My Portable Spirit Farm: Rise of the Humble Servant

Chapter 194: Entering the Top Eight

The result of Chen Ping entering the top eight was unacceptable to many.

This kind of evasive fighting method felt like a slap in the face to the cultivators present. When had anyone ever seen victory obtained solely by dragging down an opponent through the shameful art of running away?

Before this, such a thing had never appeared in the history of the Grand Competition. It carried an indescribable sense of dissonance—a mockery of the martial spirit.

Yet, that Chen Ping had actually won!

Not only did he win, but he successively defeated Zhang Zidong of Huangfeng Valley and Li Yingchun of the Wangyue Sect, forcefully “grinding” his way into the top eight.

Skilled in calculation, maximizing the conservation of internal True Essence, and proficient in movement techniques—this combat model overturned traditional methods.

The spectators were, of course, not pleased. They came to watch thrilling battles and learn profound skills. What could they learn from this running-away fighting style? How to be a coward?

Clearly, it played no role in helping them improve their own strength.

Thus, Chen Ping’s fighting style sparked considerable discussion. Some watched for the sheer absurdity of it, while others tried to analyze the method to his madness.

Some unconvinced cultivators, feeling they could replicate his success, attempted to imitate Chen Ping’s “delaying tactic” in subsequent matches. They tried to win through attrition warfare, believing it to be an easy path to victory.

However, the results were often disastrous.

Either their movement techniques weren’t exquisite enough, and they were quickly defeated by opponents who seized their flaws, or their True Essence reserves were insufficient, unable to outlast the opponent. Some even exposed fatal openings while dodging, suffering heavy damage from a single strike.

The imitators fell one after another. Their failures only highlighted that Chen Ping’s seemingly wretched style—which was actually a precise control over rhythm and True Essence consumption—was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Thus, in the eyes of the many spectating cultivators, Chen Ping’s victory increasingly seemed “unfathomable.”

They couldn’t understand how a Foundation Establishment First Layer cultivator, who seemed to only know how to dodge and possessed average offensive power, could successively defeat opponents of considerable strength.

In the end, many attributed it to luck.

It was luck that allowed him time and again to narrowly evade fatal attacks. It was luck that made his opponents always exhaust their True Essence one step ahead of him.

After all, in which battle wasn’t this kid fighting until he was panting heavily? In which battle wasn’t he utterly exhausted?

“Brother Good Luck”—this nickname, carrying mockery, disdain, and a trace of inexplicable envy, began to circulate in the spectator seats.

When Chen Ping walked back to the Qingyun Sect’s viewing platform again, he could clearly hear bursts of laughter from the distance. “Look, Brother Good Luck is here.”

However, within the Qingyun Sect, the atmosphere was completely different.

Headmaster Li Lingfeng, looking at Chen Ping as he approached, no longer wore the previous scrutiny or indifference. Instead, his face revealed a clear, approving smile.

“Elder Chen, you’ve worked hard. You fought very well.”

The words were brief, but the affirmation within them was undeniable.

At this point, if Li Lingfeng still couldn’t see the underlying skill, he would be unworthy of being a Sect Headmaster. He saw clearly that Chen Ping definitely did not rely solely on luck.

Those seemingly wretched dodges were each precisely timed to the gap in attacks or the weakest point of power. Those “barely” successful parries always managed to deflect just enough force to survive.

That “teetering on the brink” state was more like a disguise to confuse the opponent.

This kid is clearly hiding his true abilities, and in a very sophisticated way…

He used the lowest consumption, the smallest risk, and the most inconspicuous method to firmly grasp victory. Yet, he could still avoid attracting undue attention from rival sects.

This scheming mind, this control over combat, this deep understanding of the caution that “a tall tree catches the wind”—in Li Lingfeng’s view, these were not flaws at all, but rather wisdom!

Cultivators seek Immortality; the foremost requirement is to stay alive. Chen Ping deeply understood this principle. His wisdom was far above that of his peers.

Perhaps this child will be a pillar of the Qingyun Sect in the future.

As for Bai Yue…

Li Lingfeng glanced at the aloof woman who kept everyone at a distance, then immediately withdrew his gaze.

Talent is good… but temperament is sorely lacking.

As for wisdom, let’s not even mention that; between the two of them, they were not on the same level. Bai Yue could serve as an excellent enforcer, a sharp sword for the sect, but as a leading figure—as someone to guide the rise of the Qingyun Sect—she was still far from ready.

Chen Ping was somewhat surprised by the change in Li Lingfeng’s attitude, but his expression remained calm as he cupped his hands.

“The Headmaster praises me too much; it was merely luck.”

He couldn’t tell if Li Lingfeng’s appreciation was genuine or had deeper implications, so he stuck to his script.

Beside him, Zhao Yuanqi was flushed with excitement. He vigorously patted Chen Ping’s shoulder, his voice booming.

“Junior Brother Chen! Well done! What luck? A win is a win! Look at our current points!”

He began counting on his fingers, practically vibrating with joy.

“Junior Sister Bai has four points. Junior Brother Chen, you have four points. This kid Zhao Long has two points. That adds up to a full ten points! This is the best result our Qingyun Sect has achieved in the Grand Competition in hundreds of years!”

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, as if he could already see the golden future unfolding.

“The tribute ratio can be lowered by a large margin! The Spirit Stones saved can be used to build a few more Spirit Gathering Towers for the sect and give the disciples more pills for their monthly stipends! Our Qingyun Sect can finally live a comfortable life for a whole sexagenary cycle! Haha!”

Chen Ping nodded silently. It seemed the tribute the sect had to hand over to the superior sects was truly substantial if a reduction caused this much joy.

After several days of recuperation and taking high-grade pills, Zhao Long’s flesh wounds had mostly healed, and the soul shock caused by excessive overexertion had also calmed down considerably. Although his face was still somewhat pale, his spirits were high.

He quickly walked up to Chen Ping, his eyes filled with pure admiration.

“Senior Brother Chen! Congratulations! That was amazing!”

His congratulations came from the heart, genuinely happy for his Senior Brother’s victory.

Looking at Zhao Long’s honest and sincere smile, Chen Ping also revealed a slight, genuine smile. This Junior Brother had a pure mind and valued sentiment and loyalty, which indeed made one feel comfortable.

Unlike Bai Yue standing on the other side.

Always putting on airs… in the end, the one who suffers is herself.

Bai Yue also walked over.

Her expression was still cold and aloof. Looking at Chen Ping, her lips moved slightly, forcing out a sentence with visible difficulty.

“Congratulations.”

The tone was dry, devoid of any warmth. After saying it, she immediately averted her gaze, just like last time.

It was as if looking at Chen Ping for even a moment more made her physically uncomfortable. In her arrogant perception, Chen Ping’s “opportunistic” victory ran counter to her sword path and was a disgrace to the sect.

Chen Ping paid no mind to Bai Yue’s attitude, merely nodding faintly.

“Thank you.”

Then he no longer looked at her.

The following few battles determined the remaining seven spots for the top eight.

The three core disciples of the Tianling Sect—Gu Yunshen, Xie Qing, and Mo Xiuyuan—all advanced without any suspense. Their powerful foundation and strength made it difficult for disciples of other sects to even come close to threatening them.

Looking at those three, Chen Ping felt no emotional turmoil in his heart. He only once again confirmed the difficult-to-cross chasm between third-rate forces and fourth-rate forces.

With the second round of battles over, another two days of rest time arrived.

Chen Ping returned to his assigned cave dwelling, set up an isolation restriction, and with a thought, entered the Jade Pendant space.