Translator: CinderTL
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High-level Qi Refining Cultivators.
Qi Refining has nine levels.
These include True Qi, Magic Power, Dao Foundation, Condensing of Qi, Five Elements, True Fire, Lunar, Solar, and other realms.
Among these, once a cultivator reaches the fourth level of Qi Refining, the Condensing of Qi to refine Gang Qi, they are considered high-level Qi Refining cultivators.
Such individuals have mastered innate Yin-Yang Qi, making them invulnerable to weapons, fire, or water, truly transcending the mundane and becoming incredibly powerful.
Even in an era with firearms and cannons, they could still single-handedly overthrow the government of a small nation.
In Guangzhou, there is a dedicated organization of cultivators known as the Defense Bureau!
But even the head of the Defense Bureau is only at the Dao Foundation level.
From this, one can understand how extraordinary the Condensing of Qi and refining Gang Qi is.
...
Ling Feng led Li Chunjun out of the city, past Guangzhou, over to Mingzhou City, and finally into the territory of Qingniao City, which is next to the capital of Xuanzhou.
In this area, there is a famous scenic spot in Xuanzhou—Qingluan Mountain, located sixteen kilometers from Qingniao City and less than sixty kilometers from Xuanzhou City. It attracts millions of visitors each year.
At the base of Qingluan Mountain lies a luxurious resort known as the Qingluan Resort.
The entire resort covers over ten square kilometers and includes hotels, villas, bars, and entertainment facilities.
However, for powerful figures, the usual entertainment doesn't catch their interest.
What truly attracts them is the *Summit Tower* located deep within the resort.
...
"The true owner of Summit Tower is unknown, but everyone calls him 'Master Qing.' Although he doesn't interfere with the board of the Qingluan Resort Tourism Services Co., Ltd., his status is above that of the board. Because of his existence, the resort can operate smoothly, and the purpose of Summit Tower..."
Ling Feng paused, "is for martial arts competitions."
"Martial arts?" Li Chunjun asked.
"Yes," Ling Feng nodded.
"Competition" is just a polite term; the real meaning of Summit Tower's existence is martial combat.
"The board members of Qingluan Resort will seek out death row prisoners and desperate martial artists from Xuanzhou and even the entire country and bring them to Summit Tower for martial arts competitions," Ling Feng took a deep breath. "Anyone who can win nine consecutive matches and reach the pinnacle of Summit will be cleared of all crimes. Those who perform exceptionally well, or who are innocent, can even make a request to Master Qing."
Li Chunjun understood.
Although Lingzhi's family was decent, they were still middle-class.
Even if Ling Feng had a good life, how could he interact with highly influential figures?
His eager assistance ultimately came from valuing Li Chunjun's martial strength.
Since he valued martial strength, combat was inevitable.
"Summit Tower has been established for thirteen years, and more than twenty people have reached the pinnacle. Most of them came to regain their freedom, but a few came for Master Qing's connections and networks. Some wanted to use his channels to gather Qi and become body refinement cultivators, while others sought wealth, fame, or a brighter future."
Ling Feng glanced at Li Chunjun through the rearview mirror. "If you can reach the pinnacle, with Master Qing's connections and influence, clearing your name will be a simple matter. With your talent and potential, joining the Chiyang Sword Sect will also be within reach."
So, the so-called rules and laws were really just toys for the powerful.
Death sentences, imprisonment, or releasing someone without charge—all these were merely the words of the powerful.
Li Chunjun didn't respond immediately.
After a while, he asked, "You mean to say the board members of Qingluan Resort will gather death row prisoners from Xuanzhou and all over the country to compete in martial arts?"
"Yes."
Ling Feng nodded slightly, "The reason Summit Tower attracts people is because every combatant there is a Integration Realm martial artist. These martial artists are well-known, and if they haven't committed crimes, they can live a superior life in any city. Naturally, they are unwilling to fight to the death."
He paused, then added cautiously, "In the martial arts competitions at Summit Tower, one can admit defeat if they're losing, but once a fight begins, accidents can easily happen, so there is a certain death rate."
"Mm."
Li Chunjun responded calmly.
Life-and-death combat wasn't child's play; if you couldn't stop yourself, it was perfectly normal to accidentally kill someone.
"So, what do yo– "
Ling Feng asked quietly.
"When?"
Li Chunjun asked directly.
Ling Feng's spirit lifted: "I'll take you to meet Director Zhou right away."
As he agreed, he continued, "An 18-year-old top-tier martial artist is very newsworthy. Director Zhou will definitely not refuse, and he'll make arrangements for you soon."
"Alright."
Li Chunjun responded.
"One year ago, Yan Yan, who reached the pinnacle, was brought in by Fang Lieyun. With your strength... you're definitely one of the top-tier martial artists. In theory, you have a great chance of reaching the pinnacle, but you'd still better be cautious..."
Ling Feng spoke, seemingly feeling the atmosphere becoming heavier, then smiled again, "I'm waiting for the day you join the Chiyang Sword Sect and become a cultivator. By then..."
"I won't die."
Li Chunjun calmly interrupted his words.
It was as if stating a fact.
Ling Feng, cut off mid-sentence, awkwardly laughed.
Li Chunjun said nothing more and looked out the window.
He and Ling Feng...
Were in a mutually beneficial relation.
They both took what they needed.
He certainly wouldn't consider himself inferior to him.
...
After more than three hours of driving, they arrived at the Qingluan Resort.
The entire resort was almost divided into two sections: inner and outer.
The outer section resembled a commercial town, not only ancient in style but also filled with lively energy.
Pedestrians and tourists were constantly coming and going.
The inner section, however, consisted of villas and ancient-style lofts, with noticeably more security patrols.
Even though Ling Feng worked at the resort, he had to get out of the car and walk.
When the two arrived at an ancient-style loft surrounded by a six-meter-high wall, a middle-aged man was already waiting.
"Mr. Hua, do you know what Director Zhou said?"
Ling Feng quickly approached and asked.
The middle-aged man didn't respond immediately but instead focused his gaze on Li Chunjun.
There was a hint of something unusual in his expression.
After a long while, he finally spoke, "Causing such an uproar in Guangzhou, I didn't expect you to be so young. A young talent indeed."
Ling Feng quickly introduced, "This is Mr. Hua Ying, Director Zhou's personal bodyguard. At Summit Tower, he can represent Director Zhou."
"Although there are many rumors about you, hearing is not the same as seeing," Hua Ying said, then turned to a muscular young man beside him and said, "Hua Xiong, isn't there an assessment going on over there? Add him to the list."
"Yes, Uncle," Hua Xiong said, gesturing for Li Chunjun to follow.
Li Chunjun guessed they wanted him to show his skills?
"You want me to fight with you?"
He asked.
Hua Xiong appeared muscular, and judging by his movements, he was also an Integration Realm martial artist, but...
Clearly, he was weaker.
"Not with me, with wild beasts," Hua Xiong replied.
He led Li Chunjun to a nearby area.
Ling Feng wanted to follow but was stopped by Hua Ying.
Seeing this, Ling Feng had no choice but to warn him again, "I'm not worried about your strength, just afraid your experience may be lacking... Be extremely careful!"
Li Chunjun nodded.
Hua Xiong quickly took Li Chunjun into a car, and after driving for several kilometers, they arrived at a secluded mountainous area.
This area should still be within the Qingluan Mountain range.
Hua Xiong led Li Chunjun into a small, extremely sturdy house.
When they entered, four people were already waiting inside.
Each of them exuded a strong, dangerous aura.
At a glance, Li Chunjun could tell that all four of them were Integration Realm martial artists.
(End of the Chapter)
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