C19 Challenge

Lee Qingyun securely bound his five "prizes" and sealed them with his spiritual energy before placing them in the sect's main hall.

He summoned Xun Liang and Ping An for questioning.

Upon entering, Ping An's attention was immediately captured by the five individuals tied up like rice dumplings, his large eyes wide with curiosity.

Xun Liang gave the captives a brief glance before turning away, disinterested.

Lee Qingyun spoke up, "I've called you here to evaluate your progress in cultivation. Share your recent accomplishments."

"Yes," Xun Liang responded.

"Master, within the ten days of the cave residence's opening, I've progressed from the eleventh to the twelfth level of Qi Refinement. I'm nearing the stage of Foundation Building," Xun Liang reported with composure.

To Liu Yunquan and his four disciples, Xun Liang's words struck like a bolt of lightning. Advancing from the eleventh to the twelfth level of Qi Refinement in just ten days was virtually unheard of.

"Yes," Ping An replied in his youthful tone.

"Reporting to Master, I've advanced from the fifth to the eighth level of Qi Refinement. Plus, Senior Brother Xun and I hunt wild beasts in the back mountain every day!"

Liu Yunquan and the four Inner Sect disciples were dumbfounded.

The seemingly honest young man at the twelfth level of Qi Refinement was one thing; at fifteen or sixteen years old, his level, though impressive, was still believable.

But what about this child? His voice hadn't even broken, and he was already at the fifth level? And he'd jumped from the fifth to the eighth level of Qi Refinement?

What sort of prodigies were Lee Qingyun's disciples?

Lee Qingyun nodded in approval, "Not bad, your pace of cultivation is passable, though you still fall short of my own achievements at your age."

"Also, when you head to the back mountain tomorrow, bring the Great Elder along. Try to learn a thing or two from her. Do you grasp my meaning?"

With a sly grin and two tiger teeth on display, Ping An's chubby face oozed mischief as he said, "Got it~"

Xun Liang nodded in agreement, "Understood, Master. We'll be sure to learn diligently from the Great Elder!"

"That's good to hear. You may leave now."

"Hold on." Lee Qingyun seemed to suddenly recall something.

Xun Liang turned back and inquired, "What is it, Master?"

"The dishes you've been making with the game you've hunted recently are quite delicious. Make sure Uncle Donkey gets a taste."

"Ah... Can Uncle Donkey eat meat?"

"Just take it to him. He'll definitely enjoy it."

"Okay... Sure."

"Come on, Senior Brother." Pingan gently pulled at Xun Liang's sleeve and whispered, "Master must be busy with these bound individuals. We shouldn't intrude."

"Xun Liang respectfully takes his leave."

"Farewell, Master."

Watching Lee Qingyun's two disciples depart, Liu Yunquan could no longer contain his curiosity, "Sect... Sect Master Lee, how old is your youngest disciple?"

Lee Qingyun queried, "Is there an issue?"

Liu Yunquan chuckled awkwardly, "I've never encountered such a young cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining. I've visited several major sects, but I've never seen prodigies like your two disciples."

His own disciples vigorously nodded in agreement with Liu Yunquan.

"Do you want to know why?"

Liu Yunquan and the rest simultaneously shook their heads, "We don't know."

Lee Qingyun sighed deeply, "I'll tell you the truth..."

Eager anticipation was written all over their faces as they leaned in, desperate to learn the secret that could potentially shape their destinies in cultivation.

"Sect Master! A messenger from the Soul Capturing Sect is at the gate!" At that moment, Fong Yong burst in, gasping for breath with his announcement.

"Ah? Lead the way." Lee Qingyun promptly followed Fong Yong out the door.

Liu Yunquan was left with a mix of emotions.

...

Standing alone before the imposing entrance of the Twin Rage Sect, Xiong Jianmu's heart was filled with trepidation.

He had assumed that after informing the Seventh Elder, the Elder would unleash his might and lead a force to subdue the Twin Rage Sect. Little did he expect...

The Seventh Elder has surprisingly opted for such a resolution, even making me the messenger.

Lee Qingyun emerged, hoping he wouldn't be taken captive once more.

With a grin plastered across his face, Xiong Jianmu greeted him, "Sect Master Lee, it's me..."

"Oh, it's you," Lee Qingyun replied with a smile. "You brought the spirit stone?"

"No..."

"Hmm?"

At that, the smile vanished from Lee Qingyun's face, replaced by an intimidating aura that sent shivers down Xiong Jianmu's spine.

Overwhelmed by the intense presence and his own nerves, Xiong Jianmu blurted out in panic, "Nations at war do not slay the envoy! Sect Master Lee!"

"Enough. Speak your piece, or if you've nothing else, go back and fetch the spirit stone," Lee Qingyun said, barely holding back his amusement at Xiong Jianmu's disheveled state.

"I bear a letter from the Seventh Elder for you," Xiong Jianmu said, scurrying over to Lee Qingyun.

Lee Qingyun accepted the envelope, sensing it for traps. Finding none, he opened the letter.

"Sect Master Lee,

Upon reading your letter, I am fully informed of the situation.

I am astonished to learn that you have taken five of our elders and disciples, demanding a ransom of six thousand spirit stones. While I understand the challenges of entrepreneurship and the difficult path you tread, I regret to say I cannot comply with your demand.

However, since you have made your request, I propose an alternative. If you are willing, let us engage in a minor contest between our sects, sparing us the need for a full-scale conflict and avoiding any accusations of bullying. Should your sect prevail, I will personally deliver six thousand spirit stones. If defeated, you will release our elders and disciples to return to their mountain home. What say you?

The contest shall take place in Deepmere City in five days.

I await your prompt response."

Lee Qingyun mused aloud, "So the Seventh Elder wishes to challenge us to a minor contest between our sects?"

Xiong Jianmu affirmed, "Exactly."

The letter, though couched in stilted language, conveyed its message with unmistakable clarity:

"You've abducted our sect's elder with vile tactics, yet there's a rationale—your sect is impoverished, struggling to get by. I'd rather not come down on you like a bully. If it's six thousand spirit stones you're after, let's have a few of your people face off against ours. Win, and the stones are yours; lose, and release him."

Interestingly, they've chosen Deepmere City as the venue.

The Soul Capturing Sect must have noticed Lee Qingyun's rising influence in Deepmere. It makes sense, given Deepmere's proximity to Twin Rage territory and its historical allegiance.

The Soul Capturing Sect's challenge to Twin Rage is a clear ploy to publicly crush them, to show Deepmere that Twin Rage is weak and that they, the Soul Capturing Sect, are the true power.

Twin Rage's ambition to grow their influence in Deepmere? They plan to thwart it by taking them down on their own turf.

"This tactic is far more shrewd than simply forcing Twin Rage to release the elder..." Lee Qingyun mused. "But they've misjudged the situation this time..."

"I accept the challenge."

"In five days, we'll meet in Deepmere."

Xiong Jianmu was taken aback by Lee Qingyun's immediate acceptance of the challenge. He had expected the sect master to deflect, even prepared a response for the anticipated refusal. But Lee Qingyun had agreed without hesitation.

"Convey this to your Seventh Elder: your sect has set the time and place, so I shall set the terms. We'll follow the same rules as the minor contest between Twin Rage and Soul Capturing a decade ago." With those words, Lee Qingyun swept his sleeves and turned away.

"No need for further courtesies."

[Ding! The inter-sect competition mission is now initiated.]

[Mission Requirement: Emerge victorious in the competition]

[Mission Rewards: 1,200 – 1,500 Talent Points, 2, a Hidden Attribute, 3, a Random Sect Building Upgrade.]

[Failure Penalty: Should the mission fail, Twin Rage's reputation will be utterly ruined in Deepmere. Not only will they fail to reclaim Deepmere, but without its support, Twin Rage will never regain control over the three hundred-mile jurisdiction.]