Chapter 100: The ones on top

Chapter 100: The ones on top

Han Lingyuns breath was hurried.

The last rocks obscuring his vision of the summit gave way and he stumbled upon a wide crater of black rocks. Bright red shone from the zigzagging cracks that crossed the bottom of the pit.

Near the other side of the crater stood a shabby looking wooden house. Han Lingyun approached cautiously.

Sitting in a lotus position next to the houses only wooden door was a muscular bold man. He wore a simple greyish cloak from which his bulging arms where escaping from. Every visible part looked made of pure muscle. His face was chiseled, his neck was extra wide and even his bare feet displayed sharp angles with large bulging veins. The discrete wrinkles on the corners of his eyes only reinforced the impression of dry hardness. The mans current meditating position, eyes closed, wasnt matching his appearance one bit.

At his feet, laid 6 small boxes. A bit further away, a group of young cultivators were facing the bold shredded man, each in their own silent meditation.

Han Lingyuns eyes shone. All had reached the top 16 during the SCA 2nd year competition.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Out of the 6, only two disciples shared identical robes and were sitting noticeably apart from the 4 others. Dai Huiling and Mao Enlai from the Cheng Huang School. The two still had their sect robes, but they were covered in dry blood and mud.

Dai Huiling, she is the girl who reached the semi final of the SCA rankings. And Mao Enlai, I think he ended up in the top 8 but I also remember he had the highest score during the first phase. I guess they should be at the peak of qi condensation by now.

None of the 4 others are slouches either. Zeng Yiengjie from Peach blossom island also made it to the semis. Luo Mingyu is the number one disciple of the Ugly Duck Sect. I have less of an impression of the two remaining: Mo Nianzu from the Qiqing Sect and Cui Qingge of the Shaolin Sect.

Han Lingyun examined the 6 and their reactions to his arrival. His memory was sharp, so he immediately recalled some basic details on those disciples that distinguished themselves during the SCA competition.

Dai Huiling opened her eyes and imperceptibly nodded to Han Lingyun before closing them right after. Mao Enlai didnt even budge as he kept his cultivating stance, ignoring his surroundings.

Han Lingyuns eyes were inexorably attracted to the one standing out from the rest: Luo Mingyu was the only one not in a lotus position but lying down on the rocky terrain, seemingly in a deep sleep. He held an empty jar in his left hand. Han Lingyun retracted his gaze from the Ugly Duck Sects disciple to evaluate the others.

But the times dont permit it. What isnt increasing my strength immediately brings me closer to my demise. Once again, Im not in control of my life. When its not the Black Rainbow Sect, its my own school. And even my own so-called Senior. I had some doubts about Old Lis intentions for some time already. With the protectors warning, I can now be sure he has some scheme. Perhaps some actually want to help me, but it doesnt change anything. Anyway, they are all serving their own interest.

Since the SCA competition, rather than contemplating rune algorithms, if only I had learned a defensive martial art for example. My life wouldnt have been so easy to lose then! Yet, how could I know back then, that I would be stripped of all my treasures and thrown in the wilderness?

Fight, fight and fight! But can I cultivate like this?

A dark smirk suddenly on Han Lingyuns visage. Hehe, of course I can. The threat of death is truly a good source of motivation. Or I might as well continue playing with my toys while those great masters play with me to death.

I understand why this mysterious figure would want to live in such a remote place. On the deserted summit of a 20km high Volcano, hidden behind a powerful formation. But it seems even him, even with all his power, he cannot escape from being involved in the affairs of others. Or why would he willingly accept teaching some qi condensation disciples? From the kindness of his heart? I dont believe it.

At least, I sense this arrangement has offered me a unique opportunity to make progress. I shall not waste it one single bit. NOT ONE!

Han Lingyun image mentally took a breath, calming the emerging flames in his heart.

This continent, perhaps even this whole planet, isnt suitable for my path. Fine, I will just have to find a better place then. But for this, Im forced to follow the rules, I need strength. So much for great plans and long-term goals. How can I dare to have these when I cannot protect my existence.

Even though Ill temporally set aside my study of runes, I will persist with first merging the 5 elements with my spirit. I intuitively feel this is the correct path for me. Not only does it provide a great advantage in the diversity and profundity of rune inscriptions, it has greatly benefited my cultivation all around. However, I feel that Im not using fully the advantage of my comprehension yet.

Next, when I come back to the school, I will be requesting the martial arts I should have taken long ago. At this time, progressing on the array path shouldnt be an issue, as long as it increases my strength.

And for now, I will be taking advantage of this mysterious figure to form the best foundation possible.

After an unknown amount of time, Han Lingyun was suddenly taken out from his considerations with the sound of the arrival of another disciple. He curiously glanced over.