23: Start of the competition

Zhuge Qing scrutinized Lin Yuan, his heart filled with wonder.

Rumors said this boy was a black snake transformed on Mount Longhu, but seeing him today, he looked no different from an ordinary person. It truly was a case of tigers and leopards hidden in deep mountains, and Qilin buried in the fields.

"I heard, Daoist Lin, that you suppressed the root of evil, Shen Chong, as soon as you descended the mountain, which shows your extraordinary strength. If possible, I hope to spar with you."

Lin Yuan shrugged his shoulders.

"If there's an opportunity, I'll certainly spar with you. However, you should have an even better opponent."

...Mount Longhu, inside a pavilion.

Old Celestial Master sat opposite Zhang Chulan.

"Chulan, have you been well all these years?"

Hearing this, Zhang Chulan looked at Old Celestial Master's kind face, thought of his own grandfather, and his eyes reddened slightly.

"What's wrong, Chulan?"

Old Celestial Master saw Zhang Chulan's unhappy expression and asked with concern.

"Nothing, it's just seeing you reminds me of my grandfather."

"Hahaha! You know, you're nothing like your grandfather. He was a short little guy with big ears and a big round head, not tall and upright like you."

Zhang Chulan smiled, then immediately asked:

"Grandmaster, tell me, why did my grandfather take me into hiding from a young age? What exactly happened back then?"

Old Celestial Master's expression was complex as he stroked his beard.

"Chulan, I can only tell you that after your grandfather changed his name and took you into hiding, he was avoiding disaster. As for the rest, you will only know once you achieve first place and inherit the Celestial Master Degree."

Zhang Chulan immediately pressed, "Grandmaster, does it really have to be a fight? In terms of strength, I might not really be able to beat them. Why don't you just tell me?"

Old Celestial Master shook his head.

"Chulan, there are some things I cannot tell you directly, but the legacy within the Celestial Master Degree holds what you seek."

"I also know that you haven't cultivated properly all these years, hiding with Huaiyi, which is why I sent Lin Yuan down the mountain to guide you. As for whether you can win, everything depends on heaven's will."

Zhang Chulan's expression was a little dejected. As expected, Old Celestial Master would not tell him now.

"Chulan, this Arhat Trial is a mixed bag. If anyone dares to secretly make a move, go find Lin Yuan."

Hearing this, Zhang Chulan immediately brightened. Wasn't this an implicit hint that a bodyguard had been arranged for him?

If he knew he couldn't beat an opponent beforehand, he could find his Martial Uncle at night, and have him 'ghost-fight' to teach those people a lesson. Perhaps first place in Luotian Grand Ceremony really was achievable.

After bidding farewell to Old Celestial Master, Zhang Chulan planned to return to his residence.

Just as he returned, he saw everyone chatting idly.

When Zhuge Qing saw Zhang Chulan, he immediately smiled:

"You must be Zhang Chulan, right? The inheritor of Source of Qi. I hope to have a chance to spar with you in the later matches."

Zhang Chulan immediately smiled apologetically, "Oh, you're too kind. I'm just a rookie, how could I be your opponent?"

Zhuge Qing didn't expect Zhang Chulan to be so humble.

"Zhang Chulan, I saw the video of you flying with a sword on the Outsider World forum."

"Although I don't understand Source of Qi, I do know about sword-flying. I hope you'll give it your all during the competition! I don't want to be a frog in a well."

The more Zhuge Qing spoke, the more guilty Zhang Chulan felt.

Damn it! I wish I was that awesome! But that was my Martial Uncle, not me!

...Back mountain, competition venue.

All the contestants from various factions had arrived, and everyone was conversing amongst themselves.

Lin Yuan, dressed in a Daoist robe, was approached by people from time to time who greeted him.

"Greetings, True Man Lin Yuan."

"True Man Lin Yuan, I hope you'll show mercy during the competition later."

...Lin Yuan politely responded to everyone's greetings one by one.

As Old Celestial Master's disciple, and having suppressed the root of evil Shen Chong after descending the mountain, his prestige in the Outsider World was quite high.

As one of the Four Maniacs of Quansheng, many people had fought Shen Chong, and his strength was evident to all. Many said that few among the younger generation could be his match.

After dealing with everyone, Lu Linglong, with pink hair, a single cowlick, and wearing a bear outfit, walked over.

"True Man Lin Yuan."

"Miss Lu," Lin Yuan responded.

"True Man Lin Yuan, I want to ask you a favor."

Lu Linglong said with a serious expression.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"If you and Linglong meet in the competition, I ask that you absolutely go all out!"

"Great-grandpa said you are the most outstanding among the younger generation, and Linglong also wants to see the gap between herself and the top tier."

After Lu Linglong finished speaking, her vibrant face was full of stubbornness.

"Heh heh, since Miss Lu has said so, I will naturally go all out!"

Although Lin Yuan's face was serious, he was constantly complaining internally.

Make me go all out? By then, even Lu Jin would have trouble piecing you back together for burial.

Such a cute girl, if I hit her in the upper dantian, she wouldn't cry, right? ...Soon, Old Celestial Master and Tian Jinzhong appeared in the back mountain, surrounded by the other Ten Elders.

"It's Old Celestial Master!"

"Look everyone! Elder Tian! He can actually move around now!"

"That's right! I remember his limbs were severed... how can he walk independently now?"

"Mount Longhu is truly terrifying! They still possess such miraculous methods!"

Old Celestial Master looked at the murmuring crowd and nodded with great satisfaction.

He had deliberately let Tian Jinzhong come out.

Many people were now eyeing Mount Longhu, and he needed to show some muscle.

And he was very satisfied with the result.

Even the several Ten Elders beside him all had expressions of apprehension.

The power Mount Longhu now wielded had far exceeded their imagination.

After a long while, Old Celestial Master finally stepped onto the high platform. The Ten Elders behind him also took their seats. He looked at the crowd below and said in a deep voice:

"Everyone! This Arhat Trial is specifically set up for the new generation to communicate and exchange! You are all the nascent dawn, the late sun of the setting sun..."

Lin Yuan listened to Old Celestial Master's words and always felt like he was being scolded, but he couldn't find any evidence, which only goes to show the profoundness of Chinese culture.

"This Arhat Trial! Officially begins! Please come forward in order to draw lots."

Saying this, Old Celestial Master waved his hand, and a Daoist boy brought a box over.

Everyone consciously lined up to draw their number cards.

Soon, Zhang Chulan drew a card from the box and opened it.

Yi Baihu? ( Yi White Tiger)

What does this mean?

Just as everyone was feeling confused, Old Celestial Master on the stage began to explain:

"The Heavenly Stems ( Heavenly Stems) on your cards represent the number of matches, and the animals represent the order. There are four identical cards, and only one person can win in each match."

"In other words, four into one."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chulan immediately tensed up. Wasn't this just waiting for three people to gang up on him?