Chapter – 20
Battle on the Immortal Martial Platform
Another two days passedâŚâŚ
By now, Cao Kun had returned to his own cultivation cave dwelling. Today marked five days remaining until the Outer Sect Grand Competition, and Cao Kun could no longer afford to indulge himself in women. He took out the two martial techniques he had selected from the Scripture Library and immersed himself in cultivation.
Time flew by, and another day passed.
At this moment, inside a certain cultivation cave dwelling, two figures sat facing each other with their eyes closed, cultivating the “Yin-Yang Interflow.” Suddenly, the man opened his eyes and gazed at the mature, beautiful woman opposite him, a flash of greedy desire in his gaze. Because the mature beauty had recently received plenty of nourishment, she appeared even more alluring and enchanting than before, her charm retained and her appeal irresistible. Between her brows, an inadvertent air of seductiveness wafted out.
But the moment he thought of her being wantonly toyed with by that Outer Sect brat, his expression turned dark and unsettled. This was a woman he had failed to obtain for several years, yet that damned Outer Sect brat had beaten him to it. His eyes burned as he stared at her plump, alluring figure, his gaze seeming as if it could devour her whole.
At that moment, Chu Yao’s brows furrowed slightly. She felt uncomfortable all over, so she opened her beautiful eyes and happened to catch Li Tianhe’s undisguised stare. Her body trembled faintly. She then stopped cultivating and said in a cold voice:
“Senior Brother Li, please show some restraint!”
Upon hearing this, Li Tianhe immediately suppressed his desire and said in a gentle tone:
“Junior Sister Yao, we have been fellow cultivators for many years. Surely you know my feelings for me?”
Chu Yao’s expression changed upon hearing this, and she asked in confusion:
“Senior Brother Li, how would I know what is in your heart?”
Seeing Chu Yao playing dumb, Li Tianhe spoke directly:
“Junior Sister Yao, I wish to become Dao companions with you. We can cultivate the ‘Interflow of Dao’ together.”
Instantly, an unnatural look appeared on Chu Yao’s mature, alluring face. However, in Li Tianhe’s eyes, this expression was one of incomparable charm and seductiveness. He even thought Chu Yao was about to agree to him. But Chu Yao’s words shattered his illusion.
“Senior Brother Li, I have no such intention. Things are fine as they are between us now,” Chu Yao said, smoothing her hair as she tactfully refused.
Li Tianhe was about to lose his temper but held it back, silently seething with resentment: *”Bitch! Acting so prim and proper in front of us! Yet so wanton in front of Cao Kun! Just you wait! I’ll make you suffer sooner or later! Isn’t the Outer Sect Grand Competition coming up? Then I’ll start with your little lover first!”*
Then Li Tianhe said gently again:
“Junior Sister Yao, I was too forward. Let us continue cultivating.”
The two then resumed their cultivation techniques. Watching Chu Yao close her beautiful eyes, Li Tianhe revealed a sinister smile. He began to infuse traces of dark, black energy into his Yang qi.
Meanwhile, outside Cao Kun’s cave dwelling, a large number of Outer Sect disciples had gathered. Wu Neng, who ranked tenth among the Outer Sect disciples of Xianyao Peak, had come to challenge Cao Kun. Because Wu Neng had signed a life-and-death contract at the Enforcement Hall, Cao Kun could not refuse this challenge.
Inside his cave dwelling, Cao Kun looked utterly speechless. He didn’t recognize anyone named “Wu Neng” (Incompetent). He wasn’t afraid of himâhe just found it troublesome and didn’t want to draw attention to himself. Cao Kun sighed to himself, *”What the hell is wrong with people!”*
Then he lightly brushed the dust off his clothes and walked out.
The moment he stepped out, Cao Kun was startled. There were no fewer than several hundred disciples gathered outside his cave dwelling. His gaze then fell upon the young man at the forefrontâone look at him and it was obvious he was no good. This must be that “Wu Neng” fellow.
“So you’re Cao Kun? All dressed up nicelyâdon’t tell me you’re a kept man!” Wu Neng looked at Cao Kun with envy and contempt. Wasn’t this just a pretty boy?
Cao Kun thought for a moment, and suddenly the image of his Celestial Master’s impressive “provisions” came to mind. He muttered to himself: *”I suppose I really am a kept man. But I’m eating from the biggest source at Xianyao Peak. Everyone wants a taste, but only I, Cao, can get it.”*
Then Cao Kun nodded and flashed a wicked smile, saying:
“Not bad. You’re a bit ugly, and you certainly don’t look like anything good. But your eyesight isn’t half badâI, Cao, am indeed a kept man.”
Wu Neng flew into a rage upon hearing this; he hated nothing more than being called ugly. He immediately drew his treasured sword and pointed it straight at Cao Kun, shouting angrily:
“Do you want to taste how sharp my sword is?”
“My sword is no less sharp!” Cao Kun’s smile vanished, his eyes growing sharp.
The two then rode their swords directly to the Immortal Martial Platform.
At this moment, the Immortal Martial Platform was buzzing with noise. Most of the disciples had come upon hearing the news. All because the roster of the ten disciples representing Xianyao Peak in the Outer Sect Grand Competition had changed. A guy named Cao Kun had replaced Wu Neng, who had held the tenth spot for two whole years.
Standing atop the Immortal Martial Platform, Cao Kun finally learned the full storyâhe had taken Wu Neng’s spot. But that was hardly his fault.
“Who do you think will win?” the Outer Sect disciples below the platform chattered among themselves.
“No need to guess! Definitely Senior Brother Wu Neng!”
“Come on, come on~ Senior Brother Wu Neng pays 2-to-1, Cao Kun pays 10-to-1. Place your bets now!”
“I’ll bet on Senior Brother Wu Nengâ100 spirit stones, haha! Didn’t expect I’d make an easy 100 spirit stones today!”
“Me too, me too! I’ll bet 200 on Senior Brother Wu Neng!”
“I’ll bet on Cao Kunâ1 spirit stone.”
âŚâŚâŚâŚ
Hearing this, Cao Kun flew down, tossed a storage pouch at the disciple acting as bookmaker, and said:
“I bet on myselfâ200 spirit stones.”
Then he flew back up to the Immortal Martial Platform.
Wu Neng looked at Cao Kun with disdain:
“See that? Nobody’s betting on you!”
Cao Kun’s lips curled into a slight smile, a casual and indifferent expression on his face, and said teasingly:
“How about we make a bet instead?”
Wu Neng frowned and asked:
“What do you want to bet on?”
While Wu Neng was still momentarily stunned, a sharp glint flashed in Cao Kun’s eyes. He secretly mobilized all the spiritual energy within his body, like a surging torrent, concentrating it into his fist. Then, without hesitation, he struck out with lightning speed, catching Wu Neng completely off guard. Accompanying this sudden attack, Cao Kun coldly uttered four words:
“I bet your life!”
Before the sound of his voice faded, a powerful aura of slaughter surged toward Wu Neng. Wu Neng was dumbfounded by the scene. After recovering, he couldn’t help but curse loudly:
“Damn! You have no martial honor!”
Facing Cao Kun’s unstoppable assault, he dared not be negligent and could only hurriedly raise his defenses. In an instant, only a dull crashing sound echoed across the Immortal Martial Platform, followed by two sword shadows intertwining.
Because of his sneak attackâno, because of his quick reflexesâCao Kun had seized the initiative and was instantly beating Wu Neng back step by step. Wu Neng was extremely frustrated and immediately prepared to unleash his strongest strike. Spiritual energy surged wildly within his body, and the surrounding spiritual energy converged toward his treasured sword.
“Sky-Soaring Sword Art!”
