Kangkong Hao was severely injured and wore a magic treasure that masked his cultivation realm, so the level he openly displayed to everyone was precisely the Foundation Establishment Stage.
However, his actual cultivation was at the Deity Transformation Stage. According to the plan he and Shangguan Heng had devised, even though he was currently only at the mid Foundation Establishment, he would undoubtedly secure first place among the Foundation Establishment disciples.
Shangguan Heng had made him do this precisely to dampen the growing arrogance of Sword Peak and the Sect Master's Peak.
Chapter 76