Inter-Prefecture Grand Competition: Seizing Treasures in the Ruins (Part One)

Lingxiao Pavilion, Main Peak Hall.

The third day since Chu Yuan returned with severe injuries.

Shen Fei sat cross-legged in the center of the Spirit Gathering Array.

His injuries had healed by eighty percent under the Lingxiao Pavilion's cost-no-object feeding of pills.

The disguise of the Thousand Illusions Mask was flawless.

In these three days, the Pavilion Master of Lingxiao Pavilion, several Supreme Elders, and even Chu Yuan's Dao companion had taken turns visiting him.

No one noticed anything amiss.

Shen Fei perfectly grasped Chu Yuan's arrogance, his hatred for the Profound Black Palace, and the weakness of someone just recovering from severe injuries.

He was not only a cold-blooded villain but also a top-tier actor.

Yuan'er.

The doors of the hall were pushed open.

The Pavilion Master of Lingxiao Pavilion, a middle-aged scholar at the late Nascent Soul stage, strode in.

His eyes were full of gratification and concern.

How is your recovery coming along?

Shen Fei opened his eyes and immediately stood up to bow.

Thank you for your concern, Master. Your disciple is fine now. Sooner or later, I will settle this score with the Profound Black Palace!

Shen Fei's voice carried a decisive sharpness.

This perfectly fit Chu Yuan's original persona.

The Pavilion Master nodded in satisfaction and patted Shen Fei's shoulder.

As for the Profound Black Palace, I have already sent someone to negotiate. They dared to ambush you at the edge of the Myriad Bone Fiend Abyss; naturally, we won't just let this go.

The Pavilion Master changed the subject, his expression turning solemn.

But right now, there is a more important matter.

The triennial State Domain Prodigy Tournament will be held in Heaven's Pivot City next month.

Shen Fei's heart stirred.

State Domain Tournament.

This was one of the core pieces of information he had gleaned from searching Chu Yuan's memories.

This tournament gathered all the top ten sect forces in this state domain.

Most importantly.

The top three of the tournament would gain the qualification to enter the Ancient Immortal King Ruins.

That was a legacy ground left behind by a legendary Immortal King who had already ascended.

Inside, there were not only top-tier cultivation method jade slips but also immortal-weapon level magical treasures.

This was the highest-level resource scramble in the entire state domain.

Master means for me to represent Lingxiao Pavilion? Shen Fei asked, going with the flow.

Exactly.

The Pavilion Master looked at Shen Fei.

You are already the true legacy holy son of my Lingxiao Pavilion. With your early Nascent Soul cultivation, you are considered top-notch among the younger generation. This tournament is not only about the sect's face but also about the quota for the Immortal King Ruins.

If you can enter the top three and secure a spot, not only can you wipe away your previous humiliation, but it will also be an inestimable boost to the future development of our Lingxiao Pavilion.

Shen Fei lowered his head.

Concealing the profound dark gleam in his eyes.

Immortal King Ruins.

This was his true purpose in taking over Chu Yuan's identity and swaggering back into the core circle of the righteous path alliance.

After a year of bitter cultivation in the Myriad Bone Fiend Abyss, although his Heavenly Fiend Physique had broken through to SS+ rank, his cultivation remained stuck at the early Nascent Soul stage.

He needed more massive resources and higher-level law comprehension to push the Heaven Swallowing Fiend Art to its next evolution.

And the Immortal King Ruins were undoubtedly the best nourishment.

Your disciple will definitely do his utmost to not disappoint Master's high expectations! Shen Fei cupped his fists, his tone firm.

The Pavilion Master laughed twice, left behind a pile of top-grade healing pills, and turned to leave.

The hall returned to quiet.

Shen Fei sat back in the Spirit Gathering Array.

He closed his eyes.

Heaven's Pivot City.

Shen Fei silently repeated this name in his heart.

Over a year ago, he spent five thousand spirit stones there to buy information, lurking like a bottom-tier rogue cultivator, and ultimately killed Li Miaoyuan in the Sunset Abyss.

Now.

He was going to walk right back openly under the identity of a righteous prodigy.

To take the most dazzling opportunity in that city.

...

A month later.

Heaven's Pivot City, Central Martial Arena.

A sea of people.

The flags of the top ten sects fluttered loudly in the wind.

The stands were filled with elders from various sects and rogue cultivators who had come to watch the battles.

In the center of the arena were ten massive rings forged from obsidian.

Shen Fei wore the signature moon-white brocade robe of the Lingxiao Pavilion, a true legacy holy son's jade tablet hanging at his waist.

He stood at the very front of the Lingxiao Pavilion's formation.

His expression was cold, his presence deep and steady like a mountain.

Around him, prodigies from other sects occasionally cast sizing and provocative glances at him.

Is that Chu Yuan of the Lingxiao Pavilion? I heard he was almost slaughtered by the people of the Profound Black Palace at the Myriad Bone Fiend Abyss a while ago, yet he actually made it back alive to participate in the tournament?

Hmph, just good luck. Although early Nascent Soul is not bad, it's not considered top-tier in this tournament.

Discussions buzzed endlessly.

Shen Fei turned a deaf ear.

His gaze slowly swept across the formations of the other nine sects.

He was looking for prey.

The Supreme Profound Holy Land also sent people this time. However, due to Li Miaoyuan's death, their vitality was greatly injured. This time, they only sent a reserve holy son who had just broken through to the early Nascent Soul stage.

Nothing to worry about.

The ones who truly caught Shen Fei's attention were two other people.

One was the chief senior disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Jian Wuhen. With a mid Nascent Soul cultivation, his sword intent soared to the heavens; his whole person was like an unsheathed sharp sword, his edge fully revealed.

The other was the Holy Maiden of the Hundred Flowers Valley, Su Wan'er. Also at the mid Nascent Soul stage, she appeared delicate, but obscure illusion fluctuations lingered around her.

These two were the hot favorites to win this tournament.

And they were also Shen Fei's biggest competitors for entering the Immortal King Ruins.

Clang!

A melodious bell chime resounded throughout the arena.

The tournament officially began.

The elimination matches on the first day passed without much excitement.

Shen Fei's opponents were mostly ordinary prodigies at the peak of the Golden Core stage or those who had just broken through to the early Nascent Soul stage.

He did not display any of Shen Fei's demonic arts.

He completely utilized the Lingxiao Pavilion cultivation methods from Chu Yuan's memories.

Lingxiao Sword Art.

In Shen Fei's hands, this technique flowed like water, executed even three points more exquisitely than the real Chu Yuan.

Because Shen Fei's combat awareness and grasp of timing were simply beyond compare for these righteous prodigies raised in a greenhouse.

He didn't pursue the shocking effect of one-hit kills.

Instead, with a steady, experienced rhythm, he forced his opponents into a corner step by step, then cleanly ended the battle.

Every move and stance exuded the demeanor of a righteous orthodox sect.

Senior Brother Chu Yuan's sword arts seem even more refined than before!

In the stands, the disciples of the Lingxiao Pavilion cheered excitedly.

Even the Pavilion Master of Lingxiao Pavilion stroked his beard and smiled, highly satisfied with Shen Fei's performance.

This kid, having gone through a life-and-death tribulation, his temperament has indeed become much steadier.

The elders of other sects also looked at Chu Yuan with newfound respect.

This child is neither arrogant nor rash, knows when to advance and retreat; he is a rare, moldable talent.

No one knew.

This righteous prodigy shining brilliantly on the arena.

Was actually a peerless demon whose hands were stained with the blood of countless cultivators, someone who even dared to scheme against the Heavenly Dao.

The tournament progressed to the third day.

Ushering in the most brutal top ten ranking matches.

Shen Fei's opponent was the chief senior disciple of the Profound Black Palace, Hei Sha.

Peak of the early Nascent Soul stage.

Enemies on a narrow path.

Hei Sha stood in the arena, looking at Shen Fei, his eyes filled with undisguised killing intent.

Chu Yuan, last time at the Myriad Bone Fiend Abyss, you were lucky. Today in the arena, let's see who can save you!

Hei Sha gave a sinister smile and conjured a spear radiating thick black mist in his hand.

You talk too much.

Shen Fei's eyes were icy.

He did not draw his sword.

Instead, he simply brought his fingers together like a sword blade, gathering a fierce sword aura at his fingertips.

You are courting death!

Enraged, Hei Sha thrust his spear. It transformed into a black venomous dragon, piercing straight toward Shen Fei's face with a deafening screech that tore through the air.

Shen Fei did not retreat.

Facing the spear's gleam, he took a step forward.

Nine Swords of Lingxiao, Army Breaker!

Shen Fei shouted in his heart.

The sword aura at his fingertips instantly surged, turning into a dazzling white light.

He did not use the power of the Heavenly Demon Body, nor did he activate the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art.

He relied solely on his ultimate understanding of the laws of the sword path and the spiritual energy outburst of the early Nascent Soul stage.

Clang!

The sword aura and the spear gleam violently collided in mid-air.

The sinister smile on Hei Sha's face instantly froze.

He felt an irresistible, terrifying force transmitting through the spear.

Crack!

His proud top-grade magical artifact spear was actually shattering inch by inch under Shen Fei's sword aura!

How is this possible?!

Hei Sha's eyes widened in horror.

But Shen Fei didn't give him any chance to catch his breath.

The sword aura's momentum continued unabated, directly piercing through Hei Sha's protective astral qi.

Slash!

Blood splattered.

Hei Sha's right arm was cleanly severed at the shoulder!

Ah!!!

Hei Sha screamed as he flew backward, crashing heavily onto the edge of the arena and instantly passing out.

The entire arena fell dead silent.

One move!

Just one move again, and he had severely injured the chief disciple of the Profound Black Palace, who was at the exact same cultivation level!

Was this still the Chu Yuan who was rumored to have almost been ambushed to death by the Profound Black Palace?!

In the stands, the elder of the Profound Black Palace turned livid and stood up abruptly. However, bound by the rules of the grand tournament, he could only grit his teeth and order someone to carry Hei Sha away.

On the Lingxiao Pavilion's side, thunderous cheers erupted.

Shen Fei retracted his fingers.

His expression remained as calm as water.

He did not look at Hei Sha on the ground, nor did he pay attention to the surrounding cheers.

He turned his head.

His gaze passed through the crowd and looked toward the other two arenas.

Jian Wuhen of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Su Wan'er of the Hundred Flowers Valley had also just finished their battles.

They had similarly defeated their opponents in an absolutely crushing manner.

The gazes of the three met in mid-air.

Intense battle intent burned in Jian Wuhen's eyes.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on the corners of Su Wan'er's mouth.

And Shen Fei.

His eyes were as profound as a black hole.

Top three.

Shen Fei silently muttered in his heart.

The ticket to the Immortal King's Ruins had been secured.