191: Competition Rules

Yao Delong seemed oblivious to the gazes coming from all directions.

With an expression as calm as water, he walked straight toward the preparation area reserved for Core Disciples.

That composure and that steady focus, ignoring the clamor, added a few more layers to his unfathomable aura.

Just then, above the martial arts arena, the melodious sound of a bell rang out once more, tolling nine times, its sound shaking the clouds!

The bell's toll contained a peculiar rhythm, instantly suppressing the noise of the entire crowd.

A vast, majestic aura, like the might of heaven, spread from the central seat of the high platform.

The current Sect Head of the Yin Yang Sect, White Cloud Master, slowly rose.

He wore a black Daoist robe, his face was lean and refined, and his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, as if they contained the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

He did not intentionally release any pressure, but simply by standing there,

he seemed like the center of the entire world, causing everyone's mind to involuntarily settle down and give rise to a sense of awe.

"Silence."

White Cloud Master's voice was peaceful, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present, as if it were sounding from the depths of their hearts.

The entire martial arts plaza instantly became so quiet that a dropped needle could be heard.

White Cloud Master's gaze slowly swept across the dense crowd below,

finally landing on the Core Disciple area, his voice carrying a hint of expectation:

"The ranking of Core Disciples is a grand event for our Yin Yang Sect to select its pillars and temper their Dao Hearts.

Today, four hundred and thirty Core Disciples are gathered here; it is truly a blessing for the Sect."

He paused slightly, his gaze seemingly inadvertently lingering on Yao Delong for a moment before moving on, continuing:

"Twenty-eight are absent, either due to important Sect missions abroad or being in seclusion at a critical point on their path; this is understandable.

However, Opportunity must be seized at every moment; today's stage belongs to those of you present!"

As his words fell, an invisible sense of encouragement spread out,

causing all the Core Disciples to perk up, Battle Intent igniting in their eyes.

White Cloud Master nodded slightly, gesturing toward an old man beside him who wore a purple-gold Daoist robe and possessed an aura as deep as the ocean.

The inner court Grand Elder, Venerable Ziyang, stepped forward, his voice like a great bell echoing throughout the arena:

Phase One: Forty-Three Tiangang Group Ranking Battle (430 into 100)

Grouping Rules: 430 Disciples will be randomly divided into 10 small groups (43 people per group),

with seeded Disciples (the top twenty from previous years) distributed among the groups.

Combat Rules: Disciples within a group will face off in pairs; winners and those with a bye will receive 1 point.

Time Limit Mechanism: Each match lasts one stick of incense (15 minutes). If no winner is decided, both are judged to have lost.

The use of external items that briefly increase cultivation or combat power is prohibited. The top 10 in points from each group will advance (tie-breaker matches for equal points).

Phase Two: Nether Secret Realm Life and Death Tribulation (100 into 20)

The Secret Realm spans a thousand miles, and Disciples will be randomly deployed. The circle will shrink every hour (poisonous mist spreading at the boundaries), forcing combat.

Elimination Rules and Life-Protecting jade talisman: Disciples will wear a jade talisman; if they suffer a fatal injury or shout "I surrender," they will be teleported out and eliminated.

Ranking Determination: 51st to 100th place: Ranking determined by the time of elimination.

Point System: 1 point for every person eliminated. 20th to 50th place: Ranking determined by points at the time of elimination.

If points are tied, ranking is determined by the order of elimination time.

Phase Conclusion: When 20 people remain, the tolling of the Heavenly Sound Bell will announce the closure of the Secret Realm.

Points will be simultaneously projected onto the Firmament Rankings (visible to the entire Sect).

Phase Three: Prodigy Positioning Battle (20 into 10)

11th to 20th place: Directly ranked by Secret Realm points. Those with equal points will enter an illusionary arena to determine their rank.

Battle for the Top Ten: Secret Realm points are reset. The ten people will draw lots to be divided into five groups for combat. Winners advance directly to the top five; losers enter the revival group.

Phase Four: Ten Directions Heavenly Palace Cauldron Battle

Top Five Round-Robin: Each person fights four matches. A win earns 3 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss 0 points. The top three in points advance to the ultimate battle.

Revival Melee: A five-person free-for-all; the last one standing joins the top three in the final struggle.

Top Three Melee

Four people will duel on a floating island; alliances are permitted.

The order of the last ones standing will be the final ranking.

Venerable Ziyang's tone shifted as he announced the rewards, and the atmosphere of the entire martial arts arena was instantly ignited!

"For this ranking, the rewards are as follows!"

"First Place: One low-grade heavenly artifact Magic Treasure! One hundred thousand Sect contribution points! One entry for the exploration of the ancient Secret Realm, 'Burial God Abyss'!"

"Second Place: One top-grade earth artifact Magic Treasure! Eighty thousand Sect contribution points! One entry for the exploration of the ancient Secret Realm, 'Burial God Abyss'!"

"Third Place: One top-grade earth artifact Magic Treasure! Fifty thousand Sect contribution points! One entry for the exploration of the ancient Secret Realm, 'Burial God Abyss'!"

"Fourth to Tenth Place: One High Grade earth artifact Magic Treasure! Thirty thousand Sect contribution points! One entry for the exploration of the ancient Secret Realm, 'Burial God Abyss'!"

"Eleventh to Fiftieth Place: One Medium Grade earth artifact Magic Treasure! Ten thousand Sect contribution points!"

"Fifty-first to One Hundredth Place: One Low Grade earth artifact Magic Treasure! Five thousand Sect contribution points!"

Boom—!

Once the rewards were announced, the entire martial arts arena completely boiled over!

"A heavenly artifact?! Did I hear that right? First place gets a heavenly artifact Magic Treasure?!"

"Hiss—one hundred thousand contribution points! How many years of missions would it take to save up that much?"

"Burial God Abyss? What kind of Secret Realm is that? It actually requires an exploration qualification?"

"The top ten all get Secret Realm qualifications! These rewards... are unprecedented!"

"I'm giving it my all! I have to go all out this time! Even if I can't get the heavenly artifact, making it into the top ten is a massive Opportunity!"

Exclamations, discussions, and the sound of people drawing in sharp breaths rose one after another.

The eyes of all the Core Disciples turned red, their breathing became heavy,

and the way they looked at those around them carried an intense sense of competition.

A heavenly artifact Magic Treasure! That was a supreme treasure enough to make even Nascent Soul Stage experts' hearts race with envy!

Not to mention those hundred thousand contribution points and the mysterious ancient Secret Realm qualification!

Upon the high platform, the various Peak Masters had differing expressions.

A flash of realization crossed the beautiful eyes of Water Moon Fairy Liu Yue, and she whispered to Cang Yunyao beside her:

"Burial God Abyss... It seems the Sect and the Moyang Sect side have finally reached an agreement."

Cang Yunyao also nodded with an excited expression, clearly knowing some of the inside story.

On the high platform, the Peak Master of Tuyao Peak, Black River of the Earth, had thoughts racing rapidly beneath his coarse and heroic face.

His gaze swept across the Disciple preparation area below, lingering on Meng Bi for a moment,

before he calmly sent a sound transmission to a lean-faced, steady-looking middle-aged man beside him—the Vice Peak Master of Tuyao Peak, Liu San.

"San-zi."

Black River of the Earth's voice rang directly in Liu San's Sea of Consciousness, carrying a hint of imperceptible solemnity,

"That brat Meng Bi is your Personal Disciple and also the heir to the Marquis Zhenyuan. There are some things this seat must remind you of."

Liu San's expression tightened, and he responded respectfully: "Please speak, Peak Master."

"This boy Yao Delong," Black River of the Earth's voice lowered a bit,

"you saw today how solid his Foundation is and how terrifying his potential is.

That look from Senior Brother Sect Head just now was full of meaning.

This boy has likely already been favored by the Sect Head; his future is limitless!"

He paused, his tone taking on a hint of warning:

"Also, regarding that group of Death Warriors outside the Sect last time... although there's no hard evidence, the fingers are pointing toward the Zhenyuan Marquiss Residence.

This matter can be large or small. You'd best advise that precious student of yours not to let jealousy cloud his mind again and go provoke that Yao Delong!"

Liu San's heart jolted, and fine beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

He had taken Meng Bi as a Disciple because he valued the influence of the Zhenyuan Marquiss Residence behind him,

but if he were to offend a future pillar of the Sect who was favored by the Sect Head and had infinite potential,

or even be implicated in the serious crime of assassinating a fellow Disciple, it would definitely not be worth the cost!

He hurriedly transmitted back: "Rest assured, Peak Master, I understand! I will strictly restrain Meng Bi!"