97: Grand Competition

As Ji Changyue finished speaking, the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the hall all rose and bowed slightly to the four.

Then, they followed Ji Changyue and the other three out of the Myriad Manifestations Hall.

Zhou Kaiding fell back a step, walking abreast with the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the He Family of Donglin Town.

"Fellow Daoist He, I apologize for my rudeness last time. I hope you can forgive me."

Zhou Kaiding spoke softly, with a hint of apology.

"It's fine, Fellow Daoist Zhou also had his reasons, no need to mind it."

Hearing this, the Cultivator surnamed He was slightly surprised, but his opinion of Zhou Kaiding quietly improved by a few points.

The two families were far apart and usually had no interaction, yet Zhou Kaiding could still remember this matter and specifically mentioned it to him today, which naturally added to his good impression.

Moreover, the He Family had not suffered any losses back then; instead, they had gained some benefits.

The Kong and Hua Families, to thank the He Family for mediating, had offered many resources afterward.

"Fellow Daoist He, why isn't the Heavenly Star Sect Leader present?"

Zhou Kaiding and the Cultivator surnamed He were at the very end. Seeing that the Cultivator surnamed He didn't mind, he asked again.

Logically, for such an event of the Heavenly Star Sect, the Sect Head should have appeared.

"I heard that the Heavenly Star Sect Leader has already Broken through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage and is currently stabilizing his Realm, which is why he hasn't shown up."

"Oh?"

Zhou Kaiding was slightly surprised. The Heavenly Star Sect already had one Cultivator in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, and now with the Sect Head's Breakthrough, the Heavenly Star Sect's strength would increase significantly.

He wondered when this Breakthrough occurred. If it had been a year ago, perhaps this viewing ceremony would have had another layer of meaning.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist He."

Zhou Kaiding pondered, thanking the Cultivator surnamed He.

The two chatted for a moment. Seeing the people ahead fly into the air, Zhou Kaiding also used his magical power to lift Zhou Leren and Zhou Leyi together, and along with the Cultivator surnamed He, they flew with the crowd.

Heavenly Star Sect, Dharma Platform.

More than ten streaks of light flew from afar, landing on the high platform. On the high platform were more than ten tall chairs, simple and reserved.

"Fellow Daoists, please be seated."

Ji Changyue cupped his hands and spoke to everyone.

Everyone took their seats. Zhou Kaiding and the Cultivator surnamed He sat next to each other.

As for Zhou Leren and the other person accompanying the Cultivator surnamed He, they stood at the side of the tall chairs.

Below the high platform, many Heavenly Star Sect Disciples gathered, with several circular platforms covered by Formations in the middle.

Seeing everyone arrive, the chatter quieted.

Zhou Leyi quietly went to the other side, tugged on Zhou Leren's sleeve, and pointed to a spot below, saying to Zhou Leren:

"Brother, isn't that the arrogant fellow from before?"

Zhou Leren looked in the direction Zhou Leyi pointed, and indeed, the Delicate young man from before was sitting with his eyes closed in one spot.

After a few glances, Zhou Leren withdrew his gaze and said to Zhou Leyi:

"It's better not to call others that in the future."

Since that Elder Senior Brother had already apologized, and they were now guests at the Heavenly Star Sect, and this person was Senior Ji's Disciple, it was better to show a little more respect.

"Then what should I call him?"

"This..."

Zhou Leren's words faltered; he really didn't know what the Delicate young man's name was.

"Just don't call him that, that's all."

Zhou Leren's tone was a bit exasperated; he had really been stumped by Zhou Leyi's question.

"Oh..."

Zhou Leyi reluctantly agreed, but in an instant, he cast the matter aside and excitedly surveyed the scene below.

This was the first time Zhou Leyi had experienced such an event. The Sect and the Family were, after all, two different systems, with differences everywhere, which made it seem novel.

However, Zhou Leren was not unfamiliar at all; at this moment, he even felt a sense of things being the same but people having changed.

Seeing that everyone was seated, Ji Changyue nodded to the attendant standing silently by his side.

The attendant understood, came forward, and announced loudly to those below:

"During this grand competition, stop at the point of injury; do not harm lives. Violators will be severely punished."

"Now, let the grand competition begin!"

Below, there were already managers standing by the several circular platforms.

Upon hearing this, they each opened their lists and read aloud.

"Qiyun Peak..."

"Feixia Peak..."

Figures responded and rose, going to their respective circular platforms.

The Heavenly Star Sect Disciples had already drawn lots. Now, with the arrival of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the competition could begin directly.

The managers nearby opened the Formations on the circular platforms, and two people entered each, standing opposite each other.

"Junior Brother, please!"

...Spells, Talismans, and Magical Artifacts were displayed on the various circular platforms, and various combat strategies were all enacted here.

Zhou Leyi's eyes gleamed, and his heart itched; he also wanted to go down and try, but he could only think about it.

Although this Heavenly Star Sect grand competition was divided into three groups: Qi Refining Early Stage, Middle Stage, and Late Stage, with different rewards, the reward for the Late Qi Refining Stage was a foundation establishment pill.

But with Zhou Leyi's current cultivation, even in the Qi Refining Early Stage group, he wouldn't be good enough.

So, although his heart was joyful, he still restrained himself.

Zhou Kaiding watched the duels below. Although they were all Qi Refinement Stage Disciples, one could see the profound heritage of the Heavenly Star Sect from the small details.

It was indeed worthy of being a major power with a long Legacy.

The young Juniors from various families standing behind him were also like Zhou Leyi, eager to try, but they also knew that they wouldn't have a chance this time.

After all, they were guests at the Heavenly Star Sect. If they were to compete, regardless of winning or losing, both sides would likely not look good.

"Xinyang Peak, Jing Luobai..."

"Brother, so his name is Jing Luobai."

At this moment, Zhou Leyi again leaned next to Zhou Leren and said.

Zhou Leren nodded. After this announcement, the Delicate young man who had been sitting quietly finally rose and walked towards the circular platform.

On the high platform, Ji Changyue also focused his gaze, looking down.

He had already learned about his young Personal Disciple's defeat at Zhou Leren's hands when he went to the Zhou Family.

However, he had no intention of causing trouble for the Zhou Family, as it was a dispute between Juniors, and there had been no injuries.

Over this past year, he had witnessed Jing Luobai's changes. Being defeated by Zhou Leren, who was younger than him, had clearly been a significant blow to him.

Although he was slightly unconvinced at first, after returning to the Heavenly Star Sect and carefully recalling the scene, Jing Luobai realized his many shortcomings back then. Therefore, he had diligently cultivated day and night during this year, and his strength had greatly improved.

"Please!"

On the circular platform, Jing Luobai cupped his hands towards his opponent.

The person opposite him was a Cultivator in his twenties, feeling a bit solemn. He had heard a little about Jing Luobai's reputation: Personal Disciple of Elder Ji of Xinyang Peak, with extremely high talent.

"Junior Brother, be careful."

As soon as his words fell, several Talismans hidden in his hand shot out, heading straight for Jing Luobai.

The Talismans each unfurled, with thorns intertwining and flames burning.

The first lesson Jing Luobai learned from Zhou Leren was not to underestimate his opponent, so when the person in front of him made his move, he was already prepared.

A fiery red Magical Artifact sword was held in his hand, and he stabbed several times at the attacking thorns and flames, deflecting the attacks.

His figure swayed, his footwork was displayed, his left hand formed a Spell incantation, his right hand rotated the Magical Artifact sword, and he charged towards his opponent.

Seeing that his sneak attack had no effect, and Jing Luobai was attacking, the person retreated, a Talisman appeared in his hand, and he activated it.

Jing Luobai's figure shifted, dodging the attack formed by the Talisman, and his heart stirred:

"Go!"

The Magical Artifact sword in his right hand suddenly shot out, aiming directly for the opponent's chest.

The Magical Artifact sword was extremely fast. The person's face showed surprise, his figure paused slightly, he took out a Talisman and slapped it on his chest, and then set up a light shield in front of him.

However, the attacking Magical Artifact sword subtly changed direction, altering its trajectory slightly.

The person's attention was drawn by this Magical Artifact sword, and the light shield changed accordingly, while his steps retreated to the other side.

At this moment, Jing Luobai released the Spell incantation he had formed with his left hand. Taking advantage of the person's adjustment, a fiery crow flew directly towards him.

"Bang!"

The fiery crow struck him, the green light on his body shattered, and the Talisman on his body fell off. Just as he felt relieved, he saw a fiery red Magical Artifact sword already suspended in front of him.

"Jing Luobai wins."

Jing Luobai stopped, dispersed the Spell incantation he held in his hand, recalled the Magical Artifact sword, nodded to the person, and then stepped off the dueling platform.