"How would I know if I was successful? Those are all old stories from years ago; it's better not to mention them." Upon hearing this, Deputy Instructor Wang Dashan put on an expression as if he had already forgotten. His round, chubby face turned slightly red, and a faint, barely perceptible shadow crossed it, startling Chen Fei for a moment.

"Speaking of which, within a thousand-mile radius of the Lingnan Mountains, the most powerful factions are the Bai Family of Tian Kui Market, Qingqiu of Mirror Cliff, the Bitter Cold Sword Sect of Northern Domain, and the Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool. But what about Tiger Leopard Hall? Don't they count?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Tiger Leopard Hall?"

Hearing the name, Deputy Instructor Wang Dashan's chubby, round face fell. He spoke with a cold and stern expression, "They're a special case. Many people subconsciously exclude them from the circle."

"But there's no denying that they... that Tiger Leopard Hall is very powerful. Even when compared to the Bitter Cold Sword Sect, widely acknowledged as the strongest among the Four Great Hidden Sects, it's hard to say who is superior. It's said that old coot, Luo Zun, has already started trying to break through to the Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist stage. If he were to succeed by some chance, our Flying Leopard's situation would become even more difficult."

As the wind howled past the sheer cliffs, everyone's expression involuntarily darkened, their hearts constricting.

After all, Flying Leopard and Tiger Leopard Hall had been locked in a life-or-death struggle for a very long time, with no room for de-escalation. Yet now, their rivals were only growing stronger.

That old man, known for being inhuman and cold-blooded, was already dangerous enough. If he managed to break through to the Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist stage... the consequences would be unthinkable.

At this thought, a heavy, oppressive weight settled in their hearts. Everyone, from the Flying Leopard elite members behind them to Deputy Instructor Wang Dashan—who had recently reached the Early Innate Ancient Martial Artist stage—suddenly lost their enthusiasm.

"Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist?" Only Chen Fei's lips twitched into a strange smirk upon hearing this, as if it were unexpected.

After all, he had always assumed that the inhuman monster everyone feared was at least a Peak Late Innate Ancient Martial Artist, perhaps even touching the legendary level of an Innate Grandmaster. But to think he's actually 'merely' a Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist? If that's really the case, then there's nothing to be afraid of.

With his foundation and strength, even setting aside his strongest trump card, the Immortal Sect technique known as the "Scripture of Meditation," he would be completely invincible. As long as he could cultivate the nine Sword Qi of Sanyang True Fire, no one in the Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist stage or the Qi Refining Fifth Layer could possibly defeat him.

"Let's not talk about these frustrating matters. However, Chief Instructor, there's one more thing we need to pay attention to at this Lingnan Martial Arts Competition: the Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool," Deputy Instructor Wang Dashan suddenly said.

"The Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool, one of the Four Great Hidden Sects? Why?" Chen Fei asked, slightly surprised.

"They hold an old grudge against us at Flying Leopard, so they've always been hostile. Nine years ago, one of our deputy instructors was killed by a Half-Step Innate Elder from their Huadao Fort," Deputy Instructor Wang Dashan said coldly.

This incident had always been a source of shame and pain for Flying Leopard. Ever since one of their deputy instructors was killed on the spot at Tian Kui Peak, on some pretext found by a Half-Step Innate Elder from Huadao Fort, they had never again participated in this grand event. But now that they had returned, they would inevitably have to face the hostile Huadao Fort and avenge the past!

"The Blade Forge of Evil Dragon Pool? The Four Great Hidden Sects? Looks like we'll have some fun this time... Huh, what's that up ahead?" Chen Fei murmured with narrowed eyes, a sharp glint crossing his deep, clear black eyes. Then, he suddenly looked up, staring at the mountain peak ahead in amazement.

"We've arrived. That's Tian Kui Peak and Tian Kui Market," Deputy Instructor Wang Dashan said slowly, pointing to a mist-enshrouded mountain peak in the distance. His unconsciously squinted eyes once again revealed a hint of admiration. Although it wasn't his first time here, each visit still left him involuntarily awestruck.

"A formation?" Chen Fei suddenly commented.

Deputy Instructor Wang was taken aback. Astonishment shot through his eyes. He knows about it, Chief Instructor? I haven't even begun to explain, and Chief Instructor Chen has already seen through it? He actually knows that such things as formations exist?

Despite his immense surprise, he immediately began to explain, "It is said that the ancestors of the Bai Family of Tian Kui Market were great masters of the Mystic Sect, especially skilled in formations. The Bai Family has inherited this knowledge and is highly adept in the ways of Mystic Sect Formations. They're very tricky to deal with."

"Interesting," Chen Fei replied, unable to keep his eyes from narrowing. His face was expressionless, hiding his thoughts.

Then, he suddenly extended a hand and projected a burst of Qi toward the distant mountaintop. The mist-enveloped peak slowly parted as if a patch of spring snow were melting, revealing a narrow path wide enough for two or three people to walk abreast, stretching out of sight.

"What—what kind of technique is this?" Wang Dashan and the other Flying Leopard elite members looked at each other in utter astonishment.

"It's nothing much, just the formation. Alright, let's go. This passage won't stay open for long," Chen Fei nonchalantly dismissed the question and disappeared down the path with a placid expression.

Wang Dashan was even more astounded. He even understands formations? He knows about that kind of legendary stuff too?

However, he understood that this was no time for delay. He glanced at the Flying Leopard members behind him, signaling them to follow, and then stepped forward, his figure vanishing into the passage carved through the mist.

They soon emerged into a verdant, low-lying valley planted with all sorts of exotic flowers and rare herbs. The valley was enclosed by mountains on three sides, with the only entrance being the misty slope they had just passed through.

"It truly is a hidden paradise," Chen Fei remarked with a soft sigh, taking in the scene and the bustling crowd in the distance.

From the outside, Tian Kui Peak, deep in the Lingnan Mountains, appeared to be an impassable cliff in a forbidden zone, completely devoid of human life. Who would have thought that hidden halfway up the mountain was such an Arcadia?

The area covered at least a hundred acres, filled with various types of exquisite architecture. Many people were coming and going; some were dressed in modern clothing, while others wore ancient-style robes, creating a slightly peculiar sight.

In the very center of the buildings stood a grand, three-story palace. In front of it was a wide plaza paved with blue bricks, where, surprisingly, many people had set up small stalls like vendors in a bustling city market. Chen Fei's eyes lit up at the sight.

"This is Tian Kui Market. That blue brick plaza ahead is the trading area. Many people from the Ancient Martial Arts world bring various treasures here to sell. Chief Instructor, if you're interested, you should have a look. However, most transactions here are done through bartering; only a few people are willing to accept money," Deputy Instructor Wang explained, pointing out the features ahead.

"And that tallest, grandest building in the center of the plaza is named Tian Kui Pavilion by the Bai Family of Tian Kui Market. It's an auction house. Two large-scale auctions are held here every year, where many valuable treasures usually appear," he added, pointing to the palace.

"Bartering? That could be a bit tricky," Chen Fei muttered, stroking his chin with a troubled look. He didn't seem to have any valuable items on hand to trade, other than money.

"Chief Instructor, if there's something you're interested in, I have some personal items with me right now. If you don't mind, you can use them," Deputy Instructor Wang said after a moment's hesitation. He took out a piece of metal with a faint purple gleam from a pouch.

"Purple Pattern Bronze?" Chen Fei glanced at the object, slightly surprised. The metal was none other than the lowest-grade crafting material in the Cultivation World.

"Yes." Deputy Instructor Wang nodded and explained, "For people in our circle, the most accepted hard currency is this kind of naturally occurring hard metal, because it can be forged into sharp divine weapons that greatly increase their strength. Other valuable items include rare herbs, Mystic Sect artifacts, and martial arts techniques, like internal powers and stances, passed down from ancient times..."

He trailed off mid-sentence, his squinted eyes instinctively darting in a certain direction. Chen Fei was momentarily startled and followed his gaze.

From around a corner on one of the streets, a tall young man in white clothes emerged. He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a proud bearing and cold, arrogant features. He had an arm around each of two provocatively dressed young women, smirking and flirting as he walked.

Following behind him were two elderly men in coarse linen robes who looked nearly identical. The skin all over their bodies, even on their faces, was as dry and withered as tree bark. They walked with their heads bowed, their steps unsteady, yet they somehow exuded a sharp, chilling aura. They appeared to be the protectors of the young man in white.

"You know him, Instructor Wang?" Chen Fei asked curiously.

"Mhm." Deputy Instructor Wang nodded slightly and turned his gaze back. "He's the heir of this generation of the Bai Family of Tian Kui Market. I think his name is something like Bai... Bai Bin? I crossed paths with him three months ago. At the time, I believe he had just reached the Half-Step Innate realm. His name is quite well-known in today's Martial Forest."

"A Half-Step Innate before the age of thirty? That is indeed quite impressive," Chen Fei remarked with a faint, smiling squint, obviously unfazed.

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