CHAPTER 77: JI HAOFEI CONCEPT OF DAO

Not only Li Shen and Ji Haofei, but several other cultivators also successfully completed the main round of the exam. Out of 32 participants, a total of 12 people passed. This made the tournament progress even faster.

The 12 cultivators stood before the podium of the sect leader. Yun Zhi stood up and smiled at them.

"Congratulations to the 12 cultivators who have advanced to the next round. You have demonstrated extraordinary talent today," praised Yun Zhi.

So far, none of them had shown any suspicion toward Li Shen. They only knew that Shen Li was a wandering cultivator who had come from the Shen Nan Kingdom. Ming Gong, as Li Shen’s primary target, was actually being kind and showing interest in the man.

"The next round is the second round of the main round. Information about the exam will be provided one day before the exam begins," explained Yun Zhi.

"The second round will be held on the third day after today. You may return to your islands to rest," said Yun Zhi.

All the participants nodded. They joined hands and bid farewell to Yun Zhi, one by one flying away from the place to return to their resting islands.

Li Shen left with them, but he was aware that Ji Haofei was eyeing him. It seemed that his closeness to Ming Yue was not appreciated by the man.

Ming Gong turned to Ming Yue. The number of tournament participants had drastically decreased from hundreds to around 12 people, consisting of 8 men and 4 women.

"How is it? Is there anyone who caught your eye?" asked Ming Gong.

Ming Yue nodded with a smile, then glanced at her father with a blushing face. She said briefly that there was a participant who caught her eye, but according to the rules, she would wait until the final round of the tournament and meet the winner directly.

"Between Ji Haofei and Shen Li, who will you choose?" asked Ming Gong.

"I don’t know. They were both nice to me, and their alchemy skills were impressive," praised Ming Yue.

"Ji Haofei is still superior. He is the young master of the Ji Family, and the Imperial Family and the Ji Family have had a good relationship for a long time," replied Ming Gong.

"Moreover, he is a Soul Formation cultivator. With his insight, he will definitely be able to help you form your dao concept, Yue’er," said Ming Gong.

The woman was silent for a moment. She heard what her father said, and she thought that Ming Yue was right. However, the woman already considered Ji Haofei as her brother. It would be difficult for Ming Yue to change her perception of Ji Haofei.

"But the final decision is hers. You must accept it even if it is not your choice," replied Ming Gong. Ming Yue bowed her head dejectedly and nodded.

Deep down in her heart, she wanted Shen Li to win the tournament. However, it would be difficult for her father and the entire palace family to accept because of her status as a descendant of a family outside the Ming Zhao Kingdom.

Now, Ming Yue could only surrender herself to fate. Whether it was Shen Li or Ji Haofei, she would accept it wholeheartedly because it was her duty.

"Go rest, Yue’er," ordered Ming Gong, and the woman obeyed.

She flew away from the podium and headed for her resting place. However, her desire to see Shen Li was so strong. She wanted to return to Shen Li’s island to congratulate him in person.

Ming Yue changed her flight route from the guest palace to the island where Shen Li was resting. Her guards tried to stop her from taking sides, but Ming Yue insisted on going.

In the end, her guards had no choice but to follow Ming Yue.

From a distance, she saw the island where Shen Li was resting. There was a different scene there; the two outer sect disciples were not guarding the island.

Ming Yue saw more clearly when she arrived at the edge of the island. The two outer sect disciples who were assigned to guard the island were standing in the middle of the island, trying to separate a fight between two cultivators participating in the tournament.

After seeing clearly, she witnessed Shen Li arguing with Ji Haofei. Actually, the participants’ island was a restricted area for other participants to enter. However, with the power that Ji Haofei possessed, he could intimidate the outer sect disciples into obeying his words.

"Listen to me, Shen Li. I can give you everything you want as long as you’re willing to hand over your position as the pill tournament champion to me," Ji Haofei replied.

"If that’s the case, you think that I’m the one who will win this pill and you don’t have the ability to match me. Am I right?" Shen Li asked.

Ji Haofei felt challenged by Shen Li, even though it was clear that the person in front of him was a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Compared to him, Ji Haofei was still superior in terms of cultivation level.

"What exactly is your purpose in participating in this pill tournament?" asked Ji Haofei, curious.

Shen Li remained silent, seeing no reason to tell Ji Haofei his purpose. However, in order to carry out his plan, he really needed Ming Yue.

"I want Ming Yue!" Shen Li said firmly, shocking Ji Haofei.

Ming Yue gasped, then flew away and hid behind a rock to listen to their conversation. The two female guards did the same.

"Shen Li wants me?" Ming Yue asked, shocked, her face reddening.

Through his cultivation eyes, he could see Ming Yue hiding behind a large rock. It seemed that the woman had heard everything Li Shen said. Li Shen didn’t mind at all; in fact, it was good for him to hear their conversation today.

"If you want Ming Yue, then you must fight me for her," Li Shen replied.

"You’re really pissing me off, Shen Li. I’ll make sure you regret your decision," Ji Haofei retorted.

Without a second thought, Ji Haofei charged forward to physically attack Shen Li. The battle between the two was inevitable, and no one dared to intervene.

Li Shen tried to defend himself and avoid injuring Ji Haofei as much as possible. He didn’t want to drag a new enemy into his plans. Li Shen successfully parried every one of Ji Haofei’s attacks, leaving the man stunned.

"How can you keep up with my speed?" asked Ji Haofei.

"It’s easy for me to handle you," replied Li Shen arrogantly.

Not wanting to linger, Ji Haofei flew into the sky and formed a hand formation. Magic runes appeared and spiritual energy fluctuations increased dramatically. Li Shen looked up, seeing Ji Haofei trying to use his dao concept.

A projection of the full moon appeared behind Ji Haofei. Li Shen guessed that Ji Haofei’s dao concept was related to the moon.

[Full Moon Dao Concept: Moonlight Projection]

Magic runes appeared in front of Ji Haofei, emitting bright moonlight that could injure any cultivator. The moonlight continued to target Li Shen, forcing him to fly quickly to avoid it.

"You can’t leave this place!" Ji Haofei said firmly.

Sure enough! The farther Li Shen went, the more real the illusion Ji Haofei created became. Li Shen fell silent; he was trapped in the man’s dao concept illusion.

"He hasn’t reached the dao domain yet, but he’s already created area magic. That’s impressive," Li Shen explained.

Even so, Li Shen was well aware that he couldn’t fight Ji Haofei’s dao concept. He could only rely on a moment of luck to destroy the man’s dao concept, whatever the risk.

Li Shen spread his cultivation gems and began to form hand seals while continuing to fly.

Lines shot out and connected from the seven gems Li Shen had brought forth, and a protective dragon formation appeared, shielding Li Shen inside.

When Ji Haofei tried to attack the formation wall, his moonlight failed to penetrate it, which instantly angered Ji Haofei.

"Damn it! What did you do?" asked Ji Haofei.

"I countered your dao concept with a high-level formation. You won’t be able to break through it," replied Li Shen.

"Then accept my ultimate dao attack!"

[Full Moon Dao Concept: Moon Power Awakening!]

Three larger magic runes appeared in the sky. The outer sect disciples were terrified, they tried to leave to report this incident to the sect elders. However, they failed because they were also trapped in this situation.

From the three large magic runes, a giant moon appeared, falling from the sky and heading towards Li Shen. Li Shen narrowed his eyes, sensing that this power was Ji Haofei’s peak power.

If he did not do something about this attack, the island and everyone trapped here would be injured and killed. Worse still, this attack could injure Ming Yue.

In truth, Li Shen could stop this attack with his Domain Dao. However, that would reveal his true identity. Li Shen had no choice but to open the Hall of Void.

Li Shen’s hands came together to form a hand formation. Spiritual energy flared at the tips of his two fingers, and he immediately sliced through the dimensional boundary, causing a dimensional rift to appear. This was enough to startle Ji Haofei.

"What is that?" asked Ji Haofei.

"You’re trying to kill everyone here. I can’t let that happen!" said Li Shen firmly.

"Void Hall... absorb!" Li Shen commanded.

Ji Haofei’s full moon power was sucked in and drawn into the Void Hall. Ji Haofei and Ming Yue were startled, neither of them had expected Li Shen to possess the ability to enter and exit the Void Hall.

In the end, the giant moon was completely sucked into the Hall of Void. Ji Haofei’s dao concept ended, and the man fell from the sky unharmed.

"What happened?" asked Ji Haofei.

"You threatened the safety of everyone here. Let Ming Yue be the judge," replied Li Shen.

"What? Ming Yue?"

Ming Yue emerged from behind a large rock, his presence startling Ji Haofei so much that he couldn’t speak.

"You’ve gone too far, Senior Brother Ji!"