Invincible Beyond Heavens: Cultivating With A Broken EXP System

The atmosphere above Heaven Dew Peak had grown so tense that even breathing felt difficult.

Cold qi from Ice God Valley spread through the sky like winter descending upon the world, turning the drifting air sharp and bitter. In response, the fierce and domineering pressure of Boundless Martial Palace surged upward like a rising tide, refusing to yield even a single inch.

The two forces had not yet exchanged blows, yet their opposing auras alone made the mountain feel trapped between a snowstorm and a sea of fire.

Between them stood countless stunned geniuses, disciples, and observers. None of them had imagined that a Tea Ceremony meant for sparring, reputation, and youthful competition would transform into a confrontation that might ignite war between major powers. Many who had arrived in excitement now stood frozen in disbelief.

At the front of the crystal flying boat, Elder Mu narrowed her eyes as she stared directly at Yan Luo. Her face remained stern, yet the seriousness in her gaze deepened visibly.

For several breaths, she said nothing.

Then her voice rang across the summit, slow and deliberate, each word carrying immense weight.

“Yan Luo… do you truly intend to go to war with Ice God Valley over this matter?”

The question shook many hearts.

If war truly began between two great forces, it would never remain a conflict between a few elders standing upon one mountain peak. It would spread outward like poison through the region.

Counties would be dragged into turmoil. Resource lands would be seized and contested. Hidden assassinations would begin in the dark. Sect battles would erupt openly. Countless disciples would be forced into bloodshed for reasons they never chose.

Even many who dreamed of glory felt a chill at the thought.

Yet Yan Luo only laughed.

It was not loud, nor was it wild. It was the cold and elegant laugh of someone who stood above fear and believed herself already in control.

She remained at the front of the Boundless Martial Palace flying boat like a queen looking down upon all beneath her. Her violet robes moved gently in the wind, while her eyes remained sharp and proud.

“War?” Yan Luo said lightly. “You exaggerate things, Elder Mu.”

Her gaze hardened.

“If Ice God Valley does not interfere in the matter between Li Yun and Boundless Martial Palace, then there is naturally no need for such things.”

She paused deliberately, allowing every person present to understand the meaning hidden beneath those calm words.

Then her tone became colder.

“But if you insist on standing before us…”

Her aura spread outward in visible waves, causing the sky itself to tremble faintly.

“…then war is inevitable.”

The summit fell into dead silence.

No one doubted that she meant every word.

Yan Luo was infamous throughout the Southern Martial Domain not for her talent but ruthlessness. Once she made a decision, retreat was almost unheard of. Many had learned that lesson through pain and humiliation.

Even several elders from other forces exchanged uneasy looks. They had come to witness a gathering of juniors, not to stand beside a battlefield that could determine the balance of power between major sects.

On the flying boat of Ice God Valley, Elder Mu’s expression finally changed.

For the first time since arriving, hesitation appeared within her eyes.

She had only come to Sword Saint County because she was escorting the younger generation of her sect toward Hidden Dragon Island, where the Hidden Dragon Ranking tournament would be held three months from now.

Hidden Dragon Island lay between the Five Great Counties, and their route naturally passed near Heaven Dew Peak.

Who could have predicted that a routine journey would place her in the center of such a dangerous storm?

More importantly, her side was not prepared for a large-scale confrontation. Other than herself, there was only one elder of comparable standing accompanying the disciples.

Though many talented juniors stood aboard the vessel, true disputes between powers were decided by high-level experts, not by youthful promise. In terms of top combat strength present at this moment, Ice God Valley was at a disadvantage.

And when strength and numbers were lacking, even righteousness could end in defeat.

She had only chosen to intervene because of Mu Lan.

Before arriving at Heaven Dew Peak, Mu Lan had privately explained everything that happened within the tomb. She spoke of how the tomb’s owner had secretly possessed her body. She spoke of the hidden danger that nearly cost her life and future.

She spoke of how Li Yun fought through overwhelming odds, tore the invading soul from her body, and saved her from a fate worse than death.

Without Li Yun, Mu Lan might already be dead.

Or worse.

Because of that, Elder Mu believed Ice God Valley owed Li Yun a debt.

When she learned that Boundless Martial Palace elders were surrounding him publicly, she judged it worthy of intervention.

Helping a benefactor while defending the rules of the Tea Ceremony aligned with both morality and prestige. It would also demonstrate that Ice God Valley did not bow before shameless oppression.

But who could have predicted that Yan Luo herself would answer with such ferocity?

And not merely with anger.

She had openly placed war upon the table.

That changed everything.

Elder Mu was not alone in her thoughts. Behind her, the other elders of Ice God Valley had also grown solemn. Their earlier confidence had faded, replaced by the cold caution of experienced survivors.

To protect one talented junior was reasonable.

To risk sect-wide war against Boundless Martial Palace over that same junior was another matter entirely.

Mu Lan, standing among the younger generation behind them, clenched her hands so tightly that her fingers whitened.

She understood exactly why Elder Mu hesitated.

The weight of an entire sect could never be moved lightly for one person, no matter how gifted that person might be. Even if that person had saved her life.

At the center of the ruined arena, Li Yun looked upward and calmly observed the subtle changes in everyone’s expressions.

He immediately understood what was happening.

Ice God Valley truly wished to help him. That much was sincere. But they did not wish to pay the price Yan Luo demanded in exchange for helping him.

A faint smile appeared on Li Yun’s face.

That was normal.

In the cultivation world, debts were one thing. Interests were another. Principles were praised loudly until the price of defending them became too high.

And when the word war entered the conversation, most favors suddenly became very small.