Supreme Master - Chapter 48: Disappointment

Translator – Misty

Chapter 48: Disappointment

“Hmm?”

Just as Gu Qingfeng was about to leave, he turned around to see a man, about thirty years old, walking towards him from within the crowd.

This man was dressed extravagantly, handsome and tall, with an air of arrogance. His eyes carried a hint of malice.

All the disciples present recognized this man; he was from the Li clan, Li Sen’s cousin, Li Can. He was also an outstanding disciple of the inner sect, ranked twenty-third in strength, and was very formidable.

“First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Li Can, and Li Sen is my younger cousin,” Li Can said, approaching with a somewhat cold expression. “Also, congratulations on becoming an inner sect disciple.”

Gu Qingfeng took out a Red Leaf Demon Fruit from his storage bag and began eating it, not bothering to respond, waiting to hear what would come next.

“Last time, you injured my cousin in the Red Leaf Forest. I’ve just learned of this. Of course, it’s his own fault for being less skilled than you,” Li Can continued.

The Li clan was a prominent family in the Qingyang region, and all four of their young members cultivated in the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, each with impressive cultivation. With the family’s influence, these four were unchallenged in both the outer and inner sects. Wherever they went, a large number of disciples followed.

Li Sen was one of them.

And so was Li Can. When he approached Gu Qingfeng, about twenty or thirty disciples followed behind him.

He stopped.

With a stoic face, Li Can stared at Gu Qingfeng and said sternly, “However, you were too harsh. You even broke my cousin’s wrist!”

On the high platform, Li Ziheng watched his grandson approach Gu Qingfeng without intervening, a smile flickering in his eyes. Next to him, Fei Xue also did not stop the confrontation. She had always disliked Gu Qingfeng and was pleased to see Li Can confronting him.

Only Ren De, an elder, shouted, “Li Can, what are you doing!”

Li Can turned and politely replied, “Elder Ren De, I’ve heard that Gu Qingfeng’s meridians mutated due to his failure in foundation establishment, making his body exceptionally strong. I also just witnessed the purity of his spiritual energy and his mastery of the Blazing Thunder Technique, producing fifty-four principles of blaze and thunder. I greatly admire him and wish to learn a thing or two from him.”

It was common for disciples to learn from each other, as long as it was consensual.

“Isn’t the gap in your strengths too large for a sincere exchange?” Elder Ren De questioned.

Li Can was ranked twenty-third in the inner sect, and everyone was aware of his cultivation level.

Foundation Establishment Fourth Level.

His martial skills were profound.

Fire Cloudy Palm, Mountain Splitting Fist, Swift Wind Leg – he had mastered all three to the stage of Thorough Comprehension, and his Swift Wind Leg had even reached the Peak stage.

In the world of immortal cultivation, each art contained at least eighty-one profound mysteries.

Nine-nine return to one, signifying completion and achievement.

Any art follows this progression: Entry-Level at one-nine, Proficiency at two-nine, Minor Achievement at three-nine, Major Achievement at four-nine, Thorough Comprehension at five-nine, Peak at six-nine, Perfection at seven-nine, Minor Completion at eight-nine, and Grand Completion at nine-nine.

Mastering any art to four-nine is a significant milestone. Reaching five-nine is extremely challenging, and achieving six-nine, especially in martial skills, requires exceptional talent and relentless training.

Naturally, the higher the mastery of martial skills, the greater the power unleashed.

Martial skills, revered as the foremost among the ten arts of immortal cultivation, are versatile in both offense and defense, and their power is immense.

Compared to martial skills, spells are less flexible. Unless one masters multiple spells, relying on a single spell in combat is impractical; one might be defeated before even making a move.

As Elder Ren De pointed out, the gap between Li Can and Gu Qingfeng was vast. Despite Gu Qingfeng’s Blazing Thunder Technique reaching the Peak stage and his body being stronger than an average person, what could he do against Li Can, who defeated two Foundation Establishment Fifth Level disciples single-handedly in the last sect competition?

Everyone knew Li Can’s challenge was just a pretext to avenge Li Sen.

“The Young Master of Crimson Flame, Gu Qingfeng, is known as a dragon among men. Not only is he skilled in music, but his mastery of spells is also profound. How could such a formidable figure refuse a challenge? Moreover…”

Worried that Gu Qingfeng might decline, Li Can first flattered him, then turned haughty, sneering, “Gu Qingfeng, I ask you, do you dare to accept my challenge!”

Everyone anticipated that Gu Qingfeng wouldn’t dare to accept, but to their surprise, he agreed. After finishing the Red Leaf Demon Fruit, he casually shrugged and said, “Okay.”

Hearing Gu Qingfeng’s acceptance, Elder Ren De was surprised and couldn’t help but remind, “Gu Qingfeng, Li Can is very powerful. You are no match for him. Are you sure you want to accept this challenge?”

“Looking at his stance, even if I refuse today, there won’t be good days ahead. So why not resolve this issue now? However…” Gu Qingfeng unbuttoned his collar and asked, “But what are the rules for this fight? Until one yields? Or something else?”

“How about a fight on the dueling platform?”

“A dueling platform?” Gu Qingfeng raised his eyebrows slightly and asked with a smile, “What are the rules?”

Fei Kui reminded, “In a duel on the platform, there aren’t many rules, as long as you don’t harm the three spiritual cores, causing disability.”

The three spiritual cores refer to the spiritual root, dantian, and meridians.

“In other words, as long as the three cores aren’t harmed and there’s no disability, anything goes?” Gu Qingfeng had fought many life-and-death battles but had never participated in a dueling platform fight. He found the concept intriguing.

“What about it?” Li Can, imposing, shouted, “Are you anxious?”

“A bit anxious, yeah!” Gu Qingfeng shrugged and said, “Okay, let’s do it.”

On the high platform, Elder Ren De advised, “Gu Qingfeng, I urge you to think thrice before acting. Although the duel doesn’t allow harm to the three cores, if you sustain injuries to your bones and skin, you will face severe punishment…”

“Thank you.”

Gu Qingfeng thanked him, appreciating Elder Ren De’s kindness.

But as he thought this, Elder Ren De shook his head in disappointment. As the Elder in charge of discussions and the main examiner of the inner sect assessments, and the host of the annual sect competition, he had seen many overconfident disciples. He had hoped to advise Gu Qingfeng, who seemed calm and composed during the assessments, well-mannered, and with unique insights. Although he failed in foundation establishment, he seemed like a promising disciple.

Ren De was disappointed that Gu Qingfeng didn’t heed his advice.

Fei Xue, still sitting arrogantly, saw Gu Qingfeng accept the challenge and coldly commented, “Frivolous behavior, casual speech, pretending to be calm and fearless, without a hint of self-awareness. Ridiculous.”

Below the platform.

The crowd made space, and many disciples shouted to cheer for Li Can.

“Come on, make your move.” Gu Qingfeng, having unbuttoned his collar and rolled up his sleeves, said with a smile, “Let me see the extent of your immortal arts.”

(End of Chapter)