My Portable Spirit Farm: Rise of the Humble Servant

Chapter 202: Team Battle Ends

After another week of recuperation, the team battles arrived as scheduled.

Following days of rest and conditioning with pills, Zhao Long’s injuries had mostly healed. Although a trace of weakness still lingered on his face, his movement was no longer hindered.

The fighting spirit in the young man’s eyes had reignited.

In Chen Ping’s view, this kid was an out-and-out battle maniac. Not only that, but his courage was truly immense; to say he was “covered in gall” would not be an exaggeration.

Facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Tianling Sect, he hadn’t evaded in the slightest. Instead, he had met the difficulty head-on.

The final outcome was clear to all. He fought until his True Essence was completely depleted, his foundation shaken, and his soul damaged, only ending the battle when forced into unconsciousness.

Setting aside his death-defying courage during the fight, the mere fact that he dared to step onto the arena to battle a cultivator far stronger than himself proved his guts far surpassed those of his peers.

Of course, to Chen Ping, this was a bit too reckless.

Cultivators should act within their capabilities. A gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall.

As for sages? Naturally, they do not shirk their duty. But Zhao Long was no sage, so it was better not to be so stubborn.

Chen Ping wanted to remind him, but seeing Zhao Long’s adrenaline-fueled state, the words died on his lips.

Forget it. I’ll advise him another time when there’s a chance.

Chen Ping silently turned his head to look at Bai Yue.

The situation with this beautiful woman, however, was far from optimistic.

Ever since her Sword Heart was crushed by Gu Yunshen’s single strike, she seemed to have lost her soul. Even though Headmaster Li Lingfeng and Zhao Yuanqi took turns guiding and comforting her, the effect was minimal.

Her eyes were vacant, and her mind often wandered. The clear, cold, and sharp aura that once defined her had completely vanished, leaving only dejection and confusion.

Standing below the arena, she seemed utterly out of place.

Chen Ping felt a pang of pity for her. She clearly possessed immense talent in the Dao of the Sword. Unfortunately, she had been held too high and fallen too hard, leaving her trapped in a mental predicament she couldn’t escape.

For a knot in the heart like this, one had to untie it themselves. If others untied it, it wasn’t a solution—it was merely setting the burden down temporarily.

“Do your best. If victory seems impossible, prioritize preserving yourselves,” Li Lingfeng instructed the three of them, his tone grave as he looked specifically at Bai Yue.

Beside him, Zhao Yuanqi nodded, his face etched with worry.

The draw results for the first round of the team battles were released.

Their opponent was the weakest of the group: the Lieyun Sect.

Their luck was holding up.

The Lieyun Sect was once extremely prosperous, renowned for their Fire Arts, and ranked among the top three of the Eight Sects hundreds of years ago. But for some unknown reason, the Sect had suddenly declined, and their inheritance seemed to have suffered issues.

The three disciples they sent this time consisted of only one at Qi Condensation Grand Perfection and two at the first layer of Foundation Establishment. Their auras were impure, and their Dharma Artifacts were quite ordinary.

To be honest, if these were the most talented disciples the Lieyun Sect could muster, then they no longer met the criteria for a third-rate Sect.

The battle itself was unremarkable.

The three opponents cooperated awkwardly, and the power of their Fire Arts was mediocre at best.

Although Bai Yue was distracted, her foundation in the Profound Ice Sword Intent remained. Facing Qi Condensation cultivators and ordinary first-layer Foundation Establishment opponents, she still held an overwhelming advantage. Relying almost entirely on instinct, her icy sword Qi easily tore through their defenses and attacks.

Zhao Long, holding back a surge of pent-up energy, brandished his heavy ruler-sword and charged fiercely. Chen Ping maneuvered along the flanks, providing support and occasionally striking to ensure a secure victory.

In less than an Incense Stick’s Time, the three disciples of the Lieyun Sect were defeated.

The Qingyun Sect easily secured their first victory in the team battle, adding another two points to their score.

However, two days later, during the second round draw, their luck seemed to run out.

The Qingyun Sect drew the Tianling Sect.

Li Lingfeng looked at the lot and sighed helplessly.

“The opponent is the Tianling Sect. The disparity in strength is massive. You three do your best to hold out, but if you feel unable to continue, surrender immediately. Do not force it. Safety comes first.”

Zhao Yuanqi also shook his head with a bitter smile. “Against other Sects, we might have a fighting chance. Against them… Sigh. Preserving your lives is the priority.”

Chen Ping had long anticipated this result and remained calm.

Having reached this point, the Qingyun Sect had already accumulated 12 points—10 from the Elite Battle and 2 from the team battle—firmly placing them in the top three. Their goal had long been exceeded.

For him, winning or losing was far less important than maintaining a low profile and preserving his own strength.

Zhao Long, however, gripped his ruler-sword tightly. His eyes held not a trace of fear, only a fiercely burning fighting spirit.

Bai Yue was the opposite. Upon hearing “Tianling Sect,” her face turned even paler, and her eyes darted evasively. Even before the fight started, her hands began to tremble.

The shadow of Gu Yunshen’s sword pressed down on her heart like a physical weight, trapping her in a vortex of fear she couldn’t escape.

On the arena.

The Tianling Sect sent out three disciples at the third layer of Foundation Establishment.

Although they weren’t top-tier core disciples like Gu Yunshen or Xie Qing, their auras were sufficiently condensed, and their gazes were firm.

This was the depth of a third-rate Sect. Even with their aces seriously injured, they could still field three powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators. It was impressive.

The battle began.

Zhao Long roared, his ruler-sword carrying immense force as he charged toward the center opponent, attempting to disrupt their formation. Chen Ping controlled his flying sword, harassing them from the flank.

However, Bai Yue stood rigidly in place. Facing the incoming Arts, her reaction was half a beat too slow.

“Senior Sister Bai! Be careful!” Zhao Long shouted urgently, catching the danger from the corner of his eye.

A sharp wind blade grazed past Bai Yue’s protective spiritual light, missing her by a hair’s breadth.

Startled awake, Bai Yue hastily swung her sword to block, but her movements were stiff and distorted. The cold intent on her blade was scattered and weak.

In just a few exchanges, her defense was exploited. A solid earth spike slammed hard into the ice shield she had hastily condensed.

Bang!

The ice shield shattered!

Bai Yue grunted, forced back several steps by the impact, her Qi and blood churning. The fear in her eyes intensified, and her sword hand trembled violently.

Immediately after, two more Arts flew toward her. She barely dodged one, but the residual force of a Fireball Art slammed heavily into her shoulder.

“Pfft!”

Bai Yue spat out a mouthful of blood. Her body staggered, and she was knocked directly out of the arena boundaries by the impact. She fell heavily to the ground, her Ice Soul Sword flying from her grasp.

The entire venue erupted in an uproar.

No one expected the Qingyun Sect’s strongest sword cultivator to be the first eliminated so easily and pitifully.

Chen Ping’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Was Bai Yue’s mistake due to her lost mental state, or had she subconsciously given up resistance?

He had no time to delve deeper. With Bai Yue eliminated, Zhao Long was instantly entangled by two opponents, leaving Chen Ping alone to face the coordinated pressure of the enemy formation. The situation had collapsed instantly.

“The Qingyun Sect surrenders.”

Chen Ping’s voice rang out clearly, without the slightest hesitation.

He actively jumped out of the arena boundary while simultaneously controlling his flying sword to force back the two opponents surrounding Zhao Long, signaling him to come down.

Zhao Long’s eyes were bloodshot. He looked at the fallen Bai Yue, then at the arrogant Tianling Sect disciples on the stage. His teeth ground audibly, filled with unwillingness.

But Chen Ping was the captain, and the order had been given. He glared fiercely at the opponents, roared, slammed his ruler-sword heavily onto the ground, and jumped off the arena.

Thus, the Qingyun Sect’s journey in the Eight Sects Grand Competition came to a complete end.

With 10 points from the Elite Battle and 2 from the team battle, they finished with a total of 12 points.