Showing a Glimpse of his Strength

Upon hearing Fu Qing's words, Zhou Xuanqing replied blandly, "I don't know." 

With his cultivation level, it was easy to discern that Mo Qingkuang, with his Wind Spirit Body at the First rank Grandmaster realm, could outpace the other students effortlessly. However, given that Sword Emperor Qin Wufeng was nearby, he chose not to belittle the Yuan Sword Sect disciples and gave an ambiguous response. 

Unexpectedly, Fu Qing was delighted by this. "Not knowing is good! The unknown is what makes it interesting. How about we place a bet? Let's not make it too big, just a Heavenly-rank martial skill." 

"Old Qin, I really like your sect's Sky-Piercing Sword. How about betting it against our Imperial Academy's Withering Finger?" 

Qin Wufeng's face turned dark, and he responded irritably, "Don't think I don't know about your Imperial Academy's Wind Spirit Body. Is there any need to guess?" 

While he had confidence in Yuan Sword Sect's sword-flying technique, he was helpless against Mo Qingkuang's Wind Spirit Body. 

Fu Qing, shameless as he was, could actually say such things, blatantly trying to swindle a Heavenly-rank martial skill from Yuan Sword Sect. He wasn't foolish enough to accept a challenge he couldn't win. 

Seeing Fu Qing raising his hand as if to strike, Qin Wufeng almost flinched. This bastard could turn hostile in an instant. 

A year ago, in the Battle of the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb, Fu Qing's relentless Zhan Tian Sword Technique had left Qin Wufeng with a psychological scar. If not for being at Yunxiao Palace with Zhou Xuanqing's protection, Qin Wufeng might have run away on the spot. 

Zhou Xuanqing, annoyed, almost blew his beard out. Fu Qing was becoming increasingly arrogant, and no one could handle him in a one-on-one fight. Teaming up to beat him would be undignified if word got out. He was like a tough old piece of meat. 

Angrily, Zhou Xuanqing shouted, "Stop arguing! Show some decency as teachers! The kids are watching!" 

Seeing the host angry, Fu Qing reluctantly held back, whispering, "Alright, then let's bet an Earth-rank one. Earth-rank should be fine." 

"Scram!" Qin Wufeng snorted coldly. "I'm not betting even a copper coin with you!" 

Both men ignored him, and Fu Qing had to shake his head and give up. 

The students on the Heavenly Ascension Staircase had already climbed a considerable distance. 

Lu Feng, the fastest, had covered more than half the distance and was over a thousand steps ahead of Chen Kong. 

Seeing Lu Feng performing so well, the Yuan Sword Sect disciples were energized, surging forward and starting to overtake the Imperial Academy's group. 

Along the way, they mocked Chen Kong, saying his victory over Lu Feng was just luck and a fluke due to terrain advantage. They also claimed that Mo Qingkuang was overrated, merely a product of Imperial Academy's self-praise. 

These taunts started to irritate the Imperial Academy students. 

Initially, they watched the fools perform, but the constant insults aimed at them made it hard to endure. They wished Mo Qingkuang would stop strolling and pick up the pace, even a brisk walk would do, to shut up these loudmouths. 

Seemingly sensing his fellow students' wishes, a panting Li Sheng spoke to the leisurely Mo Qingkuang beside him, "Hey, stop following me. They're pointing at you and cursing." 

Initially, Li Sheng had looked down on and envied Mo Qingkuang, even hoping to gain fame by stepping on him. But Mo Qingkuang had not only humiliated him but now far surpassed him in strength. 

While Li Sheng saw Mo Qingkuang as an enemy, Mo Qingkuang didn't even spare him a glance. Realizing they weren't on the same level, Li Sheng accepted that such a prodigy wasn't someone he could contend with. Instead, he left the task of competing with him to those of a similar level. 

Thus, his resentment towards Mo Qingkuang diminished. After all, Mo Qingkuang was destined to be a pillar of Tianxuan, and the Li family had long been high-ranking officials. Their relationship wasn't irreconcilable. 

Hearing Li Sheng's words, Mo Qingkuang nodded. 

The Yuan Sword Sect disciples were indeed annoying, their loud clamoring could be heard from afar. They even claimed that Mo Qingkuang was overrated! When had Young Master Mo ever suffered such humiliation? 

Intending to keep a low profile had only brought him mockery and scorn. 

Burning with anger, Mo Qingkuang moved. Li Sheng saw a blur before Mo Qingkuang disappeared from sight. 

Enveloped in a cyan glow, Mo Qingkuang's afterimage sped past Chen Kong like an arrow leaving the bowstring. Within a few breaths, he had overtaken Lu Feng. 

Lu Feng, initially feeling pleased with himself as he thought about how to taunt Chen Kong once he reached the summit first to avenge his shame from the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb, was suddenly disturbed by a strong gust of wind. A figure appeared in front of him, floating just ahead, propelled by swirling wind qi. 

The figure moved slowly but blocked his path. Alarmed, Lu Feng hastily stopped his flying sword and angrily shouted, "Get out of the way!" 

Mo Qingkuang turned his head and smiled warmly, "I'm not blocking you. I'm just walking my path, and you're walking yours. We have nothing to do with each other." 

"Mo Qingkuang!" Lu Feng, already irritated at the sight of Mo Qingkuang's face, knew he was being deliberately obstructed. The speed at which Mo Qingkuang had overtaken him had surprised him; the reputation of him being the fastest of their generation was not undeserved. 

"Hmph, if you know what's good for you, move aside!" Lu Feng coldly snorted and steered his sword onto another path to continue his ascent. 

But Mo Qingkuang once again appeared in front of him, running leisurely. 

"What the hell are you doing! Are you looking for trouble?" Lu Feng shouted in anger, clearly recognizing that Mo Qingkuang was deliberately obstructing him. 

"No particular reason." Mo Qingkuang replied innocently, "This path is wide enough, so why does Senior Brother Lu have to follow right behind me?" 

'What do you mean I have to follow right behind you? You're clearly blocking me.' 

Grinding his teeth, Lu Feng retorted, "The path is wide, so just move aside!" 

Had it not been an unspoken rule to avoid fighting during the climb, Lu Feng would have slashed Mo Qingkuang in two. Fighting here would not only give Fu Qing an excuse to make trouble but also embarrass their host, Yunxiao Palace. 

"The path doesn't belong to you. Why should I move just because you say so?" Mo Qingkuang rolled his eyes, showing no intention of moving. 

Lu Feng was fuming, looking back to see Chen Kong, whom he had left far behind, now catching up. He could vaguely see Chen Kong's figure closing in fast. 

Not wanting to waste any more time, Lu Feng chose another direction to continue his ascent.