23: The master's wife told me that the competition had begun.

Lin Yuan pondered, "Most of the Disciples are running, so there must be a small number of Disciples who can deal with the Wind Chasing Dogs with their own strength, right?"

Gu Shuqin nodded, "Top-tier contestants can indeed contend with the Wind Chasing Dogs, but once you injure one, the other dogs will swarm to avenge their kind. So, unless absolutely necessary, contestants won't harm the Wind Chasing Dogs, but rather slowly contend with them."

After speaking, she glanced at Lin Yuan and instructed, "With your strength, you're likely not a match for the Wind Chasing Dogs, so you should still run. Remember to run towards places with fewer people; this can reduce their attention, and maybe you won't be targeted."

"Thank you, Revered Master's Wife, for the reminder. Disciple, I have something else I'd like to say."

"What is it?"

Lin Yuan recounted how Lu Jiu had obstructed him some time ago.

Mei Fu disdainfully said, "Lu Jiu wouldn't dare to touch you in the Outer Sect. Besides, his Disciple, Huang Fen, is only at the Opening Meridian Fourth Level of Cultivation, so he's definitely not your opponent. You don't need to worry about them."

Speaking of this, her expression became serious, "Besides those Opening Meridian Ninth Level Cultivators, there's only one person you need to watch out for."

"Who?"

"Song Mian's Disciple, Cao Jun."

"Cao Jun? Is he very powerful?"

"That's right. He possesses the Golden Spirit Treasure Body, one of the Five Elements Treasure Bodies, and excels at using Metal-element Spells. At the Opening Meridian Eighth Level, he can fight a Cultivator at the Opening Meridian Peak. His strength should not be underestimated. Because of your Revered Master, I'm worried Song Mian might order him to act against you in the Competition."

"Golden Spirit Treasure Body? Sounds good. Since Revered Master's Wife says so, I'll be wary of him."

"Mm, that's probably all you need to pay attention to. The rest are the safety Laws of the competition. The Sect rules state that you cannot attack fellow Disciples inside the beast arena, but there's no rule against luring Yao Beasts. So, some people might deliberately lead Wind Chasing Dogs onto others when being chased. Be a little careful about that. Also, if you encounter danger, immediately jump out of the beast arena. Don't take chances, understand?"

"Understood, Revered Master's Wife. I've noted everything you said."

Lin Yuan nodded in response, then suddenly remembered his Revered Master's matter and frowned, "Revered Master's Wife, can we report Revered Master's death to the Disciplinary Hall and ask them to uphold justice for us?"

Gu Shuqin shook her head, "Without evidence, even if we report it, there will definitely be no follow-up."

"Alright."

"There's no rush for revenge. That guy Song Mian can't escape as long as he's in the Outer Sect. When our Cultivation reaches Major Achievement in the future, we'll naturally go settle accounts with him."

Hearing their conversation, Miao Yizi exclaimed in surprise, "Elder Song Mian? Is he the murderer who harmed Elder Qin?"

"He should be."

Lin Yuan explained his reasoning for the guess.

Miao Yizi suddenly realized, "So it was him! I used to see him as amiable and kind; I never expected him to be such a scoundrel!"

At this moment, she had already reminded herself to stay away from him in the future.

"That's just his disguise. This hypocritical beast, I will cut off his head sooner or later to offer tribute to Revered Master's spirit in heaven!"

Lin Yuan said fiercely.

...

The next day.

On the Outer Sect square, countless Disciples gathered, shoulder to shoulder, a bustling crowd.

Above the square, a middle-aged man in green stood in the air, facing everyone and proclaiming loudly, "Everyone, I am Geng Xiu, the Outer Sect Leader. I am very happy to gather with all of you here to witness this year's Competition."

Outer Sect Leader!

Upon hearing this, everyone showed reverence.

Rumor had it that the Sect Leader was a Qi Gathering Realm Cultivator, powerful and far superior to all Outer Sect Elders.

If they could possess such strength and status, how magnificent would that be!

"The Outer Sect Competition is highly valued by my Cloud Ripple Sect, so we have specially prepared generous rewards to be awarded to Disciples with outstanding results..."

After reciting a prepared speech as usual, he waved his hand and announced, "Everyone, please enter the beast arena. The Competition will begin shortly."

A rush of people sounded as Disciples surged forward, entering the spacious beast arena.

On the high platform's spectator stands, Geng Xiu and a group of Elders had already taken their seats, ready to watch the upcoming battles.

"I wonder who will become the champion of this Outer Sect Competition?"

"I guess it will be Guan Mao from the Guan family. He is at the Opening Meridian Ninth Level of Cultivation, and his swordsmanship is quite formidable."

"Zou Ping from the Zou family isn't weak either, is he? He has Cultivated the Ruyi Fist to Major Achievement."

"Hehe, no matter how strong these Disciples are, they definitely aren't a match for Miss Liu. Her background needs no further explanation, right?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed.

Liu Yuyan's background was the Liu family, with powerful individuals from her clan serving in the Cloud Ripple Sect's Inner Sect.

At only twenty years old, she had already Broken Through to the Opening Meridian Ninth Level.

In terms of both talent and origin, she could overpower the other Disciples.

Looking at it this way, the champion of the Competition truly seemed to be none other than her.

"It's a foregone conclusion that a member of the Liu family will enter the Inner Sect; we don't need to discuss her. Let's talk about the Disciples of the various Elders instead."

An old man spoke, changing the subject, and looked at Song Mian, saying, "I heard Elder Song's Disciple is already at the Opening Meridian Eighth Level of Cultivation, and he also possesses the powerful Golden Spirit Treasure Body. There shouldn't be many people in the Outer Sect who are his match, right?"

Hearing someone mention his Disciple, Song Mian immediately said modestly, "Elder Wu overpraises him. Although my Disciple's Physique is decent, he is still too young and lacks combat experience. I don't know if he can pass this first round of the Competition."

"Elder Song is joking. If your Disciple can't pass the first round, then who can?"

"Hehe..."

While everyone was discussing, the competition inside the arena had already begun.

Under The Elders' urging, the cage doors holding the Yao Beasts were opened, and countless Wind Chasing Dogs surged out, roaring and attacking the crowd!

With a wave of Yao Beasts surging forth, the crowd was quickly dispersed.

Everyone fled on their own, avoiding the Yao Beasts' attacks.

Lin Yuan remembered his Revered Master's Wife's reminder and did not confront the Wind Chasing Dogs' attack. Instead, he activated the Eight Extremes Pulse and moved away from the dogs.

With the help of his movement Martial Skill, he moved leisurely within the beast arena, not having to worry about being attacked by the Wind Chasing Dogs at all.

After a quarter of an hour.

The original crowd of tens of thousands had decreased by more than half. Many people, startled by the initial impact of the Yao Beasts, immediately jumped out, losing their qualification to continue the competition.

The remaining half of the people had a certain level of strength and endurance, allowing them to endure the beast tide.

Time continued to flow.

Lin Yuan roamed the arena, listening to the cries of the Yao Beasts and watching the number of Disciples decrease one by one, his heart unwavering.

To remain in this trial, one had to be either extraordinarily strong or possess extreme endurance.

He possessed both, so he naturally didn't have to worry about being eliminated.