Senior Brother Ye Yunfei!"
Ye Yunfei and A Niu had just walked out of the small pavilion when a dense crowd clad in black, at least five or six hundred Jin Peak disciples, was waiting outside. Upon seeing Ye Yunfei, they all roared in unison.
They were precisely the disciples who had followed Ye Yunfei to make a huge scene on Water Peak two days prior.
One could say Ye Yunfei had completely won their recognition!
Even now, the disciples felt their blood boiling with excitement when they recalled the experience on Water Peak two days ago.
So, first thing in the morning, they had unanimously gathered in front of Ye Yunfei's small pavilion to wait for him.
"What are you all doing here?"
Ye Yunfei asked curiously.
"Senior Brother Ye, we've come to go with you to the Ladder Climbing Competition!"
"With Senior Brother Ye leading us, we feel even more confident!"
The disciples spoke up one after another, their gazes towards Ye Yunfei filled with reverence.
"In that case, let's go together," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
Thus, a large group of Jin Peak disciples crowded around Ye Yunfei and headed down the mountain.
"Hmph! Vile people grow insolent when they taste success. This person excels only in physical strength, enjoying a temporary advantage in combat power. He's grown utterly arrogant. His martial cultivation talent and aptitudes are likely mediocre at best. Today's Ladder Climbing Competition will surely show his true colors!"
From a distance away, Ling Tianyu, the top-ranked disciple of Jin Peak, watched Ye Yunfei with an unhappy gaze.
During this time, Ye Yunfei had basked in the limelight.
Particularly when he led over a thousand Jin Peak disciples to storm Water Peak, crushing many of its elites in public.
This made Ye Yunfei immensely popular among Jin Peak disciples.
Meanwhile, Ling Tianyu, as the top Jin Peak disciple, felt somewhat slighted, his popularity significantly reduced.
Therefore, Ling Tianyu had already developed a deep-seated resentment towards Ye Yunfei in his heart!
"Senior Brother Ling, rest assured, in today's Ladder Climbing Competition, Senior Brother Ling will surely shine brightly and crush Ye Yunfei."
"By then, the disciples of Jin Peak will realize who is truly worth following, the real powerhouse!"
"Indeed, compared to Senior Brother Ling, Ye Yunfei is just a mere clown!"
Next to Ling Tianyu followed dozens of Jin Peak disciples, all chattering away, badmouthing Ye Yunfei to curry favor with Ling Tianyu.
These were Ling Tianyu's loyal followers.
However, compared to the hundreds of disciples trailing behind Ye Yunfei, they seemed far fewer, presenting a rather lonely sight.
"Ye Yunfei, just you wait! Today's Ladder Climbing Competition, I will absolutely crush you, stomp you underfoot, and reclaim my status on Jin Peak!"
Ling Tianyu glared at the impressive troop marching ahead, eyes tinged with malice as he gnashed his teeth secretly.
"I underestimated him somewhat before. He's only been at our Jin Peak for a few days, yet has gained such reputation. I suddenly rather look forward to seeing what kind of performance he'll show in today's competition."
Xiao Xiaoling, ranked second on Jin Peak, had also appeared with several dozen female disciples. Her beautiful eyes rested on Ye Yunfei, holding a particular brilliance.
Elsewhere, Zhou Tong emerged as well with a few followers.
"Ye Yunfei, just you wait. The humiliation you inflicted upon me, I will surely repay it!"
Zhou Tong cast a spiteful look at Ye Yunfei's retreating back, inwardly vowing.
At this moment.
The large square in the center of Tianyuan Sect headquarters was already swarming with people.
On the eastern side of the square, a high platform had been erected. Those seated upon it were all high-level figures of the Tianyuan Sect: the Hidden Elder, the Sect Leader, the five Peak Masters, and some ordinary Elders, Deacons, and so on.
In the center of the large square stood an ancient dueling platform, exuding an aura of weathered history. A single glance told you this platform had witnessed many years and weathered many storms.
The area around the platform was already packed with disciples of the Tianyuan Sect, a surging and dense sea of humanity.
However, a careful look would reveal that the disciples surrounding the platform were, indistinctly, separated into five camps, keeping distinct distances from one another, clear-cut like the boundaries between waters.
"Look, Senior Brother Li Chaofan has arrived! Senior Brother Li Chaofan is the most martial-talented genius on our Water Peak. He will surely shine brightly in today's climbing competition!"
Cheers erupted from the ranks of the Water Peak disciples.
Li Chaofan, clad in blue, entered the square with a sword radiating a chilling blue light strapped to his back. He moved with the confident strides of a dragon and a tiger, trailed by a large crowd of Water Peak disciples, each wearing expressions of awe.
He was the top disciple of Water Peak.
Moreover, among all the disciples of the Tianyuan Sect, he ranked second, enjoying extremely high popularity.
The top-ranked disciple among the Tianyuan Sect disciples was Long Yingying.
However, Long Yingying did not belong to any specific Peak. She usually trained under the Hidden Elder.
Therefore, one could practically say Li Chaofan was the foremost among disciples of the Five Peaks!
The moment Li Chaofan appeared, his sharp momentum and imposing aura swept across the square, making countless disciples feel ashamed of their inferiority and fostering a sense of self-disparagement.
"Senior Brother He Houfeng has arrived!"
The Earth Peak disciple camp also suddenly burst into cheers.
A burly, bear-like young man strode into the square.
This was Earth Peak's top disciple, He Houfeng.
Among the disciples of the Five Peaks, his strength was second only to Li Chaofan, ranking at number two!
"Senior Brother Wu Yan has arrived!"
The Fire Peak disciple camp also cheered.
A lean, sharp-featured young man entered the square, holding a scarlet war halberd.
He was Fire Peak's top disciple!
"Senior Brother Xiao Lin has arrived!"
Cheers also sounded from the Wood Peak disciple camp.
A tall, slender young man in green robes entered the square with a sword hanging from his waist, his head held high and chest out.
He was Wood Peak's top disciple!
The powerhouses from each Peak were arriving one after another!
"Senior Brother Ling Tianyu has arrived!"
Suddenly, cheers also came from the Jin Peak disciple camp.
Ling Tianyu, accompanied by dozens of followers, entered the square, receiving welcome from the Jin Peak disciples.
After all, wherever a powerhouse appeared, they naturally commanded attention, as if wearing a halo.
However.
An even louder, more fervent, and more prolonged cheer suddenly erupted from the Jin Peak disciple ranks.
"Look! Senior Brother Ye Yunfei is here!"
"Senior Brother Ye Yunfei is now my idol!"
Many Jin Peak disciples were shouting and clamoring, their faces flushed.
Ye Yunfei, leading five or six hundred Jin Peak disciples, made an imposing, dust-cloud-rolling entrance into the square, drawing the attention of all.
In comparison, the cheers that had greeted Ling Tianyu moments ago seemed paltry.
The spotlight had been completely stolen!
"Damn it!"
Ling Tianyu's face contorted with fury; this glory had always belonged to him!
"Is that Ye Yunfei?"
"I heard he started fighting right after entering the sect gate, injuring dozens of Water Peak disciples."
"That's nothing. Two days ago, to rescue a Jin Peak disciple named A Niu, he personally led over a thousand Jin Peak disciples up Water Peak demanding his return!"
"In the future, we must not bully Jin Peak disciples anymore. If this Ye Yunfei finds out and brings a thousand men charging over, who could possibly withstand it?"
Ye Yunfei's arrival not only sparked cheers from Jin Peak disciples but also caught the eyes of disciples from the other Peaks.
The gazes of most people in the entire square turned towards Ye Yunfei, a buzz of discussion breaking out.
Meanwhile, the Water Peak disciples fixed Ye Yunfei with furious, venomous stares, wishing they could devour him.
Two days ago, Ye Yunfei had brought chaos to Water Peak.
Water Peak had been thoroughly humiliated!
This matter left every Water Peak disciple feeling dejected!
"You scum, Ye Yunfei! In today's Ladder Climbing Competition, Senior Brother Li will trample you completely underfoot!"
"Ye Yunfei, you killed disciples of our Water Peak—a crime deserving punishment by heaven! You will ultimately pay a bloody price!"
Suddenly, several disciples around Li Chaofan glared wide-eyed, pointing at Ye Yunfei and shouting insults.
"Whose rabid hounds are these, unchecked, yapping and howling over here? Get lost!"
Abruptly, Ye Yunfei shifted his gaze towards them, sharp glints erupting from his eyes as he released several Soul-Devouring Needles.
Ahhh...!
Immediately, those Water Peak disciples cursing at Ye Yunfei clutched their heads and screamed, blood seeping from their mouths and ears, collapsing to the ground in agony.
Hisss! That's terrifying! What kind of sorcery is that? A single look making people injured and collapse!
The entire square fell silent momentarily, everyone finding this scene utterly bizarre.
"How is this possible? Could it be... Ye Yunfei used a legendary soul martial technique? That is far too freakish!"
Even the high-level figures of the Tianyuan Sect were left dumbstruck, finding it hard to believe.
It must be known, even Profound Realm experts were incapable of cultivating soul martial techniques!
After a while.
The participants were finally all present.
On the high platform at the square's eastern side, the Sect Leader of the Tianyuan Sect stood up.
"Everyone, quiet, please. Now, I and the Hidden Elder will activate the Heaven Ascension Ladder together. Then, the Ladder Climbing Competition shall officially begin."
The Sect Leader announced clearly.
As his voice faded.
The Sect Leader and the Hidden Elder simultaneously soared into the air, treading upon empty space, step by step, before finally landing on the ancient dueling platform at the center of the large square.
Watching the Sect Leader and Hidden Elder treading the void, waves of astonished gasps rose from the mass of Tianyuan Sect disciples within the square.
Martial artists at the Profound Realm already possessed the preliminary ability to leave the ground and fly through the air!
Landing on the dueling platform, the Sect Leader and Hidden Elder began forming hand seals, chanting inscrutable incantations.
Rumble...
The ancient platform at the square's center began to tremble and shake, deafening roars thundering across the heavens!
Everyone felt their spirits lift.
The Heaven Ascension Ladder was about to be activated!