For a period, Wu Fan was overwhelmed with worry and anxiety. His search for the talented alchemist had yielded no progress; the person had vanished as if dropped into the sea, leaving no trace. He had discussed this with several peak masters, and they believed that the appearance of the "Disgrace List" had made "I'll Give It a Try" too embarrassed to reveal himself. Consequently, Wu Fan used his divine abilities to erase the disgrace list from the stone tablet. However, "I'll Give It a Try" still did not appear.
At this point, Han Yang suggested using some form of encouragement to entice the person to show himself, such as offering a position as a peak master. Han Yang also offered to voluntarily relinquish his own position as peak master, as he clearly understood the significance of "I'll Give It a Try" to the Lingxiao Sect.
Upon hearing this, the other peak masters also offered to voluntarily give up their positions.
Wu Fan had originally considered this idea. Now that the peak masters had proposed it themselves, he felt a pang of reluctance. He simply said, "We will discuss this matter further," and then dismissed everyone. Yet, the thought kept surfacing in his mind. But whom should he replace?
As he stood on the peak, restless and unable to sleep, gazing aimlessly into the distance, he heard an explosion from the cave area, followed by a commotion. He paid it no mind. He was accustomed to such occurrences. The Lingxiao Sect had not established strict rules from its inception, allowing for a period of wild growth. Moreover, based on his experience, the explosion was likely caused by a disciple losing control of their spiritual energy during a breakthrough, and there was no need for intervention.
After a while, the commotion below gradually subsided. He assumed that, as usual, their conflicts had been resolved amongst themselves. However, not long after, another loud explosion echoed. This time, the explosion brought him not annoyance, but an inexplicable joy. His brows unconsciously relaxed. The night was deep, yet he still had no desire to sleep, quietly anticipating something. He didn't know what he was anticipating, knowing full well it was impossible.
But as he wished, several more explosions were heard successively, still from the direction of the caves. These explosions brought disaster to others, but to Wu Fan, they brought joy and exhilaration, growing with each one. As dawn broke, he still had no hint of sleepiness; instead, he felt invigorated. He decided to go down and see.
At this moment, seeing that the crowd's anger was uncontainable and reasoning was futile, Mo Qi simply turned and fled. His own cave dwelling had not collapsed, so no one pursued him. However, several people's residences had collapsed, leaving them homeless. Their anger could not be appeased, and they continued to chase him relentlessly. They no longer cared about anyone cultivating recklessly; they had to catch a debtor to get their due. They were homeless, so why should they be reasonable?
Mo Qi ran, and without realizing it, he arrived at the residential area.
A sudden flash of inspiration struck him; perhaps he could try something.
He had already learned that those living in the caves were all below the third stage of Condensation, while most of those in the residential area were at the fourth or fifth stage, with hardly anyone exceeding the fifth stage.
He had just broken through to the sixth stage of Condensation. Why couldn't he try? At the very least, he could find those with slightly lower cultivation levels for a spar. Even if he couldn't drive them out, he could at least get them to give up their extra rooms.
Mo Qi did not hesitate. He flashed into the courtyard. The pursuers behind him saw it was a "forbidden zone" and dared not approach. They stood at the entrance, peering in, shouting, "If you have the guts, hide in there forever! Otherwise, you'll regret it when you come out."
Mo Qi ignored them. He stood in the courtyard, his aura reaching the heavens. "Fellow disciples, my name is Mo Qi. I have come to challenge you. I have no other intention than to ask you to vacate your spare rooms."
This shout was like a thunderclap on a clear day, resonating with power. Everyone rushed out, their eyes glaring, fists clenched, and a menacing aura surrounding them. Their demeanor was even more intimidating than those behind them.
Mo Qi immediately faltered. "I meant to challenge one of you, not all of you."
A sharp-featured, sallow-faced man, appearing to be in his early thirties and somewhat tall, looked down at Mo Qi through his nostrils. "Then who among us do you wish to challenge?"
Of course, it would be someone he could handle. Mo Qi thought, but he couldn't discern anyone's cultivation level just by looking. He decided to judge by the number of rooms they had. "How many of you only have two rooms?"
Everyone stood frozen, the air solidifying. Some couldn't help but chuckle, thinking, "Is this fellow an idiot? Do you think I'll pay attention to you?"
Mo Qi felt a trace of awkwardness. He immediately cleared his throat to ease the tension and then pointed at the胖子 (fat man). "You. It's you." He remembered that the last time he came, this胖子 had mentioned having only two rooms.
To his surprise, when he picked someone, everyone's face showed a knowing smile. This胖子 was precisely the most powerful among them, having just broken through to the sixth stage of Condensation, named Sima Shan.
Having lived together for a long time, they had implicitly developed a sense of exclusivity. Whoever came to snatch their rooms would be dealt with collectively, as this was the only way to ensure their long-term residence.
Therefore, no matter whom Mo Qi chose, it was a futile choice. The others would definitely intervene. The only exception was choosing Sima Shan, as they believed Sima Shan alone was enough to deal with him.
Mo Qi formed a hand seal, and a layer of red mist emanated from around his body, quickly condensing in front of him. It gradually formed a ripple with a swirling vortex in the center, accompanied by rumbling explosive sounds and flashes of white light like lightning around it, with continuous crackling noises.
Sima Shan's expression changed slightly, but he couldn't resist a taunt. "Not bad. I remember when you came here not long ago, you were a weakling. In such a short time, your progress is remarkable. But you're still a weakling."
As he spoke, Sima Shan formed a hand seal, and a black mist appeared out of thin air, like a vertical curtain, sweeping towards Mo Qi.
As Mo Qi shifted his hand seals, five or six blade shadows suddenly appeared within the vortex, erupting forth and slashing towards Sima Shan.
As the black mist formed a screen pressing towards Mo Qi, Sima Shan leaped forward and directly collided with the screen. Amidst the booming explosions, streaks of black swords erupted, clashing head-on with the five or six blade-light energies that were slashing towards him. With crackling sounds, the black mist blade shadows dispersed.
Although slightly damaged upon contact, the blade shadows of the陌刀 (Mò Dāo) retained their power and continued to whistle towards Sima Shan.
All of this, though described slowly, actually happened in an instant.
Sima Shan immediately formed a hand seal, and his body collided with the black curtain again. Several more black mist blade shadows erupted, crashing into the陌刀 light-shadows along with the black curtain. With a loud bang, the black curtain, black blade shadows, and陌刀 light-shadows all shattered and dissipated.
Sima Shan retreated a few steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Mo Qi's body, subjected to the violent impact, also spat out a mouthful of blood.
The people outside the courtyard watched the scene unfold within, stunned and incredulous. They hadn't expected Mo Qi to fight Sima Shan to a draw. Thus far, Sima Shan was the foremost among the outer disciples, on the verge of entering the inner sect, awaiting the favor of a peak master.
These people found it difficult to comprehend. If Mo Qi's cultivation was so formidable, why was he afraid of them, mere rookies? Why did he keep running?
Mo Qi and Sima Shan fought to a draw, but for Mo Qi, this was almost a defeat. He had become the target of everyone's attention. No one in this courtyard would allow Sima Shan to fail, because if he were to lose, it was highly likely that all of them would be driven out.
Just as Mo Qi formed a hand seal, preparing to attack Sima Shan again, everyone else attacked. In an instant, flying swords, magical artifacts, and divine abilities rained down upon Mo Qi.
Mo Qi still countered with the "Ten Thousand Blades of Mò Dāo," but alas, his fists were no match for four hands. The "Ten Thousand Blades of Mò Dāo" were instantly shattered, not a single blade remaining. Mo Qi was forced into a corner, and everyone's flying swords and magical treasures were suspended in the air, ready to strike down upon Mo Qi.
At this moment, Sima Shan suddenly shouted sternly, "Stop!" Everyone heard the command and ceased their impending divine abilities, turning their gaze collectively towards Mo Qi.
Perhaps it was a sense of camaraderie, but Sima Shan had a good impression of Mo Qi. He also recognized his talent and did not wish for such a talented person to perish.
"Let him go," Sima Shan said calmly, looking around at everyone.
"Let him go?" Some found it unbelievable, but here, Sima Shan's words carried an irresistible weight.
Thus, everyone retreated, clearing a path in the middle.
Mo Qi was still unconvinced, thinking, "Even if you corner me, you might not be able to harm me."
He cast one last glance at Sima Shan, fiercely leaving behind the words, "Don't regret this," and then swept away.
As he exited the courtyard, he saw the people who had been chasing him still standing there, staring fixedly at him.
Mo Qi glanced at them and said calmly, "If you wish to have houses, then come and guard me." He then walked past them directly, heading back towards the caves.
Have houses? The eyes of a few people lit up. If that were the case, it would be a blessing in disguise, a dream come true. However, they didn't believe Mo Qi could achieve it, yet at the same time, they saw Mo Qi's efforts, and with such persistence, it seemed possible.
Hesitantly, they involuntarily followed.
Guarding him, was he about to break through again? Recalling the events of the night, they no longer doubted. Mo Qi was the one who had been cultivating wildly there all night. But all their anger had vanished. Besides fear of his strength, a large part of it was their desire for houses.
Just then, a figure suddenly emerged from the side, blocking Mo Qi's path. "Finally found you! Last time I was careless, and you won unfairly. This time, I'll beat you into a panda."
Mo Qi looked and saw it was Leng Xiao! He had recovered so quickly? It seemed Wang Duanwu's medical skills were quite good.
"Get out of the way. I don't have time to spar with you now," Mo Qi said impatiently.
"Hmph! Your faint glow dares to compete with the brilliance of the sun and moon? Can I compare myself to you? Are you a talented cultivator? I simply want to deal with you," Leng Xiao said coldly.
At any other time, Mo Qi might have engaged in a lengthy verbal exchange with him, but at this moment, he truly had no mood to bicker. His irritation made Leng Xiao particularly annoying, like a fly he wanted to swat away or kill.
"Ten Thousand Blades of Mò Dāo!" Without any preamble, Mo Qi's Mò Dāo spiritual energy, along with his body, struck Leng Xiao with the force of thunder, hitting him with immense power. Leng Xiao, not expecting such a sudden attack, hastily formed a hand seal. The protective mist had just risen when it was shattered.
His body flew backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.
Leng Xiao spat out a mouthful of blood, his mouth twitching. "You, you cheated again!"
Although the opponent's attack was unexpected, the speed of the strike and the destructive power of that blow meant that knocking him down was no accident. The opponent had indeed made significant progress recently, seemingly even surpassing his own rate of improvement. He began to have some doubts about his own talent, and his gaze dimmed considerably.
"Go see Old Mr. Wang about your injuries," Mo Qi sighed and stepped over Leng Xiao.
The others, not daring to act rashly, skirted around them.
After walking a few steps, Mo Qi turned back. "The goals you cannot achieve, let me accomplish them. Go nurse your injuries with your grand pronouncements."
A hint of sorrow appeared on Leng Xiao's face, and tears streamed down his cheeks.
Mo Qi chose an unoccupied cave and began cultivating again.
These people truly stood at the cave entrance, reluctantly guarding Mo Qi.
About an hour later, with a loud bang, Mo Qi's cultivation broke through to the seventh stage of Condensation. As expected, the cave he was in collapsed. The crowd, furious, surrounded him. This was becoming endless. To be so reckless in broad daylight, was there no law?
Mo Qi ignored them and entered another cave, preparing to continue his breakthrough. He didn't know how much energy was within his body. If possible, he would continue breaking through like this until he could no longer. Then, he would go to that courtyard again.
Those who had come to denounce him finally realized that the person who had troubled them all night was Mo Qi. Some were surprised, some suddenly understood, some were filled with disappointment, and some had an expression of "as expected," such as Baili Bing and Jin Dan.
But more people were angry, filled with unutterable rage.
At this moment, the people at the cave entrance patiently explained, appealing to their emotions and reasoning. "Do you want houses? If you do, then let him continue breaking through. I saw him attack earlier; his cultivation was at least the sixth stage of Condensation, and it's still improving. I believe his cultivation, combined with our collective effort, will definitely allow us to seize a place over there."
Baili Bing, Jin Dan, and Yu Ming also immediately joined the ranks of those guarding, attempting to pacify the enraged crowd.
Many were swayed by their words, as they had long harbored a thought deep down: that they should unite and, with collective effort, charge towards the residential area. They were all born of parents; why should those people live in houses while they could only live in caves? But these thoughts had always remained buried in their hearts, as no one dared to take the lead, or even speak them aloud.