Chapter 570

Chapter 570: Another Monster Emerges

While others took malicious joy in the situation, the members of Five Elements Sect sat in gloomy distress. Aboard their magnificent Eighth-rank Five Elements Flying Boat at the highest pavilion, surrounded by fine wine and delicacies, they squirmed as if seated on needles.

Such was the weight of reputation. The Xuan Sect’s lineage stretched back to antiquity as the world’s oldest sect. Even their average disciples dominated their peers, while their strongest inheritor of the Qing Feng Dao name stood as an undefeated titan of this generation.

This current Qing Feng proved exceptional. Though nearing thirty, he had shaken the world since his teenage debut. For a decade he roamed the land, crushing demons and evil spirits without tasting defeat.

Of the dozens of sect heirs present, some had openly clashed with him, others tested him covertly—all acknowledged his superiority. Qing Feng’s fame grew from countless brutal battles, most famously when he slew a Thunder Tribulation Immortal from the demonic sect after a day-long duel three years prior.

Though the Immortal only stood at the early Thunder Tribulation stage and lacked extraordinary power, he’d survived heavenly punishment and wielded an Eighth-rank life-bound treasure. That such a figure fell to a Qi Sea cultivator stunned the world.

Thunder Tribulation Immortals possessed terrifying survivability. Even when outnumbered, they typically escaped. Yet Qing Feng had killed one outright, revealing his monstrous capabilities.

Even Fang Lie, confident in battling early-stage Thunder Tribulation opponents, doubted he could achieve such lethal results. This feat cemented Qing Feng’s status as the Celestial Platform Competition’s top contender, his victory chants drowning out all others.

Faced with this enraged challenger, Five Elements Sect members cursed their misfortune at being implicated by the Golden Crow Ancient Kingdom’s blunder. After brief deliberation, their Sect Leader sighed, "We concede."

Against others, Five Elements might have fought. But Qing Feng guaranteed defeat. Previously, the Xuan Sect’s gentle approach toward neutral sects might have compelled them to battle despite the odds.

But now Qing Feng burned with righteous fury after the Golden Crow Prince’s mortal insult to his Junior Brother and the Xuan Sect’s honor. He’d show no mercy—likely slaughtering Five Elements’ chief heir.

Such heirs required selection from billions of mortals and mountains of resources to nurture. None would sacrifice this investment needlessly. Better temporary humiliation than certain death.

By competition rules, refusal meant automatic elimination while granting the challenger victory—the Celestial Platform’s cruel nature demanded fearless ambition to prevail.

As Five Elements retreated, Qing Feng could only snort coldly before departing.

Silence reclaimed the arena until Mo Lanyun whispered, "Should I eliminate Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s scoundrels before they trouble Senior Brother?"

Mo Qianxun remained silent, but Fang Lie immediately vetoed, "No. This is my fight."

"But I want to help!"

"Challenge others freely—even righteous sects. But Ten-Thousand Gu Sect? Only strike if provoked." Fang Lie’s tone hardened. "Like Great Thunder Sound Temple, they nurse intense hatred and came prepared. Their schemes may include treasures that counter my undying nature. I won’t risk you."

"That dangerous?"

"Undoubtedly," Mo Qianxun interjected. "Ten-Thousand Gu descends from ancient Left Dao’s most vicious branch. Their Gu techniques hide poisonous divine skills and relics from that fallen sect—some capable of breaching undying defenses. Were I you, I’d avoid this fight."

"Impossible," Fang Lie countered. "Refusal means forfeit."

"Losing is just losing, nothing serious. Did you truly believe you could claim the championship?" Mo Qianxun stated solemnly. "If you fear losing our wager, I can cancel it!"

"Hmph!" Fang Lie retorted stubbornly, "I don’t need your pity. The truth is, I came here aiming for the leader’s position! Why shouldn’t I, Fang Lie, defeat all the chief disciples in this world?"

"You?" Mo Qianxun chuckled. "Let’s not mention others—even Qing Feng or Ming Yue from the Xuan Sect could easily crush you!"

"We’ll only know after fighting!" Fang Lie shot back. "Victory doesn’t always favor the strongest. Otherwise, Ming Yue wouldn’t have lost to that worthless prince!"

"Amusing logic, but exceptions rarely apply here." Mo Qianxun smirked. "On the Celestial Platform, strength reigns supreme. You’ve no chance."

"Just wait!" Fang Lie growled. "I’ll prove my power to you!"

Mo Qianxun merely smiled, while Mo Lanyun bit her lip, torn between siding with either.

The silence shattered when a Semi-Immortal declared, "If no challengers remain, we proceed by tradition."

"Agreed. Let the last qualifier from the previous round step forth!"

Though seemingly flexible, the Celestial Platform Competition’s rules left no room for loopholes. Should no volunteers emerge, the previous round’s final qualifier was compelled to challenge.

This system granted early challengers the advantage of facing the last opponent. Yet in the next round, the last challenger would be first—balancing risks and benefits.

Under the Semi-Immortals’ urging, the reluctant final qualifier initiated combat.

Subsequent battles dazzled as sect leaders unveiled their finest techniques. Yet victories hinged on raw strength, with no underdog triumphs. At this stage, challengers wisely targeted weaker foes rather than prodigies.

Ming Jianzi of Great Snow Mountain and Xue Sha of the Blood River Sect advanced, as did the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect’s Gu Fairy. The righteous sects saw Qing Feng, Fang Lie, and Mo Lanyun progress. Three from neutral family clans joined them, evenly dividing nine spots among factions.

This round unveiled a dark horse: Li Qingshi, chief disciple of Abbot Mountain from the Overseas Three Immortal Isles. Barely two feet tall, he resembled an iron-cast toddler.

His physique matched his reputation. Trained in Abbot Immortal Mountain’s core inheritance—the Vajra Mysterious Skill—he treated his body as a refined treasure. At advanced stages, his flesh rivaled magical treasures.

This secret technique demanded rare spiritual roots, leaving Abbot Mountain without a practitioner for millennia—until Li Qingshi’s emergence. Hidden even within his sect, he’d been groomed solely for this competition.

His earlier match revealed little due to feeble opposition. But when a seasoned Demonic Path chief assaulted him with an Eighth-rank Treasure’s barrage, Li Qingshi weathered the storm, closed in, and obliterated his foe with one punch!

The audience gasped as Divine Seals capable of slaying Fire Tribulation Immortals engulfed him—only to shred his clothes while leaving his skin unmarked.

Thus, the crowd recognized another championship contender—this iron-skinned prodigy from the seas.