Chapter 350: Inquiry Conference

Chapter 350: Chapter 164: Inquiry Conference

At dawn, the first rays of sunlight pierced the sea of clouds, scattering across the Nine Peaks of the Penglai Sect.

A long, drawn-out bell toll rang out, nine times in succession, echoing through the mountains.

The Inquiry Conference had officially begun.

Liang Cheng stood before the gates of the First Peak, flanked by Li Jianfeng and Yu Xiuqi.

The three of them were dressed in the robes of Direct Disciples, standing with their hands clasped behind their backs.

In the distance, disciples from every peak surged forth like a tide, treading on air as they converged on the Main Peak.

Streaks of Escape Light of all colors tore across the sky, a dazzling and brilliant display of shooting stars.

Li Jianfeng glanced over and said coolly, “Let’s go.”

The three of them took to the air at once, following closely behind their master, Lie Mountain, as they flew toward the Main Peak.

At the summit of the Main Peak, the Martial Arts Arena was a circular space a thousand zhang in diameter. In the center stood a towering ring, surrounded by eight massive, floating light screens that displayed the action on the ring in real time.

Around the Martial Arts Arena, nine high platforms were arranged in order, corresponding to the seating for the Nine Peaks.

On each platform, a large banner representing its respective peak snapped and fluttered in the morning breeze.

The First Peak’s platform was on the eastern side. When Lie Mountain and his three disciples took their seats, many gazes were already fixed upon them.

“The people from the First Peak are here.”

“Li Jianfeng, Yu Xiuqi, and a new Direct Disciple. I hear his name is Liang Cheng, and he’s been in the sect for less than a year.”

“Less than a year? What kind of Cultivation could he possibly have? Core Formation Early Stage would be his absolute limit.”

“Haha, has the First Peak run out of people? Making a newcomer fill the ranks?”

“Don’t underestimate him. I heard he’s the one who forced Gu Changge into closed-door reflection.”

“Gu Changge? That good-for-nothing is worthy of being called a True Inheritor? His older brother, Gu Tianya, is more like it.”

The hushed whispers rose and fell. Though intentionally kept low, with Liang Cheng’s sharp hearing, he could hear every word clearly.

He said nothing, simply sitting quietly as his gaze swept across the surrounding platforms.

On the Second Peak’s platform stood three disciples. Two of them were Song Que and Han Cheng, whom he had fought before. The one leading them was a burly figure, Xiang Tian.

Han Cheng happened to look over at that moment. His gaze met Liang Cheng’s, and his expression stiffened slightly before he quickly looked away.

Liang Cheng paid him no mind and continued to look at the other platforms.

On the Third Peak’s platform, the leader was a woman in green robes with a cold expression. The aura around her was exceptionally sharp.

She seemed to sense Liang Cheng’s gaze, turning her head slightly to glance at him before retracting her eyes, her face devoid of expression.

Li Jianfeng followed his gaze and said in a low voice, “Liu Qingli, First Senior Sister of the Third Peak. Core Formation Late Stage. Her attainments in the Sword Dao are no less than mine.”

Liang Cheng nodded, committing the name to memory.

On the Fourth Peak’s platform, the leader was a bald young man. He was lean, but his eyes were as sharp as a falcon’s.

He was joking with a disciple beside him, and whatever was said made him suddenly burst out laughing, his laughter coarse and unrestrained.

“Iron Head Monk, a Direct Disciple of the Fourth Peak. He’s famous for his Body Refinement, and his Horizontal Training makes him impervious to blades and spears.”

Li Jianfeng continued his introduction. “He’s fought our third brother before. It was a draw.”

Hearing this, Yu Xiuqi gave a slight nod in acknowledgement.

The Fifth Peak.

The moment Liang Cheng’s gaze fell upon it, he felt a sharp battle intent.

It came from a man in his early thirties with a cold, stern face and an aura as steady as a mountain.

He was currently looking in the direction of the First Peak, but his gaze was not on Liang Cheng. It was on Li Jianfeng.

Li Jianfeng was also looking at him.

Their gazes met in mid-air, and it was as if invisible sparks flew between them.

“The First Senior Brother of the Fifth Peak, Shen Du.”

Li Jianfeng’s voice was calm, but Liang Cheng could detect the sharp edge hidden within it. “Thirty years ago, he was ranked sixth.”

Liang Cheng didn’t speak, just watched the man named Shen Du.

Shen Du watched Li Jianfeng for a moment, then his gaze suddenly shifted to Liang Cheng.

He frowned slightly. After a moment, he withdrew his gaze and paid him no more attention.

But Liang Cheng smiled.

‘Interesting.’

He withdrew his gaze and continued to look toward the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Peaks.

On the Sixth Peak, the leader was a handsome, white-haired young man with a soft, eerie aura.

He was resting with his eyes closed, oblivious to everything around him.

“Bai Wuchang, Second Senior Brother of the Sixth Peak. He excels with the Soft Sword; his style is eerie and unpredictable.”

The Seventh Peak.

The moment Liang Cheng’s gaze landed there, he felt several hostile stares.

“Gu Tianya,” Li Jianfeng’s voice was tinged with gravity. “You’ve dealt with him before.”

Liang Cheng nodded slightly but didn’t speak.

Gu Tianya was staring at him. After a moment, he looked away.

The leading disciples of the Eighth and Ninth Peaks also had their own distinct characteristics. As Li Jianfeng introduced them, he added, “Those two… their strength is no less than mine.”

Liang Cheng committed everyone’s appearance and aura to memory.

‘As expected of the Direct Disciples of the Nine Peaks. Not a single one is weak.’

…

At 7:45 AM, a grand bell toll rang out once more.

A figure materialized out of thin air above the Martial Arts Arena.

It was none other than the Sect Leader, Yun Zhonghe.

His aura was faint, almost non-existent, as if he had merged with heaven and earth. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the entire arena as he slowly began to speak:

“The rules of the Inquiry Conference remain the same. Opponents will be determined by a random draw. A victory earns one point, while a loss earns none. The day’s matches conclude at sunset, and the bottom ten participants will be eliminated. All others will advance to the second round in Wenda Hall.”

“Now, let the draw begin.”

As soon as his voice fell, he raised his hand and waved.

Points of light materialized in the void, flying toward the disciples of the Nine Peaks.

Each point of light landed in a disciple’s hand, transforming into a Jade Slip.

Liang Cheng looked down at the Jade Slip in his hand.

A designation was carved onto it: C-7.

‘Group C, seventh match.’

Li Jianfeng glanced at his own Jade Slip. It was for the third match of Group A. “I’m on before you.”

Yu Xiuqi’s Jade Slip was for the second match of Group D, also before Liang Cheng.

The three of them exchanged a glance but said nothing.

The draw concluded, and a gray-robed elder announced, “The first round will begin immediately. First match of Group A: Liu Qingli of the Third Peak versus Zhou Wutong of the Eighth Peak.”