Adding Friends Can Make Me Stronger

The Headmaster was summoning me?

In the sect, the most mysterious figure was not the various Peak Masters but the Headmaster, who often went decades without showing himself. He was like a dragon whose head you could see but whose tail remained hidden.

“Not just us, the martial disciples of the other six peaks are also going,” Lan Chan explained. “Consider it a gathering before the martial competition. After all, the Three Sects Martial Arts Tournament is only six days away.”

“I see.” Meng Changqing nodded, feeling a bit of anticipation.

So far, he had only met the top prodigies of Spirit Peak. He had yet to meet those from the other six branches. They were all future close friends, after all!

“Alright, let’s go then. I have nothing to prepare.” Meng Changqing stepped out of the hall.

“Alright.”

At Spirit Hall, the others had mostly arrived.

Mo Shukuang also emerged from the hall, accompanied by Mo Xiaoyu. Mo Xiaoyu was not Mo Shukuang’s daughter but an orphan he had encountered during his travels. He brought her back, and she took his surname.

Whether this was true or not, no one cared as it was unimportant.

Humph!

Upon seeing Meng Changqing, Mo Xiaoyu clenched her small fists, her eyes filled with a competitive spirit, which made Meng Changqing feel a bit helpless.

Honestly, he hadn’t offended this little girl, but she seemed to have a strong ‘hostility’ towards him. Every time they met, she would glare at him as if declaring her dominance, her thoughts practically written on her face — simple and pure.

However, Mo Xiaoyu was indeed the strongest, possessing an innate sword body. Even Lan Chan was no match for her.

“Since everyone is here, let’s depart,” Mo Shukuang said, giving Meng Changqing a nod of approval.

No wonder the Headmaster valued him. His cultivation seemed to progress daily. Just recently, he had broken through to the Dao Creation Realm, and now he was already at the second level.

With a wave of Mo Shukuang’s right hand, a large sword light appeared beneath his feet. Everyone stepped onto it, and the sword light flashed, flying towards the Sect Master’s Peak.

“What is this power?” Meng Changqing could sense that the sword light beneath his feet was not just formed by true essence, it also contained another presence, one that was highly repulsive and blocking any attempt to probe deeper.

“It’s soul power,” a voice suddenly echoed in his ear.

Meng Changqing’s eyes narrowed. He recognized the Peak Master’s voice but noticed that the Peak Master was still standing at the front, back turned towards him.

“Warriors in the Divine Attainment Realm open their sea of consciousness, continuously uncovering mental secrets, thus generating soul power. This is the simplest application of soul power — telepathy.”

Meng Changqing nodded. He had heard of the mental secrets before. It was said to be a very mysterious part of the human body, located deep in the brain. Some ancient books even exaggerated, claiming that if one could fully uncover the mental secrets, they could find the key to immortality.

Beyond the Dao Creation Realm was the Divine Attainment Realm. Meng Changqing believed that after the Three Sects Martial Arts Tournament, it wouldn’t be long before he too would step into this mysterious and powerful realm.

As he pondered, the sword light arrived at the Sect Master’s Peak. Among the seven branches of the Tai Xuan Sect, the Sect Master’s Peak was the tallest and most majestic. However, it felt somewhat desolate, likely because few people resided there.

As the sword light landed, people were already present.

Judging by their attire, they were from Martial Arts Peak.

“Long time no see, Sixth Brother,” the leader said with a smile.

He appeared to be about the same age as Mo Shukuang, with graying hair but a tall, imposing figure.

He carried a long knife on his back, had thick eyebrows, and large eyes.

This was Martial Arts Peak’s Master, Shangguan Zhi.

“Fifth Brother, I’ve told you, don’t call me Sixth Brother,” Mo Shukuang said helplessly.

Though there was nothing inherently wrong with ‘Sixth Brother,’ it always sounded a bit odd to him.

“Heh heh heh, I think it rolls off the tongue nicely,” Shangguan Zhi chuckled, then his tiger-like eyes fixed on Meng Changqing standing among the others.

Instantly, Meng Changqing felt as if he were in the midst of a fierce wind, surrounded by overwhelming knife energy.

“So this is Meng Changqing, our future…” Shangguan Zhi trailed off, realizing it might not be appropriate to continue. He retracted his words but looked satisfied. “Not bad, not bad. Without the sect’s help, his cultivation has progressed so quickly. Indeed, he has great po…”

Before he could finish, Mo Shukuang pressed a hand against his mouth, looking somewhat helpless. “Mind your words.”

Shangguan Zhi realized his mistake and gave a sheepish smile.

“Such strength,” Meng Changqing thought, not paying attention to their conversation. The oppressive aura from Shangguan Zhi’s gaze was too strong.

So this was the strength of Martial Arts Peak’s Master? He seemed even stronger than my Peak Master.

Martial Arts Peak specialized in knife techniques.

While there is no definitive answer as to whether knife or sword techniques were superior, it ultimately depended on the practitioner.

With this in mind, Meng Changqing activated his Observation Eye. The leader of Martial Arts Peak would certainly have an impressive status panel, and Meng Changqing wanted to verify his suspicions.

Basic Information:

【Name: Shangguan Zhi】

【Race: Human】

【Cultivation: Fifth Stage Divine Attainment Realm (Temporary)】

Attribute Information:

【Root Bone: Second Grade】

【Comprehension: Excellent】

【Talent: Knife Bone】

【Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts: “Lifeless Knife Manual: God-Slaying Chapter” (Mastery)…】

After examining the status panel, Meng Changqing clenched his fists slightly. His earlier suspicion was confirmed: not only the Elder Guardian and his own Peak Master, but other Peak Masters had also sealed their true cultivation, revealing far less than their actual power.

Another puzzling detail was that a Peak Master’s root bone was only Second Grade. But after thinking it over, Meng Changqing realized it made sense. Second Grade was already an excellent level of root bone, capable of leading to high achievements. Moreover, the path of cultivation depended on more than just root bone. It was only one part of the equation.

“The depths of this sect are far greater than I imagined,” Meng Changqing thought, retracting his gaze.

Everyone is hiding their true cultivation.

What is the purpose behind this?