When Liu Jiangfusheng of Dushan Temple first comprehended the Eight Desolations and Six Harmonies Art—"Slay Karma"—in the past, his exertion was still somewhat forced, ultimately leading to his qi meridians being depleted and him falling unconscious. However, this time, he fully unleashed the Eight Desolations and Six Harmonies Art—"Slay Karma." Yet, his Golden Core stage qi meridians were ultimately no match for the immense power required. As his ultimate move, it was only enough for this one desperate clash within a short period.
On Chenghong's side, Chenghong possessed a naturally born Buddha bone, making him unparalleled in his affinity for sacred energy. From birth, he was revered as a Buddha Son by the Maha Chan Temple. A Buddha Son, essentially a child of a true Buddha, spoke volumes about his talent and esteemed position in the path of Buddhist cultivation.
Liu Jiangfusheng was a Heaven Spirit Root of the Pure Lotus seed. Heaven Spirit Roots differed from others in how they absorbed spiritual energy. Not only could he absorb all attributes of spiritual energy without discernment, but he could also draw the purest chaotic energy from heaven and earth into his body, progressing at an astonishing rate. Over time, this could cleanse his meridians and expand them, yielding immeasurable benefits in the later stages.
As for Chenghong's spirit root, it was the Bodhi Root, even rarer and less known than the Heaven Spirit Root. The Bodhi Root was a unique and exceptionally rare spiritual root.
It could gradually transform the Indestructible Body through spiritual energy. There was even a saying that boundless merit and heaven-defying techniques could allow one with the Bodhi Root to instantly ascend to immortality and attain the Dao. This illustrated how extraordinary this spirit root was.
Both of their spirit roots were gifts of heaven and earth, bathed in the faint light of the firmament and imbued with the mysteries of the sun and moon. At the current stage, it was difficult to discern any significant difference based solely on their spirit roots.
Diverging from spirit roots, Chenghong possessed a congenital advantage over Liu Jiangfusheng, which was an innate insight possessed by the present-day Chenghong.
"He" clearly understood that for cultivation methods like Danyan, which deviated from the righteous path, Buddhist cultivators held a decisive advantage.
However, for Liu Jiangfusheng's Heaven Spirit Root of the Pure Lotus seed, it was a matter of mutual diminishing returns. Chenghong harbored no evil desires, no wicked thoughts, and certainly no sins. Therefore, the power of "Slay Karma" naturally experienced a reduction when directed at him.
Conversely, in Chenghong's combat, he upheld his great vow of compassion. His divine abilities were as mighty as Vajras, augmenting evil forces and subduing them with benevolent power. One attacked with complete might, while the other's diminishing power was gradually fading...
These intricate processes, seen from an observer's perspective, flashed by in an instant. Even the most observant might not have grasped the profound mysteries of the Dao. Naturally, they couldn't feel it as deeply as the individuals facing it directly.
Liu Jiangfusheng moved his fingers. His internal qi meridians throbbed with a subtle pain as his spiritual energy was drained and dried up. However, he was not a mere mortal; there were ways to break the stalemate, but… was it necessary?
After asking himself this question, Liu Jiangfusheng also pondered the strangeness surrounding Chenghong.
His thoughts spun rapidly, giving rise to new ideas.
But strangely, just as Chenghong calmly awaited the outcome, a burst of white light suddenly illuminated Liu Jiangfusheng. Immediately after, black mist churned and swallowed it. The ghostly, deathly aura slashed out with surging darkness, even distorting the air currents around them.
It possessed a pressure far greater than any other power present. Within a minuscule range, it rapidly nullified Chenghong's released "Utpala—Great Heavenly Origin Art."
Chenghong's serene expression shattered inch by inch as he witnessed the erupting, enveloping, and obscure black energy.
Although Chenghong had not underestimated Liu Jiangfusheng, he had still underestimated the scope of his progress. Thus, even though Chenghong held the advantage in their exchange of ultimate techniques, under Liu Jiangfusheng's sword energy imbued with the laws of heaven and earth, he could not have emerged unscathed.
Watching the battle stage crumble into dust under the impact of their spiritual energy clash, the confrontation between white and golden light gradually receded, revealing two figures suspended in mid-air.
Everyone's attention was now completely focused, their gazes fixed on the seemingly static figures above. Their expressions, strained from exertion, mirrored the anxiety and tension of the combatants themselves.
Who had won?
In the previous battle, at least the distinction between the strong and weak, and the signs of injury and defeat, were discernible, allowing an understanding of the battle's progression.
But these two had fought earth-shatteringly, only to conclude with a placid stillness… The current scene was most peculiar.
Or perhaps, the match was still undecided?
In reality, from the perspective of others, the two appeared to be locked in a static confrontation. However, under Liu Jiangfusheng's "Slay Karma" sword art, Chenghong's golden cauldron of runes shattered. He was wounded by the sword energy of Slay Karma, his monastic robes fluttering in the twilight, appearing solitary and lean.
His composure from the previous moment was shattered.
His certainty from this moment had vanished into thin air.
When "he" witnessed what had transpired with Liu Jiangfusheng, his slightly closed, trembling eyes opened, his expression turning ashen pale.
It was both the pain in his body and the melancholy in his heart.
Having known Gu Junshi for centuries, how could "he" fail to recognize her aura?
His face, obscured by white snow, seemed to be veiled in swirling mist, reflecting the majestic and sacred outlines of city walls, ancient, weathered, and profound. "He" said hoarsely, "It was she who protected you..."
If it were for superficial desire or beauty, given her naturally indifferent nature, she would not have gone to such lengths.
If he wasn't mistaken, what had just occurred was a protective spell that distributed damage equally.
...She cared for him.
Willingly binding herself to Liu Jiangfusheng's life.
"Chenghong" thought of this, and an inexplicable emptiness and chill filled his heart. His face became silent and still, and no amount of Buddhist scriptures could quell the incessant, chaotic thoughts in his mind.
...He had lost.
Gu Junshi likely never imagined that what should have been Chenghong's narrow victory would instead lead to Chenghong's misunderstanding due to her actions, causing him to lose his composure and his will to fight.
Was this what they called the couple unintentionally showing off their affection and bullying an honest person?
Chenghong's face was like an eternal, unmelting rock peak. Standing still and dignified as he comprehended everything, the monastic robe on his chest slowly began to soak with blood.
Although Liu Jiangfusheng also suffered internal injuries, a trace of red stained his pale lips. However, at this moment, his expression was also filled with bewilderment and shock.
This was because, during his moment of peril, he had sensed a power emanating from within him, protecting his heart meridians and his sea of qi. He couldn't help but press his left chest, where a fleeting mark had appeared. He hadn't seen it with his own eyes, but he felt how it had absorbed the damage his body had sustained, as if someone had silently embraced him, guarding him gently and powerfully.
But who was this person?
Liu Jiangfusheng's heart felt wary and complex. He tightened his grip on the sword "Flower Spirit."
At this moment, he inadvertently overheard Chenghong's ambiguous murmur, "It was she who protected you..."
She? Who was she?
"Who is she (he)?" Faster than his mind could process, his mouth sought the answer.
What had just happened was unusual, but apart from the two of them, no one else had noticed. Listening to Chenghong's tone, it seemed as though he had seen through and understood something. But how could he possibly know what had happened to him...
Unfortunately, Chenghong had no intention of enlightening Liu Jiangfusheng. "He" vanished like the wind. The other present-day version of him straightened his robes, the bloodstained sleeve cuffs and the front of his robe marred with flaws.
He clasped his hands together, and before everyone's eyes, much to everyone's surprise.
He calmly and lightly stated, "This humble monk... concedes defeat."
Liu Jiangfusheng's pupils froze.
All attention on the Nine Peaks Summit, focused on the contestants remaining on the stage, fell silent.
The result was out?!
Was the title of "Rookie Ranking" first place thus decided?!
Was it a child's play?
It couldn't quite be called that, because everyone present had witnessed firsthand the exceptional combat prowess of these two. The spiritual energy and cultivation they had displayed earlier far surpassed that of their peers. The profound and esoteric sword arts and divine seals they unleashed left the observers with surging emotions and tingling scalps, simply from watching.
This was a mixture of admiration and longing for the strong, as well as an innate fear.
To say it wasn't a child's play...
Their battle seemed to be the shortest one on the stage, and in the end, there was no clear victor; it was merely a verbal concession.
It was important to remember that in the past, to contend for the championship of the "Rookie Ranking," participants would fight with their lives on the line, deeming broken heads and bloody faces insignificant. For cultivators, even if all their bones were shattered, they could slowly recover.
But this year, there was Lu Ziyin, who was known for being "prudent," and now, the final battle, though filled with world-shaking momentum, lacked passion.
But was that truly the case?
The cultivators who had come to the Void Sect to witness the final matches were all influential figures from various sects and schools. Notably, among them were the Void Sect Master Tai Xuan, the Southern Yuan Venerable from the Peerless Realm, Wei Li of the Great Evolution Sect, and the low-profile uncle and nephew pair from the Maha Chan Temple. From the moment these two began their battle, they had been experiencing a sense of heart-pounding dread.
While outsiders watched for amusement, insiders naturally observed the intricacies.
To others, a battle might not be considered intense unless it lasted seven days and nights, with blood and sweat shed. However, in true high-level duels, the contest was for mere fractions of an inch, milliseconds.
Every move, every stance, every layer of cultivation that gradually built up and receded, the ebb and flow of spiritual energy – these were beyond the perception and knowledge of ordinary disciples.
That "Slay Karma" technique, subtly weaving a chaotic force of heaven and earth, had its pressure reduced by at least seventy to eighty percent by the restrictions and formations of the battle stage before it reached the outside. This technique was truly unrivaled among those below the Nascent Soul stage; this was not hyperbole, but a statement of fact based on experience.
However, they had not expected that while one such prodigy was a miracle, another would appear before their very eyes.
Chenghong's move, the manifestation of the Green Lotus, the ruthless Dao, annihilating all tangible and intangible forces, was truly profound and vast, even instilling in them a sense of overwhelming dread and fear.
And by this point, the outcome had already been determined.
They had both given their all.
"Why concede defeat?" Liu Jiangfusheng, with a blank expression, tossed his long sword aside, which pierced the air like a scorching star and landed on the ground.
"Because, this humble monk can no longer defeat the Buddhist disciple Liu Jiangfusheng."
Chenghong had no intention of explaining the enigma of the curse wood on his person to Liu Jiangfusheng. This was a matter between him and Gu Junshi, and he could not overstep his bounds.
And regarding the invisible staff blows from Gu Junshi, he thought that in his first life, "he" might not emerge again for a long time.
And he, having witnessed the cultivation and combat power displayed by Liu Jiangfusheng, believed that with his current strength, he could not win.
Liu Jiangfusheng remained silent, lost in thought. As Chenghong conceded defeat and stepped down to second place, the results of this year's "Rookie Ranking" were finalized.
On the white jade stone mountain of the Southern Region, towering atop the Nine Peaks Summit, and situated in densely populated areas where cultivators observed, the "Rookie Ranking" stone tablet had its previous year's inscribed names hidden. This "Rookie Ranking" stone tablet was replaced every fifty years. Upon the emergence of the top ten in the newly released "Rookie Ranking," the stone tablet would automatically generate the new list.
And the first place was undeniably Liu, Jiang, Fu, Sheng.
In various public squares across the land, numerous new disciples from different sects and scattered cultivators gathered. Every fifty years, they would invariably come to pay attention to the top ten names on the "Rookie Ranking" stone tablet.
These ten individuals would be formidable opponents for all cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage in the future, and they would also be the goals for new disciples below the Nascent Soul stage to aspire to. They would silently motivate themselves and hope that their names would one day appear on the "Rookie Ranking" stone tablet.
And some cultivators who had previously appeared on the "Rookie Ranking" would sigh with genuine emotion, seeing their replaced names time and again, lamenting the constant succession of new generations replacing the old. This was both hope and cruelty.
Of course, there were also those with ulterior motives who would fixate on the names on the "Rookie Ranking."
Even the lowest-ranked among these top ten individuals would likely become influential figures in the cultivation world. Why not try to forge connections with them before they fully rose to prominence?
Especially this year, the familiar names were far more eye-catching than those of the past few hundred years.
However, there was some surprise, as several individuals who were widely favored did not secure the top spot, especially Master Chenghong of the Maha Chan Temple, who only ranked second.
Regarding the name of the first place, those with less information were unaware, while those who knew the inside story were not ordinary people. But these individuals truly did not expect him to defeat a host of local geniuses in the cultivation world through divine intervention.
What was this called?
This was called an unexpected emergence.
"This... Liu Jiangfusheng, isn't he that Heaven Spirit Root?"
"Yan Tianjiao only ranked fifth?! Lu Ziyin is fourth, what's going on?"
"And who is this Danyan? How did she rank third."
The outside world buzzed with discussions and debates about this year's "Rookie Ranking" list, filled with surprise, confusion, and bewilderment.
After Chenghong conceded defeat, the "Rookie Ranking" stone tablet glowed, rewriting the future direction of the cultivation world.
Everything had finally settled. Void Sect Master Tai Xuan raised his hand, and with a gesture, he swept across the vast, heavy grandstand beneath his feet, up towards the high vantage point visible to all.
His ancient and profound robe billowed, his voice, resonant and powerful, carried throughout the twenty-eight heavens. He announced, and also proclaimed, "With the selection of the Golden Core first place, the Rookie Ranking will be rewritten. From the minor competition, to the grand competition, and finally the finals, the conclusion is reached. The champion of this year's Rookie Ranking is the disciple of the Great Evolution Sect—Liu Jiangfusheng."
Well-deserved.
This was the sentiment of everyone who had witnessed the competition.
After the Void Sect Master announced the champion, a moment of profound silence fell upon the arena and grandstands atop the Nine Peaks Summit. But soon, an uproar ensued, with animated discussions, disappointed arguments, and cheerful praise and post-battle exchanges.
And this lively atmosphere belonged to the defeated extending their admiration and congratulations to the victor at the pinnacle.