Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 392 : The Spiritual Mountain Competition (1)

Chapter 392: Chapter 392 : The Spiritual Mountain Competition (1)

A round of infuriated growls went through the other demon kings.

"We have done our best," one of them said in a gruff voice.

"If only we can get rid of that annoying Zhang Fengxi," another groaned while smashing his fist on top of a boulder, effectively breaking it into several pieces.

"Spare me the tale of your incompetence," the First Demon King sighed. "Don’t tell me that I have not given you all a chance to perform. It is my job to ensure that each palace is governed by an adequate demon king."

The demon kings exchanged nervous looks. Truthfully, they were all thinking about the same thing. The First Demon King himself failed to take over the Heavenly Realm five years ago, but he did not bother trying again.

Instead, he was busy egging on the other demon kings, forcing them to achieve what he failed to do.

How unfair.

How infuriating!

Also, how utterly shameless!

Then again, no one dared to lend this thought a voice. No one wanted to be killed in a gruesome manner and have their deformed corpses scraped off their thrones.

"I will give you a hint," the First Demon King said. "In order to defeat a beast, you should attack its weak point."

The demon kings widened their eyes at the same time.

"Your Majesty, what you mean is..."

Everyone knew what the weak point of Supreme General Zhang Fengxi was.

It was the wife who slept in Fuxi Palace for the past five years.

This year’s Spiritual Mountain Competition was set to take place in Mount E’ling early in the morning.

Other than the ten great sects, lesser sects and rogue cultivators* were also allowed to participate.

The competition consisted of a series of grueling tests of skill and endurance. It stretched across a full day and night, after which ten best cultivators were to emerge victorious above the rest.

The first-place winner would bask in the glory of not just 10,000 spiritual stones, but a shimmering gold plate to adorn their sect’s hallowed hall.

The second-place winner would claim 5,000 stones and a silver plate to grace their sect’s residence, while the third would walk away with 2,000 stones and a bronze plate to honor their prowess.

Even those ranked fourth to tenth would be rewarded with 100 stones and honorable scrolls. Beyond the individual glory, the tournament served as a fertile ground for the prestigious sects to scout for promising talent, often leading cultivators to ascend from humble beginnings to illustrious heights.

Bai Siyang was delighted at the fact that Zhang Fengxi participated in the competition as someone from the Wushan Temple Sect.

If he interacted well with the other disciples, he might be tempted to join the Wushan Temple Sect at the end of the competition.

Alas, the man in question already made the first bad impression on his future shixiongs by refusing to travel together a day prior, and opted to meet them at the starting point instead.

"What is the big deal? Why must he travel alone?" One of the senior disciples complained as they hiked the remaining few hundred meters to reach the destination.

"Maybe he wants to show off," another replied.

"Why? Because he thinks that he is above all of us? Well, I hope that he eats dirt on his way..."

"Ssssshhhhh!!!"

All the gossiping disciples fell silent when Bai Siyang and Qiao Wei stepped behind them.

"Stop badmouthing others and focus on the competition," Bai Siyang furrowed his brows at his disciples.

"Yes, Shizun," they all replied meekly.

Qiao Wei did not know what to say.

Indeed, Zhang Fengxi’s ability stood strongly above all of theirs combined. While the others were busy accusing him of arrogance, Qiao Wei was rather worried about whether or not Zhang Fengxi would make his appearance.

Qiao Wei made sure to leave the message with his servants, who assured him that Zhang Fengxi would receive it in time.

But what if he did not?

What if he had something else to do?

Qiao Wei didn’t know much about Zhang Fengxi, and it was not his place to demand Zhang Fengxi’s time...

"Oh, hey, look, that’s him!"

The disciples’ jaws fell open in awe.

Zhang Fengxi was already there, standing among the other disciples from various sects. Together, they were stretching their arms and legs in preparation for the competition while engaging in superficial conversations.

"Wait, how did he get here so early?" a disciple cried out in bewilderment.

"Impossible," another disciple commented with a headshake and crossed arms.

"Did he depart earlier from the Bamboo Stream Village?" another disciple inquired.

Warmth spread across Qiao Wei’s heart when he saw Zhang Fengxi. He quickly abandoned his shidis and shixiongs to greet Zhang Fengxi.

"Brother Zhang, you are here," he said with a smile brimming with relief. "I am so glad that the message reached you in time."

Zhang Fengxi returned his smile and patted the other man’s shoulder.

"I told you that you can reach me in that house. Now, let’s get that first prize for your sect."

Excitement gleamed in Qiao Wei’s eyes.

"Um!"

The competition participants gathered at the starting point to listen to the competition rules.

Zhang Fengxi’s gaze swept across the sea of faces, his mind estimating their number - closer to a thousand, he mused. He saw youthful enthusiasm radiating from some, their eyes wide with potential.

Some others, their ages etched in the lines around their eyes, carried the weight of experience, their postures radiating a quiet confidence born from countless trials.

The majority of the participants were in their twenties, including him and Qiao Wei.

"Everyone, welcome to the Spiritual Mountain Competition of this year!" An elder spoke up with a booming voice.

"OOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!" The participants cried out enthusiastically.

"As always, all of you have the same starting points.

We have planted a red flag somewhere in Mount E’ling. The first one to grab the flag and return to the base is the first-place winner. Afterward, the second- to tenth-place winners will be the ones who return to the base the fastest after the first-place winner arrives.

Beasts of various difficulties have been distributed all over the mountain, kept within the hunting range by means of a barrier.

Even if you cannot win the top ten places, we greatly encourage your active participation in this competition.

We all wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

And now, let us begin!!!"

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Author’s note :

*Rogue cultivators = wandering cultivators, tied to no sect (yet).