Translator: CinderTL
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Hua Ying was very efficient.
The nine major board members were both collaborators and competitors, and naturally, they understood each other's strengths very well.
In just one hour, he had already brought over the data on the martial artists of the other eight board members.
At the same time, he brought some "good" news.
"You've got trouble," Hua Ying said in a low voice. "Zhao Tong somehow convinced Master Qing. Master Qing has decided to adopt the 'Battle of the Hunters' mode for this year's Summit Battle!"
Hua Ying explained, "All the contestants will be thrown onto the same mountain you previously used for assessments, and they will engage in a free-for-all battle for a golden cauldron! Humans, fierce beasts—everything will be your opponent, and the last person standing will be the winner."
"Mm," Li Chunjun responded calmly.
"Compared to the usual one battle per day, with nine battles and nine wins to reach the peak, the Battle of the Hunters usually concludes within a day or two, which is a huge test for a cultivator's stamina and willpower! Especially once the battle begins, not only do you have to be careful of others teaming up to attack you, but the fierce beasts placed on the mountain by the Summit Tower will also become significant variables."
Hua Ying elaborated, "So, the Battle of the Hunters is the most intense battle mode in Summit Tower, and it's also the most valuable!"
Li Chunjun's expression didn't change much.
He kept flipping through the data in his hands.
When he saw that there were four innate martial artists listed, he couldn't help but nod slightly.
Hua Ying noticed Li Chunjun's confidence and relaxed a bit.
"You're young, which makes it easy for others to underestimate you. Compared to you, Blood Fang, as an innate martial artist, is renowned and more likely to attract focused attacks. So, you just need to keep a low profile, hide for a while, and wait until they've worn each other down before you make your move. Your chances of winning the battle will increase significantly."
Hua Ying smiled, "After this battle, Master Qing will personally observe from a distance. Once you claim the top spot, clearing your name will be a piece of cake. If Master Qing is pleased, you might even get an additional reward, like the 'Qi Infusion' process."
"Does Master Qing have an immortal array that can infuse Qi into the body? Aren't such arrays only usable by cultivators who have mastered Yin-Yang and the Five Elements?" Li Chunjun asked.
"Isn't it possible that the cultivator behind Master Qing is at that level?" Hua Ying asked with a smile.
Li Chunjun didn't respond.
"Don't guess. Many people have used Master Qing's array, including Master Qing himself. If not, why would the three board members who have already become cultivators give Master Qing face?" Hua Ying said.
Li Chunjun's heart stirred. He suddenly asked, "Is Master Qing a body refining cultivator?"
"Perhaps some rumors have leaked out, which made you ask, but how do you know that these rumors weren't deliberately spread by Master Qing? The purpose might be to lure out the true intentions of some people?" Hua Ying said with a meaningful smile. "Besides, Qi Infusion doesn't conflict with Qi Refining cultivators."
Qi Refining, Body Refining!
Qi Refining's first stage is meant to nourish the body with true energy. But many Qi Refining cultivators don't focus on this stage. Instead, they focus on cultivating spells and forming talismans, eventually converting true energy into spiritual qi.
Spiritual qi is less effective in nourishing the body.
But once they have mastered the spells, who would still want to engage in hand-to-hand combat?
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't spread unverified rumors. This is the taboo of the Summit Tower! Remember!" Hua Ying warned seriously.
Li Chunjun didn't speak any further, as he knew there would be no useful answers.
However...
Qi Refining cultivators use their spiritual roots to sense the world's Qi. Body Refining cultivators need Qi infusion to connect with the external world.
The rumors say Master Qing is a Qi Refining cultivator, yet Hua Ying mentions Qi Infusion...
It doesn't make sense.
After thinking for a while, he decided to let go of these thoughts.
If he couldn't figure it out, he wouldn't dwell on it.
Regardless of any unusual traits Master Qing might have, he was probably not at the level of a high-tier Qi Refining cultivator.
As Li Chunjun grew stronger, ordinary Qi Refining cultivators would pose less and less of a threat to him.
It was just a matter of time.
The Battle of the Hunters would shorten this "time" significantly.
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Three days passed quickly.
But during these three days, Li Chunjun's life was not without its challenges.
Good news came one after another.
His earlier "arrogance" had clearly caught attention.
Three innate martial artists!
This Battle of the Hunters would have three innate martial artists!
Blood Fang, Lei Long, and Zhang San.
Additionally, the number of top-tier martial artists exceeded double digits, reaching twelve.
There were also ten ordinary or high-level martial artists, each with their own unique skills.
A total of twenty-six participants, fewer than in previous Summit Battles, but their quality was significantly higher.
As the departure time approached, Li Chunjun met with Hua Ying again.
Also accompanying them was Board Member Zhou Yi.
This woman, who looked to be nearing thirty, wore a fiery red shoulder-length dress and had a pair of hoop earrings that reflected light under the sun.
Her attire and demeanor exuded a mature charm, fully displaying her femininity.
"Chunjun, I've placed a heavy bet on you," she said, leaning slightly toward Li Chunjun. "Not just me—many people have chosen to believe in you and bet on you. Please don't disappoint me, or I'll be very upset."
Li Chunjun glanced at her, "Are all the contestants heavy criminals?"
"You really have a sense of justice, huh? I can tell you—yes, they are all criminals. They're all scum, and we want them gone." Zhou Yi lowered her voice slightly. "Not just them—Old Zhao, Old Zhang, Old Liu—they're all terrible people. They've only gotten to where they are by drinking people's blood. So, Chunjun, you must teach them a lesson for me."
Li Chunjun didn't respond.
In the past three days, he had learned about the nature of Summit Tower.
He also understood the true nature of the Summit Battle.
For martial artists who had committed grave crimes, Summit Tower could offer them a chance to return to the light or fulfill desires they couldn't achieve otherwise.
But for the distinguished guests invited to observe the Summit Battle, it was a way to resolve certain conflicts and benefit from the struggles between different factions.
When the forces are evenly matched and fighting would lead to mutual destruction, or when there are personal connections that prevent a direct confrontation, they would use the Summit Battle as a way to resolve conflicts by betting on a representative contestant.
This was why Summit Tower had such immense influence in Xuanzhou.
"I heard a rumor," Li Chunjun said, "That when major bets are involved, some contestants are dealt with afterward, even if they don't die in the battle?"
"Impossible," Zhou Yi waved her hand. "I would never give such an order."
Hua Ying smiled and added, "Master Li, it's better not to have any weird thoughts. Focus all your efforts on winning the final victory. Otherwise, with your provocation of Director Zhao three days ago, Blood Fang will never let you leave the Snow Forest alive."
"I understand," Li Chunjun nodded.
He now knew what to do.
Everyone... must die.
(End of the Chapter)
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