48: Chapter 1: Strange Sect Meeting

The next morning, the Azure Profound Sect's main hall was filled with the lingering scent of sandalwood, as the seven main peak Masters and core Elders gathered.

Xuan Yangzi sat in the main seat and cleared his throat.

"Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers, I have called everyone here today to announce an important matter."

The hall instantly fell silent, and more than a dozen gazes focused on him.

Xuan Yangzi did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"I have decided that the Sect Grand Competition, originally scheduled for three months from now, will be moved forward to one month from now."

As soon as his words fell, there was an initial silence in the hall, followed by a low murmur.

"Moved forward? Why such a rush?"

An Elder frowned, "The Disciples probably won't have enough time to prepare."

"That's right, the cultivation plans for each peak are scheduled until the end of the year..."

Another Elder chimed in.

Just then, Shi Wanshan suddenly said in a gruff voice, "I think moving it forward is good! The kids from Qingyue Peak have been itching for a fight for a while now, this is a good chance for them to practice!"

Before anyone could react, Li Muran stroked his beard and spoke, his voice gentle yet firm.

"Senior Brother Shi is right. Dan Ding Peak recently refined a new batch of Medicinal Pills, it's a good Opportunity for the Disciples to test their effects before the Grand Competition. I agree."

Ye Guying followed closely, his words concise: "I agree."

"Seconded."

"We'll follow the Sect Master's arrangements entirely."

The six peak Masters spoke in unison, their tones revealing a rare understanding.

Xuan Yangzi watched the scene of unanimous agreement, his fingertips subtly curled beneath the table, and he let out a smug hmph in his heart.

Heh, this trick really works! A few Marrow Cleansing Pills got these old fellows, who usually argue until their faces turn red, to be so obedient.

In the past, they would argue for half a day just to adjust the competition schedule, but today they seemed to have conspired beforehand, how satisfying!

Now it was the Elders' turn to be completely bewildered.

One must know, in previous years, let alone moving the Grand Competition forward, even just adjusting the competition rules would cause the peak Masters to argue fiercely.

But today, it was as if they were under a spell, not a single person objected?

Not only were the Elders bewildered, but even the peak Masters themselves were stunned.

As soon as Shi Wanshan agreed, Li Muran interjected, and then he saw Ye Guying also nodding, the flesh on his round face stiffening for half a second.

He spoke in a hurry, originally intending to get ahead before others could object, but he didn't expect these guys, who usually opposed each other, to follow so quickly.

At this moment, the hall was so quiet that only the faint sound of sandalwood burning could be heard. The six peak Masters looked at each other, and no one spoke first?

But in their hearts, they were all wondering, these old foxes, could they have also received some benefits?

Subsequently, everyone began to discuss the rewards and details of the Grand Competition.

When Xuan Yangzi announced that the first-place winner of this Grand Competition would receive a Heaven-Grade weapon, the hall fell silent again, the Elders' faces filled with surprise, and even the peak Masters raised their eyebrows slightly.

Heaven-Grade weapons had always been the Azure Profound Sect's treasured possessions, and the Sect Master was willing to offer one as a reward this time, showing how much importance he placed on this Grand Competition.

Xuan Yangzi suppressed the smile in his eyes and sternly surveyed the crowd.

"Since all the peak Masters have no objections, then this matter is settled. After returning, each peak Master should prepare well and ensure that the Disciples give their all."

At the end of the meeting, the Elders exchanged glances, gathering in twos and threes to whisper:

"Something's not right, very not right... Peak Master Shi didn't even argue with the Sect Master today?"

"Not just that, look at Peak Master Li, the way he looked at the Sect Master just now, it was like looking at his own Junior Brother..."

"Could it be that something happened last night? How did the six peak Masters suddenly become of one mind?"

...A bell chime pierced through the clouds and mist of the Azure Profound Sect, and Xuan Yangzi's voice, amplified by spiritual power, spread across the seven peaks.

"All Disciples, listen! The Sect Grand Competition will be held one month earlier! All Sect Disciples may participate!"

The Disciples who were morning training in the square instantly erupted into a commotion. Someone's spear clattered to the ground, while others rubbed their ears, thinking they had misheard.

There were still three or four months until the originally scheduled Grand Competition, so why was it suddenly moved forward?

"This Grand Competition aims to select outstanding Disciples in advance for重點training, in preparation for next year's Seven Sects Grand Competition."

"Please prepare well, all Disciples. On a side note, this year's Grand Competition rewards are even more generous than in previous years."

"Work hard, youths!"

Before his words finished, a deafening cheer erupted from the crowd.

"Last year's Sect Grand Competition first place was a Low Grade Earth-Grade weapon. This year is more generous than previous years, so will a Medium Grade Earth-Grade treasure appear?"

A Disciple couldn't help but speculate.

"I heard it's more than that. Yesterday, I vaguely heard a peak Master say that it's not just one Medium Grade Earth-Grade treasure, and that the first-place reward is very mysterious."

"Hiss, could it be a High Grade Earth-Grade treasure..."

Many Disciples discussed animatedly.

Leaving aside the mysterious first-place reward, just a Medium Grade Earth-Grade treasure held immense appeal for Disciples.

Treasure Ranks, from low to high, were: Yellow-Grade, Profound-Grade, Earth-Grade, Heaven-Grade, King-Grade, Saint-Grade... Ordinary Disciples only possessed Yellow-Grade weapons.

Only Personal Disciples of peak Masters and major Geniuses might possess Profound-Grade weapons.

As for Earth-Grade treasures, they were already extremely rare.

Some Elders in the Purple Mansion Realm or even Cave Heaven Realm did not possess Earth-Grade weapons.

This was enough to show the appeal of Earth-Grade treasures to Disciples.

A young man dressed in outer Sect attire clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

"I'll go all out! Even if I have to shed a layer of skin, I'll charge into the top three!"

"Stop dreaming, Lu Chenyu of Zhenyue Peak is already in the Core Formation Realm, and you've just reached Foundation Establishment..."

"So what? Maybe I can create a miracle!"

Amidst the waves of discussion, Disciples from all peaks had red eyes. The originally relaxed morning training turned into frantic hard cultivation.

Some practiced punches with huge boulders, while others meditated facing waterfalls.

Even the usually laziest Utility Disciple of Dan Ding Peak ran to the spiritual fields with their medicine baskets, hoping to accumulate more Body Tempering Pills.

For a time, the Core Disciples of the major peaks were even more eager, striving to secure a place in the top three.

On Qingyue Peak, Shi Wanshan pulled Lin Mochen and Shi Jingxian in front of him: "I don't ask you to get first place, just get second or third."

Lin Mochen was startled: "Master, why?"

"Why?"

Shi Wanshan tapped his head.

"Do you know why I always made you hide your cultivation until the Early Stage of the Core Formation Realm?"

"A tall tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind!"

"Didn't you see that old fox from Qingyun Peak running to Zizhu Peak every now and then? Li Xuanfeng's cultivation is probably at who-knows-what Realm now, we won't contend for first place."

He paused, a calculating smile playing on the corner of his lips.

"But second and third, you must get them for me! It won't be in vain that I accompanied you to Zizhu Peak for a night."

As soon as he said this, Shi Jingxian and Lin Mochen couldn't help but laugh.

Recalling the day they were hung from a bamboo branch by spirit-binding vines, although it was a sorry sight, they had gained a heaven-shaking Opportunity at Zizhu Peak. Which Disciples from other peaks had such an Opportunity?

Even if they had to be hung for another three days and three nights, they would be willing.

"Remember," Shi Wanshan's expression suddenly turned serious.

"Unless absolutely necessary, don't expose your true cultivation. Once you get the prizes, I'll take you to Zizhu Peak to thank your Master — and by the way, snag some good tea to drink."

The last sentence was spoken very softly, but it made the two Disciples' eyes light up.

The scent of Medicinal Pills on Dan Ding Peak was mixed with the smell of gunpowder.

Li Muran leisurely played with a Pill Furnace in his hand and said slowly: "During the Grand Competition, all Medicinal Pills from Dan Ding Peak will be openly supplied."

The Disciples surrounding him were about to cheer when they heard him change his tone.

"But there's one condition: whoever dares to disgrace Dan Ding Peak in the competition will not be allowed into the Pill Room for the next three years."

His fingertips flicked out three glistening white Medicinal Pills.

"Xiao Wan, we alchemists are not good at combat. If you can enter the top five, these three Purple Flame Pills will be reserved for you to use when you Breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm."

The girl with double buns in her hair brightened her eyes and bowed in response: "This Disciple will not fail!"

In the bamboo forest of Jianxiao Peak, Mu Chenyu drew his sword, and his Sword Qi instantly split a giant rock ten zhang away.

Ye Guying walked over: "Chenyu, you have now reached the Middle Stage of the Core Formation Realm, but your 'Flowing Cloud Sword Art' is still missing its final stance. Strive to comprehend it before the Grand Competition and bring back a top three for me."

Mu Chenyu put away his long sword, exuding an indomitable Aura: "This Disciple will never fail Master's command!"