What exactly is your cultivation level

After pondering for a moment, Gu Qingfeng finally decided to participate in the martial arts competition - fortune favors the bold!

Zhang Zheng looked at the contemplative Gu Qingfeng and suddenly stammered, "Hey, why are you asking about this? You're not thinking of joining the competition, are you?"

Gu Qingfeng nodded, "Yes, that's exactly what I'm thinking."

Zhang Zheng was dumbfounded, then burst into laughter, "Hahaha, I never knew you were this funny! You, joining the competition? You're only at the third level of Qi Condensation, even lower than me! Hahaha..."

Ignoring him, Gu Qingfeng asked directly, "Where do I sign up?"

Zhang Zheng was stunned again, "You can't be serious?"

"Enough talk, registration will close soon."

"Brother Gu, you're like a brother to me, but you're really being absurd! Do you know what they call that Apprentice Demon Eliminator who signed up with seventh-level Qi Condensation? They call him a fool, a fool who doesn't know his limits.

If that's what they say about someone at the seventh level, what will they call you at the third level? They'll think you've lost your mind! You'll be called a complete lunatic!"

"If I win, everyone will shut up. Now tell me, where's the registration?" Gu Qingfeng remained unmoved.

Seeing that Gu Qingfeng wouldn't listen to reason and was determined to register, Zhang Zheng's expression became complex as he recalled something.

"Registration is at the Hall of Righteousness."

"Mm."

Gu Qingfeng nodded and turned to leave.

After he left, Zhang Zheng hurriedly pulled out his demon-hunting manual, frantically flipping to the chapter about demon enchantments, carefully checking what to do if someone has been bewitched by demons.

...

At the Hall of Righteousness.

The hall was packed with people, bustling with activity.

Only a small portion of the crowd was there to register for the competition; most were just spectators.

After all, Apprentice Demon Eliminators at the eighth and ninth levels of Qi Condensation were rare, numbering only a few hundred in total, yet the crowd had already exceeded a thousand.

In the Demon Suppression Bureau, where demon hunting was the main focus, such lively martial arts competitions were uncommon, hence the abundance of curious onlookers.

At the main entrance of the hall sat a low-ranking official behind a table, registering participants.

"Name, cultivation level, and position."

"My name is Hu Banqing, ninth level of Qi Condensation, Seventh Division Apprentice Demon Eliminator."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"So that's Hu Banqing? I heard he single-handedly killed an Iron Armored Zombie."

"Hiss! Killed an Iron Armored Zombie alone? Though they move stiffly and slowly, they're impervious to weapons. Usually, only Internal Qi Realm experts can kill them. He did it at just ninth-level Qi Condensation? He must be the next Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator."

"Ah, not necessarily. Have you forgotten about Bai Maming?"

"What?! You mean the inheritor of the White Horse Silver Spear? Bai Maming is competing too?"

"Of course! I saw him register recently. They say he had just returned from slaying demons, the blood on his silver spear hadn't even dried - truly intimidating!"

"This competition will be spectacular, a true battle of dragons and tigers."

"Oh right, Brother Li, didn't you just reach the eighth level of Qi Condensation? Why don't you give it a try?"

"Try what? Look at who's competing - eighth level is just cannon fodder. If it were so easy to fight above your level, why would we bother cultivating at all?"

...

"Next," called the registration official without looking up.

A young man with sword-like eyebrows and a frost-like countenance stepped out from the crowd, carrying a sword. He approached the official and spoke coldly.

"Ye Xuan, seventh level of Qi Condensation, Twelfth Division Apprentice Demon Eliminator."

"Seventh level?" The official looked up at Ye Xuan in surprise.

"Are you sure you want to register?"

"Yes," Ye Xuan replied concisely.

The crowd immediately erupted in chaos.

"Did I hear that right? A mere seventh-level dares to join the competition?"

"Is this kid still half asleep?"

"Hahaha, another foolish dreamer appears. I'm at eighth level and don't dare to register, yet this seventh-level really doesn't know his limits."

Hearing the mockery, Ye Xuan frowned and coldly responded to the source of the voices: "Hmph, what a bunch of frogs in a well. If victory was determined solely by cultivation level, why have a competition at all? We could just compare levels and be done with it. You lack the courage to challenge yourself, yet dare to mock others - how absurd."

Those who had mocked Ye Xuan began cursing angrily upon hearing this. Many eighth-level martial artists also joined in "speaking up for justice." If not for the official's presence, a fight might have broken out.

"I know my own limits, unlike some people who don't know their place."

"That's right! You should look in a mirror and see yourself clearly."

As the crowd grew more agitated and denounced Ye Xuan, suddenly a discordant voice emerged from the crowd.

"Well said, Brother Ye! If victory was determined solely by cultivation level, why have a competition? We could just compare levels and be done with it! Brilliantly put - I completely agree!"

As this dissonant voice rang out, countless angry faces turned toward its source.

They saw a handsome young man with a smile on his face step out from the crowd.

It was Gu Qingfeng, who had come to register.

Unfazed by the angry stares, Gu Qingfeng smiled and said, "Brother Ye's courage is admirable. I'm deeply inspired. Originally, I hesitated to register due to my low cultivation level, but now with Brother Ye setting such an example, I'll join in the excitement as well."

Though Ye Xuan didn't know Gu Qingfeng, seeing someone speak up for him warmed his heart slightly. He cupped his hands and said, "Brother, your righteous words and courage are commendable. What does it matter if one's cultivation is low? As martial artists, we should have the heart to break through difficulties and face strong enemies without fear. If we don't dare to draw our swords today because the enemy's cultivation is higher, and the same tomorrow, there will always be someone stronger - would that mean we never dare to draw our swords in our entire lives?"

Ye Xuan's passionate speech greatly inspired many seventh-level Body Tempering martial artists in the crowd, and some even applauded.

"Well said! I'm also at seventh level, and I want to register too. What's wrong with having a lower cultivation? Who doesn't want to try their luck? An Apprentice Demon Eliminator who doesn't aspire to become a Yellow-rank Demon Eliminator isn't a good Apprentice Demon Eliminator!"

"I'll register too!"

"Count me in!"

...

"They've all gone mad! A bunch of seventh-levels are just causing trouble!"

At this point, Gu Qingfeng spoke again.

"Brother Ye, your words are excellent, but I'm still hesitating because my cultivation is quite low..."

Ye Xuan interrupted, "Brother, I'm also of low cultivation, yet I registered, didn't I? And look at all these colleagues who are registering too!"

"That's right! We're all seventh level, what's there to fear? Let's register together!" someone encouraged Gu Qingfeng.

Gu Qingfeng scratched his head embarrassedly, "I'm different from you all, my cultivation is even lower."

At these words, the excited crowd suddenly froze.

Even lower!? Sixth level? Not even in the late stage of Qi Condensation?

Ye Xuan was also stunned, thinking, why is a sixth-level trying to join in?

It was well known that levels one through three of Qi Condensation were the early stage, four through six the middle stage, and seven through nine the late stage.

The gap between each stage was enormous, with the difference between sixth and seventh levels being far greater than between seventh and eighth.

But seeing that Gu Qingfeng was the first to support him, Ye Xuan didn't want to discourage him and continued, "Excellent! Brother, your courage is truly remarkable! Daring to compete at sixth level shows extraordinary spirit! As they say, participation is what matters, and you can gain valuable combat experience."

"Yes, yes, exactly!"

Many people chimed in agreement.

Gu Qingfeng scratched his head embarrassedly again, "Actually... I'm not at the sixth level either."

These words caused an explosion among the crowd.

Those encouraging words died in their throats.

Suddenly, someone blurted out, "You're only at the fifth level? Why are you even here?"

"Actually... I'm not at the fifth level either."

The crowd erupted in chaos.

Even Ye Xuan was speechless and asked directly, "Brother, what level are you actually at?"

Everyone perked up their ears, their faces filled with curiosity.

"Spirit Gathering... Third Stage."

Silence!

An eerie silence!