Chapter 951: You’re Still Too Weak
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The success of advancing beyond one’s level signified a future power in the Rule Integration Realm, and even more so for those who were at the mid-Rule Integration Realm or beyond.
The appearance of such a prodigy in the Qiankun Mansion naturally pleased the higher-ups of the human race, as this had been the original intent for opening the mansion.
The only ones displeased were likely the Sun Moon Realm experts from the Sky Sea Branch.
Other branches might have only seen it as a spectacle and acknowledged that Kuang Xingfeng was strong.
The Sky Sea Branch’s reputation, however, suffered a blow since one of their courtyards had been transferred to the Fire Away Branch.
The Sky Sea Branch’s courtyards in the late Sun Moon Realm had now been reduced to twenty-nine.
This situation directly embarra.s.sed the Sky Sea Branch. It would have been better if Kuang Xingfeng had challenged one of the Sky Sea Branch’s own late Sun Moon Realm experts.
If he had won, Qiankun Mansion would have awarded him his merit points and the courtyard without any deductions.
Instead, Kuang Xingfeng had not challenged the Sky Sea Branch but had chosen to come there.
Was it because the late Sun Moon Realm experts in the Sky Sea Branch were weaker?
That could not have been the reason. If he wanted weaker opponents, he could have picked one ranked thirtieth, but Kuang Xingfeng had chosen the twenty-ninth.
The implications of this were quite clear.
Being the first to advance beyond one’s level had certainly brought more recognition, and Chen Fei, as the first person in this Qiankun Mansion to succeed in such a feat, had naturally been remembered by everyone.
Kuang Xingfeng had also succeeded in advancing beyond his level, which was impressive, but when it came to the idea of advancing beyond one’s level, people had instinctively thought of Chen Fei.
However, now that Kuang Xingfeng had taken a courtyard from the Sky Sea Branch, the meaning was entirely different.
“Chen Fei’s talent was remarkable, but it was a pity they hadn’t had a chance to fight. Such a regret!”
Kuang Xingfeng’s remark had somehow spread within the Qiankun Mansion and had reached Chen Fei’s ears.
“He’s trying to provoke you.”
In the courtyard, Chen Fei sat with people from the Primordial Sword Sect, surrounded by the fragrance of tea.
Qu Qingsheng had picked up his teacup, taken a sip, and looked at Chen Fei.
Although Kuang Xingfeng’s statement had seemed to lament the lack of a duel opportunity, the underlying implication had been quite clear.
The reason there hadn’t been a duel opportunity was that Chen Fei was still too weak and not qualified to fight him!
After all, Kuang Xingfeng had been at the peak of the mid-stage of the Sun Moon Realm, with his second divine power already fully transformed and the Heavenly Pillar in his body reaching its critical point.
He had been just one suitable opportunity away from breaking into the late-stage Sun Moon Realm.
The five thousand merit points awarded by Qiankun Mansion had provided the perfect opportunity, meaning that Kuang Xingfeng’s breakthrough to the late Sun Moon Realm had been imminent.
At most, it would have been within ten days, without further delay.
Now that Kuang Xingfeng could advance beyond his level, his combat power would undoubtedly soar even further once he broke into the late-stage Sun Moon Realm.
Chen Fei, having just advanced to the mid-stage Sun Moon Realm, was not even worth Kuang Xingfeng’s consideration for a duel. In Kuang Xingfeng’s eyes, or in everyone’s view, Chen Fei still seemed somewhat immature.
Chen Fei would become very strong in the future, but that was a matter for the future.
Moreover, while Chen Fei’s future strength was antic.i.p.ated, Kuang Xingfeng would also remain formidable, and in Kuang Xingfeng’s view, his future strength would only increase.
By making such a statement, Kuang Xingfeng had ensured that everyone, including Chen Fei, had to hear it, whether they liked it or not.
Unless the Sky Sea Branch could find someone to surpa.s.s Kuang Xingfeng, such a statement would stand.
But was there such a person? Could the current top late-stage Sun Moon Realm expert of the Sky Sea Branch, Mo Qibing, be challenged?
“Rest a.s.sured. I have a plan,” Chen Fei said with a nod.
“People outside are saying that Kuang Xingfeng did it on purpose. Junior Brother, don’t fall for his tricks!” Guo Linshan whispered.
In Qiankun Mansion, those in the Sun Moon Realm formed one circle, while those below the Sun Moon Realm formed another.
Each courtyard had friends and family brought in by Sun Moon Realm experts.
It was unthinkable for Sun Moon Realm experts to use servants for personal service. They would not squander such an opportunity on servants.
Instead, they would bring their most important people to make the most of Qiankun Mansion’s rich spiritual energy and the insights it offered.
These individuals would regularly interact with each other and discuss various cultivation issues.
“The opponent has simply had the advantage of time, having cultivated for several hundred more years,” Feng Xiupu also remarked.
“Exactly, the talent compared to Junior Brother is far behind,” Zhang Fangqiong added.
“The amount of time spent cultivating isn’t crucial; what matters is the actual strength,” Chen Fei said with a light smile, hearing their words.
Although they were trying to comfort him, they were actually worried that Chen Fei might be provoked into challenging Kuang Xingfeng.
Subconsciously, they felt that Chen Fei was still a step behind Kuang Xingfeng.
The disadvantage was not in talent but in the shorter cultivation time.
“Chen Fei, don’t be impulsive!” Elder Zhou Zixun quickly spoke up upon hearing Chen Fei’s words.
Over the years, everyone had come to understand Chen Fei’s temperament very well.
From Chen Fei’s demeanor just now, it seemed he was considering challenging Kuang Xingfeng.
But such a challenge would be extremely disadvantageous for Chen Fei.
As a prodigy capable of fighting beyond his level, Kuang Xingfeng’s talent could indeed be described as exceptional and remarkable.
Chen Fei could also fight beyond his level, but while Kuang Xingfeng had spent many years at the mid-stage Sun Moon Realm, Chen Fei had only recently advanced to this stage.
Despite Chen Fei’s numerous achievements over the years, the current situation was truly too risky and entirely unnecessary.
“It’s just a sparring match in the martial arts arena. Even if I fail, it won’t be a bad thing for me. It might even help temper my arrogance,” Chen Fei said with a smile.
Hearing this, Qu Qingsheng and the others exchanged glances.
While it didn’t seem completely wrong, it was unwise to charge into a situation where success was unlikely. Losing could tarnish Chen Fei’s reputation as a prodigy.
Given the current circ.u.mstances, Chen Fei’s chances of losing were quite high.
That afternoon, Chen Fei sought out Hua Zhichun.
“You want to challenge Kuang Xingfeng?” Hua Zhichun’s eyes widened slightly in disbelief as he looked at Chen Fei.
Kuang Xingfeng had taken one of Sky Sea Branch’s courtyards, giving a blow to all the Sun Moon Realm experts from the Sky Sea Branch. This had even made Hua Zhichun uncomfortable.
But despite his discomfort, Hua Zhichun knew that against such a prodigy who could fight beyond his level, there weren’t many options available.
The Qiankun Mansion didn’t permit situations where the powerful simply overwhelmed the weaker.
It was hard to find a mid-stage Sun Moon Realm expert in the Sky Sea Branch who could contend with Kuang Xingfeng.
After all, having a few prodigies who could fight beyond their level in a Qiankun Mansion was already an exceptional achievement.
There were twelve human cities, and not every city could produce such a figure.
Sky Sea Branch already had Chen Fei. Was it too much to expect another such prodigy?
Mo Qibing, the top mid-stage Sun Moon Realm expert in the Sky Sea Branch, was good, but not to the extent of fighting beyond his level.
“Isn’t this a bit too risky?” Hua Zhichun asked after some thought.
“It is a bit risky. So, if we were to set up a betting pool, would many people place bets?” Chen Fei asked with a smile.
Hua Zhichun furrowed his brow, not immediately answering Chen Fei.
Few people actually believed Chen Fei would succeed in his challenge against Mo Qibing the next day.
If Chen Fei were to challenge Kuang Xingfeng, it was likely that no one would think Chen Fei could win.
If such a betting pool were set up, everyone would undoubtedly bet on Chen Fei losing.
If Chen Fei won, the betting pool would certainly make a significant profit.
But the key issue was that even Hua Zhichun felt Chen Fei’s chances of winning against Kuang Xingfeng were extremely low.
If Chen Fei lost, even if the odds for his loss were set very low, the bookmaker would still incur a substantial loss.
It might even mean losing all the profits from the previous bets and having to draw from their own funds.
This situation was quite different from the previous bet where Chen Fei fought twelve opponents, which had various odds based on the number of victories.
With so many people in Qiankun Mansion and varying victory counts, the bookmaker had more control over the betting.
This time, it was simply a matter of winning or losing, and Hua Zhichun couldn’t see where the opportunity for a win was.
“Chen Fei, to be honest, I have no confidence in your challenge,” Hua Zhichun said, looking at Chen Fei.
“So I came today to give you confidence,” Chen Fei replied as he stood up with a smile.
“May I use the training room?”
If he were not the one initiating the challenge and unable to be the bookmaker, Chen Fei would have set up a betting pool himself a long time ago.
“Please, this way.”
Hua Zhichun’s expression shifted slightly as he led Chen Fei into the courtyard’s training room.
The training room in a peak Sun Moon Realm courtyard naturally had the most potent effects among all realms. Even the protective arrays could withstand the daily attacks and practices of peak Sun Moon Realm experts.
Inside the training room, Chen Fei faced Hua Zhichun, and the Eternal Night Manifestation appeared behind him.
Hua Zhichun observed the Eternal Night Manifestation and noticed that Chen Fei’s understanding of his techniques seemed to have significantly advanced. The Eternal Night Manifestation now felt distinctly different from their previous encounter.
Chen Fei’s aura began to rise, with the Desolate Slaughter Night Star Sword channeling spiritual energy, and immense power started to coalesce within him.
The phantom of Pillar Mountain appeared behind the Eternal Night Manifestation, and Chen Fei’s aura surged sharply.
Hua Zhichun’s expression grew serious. At this moment, Chen Fei’s aura was only slightly weaker than Mo Qibing’s.
While true combat could not be judged solely by aura, it could give a preliminary sense of whether they were capable of fighting each other.
From the current aura alone, Chen Fei was fully qualified to challenge Mo Qibing.
Especially with the towering, celestial mountain phantom that Chen Fei had conjured, indicating that it was his second divine power.
Although this divine power had not yet reached the stage of transformation, it already felt on par with other Sun Moon Realm complete divine powers.
However, Kuang Xingfeng was a different level of strength compared to Mo Qibing.