C34 A Madness That Could Not be Controlled

The news of Woo Zhengyang, the lowest-ranked disciple, challenging Liu Tianli, the seventh-ranked disciple, spread quickly, causing quite a stir in the Profound Heaven Sect.

Previously, such a move by Zhengyang might have been dismissed as a bid for attention. However, lately, Zhengyang has been consistently surprising everyone, making it impossible for anyone to underestimate this once-unknown fifteen-year-old who has suddenly become unstoppable.

This dramatic turnaround has sparked speculation. Has Zhengyang been hiding his true abilities all along? Did he experience something transformative, or perhaps gain something extraordinary?

Despite any hidden potential or unique experiences, Zhengyang is undeniably just fifteen, with only a first-level cultivation in Body Tempering. Even if he possesses natural strength and exceptional talent in martial arts, reaching the level of an Eight-star Martial Disciple seems improbable.

On the other hand, Liu Tianli, now eighteen, has been at the Eight-star Martial Disciple level for several months. Most notably, during last year's end-of-year competition, he excelled and was rewarded with a high-grade martial technique, the "Thunderbolt Sword Technique."

This technique perfectly aligns with Tianli's attributes, allowing him to progress rapidly, reaching the Great Completion Stage—an achievement many outer sect disciples struggle to attain. With the mastery of the "Thunderbolt Sword Technique," Tianli holds the seventh rank among outer sect disciples, even surpassing several Nine-star Martial Disciples, a source of great pride for him.

Woo Zhengyang, despite training in martial arts from a young age, found it challenging to make significant progress without a solid foundation of true energy. Achieving even a minor level of mastery was a rare feat, let alone reaching the Great Completion Stage.

Opinions varied, but Woo Zhengyang paid little attention to others' views. His challenge to Liu Tianli was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Although he was bold, Woo Zhengyang wasn't dismissive of everything around him. He knew he had reached a bottleneck in his training. With too many adversaries and no time to waste, he decided to put immense pressure on himself, leaving no room for retreat, hoping to find a breakthrough amidst the chaos.

After leaving the martial practicing field, Woo Zhengyang didn't return to his quarters. Instead, he headed straight to the back mountain where the redwood fruit trees grew. At the mountain's peak, a spring used to water these trees formed a small, shimmering lake. This was Woo Zhengyang's destination.

Today's battle was brief, but it provided valuable experience for Woo Zhengyang. He realized a flaw he had overlooked, especially after Liu Tianli's final move: his agility. Despite the distance from the platform to the stage, Woo Zhengyang had some time to react. If his agility had been better, he might have angled his strike at Yue Liqing differently, potentially avoiding being blocked. In that case, Yue Liqing might not have survived.

After deciding to face off against Liu Tianli, mastering the Floating Light Step became Woo Zhengyang's top priority. Without it, Liu Tianli would have the upper hand in their battle, which would be a significant disadvantage for Zhengyang, who was already at a lower level.

Whether it’s attack techniques, defense skills, or movement techniques, mastering them is never an overnight task. Achieving even a basic level of proficiency in the Floating Light Step within three days is something others wouldn't dare to dream of, but Zhengyang not only dared to dream it, he dared to do it.

He possessed an incredibly resilient body, capable of enduring training loads that others couldn't imagine. His physical strength, honed through body tempering, allowed him to execute movement techniques more swiftly than relying on inner energy alone.

Most importantly, Zhengyang had an unwavering belief in his ability to rise above all challenges and a fierce, uncompromising warrior spirit.

He started at the edge of a small lake, where the water barely covered his ankles. As the Floating Light Step flashed through his mind, he began to move across the water, following the steps from memory. As the day turned to dusk, he found himself knee-deep in the chilly water, with sweat dripping from his brow.

Late into the night, Woo Zhengyang was completely submerged in the lake...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, with everyone in the outer circle of the Profound Heaven Sect eagerly anticipating what was to come. Today, the martial practicing field of the sect was more bustling than ever. From the Tai Chi Valley to the Six-union Valley, nearly every outer disciple of the sect had gathered here. Even some of the inner disciples, having heard the news, came to witness the spectacle.

However, these inner disciples kept to themselves, occupying their exclusive area. Perched on the mountain peak not far from the martial practicing platform, a series of pavilions offered them a panoramic view of the entire field. There, a dozen or so inner disciples sipped tea and chatted leisurely.

In stark contrast to the relaxed demeanor of the inner disciples, the outer disciples in the martial practicing field were abuzz with excitement. Speculation and gossip about the last-ranked disciple were rampant.

Suddenly, the crowd of outer disciples, already somewhat packed, became even more congested. At the entrance of the martial practicing field, the crowd instinctively parted to make way for a young man with fiery red hair and eyebrows. This distinctive appearance was well-known among the outer disciples; he was Zhongli Huo, the top-ranked outer disciple.

Zhongli Huo's appearance was unexpected, as the top-ranked outer disciple represented the strongest among them. Despite Woo Zhengyang's recent rise in prominence, he was still a newcomer and the last-ranked disciple.

Of course, this was to be expected. Woo Zhengyang's actions, though often seen as attention-seeking, consistently resulted in unimaginable feats. His daring challenge to Liu Tianli just days after joining left everyone wondering if he might pose a threat to Zhongli Huo's top position. After all, when Zhongli Huo first joined, he didn't make such waves.

Not long after Zhongli Huo appeared, the martial practicing field buzzed with excitement again. This time, a stunning woman in a pink gown walked in, her silky hair and radiant smile captivating everyone around her.

This was Lyi Huamei, the second-ranked disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect's outer circle. Known as the most beautiful woman in the outer circle, she had even more admirers than Zhongli Huo. While Zhongli Huo's prowess was his own, Lyi Huamei's charm was something everyone could appreciate.

Moreover, Lyi Huamei didn't earn her second-place rank just by her looks. She climbed the ranks through her own efforts, showcasing a formidable combination of skill and talent.