23: Chapter 23 An Eye for an Eye!

"Pfft!"

Li Hongyun instantly sprayed out a large mouthful of fresh blood. His chest was caved in, and no one knew how many ribs had been crushed. Intense pain washed over him, causing him to regain consciousness instantly as he let out a heart-wrenching scream!

Even though he had a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation and a physique far stronger than an ordinary person, being struck by such a massive boulder left him severely injured!

This shrill wail caught the attention of many Disciples. Everyone who saw the scene gasped, secretly shocked!

"Ji Taichang is harming a fellow Disciple and openly violating the rules of the competition. This is simply outrageous!"

"Junior Brother Li, quickly take this scoundrel down and lock him in the Law Enforcement Hall dungeon!"

Zhang San immediately slammed the table and stood up, not letting go of any opportunity to target Ji Taichang.

"Alright!"

Li Si immediately stood up. A black chain appeared in his hand, and he prepared to arrest Ji Taichang on the spot.

"Stop!"

Yang Yao rose immediately. "With which eye did you see Ji Taichang harming a fellow Disciple? He was just climbing the mountain normally. The mountain is rugged; isn't it normal for rocks to roll down?"

Lin Xueyue also nodded slightly. "Ji Taichang did not violate the rules. The rock slid down naturally."

Seeing both great beauties protecting Ji Taichang like this, Li Si's eyes turned red with jealousy!

"Quiet, everyone."

Just then, Yang Buqiu spoke.

His voice wasn't loud, yet it caused everyone to fall silent instantly, their gazes shifting toward him in unison.

"Ji Taichang did not violate the rules. Continue watching."

Yang Buqiu spoke slowly, setting the tone for the matter.

Hearing this, smiles immediately appeared on the faces of Yang Yao and Lin Xueyue!

In contrast, Zhang San and Li Si's expressions were somewhat gloomy and unsightly. However, since the Sect Master had spoken, they didn't dare to object!

"Wait a minute!"

"Look! Ji Taichang... something's not right!"

"Something is very, very wrong!"

At that moment, an Elder cried out in surprise, drawing the attention of the other Elders.

They saw that after Ji Taichang had kicked loose a boulder and sent Li Hongyun crashing to the foot of the mountain, he didn't slow down. He was still climbing rapidly!

The omnipresent pressure on the mountain seemed to have no effect on him at all. Ji Taichang accelerated repeatedly, overtaking one Disciple after another. He soon rushed into the first tier, moving side by side with the dozen strongest Geniuses!

*Hiss—*

"Isn't he an ordinary Disciple with a Three-Colored Mixed Spiritual Root? How can he catch up to those Geniuses with Single and Double Spiritual Roots?!"

"This boy has been mediocre for six years since joining the sect. I didn't expect him to be hiding so much!"

Many Elders were startled, their eyes filled with expressions of amazement.

"Xiao Chang... is actually a Genius too?"

The eyes of Yang Yao and Lin Xueyue brightened even more, filled with pleasant surprise!

They had thought Ji Taichang was just an ordinary person, but now it seemed this kid's Aptitude and strength were quite extraordinary!

"Heh, in my opinion, he most likely used a Medicinal Pill to stimulate his potential, or even some prohibited poison pill!"

"I propose we check him thoroughly later. We cannot tolerate such behavior!"

Zhang San snorted coldly and spoke in a sarcastic, Yin and Yang tone.

Yang Yao glanced at him. "Senior Brother Zhang, you are so old, yet you are being so petty and targeting a junior Disciple at every turn. Such actions are like those of a wretched villain, truly despicable!"

"You—"

Zhang San was furious.

As a dignified Golden Core Stage Elder and the Vice Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall, when had he ever been scolded to his face like this?

Just as Zhang San was about to curse back, he saw Yang Buqiu give him a cold look. Zhang San's heart skipped a beat, and he forced himself to swallow his insults.

There was no other way.

Who told Yang Yao to have the Sect Master as her father!

Although Yang Buqiu usually doted on Yang Weile excessively, favoring males over females and being indifferent and biased against his daughter Yang Yao...

He still wouldn't tolerate Zhang San insulting Yang Yao to her face!

Seeing Zhang San's frustrated look, Yang Yao's mood instantly improved. She gave a light hum, and her gaze fell back onto Ji Taichang.

Looking at Ji Taichang's tall and upright figure and his calm, resolute face, she unconsciously recalled the scenes from that night when they depended on each other for survival and had intimate contact. Then she remembered Ji Taichang grabbing her hand and making an affectionate confession...

A hint of blush instantly appeared on Yang Yao's pretty face, and her gaze toward Ji Taichang became increasingly tender!

Lin Xueyue was also looking at Ji Taichang, her mind similarly recalling the intimate interactions they had during the nights of this period, as well as the unconventional path they took last night...

"This bad seed!"

Lin Xueyue quickly shook her head, suppressing the flirtatious images in her heart.

Ji Taichang's steps were steady and powerful as he walked at the very front with the other dozen or so Geniuses.

Actually, he could have gone even faster, but being too Heaven-Defying would be counterproductive. His current speed was already eye-catching enough.

As for why he could be so fast...

It was simply because he had a Golden Core Stage cultivation!

The Inner Sect Disciples of the Qingyun Sect were only at the Qi Refinement Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage, so the Formation on this mountain was set specifically for those two Realms. The pressure of the Formation was ineffective against a Golden Core Stage powerhouse!

Therefore, Ji Taichang didn't feel the slightest bit of pressure; it was truly like walking on level ground!

Just as Ji Taichang was getting closer and closer to the summit.

At the foot of the mountain, Li Hongyun's body trembled as he crawled out from under the boulder and the deep pit. He was covered in blood and looked like a vengeful ghost, quite terrifying.

"Ji Taichang!"

"I want you dead—"

Li Hongyun's hair was disheveled, and his blood-stained face was filled with murderous intent and hatred!

He took out a blood-black Medicinal Pill from his Storage Ring and quickly swallowed it.

This was a prohibited pill!

Boom—

Li Hongyun felt as if he had swallowed a volcano. A fierce and majestic power instantly filled his entire body, causing his eyes to turn somewhat red.

The injuries inside his body healed rapidly, and wisps of black Qi actually began to permeate his Dantian and Meridians.

Li Hongyun's blood and potential were stimulated. Feeling his whole body filled with powerful strength, he let out a low growl and immediately began to climb the mountain again!