Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 355: Challenging Beyond One’s Level, Striking Down Foundation Establishment Opponents

Chapter 355: Challenging Beyond One’s Level, Striking Down Foundation Establishment Opponents

“Golden Core Stage?!”

“A Golden Core cultivator under eighteen? What kind of cultivation talent is this?!”

“It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call this monstrous!”

“Such cases were rare even in history, right?”

“Not only was it rare, but according to historical records, such talents only emerge once every few centuries!”

The crowd was unaware of Lan Ting and the others’ ages. In truth, Bai Ming was the oldest at eighteen and a few months, while Lan Ting and Yan Tianzhi were a few months shy of eighteen.

The contestants felt mounting pressure, especially the seeded contestants, who were originally brimming with confidence. Having reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, they believed they could defeat the numerous opponents and emerge as the champion. Never could they have imagined that a Golden Core cultivator would participate this year.

What cursed luck is this?

A Foundation Establishment cultivator against a Golden Core cultivator? We might as well bang our heads against a wall.

Only one contestant showed excitement, murmuring, “Golden Core Stage? Interesting.” He was cloaked in black, his facial features obscured.

Wandering the continent, he chanced upon the Qing Province Grand Ceremony and decided to sign up at the last minute. While presenting his cultivation outwardly to be at the Basic Foundation Establishment Stage, that was not his true strength.

He was Zhou Fangge, and his true cultivation was at the Advanced Foundation Establishment Stage.

“I haven’t fought with an immortal sect disciple before. Although this guy Lu Yang’s cultivation speed is faster than mine, cultivation is not everything in battle. Even if he’s faster than me, it won’t be that much faster. He probably formed his golden core recently.”

Zhou Fangge had once defeated a Basic Golden Core cultivator. Though he struggled, he ultimately won.

“It’s possible to win this battle.

“Hehe, Lu Yang, hope you are a worthy whetstone for my blade!”

~~~

“Get ready, it should be your turn soon.” Lu Yang bumped fists with Meng Jingzhou. It was his first time participating in such a large-scale exchange event, and he found it quite enjoyable.

“Everyone is at a similar age. Maybe there are some formidable opponents hidden among them.”

Meng Jingzhou chuckled. “You don’t say! When have I ever held back in a fight?”

They approached every battle with utmost seriousness, never showing complacency or carelessness.

~~~

From the judges’ platform, Lan Ting’s eyelids twitched at their fist bump. She sent an auditory message to Bai Ming. “You’re handling the commentary for Meng Jingzhou’s match.”

Under Lan Ting’s murderous gaze, Bai Ming had no choice but to nod solemnly, reluctantly accepting this duty.

~~~

The tournament proceeded with spectacular duels. Facing opponents of the same age, both parties didn’t dare let their guard down, employing various intricate schemes and covert spells.

With the contestants going all out and displaying the full gamut of their abilities, it was a thrilling watch for the cultivators in the audience. Most spectators were at the Golden Core Stage, and they didn’t expect that such entertaining battles could occur between Qi Training cultivators.

Even the talent scouts sent by various sects nodded approvingly, finding the quality of participants this year exceptionally high.

“We’re halfway through the tournament, right? Counting the first match, we’ve already seen five Foundation Establishment cultivators. There weren’t so many in previous years.”

“Exactly! Especially the Intermediate Foundation Establishment cultivator from the fifth match! He would’ve been guaranteed first place in previous years!”

Bai Ming briefly scanned the participant roster. “The upcoming match features Shang Deshui from the Vast Sea Sect, who is also a widely recognized seeded contestant. His cultivation is at the Basic Foundation Establishment Stage, and he is proficient in water-type spells, particularly his Water Control Technique.”

Speaking of the Water Control Technique, the corner of Bai Ming’s eye twitched involuntarily as he recalled how Lu Yang had obliterated him with the Water-Repelling Mantra.

Shang Deshui flashed a confident smile. A Basic Foundation Establishment cultivator can sweep through the preliminary rounds with ease.

Bai Ming continued to announce, “Shang Deshui’s opponent is also a cultivator who registered at the last minute—Meng Jingzhou of the Dao-Seeking Sect.”

Meng Jingzhou’s face was wreathed in smiles as he waved at Bai Ming.

“Why is there another disciple from the Dao-Seeking Sect?” Shang Deshui’s smile froze on his face. One wasn’t enough, so there are now two?

Is the Qing Province Grand Ceremony some big event that warrants the participation of two Dao-Seeking Sect disciples?

Calm down. Calm down. Being a disciple of the Dao-Seeking Sect doesn’t necessarily imply that he is at the Golden Core Stage. Golden Core cultivators under eighteen only emerge once every few centuries. The worst-case scenario is that he is at the Advanced Foundation Establishment Stage. With appropriate skillful maneuvers, victory is not out of reach.

Spurring himself on, Shang Deshui retrieved a small bottle from his sleeve. He had spent an exorbitant amount to procure it. Inside was water sourced from the depths of the East Sea, exceptionally pure and suitable for deploying water-type spells.

“Water-Control Technique—Serpent Mimicry!”

Water vapor surged, waves overflowed, and the deep waters of the East Sea flowed out of the bottle as fine threads. As the water accumulated and shifted, it transformed into a menacing python.

“Go!”

The python opened its ferocious maw and charged toward Meng Jingzhou with lightning speed, as if a raging tsunami was crashing toward him. The petrifying aura the python emitted left everyone present affected.

“Heaven-Shaking Six Forms!” Meng Jingzhou placed his hands into position and shattered the python into a curtain of rain with one punch, the undiminished force of his punch halting right in front of Shang Deshui’s face. Unable to withstand the wind from the punch, Chang Deshui staggered several steps back until he fell off the stage.

Bai Ming, “...”

You’re a Golden Core cultivator, yet you used the Heaven-Shaking Six Forms right out of the gate? If I hadn’t known better, I would think your opponent was Lu Yang!

Bai Ming gave a serious commentary. “The Water Control Technique’s Mimicry Chapter is divided into three phases: Serpent Mimicry, Jiao Mimicry, and Dragon Mimicry. Only upon reaching the Advanced Foundation Establishment Stage can one grasp the basics of the Water Control Technique. For Shang Deshui to display such exquisite control over water and mimic the serpent at the Basic Foundation Establishment Stage is truly deserving of applause.

“It is clear that Shang Deshui has put in relentless effort off the stage. His deep comprehension of the Dao of Water is also rare for this age. I’ve only witnessed such a level of comprehension from a few of my junior brothers.

“On the path of cultivation, victory and defeat are governed by the will of the heavens. I hope Shang Deshui won't be discouraged by this setback, but instead, will persevere in his pursuit of the Dao of Water with even greater resolve.

“Meng Jingzhou. Golden Core Cultivator.

“End of commentary.”

A new wave of uproar spread through the crowd, the audience filled with admiration for the Dao-Seeking Sect.

Another Golden Core cultivator under eighteen! Is the Dao-Seeking Sect really so powerful? Such peerless prodigies are supposed to appear only once in a few centuries, yet we have seen two appearing at the same time?!

With the first preliminary rounds concluded, aside from the two prominent Golden Core cultivators—Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou—the ten Foundation Establishment cultivators were the most notable. As for those fifty Great Perfection Qi Training cultivators, they were completely overshadowed.

Lu Yang was jubilant about his subsequent matches. The next two matches were against Basic Foundation Establishment cultivators. The suggestion from his Unbeatable Golden Core was “Fight as you please.”

Lu Yang couldn’t help but lament in nostalgia. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such effortless battles.

Recalling the brutal battles in the Dao-Seeking Sect, Lu Yang felt that a tournament like this was best suited for him.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy also found this scene nostalgic, as if she had returned to her glorious days in the ancient era, where she battled those beyond her level. She clamored to take control of Lu Yang’s body to experience it for herself.

With a resigned sigh, Lu Yang relinquished control of his body to the Everlasting Immortal Fairy two matches later so that she could also have a taste of the fun.

Meng Jingzhou mirrored Lu Yang’s sentiments. Ever since he joined the Dao-Seeking Sect, the exchange with the Five-Elements Sect was the only time he had a proper duel with peers of the same age.

I didn’t know fighting with peers of a similar age is so satisfying.

He had much better luck; his next two opponents were at the Great Perfection Qi Training Stage.

Lan Ting and the other two watched the grinning duo, wishing they could pretend they didn’t know them.

After four rounds concluded, eight finalists emerged.

Alongside the undisputed Golden Core cultivators—Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou—was Zhou Fangge, who had concealed his cultivation, an Intermediate Foundation Establishment cultivator, and four Basic Foundation Establishment cultivators.

According to the rules of the tournament, the top eight contestants would face off in a free-for-all battle to be assessed on their adaptability and teamwork skills.

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