Chapter 4: Win the Race

During Zhang Xu Feng's cultivation breakthrough, his opponent, Zhu Hao, felt an unusual sensation in his body. His blood flow was severely suppressed, leaving him unable to control his own body, and eventually, Zhu Hao knelt down in front of Zhang Xu Feng.

His body was stiff and immobile, Zhu Hao could only defend himself by focusing his internal energy on his mind and spirit to balance the Qi energy in his body.

"Hiaaat!" Zhang Xu Feng shouted loudly as he raised his sword, which had extended by about 50 cm. His sword emitted a golden light and struck Zhu Hao, sending his body flying out of the arena.

"Ouucchhh! Hah?" Zhu Hao was shocked to find himself outside the boundary lines.

Everyone was stunned by the impressive fight they had just witnessed. At this point, it was clear that Zhu Hao was not the winner, but rather Zhang Xu Feng. Of course, no one had expected this outcome.

"What happened? Did that loser just defeat Zhu Hao?"

"It's impossible! We all know Zhu Hao is stronger than that loser. He must have used a forbidden cultivation method."

"You're a devil practitioner! Zhang Xu Feng, admit it! You must have cultivated devilish powers."

"That's right. Everyone knows you're not capable of cultivation. It's impossible for you to suddenly reach this level!"

"Zhang Xu Feng is a spy for the Devil Sect!"

"You're a cheater! You're just a wicked devil!"

"Zhang Xu Feng, you deserve to die!"

The students who were shocked by the outcome of the fight immediately shifted their attention to Zhang Xu Feng, accusing him without reason.

"I... I don't know why... it's not like that. I'm not a spy for the Devil Sect. I've never practiced devilish magic."

Zhang Xu Feng was confused and panicked, trying to find a way to deflect the accusations.

"All students, please calm down. Today's competition will end here, and we will continue tomorrow. Zhang Xu Feng, after the competition, please come to the Main Hall," the judge said to stop the commotion.

***

Zhang Xu Feng was summoned to the Main Hall to be inspected and tried by the masters of the Taiyun Sect. They also examined Zhang Xu Feng's body but found no signs of evil energy.

Next, they examined the rusty sword that belonged to Zhang Xu Feng. The result was disappointing, as the sword's essence turned out to be very pure.

Due to the lack of evidence, Zhang Xu Feng was eventually cleared of the accusations.

"Zhang Xu Feng, how are you?" Mu Lan immediately approached Zhang Xu Feng after leaving the Main Hall.

Zhang Xu Feng responded with a nod and a faint smile. Mu Lan was puzzled by Zhang Xu Feng's enigmatic gesture.

"So, what's the outcome?" Mu Lan asked.

"There's no problem. It was just a misunderstanding," Zhang Xu Feng replied.

"Fortunately, I knew you weren't that kind of person. They were the ones who overreacted. It can't be tolerated!" Mu Lan said with a scowl.

"Senior, it's really no problem. From now on, even if they try to bring me down... it won't affect me anymore," Zhang Xu Feng said.

"That's right. It seems I now understand why the Sect Leader made you his only disciple. If you look at it, you're not that bad either. You've even managed to teach that arrogant student a lesson."

Mu Lan meant to praise him.

"Senior, you're also very impressive. Everyone acknowledges your greatness. You're one of the many talented students who have successfully reached the 9th level of cultivation," Zhang Xu Feng praised back.

"Ability will increase if we practice diligently. Believe me, one day you'll surpass me."

After a while, a strange phenomenon appeared from behind the Jadeite Stone Mountain, where Sect Leader Murong was cultivating in seclusion. A dazzling golden light pierced the sky, and the spiritual Qi of Yin and Yang from heaven and earth gathered around the Jadeite Stone Mountain.

Everyone in the Taiyun Sect witnessed this impressive phenomenon with awe.

"Finally... what does this mean? The Sect Leader has finally achieved the Golden Immortality (Jinxian)!" Mu Lan muttered.

"Golden Immortality?" Zhang Xu Feng asked, still unfamiliar with the Immortal Cultivation Stages.

Everyone knew that Sect Leader Murong had reached the Immortal Cultivation Stage. The Immortal Cultivation Stages include:

1. Half-Immortal/Fairy

2. Immortal Human

3. Earth Immortal/Dixian

4. Heavenly Immortal/Tianxian

5. Golden Immortality/Jinxian

6. Taiyi Immortal

7. Daluo Immortal

8. Heavenly King

9. Honorable Immortal

10. Heavenly Emperor.

The phenomenon at the Jadeite Stone Mountain indicated that Sect Leader Murong had finally achieved the 5th stage of Immortal Cultivation. Once someone reaches this stage, their physical body will leave the mortal world and ascend to become a deity in the Heavenly Realm.

"What does this mean... my master will never meet me again?" Zhang Xu Feng felt a deep sadness, feeling truly abandoned.

"The Sect Leader Murong is the pride of the Taiyun Sect. For centuries, only our Sect Leader has successfully ascended to become a Heavenly Deity. Don't be sad. Now you have me to accompany you," Mu Lan consoled, embracing Zhang Xu Feng.

In his heart, Mu Lan had already regarded Zhang Xu Feng as his junior fellow disciple. Zhang Xu Feng was now 18 years old, while Mu Lan was 23 years old.

***

"Sect Leader Murong has ascended to become a deity. It seems this is good news for our Devil Sect. It means the Righteous Sect no longer has their strongest talent. Hahahaha!"

In a Devil Pagoda Tower, a sturdy man wearing a headcover that constantly concealed his identity appeared extremely delighted. He was celebrating the opportunity that would soon favor him.

"Congratulations, Leader! Soon your wish will come true," his aide said, kneeling down. The mysterious man stood behind him.

"When the time comes, the world will kneel before me. I will conquer the world! Hahaha," he declared confidently, spreading his arms wide.

"Soon the Taiyun Sect will select new disciples. How about the task I assigned to you? Have you sent out our spies?" he asked.

"You don't need to worry. I've taken care of it."

"Hahaha. Good... Good."

After the phenomenon ended, the mysterious man and his aide descended the Devil Pagoda Tower and headed to a secret underground chamber protected by formations. This was where they conducted experiments using human bodies. They had captured many humans, including monks, as test subjects.

Using a magical artifact, they successfully turned these humans into powerful and ferocious living puppets. Among these humans, many wore the uniforms of the Righteous Sect.

The mysterious man absorbed their cultivation first to enhance his own, then transformed them into powerful and ferocious living puppets.

"If we can obtain four more magical artifacts, my beloved puppets will be invincible. Hahaha!"