Chapter 34: A Single Glance

Under the arrangements made by Zhao Wuji, Cao Yun settled into a secluded temporary cave dwelling on the reception peak. He was eager to find a quiet space, not merely for rest, but because an epiphany during his recent bout had caused the bottleneck of his seventh level of Qi Refining to show subtle signs of loosening.

At this moment, Cao Yun sat cross-legged in the simple training chamber of his temporary abode. Following the flow of his meridians at the seventh level of Qi Refining, he repeatedly struck against the bottleneck leading to the eighth level. The barrier, though appearing fragile, proved incredibly resilient, yet Cao Yun persisted with strike after strike.

The Yuan-Enhancing Technique was pushed to its limit within his body, and beads of sweat the size of peas began to seep from his forehead. Cao Yun gritted his teeth, holding fast until the first rays of the second morning’s sun pierced through the clouds and bathed the earth.

As the morning light emerged, crisp and pleasant birdsong drifted into the cave. Cao Yun slowly opened his eyes, a flicker of sharp light passing through them. A faint smile touched his lips as he mused to himself, "This trip to the Motuo Sect has unexpectedly led to a breakthrough in my seventh-level bottleneck. This alone has made the journey worthwhile."

Just as Cao Yun closed his eyes again to regulate his breathing, a slight vibration emanated from his person.

Cao Yun’s expression tightened. He reached to his waist, and his disciple identity token appeared in his hand, a line of small golden characters shimmering upon it.

Cao Yun scanned the text quickly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he muttered, "Cao Chong and Huang Rufeng have both successfully advanced, while Huo Qingyun was defeated by the Corpse Yin Sect. It seems the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect is leading the pack in this Martial Discussion."

With the matches not starting until the afternoon, Cao Yun continued to meditate and regulate his breath, consolidating his magic power and adjusting his state to its peak.

Only when his identity token signaled that the matches were about to begin did he slowly rise, leave the cave, and mount his magic weapon, streaking across the sky toward the tournament plaza.

Simultaneously, the skies above the reception peaks of nearby mountain ranges were filled with colorful streaks of light as cultivators darted toward the plaza—a truly spectacular sight.

After the time it takes to finish a meal, Cao Yun, dressed in the outer-disciple attire of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect, appeared above the tournament plaza. The square spanned several thousand acres, with a massive, aura-shrouded stone monument—the Wuji Demon Stele—standing prominently in the center, exuding a majestic presence.

The plaza was already bustling with noise. Cao Yun did not seek out Zhao Wuji and the others; instead, he found a random spot, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to conserve his energy.

As time passed, more and more disciples from the Heavenly Demon Sect and other participants arrived, and the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators on the viewing stands gradually increased. They arrived by flying weapons, skiffs, or riding giant avian beasts, creating a lively and chaotic scene.

Before long, a clamor arose. Cao Yun vaguely caught the words "Golden Core Stage," and he was startled from his meditation, snapping his eyes open to look toward the stands.

On a white jade platform several acres in size, a youth of about twenty stood in mid-air, while dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators bowed in reverence below.

"To think that Uncle-Master Liu has actually emerged from his closed-door cultivation."

"Indeed. His disciple, Ku Zhang, was instantly reduced to a mist of blood yesterday by a seventh-level Qi Refining disciple from the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect named Cao Yun..."

"I heard about that, though it's a pity I didn't see the match myself. Our sect's cultivation methods are unique and aren't measured by cultivation rank. Brother Ku Zhang possessed deep cultivation; few outside our sect at the Qi Refining stage could defeat him. To think he was brutally killed in just a few exchanges. It is hard to imagine that an outsider at only the seventh level of Qi Refining could be so terrifying."

Listening to the gossip of the Motuo Sect disciples, Cao Yun couldn't help but shake his head. It wasn't that his methods were cruel, but rather that his opponent was too formidable. To be merciful to an opponent is to be cruel to oneself. In a life-or-death battle, there is no such thing as stopping at a touch; the slightest carelessness could allow the opponent to counterattack, and the outcome would be unpredictable.

He glanced at the disciples and turned to walk elsewhere.

At this moment, twelve bell tolls rang out across the sky. Cao Yun knew the tournament was about to begin.

Sure enough, just as the bells ceased, he received a notification on his identity token: Heavenly Star Wolf Sect, Cao Yun, Qi Refining Level 7, vs. Joyous Union Sect, Zhao Ling'er, Qi Refining Level 10, First Round, Platform One.

Understanding the task, Cao Yun didn't hesitate. He turned into a streak of light and landed directly on the side of the first platform.

A graceful figure drifted down from the air. The female disciple of the Joyous Union Sect moved with the lightness of a fairy descending to the mortal world. Her long dress fluttered in the wind, brushing the ground as if the very air were dancing with her. Her beauty was ethereal and refined, her features delicate, and a faint smile graced her lips, exuding a transcendent aura that compelled people to look her way.

She cast a gentle glance at Cao Yun and spoke in a voice as refreshing as a spring breeze, "Junior Brother Cao, your victory over the Motuo Sect disciple yesterday filled me with admiration. Having to face you today is truly unfortunate; I hope you will show some mercy, Junior Brother."

As Cao Yun looked at her, finding her face increasingly beautiful and her voice increasingly sweet, he felt a sudden sense of alarm. He thought to himself, "Is this not the same charm used by the seductresses of the underworld?"

Cao Yun’s gaze sharpened, and he quickly retreated several yards. Where he had just been standing, several flying swords instantly pierced through, narrowly missing him.

His eyes set, a surge of killing intent welled up within him as he directed his divine sense toward the Joyous Union woman. He roared in anger, "You are courting death!"

Enveloped by Cao Yun’s killing intent, the woman from the Joyous Union Sect turned pale with fright. As she watched his figure pouncing toward her, he seemed to transform into a towering demon. She couldn't help but collapse to her knees, crying out loudly, "Senior Brother Cao, I surrender! I surrender..."

Cao Yun halted, the faint flames that had ignited in his palms slowly extinguishing. He snorted coldly and flew off the platform, leaving Zhao Ling'er of the Joyous Union Sect behind, sobbing uncontrollably.

A commotion broke out below the platform.

"What happened? Did Zhao Ling'er's charm fail, causing her to break down and surrender?"

"Nonsense! I clearly saw Cao Yun of the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect release a rare secret technique from his eyes that shattered her mental defenses."

"None of you are right! Cao Yun simply lacks any appreciation for beauty and looked like he was about to eat her alive. It's no wonder such a delicate girl was scared to tears." Chen Zhen of the Beast Taming Sect watched the sobbing Zhao Ling'er with heartbroken obsession.

"Senior Brother Chen, stop talking. The charm you were hit with during your own match hasn't worn off yet. It’s embarrassing..." another junior brother from the Beast Taming Sect said, blushing and pulling on Chen Zhen's sleeve.

"Nephew Dai, this Cao Yun of your Heavenly Star Wolf Sect is extraordinary. At such a young age, his killing intent alone is enough to shatter the mind of an opponent two levels higher than him. It seems your sect might just take the top prize in this Martial Discussion," said a youth of about twenty, standing at the forefront of the viewing stands. He turned to look at Dai Wuyai among the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators behind him, his tone somber.

"Uncle-Master Liu is too kind. While Cao Yun is somewhat unique, he possesses five-element spiritual roots; I fear he will stop there. Having luckily advanced this round, the next will likely be difficult," Dai Wuyai replied with a humble bow.

"Oh? Five-element spiritual roots, that is a pity. Hmm, I observe that you, Nephew, are filled with abundant spiritual energy; I suspect you will break through to the Golden Core stage soon. Among your peers, you have truly surpassed the rest." The youth named Liu from the Motuo Sect spoke with indifference, leaving it unclear whether his words were a compliment or a mockery.