C8 Proceeding Without Success(1)

Disciples from all the neighboring sects had already signed up, yet not a single individual from the Profound Heaven Sect had shown up. Chen Feng pondered the situation, realizing that at this rate, he had no idea when the sect's mission would be accomplished.

Turning his attention to Lu Xueqi beside him, he noticed she was steadfastly practicing her cultivation. True to her reputation as a Peerless Talent, she possessed a resolve far greater than his own.

Chen Feng rose to his feet, cleared his throat, and bellowed, "The Profound Heaven Sect is looking to recruit ten disciples. Those interested in joining, come forward and register now!"

His call caught the nearby crowd off guard, but their surprise quickly turned to raucous laughter. "This is too funny! What's the Profound Heaven Sect anyway? Since their last sect master died, I bet they don't even have anyone in the Body Refining Stage left," someone from the Tyrant Blade Sect guffawed louder than the rest.

"Are these two greenhorns serious about recruiting? Do they want to die of laughter so they can poach my disciples?" jeered a member of the Roaring Tiger Hall, joining in the ridicule without missing a beat.

The mockery resonated with the crowd, and they all joined in the laughter. Within dozens of miles, everyone knew the state of the Profound Heaven Sect. It had been propped up by the old sect master, and now that he was gone, did they really think they could avoid being devoured by the other sects?

"It's rumored that when the Profound Heaven Sect Disciples left, they stripped the place of all its valuables. I'd be surprised if they had a single tael of silver left. Otherwise, they would've been annexed by now," remarked someone from the Sword Soaring Pavilion, finding the idea of the Profound Heaven Sect recruiting disciples utterly absurd.

The Sword Soaring Pavilion, Tyrant Blade Sect, and Roaring Tiger Hall stood as the most formidable Grade Nine powers around Essence Opening City. They could afford to scoff at the Profound Heaven Sect without fear of retribution, especially now that the sect didn't have a single noteworthy member left.

Everyone was whispering and pointing.

Yet, Chen Feng remained unfazed. If he couldn't handle this much, how was he supposed to make it in the future?

Chen Feng could take it, but Lu Xueqi had reached her limit. She was about to give these jesters a piece of her mind.

Unfortunately, that's when a group of people arrived.

"I thought we had some bold souls taking over our territory. Turns out it's just the Profound Heaven Sect. The City Lord Mansion must be slipping if the Profound Heaven Sect thinks they can step in for the Blazing Fire Sect. It's clear they don't see us as a threat."

The newcomer snorted, his presence as imposing as a mountain, causing those of lesser strength to collapse to the ground, writhing in agony.

The leader, a man with white hair, was clad in a long robe adorned with red flames, exuding the aura of someone at the Golden Core Level One. His aura seemed unstable, suggesting he had recently made the breakthrough. Given his age, reaching Golden Core Level One was likely his zenith.

Behind him were ten disciples dressed in red, refined training attire, carrying themselves with the air of a major sect. Each one wore a look of defiance.

Chen Feng watched them, inwardly marveling. "One day, my Profound Heaven Sect will be just as imposing."

The Blazing Fire Sect was the only Grade Eight Sect around Essence Opening City, boasting several Golden Core Stage elders, and its Sect Master, Blazing Fire, possessed the formidable cultivation of Golden Core Level Seven, solidly overshadowing the City Lord Mansion. This gave the leading elder the audacity to speak so boldly.

Chen Feng took a quick assessment of the elder at the forefront.

Name: Yanshan

Strength: Golden Core Level One

Sect: Elder of the Blazing Fire Sect

Cultivation Method: Blazing Fire Spell

Physique: None

Talent: Bone Root: 6 (Max: 10)

Insight: 7 (Max: 10)

Predestined Blessing: 6 (Max: 10)

Willpower: 6 (Max: 10)

As the Blazing Fire Sect made their presence known, the leading elder from the Tyrant Blade Sect stepped forward, braving Yanshan's intimidating aura, and said, "So the Blazing Fire Sect graces us with their presence. We are indeed honored!"

The elders from Sword Soaring Pavilion and Roaring Tiger Hall were quick to agree, their behavior reminiscent of eager sycophants.

Yanshan returned their smiles, acknowledging the trio's importance. While he might dismiss others, these three represented the mightiest Grade Nine Sects within Essence Opening City, and they deserved recognition.

"Please bear with me for a moment," Yanshan said confidently. "I'll first take care of the Profound Heaven Sect's buffoon. After that, we can reconvene without delay." He clearly underestimated the Profound Heaven Sect.

His expression then turned stern as he commanded, "Take them down, bring them to me broken, and expel them from Essence Opening City. No one can challenge the Blazing Fire Sect's territory and expect to succeed!"

Yanshan also issued a warning to those nearby, aware that agents from the City Lord Mansion were likely concealed around them. It was common knowledge that this area was under the Blazing Fire Sect's control.

The City Lord had favored the Profound Heaven Sect, but Yanshan knew that inaction would only invite ridicule from the neighboring sects. The friction between the Blazing Fire Sect and the City Lord Mansion was not something to be concealed.

Yanshan's ten disciples stepped forward, advancing toward Chen Feng.

An elder from the Tyrant Blade Sect spoke up, "Elder Yanshan, I implore you to spare the lady. Our Young Lord is quite taken with her and wishes to marry her as a concubine. We wouldn't want you to be at a disadvantage, so we're prepared to offer ten Low Grade Essence Stones as compensation."

Negotiating with the Blazing Fire Sect required a significant offer; respect was not granted without merit.

Those around gasped at the mention of the Essence Stones, aware of their immense value. A single Low Grade Essence Stone could fetch 100,000 taels of silver, and they were not easily parted with.

The Tyrant Blade Sect's annual revenue was about ten Low Grade Essence Stones, and yet they were willing to part with such a sum for a single woman.

Hearing the elder's proposal, Yanshan glanced at Lu Xueqi, recognizing her striking beauty. He doubted there was anyone in Essence Opening City who could match her allure. If he weren't so advanced in years, he might have considered claiming her for himself.

Yanshan was well aware that his peak would be reaching Golden Core Level One in his lifetime. In contrast, the Young Lord of the Tyrant Blade Sect was a Peerless Talent, destined to become a formidable Golden Core warrior. It made sense for Yanshan to curry favor with him.

The ten Low Grade Essence Stones were indeed valuable. Yanshan's entire wealth didn't amount to ten stones, yet with these ten Essence Stones, he could fully stabilize his current level.

Onlookers gazed at Lu Xueqi with a mix of admiration for her beauty and envy for her fortune. To become the concubine of the Young Lord was a prestigious honor, a chance for her to soar to great heights.

Chen Feng, meanwhile, was seething with anger. Someone dared to covet his beloved disciple? He thought, "Do they see me as a weakling, mistaking my restraint for vulnerability?"

Lu Xueqi could sense Chen Feng's rage. With swift grace, she drew her sword and dashed forward, her departure marked by a lingering scent in the air.

The crowd, witnessing the sudden appearance of the sword, recognized the hallmark of a space treasure. Lu Xueqi had no space pouch at her waist, which could only mean she possessed a Space Ring, an item that elicited covetous stares.

Yanshan watched Lu Xueqi make her move. A Space Ring indicated a remarkable origin, given its scarcity; even the Blazing Fire Sect didn't boast such an item. Despite understanding its rarity, Yanshan's greed got the better of him.

Scanning the crowd, whose members were itching for action, Yanshan scoffed. The Blazing Fire Sect was the mightiest in Essence Opening City. No one would dare challenge them, not even the City Lord Mansion.

Lu Xueqi plunged into the throng, her sword radiating a chilling frost. The ten disciples trembled, their fear palpable. Despite their trepidation, the prospect of elder reprimand forced them to confront her.

An onlooker exclaimed, "That's the Blazing Fire Sect's Flame Palm Technique, a Yellow Level martial skill. Legend has it that at its peak, it can smelt metal and forge iron. It's incredibly powerful."

"It looks like this young woman is in trouble," the onlookers mused, skeptical of Chen Feng and Lu Xueqi's chances. The formidable reputation of the Blazing Fire Sect was well-established in their minds.

The Blazing Fire Sect's disciples were predominantly at the fourth or fifth level of the Body Refining Stage, their palms glowing with a brilliant red light as they struck out at Lu Xueqi.

However, Lu Xueqi was a martial artist at the pinnacle of the Body Refining Stage. The disparity between each level was vast, and she was at a level where even a multitude of lower-level opponents would be no match for her.

With a swift execution of the Basic Sword Spell, Lu Xueqi's sword flashed, severing the palms of the Blazing Fire Sect's disciples. Shock and terror were etched on the faces of those who witnessed it, as the injured disciples lay on the ground, clutching their wounds and wailing in agony.

Yanshan looked on at the dreadful scene, his disciples in disarray. Though they lacked exceptional talent, they were still his Blazing Fire Sect's disciples, and he knew they would face the Sect Master's punishment upon their return. The thought alone sent a chill down his spine.

"You little brat, how dare you inflict such harm upon my Blazing Fire Sect disciples? There will be no place on earth for you to hide today," Yanshan fumed, his rage making him disregard the Tyrant Blade Sect Elder's previous instructions.

His only option now was to eliminate Lu Xueqi and retrieve the Space Ring to bring back to his sect. By offering it to the Sect Master, he could atone for this debacle and possibly even receive a reward. This could pave the way for his advancement in the future.