C31 Azure Sun Mountain

"Hahaha."

Lee Dui burst into laughter, his pride unmistakable. Those who had once shamed Cloud Peak City were now eating their words, as the Peerless Talent from their city had triumphantly bested Nan Le, delivering a resounding slap to their detractors. It was a moment of pure vindication.

"If anyone else has an issue with Cloud Peak City, step forward. I'm ready to take you on," Zhuang Xing declared, his booming voice echoing through the entire pavilion.

The crowd avoided Zhuang Xing's piercing gaze. After all, if Nan Le had fallen to him, who would dare to provoke such a formidable opponent?

Zhuang Xing, noticing their reluctance, simply smiled.

Word of the events at Cloud Moon Tower spread like wildfire, stirring up widespread excitement.

At noon, Zhuang Xing sat down for a meal. He hadn't yet achieved the ability to abstain from food, so he needed sustenance for nourishment.

"Did you hear about the showdown at Cloud Moon Tower this morning? It was quite the spectacle."

"A showdown? Between whom?"

"Nan Le and Zhuang Xing. Do those names ring a bell?"

"I'm familiar with Nan Le; he's a core member of the Nan family and a Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven powerhouse. But Zhuang Xing? I've never heard of him."

"Cloud Peak City."

"Cloud Peak City? You mean the city that ranked last in the overall strength category of the last Hidden Dragon Ranking Great Competition?"

"Exactly. Zhuang Xing hails from there."

"People from Cloud Peak City dared to challenge Nan Le?"

"Hehe, so who do you think emerged victorious?"

"It must have been Nan Le. Zhuang Xing probably got thrashed."

"You're wrong this time. Zhuang Xing was the victor, and Nan Le was defeated."

"How could that be? A Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven warrior losing to someone from Cloud Peak City? That's utterly implausible."

"I expected your disbelief, yet it's the truth. Nan Le was indeed bested by Zhuang Xing."

"Zhuang Xing must be quite skilled. Cloud Peak City won't be at the bottom this time around."

"Now, try to guess Zhuang Xing's actual cultivation level. I bet you won't get it right."

"Zhuang Xing's real power must be at least at the Spirit Wheel Stage Level Seven Heaven."

"I told you, no matter how hard you rack your brain, you'll never guess Zhuang Xing's true level of cultivation."

"Spill it, what level of cultivation has Zhuang Xing achieved?"

"Spirit Wheel Stage Level Two Heaven."

"Spirit Wheel Stage Level Two Heaven? Are you pulling my leg? Can someone at Spirit Wheel Stage Level Two Heaven really defeat a Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven practitioner?"

"I knew you wouldn't believe it, but it's the truth. Zhuang Xing truly possesses only the cultivation of Spirit Wheel Stage Level Two Heaven."

"With his Spirit Wheel Stage Level Two Heaven cultivation, he defeated a Spirit Wheel Stage Level Six Heaven expert. Is he even human?"

"I've never encountered anyone like him before; he's unheard of."

"Terrifying."

"Do these people have too much time on their hands?"

Zhuang Xing shook his head in mild exasperation, finding these idle folks quite tiresome.

"Let's not waste time envying him. We'd do better to focus on enhancing our own strength—that's a more solid approach."

"Absolutely, there's no question about it. We don't need to vie with those prodigies. Just striving to be our best is enough."

"I've reached out to Li Jie and the others. We're planning a trip to Azure Sun Mountain. Are you in?"

"What for? That place is crawling with Demonic Beasts."

"I've heard there are treasures hidden within Azure Sun Mountain. You're aware of that. If luck is on my side, I might find something to boost my own power."

"Well, that makes sense. I've heard that many are honing their skills on Azure Sun Mountain, including the elite descendants of the four major families. Many of them are there to strengthen their abilities."

"That's right, they've managed to find quite a few treasures there."

"So, when do we leave?"

Another person chimed in, "We'll head out after lunch. First, we'll meet up with Li Jie and the rest, then make our way to Azure Sun Mountain together. It's good to have each other's backs."

"Sounds good."

"Azure Sun Mountain?"

Zhuang Xing let out a faint smile. He was well-acquainted with Azure Sun Mountain, a vast peak located a mere five kilometers from Azure Sun City, which derived its name from the mountain.

Azure Sun Mountain was expansive, with thick forests and many regions still in their original, untamed state. It was home to a variety of Demonic Beasts, ranging from Rank One to Rank Three. Some even claimed to have encountered Rank Four Demonic Beasts there—supreme great demons that surpassed the Spirit Sea Stage, not to be trifled with by anyone.

Given the number of people flocking to Azure Sun Mountain to hone their skills and seek treasures that would bolster their strength, Zhuang Xing felt compelled to see it for himself. His own power was still quite feeble, hardly a match for the prodigies of Azure Sun City, to say nothing of his adversaries.

After lunch at the inn, Zhuang Xing set out from the city toward Azure Sun Mountain.

"Is this Azure Sun Mountain?"

As he entered, he was greeted by a dense forest of towering trees, their branches heavy with foliage. The woods echoed with the roars of Demonic Beasts. Azure Sun Mountain was teeming with these ferocious creatures, known for having torn many to shreds. Ordinary folks dared not venture here, and even Martial Cultivators proceeded with utmost caution, wary of recklessly disturbing the beasts.

It wasn't long before Zhuang Xing's path was cut off by two Demonic Beasts leaping from the underbrush.

"These are Earth Devil Tigers."

Common among their kind, the Earth Devil Tiger boasted considerable strength. These two, for instance, were at Rank Two, on par with a Spirit Wheel Stage Expert among human cultivators.

"Step aside."

Zhuang Xing's fist clenched as he charged at the weaker of the two tigers. His fist force erupted with a fierce burst, barreling toward the Earth Devil Tiger. The strategy was to defeat them one by one, making the battle somewhat easier for him.

Demonic Beasts were known for their formidable bodies and robust physiques, which most would hesitate to confront head-on. Zhuang Xing, however, was different. His Imperishable Golden Body Spell had already advanced to the Level One realm, rendering his body even more resilient than many Demonic Beasts. To him, an Earth Devil Tiger was a trivial challenge.