A terrifying roar, that horrifying black fist shadow, was crushed by the myriad of Cloud Swords. Mo Ling’s pupils constricted, his gaze flashed with a trace of horror!
He fiercely stomped on the ground with his right foot, quickly retreating as his hands clenched into fists, launching rapid punches.
The violent force rampaged through his body, while the remaining Cloud Swords continued their assault on Mo Ling.
Any Cloud Sword that came within three meters of Mo Ling was shattered, sword Qi dispersed. The entire stage was filled with layers of sword shadows.
However, the number of Cloud Swords was simply too many, and Mo Ling’s punching speed gradually couldn’t keep up.
A Cloud Sword pierced through Mo Ling’s armpit, instantly causing a trace of blood to seep from his clothes. Mo Ling’s gaze revealed a hint of panic. At this moment, he was truly flustered.
Chu Ming had used this move before in front of him. Although he was impressed at the time, he didn’t believe the attack power was enough to threaten him. Now, he knew he was wrong.
The Cloud Swords striking his body increased, slowly covering Mo Ling in numerous blood marks, staining his clothes.
Mo Ling retreated three steps, out of the Cloud Swords’ attack range, took a deep breath, and said slowly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Cloud Swords in the air disappeared without a trace, revealing Chu Ming’s figure, standing still in his white robe, his gaze still calm.
The disciples below, after a brief silence, erupted in a heated response. This time in the Inner Sect competition, Chu Ming was the biggest dark horse.
Not only that, he maintained his dark horse status to the end. Although he was previously a King Level disciple, Inner Sect disciples revered his talent. Who would have thought his strength could also dominate the Inner Sect?
For some reason, everyone suddenly thought of twenty years ago. Ancient Sword Peak was also a dark horse back then, taking first place in the Inner Sect competition on his first try, reigning supreme for two years.
The current Chu Ming was so much like Ancient Sword Peak twenty years ago.
Ancient Sword Peak is now the top figure below the Realm of Transcendence in the Celestial Realm. Even the Transcendence Realm powerhouses only treated him as a peer.
Chu Ming’s appearance foretold that the Celestial Travel Sect would see the rise of another figure like Ancient Sword Peak.
On the high platform, Li Qinghan glanced at Chu Ming, then turned to the silent Ancient Sword Peak.
"He is quite similar to you!"
The words were filled with much helplessness.
"You’re wrong. He is not me. He is just himself."
Ancient Sword Peak was silent for a moment, then spoke abruptly, before getting up to leave, not dragging his feet in the slightest.
Li Qinghan shook her head. She did not agree with Ancient Sword Peak’s words, but so what?
Chu Ming walked off the stage. Zhu Hongxue approached him with a smile, offering her congratulations.
Although she knew Chu Ming was abnormal, when Chu Ming defeated Mo Ling and took first place, she was still stunned. She had thought of Chu Ming making it to the top ten, the top five, even the top three, but never considered Chu Ming taking first.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but she didn’t even dare think it because Mo Ling’s prestige was deeply rooted in everyone’s hearts. To them, Mo Ling was invincible in the Inner Sect.
Next was the reward distribution for the top ten. Although it’s called the top ten, in reality, only the top three received rewards, which were Chu Ming, Mo Ling, and Ning Fei. The reward contribution points needed to be exchanged by the disciples themselves at the Task Hall.
"You did well. Come find me after the competition. I have something to discuss with you."
Yan Nanxing smiled and said, while taking a Jade Box from his Storage Ring and placing it in Chu Ming’s hand.
Inside the Jade Box, an astonishing wave of spiritual power spread in all directions, drawing heated gazes from many disciples. The item was a Starlight Pill.
Chu Ming clasped his hands, showing respect.
Yan Nanxing nodded. His gaze towards Chu Ming was not that of an elder looking at a junior, but rather of peers.
About the strongest ancestor wanting to see Chu Ming, Yan Nanxing already had a vague guess. Because of this, he knew that Chu Ming’s status in the Celestial Travel Sect would undergo a drastic change from now on.
Moreover, the upcoming battle for the Primordial Earth Palace also relied on Chu Ming.
As the competition ended, many Elders fixed their eyes on Chu Ming, as if looking at a priceless treasure. Most Inner Sect geniuses, like Qi Long, Bai Hanyan, and Mo Ling, had masters who were Transcendence Realm powerhouses.
But Chu Ming so far remained without a master, stirring up much eagerness in their hearts.
"I won’t be worse than you!"
As things were wrapping up, Bai Hanyan looked at Chu Ming with a hint of battle intent, unwilling to back down.
"Then you must work hard, or you won’t even have the chance to see my back."
Chu Ming’s expression was indifferent as he spoke calmly.
If the geniuses he surpassed surpassed him again, how could he talk about reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, or about walking the great Dao? He might as well smash himself to death with a piece of tofu.
Bai Hanyan was choked with anger but didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Leaving the Central Hall, Chu Ming returned to his small courtyard. At this moment, his only thought was to quickly refine the Starlight Pill and breakthrough to the True Dao Fifth Layer.
At this moment, the news of the competition spread rapidly, and the news of Chu Ming taking first place was known to all.
Some admired Chu Ming, some were jealous, some looked down on him.
However, Chu Ming no longer cared about the outside world. Sitting on his bed, he took the Jade Box from his Storage Ring and slowly opened it, immediately smelling a medicinal fragrance.
In the center of the Jade Box lay a white elixir, surrounded by a layer of white mist, like floating clouds and shining stars.
This was the Starlight Pill.
The Starlight Pill felt cool to the touch. As he placed it in his mouth, it instantly turned into a stream of cool spiritual power, spreading within Chu Ming’s body. Chu Ming quickly closed his eyes, silently reciting the sixth layer of the Pure Essence Sword Qi Technique, continuously refining the spiritual power.
Within a few breaths, Chu Ming, who had just broken through to the early stage of the True Dao Fourth Layer, had already reached the summit of the True Dao Fourth Layer.
Spiritual power continued to circulate, sixteen circulations, thirty-two circulations, sixty-four circulations, one hundred...
An hour later, Chu Ming had refined most of the Starlight Pill’s medicinal power. At this moment, his cultivation level had reached the peak of the True Dao Fourth Layer.
A trace of an unusual aura leaked from Chu Ming’s body.
True Dao Fifth Layer, achieved!