Chapter 353: Counting Opponents

The entire arena was silent!

On the platform, all the young Foundation Establishment cultivators stared wide-eyed, their gazes filled with disbelief, at the clean-cut young man standing on the lake. He wore a long robe with wide red and black sleeves and had his hair tied in a high ponytail. Some even rubbed their eyes, wondering if they were hallucinating or had seen incorrectly.

Nangong Xiu, who had previously declared his intention to challenge Chen Mobai, immediately looked dejected, sighing heavily with a melancholic gaze.

Lu Qiulong also frowned slightly. He had been sitting leisurely on the platform, leaning against his spirit beast's soft fur, but now his expression was grave. Behind him, among the nine Foundation Establishment cultivators from True Spirit Academy, Gong Xiangyu, who had just successfully established his foundation this year and managed to join this offline sparring exchange, had originally been secretly chuckling at Chen Mobai becoming a target for others. But now, he couldn't laugh anymore. As he watched the young man of his generation stand powerfully on the lake, like a god of thunder, a feeling called despondency welled up in his heart.

Back in Danxia City, he had been completely unconvinced by his loss to Chen Mobai, believing it was due to his own lack of combat skill. He thought if he hadn't been so arrogant and had specifically studied spell combat before the entrance exam, he would surely have won. When they met again, Chen Mobai had just achieved Foundation Establishment, and Gong Xiangyu thought it was merely good luck for Chen Mobai. He believed if he had the teaching staff, resources, and cultivation methods of Wuqi Daoist Academy, he might have also reached Foundation Establishment by then. This was their third meeting, and it was this encounter that changed everything. For the first time, Gong Xiangyu realized that his defeats to Chen Mobai—in cultivation, combat, and even romance—were simply because he was inferior. Compared to Chen Mobai, he felt utterly worthless. No wonder someone with Qing Nv's Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude had chosen this seemingly unremarkable fellow. Gong Xiangyu's Dao Heart, which had fractured when facing Chen Mobai during the entrance exam, had painstakingly healed over the past seven years. But at this moment, it fractured again, the fissure even wider than before. This time, Gong Xiangyu no longer even entertained the thought of catching up or surpassing him. The gap was simply too vast.

"Seriously, I can't believe my opening match is against such a weak opponent, merely at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment," Chen Mobai complained, kicking away Sima Xingyu. His words caused all the cultivators from Chunyang Academy to clench their fists. Xiahou Weihuan's face was contorted with fury; with a "bang," he landed on the lake's surface. Without a word, he formed a sword-finger with his right hand and moved to attack Chen Mobai.

"Stop!"

With a soft cry, a girl in a green dress appeared before Chen Mobai. With a gentle wave of her delicate hand, an invisible, terrifying pressure descended, as if solidifying the air. Xiahou Weihuan's body instantly stiffened, as if turned to stone. With a booming sound, an orange-red light flickered in Xiahou Weihuan's pupils. He broke free from the stasis, but dared not remain before the girl in green, retreating ten steps.

"Wenren Xuewei!" Xiahou Weihuan looked at the girl in green with extreme apprehension. Had he not mastered the Sword Shura, he might have been completely at her mercy just now!

"Junior Brother Chen has already fought one match. You attacked without a greeting, which breaks the rules." As Wenren Xuewei spoke, the delicate, pale fingers of her right hand moved gently, as if rippling water. Rings of terrifying pressure emanated through the air, sweeping towards the fourteen platforms. "This is my final warning. If anyone violates the rules again, I will consider it a challenge to the authority of Jumang Daoist Academy. Though I dislike conflict, suppressing any of you would be no problem." As she spoke, a vast spiritual energy, powerful enough to make everyone tremble, erupted from the Great Toon Tree behind her. At that moment, all Foundation Establishment cultivators felt an uncontrollable helplessness over their own life and death.

"Evergreen Art!!!" Witnessing this, Chi Shicheng, who had been observing the Great Toon Tree, spoke with a shocked tone. Only cultivators who had mastered this God Transformation art could borrow the power of the Great Toon Divine Tree. Wenren Xuewei's ability to do so undoubtedly meant she had cultivated this supreme mystical art, which had the highest entry threshold in the immortal sects.

"Although I appreciate your intervention, Senior Sister, I feel like you're helping him," a slightly disgruntled voice came from behind Wenren Xuewei as all the Foundation Establishment cultivators fell silent under the pressure of the Evergreen Art. Hearing this, she turned around, her eyes wide, her pretty face showing a hint of anger.

"What do you mean?"

"A small fry like Sima Xingyu can't even get me warmed up. Xiahou Weihuan attacked me despite the rules, and I could have ignored the rules and beaten him half to death. Your intervention made it difficult for me to pretend to be out of control with anger and strike hard."

At Chen Mobai's words, everyone gasped. Could such things be said in public?

"You..." Xiahou Weihuan was also enraged by Chen Mobai's dismissive attitude, but then he finally remembered Sima Xingyu and immediately turned to chase after his junior brother, who had been kicked away by Chen Mobai. He greatly feared that this narrow-minded chief disciple of Wuqi Daoist Academy might have secretly struck a heavy blow during their previous exchange. Sima Xingyu had already damaged his foundation by crippling his own cultivation. If he were severely injured again, his path to Golden Core might become dim. So, despite his extreme anger, Xiahou Weihuan still understood priorities. He sent a telepathic message to the chief disciple of Chunyang Academy for this generation to handle matters here, while he himself went to find the kicked-away Sima Xingyu.

"Did he run away? Seriously, I thought I could at least warm up," Chen Mobai said with regret, watching Xiahou Weihuan's fiery silhouette vanish and dispersing the flickering lightning in his palm.

"Wuqi Daoist Academy's Chen Mobai wins, earning 1 point." At this point, the Zongzi on the platform finally reacted and immediately announced the result of the first spar. Xiahou Weihuan's aura had been too powerful. Fortunately, Wenren Xuewei intervened, otherwise, if he and the monster Chen Mobai had fought recklessly, this offline sparring exchange between the Daoist Academies would likely have spiraled out of control from the very beginning.

"Junior Brother Chen, you've already won. Perhaps you should go up first," Wenren Xuewei patiently advised Chen Mobai.

"Doesn't everyone get to spar ten times? Since I'm already down here, I should at least stretch my muscles a bit." Chen Mobai's tone was elusive, and his eyes, slightly sparkling, fixed on the girl in the green dress. The Evergreen Art was highly renowned, and it was rare for anyone to master it. He felt a desire to try it out.

"Are you saying you want to spar with me?" Wenren Xuewei asked, her brow subtly raising at Chen Mobai's gaze.

"I wonder if Senior Sister would be willing to offer some guidance?"

"I refuse." Chen Mobai had thought Wenren Xuewei was inviting him to a challenge, but he was unexpectedly rejected outright.

"Why?"

"This offline sparring exchange lasts ten days. To ensure it remains exciting for all ten days, it's best for you, the most popular participant, to fight one match each day." Wenren Xuewei said something quite playful, an excuse Chen Mobai hadn't anticipated.

"Then which day would Senior Sister be willing to offer guidance?"

"Any day you wish, as long as it's not today. I will set aside one day for you during the remaining nine days." Wenren Xuewei smiled as she said something that earned everyone's admiration.

Chen Mobai's power had been fully demonstrated when he defeated Sima Xingyu; he was undeniably a terrifying existence, surpassing the Foundation Establishment level. Even the usually arrogant Qi Huanzhi and Lou Fengcheng fell silent after witnessing Chen Mobai's thunder art, which shattered a sword with a flick of his finger. They pondered how they would respond if they encountered such a spell. Nangong Xiu even began to shrink behind Taishi Shu. Already lacking confidence, he greatly feared that Chen Mobai might remember his ignorant remarks from earlier and pull him out for a beating.

"Since you put it that way, I've decided," Chen Mobai said, his eyes brightening. He snapped his fingers and began selecting his opponents for each subsequent day. "Although one of my ten spars was ruined by some insignificant fellow, the remaining nine must be against opponents who can truly satisfy me."

If Chen Mobai had said this before defeating Sima Xingyu, everyone would have thought he was just making excuses to avoid fighting. But now, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators on the fourteen platforms wore solemn expressions. Some averted their gaze, afraid Chen Mobai would choose them.

"Jialan, hand me that list." Chen Mobai called out to the Wuqi Daoist Academy platform, and Zhuang Jialan immediately took out the Foundation Ranking list from his satchel and flung it onto the lake's surface. "Let's go by this then. One by one, starting from those ranked behind me."

Spreading out the Foundation Ranking list, Chen Mobai turned to face the Shanhai Academy platform. His eyes met Pei Qingshuang's sharp gaze. The latter's left hand rested on the constantly trembling hilt of the sword at his waist, calming the famous blade's urge to be unsheathed. "Pei Qingshuang of Shanhai Academy, since you are ranked just below me, you will be my opponent on the last day." At Chen Mobai's words, Pei Qingshuang stepped forward, nodded proudly, and replied: "I hope your sword won't disappoint me." Chen Mobai then retorted, "You are worthy of me drawing my sword." Having said this, he didn't wait for Pei Qingshuang's reply, turned around, and faced the Chunyang Academy platform.

"Xiahou Weihuan will be on the second-to-last day. Tell him to clean his neck and wait." His utterly dismissive attitude deeply humiliated the remaining eight Foundation Establishment cultivators from Chunyang Academy, but they dared not refute him. With Xiahou Weihuan absent, the current chief disciple of Chunyang gritted his teeth and assented. However, the invincible confidence he once held due to his Sword Shura was now slowly beginning to dissipate. He even began to wonder if Sword Shura could counter Chen Mobai's thunder art.

"The fourth on the Foundation Ranking is... Qi Huanzhi." Chen Mobai seemed to only remember the top three. At this point, he even flipped the list over to confirm it was from Kunpeng Daoist Academy. This action caused Taishi Shu and others to frown, feeling that Chen Mobai was looking down on Qi Huanzhi. However, at this moment, no one dared to speak loudly in front of Chen Mobai.

"Alright." From Kunpeng Daoist Academy, only Qi Huanzhi was qualified to respond to Chen Mobai. He spoke a single word with a calm expression.

"Fifth place, Tao Mingqing!" Chen Mobai didn't recognize this person, but given his ranking and Sun Daoji's effusive praise for him, it was clear he was also an exceptionally talented individual. Tao Mingqing had a refined appearance. Though still very young, he wore a three-strand long beard, and his entire demeanor exuded an otherworldly, transcendent aura. Facing Chen Mobai's naming of him, he smiled and waved his hand. "I await you anytime."

"Sixth place is Senior Brother Lou. I still have great respect for you, but since your ranking is here, if I were to skip sparring with you, I'd be worried that your Butian Daoist Academy might be gossiped about later." Chen Mobai's words made Lou Fengcheng's eye twitch, as if Chen Mobai had already guaranteed victory over him. But recalling the terrifying third-tier thunder art from earlier, the words that had surged to his lips in anger were swallowed back. In the end, he also managed only a single word.

"Alright."

"If you're in seventh place, you'll be my opponent on the fifth day of sparring. How does that time suit you?" Chen Mobai asked politely, turning back to Wenren Xuewei after inviting challenges from several others.

"I think you could place me on the last day. That way, you won't lose your invincible momentum by being defeated by me, which might affect your subsequent matches." Wenren Xuewei's words made Chen Mobai's eyes light up. This person's personality was quite similar to his own.

"If I were to rank you seventh, this Foundation Ranking list would completely lose its credibility." At Chen Mobai's remark, Ding Chunzhi, on the Star-Gazing Academy platform, became somewhat restless. Wenren Xuewei's strength was undoubtedly among the top tier present, possibly even on par with Pei Qingshuang. However, since she didn't allow for fate divination, Ding Chunzhi could only rank her seventh.

The subsequent ranks, from eighth to tenth, were occupied by Wuqi Daoist Academy's Chi Shicheng, Sun Daoji, and Bian Jingchun. Chen Mobai naturally wouldn't challenge them and looked directly at the eleventh name.

Ding Chunzhi.

"I am not skilled in combat. If you're looking to spar with me, I might as well forfeit today," Ding Chunzhi said, immediately waving his hand as Chen Mobai's gaze fell upon the Star-Gazing Academy platform, showing no regard for his perfected Foundation Establishment standing as he conceded directly.

"In that case, there are still three matches left." Chen Mobai was not one to be overly aggressive. Seeing Ding Chunzhi's stance, he let him off, muttering as he looked down the list again.

"The twelfth one is me," Lu Qiulong said, speaking up voluntarily. He stood up, looking directly at Chen Mobai.

"Senior Brother Lu's cultivation is still a bit lacking. Perhaps we should skip it. I was planning to save the remaining three matches for the chief disciples of the three great Daoist Academies anyway." Chen Mobai remembered that Lu Qiulong had given Hua Zijing a white cat back in the Scarlet City Cave Heaven, so he uncharacteristically gave him face and offered not to fight. However, Chen Mobai's words made Lu Qiulong's mouth twitch. What did he mean, "his cultivation was lacking"? Wasn't Chen Mobai only at the third level of Foundation Establishment? Still, compared to the opponents Chen Mobai had just named, all of whom were at perfected Foundation Establishment, Lu Qiulong, at only seventh level Foundation Establishment, was indeed a bit inferior. But he possessed a peak second-tier companion spirit beast, and his combined combat power with it had even earned Lan Haitian's effusive praise. The Heaven-Mending Group had even invited Lu Qiulong to succeed Lan Haitian as the leader of the sixth group, which demonstrated his formidable combat abilities.

"I wasn't fully satisfied with our battle in Little Scarlet Heaven. This is a rare opportunity, and I'd like to witness your sword," Lu Qiulong said, directly challenging him. Being a man who valued his reputation, he wouldn't agree to Chen Mobai's suggestion.

"Since Senior Brother Lu puts it that way, I'll make an exception again." Originally, Chen Mobai had intended not to draw his sword against any opponent who wasn't at perfected Foundation Establishment, as it would be too much like bullying. Consider it repaying Lu Qiulong for the favor of the cat.

"So, that leaves two more matches... Honestly, if that Sima Xingyu hadn't provoked me, I could have perfectly distributed them among the chief disciples of the three Daoist Academies, and I would have achieved the feat of dominating everyone in my generation." It felt like being woken from a sweet nap by a mosquito, making Chen Mobai cast another displeased glance towards Chunyang Academy.

Master Ling Dao, Taishi Shu, and Zongzi, meanwhile, frowned deeply. Chen Mobai made no attempt to conceal his voice. They felt as if a sword hung over their heads, inciting them to rise up, yet recalling the third-tier thunder art from earlier, they found their chances of victory slim. They were all chief disciples, so why was this guy so powerful?!