Translator – Misty

Chapter 62: Is He Crazy?

Fei Kui and Daoist Fei Xue had been disciples of the same generation. When they were young, Fei Kui had often been humiliated by Fei Xue. Now, after living for three or four decades, even though he was still far below Fei Xue in both cultivation and status, he no longer feared her as much, especially with Old Man Huo De backing him.

Seeing the two of them locked in mutual disdain, Gu Qingfeng couldn’t be bothered to pay attention and simply stepped into the grand hall.

“Gu Qingfeng, are you truly intending to compete for a Chief Disciple position?”

Elder Ren De asked, watching as Gu Qingfeng shrugged nonchalantly. Seeing his indifference, the elder continued:

“I am aware that your physical body is exceptionally strong, and your immortal arts are impressive, but competing for a Chief Disciple position is not so simple.”

“Not so simple?” Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it just about defeating one of the Twelve Courtyards’ Chief Disciples?”

“That is correct, in theory.” Elder Ren De nodded solemnly. “However, each of the Twelve Courtyards’ Chiefs possesses profound cultivation and exceptional mastery of immortal arts. Their strength far surpasses your imagination. I advise you to reconsider carefully…”

“I’ve already considered it. Just put my name down.”

Elder Ren De wanted to say more, but Gu Qingfeng cut him off:

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t take this challenge if I weren’t prepared.”

“This…”

Elder Ren De hesitated, but before he could speak again, Daoist Fei Xue scoffed:

“Elder Ren De, if he is so overconfident, why bother persuading him? Let him learn his lesson the hard way. Only by running headfirst into failure will he understand the vast difference between himself and true experts.”

“Sigh…”

Elder Ren De sighed in disappointment. Without further persuasion, he registered Gu Qingfeng’s name and handed him a drawing lot cylinder.

“The Chief Disciple selection is determined by drawing lots.”

Gu Qingfeng casually picked a lot, which read: Chief Disciple of the Yulan Courtyard.

“The Chief Disciple of Yulan Courtyard? That’s Huang Yao!”

Ouyang Ye rushed forward, her face full of concern. “Hey, Gu Qingfeng, are you really going through with this? Huang Yao is in the Sixth Level of Foundation Establishment, and his martial arts are incredibly refined. He has mastered four combat techniques to the peak, and his strength is terrifying!”

“Huang Yao?”

The name sounded familiar to Gu Qingfeng. After thinking for a moment, he chuckled.

“Well, what a coincidence.”

“Coincidence? Are you even listening to me? That guy is ruthless!”

“Just a brat.”

Gu Qingfeng smiled, then suddenly remembered something. “I heard that whoever becomes the Top Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards can directly enter the Nine Peaks?”

“That… That’s true.” Elder Ren De nodded, puzzled by Gu Qingfeng’s sudden question. “After claiming the title of Top Chief Disciple, one must still pass the Trial Formation before formally entering the Nine Peaks.”

Core Disciples of the Nine Peaks were the most esteemed disciples in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, chosen through a rigorous process. Even after securing the Top Chief Disciple position, one still had to pass the Trial Formation, a formidable test that even the previous Top Chief Disciple, Mu Zibai, had failed despite his Colorful Foundation.

Gu Qingfeng nodded and asked, “So, how does one become the Top Chief Disciple?”

“Young man, you are not even a Chief Disciple yet. There’s no need to concern yourself with the Top Chief position.”

Elder Ren De sighed again, his words carrying a sense of disappointment. He thought this young man was far too arrogant, dreaming too big when he had yet to take his first step.

This was arrogance.

This was foolishness.

Fei Kui stepped forward and explained: “After becoming a Chief Disciple, a ranking competition is held. The disciple who ranks first among the twelve becomes the Top Chief Disciple.”

“And how does this ranking competition work?”

“The twelve Chief Disciples are paired by lot and battle in an elimination-style tournament.”

“That sounds like a hassle.” Gu Qingfeng rubbed his chin before asking, “Can I just challenge last year’s Top Chief Disciple directly?”

“That… would be against the rules.”

As the discussion continued, Ouyang Ye listened in growing confusion. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her expression turned incredulous, and she blurted out:

“Gu Qingfeng… You… You’re not seriously thinking about competing for the Top Chief Disciple position, are you?”

“I might be.”

“Are you insane?” Ouyang Ye’s eyes widened. “You haven’t even won a Chief Disciple title yet, and you’re already aiming for the Top Chief position?”

“Underestimating me, are you?”

Gu Qingfeng took a bite of his Red Leaf Demon Fruit, chuckling. “It’s just the Chief Disciples we’re talking about—a bunch of kids. I could take them all down with a flick of my finger… Hmm? Hahaha!”

With that, he burst into laughter and walked away.

As he left, all the elders present shook their heads, sighing deeply.

Not just Chief Disciples?

Just a bunch of kids?

Taking them down with a flick of his finger?

How absurdly arrogant did one have to be to say something like that?

The Twelve Courtyards’ Chief Disciples were the top talents among ten thousand sect disciples, carefully selected for their exceptional skills. The highest-ranked, Mu Zibai, had reached the Ninth Level of Foundation Establishment and mastered six sword techniques to Grand Completion. Even though he had failed the Trial Formation, his abilities were unmatched. The rest of the Chief Disciples, though lacking Colorful Foundations, all had at least Three-Colored Spiritual Roots, with the weakest among them at the Sixth Level of Foundation Establishment, their mastery over various immortal arts profound.

Yet, to Gu Qingfeng, they were nothing more than a group of children?

He could defeat them all in the blink of an eye?

The elders had seen their fair share of arrogant disciples, but never one as delusional as this—especially one with a mutated failed foundation.

So what if he had a strong body?

So what if he had mastered the Blazing Thunder Technique to Grand Completion?

What does it matter?

At the end of the day, he was still a cripple. No matter how high his comprehension was, his cultivation would forever be stuck at its current level.

The elders sighed and didn’t even bother to scold him. They found no reason to mock him or even spare him another glance. To them, he was simply beyond reasoning.

Ouyang Ye wanted to chase after him, but Daoist Fei Xue blocked her path.

“Disciple, why do you still concern yourself with him?” Daoist Fei Xue sneered. “He is nothing more than an ignorant fool, a delusional failure living in his fantasies. Associating with him will only waste your time.”

“Well…” Elder Ren De hesitated but eventually spoke. “Ouyang, your master may sound harsh, but she has a point. I initially didn’t want to interfere, but… I believe this young man has some mental issues. Perhaps his failed Foundation Establishment damaged his mind, making him unable to accept reality.”

Living in a fantasy?

Mentally unstable?

Ouyang Ye had thought the same before, back when she met Gu Qingfeng at First Rate Villa.

But after everything that had happened—Red Leaf Valley, Huo De’s cryptic words, and countless other strange events—she wasn’t so sure anymore.

She didn’t believe Gu Qingfeng was clueless or delusional.

But why was he so confident?

On what basis?

She didn’t know.

She couldn’t figure it out when she first met him.

And even now, she still couldn’t understand.

(End of Chapter)