Chapter 191: Taking Pleasure in Others’ Misfortune
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Rumors have it that Chen Fei has already entered the Visceral Tempering realm. Not long ago, he just broke through to the Marrow Tempering realm, and now he has actually stepped into the Visceral Tempering realm. This journey into the mystic realm has undoubtedly brought Chen Fei tremendous gains. It’s both a remarkable improvement in his cultivation and a step toward becoming a true disciple.”
“His ability must be strong to achieve this. Otherwise, how could he have gained so much in the mystic realm?”
“The Marrow Tempering realm can only be strengthened so much. When our sect’s disciples entered the mystic realm, there were more than forty in the Marrow Tempering realm, yet he alone reaped such rewards. And what about the Visceral Tempering realm? No matter how strong Chen Fei is, can he surpass the Visceral Tempering realm?”
“True, but luck is also a part of strength.”
“Yes, good luck is unstoppable. If I had that kind of luck, perhaps I would have become a true disciple too.”
“Hahaha, you think you could become a true disciple?”
“Chen Fei managed it with luck, so why can’t I?”
“Well then, go light some incense and pray for good luck.”
“I actually will. When my luck turns around, I’ll show you a true disciple spot.”
Within the sect’s marketplace, discussions about true disciples were ongoing. Compared to inner disciples, true disciples not only held a higher status but the techniques and resources they obtained far surpassed those of inner disciples.
The recent induction of seven new true disciples into the sect had become a hot topic, and among them, Chen Fei was the most talked about. His entry into the True Transmission Peak at the Marrow Tempering realm and the rumors of him breaking into the Visceral Tempering realm were the envy of many.
However, when people discussed Chen Fei in comparison to other true disciples, their focus shifted more toward his luck.
Without strong luck, how could one pass the trials among so many Visceral Tempering realm disciples? Such an event hadn’t occurred in decades, yet Chen Fei managed to achieve it once again.
With good luck and moderate strength, if 1 had that luck, I could do it too.
Somehow, the discussions about Chen Fei took a turn. The title of the weakest true disciple in history was even jokingly bestowed upon him.
Many were already anticipating the outcome of other inner disciples challenging Chen Fei six months later.
Amusement, envy, and jealousy mixed together as many discussed Chen Fei with a mindset of watching a spectacle.
Since these were all private discussions, nobody was really making bold claims, and it was all light-hearted banter. Once outside, nobody acknowledged it.
However, amidst the inner disciples, similar discussions had already spread. Many disciples poured their frustrations, dissatisfaction, and feelings of being unrecognized into jests and mockery aimed at Chen Fei.
Within a courtyard halfway up the True Transmission Peak, Chen Fei and Ge Hongjie sat facing each other. On the table lay drinks and alcohol that Ge Hongjie had purposely brought along.
“I’ve never known what the True Transmission Peak looks like. Thanks to
Junior Brother, I finally have the chance to see it.”
Ge Hongjie looked around, a hint of envy in his words.
Every disciple within the sect aspired to become a true disciple. However, achieving that status was incredibly difficult. Ge Hongjie hadn’t passed the trials within the mystic realm when he attempted them.
As for challenging the lowest-ranked true disciple, Ge Hongjie had considered it too, but there were numerous challengers, and the last-ranked true disciple hadn’t chosen him. Still, being a true disciple was being a true disciple—despite being the lowest-ranked, after practicing the true disciple’s techniques for half a year, their strength would surpass that of others.
In Ge Hongjie’s year, no one successfully challenged that position. Instead, they gifted a lot of contribution points to the last-ranked true disciple, enriching their resources and boosting their strength even further.
From what Ge Hongjie knew, over the years, hardly anyone had succeeded in challenging that position. They were all at the Visceral Tempering realm, all with the fifth level of the Origin Connection Technique, and their cultivation was the same. But after practicing the true disciple’s techniques for half a year, how could they compare?
It was an upward path left by the sect, but it was narrow. It gave inner disciples hope, but in reality, it served to motivate the true disciples to cultivate.
Many understood this logic, but the desire for a true disciple position was so strong that every time, someone would challenge the last-ranked true disciple, even if it meant wasting ten thousand contribution points. It was worth it.
“Senior Brother, you’re too kind.”
Chen Fei chuckled softly. In the courtyard of the True Transmission Peak, only one menial disciple could be selected, and no other inner disciples could stay for long. Otherwise, Chen Fei would have chosen a Senior Brother to be there.
“Have you heard about the discussions among the disciples about you lately?”
Ge Hongjie emptied his cup of alcohol and looked up at Chen Fei. His visit today was actually about this matter.
“I’ve heard some.”
Chen Fei nodded. After breaking through to the Visceral Tempering realm, even though he had been busy enjoying the waterfall scenery, some rumors, and information had reached his ears.
“Lately, some disciples have been privately discussing you with a somewhat condescending attitude. 1 suspect there’s someone behind this, trying to provoke you into accepting a challenge ahead of time.”
Ge Hongjie furrowed his brows and spoke with a deep voice, “At this time, you must remain composed and not be influenced by others. Half a year from now, when you’ve successfully practiced the true disciple’s techniques, you can shatter any doubts that arise!”
“Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I understand this principle.”
Chen Fei smiled. He naturally understood the intentions of those people. Instead of going out to argue, Chen Fei continued to wait, waiting for those people to come and challenge him on their own accord.
Words couldn’t hurt Chen Fei, and their attempts to disrupt him were in vain.
Chen Fei needed to see the actual benefits.
In fact, if those people really understood Chen Fei well, they would know that their tricks were futile. If they went straight to action, Chen Fei would actually respond. The current situation of them trying to subtly provoke him only made Chen Fei feel sorry for their approach.
“It seems 1 was overly concerned.”
Ge Hongjie observed Chen Fei’s demeanor, noting that he wasn’t agitated by words, which made him chuckle. In fact, during their journey in the Strange Wind Realm, Ge Hongjie had already recognized Chen Fei’s bravery and cunning. How else could he have saved them from danger?
This time, his worry had caused unnecessary confusion. He was concerned that Chen Fei might not handle the verbal provocations well. Now it appeared that he had worried too much.
“Senior Brother Ge, could you do me a favor?” Chen Fei looked at Ge Hongjie, thought for a moment, and suddenly spoke up.
“What is it?”
“Help me send a message to the others. If they want to challenge me, they can come directly to the True Transmission Peak in a month,” Chen Fei whispered.
Ge Hongjie was taken aback. Weren’t they just discussing how he wouldn’t be influenced by others’ provocations? Why was he now accepting challenges so readily?
“Junior Brother Chen, don’t act impulsively.” Ge Hongjie couldn’t help but sound anxious. He couldn’t believe his words were going to waste so quickly.
“Senior Brother Ge, I’m not being impulsive.”
Seeing Ge Hongjie’s reaction, Chen Fei couldn’t help but smile. “I’m just coveting the stakes they’re holding.”
“What stakes?” Ge Hongjie was somewhat bewildered.
“They want to challenge me ahead of time. Shouldn’t they show some sincerity? Let’s bet on it. Otherwise, why should I agree to their challenge?”
Ge Hongjie began to comprehend, but his brows were still furrowed. “Those people broke through to the Visceral Tempering realm earlier than you, some even two or three years ago. In that time, they’ve had enough time to practice powerful techniques. Facing them now could be somewhat risky for you, Junior Brother.”
“There’s no chance of success anyway. How could they possibly put up enough to gamble with me?”
Chen Fei looked at Ge Hongjie. Seeing his continued concern, he thought for a moment and then extended his finger, pointing it slowly at Ge Hongjie’s forehead.
Ge Hongjie stared at Chen Fei’s gesture with confusion. Suddenly, his expression changed, as an immense aura surged into his consciousness. It was as if the point of Chen Fei’s finger wasn’t just a finger, but a soaring sword energy that aimed to shatter him.
Ge Hongjie’s hair wafted without wind, and he resisted the urge to retaliate. Ge Hongjie knew that Chen Fei wouldn’t actually harm him. However, this threatening feeling instinctively prompted Ge Hongjie’s body to react defensively.
Chen Fei’s finger stopped about a foot away from Ge Hongjie. His intention wasn’t to display something but to convey to Ge Hongjie the true extent of his strength.
Without actually engaging in combat, given Ge Hongjie’s current peak Visceral Tempering realm strength and his intent to open his acupuncture points, he could naturally understand the significance behind Chen Fei’s gesture.
“I understand. I’ll pass on the message!” Ge Hongjie’s body relaxed slightly as he looked at Chen Fei, a smile forming on his face. With this level of strength, how could accepting challenges be a concern?
“Why wait for a month?”
Ge Hongjie wondered about Chen Fei’s strength. It didn’t seem necessary to wait for a month.
“I’ve been practicing the true disciple’s techniques recently and don’t want to be disturbed.”
Chen Fei smiled. This was indeed his most genuine reason. While he wanted to earn the stakes, he was more focused on mastering the Zhongyuan Sword technique.
Whether he acquired the stakes sooner or later had minimal impact on Chen
Fei.
“Alright.”
Ge Hongjie nodded, refilling their cups. He was now looking forward to the sight of those challengers coming to face Chen Fei, witnessing his true strength.
Half a day later, news that Chen Fei was willing to accept the challenges of other inner disciples ahead of schedule spread throughout the inner sect.
“This Chen Fei, he’s actually not waiting for the six-month agreement and is accepting challenges ahead of time. Isn’t that a bit reckless?”
“Reckless? This is true character. I used to scorn Chen Fei for relying on luck to obtain the true disciple position. But now, seeing him willing to accept a challenge a month early, I respect him as a true man.”
“Your respect means nothing. The half-year period is the time the sect gives for true disciples to practice. It’s the sect’s protection. But now, Chen Fei isn’t using this time to cultivate properly. Such temperament won’t lead to great achievements!”
“Exactly. He was provoked by mere words and accepted a challenge. Does he think the luck he had in the mystic realm will continue? In the sparring arena, it’s a real battle with real weapons. There’s no room for even a bit of luck.”
“Maybe Chen Fei thinks his strength is already sufficient?”
“He just broke through to the Visceral Tempering realm, and his realm probably isn’t stable yet. The challengers have been in that state for a long time. How does this look? Chen Fei has made a mistake from the very beginning. Originally, if he had trained for half a year, pondering the true disciple’s techniques well, there would have been hope. But now, he’s personally ruining that hope!”
With the news spreading, many inner disciples were discussing it, and almost no one held a favorable view of Chen Fei’s decision.
Although they had previously believed that Chen Fei had relied on luck to become a true disciple, they hadn’t completely dismissed his performance after six months. After all, the true disciple’s techniques were indeed strong if practiced properly.
However, now that he had just broken through to the Visceral Tempering realm and was accepting challenges a month later, what kind of progress could he make with just one month of practice? Did he really think he was an extraordinary genius?
If he were truly a genius, he wouldn’t have only been at the Marrow Tempering realm at this age and relied on the benefits from the mystic realm to break through to the Visceral Tempering realm..