182: Chapter 182 The will to fight is being awakened little by little.

On the Cloud Peak Battle Stage, two figures were currently locked in a tangled struggle.

Amidst the flashing spiritual light, the sound of Divine Ability and techniques colliding was crisp and dense, keeping the Cultivators watching from below completely captivated.

This was the first stage of the competition, where Disciples from various Sects drew lots for duels; the winners advanced, and the losers were eliminated—the rules were simple and direct.

When the figures of Jiang Changge and his group appeared in front of the Kunlun seating area, it did not cause much of a stir.

But that was only because their arrival was so silent and unobtrusive, as if they had always been standing there, and had only just been noticed.

The first to react was Lu Jinghan. His gaze fell upon Jiang Changge, then immediately caught sight of the unfamiliar young figure behind his Revered Master, a flash of understanding crossing his eyes.

He rose from his seat, walked quickly to Jiang Changge, and bowed deeply: "Disciple Jinghan pays respects to Revered Master."

Zhou Tianchen followed closely behind, standing still beside Lu Jinghan, and also bowed: "Disciple Tianchen pays respects to Revered Master."

The other Kunlun Disciples also rose one after another. Ao Qin, Mu Qingxue, Baili Qingfeng, and the others all bowed in unison, their voices neat and respectful: "Greetings, Sect Master."

Although Jiang Changge, as Sect Master, often did not appear before them, this did not in the slightest hinder the Disciples' awe of that white-clad figure.

Even though no one intentionally released any pressure, and even though Jiang Changge just stood there plainly, that composure resonating with heaven and earth still caused everyone to subconsciously hold their breath.

Jiang Changge nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Disciples, then he turned to look at Li Zhongyuan beside him: "This is Li Zhongyuan, the fourth Disciple I have just taken in. From now on, you are all fellow Disciples."

His tone was casual, but the figure behind him stood there, dark red hair gently fluttering in the spiritual wind.

The faint, elusive Bloodline aura around him, though well-concealed, still made those who were sensitive feel a hint of anomaly; it was not an aura that ordinary Human Race should possess.

Lu Jinghan's gaze lingered on Li Zhongyuan for a moment. He was the first to cup his hands, his tone peaceful: "Fourth Junior Brother, welcome to Kunlun."

Zhou Tianchen also smiled and added: "If you don't understand anything in the future, Fourth Junior Brother, feel free to come find me. Whether it's the Dao of pills or Cultivate, it's all easy to discuss."

Li Zhongyuan lowered his head slightly to return the greeting to both: "Greetings, Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother."

At this moment, Jiang Changge's appearance also startled everyone present.

Those Cultivators who had originally been focused on the competition on the stage now turned their heads in unison, their gazes cast toward the white-clad figure in the Kunlun seating area.

From the direction of Medicine King Valley, Danchenzi set down the jade cup in his hand, his gaze narrowing slightly: "This is the Lord of Kunlun."

Dan Qingzi stood by his side and nodded slightly: "It is him."

Upon seeing Jiang Changge appear, Daoist Yunlan, Lord Yangtian, and others also rose one after another to bow respectfully.

After all, their ability to recover their lost vital blood was thanks to the Medicinal Pill from Kunlun.

Others cupped their hands from afar to show their respects, polite yet distant, not daring to rashly step forward to disturb him.

Only one person walked over. Ancestor Zhou Huaixu rose from the main seat, walked calmly through the passage between the stands, and arrived in front of the Kunlun seating area. He cupped his hands to Jiang Changge in a salute, his posture respectful but not restrained, his tone carrying a touch of familiarity: "Senior, you have arrived."

As he approached, his gaze swept over the dark-red-haired youth behind Jiang Changge, lingering for a moment, his heart stirring slightly.

This newly taken Disciple of Jiang Changge had an aura that was restrained yet carried an ancient and domineering charm; this aura was unlike any kind of Bloodline Legacy he knew.

But he did not ask more, simply suppressing that curiosity in his heart, and looked back at Jiang Changge.

Jiang Changge nodded slightly: "I was delayed a bit on the way, but fortunately, I made it."

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu smiled: "Senior arrived just in time. The first stage of the competition has only just begun, and the exciting parts are yet to come. If there is anyone Senior wishes to watch, this Junior will keep an eye on them for you."

His tone was casual and warm, and the familiar, natural manner in which he spoke to Jiang Changge made many heads of surrounding factions secretly envious.

Everyone knew that Ancestor Zhou Huaixu had an extraordinary relationship with Kunlun, but they had not expected it to be close enough to converse so casually.

The two chatted for a few moments, and Jiang Changge's gaze passed over Ancestor Zhou Huaixu's shoulder, landing on the two figures currently exchanging blows on the battle stage.

One of them struck sharply, their sword technique carrying the unique agility and ethereal nature of the Piaomiao Sect; it was indeed a Disciple of the Piaomiao Sect.

Their opponent was a burly youth holding a long staff, his Move fierce and forceful, the wind from the staff whistling; every step he took left shallow marks on the jade stone floor.

The two had exchanged dozens of Moves, and the outcome was not yet clear, but that serious, competitive spirit had already left many Cultivators watching from below thoroughly entertained.

On a side seat not far away, Qing Yue's gaze had been fixed on the direction of the Kunlun seating area.

His hand holding the teacup hung in mid-air, not put down for a long time.

Young Clan Leader of the Jiuqiu Fox Clan, sitting beside him, tilted her head slightly and whispered: "Father, is that the Lord of Kunlun?"

Qing Yue set down the teacup, his gaze still lingering on that white-clad figure, his voice kept extremely low: "It is him."

"I just sensed him, and I could not detect a single fluctuation of Qi from him."

Young Clan Leader of the Jiuqiu Fox Clan's brows moved slightly.

Qing Yue continued: "To have such a method of concealing one's Qi, either he has a top-tier concealment Magic Treasure on him, or his cultivation has reached a level that exceeds the range of my perception."

"And judging by the strength of those Elders under his command, the latter is more likely."

He was silent for a moment, his gaze carrying a touch of profound meaning: "A Sect Master who can casually kill a Half-Step Immortal is truly worthy of his reputation."

Young Clan Leader of the Jiuqiu Fox Clan's gaze also landed on Jiang Changge, curiosity and scrutiny swirling in those amber eyes.

She watched for a moment, then shifted her gaze away, landing back on the battle stage.

The competition on the battle stage was nearing its end. The Piaomiao Sect Disciple used an exquisite sword technique to encircle and force the burly youth to the edge of the battle stage, causing him to lose his grip on the long staff; the outcome was clear.

A low murmur of discussion arose from below the stage; some praised the exquisiteness of that sword strike, others felt pity for the burly youth, while more people silently noted the winner's face and Move, preparing for opponents they might encounter later.

Jiang Changge withdrew his gaze and turned to Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, his tone casual: "How does this batch of Disciples compare to previous years?"

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu smiled: "Stronger than previous years by quite a bit; there are a few very good seedlings. When it gets to the later rounds, Senior will naturally see."

"Everything on the stage right now is just a warm-up; the real show is yet to come."

Jiang Changge nodded, not asking further.

His eyes looked calmly toward the battle stage, as if he were just watching an ordinary sparring match, but behind him, Li Zhongyuan stood straight, his gaze following the figures crossing on the battle stage without a moment's distraction.

In those dark red eyes, the innate Battle Intent of the Shura Clan was being awakened little by little.