Cultivation starts from simplifying the exercises

Chapter 2204 A desperate gamble, and the flying boat transforms into a multi-story ship!

"Have you heard? The Dan Chen Sect has produced two extraordinary figures this time! One is named Chen Fei, and the other is Xu Ziqian. Both of them defeated half-step Heavenly Monarchs with their peak Tai Cang Realm cultivation!"

"I've not just heard about it! I was there! In the battle between Chen Fei and Cheng Yingjue of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, my God, that Chaotic Dharma Form and that Returning to the Void Seal completely shattered Cheng Yingjue's Zhou Tian Star Constellation Dharma Form! It was enough to make anyone's scalp tingle!"

"Xu Ziqian's battle was truly brutal! He almost perished together with Mo Li of the Xuanming Sect. In the end, he relied on Po Jun to cleave through the Xuanming Ice Domain, and he was seriously injured himself, but he still managed to win! That ruthlessness is something that ordinary people can't have."

"Dan Chen Sect is going to soar to the sky this time! Besides these two monsters, there's also Feng Butong, a half-step Heavenly Monarch, whose strength is unfathomable. It's said that they also have a female disciple, Cao Feiyu, who has also made it to the next round. Although she was seriously injured, she was able to win five games in a row, which is no small feat."

"Two stars defied the odds and defeated a half-step Heavenly Monarch in a single day! How many years has it been since we've seen such a grand event? How many years of accumulated fortune has the Danchen Sect been accumulating, and now it's all erupting at once?"

"Tell me, how exactly did Chen Fei and Xu Ziqian cultivate? How can someone at the peak of the Tai Cang Realm be that strong? Chen Fei's Dao Domain is simply unheard of!"

"It's said that he has cultivated multiple top-grade level 16 cultivation techniques and has even begun to integrate them. Tsk tsk, what talent, what opportunities! It's truly infuriating to compare oneself to others."

"Right now, the hottest topic in Huangji Tiandu is those two. Countless forces are inquiring about their backgrounds and want to befriend them."

"Tomorrow's competition is going to be exciting! 1296 to 162, a real battle of the titans! I wonder if Chen Fei and Xu Ziqian can continue to create miracles?"

"I doubt it. Tomorrow's opponent will only be stronger."

"The odds are already out! The odds on how far they can go are frighteningly high!"

All sorts of news, analyses, speculations, and exclamations spread rapidly and fermented in the night sky of Tiandu, as if they had grown wings.

The names of Chen Fei, Xu Ziqian, and even the Dan Chen Sect were mentioned and pondered time and time again. Their feat of defeating a half-step Heavenly Monarch was described and embellished by countless people, and had become the most dazzling and iconic event of today's Grand Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects.

"The Tai Cang Realm's rebellion against a half-step Heavenly Monarch... it actually happened, and three of them appeared at once."

"Yes, if we hadn't seen it with our own eyes and heard it with our own ears, who could believe it? That was a half-step Heavenly Monarch! Logically speaking, he was worlds apart from the peak of the Tai Cang Realm."

"We've all fallen into a fixed mindset. We always think that whoever makes it to the Ten Thousand Sects Grand Competition isn't a genius? Who hasn't cultivated several top-tier techniques? But everyone has forgotten that there are too many variables, such as the grade, attributes, and degree of integration of techniques, the cultivator's own foundation, physique, soul, combat talent, on-the-spot adaptability, and even the bonuses from divine weapons and magic treasures."

"Chen Fei's strange Chaos Dao Domain has clearly touched the edge of the Great Dao Origin, and may even be more strange and difficult to guard against than the Dao Domain of some people who have just entered the half-step Heavenly Monarch."

Xu Ziqian's Breaking Army technique, combined with his reckless fighting style, unleashed an offensive power that reached the level of a half-step Heavenly Monarch. They didn't rely on brute force; rather, they reached the threshold of a half-step Heavenly Monarch in a unique way.

"Therefore, realm is never the only standard for measuring combat strength, especially on a stage where geniuses gather. Being a half-step Heavenly Monarch only means that they have initially entered that realm, but it does not mean that they are invincible in that realm."

Even against the more monstrous Tai Cang Realm, defeat is still possible.

"Today's victories have taught us all a lesson. From now on, we must never judge our opponents solely by their level of skill."

"I just don't know if such a prodigy can continue tomorrow. To defy the odds once is a miracle, but to do it every time... is difficult, very difficult, very difficult!"

Similar reflections and discussions are taking place in the minds of countless insightful people.

The victory of Chen Fei and his two companions not only brought shock but also shattered the deep-rooted notions of the boundaries between realms held by many people.

It turns out that, in the face of absolute talent, opportunity, skill, and willpower, the so-called gap in cultivation level is not insurmountable. This undoubtedly gave countless cultivators who were afraid of higher realms a powerful boost of morale.

Of course, many people are keenly aware that such a reversal of fortune is highly accidental and unique, requiring a great deal of personal resources, experience, and even luck from the person involved, and is unlikely to become the norm.

Tomorrow's even more brutal elimination will be the true test of their mettle.

Deep within the Dan Chen Sect's headquarters, in a quiet room shrouded by layers of arrays.

Zhang Duchuan was sitting upright in the main seat, with an undisguised smile of satisfaction on his face.

Below him, Chen Fei, Feng Butong, Cao Feiyu whose injuries had stabilized, and Xu Ziqian, whose face was still somewhat pale, were all gathered together.

The other disciples, including Liu Ruxu, stood respectfully outside.

Zhang Duchuan's gaze lingered on Chen Fei and Xu Ziqian for a long time, his eyes full of admiration:

"Although I was not present at the battle between the two of you today, the news has already reached you. To defeat a half-step Heavenly Monarch has enhanced the prestige of our Dan Chen Sect! Excellent, very excellent!"

He paused, his tone turning serious: "However, you two must also remember to remain humble in victory and undeterred in defeat. Today's victory is certainly glorious, but you must not become complacent because of it. Tomorrow's opponents will only be stronger, and the battle will be even more fierce."

His gaze swept over Chen Fei and Xu Ziqian's pale faces, especially Xu Ziqian's, and he said in a deep voice, "Especially Ziqian, if things are not going well tomorrow, you must not be reckless. You have a long road ahead of you, so do not ruin your foundation because of a moment of impulsiveness."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ziqian nodded and said hoarsely, "This disciple understands, thank you for your guidance, Elder."

Zhang Duchuan then looked at Chen Fei: "Chen Fei, your Dao Domain is quite extraordinary. Today you fought against several powerful enemies and still managed to handle them with ease, which shows how solid your foundation is. But after today, you will definitely become the target of everyone's attacks. You need to be more cautious in tomorrow's battle and save some strength to deal with unforeseen circumstances."

"Your disciple will remember," Chen Fei replied respectfully.

“Feng Butong, as your senior brother, you also need to give it your all tomorrow. Cao Feiyu…”

Zhang Duchuan looked at Cao Feiyu, his tone softening, "You've done extremely well. Don't leave any hidden dangers. Whether to continue tomorrow depends on your own situation; there's no need to force yourself."

“Yes, Supreme Elder,” Feng Butong and Cao Feiyu replied simultaneously.

"Alright, all of you, go and rest and recover properly. If you need any pills or Dao crystals, just ask. The sect is your strongest support." Zhang Duchuan waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

After everyone bowed and took their leave, Chen Fei helped Cao Feiyu back to their assigned quiet rooms.

The night was deep, but Huangji Tiandu showed no signs of sleeping.

For the 1,296 prodigies who advanced and the forces behind them, it was a tense night of preparation.

Aside from a very few top-tier prodigies like Yuwen Xuan of the royal family, Ling Qingxue of the Ice Soul Divine Palace, and Zhan Wuji of the Heavenly Battle Sect, who possess absolute confidence in their own strength, they might be able to remain calm and make slight adjustments.

The vast majority of the other advanced practitioners, regardless of whether they were half-step Heavenly Lords or not, were now in quiet rooms in their residences, recovering from the daytime battle and healing their injuries, whether minor or severe.

The intense, high-frequency battles that lasted for six hours during the day were a severe test for anyone.

The depletion of Yuan energy, exhaustion of the soul, hidden injuries to the physical body, and damage to magical artifacts... all these problems need to be resolved as much as possible in just one night. Even though they are in different planes, time is still tight.

Because everyone knows that tomorrow's elimination rounds will only be more brutal.

Of the 1,296 applicants, only 162 were able to stand out, demonstrating the fierce competition.

At the Dan Chen Sect's headquarters, Chen Fei sat cross-legged, surrounded by a faint mist of chaotic energy and silvery starlight, his breath slowly and steadily recovering.

His recovery speed far exceeds that of his peers, thanks to the strong foundation brought by the fusion of the three cultivation techniques and the efficient energy conversion brought by some characteristics of the Devouring Heaven Divine Forging.

In another quiet room, Xu Ziqian was immersed in a spiritual liquid that exuded a rich medicinal fragrance and the essence of life. Several Dan Chen Sect elders, who were proficient in medicine, were working together to repair his damaged internal organs.

His face contorted in pain, yet he gritted his teeth and remained silent, fully cooperating with the treatment while silently circulating the Divine General Body Technique to stimulate the life force deep within his bloodline and accelerate his recovery.

The quietest room was where Feng Butong was. He was breathing deeply and his face was calm, as if the daytime battle had not taken a heavy toll on him.

But he did not relax; instead, he calmly deduced the possible hidden trump cards of those truly top-tier prodigies.

Just as the 1,296 prodigies were taking the time to recover and rest, the gambling dens and betting sites in Huangji Tiandu, controlled by various chambers of commerce, aristocratic families, and even some secretive forces, were experiencing their most bustling and noisy moment.

The daytime matches were full of exciting and unexpected results, especially the stunning upset by Chen Fei and Xu Ziqian against the Half-Step Heavenly Lord, which completely ignited people's gambling spirit and enthusiasm.

Countless gamblers, speculators, and even some cultivators who were simply there for the fun flocked to various betting sites, waving Dao Crystals or all sorts of rare treasures, hoping to get a share of the pie in this feast, or simply to experience the thrill of their hearts racing.

Among all the betting odds, the most popular, with the most frequent odds changes and the largest bets, are not those already famous and considered top prodigies who are considered favorites to win, such as Yuwen Xuan, Ling Qingxue, and Zhan Wuji.

Their strength is undeniable, and advancing to the next round is almost a certainty. The odds are pitifully low, so betting on them won't earn you much.

The real focus, however, was on Chen Fei, Xu Ziqian, and another rogue cultivator, Yan Qi, who had also managed to defeat a half-step Heavenly Monarch with his peak Tai Cang Realm cultivation today!

These three are the only peak-level Tai Cang Realm cultivators to have accomplished the feat of defying the odds today, making them the biggest variables and dark horses!

Everyone wants to know just how dark these dark horses can be.

Will they crash into an insurmountable obstacle in the first round tomorrow and be forced to exit in disgrace? Or will they continue their triumphant advance, break into the top 162, and compete on the same stage with the true veteran powerhouses?

Is it even possible to create an even greater miracle?

As a result, various betting odds targeting the three individuals emerged like mushrooms after rain, with a wide variety of tricks.

"I'm betting on Chen Fei to make it into the top 162! I have high hopes for him! Although he expended a lot of energy fighting Cheng Yingjue today, he won decisively. That Dao Domain is too monstrous!"

"I'm also betting on Chen Fei to be among the top 162! Let's take a gamble, and our flying boat could turn into a towering ship!"

"Tch, you guys are too optimistic. He won today, but his opponent will be stronger tomorrow, and they've all studied him. That Dao Domain might not be as effective then. I'm betting on him to lose in the second round!"

"With Xu Ziqian injured like that, I'm betting on him to lose in the first round!"

"That rogue cultivator Yan Qi is quite interesting. His swordsmanship is unpredictable; he might pull off an upset. I'm betting on him to advance to the third round!"

The sounds of betting, arguing, and excited shouts rose and fell. The glow of the Dao Crystal intertwined with people's desires, illuminating the betting market under the night sky in a bizarre and fantastical way.

Among the many betting odds surrounding Chen Fei, the one that broke into the top 162 attracted a considerable number of bettors, with a total amount of money involved.

The odds also dropped rapidly from 1 to 20 to 1 to 15, and there is even a trend of further decline.

"Chen Fei's victory over Cheng Yingjue today, though seemingly intense, was not a truly grueling battle. His Dao Domain, combining offense and defense in an unpredictable manner, almost completely countered Cheng Yingjue's Zhou Tian Xing Su and Sui Xing. This suggests that his true combat strength has likely stabilized at the mid-level of the Half-Step Heavenly Monarch realm, or even higher."

"Indeed, and he fought several matches today, including the last one where he quickly defeated his opponent, all with ease."

"Although there will be many strong contenders tomorrow, the strength of the 1,296 participants, who are all at the half-step Heavenly Monarch level, varies greatly. With the strength that Chen Fei has shown, as long as he doesn't encounter the most abnormal ones beforehand, his chances of making it into the top 162 are very high."

"I have high hopes for him! This Dao Domain technique is unheard of. Many veteran experts can't figure it out for a while and are easily taken advantage of. In the first and second rounds tomorrow, he might still succeed."

"Odds of 1 to 15, worth a gamble!"

Of course, there are also many who are pessimistic.

"Don't be fooled by appearances! Chen Fei's Dao Domain is indeed powerful, but its consumption must be terrifying!"

"Moreover, after today, his trump cards will be basically exposed. Although that Dao Domain is strange, it is not invincible. Tomorrow, his opponent will definitely be on guard, either seeking a way to counter it or directly breaking it with stronger power. Will he still be able to do it as easily as he did today?"

"Don't forget, there are still those truly top-tier prodigies tomorrow. Their methods are far more sophisticated than those of ordinary half-step Heavenly Monarchs. If Chen Fei encounters them beforehand, he will undoubtedly be defeated."

"I bet he won't even make it past the second round! That Dao Domain won't work tomorrow!"

"Exactly, 1 to 15? That's giving him too much credit! I'm betting on him to lose!"

Many people bet on a team making it into the top 162, but just as many bet on a team losing in the first or second round, and often the bets are much larger.

Some even offered higher odds on a specific strong opponent defeating Chen Fei tomorrow, attracting many thrill-seeking gamblers.

As for the odds of breaking into the top ten being extremely low, with odds as high as 1 to 500, there were very few bettors. Most of them were just betting for fun, or Dan Chen Sect disciples who simply wanted to support Chen Fei, and the amount of bets placed was extremely small.

To most people, this is simply a fantasy.

Making it into the top 162 is already the limit for a dark horse. The top ten? That's a completely different level, a battleground for true monsters, something Chen Fei can't possibly reach at his current level.

The Imperial Capital City under the cover of night is even more bustling because of these betting odds.

Dao Crystal flows with desire, and expectations and doubts intertwine.

Everyone is waiting for tomorrow's sunrise to reveal the 162 final spots.

Chen Fei, Xu Ziqian, and Yan Qi, these three rebels, are undoubtedly the most eye-catching and suspenseful focus of this grand event. (End of Chapter)