19: The sect competition begins

Above Hua Ling Peak of the Qingyun Sect, all four flying boats had now returned.

However, less than thirty percent of the Disciples who stepped off the flying boats did so with an air of triumph.

The vast majority of participating Disciples had been eliminated because they could not complete their tasks.

Naturally, casualties were not few; after all, this was an immortal Sect Disciple trial.

As the Disciples participating in the competition gathered, the square immediately became a hub of noise and excitement.

This was the place where Lu Wuxiu, the Peak Master of Hua Ling Peak, researched Formations; usually, it was difficult for even a Menial Servant to enter even once.

The square was paved with white jade and bluestone, with a sky-propping white jade pillar in each of the four corners; the things connecting these pillars were not chains, but rows of Formation talismans.

As a cool breeze swept through, the Formation talismans actually emitted the crisp sound of copper bells.

“Senior Brother Jiang!” Liang Jian smiled and stepped forward to cup his fists.

“We haven't officially entered the Sect yet; it won't be too late to call me that after we do,” Jiang Yan replied with a smile and a cupped-fist salute.

Liang Jian didn't think much of it, leaning in and whispering to Jiang Yan, “With Senior Brother's strength, this Junior Brother has high hopes for you.”

Jiang Yan smiled but said nothing. Such words were fine for flattery, but who knew what kind of enemies they would encounter?

If his luck was bad and he was matched against an Elder's grandson several times in a row, he might as well admit defeat directly; after all, he had to ensure the advancement of three third-generation 'immortal' descendants.

While he was chatting with Liang Jian, Ma Zi stood nervously by Jiang Yan's side, his fingers constantly rubbing against each other.

“Little Brother Jiang, why am I so nervous? I really need to go pee.”

Jiang Yan was speechless but still offered a few words of comfort.

Then, pointing at the surrounding Disciples, he lowered his voice and said, “Look around. These people are just like us; no one is more noble than anyone else.”

Ma Zi followed the direction Jiang Yan pointed and looked around. They were mostly Menial Servants from the Spirit Plant Garden, Pill Refining Room, Spirit Beast Peak, and Spirit Sword Peak.

He could even see that every one of them had a nervous expression just like his own.

“I'm telling you, this is the moment to change your fate,” Jiang Yan patted Ma Zi on the shoulder. “Didn't you say when you came here that you didn't want to be a Menial Servant? Then show some courage.”

“Mm...” Ma Zi nodded heavily.

Just then, two figures flew through the air from a distance at extreme speed, so fast that even the surrounding Formations emitted a vibrating sound.

The newcomers were performing the Sky-Souring Technique, which only inner Sect members could learn. Their posture was elegant and free, completely crushing the outer Sect's Sword Kinesis Technique.

Seeing the two slowly land, the Disciples participating in the competition let out bursts of exclamations.

“Today's Outer Sect Disciple competition will be presided over by me, Gao Li of the Hua Ling Peak Formation Hall.”

Gao Li turned slightly to indicate the person beside him.

“This is Senior Brother Wang Zheng from the Spirit Sword Peak Sword Casting Hall, who has come today to serve as a witness.”

For the Outer Sect Disciple competition, there were explicit prohibitions.

It was not permitted to use Magical Artifacts, Magic Treasures, or other treasures exceeding the Foundation Establishment Realm.

As for Medicinal Pills, at most, one could use small spirit pills and Qi-Burning Pills.

After all, this was a contest to select Outer Sect Disciples. If some second or third-generation 'immortal' descendant brought out a weapon of mass destruction, the contest would lose all meaning.

Casualties among the competing Disciples were permitted; as long as one didn't want to die, they could surrender.

If anyone sought retribution after the event, once discovered, they would be dealt with according to Sect rules.

If someone in the mortal realm threatened a family, three generations of their clan would be slaughtered!

Of course, no fool would do such a thing, given the clear divide between immortals and mortals.

Even if the Sect didn't handle it, once a Disciple finished their studies and descended the mountain, only death would await that family.

After the two Inner Sect Disciples finished inspecting the lot container, Wang Zheng nodded to indicate there were no issues. Gao Li waved his large sleeve, and the container instantly began to shake.

Wang Zheng glanced at the Disciples below and closed his eyes. Countless lots immediately flew into the sky, were randomly shuffled, and landed in front of each Disciple.

Seeing this, the Disciples immediately picked up the lots in front of them and began checking their numbers.

On the high platform, Gao Li lightly flicked his sleeve, and two arenas immediately rose on either side.

Wang Zheng shouted, “Those with odd numbers, Arena A on the right. Those with even numbers, Arena B on the left. One versus three, two versus four, and so on. The winner keeps their lot; the loser hands it over and leaves.”

“Whoa!”

As soon as this rule was announced, the square completely erupted.

No one expected today's rules to be like this.

The rules really changed every year, giving absolutely no room for any fluke mentality.

Ma Zi and Liang Jian in the crowd suddenly panicked because these two had come with exactly that kind of hope.

“It's over, I can only wait for next year's trial,” Ma Zi said with a look of disappointment.

“Yeah, I didn't expect the rules to change again this year,” Liang Jian echoed.

“You two...” Jiang Yan was a bit speechless but still encouraged them, “Whether it's a mule or a horse, you have to take it out for a walk to know. It won't do to always have no confidence in yourselves. Besides, if you haven't gone up to fight, how do you know if your opponent is strong or weak? What if your opponent is worse than you?”

“Stop talking nonsense. If you're like this, what kind of immortal path are you even cultivating?”

Just as Jiang Yan finished speaking, a young man nearby wearing a four-clawed dragon robe chimed in, “This brother is right. Before the universe is settled, you and I are both dark horses.”

Seeing the other party smile and cup his fists toward him, Jiang Yan hurried to return the gesture.

“Fourth, Fourth... Your Highness!” Liang Jian turned around, utterly shocked.

“Little Liang Jian, what are you afraid of? This is only your first time; I'm on my second and I'm not even scared,” Ji Daofeng teased.

Liang Jian scratched his head awkwardly, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz: “Is it the same? I care about my reputation; I can't compare to you.”

Although the voice was small, Jiang Yan and the others could hear it.

“Hey, I say, you kid, are you looking for a beating!” Ji Daofeng said, pinching Liang Jian's ear.

With Ji Daofeng's appearance, the previously dejected Ma Zi and Liang Jian suddenly lost their timidity.

“I am Ji Daofeng, participating in the Outer Sect Disciple selection for the second time,” Ji Daofeng said, cupping his fists to Jiang Yan.

“Jiang Yan, a Sect Menial Servant,” Jiang Yan replied simply.

He wasn't surprised by people participating for a second or third time; after all, there were regulations for the outer Sect trial.

If one was a Menial Servant within the Sect, the age limit was fifty; for someone like Ji Daofeng, it was thirty.

At this moment, the fighting had already begun on both arenas. Although the matches were between those at the Qi Refining First and Second Layers, they were still very intense.

“Little Brother Jiang, I'm number 92,” Ma Zi asked as he held out his lot. “What number are you?”

“Number 111,” Jiang Yan replied.

“Whoa, the two of us might actually meet,” Ji Daofeng said in surprise, showing his lot, which clearly read 'Number 177.'

Jiang Yan rolled his eyes. He was speechless; what kind of 'talents' had he run into?

Number 111 was a long way from 177.

No matter how the rounds went, they would have to go through twenty or thirty matches.

Who knew what would happen by then?

“I'm going up.”

Just as Jiang Yan was complaining internally, Liang Jian's voice suddenly rang out.

Ji Daofeng looked at him in shock: “Little Liang Jian, you're number 6?”

“I'm number 8,” Liang Jian said helplessly, showing his lot.

“Man, your luck...” Ji Daofeng shook his head helplessly.

Ma Zi's mindset was actually quite good now, and he shouted to Liang Jian, “Good luck!”

Liang Jian managed a forced smile, nodded, and walked toward Arena B.

Liang Jian's opponent was a female Menial Servant. The two didn't have any eye-catching Moves, relying instead on their own abilities to clash.

“He's going to win!” Ji Daofeng said, looking at the arena.

Jiang Yan was somewhat confused; he couldn't see where Liang Jian's advantage lay at all.

But in the next moment, Liang Jian's body flashed to the left, and his long sword immediately pricked the female Menial Servant's shoulder.

Specks of crimson dripped from her shoulder to the ground.

The female Menial Servant was somewhat unwilling, but she still stepped back and raised her hand: “I surrender.”

Seeing that the female Menial Servant really had lost, Jiang Yan looked at Ji Daofeng with a fair amount of shock.

“Want to know why?” Ji Daofeng seemed to read Jiang Yan's expression.

He didn't speak but nodded honestly.

Ji Daofeng explained seriously: “When attacking, that female Menial Servant's hand clearly trembled between her feet and the hand holding the sword. Perhaps it's because she has too much menial work, and it's become a habit. Or perhaps she has an internal injury, making her hand and foot reactions quite a bit slower.”

After hearing Ji Daofeng's explanation, he immediately fell into deep thought.

He closed his eyes and recalled the battle between Liang Jian and the female Menial Servant. For an instant, he seemed to grasp something, but it quickly slipped away.

“This kind of thing requires combat experience; memory and meditation alone are useless,” Ji Daofeng said, looking at Jiang Yan.

“Thank you,” Jiang Yan cupped his fists in gratitude.

He truly had to thank Ji Daofeng; if it weren't for the other's detailed explanation, he really wouldn't have noticed.

As for actual combat, that was indeed what he lacked.

After all, killing Spirit Beasts was different from fighting people; the two modes were fundamentally different.

“Hehe, I've returned after a narrow victory!”

Liang Jian ran toward Jiang Yan and the others with a cheerful smile.