Proofreader & Editor: Howard Wong

This competition may have ended, but it left much for people to ponder over, likely to be discussed for a long time to come.

As the spectators from the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands were still feeling sorry for Xu Ziyang, Pǔ Shàn, the monk, shook his head with a smile.

"What weak overcoming the strong? Do you really think that's the extent of Chu Liang's strength?" He said with a look of profound secrecy, "Far from it."

"What?" Those who heard him turned their attention, "He has other tricks up his sleeve?"

"Hehe," Pǔ Shàn only responded with a laugh, saying nothing more.

He and Luo Yao had once witnessed Chu Liang in the Third Realm, slaughtering foes from the Fifth Realm like ants, and even posing a threat to those in the Sixth Realm.

Compared to that, Chu Liang at the Shu Mountain Summit was merely a mediocre genius.

They all knew that Chu Liang's achievements were due to some special divine abilities or magical artifacts, like that fiercely auraed flying sword. To challenge across two realms surely required stringent conditions, not something that could be used casually.

The intricacies of it, however, were a mystery that Chu Liang wouldn't reveal, and they wouldn't ask, only speculating silently.

Nor would they broadcast it.

But by saying half and leaving half unsaid, it sparked boundless imagination among the disciples from the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, all speculating about Chu Liang's true capabilities.

Previously, Chu Liang had some fame within Shu Mountain, but was relatively unknown in the wider cultivation world. After today's contest, his name would surely become renowned.

After all, he was a disciple ranked at least in the top two of the Nine Heavenly Sects, no one would dare to underestimate him again!

Among the crowd of disciples from the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, aside from the enigmatic Pǔ Shàn, there was a rugged and handsome man, moving about, asking anyone he met: "Friend, have you heard of Brick Fighting Technique?"

Those asked would naturally be confused.

Then this man would explain the martial arts technique that Chu Liang used on the platform, leaving them bewildered.

And right after, he would add: "I created it."

"…"

Chu Liang didn't listen to these discussions about himself, nor did he linger at the Heaven-reaching Peak, heading straight back to his cottage on Silver Sword Peak.

Just as the defeat wasn't too crushing for Xu Ziyang, the joy of victory wasn't that great for Chu Liang either.

This battle made him acutely aware of the gap between the Fourth and Fifth Realms.

If he were to fight Xu Ziyang ten more times now, Xu Ziyang might not lose even once.

Indeed, victories and defeats won't repeat, and he didn't need to face Xu Ziyang again.

But Jiang Sister was definitely not inferior to Xu Ziyang.

With her Fifth Realm celestial physique and unknown number of divine powers and immortal arts, his methods were no longer a mystery to her.

There are no unsolvable cultivations, only unsolvable divine powers. Once seen, there will always be a way to counter them.

In a way, he was now in Xu Ziyang's shoes.

Though defeating Jiang Sister wasn't as urgent as defeating Xu Ziyang, once in this position, no one wouldn't want to win.

For now, Chu Liang needed to recuperate and prepare for the day after tomorrow's final, with another task at hand.

Soon, Luo Yao and Pǔ Shàn arrived at Silver Sword Peak to meet him.

The last time they parted, the Ghost Face Hall's master gave them a jade talisman for communication, which just lit up.

The three, accustomed to working together, set out without a word, left Shu Mountain to find a secluded place to change clothes, and set off as three mysterious figures.

***

The meeting place was close to Shu Mountain and they arrived quickly.

The Ghost Face Hall's scar-faced master stood high on the hillside, with about twenty or thirty black-clothed men, exuding a chilling aura – seemingly the entire force of Ghost Face Hall.

"Brothers, the time to make a name for ourselves has come," he said in a sinister voice. "If we succeed this time, our Mingwang Sect will have an unshakeable position in the demon sects, and everyone involved will gain fame!"

As he spoke, storage talismans were distributed. Chu Liang received one, finding inside five hundred Rosefinch coins and a sword-shaped token with spiritual energy.

Hmm?

Chu Liang recognized it.

Every cultivator visiting Shu Mountain had to register with the External Affairs Hall, which issued such tokens as passes.

Normally, their own sects wouldn't allow so many outsiders to wander around.

"First, five hundred Rosefinch coins for everyone, another five hundred after success, and extra rewards for those who behead enemies. Rest assured, our Mingwang Sect will not shortchange the meritorious," the master of Ghost Face Hall declared.

Loyalty isn't a common trait in demon sects; it's all about personal gain.

Without hesitation, Chu Liang inquired, "What's the mission?"

"A challenging one," the master answered. "The day after tomorrow is the Shu Mountain Summit final. Mingwang Sect wants us to infiltrate it. Just carry this token and enter the summit's final venue. With the crowd that day, no one will notice."

"Infiltrate Shu Mountain?" Some hesitated.

For these demon cultivators, lurking in the shadows was one thing, but suddenly venturing into the heart of a Nine Heavenly Sect was another.

Everyone hesitated, but Chu Liang stepped forward, saying, "It's just infiltrating Shu Mountain, not the underworld. What's so hard about that? I support you, master!"

"Me too!"

"Same here."

The others followed suit.

"Ha ha!" The master laughed heartily, "If all disciples of Mingwang Sect were like you, our great plans would surely succeed!"