Chapter 364: The Top Three

Liu Qingli looked at him, her gaze clear.

“Junior Brother Liang, I said we would spar next time we were free.”

Liang Cheng’s expression was calm.

“Senior Sister, you must be joking.”

He looked up at the Ninth Layer. It was completely empty, but the pressure emanating from it was more than ten times stronger than the Eighth Layer.

Li Jianfeng also looked up, then shook his head after a moment of silence.

“The Ninth Layer… I can’t make it up there.”

Liu Qingli shook her head as well.

“Me neither.”

They both turned to look at Liang Cheng.

Liang Cheng stared at the Ninth Layer, silent for a long time.

Within his body, three Middle-Level True Intents stirred restlessly, eager to surge forth. If he unleashed them, he was ninety percent certain he could reach the Ninth Layer.

‘But what then?’

‘Take the top spot, become the center of attention.’

‘Then I’d be watched by everyone, studied by everyone, targeted by everyone.’

‘Is it worth it?’

‘Not worth it.’

‘Otherwise, why would I have bothered to hide my strength and make it look so difficult to reach the Eighth Layer?’

He averted his gaze.

“I can’t do it either.”

The three of them looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing more.

Time passed.

One hour.

Two hours.

Three hours.

Finally, no one else could advance any further.

The Ninth Layer of the Heaven-Ascending Stairs remained empty.

The highest anyone reached was the Eighth Layer.

The three of them were tied on the Eighth Layer.

Yun Zhonghe’s voice rang out:

“The ascent has concluded.”

“Li Jianfeng, Liu Qingli, and Liang Cheng all reached the Eighth Layer, tying for first place!”

“These three are the top three of this Inquiry Conference! They will represent the Penglai Sect in the great competition of the Three Sects and Six Gates!”

As his voice fell, the entire area erupted into an uproar!

“Liang Cheng! He actually made it to the Eighth Layer!”

“I knew it! How could a prodigy who unleashed three Intents at once on the Heaven-Ascending Stairs fail to achieve Enlightenment!”

“A three-way tie for first! This year’s Inquiry Conference is so interesting!”

Yu Xiuqi stood on the Seventh Layer, a wide, happy grin on his face.

Zhou Yuanqing said nothing, turning to descend the Heaven-Ascending Stairs.

‘I was just a single step away, yet it was like an impassable chasm. What could I do?’

‘They made it to the Eighth Layer. They’re simply stronger than you.’

Bai Wuchang stood on the fifth layer, his face a ghastly white.

The taunt he had made earlier now felt like a harsh slap across his own face.

He gritted his teeth and turned to leave.

No one noticed that beneath his lowered sleeves, his nails were digging into his palms.

On the high platform, the various Peak Masters rose to their feet one after another.

Lie Mountain stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Watching Liang Cheng on the Eighth Layer, he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from turning up.

‘Good kid.’

‘He hid his strength until the very end, and still gave everyone a surprise.’

The Peak Master of the Seventh Peak’s face was ashen as he flicked his sleeves and stormed away.

Behind him, a few of his disciples exchanged glances before hurrying to follow.

Yun Zhonghe’s voice rang out again:

“You three have three days to rest. Prepare yourselves well for the competition of the Three Sects and Six Gates. Do not tarnish the reputation of our Penglai Sect.”

The three of them bowed.

“We will obey the Sect Leader’s command!”

…

First Peak, Main Hall.

As soon as Liang Cheng stepped through the hall’s entrance, he saw Lie Mountain seated in the main seat, looking right at him.

“Master.”

Liang Cheng stepped forward and bowed.

Lie Mountain waved a hand, motioning for him to sit.

“Tell me, was the Eighth Layer your limit?”

Liang Cheng was silent for a moment before shaking his head.

“No.”

A sharp glint flashed in Lie Mountain’s eyes.

“You can reach the Ninth Layer?”

Liang Cheng didn’t tell him the whole truth.

“I have a fifty percent chance.”

‘A fifty percent chance of reaching the Ninth Layer?’

‘This meant Liang Cheng’s true strength was far beyond the Eighth Layer!’

He looked at Liang Cheng and suddenly laughed.

“Good!”

Taking the top spot and being the center of attention also means you’ll be watched, studied, and targeted by everyone.

“The competition of the Three Sects and Six Gates is imminent. The deeper you hide your strength, the more trump cards you’ll have.”

Lie Mountain laughed heartily, unable to resist saying “Good” three times in a row.

“Good!”

“Good!”

“Good!”

He stood up, walked over to Liang Cheng, and clapped him on the shoulder.

“You kid, you not only have monstrous talent, but your temperament is steady as well.”

“These days, there aren’t many prodigies who can resist the urge to show off.”

Hearing this, Liang Cheng remained modest.

“You flatter me, Master.”

Lie Mountain shook his head.

“It’s not flattery, it’s the truth.”

He paused, his expression turning serious.

“But there is one thing you should know.”

“What is it?”

“Liu Qingli.”

Lie Mountain looked at him, a hint of gravity in his eyes.

“That girl… I’m afraid she could also reach the Ninth Layer. She probably just doesn’t want the spotlight either.”

“That’s why she gave you that look while climbing the stairs. I’m afraid she sensed something.”

“In the competition of the Three Sects and Six Gates, if you face her, do not underestimate your opponent.”

Liang Cheng recalled the look in Liu Qingli’s eyes and nodded.

“This disciple understands.”

Lie Mountain added:

“Use these three days to prepare well. Once the other sects have chosen their representatives, I will have someone send their information to you. Just like your second senior brother, focus on getting into your best condition.”

“Yes, this disciple understands. Please rest assured, Master.”

Master and disciple chatted for a while longer before Liang Cheng took his leave.

Liang Cheng left the Main Hall and returned to his private courtyard, only to see a figure waiting outside his gate.

Liu Qingli.

She had changed into a green robe, her long hair tied up, giving her a heroic and spirited look.

“Junior Brother Liang.”

She cupped her hands in a salute.

Liang Cheng returned the gesture.

“Is there something I can help you with, Senior Sister Liu?”

Liu Qingli looked at him and smiled faintly.

“I said it during the ascent: you hide your strength very well.”

“I was wondering if we could have a friendly spar?”

Liang Cheng shook his head.

“This junior brother would be no match for you, Senior Sister. We have three days to rest, and I need it. Climbing the Heaven-Ascending Stairs was a real strain for me—I was just bluffing to look good. I’d like to recover first.”

Her gaze was burning as she sized Liang Cheng up and down, then she suddenly broke into a smile.

“Fine, we’ll forget it. You’ll have to make a move during the great competition anyway.”

She turned to leave, but then stopped abruptly.

“Well then, I’ll be going. You’d better ‘rest’ well, Junior Brother.”

She stressed the last word heavily, but Liang Cheng remained unfazed.

“I wish you swift success, Senior Sister.”

“I’ll take that good omen. Farewell!”

Liang Cheng stood rooted to the spot, watching her retreating back with a peculiar look in his eyes.

‘This woman…’

‘Is she a friend or a foe?’

He shook his head and turned back into his private courtyard.

After that, Liang Cheng lived in seclusion, ignoring all external affairs and focusing on his Cultivation.

And so, while everyone was waiting for the great competition of the Three Sects and Six Gates to begin, a bell suddenly rang nine times, shaking the entire Sect.

The Peak Masters and Elders from every peak transformed into streaks of light, shooting straight toward the Main Peak.

Liang Cheng’s Cultivation was also interrupted. He looked toward the Main Peak, his brow tightly furrowed.

‘What happened?’