149: Chapter 149 Each with Their Own Goals

Under an ancient tree in the Outer Sect Plaza, Ye Tian, Liu Ruyan, and Leng Feng stood facing each other.

With only five days left until the Outer Sect Grand Competition, many Disciples were in a hurry, seizing the last moments to spar and practice.

Liu Ruyan's aura was significantly more condensed than before, having reached the Peak of the Condensing Essence Fifth Level; she clearly hadn't slacked off in her cultivation after absorbing the High Grade Spirit Marrow.

"Five days from now is the date of the Grand Competition. This time, the competition is filled with strong hands. I wonder... what are your goals?"

She first looked toward Leng Feng.

Leng Feng was still dressed in white, with a long sword strapped to his back.

His surrounding aura was sharp, with faint Sword Qi swirling around him; his cultivation had already broken through to the Ningyuan Sixth Stage!

Hearing her, his gaze swept across the crowd in the plaza, and his voice was firm: "The top ten is too far away. My goal is to break into the top twenty."

This goal of his was quite pragmatic.

There were nearly ten thousand Outer Sect Disciples, and the Ningyuan Sixth Stage was considered the backbone. However, with experts constantly emerging from the Heaven and Earth Rankings, wanting to rank in the top twenty meant defeating many experts of the same stage or even higher Realms; the difficulty was immense.

But with Leng Feng's sword Dao cultivation and Heart-Nature, it wasn't without hope.

Liu Ruyan nodded.

However, Leng Feng's goal was already beyond her reach.

She sighed softly and said, "The Cultivation Technique I Cultivate isn't suited for individual combat. If I can break into the top fifty, I'll be satisfied."

Although it was only the top fifty, for her at the Peak of the Condensing Essence Fifth Level, she still needed to perform well to have a chance.

After the two finished speaking, their gazes simultaneously fell upon Ye Tian.

His aura remained restrained, only showing a cultivation of the Ningyuan Fifth Stage, but those deep eyes made it impossible to see his true depth.

"Junior Brother Ye, what about you?" Liu Ruyan couldn't help but ask.

She knew Ye Tian's strength was unfathomable, far beyond what his surface cultivation could measure.

Ye Tian looked up, his gaze toward the center of the plaza, his tone flat: "Since I'm competing, I should naturally strive for the top spot. My goal is first place."

"First place?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, both Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng were shocked.

Liu Ruyan even let out a low cry of disbelief, looking at Ye Tian: "Junior Brother Ye! You... what did you say? First place? This... this is a bit too..."

For a moment, she didn't know how to describe it, feeling that Ye Tian was a bit too overconfident, perhaps even arrogant.

She quickly lowered her voice and said urgently, "Do you know what kind of monsters are at the top of the Heaven Ranking?

The fourth on the Heaven Ranking is Yan Yang Hand Lie Yang, at the Ningyuan Eighth Stage Middle Stage; his palm techniques are peerlessly fierce, and he once fought three Ningyuan Seventh Level Yao Beasts alone without being defeated!

The fifth is Thousand Machine Guide Mo Ling; though she's only at the Ningyuan Eighth Stage Early Stage, her Formation mechanisms are unpredictable and impossible to guard against!

Then there's the ninth, Liu Jingtao—you've met him. He has now broken through to the Condensing Essence Seventh Level. When he was at the Ningyuan Sixth Stage, he could defeat Elder Zhou in just five sword strikes!

Moreover, those top three monsters are even more unfathomable!

First place... how is that possible?"

Her words were full of worry, fearing that Ye Tian had developed unrealistic ideas due to his increase in strength, and would ultimately suffer setbacks or even injury in the Grand Competition.

Although Leng Feng didn't speak, his slightly furrowed brow showed that he also didn't think highly of Ye Tian's goal.

First on the Heaven Ranking was the top existence among the thousands of Outer Sect Disciples, with strength comparable to some Inner Sect Disciples. Though Ye Tian was strong, wanting to take the top spot was as difficult as reaching the heavens.

Facing their shock and doubt, Ye Tian's expression remained unchanged; instead, a hint of wildness curled at the corner of his mouth.

His gaze swept over Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng as he spoke slowly: "Senior Sister Liu, Senior Brother Leng.

A Martial Artist's cultivation is like rowing upstream; if you do not advance, you fall back.

If there is a high mountain ahead and you hesitate, merely looking with envy, how are you different from a frog at the bottom of a well?

Since we have stepped onto this path of competition, if we don't even have the courage to compete with the heroes and climb to the Peak—if we cower when meeting the strong and retreat when seeing difficulty—then what is the point of participating in this Grand Competition?

It would be better to find a quiet corner and live out our days in peace."

Every word was powerful, revealing a determination to move forward relentlessly!

"Only when an opponent is strong is there value in the challenge. Only by competing with the strong can one verify what they've learned and break through their limits! This first place, I'm not just going to fight for it—I'm going to take it!"

This speech left Liu Ruyan speechless.

She stared blankly at Ye Tian, her heart filled with an inexplicable shock.

She suddenly realized that the gap between herself and Ye Tian perhaps lay not just in strength, but in this fearless mindset of the strong!

While she was still anxious about the top fifty, the other party had already locked his sights on that supreme top position!

In Leng Feng's cold gaze, an amazing light erupted!

He suddenly clenched his fist, and the Sword Qi around him surged involuntarily!

Ye Tian's words were like a heavy hammer, striking the war drum in his heart!

"Cowering when meeting the strong, retreating when seeing difficulty... how is that different from a frog at the bottom of a well?"

Indeed!

He was determined to pursue the pinnacle of the sword Dao. If he didn't even have the courage to challenge strong enemies, how could he talk about surpassing them?

Ye Tian's goal seemed arrogant, but it was exactly the spirit a true Martial Artist should have!

"Senior Brother Ye is absolutely right!"

Leng Feng spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying an unprecedented heat. "A Martial Artist should have such ambition! It was our vision that was narrow."

Even if his goal was only the top twenty, he should do his utmost to compete with those Heaven Ranking experts!

Liu Ruyan looked at these two "madmen"—one aiming for first place, and the other ignited with fighting spirit—and couldn't help but mutter softly, "Two cultivation maniacs, battle lunatics... there's really no communicating with you!"

Despite her words, a flicker of emotion quietly passed through her beautiful eyes.

Perhaps it was precisely because he possessed such spirit that Ye Tian could create miracles time and again?

Just then, a hearty laugh approached from a distance: "Haha, well said! If a Martial Artist has no heart for supremacy, how are they different from a salted fish?"

The group turned to look and saw a tall young man wearing crimson martial attire walking over with large strides. It was the fourth on the Heaven Ranking, Lie Yang!

His aura was scorchingly oppressive and his gaze was like a torch, landing directly on Ye Tian as he grinned: "Junior Brother Ye Tian, quite the ambition! Aiming for the top spot? Very good! I look forward to fighting you in the Grand Competition! Don't let me down!"

His words were direct, carrying both Battle Intent and appreciation.

Lie Yang's appearance caused the atmosphere to tighten slightly.

Both Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng showed looks of wariness.

Ye Tian, however, looked as usual, meeting Lie Yang's gaze with a calm smile: "If Senior Brother Lie Yang is interested, I will naturally accompany you in the Grand Competition."

"Good! Straightforward enough!"

Lie Yang laughed heartily and patted Ye Tian on the shoulder with considerable force, but Ye Tian's figure didn't budge an inch.

A flash of surprise crossed Lie Yang's eyes, then he smiled: "But ambition alone isn't enough; there must be real benefits as motivation! Do you know the rewards for the top ten in this Grand Competition?"

Without waiting for them to answer, Lie Yang said to himself, "Let me tell you, the Sect has really invested heavily this time!

For the top ten, besides generous contribution points, everyone will receive at least one bottle of Grade Three Medicinal Pills, the qualification to exchange for one Profound Rank Intermediate Cultivation Technique or Martial Skill, and a Yellow Rank Advanced Spiritual Artifact!"

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng immediately gasped!

Grade Three Medicinal Pills, Profound Rank Intermediate techniques, Yellow Rank Advanced Spiritual Artifacts!

Such rewards were considered heavy treasures for Outer Sect Disciples!

They were enough to drive anyone crazy!

However, Lie Yang wasn't finished. His tone became even more fervent: "But that's not the most important part! The most important are the rewards for the top three: the qualification to enter the Liuxin Pool to Cultivate!"

"Liuxin Pool?" Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng were shocked again!

Even Ye Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.

Lie Yang explained, "The Liuxin Pool is a cultivation Holy Land of our Liuli Xuan Sect!

The pool water is formed from Earth Vein Spirit Marrow, containing extremely pure Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and a trace of the rare Glazed Pure Heart Flame.

Cultivating within it can not only rapidly increase one's cultivation but also temper true yuan, purify Impurities, consolidate the Foundation, and even provide great benefit in comprehending martial Dao intent!

Ordinary Outer Sect Disciples only have one chance to enter when promoted to the Inner Sect, and the time is only two days!"

He held up three fingers, his eyes burning: "And for this Grand Competition, the third place can Cultivate in the Liuxin Pool for one day! Second place, two days! And the winner..."

He paused and raised his voice, "Can Cultivate in the Liuxin Pool for a full three days!"

Three days!

That was one day more than the reward for being promoted to the Inner Sect!

The value of this was immeasurable!

Especially after the Grand Competition, when cultivation Bottlenecks are loosened, entering the Liuxin Pool would yield twice the result with half the effort, and it might even be an opportunity to break through a critical Realm in one go!

Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng's breathing became rapid, their eyes filled with desire.

Even Lie Yang himself couldn't hide his excitement when mentioning the Liuxin Pool.

Ye Tian's heart was also surging with waves.

Liuxin Pool!

This was exactly what he currently needed!

He had just broken through to the Ninth Stage of Condensing Essence and needed a massive amount of pure Spiritual Qi to consolidate his cultivation and lay a solid Foundation for pushing toward the tenth stage and even the True Martial Realm!

Three days of cultivation time might save him several months of hard work!

"Liuxin Pool... I absolutely must take this first place now!"

Ye Tian clenched his fists, and Battle Intent burned in his eyes.

Seeing the undisguised ambition in Ye Tian's eyes, Lie Yang was not angry but even more excited: "Good! Ambition! Ye Tian, I'll be waiting for you in the Grand Competition! Don't get knocked out early! Haha!"

With that, he laughed and turned to leave.

Under the ancient tree, only the three including Ye Tian remained.

After Lie Yang's interruption, the atmosphere had become even more heated.

The generous rewards had ignited the Battle Intent of the three.

The gaze Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng directed at Ye Tian became more complex.

Aiming for first place was already difficult, and now with the temptation of the Liuxin Pool, the competition would surely be brutal to the extreme.

Ye Tian took a deep breath, and his heart returned to calmness: "Five days from now, we shall see."

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

When the first ray of morning sunlight fell upon the mountain gate of the Liuli Xuan Sect, the entire Outer Sect completely boiled over.

The triennial Outer Sect Grand Competition had finally arrived as scheduled!

Around the massive Martial Arts Arena, there was a sea of people, and the sound waves shook the heavens!

Countless gazes focused on the ten tall arenas in the field.

A battle for supremacy was about to begin!