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!
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
world slacker. But a genius female disciple just had to get clingy, insisting that he take her as a disciple. Not only that, she was always making advances on him, thoroughly disrupting his peaceful slacker life...
