Translator – Misty

Chapter 60: Registration

More than a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Every day, Gu Qingfeng refined the Solar Purple-Gold Flame, occasionally teasing the woman within the multi-colored crystal, and in his free time, playing around with the little black turtle.

By now, he had fully refined the Solar Purple-Gold Flame absorbed from the cave dwelling. He figured that with a little more recovery time for his body, he would soon find an opportunity to rebuild his Foundation Establishment.

But he wasn’t in a hurry.

Not at all.

He pursued the path of Great Freedom, letting all things unfold naturally. Day by day, as he rested and cultivated, his physical body, essence, energy, and spirit all began to heal and recover.

The only thing that annoyed him was that Old Man Huo De had not returned since leaving last time. According to Fei Kui, the old man had been busy outside, trying to persuade influential figures who had business ties with the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, as well as certain guest elders. His goal was to minimize the sect’s losses in case an irreconcilable conflict arose with Jin De and Shui De during the upcoming struggle for the Heir-Apparent Disciple position.

…

On this particular day, Gu Qingfeng lay back on a rocking chair, basking in the sun and sipping fine wine. The little black turtle lazed on the ground, half-opening its sleepy eyes as if dozing off.

Gu Qingfeng called out to it a couple of times. Given that the little creature’s intelligence had clearly awakened, it should have been able to communicate with him. Yet every time he tried, the turtle always responded with an uninterested look.

This time was no different. When Gu Qingfeng used Spirit Communication to initiate contact, the little turtle barely opened its groggy eyes, glanced at him, then promptly tucked its head back into its shell.

It’s looking down on me…

Gu Qingfeng could see it in the turtle’s eyes—that was pure disdain, as if he, a mere lowly human, was unworthy of communicating with such a noble being.

Clearly, this was one arrogant little turtle—or rather, one that thought itself of highborn lineage.

“Fine, look down on me all you want,” Gu Qingfeng chuckled, downing his drink. “Once I rebuild my Foundation Establishment, I’ll show you what I’m really capable of.”

He continued drinking leisurely until, not long after, a plump, round figure came waddling into Hidden Spirit Garden at full speed.

Glossy hair, chubby face, short stature barely reaching five feet, a tiny mustache, and beady little eyes—no one but Fei Kui.

Having cultivated for five hundred years, Gu Qingfeng had seen all kinds of demonic entities, ghosts, and fiends, but someone like Fei Kui? That was a rarity. The man resembled nothing so much as a walking meatball. Yet, despite his absurd physique, he was dressed in a tailored elegant black robe, and even more surprisingly, he carried himself with a certain refined mannerism.

“Young Master, you’re enjoying yourself?”

Gu Qingfeng lazily tilted his head, smirking as he glanced at Fei Kui. “What’s up?”

“Heh heh, well, the Inner Sect Tournament is starting in a few days.”

“Just sign me up.”

“Uh… Young Master, I’m afraid you have to register in person.”

“What? I have to register myself?”

Back when he had been at Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect, he had only served as a menial disciple for a few years before leaving. He never officially joined any sect and wasn’t familiar with all these formalities.

“Isn’t the tournament just about testing disciples’ cultivation and skills?”

“It is,” Fei Kui explained, “but since we’re not just aiming to participate in the tournament but also vying for the Twelve Courtyards’ Chief Disciple, you need to register in advance.”

“I see…”

Gu Qingfeng stretched lazily before standing up. “Alright, let’s go.”

…

As the Inner Sect Tournament approached, disciples who had been training outside began returning, and those in seclusion also emerged.

Every year during this time, the Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect became lively, with rumors and exciting news spreading throughout the sect.

Which chief disciple had advanced in cultivation?Who had made breakthroughs in their immortal arts?Would the rankings of the Twelve Courtyards’ Chief Disciples change?

However, this year, the most talked-about figure wasn’t one of the Twelve Courtyards’ Chiefs—it was Ouyang Ye.

Just ten days ago, Ouyang Ye had successfully established her Foundation.

Normally, this wouldn’t be too surprising—but what set her apart was that she had formed a Colorful Foundation.

Ouyang Ye was a genius. That was an acknowledged fact within Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect. At just eighteen, she had successfully built her Foundation Establishment, and not just any foundation—a Colorful Foundation, one of the rarest in all of Qingyang Domain.

Still, that alone wasn’t enough for her to be hailed as a true prodigy.

Her comprehension ability was extraordinary. Most disciples focused on a single immortal art, but she had mastered four—martial arts, spells, sword techniques, and formations.

Not only that, but her expertise in formations was particularly exceptional.

Her cultivation realm might not have been high, but her overall combat ability was terrifying. During the last Inner Sect Tournament, she had ranked 33rd, which was already remarkable. A year ago, she had only been at the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm, while the disciple ranked 34th had already reached the Second Level of Foundation Establishment.

But Ouyang Ye’s talents went beyond comprehension, aptitude, or even combat prowess. The true reason she became famous so quickly after only two years in the sect wasn’t just because of her skills.

She possessed a bloodline power.

Bloodlines were something one could neither seek out nor cultivate—they were gifts from one’s ancestors, impossible to acquire through training.

No one knew exactly what bloodline she had inherited, but those who had witnessed its power firsthand knew one thing—

It was terrifying.

Some believed that, with her bloodline alone, Ouyang Ye could easily claim the position of Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards. But she had never done so.

She had declared that she would claim the title on her own merits.

Now, having successfully built her Colorful Foundation, coupled with her mastery of four immortal arts, she undoubtedly had the qualifications to challenge the Twelve Courtyards’ Chief Disciples.

As soon as this news spread, countless disciples speculated whether she would finally enter the competition for Chief Disciple this year.

Becoming a Chief Disciple of the Twelve Courtyards wasn’t just about honor—it came with power and privileges. The sect would grant extensive cultivation resources, and more importantly, only Chief Disciples had the right to be promoted as Core Disciples of the Nine Peaks.

And only Core Disciples of the Nine Peaks could qualify to compete for Heir-Apparent Disciple.

The future Sect Master of Cloudy Rosy Heaven Sect.

Who wouldn’t want that?

But for most disciples, that dream was just that—a dream.

To even qualify to challenge a Chief Disciple, one had to defeat one of the current twelve.

And those twelve stood at the pinnacle of the Inner Sect.

Still, that didn’t stop ambitious disciples from trying.

Three days remained until the Inner Sect Tournament, and registration for the Chief Disciple Challenge had officially begun.

As expected, several disciples ranked in the top fifteen had already signed up.

Many disciples gathered outside the main hall, eager to see who would compete this year.

As discussions swirled, Ouyang Ye arrived—with her master, Daoist Feixue.

(End of Chapter)