C18 Space Ring

"That kid's finally shown his face."

"Indeed, I'm curious to see what this kid's got, daring to take over Senior Brother Zhang's training room like that."

"Ha, I'd wager that he's about to get a serious thrashing from Senior Brother Zhang Bofeng." As Hua Hsing emerged, a chorus of Inner Sect disciples began to chatter, smirks of mockery spreading across their faces.

At that moment, Zhang Bofeng and Jiaang Xue also fixed their eyes on Hua Hsing.

"Is this Hua Hsing?" Zhang Bofeng inquired.

"Yes, Senior Brother Zhang, that's Hua Hsing. He's notoriously brutal. He even slew a fellow disciple during the Outer Sect Disciple Competition," Jiaang Xue murmured.

A flicker of rage crossed Zhang Bofeng's face upon hearing Jiaang Xue's report. He blocked Hua Hsing's path as the latter attempted to leave.

"So, you've decided to come out? Done playing the coward?" Zhang Bofeng blocked Hua Hsing's way, his voice icy.

Hua Hsing paused, quickly realizing Zhang Bofeng was clearly looking for a confrontation.

"Coward?" A flash of annoyance crossed Hua Hsing's features as he noticed Jiaang Xue's schadenfreude.

"Hua Hsing, for an Outer Sect disciple, just being allowed into the Inner Sect Cultivation Tower is a privilege. And yet you have the audacity to claim Senior Brother Zhang's training room? You must have a death wish."

"Exactly, you're Hua Hsing, aren't you? The top of the Outer Sect? In my eyes, you're nothing," Zhang Bofeng sneered.

"This training room isn't exclusively yours, is it?" Hua Hsing retorted.

"Kid, everyone in the Inner Sect knows this room is mine. You dare to take it over? I'm going to make an example out of you, so you understand the Inner Sect is not the Outer Sect."

With those words, Zhang Bofeng's fists tightened, and he launched a punch at Hua Hsing.

There was a loud thud as Hua Hsing countered with a punch of his own, managing to block Zhang Bofeng's attack, though he was forced to stagger back several steps.

"Qi Refining Stage Level Four?"

Zhang Bofeng's cultivation had reached the formidable Qi Refining Stage Level Four, granting him unparalleled strength.

"Oh? To think you could withstand my punch; I may have underestimated you. But do you really believe you can stand against me?" Zhang Bofeng scoffed with derision.

Hua Hsing's brow creased slightly. He knew he wasn't yet a match for Zhang Bofeng and couldn't contend with a warrior of the Qi Refining Stage Level Four.

With this in mind, Hua Hsing decided to ignore Zhang Bofeng and headed straight for the Outer Sect.

But Zhang Bofeng wasn't about to let him off that easily. Hua Hsing felt a gust of wind and a surge of formidable energy bearing down on him from behind.

In that critical moment, Hua Hsing drew the Light Spirit Sword and executed the Golden Light Sword Arts.

A streak of golden light flashed, and Hua Hsing parried Zhang Bofeng's strike once more, causing Zhang Bofeng's face to twist with embarrassment.

For an Outer Sect disciple to thwart his attacks twice was a severe blow to his pride.

"Senior Brother Zhang, that's a low-tier Mortal Weapon," Jiaang Xue pointed out.

The Light Spirit Sword, Hua Hsing's prize for topping the Outer Sect, may have been a low-tier Mortal Weapon, but paired with the Golden Light Sword Arts, its potency was greatly enhanced.

Given Hua Hsing's current prowess, he would confidently face a fresh Qi Refining Stage Level Four martial artist, but Zhang Bofeng was clearly in a different league.

"Hmph, what does it matter if it's a Mortal Weapon? I'm going to teach you a lesson today," Zhang Bofeng bellowed, his rage boiling over. He launched his signature move, wielding his long sword with a domineering technique that sliced through the air towards Hua Hsing.

"It's against the rules for an Inner Sect disciple to strike an Outer Sect disciple."

Abruptly, a voice laced with authority rang out, halting Zhang Bofeng's assault mid-strike, leaving him visibly displeased.

"That's Senior Sister Bing Ling," murmured a disciple in awe.

"Senior Sister Bing Ling," Jiaang Xue greeted, bowing respectfully to the arrival.

Bing Ling, revered as the Inner Sect's most stunning and formidable woman, had reached the impressive Qi Refining Stage Level Five. In the Inner Sect, no one dared to cross Bing Ling.

Bing Ling never engaged in idle chatter with others; her dedication was solely to her cultivation, resembling a celestial being untouched by the mundane world.

Hua Hsing's eyes traced the contours of her figure, accentuated by her white dress. Her face, angelic in its beauty, radiated a frosty aura that was paradoxically captivating.

"What is this?"

Caught in his confusion, Hua Hsing heard Bing Ling's voice once more, "You may go."

He expressed his gratitude to Bing Ling and departed from the Inner Sect.

"Senior Sister Bing Ling!" Zhang Bofeng started to speak as Hua Hsing walked away, but he was silenced by the stern look in Bing Ling's eyes.

Ultimately, Zhang Bofeng and his companions had no choice but to leave, disheartened.

After returning from the Inner Sect's Cultivation Tower, Hua Hsing bid farewell to the Azure Edge Sword Sect and set out for Breeze City.

Familiar with the city, he made his way to the Breeze Branch and sought out the Deacon Elder he had met previously.

"Young friend, have you come to trade Demon Beast carcasses again?" the Deacon Elder greeted Hua Hsing cheerfully.

"No, I've come to make a purchase," Hua Hsing replied.

"What is it that you're looking to buy?" inquired the Deacon Elder.

"I'm in need of some spirit herbs and Spirit Pills," Hua Hsing explained, handing over his prepared list.

"We have everything on your list. The total comes to eight thousand Spirit Stones," the Deacon Elder informed him.

Hua Hsing nodded, then inquired, "Do you have any higher-grade Space Rings available?"

The Deacon Elder's expression shifted subtly at the question, then he responded, "You're interested in a Space Ring?"

Space Rings were exceedingly rare treasures, often beyond the reach of a Qi Refining Stage warrior's means.

The prospect of selling one, especially a high-level Space Ring, meant a significant profit for the Deacon Elder.

"We do have Space Rings, though they are somewhat costly," the Deacon Elder admitted.

"Give me the details."

"A Low Grade Space Ring is valued at ten thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones, while a Mid Grade Space Ring will cost one hundred thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones. Unfortunately, we don't currently have any High Grade Space Rings in stock," the Deacon Elder explained thoroughly.

"100,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones," Hua Hsing whispered to himself.

Ultimately, Hua Hsing acquired Spirit Pills and herbs valued at 8,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones before departing from the Breeze City branch.

He still needed 100,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones for the Mid Grade Space Ring, a sum he didn't possess. To accumulate more, he would have to hunt Demon Beasts.

Upon returning to the Azure Edge Sword Sect, Hua Hsing immersed himself in cultivation.

Time trickled away as he leveraged the herbs and Spirit Pills to swiftly elevate his cultivation level.

Before he knew it, half a month had flown by, and Hua Hsing's cultivation had advanced to the late third level of the Qi Refining Stage, significantly bolstering his strength.

Yet, Hua Hsing wasn't ready to cease his cultivation efforts.

After another half month, a full month had elapsed, and he had exhausted all the herbs and Spirit Pills worth 8,000 Low Grade Spirit Stones. His cultivation had now peaked at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage.

Hua Hsing was on the cusp of a breakthrough to the Qi Refining Stage Level Four, but he had hit a bottleneck.

If he were to confront Zhang Bofeng now, Hua Hsing was confident he could emerge victorious.

However, without reaching the Qi Refining Stage Level Four, he couldn't advance to the Inner Sect.

On that day, Hua Hsing paused his cultivation, ready to venture into the Black Wind Mountain Range once more, hoping the challenge might propel him to the Qi Refining Stage Level Four.

Having become the top contender in the Outer Sect, Hua Hsing found it no longer held any allure for him. His sights were set on the Inner Sect, where he could access greater resources.

Throughout the month, the Ninth Elder had visited Hua Hsing several times, expressing great satisfaction with his progress.

Yet, the Ninth Elder had also encouraged Hua Hsing to diligently continue his practice with the goal of entering the Inner Sect.

Returning to the Black Wind Mountain Range for the second time, Hua Hsing navigated with ease. He swiftly located the habitat of the third-level Qi Refining Stage Demon Beasts and commenced his hunt.

On an open field, Hua Hsing was locked in combat with three Demon Beasts, each at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage. Hua Hsing was engaged in a fierce battle, fighting the beasts with his bare hands.

"Without unleashing the Golden Light Sword Arts, it seems I won't be able to defeat these three Demon Beasts," Hua Hsing mused. The next moment, he drew his Light Spirit Sword. A golden flash swept through the air, and one Demon Beast collapsed, lifeless.

The remaining two Demon Beasts quickly met the same fate at Hua Hsing's hand.

After dispatching the three Demon Beasts, Hua Hsing pressed on with his hunt. In just one day, he had slain ten Demon Beasts and returned to Breeze City to sell his quarry.

In about ten days, Hua Hsing had amassed enough Spirit Stones to purchase a mid-rank Space Ring. The capacity of this ring was tenfold that of a low-grade one, large enough to hold a hundred Saber-tooth Tigers.

"With this mid-rank Space Ring, I'm finally ready to delve into the depths of the Black Wind Mountain Range," Hua Hsing declared with a hint of anticipation.

As Hua Hsing ventured deeper into the Black Wind Mountain Range, several enigmatic figures converged at its entrance.

"This is the Black Wind Mountain Range," a man whispered. Had Hua Hsing been present, he would have recognized the speaker as Senior Brother Sunn, the one who had previously eluded capture by the Flowing Wind Sect.

"Remember, if anyone holds us back, they'll face the consequences themselves," Senior Brother Qing stated icily.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Qing. The Black Wind Mountain Range is no match for us," another confidently assured.

"Enough talk. Let's move out," Senior Brother Qing commanded.

Meanwhile, within the Azure Edge Sword Sect, in a secluded courtyard, Re Yunzheng stood in his white robes, his expression somber as he stared into the distance, lost in thought.

Behind him, two Outer Sect disciples waited.

"Senior Brother Re, Hua Hsing has entered the Black Wind Mountain Range," one of the disciples reported.

"Senior Brother Re, are you certain that you want to personally venture into the Black Wind Mountain Range?" another disciple inquired.

"This is my final opportunity," Re Yunzheng replied somberly.

Since his defeat by Hua Hsing, even Jiaang Xue had ceased to acknowledge Re Yunzheng, fueling his rage. He harbored all his fury against Hua Hsing.

"Hua Hsing, you're the reason I've lost everything. I will have my revenge," Re Yunzheng vowed silently to himself.

"The Black Wind Mountain Range will be your grave."