I Became An Immortal On Mortal Realm - Chapter 41

Chapter 39: Taking the Lead

Translator: 549690339

After listening to Yang Yuanzi’s introduction, Fang Wang felt that something was amiss. If the final nine spots were determined solely by the number of victories, wouldn’t it be advantageous to rank later?

Wouldn’t the second-ranked peak have the opportunity to effectively choke the first if it chose not to challenge them?

But upon further thought, he understood.

This was the Nine Veins Combat Method!

It began with the competition among the nine veins, and only then did personal contests follow. Which vein to challenge was not up to the disciples to decide. For peak masters, the ranking of their peaks was of paramount importance. As for the final nine spots, those were of personal interest to the disciples.

The second-ranked peak would definitely challenge the first vein, for they would have to wait another ten years otherwise!

The ranking of the peaks affected the distribution of resources within the sect and would also attract disciples to join. The first vein, for instance, had the most disciples.

Wait a minute!

Zhou Xue was in the first vein, and so was Lu Yuanjun…

Fang Wang suddenly felt the pressure from the first vein. The first vein was untouchable!

However, he guessed that the third vein, ranked eighth, probably would not challenge the first vein either.

Yang Yuanzi continued to explain some precautions. The nine disciples listened attentively until the bell in the Sect’s Main City rang, signaling Yang Yuanzi to lead them away.

The group flew on their magic swords, soaring high in the sky where Fang Wang could see many disciples flying towards the ten peaks surrounding the Sect’s Main City, darting through the misty snow.

The bell of the Sect’s Main City rang continuously. Golden light rose from various areas of the city, totaling thirty-two beams, which converged in mid-air to form thirty-two semi-transparent Golden Mirrors. Upon getting closer, Fang Wang could see that on the surfaces of the mirrors were reflected a gigantic arena for combat.

That arena was located in the central area of the Sect’s Main City, a hundred zhang in length and width, with a Formation of magic artifacts at the edges. Further out were pavilions where disciples often settled their disputes.

Fang Wang followed Yang Yuanzi towards the combat arena. Disciples from all nine veins arrived and scattered throughout the city. They did not need to approach the arena closely; simply looking up at the Golden Mirrors allowed them to watch the fights. Some enthusiastic disciples began setting up various betting pools, where other disciples wagered with Spirit Stones and Spirit Pills.

“It’s Fang Wang, big brother Wang! He’s going to participate!”

On a street, Fang Xin watched with excitement as Fang Wang flew by overhead. The three Fang Family Disciples beside her became thrilled as well. Such an important event in the sect, and Fang Wang was taking part after only three years of entry?

What exceptional talent!

These clan members felt no envy, only endless pride. The more renowned Fang Wang became, the more they benefitted.

Fang Hanyu, blindfolded, arrived on his magic sword from amidst the vast snow and fog. Although he could not see Fang Wang, he came specifically to watch Fang Wang’s fight. After learning of White Garment Astonishing Swan’s achievements, he understood the truth—Fang Wang was the White Garment Astonishing Swan!

With the strength of White Garment Astonishing Swan, entering the Nine Veins Combat Method was not difficult!

After Spiritual Refinement, Fang Hanyu’s strength increased significantly; unfortunately, he had not managed to emerge victorious from the second vein. The overall strength of the second vein ranked among the top three, something the third vein could not compare with.

The naming of the peaks was based on the initial rankings; the third vein was once known as the third-ranked peak. Now, relegated to the eighth position, the third vein had become the Great Abyss Gate’s biggest joke.

Fang Wang followed Yang Yuanzi into a pavilion on the edge of the combat arena, where Yang Yuanzi nonchalantly made his way to a seat and sat down. The disciples stood behind him.

“Master, which vein shall we challenge first?” Li Yu asked.

Fang Wang watched as disciples from the other veins flew into other pavilions and, for the moment, did not catch sight of Zhou Xue.

Yang Yuanzi calmly said, “Let’s challenge the fifth vein first.”

The fifth vein, which was ranked seventh in the previous evaluation, posed the least pressure to challenge for the third vein.

After a while, Fang Wang saw the first vein arrive. A large group of disciples from the first vein came, including Lu Yuanjun and Zhou Xue.

A stick of incense later, Guang Qiuxian, along with a group of elders from the main peak, descended. Yang Yuanzi and other peak masters stood up in respect, which also caused their disciples to fall silent behind them.

The previously appointed examination elder, Greedy Sleeper, landed on the combat arena, appearing as eccentric as ever compared to three years ago.

“The once-every-ten-years Nine Veins Combat Method is starting early. I believe the peak masters have already explained the rules. There will be seven days in total, so fight at your leisure. Which vein wishes to be the first challenger?”

Greedy Sleeper asked with a laugh, his voice spreading throughout the entire main city through the thirty-two Golden Mirrors.

Having said that, Greedy Sleeper’s gaze swept across the pavilions.

Yang Yuanzi did not speak but instead closed his eyes.

Seven days were enough for every vein to make an appearance, and the defeated could continue to challenge, as long as there were still combat-ready disciples remaining.

Quickly thereafter, the peak master of the fifth vein said, “The fifth vein challenges the second vein!”

As his words fell, a disciple behind him flew onto the stage, followed by a disciple from the second vein who leapt onto the combat arena. Four elders seated around the arena immediately started casting spells to activate the Formation. The magic artifacts at the edge of the arena emitted a pale white light curtain, which expanded as it rose, eventually connecting end to end with other light curtains.

Once the Formation was in place, Greedy Sleeper announced the start of the combat.

Both sides participating in the battle were from the Spirit Elixir Realm, and clearly, both wanted to get off to a good start. Fang Wang watched intently as he too wanted to see a battle between combatants of the Spirit Elixir Realm.

His battle with Li Honggang ended too quickly, so he still wasn’t clear on how typical Spirit Elixir Realm combat occurred.

But then again, the fifth vein was quite hardheaded, with their seventh-ranked challenging the second rank within the top three veins!

As the battle began, the two disciples immediately summoned their respective lifebound magic artifacts, engaging in long-range combat with rapid spell casting. An assortment of spells were unleashed, and the sound of explosions was incessant.

The combat platform was exceptionally sturdy, maintaining a jade-like smoothness with not a single scratch, no matter what spells struck it.

Disciples within the Sect’s Main City all watched the battle, discussing it with their friends, keeping the whole city buzzing with noise.

The first battle lasted for the time it took an incense stick to burn halfway, ending with the disciple from the second vein victorious. That person didn’t leave the stage, instead continuing to wait for the next challenger.

“Master, who among us will go up first later?”

Li Yu asked. He was not as excited as other disciples from various veins, for the recent Nine Veins Combat Method events had been nothing but days of humiliation for them.

Yang Yuanzi, with his eyes closed, said, “You decide.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yu turned to look at the other disciples, his brow slightly furrowed.

“Who could be the White Garment Astonishing Swan?”

Li Yu thought quietly to himself. The name of the White Garment Astonishing Swan was known throughout the Cultivation World, and he had naturally heard of it – one who could execute the Jinghong Divine Sword Art was surely from the third vein. However, Yang Yuanzi and the elders of the third vein had all denied it, leading him to boldly guess that the White Garment Astonishing Swan might be a certain direct disciple.

Suddenly, Li Yu’s gaze fell on Fang Wang and he asked, “Junior Brother Fang, are you willing to lead the charge?”

Fang Wang nodded and said, “Of course I’m willing!”

However, if I do go up, you won’t have a chance!

“Brother Fang will definitely be able to do it!” Zhou Bo flattered.

Indeed, Zhou Bo had also made it into the top nine of the third vein, and Fang Wang suspected that he had gotten in through the back door.

The other disciples looked at Fang Wang with curiosity and scrutiny. As a direct disciple from the moment he joined, that halo was too heavy, and so many disciples had even higher expectations of him.

Gu Li shook her head slightly and sighed internally. It seemed she would not have a chance to go on stage at least for today.

The competition between the second and fifth veins lasted an hour and ended with the fifth vein’s defeat. With five severely injured, it was quite a tragic outcome.

Many elders surrounded the combat platform, and with Greedy Sleeper present on stage, there was no chance of a disciple dying.

Next, it was the ninth vein’s turn, and this vein, initially ranked at the bottom, boldly challenged the first vein. Fang Wang then learned that the ninth vein had placed fourth in the previous Nine Veins Combat Method event.

The fourth challenging the first showed great daring, just as headstrong as the fifth vein.

The first to compete from the first vein wasn’t Lu Yuanjun nor Zhou Xue, but this disciple was powerful. With a magic sword, he won four consecutive matches and then calmly stepped down for someone else’s turn.

Fang Wang compared them secretly and thought that Li Honggang was probably no match for this disciple from the first vein.

The first vein truly deserved the title of the strongest peak!

In less than half an hour, the peak competition came to an end, with the first vein securing the victory. They only lost one match, and only four people took the stage, with Zhou Xue not participating.

“It seems Zhou Xue holds a high position within the first vein.”

Fang Wang was curious. Zhou Xue had been away for three years, and upon her return, what kind of strength had she shown to attain such a status?

All the disciples in the city were amazed by the power of the first vein, and the disciples of the first vein took pride in their glory, brimming with arrogance.

“Which vein wishes to challenge next?”

Greedy Sleeper stood on the combat platform and asked. As his voice fell, Yang Yuanzi’s voice rang out, “The third vein challenges the fifth vein!”

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar throughout the city!

Following the fifth vein’s failed challenge against the second vein and with five seriously injured, it hadn’t been long before the third vein pounced opportunistically.

This was Yang Yuanzi’s original plan, and Fang Wang thought Yang Yuanzi would change his mind after the fifth vein’s defeat, but that didn’t happen.

Well, it seems the Nine Veins Combat Method was truly a serious affair, with undercurrents at play!

The disciples of the third vein looked at Fang Wang, who, without a second word, walked to the edge of the terrace and leaped onto the combat platform.

“It’s you, kiddo, you’ve grown up fast,”

Greedy Sleeper winked and teased Fang Wang.