Invincible Beyond Heavens: Cultivating With A Broken EXP System

As Steward Liu finished speaking, the already lively Martial Battle Hall seemed to erupt like a barrel of ignited gunpowder. The atmosphere surged to an intense peak in an instant, burning with excitement.

Even before the battles began, everyone present was already stretching their necks and fixing their gazes on the center of the arena.

This reaction was only natural.

The upcoming matches would decide who would become the New Talent King of Martial Ascension Gate’s one hundred and ninety sixth intake, as well as who would stand as the leader among this generation of new disciples. Such a moment was bound to draw the utmost attention.

“Everyone, who do you think among this group of new disciples will become the New Talent King of our Martial Ascension Gate’s one hundred and ninety sixth intake?” the Profound Mystery Peak Lord asked casually. Seated on the high platform, he took a light sip of tea and smiled as he spoke, his tone relaxed and conversational.

“Haha, that is obvious. It must be that new disciple named Ye Beichen,” the Earth Pillar Peak First Seat replied with a confident smile. “That boy has already reached the sixth level of the Xiantian Realm and is also a sword cultivator who has comprehended a Sword Intent Seed. You all know how terrifying the offensive power of a sword cultivator is. For someone like that, fighting across realms is as effortless as breathing.”

“Although Ye Beichen only appears to be at the sixth level of the Xiantian Realm, as a sword cultivator he is fully capable of battling a seventh level Xiantian Realm martial artist. Among this batch of new disciples, I doubt anyone can truly match him. The title of New Talent King will surely belong to him.”

“Haha, I do not entirely agree,” the Human Origin Peak First Seat said with a chuckle. “A sword cultivator who has grasped Sword Intent is indeed formidable, but that does not mean he is invincible.”

“That disciple named Zhu Ximen strikes me as quite impressive. His aura is deep and steady, and he carries a naturally domineering presence. Even though Ye Beichen is strong, Zhu Ximen may not be unqualified to compete with him.”

“I am more inclined toward Lu Changsan,” the Profound Mystery Peak Lord added with a smile. “That young woman named Han Lingxue is also quite outstanding.”

“It seems the three of you have already chosen your favored disciples,” the Heaven Mandate Peak Head said with a faint smile as he listened from the side.

Hearing this, the Earth Pillar Peak First Seat raised an eyebrow and asked with a half smile, “Then I wonder, Heaven Mandate Peak Head, which new disciple are you most optimistic about?”

“This Seat is more optimistic about that youngster named Li Yun.”

“Li Yun?” Both the Profound Mystery Peak Lord and the Human Origin Peak First Seat were taken aback. “That disciple who only has Half-Step Xiantian Realm cultivation yet took first place on the New Disciples Ranking?”

The Earth Pillar Peak First Seat curled his lips into a faintly mocking smile. “Heaven Mandate Peak Head, you truly believe that Li Yun, with nothing more than uh? Oh wait, he has reached Xiantian Realm first level cultivation. You think he can claim the position of New Talent King with this level of strength. Your vision is really something.”

He clicked his tongue and let out an exaggerated sigh. “No wonder Heaven Mandate Peak has declined so severely over the past few years.”

The Heaven Mandate Peak Head remained outwardly calm when faced with this provocation, showing no visible anger. However, a cold glint flashed briefly through his slightly narrowed eyes.

The decline of Heaven Mandate Peak had always been the greatest pain in his heart, the deepest scar he carried as its Head. For the Earth Pillar Peak First Seat to tear open that wound in public and ridicule him by implying that the peak’s decline was due to his lack of judgment was a deliberate humiliation.

Even a clay figure would feel anger in such circumstances, let alone someone of his status.

“Haha, it is not entirely unreasonable for the Heaven Mandate Peak Head to place his hopes on Li Yun,” the Profound Mystery Peak Lord said quickly with a laugh. “After all, that child did achieve first place on the official New Disciples Ranking.”

Within Martial Ascension Gate, it was common knowledge that the Heaven Mandate Peak Head and the Earth Pillar Peak First Seat had never been on good terms. At times, a few sharp words were enough to bring them to the brink of conflict.

With so many new disciples present, an open clash between two peak heads would only damage the reputation of Martial Ascension Gate. For that reason, the Profound Mystery Peak Lord and the Human Origin Peak First Seat promptly stepped in to smooth things over.

“Very well,” the Earth Pillar Peak First Seat sneered. “Then this Seat will wait and see what abilities that Li Yun truly possesses. I only hope he does not perform too poorly. Otherwise, it will not only be his own face that is lost, but the Heaven Mandate Peak Head will lose face as well because of him.”

“Hmph. Then let us wait and see,” the Heaven Mandate Peak Head replied coldly.

While the heads of the Four Peaks were still speaking among themselves, sharp sounds of air being torn apart echoed through the arena. Two figures shot through the void and descended onto the massive stage, which stretched nearly two hundred steps in both length and width.

These two were none other than Ye Beichen and Han Lingxue, the participants of the first match.

“Young Master Ye, please enlighten me,” Han Lingxue said.

Ye Beichen’s strength was widely acknowledged. Although Han Lingxue was confident in her own abilities, she did not dare show the slightest carelessness when facing him.

With a gentle clench of her slender hand, an ice blue ribbon appeared in her grasp. Her top grade mortal rank cultivation art at the seventh layer began to circulate, and wisps of icy cold energy spread outward. In the next instant, a thin layer of frost crept across the ground beneath her feet.

Even a fifth level Xiantian Realm martial artist would shudder when exposed to that chilling aura, yet Ye Beichen paid it no attention.

He lifted his chin arrogantly, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke in a calm, indifferent tone. “Han Lingxue, you are not my opponent. Since you are a woman, I have no desire to strike you and risk injuring you. You should concede.”

“Young Master Ye, are you not being overly arrogant?” Han Lingxue’s expression cooled. “I admit that you are strong, but to demand that I surrender without even fighting, you are hardly qualified.”

Han Lingxue was also a genius, proud and self assured. Being treated with such open disdain, as though she did not even exist in Ye Beichen’s eyes, naturally stirred anger in her heart.

“Have you still not realized the gap between us? How ignorant.”

Ye Beichen looked at her with indifference, then raised three fingers. “Very well. I will let you witness my strength. Three moves. I will not draw my sword and will use only my fists and feet. If you can endure three moves, I will consider myself defeated in this match.”

“Defeat me in three moves without even using a sword?”

The moment those words fell, Han Lingxue’s face turned extremely unpleasant.

Everyone knew that Ye Beichen was a sword cultivator, with the majority of his combat power resting in his Sword Dao. Without his sword, he could only display perhaps thirty to forty percent of his true strength.

Yet Ye Beichen openly declared that he would defeat her in three moves without drawing his sword. This was no longer simple underestimation. It was blatant contempt.