My Two-sided Cultivation: Starting From Collecting Experiences

389 King’s Force Showdown

Xiang Mingfeng walked to the center of the stone tablet forest, cupping his fists in greeting. “Many of you here are familiar faces… but let me introduce myself. I am Xiang Mingfeng of Wuji Mountain!”

The crowd was silent, their eyes fixed on Xiang Mingfeng, their ears keen to catch his next words.

“Now that we find ourselves in the bronze realm, it’s a result of our past lives’ karma and heaven’s decree.” His voice echoed through the forest. “For thousands of years, countless gifted individuals have perished in the bronze realm, their talents no less than ours. Among them was the unparalleled Chu, who was revered as the beacon of hope for all of Qingzhou.

“Yet, despite their promise, they ultimately failed… They died in here in the bronze realm.” Xiang Mingfeng’s resolve was unwavering. “I believe we can’t continue to fight alone, lest we make their same mistakes and meet a similar fate in the bronze realm.”

“Are you suggesting we band together?” A hunched man with half his face wrinkled and darkened like an old man’s inquired. This was Shen Yansong, known as the Little Cattle King from the Ghost Ox sect.

“Indeed,” Xiang Mingfeng confirmed, not shying away from his intention.

“So what’s your plan?” the hunchbacked man pressed.

Xiang Mingfeng elaborated, “All of us who can stand in a level-two array possess exceptional combat strength. We are capable of leading a major battle. Our objective is to fight against the common enemy, defend the level-two array, break through the level-one array, and obtain a steady supply of high-level energy from the bronze realm to foster our cultivation of the ancient scriptures.”

He continued with fervor, “This approach will not only facilitate our steady and efficient cultivation, but it will also allow us to pull down those guys in the level-one array. At the same time, it’s a method of self-preservation.” His voice grew louder, his gaze sweeping across the sea of youthful faces — his contemporaries.

“Their actions have proven that they have no chance to cultivate the ancient scripture and get us out of here. They even want to kill us all!” Xiang Mingfeng’s voice resonated like a clap of thunder. “It’s time they step aside…”

His declaration was met with unanimous approval. As heaven’s favorites, their confidence and pride outstripped ordinary folk.

Qin Huai understood most of Xiang Mingfeng’s words. His strategy was simple, captured in four words: group together for warmth. Their venture into the level-one array posed a high risk of them being ambushed by the old geniuses. A single misstep could result in their demise. The formation of a group to stabilize their array was secondary, given their confidence in their power.

However, when confronting the old geniuses who had traversed this path for decades, none harbored certainty. Consequently, they resolved to unite against these seasoned experts once they ascended to the level-one array.

“Next, we’ll dispatch more than half of our people into the level-one array. The rest will either stay in the level-two array or descend to a lower one,” Xiang Mingfeng laid out his plan. “We’ll use our advantage in numbers to eliminate a portion of the old folks. This will facilitate our subsequent operations.”

The stubborn person from Lion Spirit Mountain chimed in, “This opportunity may only present itself once. They’ll undoubtedly be on high alert.”

“They may even take the initiative to act against us,” Shen Yansong added, underlining that the chosen ones must be the strongest among them.

Everyone concurred. Guo Ze and Liu Fang’s fate underlined that no room for reconciliation existed between them — death was the only path.

“How many of them are there?” Qin Huai questioned.

“Fifteen,” Xiang Mingfeng answered, indicating that the numbers were nearly even on both sides. “Given that we’re choosing the strongest, everyone should first reveal their king’s force.”

At that, a yellow light gleamed in Xiang Mingfeng’s eyes, his body transforming into a resplendent sun — the king’s force.

Qin Huai was taken aback to see Shao Mo. He had assumed Shao Mo perished under Wen Zonghao’s hands and became his blood meal. It was unexpected to find him here in the bronze realm.

Previously, Shao Mo and Xiang Mingfeng hadn’t engaged in combat. Following a brief discussion, Shao Mo had agreed to Xiang Mingfeng’s plan. However, Shao Mo didn’t appear to recognize him, which made sense given his ‘death’. Back then, Zhou Cunzhong had merely been a minor player, far from becoming Qin Huai’s trusted right-hand man.

“Ghost Ox Sect, Shen Yansong,” declared a peculiar-looking man as he flexed his muscles, his eyes emanating a curious black light.

“Lion Spirit Mountain, Fang Huo!” another man shouted. Brown hair sprouted on his body, his physique expanding instantly.

“Who will challenge me first?” Fang Huo bellowed with anger, his gaze unflinchingly meeting Qin Huai’s. “Hehe… Kid, it seems we’re the only two who haven’t dueled yet. What do you say? Do you have the courage?” Fang Huo’s bones creaked ominously. “I’ve seen you in battle. It appears you and I tread the same path, that of physical combat.”

The ensuing showdown of strength unfolded, with each heaven’s favorite introducing themselves and displaying their unique powers.

Finally, Qin Huai stepped forward, a white light shimmering in his eyes as his black hair transformed into white from the roots.

This battle was a pivotal one, and Qin Huai wasn’t one to shy away. He knew that in order to become the strongest, he needed to suppress the others, and to safeguard those dear to him, he needed to ascend to that position. From Lingjiang to Qingzhou City, his approach had evolved from passive cultivation to active pursuit of the title of the strongest.

Influenced by Guo Ze’s actions, he declared, “Rogue cultivator, Zhou Cunzhong.” As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished from where he was.