Strongest Replication

After his recent fighting and killing spree, his combat experience had reached a new limit. Thanks to that, he could now use his spiritual power and cultivation method more efficiently.    

If Chu Zhongtian wanted to break through this limit, he had to fight stronger opponents. So, in a way, a Level-6 Qi Refiner attacking him like crazy was exactly what he wanted. Owing to that, Chu Zhongtian didn't bring forth his best; instead, he reduced the spiritual power input behind his attacks. Then, he used Qi Yiyuan's attacks to hone his saber technique and will.    

For the entire battle, Chu Zhongtian only used his basic saber technique with minimal spiritual power. Whenever Qi Yiyuan thought that he had grasped Chu Zhongtian's technique and that he could win, Chu Zhiongtian would somehow deliver an unexpectedly new attack. This made Qi Yiyuan furious.    

Meanwhile, Chu Zhongtian wasn't just practicing these basic saber techniques—he was also modifying them. He was changing the moves ever so slightly to bring out the strongest offense each time.    

This was definitely a good idea, but it was no cakewalk.    

While trying to improve the techniques, he became increasingly familiar with them. Before long, he discovered that he could now feel hints of the special force he used back in the courtyard.    

"Not enough, the pressure is still not enough!" Chu Zhongtian could feel the force, but some barrier was blocking it, so he couldn't use it at will. He knew that this was because the external pressure was not enough.    

Qi Yiyuan was giving this fight his all; sadly, even that wasn't enough to pressure Chu Zhongtian enough. So he decided to finish the battle early.    

Chu Zhongtian used 50% of his spiritual power and delivered a slightly modified slash. Under the Qi Yiyuan's incredulous gaze, the steel blade sliced across his neck, and his head shot up into the sky.    

After Qi Yiyuan's headless body fell to the ground, Chu Zhongtian put away his steel blade, took a few steps back, and began collecting the spoils of war.    

After a thorough search, Chu Zhongtian found a single plate on Qi Yiyuan; this disappointed him greatly.    

'He must've given his plates to Qi Yizai. Qi Yizai would then hand them to Qi Yiloong and ensure that Yiloong becomes the champion. After all, that is the purpose of the royal family all along.'    

Thankfully, Qi Yiyuan had a lot of spirit stones. He had a total of 18 low Level-9 stones.    

Chu Zhongtian turned around and looked at Chu Yuping and the others, who were still in the middle of the fighting. Given the Chu group's current strength, they could easily kill the royal group.    

Probably, Chu Yuping did not kill them immediately because he also wanted to use this opportunity to train himself and the others within the group.    

Since the Chu Family disciples weren't in danger, Chu Zhongtian decided to leave and focus on that special force hidden behind the barrier. In order to grasp that force as soon as possible and breakthrough, Chu Zhongtian had to find a stronger opponent. A powerful opponent could push him to the brink, and he could use that pressure to destroy that barrier.    

"Brother Yuping, I still have something to attend to, so I'll leave first. Guys, be careful; good luck." Chu Zhongtian called out to Chu Yuping, who was in the middle of the battle. After that, he turned around and rushed toward the center of the battlefield with all his strength.    

He could find the strongest participants at the center of the hunting grounds; only they had sufficient strength to create enough mental pressure for him to break through the mental barrier. The strongest were the only ones who could help him seize the opportunity.    

Chu Zhongtian hadn't gone far before he came to an abrupt halt and looked ahead with a pleasantly surprised expression.    

Ahead of him stood a cultivator—no, an expert. An expert who could pressurize his psyche.    

This expert was also a member of the royal family. As for his name, Chu Zhongtian had no idea since there was no information about him in the info brochure Chu Fann gave him.    

More importantly, back before the contest started, two guys next to Qi Yiloong alarmed him. This expert ahead of him was one of those guys.    

Meanwhile, the royal family expert was stunned when he saw the ecstatic expression on Chu Zhongtian's face.    

'Is this Chu Family guy a battle maniac like master?'    

"I am Yan Yongjin."    

Although Chu Zhongtian was a mere peak Level-4 Qi Refiner, Yan Yongjin didn't look down on him. He had seen the battle between Chu Zhongtian and Qi Yiyuan, so he knew that Chu Zhongtian had actually held back quite a bit.    

Had Chu Zhongtian gone all out, Qi Yiyuan would've died at the first slash.    

'Yan Yongjin?'    

When Chu Zhongtian heard his opponent's introduction, he was confused. After all, there wasn't a single family in Qi Country with the surname Yan.    

Then, Chu Zhongtian suddenly remembered that there was a kingdom that shared borders with Qi Country, Yan Country. It was much stronger than Qi Country and was ruled by the Yan Family.    

"Yan Country?" Chu Zhongtian looked directly into Yan Yongjin's eyes and asked in a puzzled tone.    

Yan Yongjin nodded his head, confirming Chu Zhongtian's guess.    

'The royal family actually invited people from outside to participate in the Hunting Contest? It seems like the royal family isn't all that strong right now.'    

If their strength continued to deplete, the entire Qi Country would fall into a huge turmoil within ten years. Knowing this, Chu Zhongtian's desire to get stronger burned fiercer than ever.    

"My name is Chu Zhongtian."    

No matter which country his opponent came from, as long as he was strong enough and could give Chu Zhongtian enough pressure to break through, Chu Zhongtian would welcome him.    

Since Chu Zhongtian recognized his opponent's strength, he didn't hide his identity and also announced his name.    

As a member of the Yan Country, Yan Yongjin had never heard of Chu Zhongtian, but Chu Yuping and the others, who had just finished their battle, heard it and recognized him immediately.    

"So he's Chu Zhongtian!" Chu Yuping suddenly exclaimed when he heard that their helper was named Chu Zhongtian.    

As the most influential person of the younger generation, he had met Chu Zhongtian after his talent test.    

However, Chu Zhongtian's meridians were damaged later, and he was sent to Chu's Pharmacy in Luolin town. They had never met each other again since then.    

When Chu Yuping heard that Chu Zhongtian was crippled, he was quite depressed for a period. He even thought of various ways to help Chu Zhongtian repair his meridians.    

However, a year ago, Chu Yuping was a mere Level-4 Qi Refiner, so it was impossible for him to help Chu Zhongtian.    

Now that Chu Zhongtian stood in front of him, wielding a might that was levels ahead of him, Chu Yuping felt no jealousy in his heart at all; instead, there was just joy.    

Chu Yuping was happy that Chu Zhongtian could stand up again due to his perseverance. Since Chu Zhongtian had climbed back from the pit of despair, he was bound to go higher than everyone.    

Also, there was the whole spiel about the Chu Family having squat for reputation and status. Now that Chu Zhongtian was back, the Chu Family's younger generation would surely rise above everyone and their name would resound throughout the Qi Country.    

"Chu Zhongtian... I will remember that." Yan Yongjin nodded and took out his weapon as if he was facing a strong enemy.    

Taking a deep breath, Chu Zhongtian adjusted his condition and also took out his steel blade. He raised the steel blade and looked at Yan Yongjin with a grave expression.    

This was the first time Chu Zhongtian had encountered such a powerful opponent since he started cultivating. He'd be lying if he said he was not nervous at all, but there was a trace of excitement in his nervousness.    

More importantly, the special force was slowly leaking out of the barrier thanks to the intense pressure.