Chapter 29: Spiraling Mountain City

Pei Ling agreed without much hesitation. He had just killed Li Siguang and the other two yesterday, and there was a cultivator in the fifth level of Qi Refinement among them, so he was not too afraid of Zhang Zhongqin. Sparring with him gave him the chance to test the strength of this team.

Therefore, the others gave way. Zhang Zhongqin stretched his body around, indicating that Pei Ling could attack freely.

“Senior Apprentice Brother Zhang, excuse me!” After Pei Ling cupped his fists, he lowered his shoulders and straightened his waist, throwing a punch towards him.

Zhang Zhongqin saw that this punch was nothing fancy and was clearly to test him. He smiled slightly and did not avoid it. He stuck out his chest and received it.

Thud!

Zhang Zhongqin’s face turned pale and red with a muffled sound as he suddenly kicked towards Pei Ling’s knee.

However, Pei Ling did not dare to receive it head-on like him. He hurriedly turned his body to avoid it. However, Pei Ling had only managed to dodge halfway when Zhang Zhongqin suddenly changed directions. Pei Ling could only watch as he seemed to run into the kick. He had no time to avoid it and could only raise his right arm to block it.

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Bang!

Pei Ling felt a huge impact from his right arm, and he could not help but take three steps back.

Zhang Zhongqin did not spare him after gaining the upper hand. He then rushed forward and slapped Pei Ling on the chest. Pei Ling could not stabilize himself and hastily crossed his arms to protect his vital areas. Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhongqin feinted and lightly patted Pei Ling on the arm. He did not use any strength and instead used the momentum to turn around. His steps were as agile as a fish in the water as he suddenly appeared behind Pei Ling.

Pei Ling knew he was in trouble. He hurriedly turned around, but it was already too late as a fist landed on his back! For a moment, he only felt his organs shake, his chest felt stuffy, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

He was shocked, but he did not panic. Instead of retreating, he advanced and threw a punch at Zhang Zhongqin’s shoulder…

Neither of them gave their all, and the space on the Corpse Cloud was limited. For a while, they fought noisily. Pei Ling’s lack of actual combat experience with cultivators got exposed, and he quickly fell into a disadvantage. After Pei Ling received three or four punches, Zhang Zhongqin suddenly stopped and looked away.

Chen Huan said in a low voice, “This will do.”

Pei Ling hurriedly bowed and said, “Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Zhang!”

He was slightly in awe. Both parties had held back in this exchange. However, he could tell that although Zhang Zhongqin and Miao Cheng’an were both at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, he was much stronger than Miao Cheng’an.

If one of the three people yesterday had been Zhang Zhongqin, Pei Ling would not have come here alive.

Zhang Zhongqin turned around and waved at Pei Ling, but he did not say anything. Chen Huan thought of something and gave Chen Mei a look. Chen Mei hurriedly stepped forward and said, “Junior Brother Pei, you have a saber on your back. Why didn’t you use it just now?”

“It’s only a quick sparring session. Senior Brother Zhang did not use any weapons, so I can’t use any either.” Pei Ling shook his head and said. He carefully thought back to the battle just now. His strength was not inferior to Zhang Zhongqin, but his skills were disorderly and filled with flaws in a real fight. Just now, even if he used a saber, he might not defeat his opponent. That was the difference in actual combat experience.

“Senior Brother Zhang’s cultivation is higher than yours, so of course, he doesn’t use a weapon. On the other hand, my older brother has actually used a saber before. If he has the time, he might be able to give you some pointers…” Chen Mei said with a smile.

As they spoke, Chen Huan asked Zhang Zhongqin, “What’s wrong?”

“…” Zhang Zhongqin did not speak at first. He turned to use his body to block Pei Ling’s vision. Only then did he quietly wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and say in a muffled voice, “That boy’s physique is a little strange. He’s much stronger than any cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refinement! I was not prepared earlier and almost embarrassed myself.”

Chen Huan was surprised. Huang Xian beside him had already smiled and said, “Senior Brother Chen, congratulations!”

“Congratulations as well. If we master the Soul Summoning Banner, we’ll be able to accept missions with higher rewards in the future.” Chen Huan was also delighted. He forced down his excitement and promised softly, “At that time, we’ll be more likely to enter the inner sect… Oh yes, I’ll have to trouble you to do it yourself later.”

Xiao Tasha looked at him gently. “I will do my best to help you.”

Their discussion stopped. Chen Huan became more friendly to Pei Ling and asked about his well-being. He even gave him a Qi and Blood Pill for him to recuperate from the sparring session.

Pei Ling took it gratefully but did not intend to consume it. Instead, he carefully kept it in his storage bag.

It made Zhang Zhongqin mutter in his heart, “Is this kid guarding against us?”

“So be it.” Xiao Tasha sneered. “We’re already here. Do you think he can escape from us?”

Chen Huan did not reply. He only instructed Chen Mei. “You should talk to him more from now on. Both of you are at the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Both of you are going to do missions together. It’s only right to get to know each other.”

Therefore, for the next few days onboard, Chen Mei was proactive in telling Pei Ling everything she knew. She told him many interesting things about the sect and her experiences on missions outside.

However, although Pei Ling seemed grateful, he was not attracted to her.

He could not help it. With such a huge debt of spirit stones on him, how could Pei Ling be in the mood to care about Chen Mei’s little tricks?

Moreover, having seen Fairy Li’s beauty, Chen Mei was just average…

In short, after Pei Ling confirmed that Chen Mei and the others could not provide him with any clues on returning the fines within three months, he had to think hard about countermeasures and had no time for anything else.

She came to find him every other day to talk about this and that. It simply affected his focus to think of ways to earn spirit stones.

Pei Ling endured for a few days before the Corpse Cloud slowly descended from the clouds. After a moment, he saw a city surrounded by mountains under the thin clouds.

“This is Spiraling Mountain City.” As usual, Chen Mei followed Pei Ling and introduced softly, “The City Lord of Spiraling Mountain City is a disciple posted here 20 years ago. The three missions that we have accepted this time are all related to him…”

“Senior Sister Chen, what’s the cultivation level of that flower demon outside Spiral Mountain City?” Pei Ling suddenly asked. Chen Huan had accepted this mission mainly to train his sister, Chen Mei, and it was surely not too difficult. He was only asking this now as a precaution.

Chen Mei pursed her lips into a smile and said, “Don’t worry, that flower demon’s cultivation is at the fourth level of the Awakening Realm, which corresponds to the fourth level of the Qi Refinement Realm for us cultivators. Although demon beasts are generally stronger than cultivators of the same level before we reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, it shouldn’t be a problem for us when we join forces.”

In order to reassure Pei Ling, she said, “Junior Brother Pei, you don’t have to worry. This time, my brother only wants us to broaden our horizons. He won’t accept difficult missions.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister Chen,” said Pei Ling. “I hope you can take care of me when we deal with the flower demon.”

Chen Mei looked at him with a smile. “You’re welcome, Junior Brother Pei. There won’t be any problem if we join forces!”

She looked down at the city below her and introduced the local conditions and customs. She had clearly done her homework before coming here. At this moment, the Corpse Cloud landed on a distinct platform in the city before it quickly disappeared..