated.

The 18 victors were brought to this bamboo forest, where they could use everything within the environment as cover or support, tracking and defeating their opponents.

When a disciple was attacked with spiritual energy, the pre-applied talismans on their bodies would automatically activate to defend them, ensuring their safety and teleporting them back to the sect. However, this would also signify their elimination.

The disciples engaged in a series of pursuits and evasions within the forest. The competition would end when half the participants remained.

Jiang Hanzheng was transported into the formation and found himself surrounded by layers of bamboo. The verdant landscape, with its swaying bamboo leaves, dazzled his eyes. Startled birds scattered, and no trace of human presence could be sensed.

He sat down cross-legged, seemingly meditating to calm himself in the bamboo forest. In reality, he was fully prepared with defenses.

Using his spiritual sense, Jiang Hanzheng carefully scanned his surroundings, trying not to miss the slightest movement. He refrained from rash actions to avoid alarming others.

As a further precaution, he used himself as bait, remaining conspicuously visible. If anyone approached with ill intent, they would trigger the Earthburst Talismans he had placed within a ten-meter radius, revealing their presence.

Meanwhile, Kong Huai was the last to be transported into the bamboo forest. A brief scan with his spiritual sense revealed the presence of three individuals within a one-mile radius, seemingly avoiding direct confrontation while converging on his location.

Kong Huai sneered at their behavior. Even with dangers lurking everywhere, he remained unhurried. Guessing that they were likely observing him, he acted even more composed, casually toying with an old jade pendant once gifted by his master. His gaze drifted upward, his expression calm, as he muttered, “How boring. Let’s end this quickly, shall we, Master?”

The real cultivators observing the competition through a spiritual projection turned their eyes to Helang and smiled knowingly. They recognized that Kong Huai’s cultivation had reached a level where he could perceive the spatial rules, realizing they were monitoring the event.

Helang massaged his forehead, returning a faint smile, helpless against Kong Huai’s antics.

This rascal, instead of focusing on the competition, was distracted by irrelevant matters. Did he not fear provoking resentment?

As expected, not long after Kong Huai’s remark, the bamboo leaves overhead rustled as though stirred by a fierce wind. Three figures darted through the greenery, their movements swift and indistinct.

Without a change in expression, Kong Huai drew a short blade from his waist, refraining from surveying his surroundings with his eyes. Instead, he closed them and relied on his spiritual sense to locate the intruders.

Cultivators maintain clarity of mind and are not easily misled by visual illusions. Dividing his spiritual sense into three streams, Kong Huai locked onto the positions of the three individuals trying to unsettle him.

Spiritual energy emanated from his body, laced with a latent killing intent. The next moment, his left foot pressed lightly against the ground, and his figure vanished instantly, accurately pursuing the three figures and defeating them one by one.

The three cultivators, disciples of Wuding Zhenren, abandoned stealth after being discovered. Sharing a tacit understanding, they believed that with their combined strength, they could challenge Kong Huai, even if his cultivation level surpassed theirs.

Kong Huai noted their confident expressions, his calm eyes rippling slightly before curving into a smirk. “All three at once? Convenient.”

He despised such misplaced confidence, especially from people unable to grasp the disparity between them. It only deepened his disdain, reminiscent of his master’s new disciple, whose naivety he found unbearable.

Kong Huai raised his short blade, admiring the gleaming edge.

His opponents remained cautious, gripping their weapons tightly. However, when Kong Huai’s gaze locked onto them, they felt an overwhelming spiritual energy surging toward them like a tidal wave, leaving no room for escape.

With a few flashes of his blade, their defensive talismans activated, emitting bright light before the three figures disappeared. Just like that, the number of participants dwindled from 18 to 15.

Kong Huai nonchalantly blew on his spotless blade, treating the outcome as inevitable.

The commotion had indeed drawn the attention of other disciples. Within moments, Kong Huai sensed four or five individuals approaching quickly, likely arriving within a tea break’s time.

Unperturbed, he waited for them to arrive. When they saw him, their confidence wavered.

Everyone hoped to face an opponent weaker than themselves, not a formidable adversary like Kong Huai.

Moreover, the explosions that had drawn them here clearly indicated that Kong Huai had eliminated three people with ease. This only heightened their caution.

Already growing weary of the endless bamboo forest, Kong Huai felt even more restless after learning that his master was observing the competition. He found it increasingly difficult to suppress the urge to showcase his skills.

Typically reserved despite his arrogance, he seemed determined to prove something today, his actions becoming conspicuously ostentatious.

Facing the approaching disciples, Kong Huai taunted them without hesitation, even though a couple among them were challenging opponents. His bold declaration echoed, “You may as well head back and rest.”

Meanwhile, Liu Yihan had also entered the bamboo forest. Hearing the explosions, he rushed over to investigate, only to retreat upon discovering it was Kong Huai. He had no intention of engaging with him.

As someone who admired Wushang Zhenren, Liu Yihan was well aware of Kong Huai’s abilities and knew he couldn’t contend with him. Without hesitation, he turned in the opposite direction, opting for a prolonged strategy to seek out weaker opponents.

Heading northward, away from Kong Huai’s skirmish in the south, Liu Yihan also searched for Jiang Hanzheng’s whereabouts.

Long ago, he had secretly resolved to make Jiang Hanzheng lose face and withdraw from the competition in disgrace. Now was the perfect opportunity.

If he could locate Jiang Hanzheng, relying on his own experience and combat awareness, this wet-behind-the-ears rookie would certainly be no match for him.

Efforts paid off. Liu Yihan moved swiftly through the air, scanning every corner and excluding those from the east and south. Finally, he detected a new presence in the north. As luck would have it, it was Jiang Hanzheng.

Jiang appeared completely out of place in this competition. His aura was deliberately suppressed, exuding an innocent and harmless demeanor, like a novice just entering the Qi Refining stage. He sat cross-legged, seemingly lost in thought.

When Liu Yihan approached, Jiang showed no reaction, making no move to defend himself. Liu couldn’t help but feel disdain, but the situation also struck him as increasingly suspicious.

After all, this boy had spent the past few years by the Supreme Master’s side and must have learned quite a bit. How could he truly be so defenseless, failing to notice an incoming presence or taking no precautions? Did he genuinely believe someone would protect him even during a competition?

Suddenly, Jiang Hanzheng, who had been sitting still the entire time, opened his eyes. It was as if he had anticipated this moment all along. He turned towards Liu Yihan and smiled.