Chapter 676: Core Formation Opportunity

　　Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

　　Although Yu Luan had some discontentment about continuing the competition, he was a man of action. In just a morning, they really began the competition promptly after deciding on doing on.

　　Instead Lonemoon and gang arrived later as they were having lunch. When they arrived, all the Elders were already gathered on the viewing platform, Tian Ji also sat on the topmost seat, instead, Tian Yi that technical homebody fan boy wasn’t here, he’d just bought a batch of herbs from nameless peak the other day and was most probably refining pills again.

　　Yi Qing flew directly towards the viewing platform, glancing at the two empty seats in the middle, he habitually stepped to the side for Shen Ying to sit down then turned black to glance at Father Niu and seemingly hesitated for a moment before settling into the only empty seat with no qualms.

　　Lonemoon: “…” Son of a b*tch!

　　Though with his identity now, he shouldn’t be taking a seat, but… what the hell was Chef’s look of ‘since the food allowance for this month has been collected’?!

　　Somehow very displeased!

　　Tian Ji turned and looked at the few of them, seeming to be reminded of something, his expression contorted for a second and recovered immediately and he turned away as if nothing had happened.

　　Instead, Yi Qing darted a look at him, his eyes darkened as he subconsciously sent a voice transmission and whispered, “His body’s…”

　　“Demonic Qi is gone.” Lonemoon finished directly. “I already realized this morning in the Great Hall, the demonic Qi in his body has disappeared.”

　　Yi Qing’s eyes darkened further, had they guessed wrong?

　　Previously when the Protective Mountain Array was suddenly activated, they’d guessed that the person who killed Elder Yin and hid in the sect could be Tian Ji. He’d imprisoned Zhong Yi for so many years and came into contact with that earth demon for too long. Even if he had the cultivation of Soul Formation, it was impossible to be totally unaffected. Besides, the first time they saw him, he already showed signs of turning demonic that was only suppressed by Shu Yi using the system.

　　So, he was their first suspect. However, Chef had specially examined him using divine perception that day and did not find demonic Qi on him. Subsequently, when they learned of the system’s means of locking in demonic Qi, they thought that he too had long turned demonic Qi and only had his demonic Qi locked in by the system.

　　Yet this time, he was totally clean, not a trace of demonic Qi on him, neither did he look like he had anything concealed by the system. He just looked like an ordinary Soul Formation cultivator and that made things odd.

　　If he hadn’t turned demonic Qi, where did the demonic Qi that Shu Yi locked in Zuo Shuming’s body come from?

　　Before they could think further, the competition below had begun. Elixir-refining cauldrons lined a side of the arena, a dozen of disciples were already holding spirit herbs and starting to refine pills, in moments, the entire space was filled with the fragrance of elixirs and turned smoky.

　　In contrast, the other side of the arena was much simpler and calmer. The spells match from the previous time was only left with the finals between Zuo Shuming and Shu Yi, now, naturally only the two of them needed to compete in one match.

　　Shu Yi was already waiting outside the stage way in advance, her sharp eyes swept a glance at Zuo Shuming who was looking over and didn’t seem like she wanted to bother with him.

　　Instead Two Bucks Zuo, a naive fool as before went forward with a warm smile. “Uncle-Master Shu!”

　　“Disciple-Nephew Zuo…” Perhaps feeling sure that she had the winning card, Shu Yi was nice for once. “Seems like we must battle each other today and have a winner and loser emerge between us.”

　　“What are you saying Uncle-Master Shu, I’ve always been in admiration of your cultivation.” Zuo Shuming replied in all seriousness, frankly speaking, he might not be able to beat her, after all, they were in two different stages.

　　Shu Yi’s expression darkened, recalling all the happenings of the past the resentment in her eyes deepened slightly. “Are you mocking me?”

　　“No no no…” Zuo Shuming faltered for a moment and hurriedly explained. “I’m sincere about it.”

　　“Hmph! Don’t think you’re invincible just because you’re a sword cultivator.” Shu Yi sneered coldly and inhaled deeply before managing to suppress the anger at heart. She then said in a low voice, “From today onwards, I want everyone to know that you are my defeated opponent!”

　　“Um…” He’d never thought that way. “Uncle-Master Shu, do you have any misunderstandings about me?” He looked every eager to explain everything to her.

　　“Misunderstanding?” Shu Yi let out a cold laugh and gave him a glare, the disdain in her eyes looked like it was about to flow out as she said meaningfully, “There’s no misunderstanding, after today… everything will be made clear.”

　　“But if there is anywhere I have done wrong, I hope…” He still had more to say.

　　“No need to go on!” But Shu Yi was totally uninterested in continuing the conversation, glancing at him, she said, “If there’s any problem, we’ll battle it out.”

　　“Huh? Is Uncle-Master Shu being… distrustful of me?” He was stunned for a moment.

　　“Hmph! Cultivators like us, have always used cultivation to decide who’s right and wrong.” Her hand turned and summoned a spirit sword, her eyes grew cold as she said slightly threateningly, “There’s no need for you to say anything more, if you are capable enough then defeat the sword in my hands. Why the need to be a hypocrite and say so much unnecessarily stuff? The act of cultivating itself is one that defies heaven, no matter how good your words sound, it can never compare to my cultivation that is half a stage above yours. I only trust the sword in my hands, regardless of what demons and monsters, I will slay all without fail. Whatever you do with your sword will translate to your cultivation, fight me!”

　　With that said, she gave me and icy glare and flew up to the stage.

　　On the contrary, Zuo Shuming stood rooted with wide eyes and a look of shock in his original spot, as if he’d been impacted and did not move for a while. Until a junior brother beside him reminded that he should be going on stage.

　　Zuo Shuming then turned and walked up slowly, his entire being seemed like he’d been startled and was in a daze, frowning as he muttered something under his breath?

　　Meanwhile, the start of the competition was announced.

　　“Please!” Shu Yi bowed according to the procedures and tightened her grip on the sword that was pointing opposite.

　　But Zuo Shuming did not move, looking up dazedly at Shu Yi opposite, he didn’t even summon his spirit sword, it seemed like he was really startled by her words before they came on.

　　Shu Yi ignored his abnormality, activating her Spirit Qi, she came striking at him.

　　Yet Zuo Shuming remained dazedly rooted, watching as the sword come slashing at him closer and closer… just as it was about to thrust him.

　　His eyes then widened abruptly like he was waking up from a dream and exclaimed out loud, “I understand now!”

　　All of a sudden, a huge wave of Spirit Qi erupted out of his body, the surrounding Spirit Qi turned violent, the surging spirit pressure blew the sword in his Shu Yi’s hand away.

　　All the disciples watching the match was stunned, yet Zuo Shuming still repeated excitedly in a loud voice, “Whatever you do with your sword will translate to your cultivation, well said!” He’d been wrong, in the past, Brother Lonemoon’s beatings were so harsh that he had the thought of retreating once he picked up a sword, but sword cultivators practice the sword, there are no regrets once the sword is out, how is there time for him to think of anything more. If he was thinking of being defeated at the start and is filled with misgivings and fear, how could he be considered a sword cultivator?

　　With the sword in hand, just slash it through, why the need to think so much!

　　Zuo Shuming was relieved, as if something that kept bothering him deep down had all vanished, he’d finally found the opportunity that he had been searching to no appeal.

　　In moments, large amounts of Spirit Qi suddenly gathered madly in Zuo Shuming’s direction, more and more, a raging wind blew and the skies darkened.

　　“This…” Yu Luan jumped to his feet and blurted, “He’s entering Core Formation!”

　　Lonemoon: “…”

　　Yi Qing: “…”

　　Shen Ying: “…”

　　( ̄△̄;)

　　A born jinx, living up to his reputation!

　　Seemed like they could hear the sounds of a certain person vomiting blood.