62: Chapter 62 Outer Sect Competition: A Stunning Debut

The morning bell rang throughout the Yaoguang Holy Land.

Lin Ye stood before the registration office for Outer Sect Disciples, clutching a bronze token in his hand. The front of the token was engraved with the big dipper pattern, while the back bore the four Seal characters "Outer Sect · Lin Ye." This was his official proof of identity in the Yaoguang Holy Land and also his pass to enter the Outer Sect area.

"Senior Brother Lin, these are your Outer Sect Disciple robes, basic supplies, and this month's cultivation quota." The deacon Disciple responsible for registration spoke respectfully, offering a Storage Pouch with both hands.

Lin Ye took it and swept his Divine Sense inside.

Inside the Storage Pouch were three sets of moon-white Outer Sect Disciple robes with silver edges (Attributes: Defense +50, Spirit Power recovery speed +10%), a bottle containing ten "Qi Gathering Medicinal Pills" (Grade 3 Medicinal Pill, each can restore 500 points of Divine Power), and one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. In addition, there was a copy of "Rules for Outer Sect Disciples" and a volume of "Basic Knowledge of the Holy Land."

"Outer Sect Disciples are required to complete at least one Sect mission per month, with a base contribution of one hundred points." The deacon Disciple added, "Furthermore, today is the last day to sign up for the monthly tournament. If Senior Brother Lin is interested, you can go to the 'Martial Arts Practice Hall' to sign up. The top three in the tournament receive generous rewards; the first place can obtain five thousand contribution points and a chance to enter the 'Scripture Pavilion Second Floor' to select a Cultivation Technique."

"Monthly tournament?" Lin Ye's heart stirred.

According to the memories of his past life, the monthly tournament of the Yaoguang Holy Land was indeed an important way for Outer Sect Disciples to quickly obtain resources. However, usually, only those old Disciples who had settled in the Outer Sect for months or even years would participate, while newcomers often chose to wait and see.

"Yes, it happens once a month, and all Outer Sect Disciples can participate." The deacon Disciple explained, "The tournament is divided into three stages: preliminary, semi-finals, and finals. The preliminary is a chaotic battle, one hundred people per match, with the top ten advancing to the semi-finals. The semi-finals are a knockout tournament, and the finals are a ring challenge format."

Lin Ye pondered for a moment and nodded: "I will sign up."

He was in urgent need of contribution points now. He had spent almost all his points exchanging for supplies earlier, and subsequent cultivation, equipment reinforcement, and faction development all required massive amounts of contribution points to support. Five thousand points were enough to exchange for quite a few good things.

More importantly, the Opportunity to choose a Cultivation Technique on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion—although he already had "Yaoguang Footwork" and "Big Dipper True Scripture," one could never have too many Cultivation Techniques and secret arts. Especially those secret arts with special uses, which could have miraculous effects in specific situations.

"Very well, this is your entry token." The deacon Disciple handed over a wooden token, "The preliminary round starts at noon, at Martial Arts Practice Field C. Please arrive on time."

Lin Ye took the token and left the registration office.

He did not return to Xuanwei Peak immediately but went to the "Free Trading Area" of the Outer Sect first. This place was much smaller in scale than the Inner Sect market, but it was more popular. Hundreds of Outer Sect Disciples were setting up stalls, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining were endless.

Lin Ye walked slowly, his gaze sweeping over the various stalls.

Most were low-level Materials, ordinary equipment, and basic Medicinal Pills. Occasionally, there were a few rare items, but they were priced outrageously high. After all, Outer Sect Disciples had limited resources, and even a little good stuff was treated like a treasure.

After strolling for half a circle, Lin Ye stopped at a stall in an inconspicuous corner.

The stall owner was a middle-aged man with a stubbly face, dozing off while holding a broken sword. The stall was scattered with a few pieces of Ore, a few herbs, and an old animal skin booklet.

Lin Ye's attention fell on that booklet.

The cover of the booklet was worn so badly that the handwriting was illegible, but dark golden patterns could be vaguely seen on the edges. He squatted down, picked up the booklet, and opened it.

[Incomplete Formation Diagram Notes (Special)]

Quality: Unknown

Effect: Records fragmented information of some ancient Formation, with incomplete content.

Description: Suspected to be the casual notes of a certain Formation Master, recording seventeen variations and three cracking ideas for the "Small Five Elements Formation." However, it lacks the key Formation layout method and Formation eye settings.

Learning Requirements: Formation knowledge ≥ 100 points

Available sale price: 50 contribution points or 200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones

Formation notes!

A flash of brilliance crossed Lin Ye's eyes. His Formation knowledge had just reached 100 points (Formation fragments obtained from the Bronze Ancient Palace + usual study), just meeting the learning requirements. And the name "Small Five Elements Formation" reminded him of the upcoming Five Elements Secret Realm—perhaps this Formation could be useful in the Secret Realm.

"How much for this?" Lin Ye asked.

The middle-aged man opened his eyes and glanced at the booklet: "One hundred contribution points, or five hundred Spirit Stones. No bargaining."

"Too expensive." Lin Ye shook his head, "This is just a fragment, and the content is only theoretical, without actual layout methods. Fifty contribution points, and I'll take it."

"Eighty, that's the lowest."

"Sixty. If not, I'm leaving." Lin Ye made a move to put down the booklet.

"Deal!" The middle-aged man said hurriedly, "Sixty contribution points, or equivalent Spirit Stones."

Lin Ye didn't have contribution points, but he had plenty of Spirit Stones. He took out six Mid-Grade Spirit Stones (1 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone = 100 Low-Grade Spirit Stones) from his Storage Pouch and handed them to the stall owner.

The middle-aged man's eyes lit up. He took the Spirit Stones, checked them carefully, and after confirming they were correct, he laughed: "Junior Brother is straightforward! This booklet is yours. But a word of advice, I've studied this thing for three months and didn't understand it; I hope you can gain something."

Lin Ye put away the booklet, said nothing more, and got up to leave.

He strolled for a while longer, using Spirit Stones to buy ten "Diamond Talismans" (temporarily increase defense by 30%, lasting 30 seconds) and five bottles of "Swift Wind Medicinal Pills" (temporarily increase movement speed by 20%, lasting 1 minute). These were all combat consumables, which might be useful in the tournament.

After doing this, Lin Ye returned to Xuanwei Peak and studied the newly bought Formation diagram notes in his bamboo house.

As the description said, the content of the notes was indeed incomplete. But that unknown Formation Master had profound attainments in the theoretical research of the "Small Five Elements Formation." The seventeen variations were deduced exquisitely, and the three cracking ideas were also very inspiring.

"Based on the Five Elements power of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, generating and overcoming each other, cycling endlessly..." Lin Ye deduced while reading, "Variation 1: Metal generates Water, turning into a Water Formation, mainly for trapping enemies; Variation 2: Water generates Wood, turning into a Wood Formation, mainly for recovery; Variation 3..."

Although the layout method was missing, these theories deepened his understanding of the Five Elements power significantly. More importantly, the notes mentioned a "Reverse Five Elements Breaking Formation" idea—when encountering a Five Elements Formation, if it cannot be broken by force, one can try to impact the Formation nodes with power of the opposite attribute to disrupt its balance.

"In the Five Elements Secret Realm, there might very well be natural or artificial Five Elements Formations. This booklet was worth buying." Lin Ye put the booklet into his Storage Pouch with satisfaction.

Time arrived at noon.

Lin Ye changed into his Outer Sect Disciple robes, hung the entry token at his waist, and headed to Martial Arts Practice Field C.

The Martial Arts Practice Field was located in the center of the Outer Sect area, a circular plaza with a diameter of one hundred zhang. The ground was paved with hard bluestone, and there were thirty-six stone pillars around it, carved with various battle scenes. At this moment, thousands of Outer Sect Disciples had already gathered around the plaza, and the noise was deafening.

When Lin Ye arrived, nearly a hundred people were already standing in the center of the plaza, all contestants for the preliminary round. He scanned them; these Disciples were between Rank 25 and Rank 35 (from Sea of Wheels Third Layer to Dao Palace First Layer), with uneven equipment, but everyone was full of Battle Intent.

"Noon has arrived!" A middle-aged Cultivator wearing deacon robes flew to the sky above the plaza, his voice resounding like a bell across the field, "Preliminary round for Field C, now begins! The rules are simple: A chaotic battle of one hundred people; any means can be used, but you cannot intentionally cause death. Those who fall and cannot stand up for ten breaths, those who surrender voluntarily, or those who are knocked out of the field are eliminated. The last ten people remaining on the field will advance to the semi-finals!"

"The competition—starts!"

As soon as the words fell, the hundred Disciples moved instantly!

In the Early Stages of the chaotic battle, most people chose to observe first or form temporary Alliances with people they knew. But there were also a few impatient ones who directly launched attacks at the nearest opponents.

Lin Ye stood in place without launching an attack.

He first spread his perception of the [Chaos Domain] within a range of three zhang around him—within this range, any movement could not escape his perception. Then, he silently operated the "Big Dipper True Scripture," and three big dipper star seals revolved slowly in his body, ready to erupt at any time.

"Kid, a newcomer, right? Surrender voluntarily to avoid getting hurt!" A rough voice sounded.

Lin Ye raised his eyes and saw a muscular man eight feet tall walking over. This man was Rank 31 (Dao Palace First Layer), holding a mountain-splitting axe (Blue quality, attack +180), his muscles knotted, obviously following the Body Cultivator path.

"It's 'Wild Bull' Wang Dali! This guy's strength attribute is said to exceed five hundred points!"

"That newcomer is going to be unlucky; Wang Dali likes bullying newcomers the most."

"It'll probably be over in one move."

Discussions came from all around.

Wang Dali walked to within three zhang of Lin Ye and grinned: "Looking at your tender skin and flesh, don't blame me for not warning you—with this axe of mine, you might have to lie in bed for three days."

Lin Ye's expression was calm: "Please."

"Looking for death!" A fierce light flashed in Wang Dali's eyes as he swung the mountain-splitting axe, rushing over like a wild bull!

His speed was not fast, but his Aura was amazing; every step he took on the ground made a dull sound. The distance of three zhang was covered in an instant, and the mountain-splitting axe, carrying a whistling wind, slashed down towards Lin Ye's head!

This axe fully erupted with his strength attribute! If an ordinary Dao Palace First Layer Cultivator took it head-on, they would lose at least half their life.

However, Lin Ye just slightly sidestepped.

The axe blade grazed his clothes and slashed onto the ground, blasting a crack in the bluestone.

Wang Dali was stunned, clearly not expecting Lin Ye to dodge so easily. He was about to change his move to a horizontal slash, but he saw that Lin Ye had already approached!

Without using a weapon, Lin Ye just raised his right hand, joined his index and middle fingers, and pointed gently at Wang Dali's chest.

[Chaos Finger]!

This finger seemed light and casual, but in reality, it condensed Chaos Divine Power and Star Power. The moment the fingertip touched Wang Dali's chest armor, a terrifying vibration force erupted!

"Bang!"

Wang Dali was hit as if by a heavy blow, flying backward, drawing an arc in the air, and falling heavily to the ground ten zhang away. The armor on his chest was dented with a finger mark, and his vitality dropped by one-third instantly!

"Cough, cough..." Wang Dali struggled to stand up, but his chest was in severe pain, and for a moment, he couldn't summon any strength.

The countdown began: one, two, three...

The surroundings were silent.

Everyone was stunned.

"One move? No, half a move?"

"Wang Dali is at the Peak of Dao Palace First Layer, a person in the top ten of the Outer Sect for strength!"

"Who is that newcomer? Never seen him!"

"Seems to be named Lin Ye... Wait, is it the Lin Ye who climbed to the top of the Heaven Ladder and triggered the Chaos omen?"

"It's him! I remember now, the one who was first in the trial overall!"

The discussions rose like a tide. Lin Ye's name spread rapidly among the Outer Sect Disciples.

Wang Dali lay on the ground, looking at the finger mark on his chest, full of disbelief. He gritted his teeth, but in the end, he couldn't stand up within ten breaths.

"Wang Dali, eliminated!" The deacon's voice sounded.

Lin Ye withdrew his finger, his expression normal. He had only used thirty percent of his strength for that finger just now. If he had erupted with full power, Wang Dali would have been at least seriously injured.

The preliminary round continued.

[part:gemini-3.0-flash]

After witnessing Lin Ye's strength, for a time, no one dared to approach him. The others continued their melee, with people constantly being knocked down, sent flying, or admitting defeat. The number of people in the field rapidly decreased.

Lin Ye was happy to take it easy, standing in place and observing the battles of others.

Among these Outer Sect Disciples, there were indeed several skilled individuals. For instance, a woman wielding dual swords whose swordplay was agile and movement was swift; she was Level 32 and had already defeated three people in a row. There was also a youth with a long spear whose spear technique was fierce, with every thrust aimed at vital points; he was Level 33.

Of course, there were also those trying to fish in troubled waters. A fat man hid in a corner with an "Invisibility Talisman" stuck to him, wanting to wait until the end to pick up easy wins. However, he was discovered by a Disciple with keen perception and was directly eliminated by a bolt of lightning.

Half an incense stick later, only fifteen people remained in the field.

Aside from Lin Ye, the other fourteen people faced each other warily. Those who could hold out until now were not weak, with the lowest having a Dao Palace Second Layer cultivation.

"Everyone, how about we first join forces to clear out this newcomer?" the woman wielding dual swords suddenly spoke up, her gaze fixed on Lin Ye. "This person's strength is unknown; leaving him is a variable."

"Agreed," the youth with the long spear nodded.

"I have no objection."

"Let's attack together!"

The fourteen people quickly reached a consensus and surrounded Lin Ye from different directions.

A commotion broke out outside the field.

"Fourteen against one? That's just too much bullying!"

"But the rules allow it; a melee is fundamentally about each person's own ability."

"Lin Ye is finished. No matter how strong he is, it's impossible to deal with fourteen experts at or above the Dao Palace Second Layer at the same time."

"What a pity, he could have advanced."

Lin Ye looked at the fourteen people closing in, a trace of Battle Intent flashing in his eyes.

Just right, he could use these people to test his newly learned 【Yaoguang Footwork】.

The first to launch an attack was the woman wielding dual swords. Her figure flashed, appearing like a ghost on Lin Ye's left side. Her dual swords thrust out in a cross, the tips blooming with an icy blue cold light—this was the effect of attached ice-attribute Dao arts, which could slow down an enemy.

"Frigid Ice Twin Piercers!"

Almost simultaneously, the spear-wielding youth advanced from the front, his spear thrusting out like a dragon straight for Lin Ye's chest. Lightning flickered on the spear tip, clearly carrying lightning-attribute Dao arts.

The other twelve people also used their own means: fireballs, Wind Blades, earth spikes, golden light... fourteen attacks struck from all directions, sealing off all space for evasion!

Many Disciples outside the field had already closed their eyes, unable to bear the sight of Lin Ye being instantly killed.

However, Lin Ye moved.

The moment the attacks were about to land, his figure suddenly blurred.

【Yaoguang Footwork: Starlight Accompanying】!

This was not simple movement, but a profound footwork that integrated the trajectories of the stars. Lin Ye's feet followed the big dipper positions, his body like a stream of light, weaving through the gaps of the dense attacks.

The ice swords grazed his clothes, the long spear struck an afterimage, and fireballs smashed into empty space... all fourteen attacks missed!

"What?!" the dual-sword woman's pupils contracted.

She couldn't see Lin Ye's movements at all; she only felt a blur before her eyes, and the target vanished. When she looked closely again, Lin Ye had already appeared thirty feet away, completely unharmed.

"What fast movement!"

"This footwork... could it be the Yaoguang Footwork? He's only been in the Outer Sect for a few days, how could he have mastered it?!"

"A monster!"

Exclamations rang out continuously from outside the field.

Lin Ye did not give his opponents a chance to catch their breath. He stepped off the ground and took the initiative to attack!

The target: the spear-wielding youth.

That youth's reactions were extremely fast; seeing Lin Ye rushing over, he immediately pulled back his spear to defend. The spear shaft rotated, forming a lightning barrier in front of him.

But Lin Ye's speed was too fast. The moment he was about to collide with the barrier, his figure suddenly turned like the refraction of starlight, circling to the youth's side.

The 【Chaos Finger】 struck again!

This time, Lin Ye added thirty percent more force.

*Puchi!*

His fingertip tapped under the youth's ribs. Violent Chaos Divine Power surged into the body, instantly shattering the youth's protective Qi. The youth let out a muffled groan, the long spear slipped from his hand, and he was sent flying diagonally, falling unconscious by the time he hit the ground.

"Senior Brother Li!"

"Next." Lin Ye's voice was calm as his gaze turned toward the dual-sword woman.

The woman's face turned pale, but she gritted her teeth and raised her swords to attack again. This time, she poured all her Qi into the dual swords, the blades emitting a bone-chilling cold Aura.

"Icebound for a Thousand Miles!"

This was her strongest killing move, where ice-attribute Dao arts erupted with full force, a cold tide surging toward Lin Ye like a wave. Everywhere it passed, the ground froze, and the air temperature plummeted.

If it were the previous Lin Ye, he might have had to use some effort to deal with it. But now...

Lin Ye pressed his left hand down, and the myriad things mother qi cauldron embryo in his Dantian vibrated.

A wisp of myriad mother qi descended, transforming into a pale yellow light screen that protected his entire body.

The cold tide crashed against the light screen like waves hitting a reef, shattering with a roar. The light screen remained motionless, without even a trace of frost adhering to it.

"Impossible!" the woman cried out.

myriad mother qi, impervious to all arts! Moreover, this was only an ice-attribute Dao art at the Dao Palace level.

Lin Ye took a step forward, passing through the cold mist that had not yet dissipated, and appeared before the woman. With no extra movements, he simply pressed his fingers together like a sword and tapped her shoulder.

The woman groaned and stumbled back, her dual swords falling. She wanted to fight again, but the sharp pain from her shoulder left her unable to even raise her arm.

"I surrender," the woman said through gritted teeth.

With even the two strongest people defeated in an instant, the remaining twelve people completely lost their will to fight.

"I surrender!"

"I surrender too!"

"Stop fighting..."

In the blink of an eye, Lin Ye was the only one left standing on the field.

The Deacon Cultivator took a deep look at Lin Ye and announced loudly: "The preliminary round for Arena C has ended. The winner: Lin Ye!"

Sparse applause rang out, but there was more shock and discussion.

Lin Ye walked down from the Martial Arts Practice Field and was immediately surrounded by a crowd.

"Senior Brother Lin, what footwork did you use just now? It was too amazing!"

"Senior Brother Lin, I am the Outer Sect representative for the Tian Alliance. I would like to invite you to join our Alliance, with excellent benefits!"

"Senior Brother Lin, I'm from the 'Sword Pavilion'..."

"Senior Brother Lin..."

Lin Ye politely declined each one and squeezed out of the crowd.

The preliminary round was over, and the tournament phase would take place in an hour. He did not return to Xuanwei Peak but instead meditated in a quiet room near the Martial Arts Practice Field.

The previous battle didn't consume much, but the coordination between 【Yaoguang Footwork】 and 【Chaos Finger】 still needed further refinement. Specifically, the turns and speed changes of the footwork, as well as the connection with the rhythm of his attacks, still had room for improvement.

An hour passed quickly.

The tournament used an elimination system. Sixteen contestants (ten winners from each preliminary arena, but Arena C only had Lin Ye advance, making ninety-one actual winners, which was filled up to sixteen for the final bracket through drawing lots) drew lots to determine their opponents. Winners entered the top eight, then the top four, and finally the champion was decided.

The first opponent Lin Ye drew was the champion from Arena A, a Sword Cultivator named "Han Feng."

Han Feng, Level 35 (Dao Palace Third Layer), specialized in the Qingming Sword Art. His weapon was an Azure Longsword (Purple quality, Attack +320, with a "Wind Blade" effect). He was quite famous among the Outer Sect Disciples and was said to have once defeated an Inner Sect Disciple at the Dao Palace Fourth Layer while being at a lower level.

On the stage, the two stood facing each other.

"Junior Brother Lin Ye, I watched your match just now," Han Feng said, bowing with his sword in an elegant manner. "Your footwork is exquisite and your finger technique is fierce. However, a Sword Cultivator's attack range is wider; your footwork might not be able to completely avoid everything."

Lin Ye returned the bow: "Please advise me, Senior Brother Han."

The referee announced the start.

Han Feng indeed wasted no words and directly drew his sword!

The moment the Azure Longsword left its scabbard, a wild wind rose on the stage. Invisible Wind Blades were hidden within the wind, slashing at Lin Ye from various angles.

This was not a simple Dao art, but a combination of swordplay and wind-attribute Dao arts. Every Wind Blade contained fierce Sword Qi, and their cutting power was startling.

Lin Ye performed the Yaoguang Footwork, weaving through the gaps between the Wind Blades. But this time, he felt the pressure.

The Wind Blades were too dense, and Han Feng's sword was constantly locked onto his Aura. No matter how he moved, that Azure Longsword would thrust toward his intended path in the next second.

"Is this the locking ability of a Sword Cultivator?" Lin Ye felt a sense of awe in his heart.

He tried to use his Chaos Domain to interfere, but Han Feng's Divine Sense was not weak, so the impact was limited.

"I can't just keep dodging."

Lin Ye made a judgment, and with a flip of his right hand, a black long spear appeared in his grip.

This was the 【Bronze War Spear】 (Blue quality, Attack +240) obtained from the Bronze Ancient Palace, which he hadn't used much. But now, facing Han Feng's long-range suppression, he needed a long weapon to fight for a chance to close in.

*Clang!*

Spear and sword collided, sparks flying everywhere.

Han Feng's swordplay was indeed superb, with every strike accurately aiming at Lin Ye's vitals. But Lin Ye's spear technique was not weak either—with three hundred years of combat experience from his previous life, he had dabbled in all kinds of weapons. Although his spear technique wasn't a specialty, his foundation was solid.

The two fought fiercely on the stage, spear shadows and sword light intertwining, with the sound of air explosions echoing incessantly.

The audience outside the field watched without blinking.

"Senior Brother Han's swordplay has improved again; this 'Wind Shadow Sword' has reached Major Achievement!"

"Lin Ye isn't weak either; he can actually trade blows with Senior Brother Han without falling into a disadvantage."

"But his spear technique is clearly not as proficient as his swordplay. He's bound to lose given enough time."

Just as the audience expected, after thirty moves, Lin Ye's spear technique began to show openings.

Han Feng seized the Opportunity, his sword piercing through the spear shadows and pointing straight at Lin Ye's throat!

"It's over," confidence flashed in Han Feng's eyes.

However, just as the sword tip was about to touch skin, Lin Ye's figure suddenly vanished.

It wasn't movement, but true disappearance!

【Void Step】!

This was the first time Lin Ye had used a secret technique from the Void Scripture in public. Although it was only a short-distance teleportation, it was enough to change the course of the battle at a critical moment.

Han Feng's sword struck empty air, and his expression changed drastically. He immediately pulled back his sword to defend, but it was already too late.

Lin Ye appeared thirty feet behind him, his left hand grasping empty air as a wisp of myriad mother qi condensed into a whip, lashing toward Han Feng's back!

Han Feng reacted extremely quickly, swinging his sword back to slash at the Qi whip.

But how could myriad mother qi be so easily severed? The Qi whip collided with the long sword, producing the sound of clashing metal. Han Feng only felt a massive force transmit through, splitting his thumb web, and the long sword almost slipped from his hand!

He used the force to rush forward, wanting to put some distance between them. But Lin Ye was like a shadow following him, his Yaoguang Footwork fully deployed, catching up in an instant.

This time, Lin Ye did not use the spear again but instead pressed his fingers together like a sword.

【Chaos Finger: Double Strength】!

A finger tapped Han Feng's back.

The first layer of strength surged into the body, shattering the protective Qi; the second layer of strength erupted within, jolting the internal organs!

Han Feng spat out a mouthful of blood, staggering forward several steps, only managing to stay upright by leaning on his sword. His face was pale, his internal breath was in disarray, and he had lost the ability to fight further.

"I... surrender," Han Feng said with difficulty.

The referee announced: "Lin Ye wins, advancing to the top eight!"

The crowd outside the field was in an uproar.

"What was that just now? Teleportation?"

"A space-type secret technique! This Lin Ye actually knows a space secret technique!"

"Just how many trump cards does he have?!"

Lin Ye retracted his spear and cupped his fists toward Han Feng: "Thank you for the match."

Han Feng smiled bitterly: "Junior Brother Lin was hiding his strength; I am truly impressed." He paused and lowered his voice, "However, I must remind you that the next opponents will get stronger and stronger, especially 'Lei Zhen' and 'Liu Ruyan.' Both are at the Dao Palace Fourth Layer and possess special Physiques."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."

In the quarter-finals, Lin Ye's opponent was a Disciple who excelled in earth-attribute Dao arts, Level 34. This person's defense was extremely strong, with a yellowish-brown light shield enveloping his body that ordinary attacks simply couldn't break through.

But Lin Ye found a way to counter it—using Chaos Divine Power to simulate the fire attribute (fire counters earth), and then combining it with the 【Chaos Fire】 skill, he forcefully burned through the opponent's defense.

In the semi-finals, the opponent was "Liu Ruyan," whom Han Feng had mentioned, a female Cultivator possessing the "Wood Spirit Physique." The Wood Spirit Physique provides an extremely strong bonus to plant-based Dao techniques; she could control vines growing from the arena floor to attack and bind, making her incredibly difficult to deal with.

Lin Ye used the myriad things mother qi cauldron embryo to protect his body, ignoring the vine restraints. He then used Metal-element Dao techniques (Metal overcomes Wood) to condense Sword Qi, severing all the vines, and decided the match with a single finger strike after closing the distance.

For two consecutive matches, Lin Ye demonstrated precise insight into elemental counters, causing the spectating Elders to nod in approval frequently.

Finally, the finals.

The opponent was the acknowledged strongest person in the outer Sect—"Lei Zhen," Rank 36 (Dao Palace Fourth Layer Peak), possessing a rudimentary "Thunder Spirit Physique," majoring in the "Heavenly Thunder Righteous Law," with incredibly violent attacks.

Lei Zhen was a tall young man with short hair standing on end, and faint arcs of electricity flowing in his eyes. He held a Purple-Gold Hammer (Purple Quality, Attack +350, with a "Lightning Paralysis" effect), standing on the arena like a Thunder God descended to the world.

"Junior Brother Lin Ye, that you could make it to the finals indeed exceeded my expectations," Lei Zhen's voice was sonorous. "However, it ends here. Under my thunder, no one remains unscathed."

Lin Ye could feel that Lei Zhen's blood vitality was as high as eighty thousand and his Divine Power was sixty thousand, attributes far exceeding an ordinary Dao Palace Fourth Layer. Combined with the bonus to Thunder-system Dao techniques from his rudimentary Thunder Spirit Physique, he was indeed a formidable foe.

But he felt no fear.

"Please grant me your guidance, Senior Brother Lei."

With the referee's command, the final began!

Lei Zhen did not test the waters; he erupted immediately!

"Heavenly Thunder Attraction!"

He held the Purple-Gold Hammer high, and dark clouds instantly gathered over the arena. A purple lightning bolt as thick as a bucket descended from the sky, striking directly at the top of Lin Ye's head!

This was no ordinary thunder technique, but one that invoked the might of heaven and earth. Before the lightning even arrived, a terrifying pressure had already enveloped the entire arena, and the bluestone ground began to crack.

Lin Ye did not take it head-on; he fully deployed the Yaoguang Footwork, his figure transforming into starlight as he dashed ten zhang away.

Boom!

The lightning struck the empty space, blasting out a deep pit and sending stone fragments flying.

But Lei Zhen's attacks followed in quick succession. He charged at Lin Ye like a bolt of lightning, his Purple-Gold Hammer smashing down with the force of ten thousand thunderbolts!

"Thunder God's Wrath!"

This hammer strike blocked all of Lin Ye's evasion routes. The power of thunder formed a force field, making the air feel viscous.

"I can only tank it head-on."

Lin Ye's eyes narrowed as the myriad things mother qi cauldron embryo in his Dantian vibrated. Wisps of myriad mother qi surged out, condensing into the phantom of an ancient bronze shield in front of him.

Clang—!!!

The hammer and shield collided, producing a deafening roar. Thunder and Chaos Power violently clashed, erupting with blinding light.

Lin Ye retreated seven steps, each step leaving a deep footprint in the ground. His blood vitality dropped by five thousand points, and his arms went numb.

Lei Zhen also retreated three steps, surprise flashing in his eyes: "Such strong defense!"

This hammer strike of his would have instantly killed an ordinary Dao Palace Third Layer and heavily injured a Fourth Layer. Lin Ye had actually only retreated seven steps and seemed largely unharmed.

"Then take another hammer strike from me!" Lei Zhen's Battle Intent surged even higher as he raised the Purple-Gold Hammer again.

This time, the hammer's body burst with blinding thunderlight, entwined by countless lightning snakes. The dark clouds above the arena grew even heavier, with a second and third bolt of lightning faintly brewing.

"Triple Lightning Tribulation!"

This was Lei Zhen's ultimate move, simultaneously invoking three heavenly thunderbolts that locked onto the target, making it unavoidable!

Lin Ye took a deep breath.

He couldn't keep defending. Lei Zhen's attacks grew stronger with each strike; if this continued, even the myriad mother qi might not be able to block it.

He made a bold decision.

At the moment Lei Zhen was charging his power, Lin Ye took the initiative to attack!

Pushing the Yaoguang Footwork to its limit, he shot toward Lei Zhen like a beam of starlight. Simultaneously, his left hand formed a Seal, and three big dipper star seals lit up within his body, fusing Star Power with Chaos Divine Power.

Chaos Heaven Opening · Rudimentary Form!

This wasn't the complete Chaos Heaven Opening, only a rudimentary form. But even so, its power far exceeded the Chaos Finger.

Lin Ye's right hand held his fingers together like a sword, and a hazy gray Chaos light blossomed from his fingertips. That light seemed dim, yet it contained a terrifying Aura as if it could split heaven and earth.

Lei Zhen's expression changed slightly; he could feel the threat from this finger. But he had confidence in his Triple Lightning Tribulation and gritted his teeth to continue charging.

The distance between the two rapidly closed.

Three zhang, two zhang, one zhang!

Just as Lei Zhen's three lightning bolts were about to fall, Lin Ye's finger-sword tapped onto the Purple-Gold Hammer.

There was no roar, no explosion.

Time seemed to stand still for an instant.

In the next moment, the thunderlight on the Purple-Gold Hammer dissolved like melting snow, rapidly dimming. The lightning snakes entwining the hammer dissipated with a wail. The three lightning bolts in the dark clouds lost their guidance and struck randomly in mid-air, blasting the edges of the arena into a mess.

And Lin Ye's finger-sword penetrated the Purple-Gold Hammer's defense, tapping onto Lei Zhen's chest.

Puff.

Lei Zhen felt as if he had been struck by a massive force, and his whole body flew backward as the Purple-Gold Hammer left his hand. He spat out a mouthful of blood in the air and landed on one knee, his face deathly pale.

"You... you broke my thunder technique?" Lei Zhen was in disbelief.

Lin Ye withdrew his finger, his internal blood vitality churning. That strike just now had consumed one-third of his Divine Power. But the effect was significant—the rudimentary form of Chaos Heaven Opening possessed a law-breaking characteristic, specifically countering various energy-based attacks.

"I accept your concession," Lin Ye cupped his fists.

Lei Zhen was silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "I lost. Junior Brother Lin's strength is unfathomable; I am thoroughly defeated."

The referee flew onto the arena and announced loudly: "The winner of the Monthly Competition finals is Lin Ye! This month's competition champion—Lin Ye!"

There was a moment of silence outside the arena, followed by an earth-shattering cheer.

A newcomer, on his first day in the outer Sect, participated in the Monthly Competition, won ten consecutive matches against opponents at Dao Palace Third Layer or higher from the preliminaries to the finals, and finally defeated the outer Sect's number one person, Lei Zhen, to take the championship!

This record was nothing short of legendary!

The Deacon Elder personally presented Lin Ye with his rewards: five thousand contribution points and a token to enter the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

"Lin Ye, you performed very well," the Deacon Elder offered a rare smile. "According to custom, the champion can also receive an additional mysterious reward. This year's reward was obtained by the Holy Land not long ago while exploring an ancient ruin; its specific use cannot be identified for now, but it is confirmed to be related to Spirit Stone Ore veins."

He handed over a yellowed parchment map.

Lin Ye took it; the map felt warm to the touch, and the material was neither paper nor leather, but more like some kind of beast hide that had undergone special treatment.

【Unknown Ore Vein Map (Special)】

Quality: Gold (Legendary)

Effect: Records the location information of a hidden Spirit Stone Ore vein.

Current Status: Sealed (Requires activation with essence blood)

Activation Conditions: Cultivator's essence blood + 1000 points of Divine Power

After activation, you can obtain:

① Specific coordinates of the Ore vein (Located outside the Yaoguang Holy Land's sphere of influence)

② Description of the Ore vein environment (Preliminary detection indicates an abandoned Ancient Mine, but with abnormal energy fluctuations)

③ Simple internal map of the Ore vein (Incomplete)

④ Annotations of possible dangers (Warning: Life reactions detected)

Description: Obtained by the Yaoguang Holy Land exploration team while exploring ancient ruins. Because the Ore vein is located at the edge of the Holy Land's sphere of influence and danger signals were detected, mining has not yet been organized. It is recommended to at least reach the Dao Palace Peak and organize a team before heading there.

Sale Price: None (Holy Land bound item, non-tradable)

A Spirit Stone Ore vein map!

Lin Ye's heart jolted. This was exactly what he desperately needed! The development of the Heavenly Court required a massive amount of Spirit Stones. If he could control an Ore vein, even an abandoned one, as long as it could be re-mined, the resource pressure would be greatly relieved.

Moreover, the map's hints of "abnormal energy fluctuations" and "life reactions" meant the Ore vein might not be simple; there might even be additional opportunities.

"Thank you, Elder!" Lin Ye solemnly accepted the map.

As the competition ended, Lin Ye's name thoroughly resounded throughout the outer Sect.

But he did not stay long in the cheers; after collecting his rewards, he quickly left the Martial Arts Practice Field and returned to Xuanwei Peak.

Inside the bamboo house, Lin Ye first deposited the five thousand contribution points into his identity token, then took out the Ore vein map.

The map was restricted by an ancient sealing technique, requiring essence blood and Divine Power to activate. Lin Ye did not hesitate; he bit his fingertip and dripped a drop of essence blood onto the map while simultaneously injecting one thousand points of Divine Power.

The moment the essence blood hit the hide, a dark red light surfaced on the map. That light moved like a living thing, gradually outlining a complex topographic map.

After three breaths, the light faded, and the map fully unfurled.

A detailed map was presented before Lin Ye.

A red dot was marked in the center of the map, with small characters beside it: "Suspected Large-scale Spirit Stone Ore Vein (Grade Unknown)." The red dot was located within a mountain range, with reference points at the map's edges: three hundred li east of "Black Wind Canyon," five hundred li west of "Dragon Burial Abyss," and bordering "Misty Forest" to the north.

Lin Ye was fairly familiar with the geography of the Eastern Wasteland. He knew of Black Wind Canyon; it was a dangerous place within the Yan State where Yao Beasts often appeared. He had only heard of Dragon Burial Abyss and Misty Forest, both of which were dangerous areas.

The Ore vein was about two thousand li from the Yaoguang Holy Land, indeed at the edge of its sphere of influence.

The map also marked the entrance to the Ore vein, several main internal passages, and three dangerous areas marked with skulls: "Toxic Gas Zone," "Cave-in Zone," and "Unknown Life Activity Zone."

Finally, there was a line of small warning characters in the bottom right corner of the map:

"The exploration team detected high-intensity energy reactions deep within the Ore vein, suspected to be ancient Formations or ancient Seals. Team member Wang Iron Pillar (Dao Palace Fifth Layer) suddenly lost control when approaching the energy source and attacked his companions, later being subdued. Three days after returning to the Holy Land, Wang Iron Pillar's Divine Sense dissipated and he died, repeatedly muttering 'They are watching' before his death."

"Recommendation: Do not go deep into the Ore vein core unless a Four Extremities Realm Cultivator is leading the team."

Lin Ye's brow furrowed slightly.

Ancient Formations? Ancient Seals? And a bizarre power that could cause Divine Sense to dissipate?

This Ore vein was not simple.

But the more it was like this, the more it was worth exploring. High risk often meant high rewards.

He carefully put away the map, a plan already forming in his mind.

The Five Elements Secret Realm was about to open. After coming out of the Secret Realm, his strength should be able to increase to the Dao Palace Middle Stage or even Late Stage. At that time, he could organize the Heavenly Court's elites to go and explore this Ore vein.

Outside the window, the sun was setting, and the sky was filled with glowing clouds.

Lin Ye sat cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing to recover from today's consumption.

Tomorrow, he would officially begin his cultivation life in the Holy Land as a Yaoguang Holy Land Outer Sect Disciple. And that Ore vein map would be an important link in his future plans.

The night deepened, and starlight began to appear.

On Xuanwei Peak, the lamp in the bamboo house was like a tiny bean of light.

And deep in the distant mountain range, at the red dot marked on the map, deep within the abandoned mine, something... slowly opened its eyes.