175: Chapter 175 Sect Grand Competition

The Qingyun Sect Dining Hall was quite grand in scale; after all, apart from a few Foundation Establishment Elders, the rest of the Disciples were mostly Qi Refining Cultivators.

The Dining Hall was divided into two floors: the upper floor was for Inner Sect Disciples, while the lower floor was the area for Outer Sect Disciples and Servant Disciples.

Although there was a distinction, there were no strict boundaries; occasionally, Outer Sect Disciples would curry favor with Inner Sect Disciples to dine with them.

As soon as Ye Tianhao reached the entrance of the Dining Hall, he heard a somewhat piercing, mocking voice: "Isn't this Junior Brother Ye? You've finally deigned to come out of your Immortal Cave. I thought you were going to stay in there until the Sect Grand Competition!"

The speaker was Li Linlin, dressed in the attire of an Inner Sect Disciple. Ever since her Spiritual Artifact was destroyed and she lost Face, she had always looked down on the Ye siblings and would mock them whenever they met.

Ye Tianyao would argue with her, but as a reserved person, Ye Tianhao didn't want to bicker with a woman and simply ignored her.

He merely gave her a faint glance, treating her as if she were air.

It was precisely this calm indifference that felt even more insulting to Li Linlin.

Seeing Li Linlin's arrogance flare up, the surrounding Disciples poked their heads out to watch, as if they were watching a spectacle.

Ye Tianhao ignored her and continued walking forward.

Seeing this, Li Linlin continued her mockery: "What? Did I hit the mark, and now you're too afraid to speak? I heard you've been cultivating hard lately. You don't actually want to reach Foundation Establishment, do you?

You might as well save it; the foundation establishment pill belongs to this Young Miss. A country bumpkin like you, who knows where you came from, had better not compete with me!"

"The foundation establishment pill belongs to the capable. Is Junior Sister Li afraid she can't defeat me?"

Ye Tianhao's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear, like a pebble dropped into a lake.

Li Linlin's Face stiffened, and then she began to tremble with rage, her brows furrowing: "What nonsense are you talking about? I underestimated you before, but let me tell you, I will definitely win this Sect Grand Competition!"

As she spoke, Spiritual Qi fluctuations spread around her, clearly intending to use her cultivation pressure to suppress Ye Tianhao's spirit.

Ye Tianhao didn't take her seriously and spoke with a cold expression: "Winning or losing isn't decided by words. The Sect Grand Competition is imminent, and the ownership of the foundation establishment pill will be determined by the Sect's rules. If Junior Sister Li truly has confidence, why bother with such verbal posturing?"

These words struck a nerve with Li Linlin.

Ye Tianhao's cultivation had already reached Qi Refining Level 9, and he was only seventeen years old, far more formidable than her.

Even that girl Ye Tianyao had already reached the Qi Refining Seventh Layer; in time, she would soon overtake her.

"You!"

Li Linlin was rendered speechless, her Spiritual Qi fluctuations becoming increasingly erratic.

"Fine! Very well! Since you don't know what's good for you, we'll see each other at the Sect Grand Competition! When the time comes, I'll make sure you're utterly defeated and teach you what it means to overestimate your own strength!"

Ye Tianhao didn't respond and continued upstairs, his back straight and steady; the recent dispute hadn't affected him in the slightest.

Time flew by.

One year later.

The Qingyun Sect began the Sect Grand Competition, which was the only tournament where Outer Sect Disciples could enter the inner Sect.

Meanwhile, the Inner Sect Disciples also needed to compete against each other. The competition was divided into three rounds, and the final winner of each round would receive a foundation establishment pill.

Thus, the Inner Sect Disciples were divided into three groups, and they could choose to come up and compete until no challengers remained.

This competition was hosted by Yun Yue, the daughter of Elder Yun Jian. She was currently only at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer and couldn't compete with the other Inner Sect Disciples, so she stood on the viewing platform. Behind her were the three Foundation Establishment Elders of the Qingyun Sect: Yun Jian, Qin Yunhe, and Yun He.

Yun Jian turned to look at the empty Sect Master's seat and shook his head helplessly: "Is the Sect Master still in seclusion? He isn't even coming for such an important day."

"The Sect Master has his own considerations; we shouldn't speculate too much," Yun He said calmly from the side.

His gaze was fixed on the Disciples below the platform, specifically on Ye Tianyao, with a look of gratification clearly visible in his eyes.

Seeing this, Qin Yunhe chuckled and said, "Yun He, you seem to think very highly of that Ye family girl!"

Yun He snorted, "Of course. Among so many Sword Cultivators, a Beast Taming Genius has finally appeared. Naturally, this old man values her!"

"Is that so? If you ask me, Ye Tianhao is even more outstanding," Yun Jian said with a smile.

The Qingyun Sect mostly practiced the Sword Dao. Despite his young age, Ye Tianhao had a steady Heart-Nature, and his Sword Dao Foundation was incredibly solid.

In just one year, he had refined his cultivation and even faintly reached the Qi Refining Peak. At such an age, he was as rare as phoenix feathers in the several-hundred-year history of the Qingyun Sect.

On the platform, Yun Yue listened to the Elders' conversation, her gaze falling upon Ye Tianhao among the Disciples.

Seeing that Ye Tianhao looked very much like Ye Xuan, she knew he was Ye Xuan's son.

The Ye family was truly not to be underestimated; it hadn't been long, and yet such a gifted junior had already appeared.

She stepped forward and announced loudly, "Disciples of the Qingyun Sect, today is the Sect Grand Competition. The rules remain as before: for the Outer Sect Disciples' matches, the winners will enter the inner Sect.

Inner Sect Disciples will compete in three groups. The final winner of each group will receive one foundation establishment pill. The competition will be fair and just; spar with restraint and do not take lives!"

With that, she declared loudly, "The competition officially begins!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the Inner Sect Disciples' eyes burned with intensity. The foundation establishment pill was the key item for a Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and everyone wanted to claim one.

In this competition, Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao were in different groups, allowing them both to pursue a foundation establishment pill.

During the matches, except for certain special Spiritual Artifacts like a talisman treasure, all other Spiritual Artifacts and the abilities of Spirit Beasts could be fully utilized to compete.

Thanks to Ye Tianyao's Beast Taming, almost no one was her match. On the stage, she controlled her already-advanced Spirit Sparrows to constantly besiege other Disciples, with a First-Order Middle Stage Fire Fox assisting her. Her strength was comparable to a Qi Refining Level 9 Cultivator.

The Spirit Sparrows were First-Order Demonic Beasts that Ye Jing had enchanted using Gold Spirit Ores to help his granddaughter pass the assessment smoothly. Although the dozens of Spirit Sparrows didn't have high talent, they were superior in number.

Thus, she was quite successful in the early stages.

The other two groups were presided over by Ye Tianhao and Lu Shaoyou.

On Ye Tianyao's stage, Su Wan flew up, holding a Jade Zither, and gave Ye Tianyao a graceful bow: "Junior Sister Ye, please go easy on me!"

Ye Tianyao smiled and nodded, "Then let's begin!"

As soon as she spoke, the Spirit Sparrows beside her swept forward like a gale. Su Wan reacted quickly, her slender hands playing the Jade Zither, and a wave of sound instantly radiated out.

That sound wave was formless and substance-less, yet it was like a sharp blade, instantly blocking the attacks of the Spirit Sparrows.

The music from Su Wan's zither continued, trapping all the Spirit Sparrows so they could not move.

However, the Fire Fox leaped up and circled behind Su Wan. Su Wan hurriedly used her spiritual power for defense.

A claw filled with flames struck forward, quickly knocking her back several steps. Just as she tried to recover her defense,

A sharp blade was pressed directly against her neck.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Su Wan had been captured.

With a blade at her throat, the victory was decided.

Su Wan could only say, "I concede."

"Junior Sister Su, thank you for the match!" Ye Tianyao retracted her blade and smiled at Su Wan.