57: Chapter 57 The Competition Begins

At the center of the training grounds, ten arenas had been erected, each a hundred zhang in size.

The arenas were reinforced with Formations on the outside, and a transparent light barrier enveloped each one.

This served to cushion the impact of falls and prevent Qi from leaking out and accidentally harming spectators.

At this moment, the participating Disciples from each main peak had already gathered below the arenas, with the Personal Disciple of each Peak Master leading their respective teams.

Li Xuanfeng of Qingyun Peak, Lu Chenyu of Zhenyue Peak, Lin Mochen and Shi Jingxian of Qingyue Peak, Lin Xiaowan of Dan Ding Peak, Mu Chenyu of Jianxiao Peak, Yun Qingjue of Flying Cloud Peak, Su Qingyuan of Sunset Glow Peak... The Genius Disciples of Azure Profound Sect's younger generation were all gathered here, and even those Disciples who had been out on training expeditions had rushed back before the Grand Competition.

The annual Sect Grand Competition was a major event for Azure Profound Sect.

The stands were already packed with people, and the clamor of nearly ten thousand Disciples almost seemed to overturn the sky.

The Outer Sect Disciples stood on tiptoes, craning their necks forward, whispering and pointing at the Core Disciples beside the arenas, occasionally letting out gasps of amazement.

Those who could stand at the edge of the arenas were all carefully selected experts from each peak, with the lowest cultivation being at the Middle Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

When Gu Changge's figure appeared at the entrance of the training grounds, many people looked at the three of them.

His plain white Daoist robe was too eye-catching; even amidst the crowd, he seemed to be uniquely bathed in moonlight.

Gu Changge walked forward casually, while Little Black Bird perched on his shoulder, preening its feathers, occasionally tilting its head to peck at his dangling hair.

"It's Peak Master Gu of Zizhu Peak!"

Someone in the stands recognized Gu Changge and cried out in a low voice.

"Those two behind him... are they going to participate in the Grand Competition?"

The discussions rippled out like stones thrown into a lake.

Everyone's gaze fell upon Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu.

Both of them employed the Cannot See Through Me Cultivation Technique, their cultivation restrained, making it impossible for others to discern their true strength.

The former carried a long halberd, its tip glinting dully in the sunlight.

The latter held an inconspicuous longsword, yet his eyes were exceptionally sharp.

Gu Changge walked directly to the highest viewing platform, where Xuan Yangzi had already risen with a smile to greet him.

Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu, on the other hand, passed through the crowd and headed straight for the waiting area beside the arenas; compared to the orderly teams of the various peaks, their figures appeared particularly solitary.

"Isn't that Xiao Ruobai?"

A young Disciple from Dan Ding Peak suddenly exclaimed.

"He joined the Sect with me three months ago; back then, he only had Low Grade Aptitude!"

"Low Grade Aptitude dares to step onto the arena?"

A burly man from Qingyue Peak couldn't help but ask, "Peak Master Gu himself is only at the Foundation Establishment Realm; he can't turn a stubborn stone into a precious jade, can he?"

"To dare to challenge the Grand Competition just three months after joining the Sect, he's probably here to make a fool of himself."

The female Disciples of Sunset Glow Peak covered their mouths and snickered.

Even more surprising was Fang Hanyu.

"Who is this kid? When did Zizhu Peak take on another Disciple?"

"Never seen him before. He doesn't even have a decent Dharma robe. He's probably just been recruited from down the mountain, hasn't he?"

The discussions grew louder, even drawing sidelong glances from the Personal Disciples of the various peaks.

However, the Personal Disciples, who had been with their Peak Masters for many years, were somewhat aware of Gu Changge's mysterious nature.

"Junior Brother Xiao, over here!"

Lin Mochen of Qingyue Peak was the first to spot the two. He had just emerged from the preparation area on the other side of the training grounds, still holding his customary profound iron axe. Seeing Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu approach, he immediately waved with a smile.

Having been hung upside down for half the night on Zizhu Peak last time, though he was in a sorry state, he had gained a Heaven-Defying Opportunity that could change his destiny. Naturally, he felt a bit closer to this Junior Martial Uncle Gu's Personal Disciple.

The Personal Disciples from the other main peaks also nodded in greeting.

"Greetings, Senior Brothers," Xiao Ruobai responded with a clear voice, cupping his hands.

Shi Jingxian asked, "Junior Brother Xiao, who is this?"

His gaze fell on Fang Hanyu; seeing him appear with Xiao Ruobai, he had already guessed most of it.

"This is Junior Brother Fang Hanyu, also a new Disciple taken in by Master," Xiao Ruobai introduced, turning slightly.

"I ask for much guidance from all Senior Brothers!" Fang Hanyu replied.

His fingertips unconsciously caressed the hilt of the Primordial Sword, the Chaos patterns on its sheath faintly visible in the sunlight.

"So it's Junior Brother Fang, I've heard much about you."

Lin Mochen laughed heartily. Although he hadn't met Fang Hanyu, he had heard some rumors from his Master, Shi Wanshan.

He knew that Junior Martial Uncle Gu had recently taken another Disciple.

"A few days ago, my Master mentioned that Junior Martial Uncle Gu had taken a new Disciple. Seeing him today, his demeanor is indeed extraordinary."

The Personal Disciples gathered around the two, chatting as if they were fellow Disciples who had known each other for years, showing no contempt despite their recent entry into the Sect.

This scene, observed from the viewing stands, immediately left many Disciples bewildered.

"Who exactly is this person surnamed Fang? From Senior Brother Lin's words, he's also Peak Master Gu's Disciple? When did Zizhu Peak have two Personal Disciples?"

The murmurs gradually changed, infused with more doubt and inquiry.

In the stands, Gu Changge took all of this in.

"Junior Brother Changge, how much strength do your two Disciples intend to reveal...?" Xuan Yangzi hesitated, his words trailing off.

Gu Changge took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Let's wait and see."

No sooner had he spoken than the gong in the center of the square was suddenly struck, its deep sound piercing through all the clamor. The spirit gathering Formation patterns on the ten arenas simultaneously lit up—the Sect Grand Competition was about to begin.

On the high platform in the center of the training grounds, Azure Profound Sect's Grand Elder cleared his throat, his surrounding Qi subtly surging, transmitting his voice throughout the entire square: "All Disciples, quiet down!"

The clamor instantly subsided, and all eyes focused on the high platform.

The Grand Elder surveyed his surroundings and announced in a clear voice, "After screening by each peak, there are a total of sixty-four participants in this Sect Grand Competition, all of whom are carefully selected Genius Disciples from their respective peaks."

He paused, then continued, "This Grand Competition will adopt a one-on-one duel format. Winners advance, losers are eliminated, until the final rankings are decided."

"During the competition, stop at the appropriate moment; malicious injury is not permitted. However, swords and blades have no eyes, so everyone must be fully prepared."

The rules were simple and clear; the Disciples had long anticipated them, and their faces showed expressions of anticipation.

The Grand Elder's tone shifted, becoming somewhat solemn: "Next, I will announce the rewards for this Grand Competition!"

The Disciples in the square instantly held their breath, their eyes wide, not daring to even breathe.

"First place will be rewarded with one Heaven-Grade weapon and ten Heaven Spirit Pills!"

As soon as the words fell, the training grounds instantly erupted into a frenzy, with discussions rising and falling.

"What? The first-place reward is a Heaven-Grade weapon?"

"I didn't mishear, did I? It's actually a Heaven-Grade treasure!"

"Oh my heavens, that's a Heaven-Grade weapon! There are only a few in the entire Azure Profound Sect, and they're actually using one as a reward for the Grand Competition!"

Why is the Sect Master so generous this year?

The Disciples all showed expressions of surprise, their discussions surging like a tide.

One must know that Heaven-Grade treasures are incomparably precious, existing as peak-guarding treasures within Azure Profound Sect. It is usually difficult to even catch a glimpse of one, yet now it was being offered as the first-place reward for the Grand Competition. How could it not shock people?