64: Chapter 64 Refining the Fiery Prison Sky-Piercing Blade

Returning to his room, Baili Yunche did not immediately Cultivate, but instead lay flat on the bed, picked up the intelligence Jade Slip given to him by Sun Huo, and carefully studied it again.

The information in the Jade Slip was very detailed; he flipped through it page by page, engraving the information of these potential opponents into his mind one by one.

Xie Guangkun had a half-step Golden Core cultivation base and cultivated the Sect-protecting Cultivation Technique Heavenly Fire Golden Spear Art. His spear technique was fierce and domineering, and a single thrust was like a fire dragon emerging from the sea, with terrifying power.

It was said that he once sparred with a 2nd-layer Golden Core enforcer and did not fall behind within thirty moves, boasting strength comparable to the 2nd layer of the Golden Core Stage.

This person had an ostentatious personality and acted in a high-profile manner, making him the biggest favorite to win the championship in this Inner Sect Grand Competition.

Ye Hongyu had a half-step Golden Core cultivation base and cultivated the Profound Maiden Ice Heart Art. She acted in a low-profile manner, but her strength was unfathomable.

The Profound Maiden Ice Heart Art was one of the hardest Cultivation Techniques to Cultivate in the Xuanyang Sect, requiring the practitioner to have no distracting thoughts and a pure ice-like heart. Once reaching Major Achievement, its power far exceeded Cultivation Techniques of the same rank.

Her swordsmanship was known for its speed, and it was said that her sword-drawing speed was unmatched within the Inner Sect.

Zhou Dafu had a half-step Golden Core cultivation base and cultivated the Medium Grade Profound Rank Cultivation Technique Indestructible Golden Body.

This person took the path of a Body Cultivator, with an extremely tyrannical Physical Body. It was said that he could forcefully resist the full-power blow of a High Grade Tier-2 Spiritual Artifact without injury.

His offensive methods were not many, but his defensive ability could be called the number one in the Inner Sect. Most of the people who fought him were defeated because he exhausted their mana.

Baili Yunche continued flipping down and quickly saw a familiar name.

Fei Yangyang had a Foundation Establishment Peak cultivation base, cultivating the Low Grade Profound Rank Cultivation Technique Overlord Saber Slash and Fire Snake Step. It was said that both Cultivation Techniques had been cultivated to Major Achievement.

The Overlord Saber Slash was fierce and domineering, and a single slash possessed the power to split mountains and cleave rocks.

The Fire Snake Step was agile and eerie, with footwork resembling a fire snake slithering around, making it impossible for people to guard against.

This person had operated in the Inner Sect for many years, possessed extensive connections, and had a group of loyal followers under his command.

...

Baili Yunche put down the Jade Slip and closed his eyes in contemplation.

The people he investigated were all top experts of the Inner Sect. With a half-step Golden Core cultivation base and a profound foundation, they were not comparable to trash like Zhu Biao.

With his current Foundation Establishment 7th Layer cultivation base, coupled with the two High Grade Profound Rank Divine Abilities—Myriad Phenomena Thunder Fist and Startled Swan Swimming Dragon Step—he had absolute confidence in confronting a half-step Golden Core head-on.

Baili Yunche opened his eyes, his gaze slightly condensed: "These people all have profound backgrounds, and there's no guarantee they might not possess methods surpassing the Foundation Establishment Stage in their hands."

Sun Huo's Jade Slip only recorded conventional Cultivation Techniques and Magic Treasures.

Baili Yunche was very clear that these top Inner Sect Disciples had Family or Elders supporting them behind their backs, so it was hard to guarantee they wouldn't hide some trump cards.

For example, Golden Core Stage Talismans, or Tier-3 disposable Magical Artifacts, and it was even possible that someone secretly carried a Tier-3 Magic Treasure.

Although the Inner Sect Grand Competition had regulations prohibiting the use of Tier-3 and above Magical Artifacts and Talismans, the rules were dead while people were alive.

In case someone took a desperate risk or exploited a loophole in the rules, if he didn't have a means to counter it, he would likely suffer a huge loss.

"It seems I still need to make foolproof preparations."

Baili Yunche sat up, his right hand wiping across his Storage Pouch.

A scarlet red light flew out from the pouch and fell into his palm.

That was a long saber, about four feet long in blade length, completely scarlet red like blood, its surface covered with fine flame patterns, as if magma was slowly flowing within it.

Embedded at the hilt of the saber was a pigeon-egg-sized fiery red spiritual pearl, exuding a scorching aura.

The entire saber's Spiritual Qi was compelling, with faint flame phantoms circulating along the blade body.

Tier-3 Magic Treasure — flame prison void-breaking saber!

This was the loot he obtained from Luo Jinhu.

Baili Yunche gripped the hilt, able to feel the surging spiritual power contained within it.

A Tier-3 Magic Treasure, a weapon whose power could only be fully unleashed by Golden Core Cultivators.

With his current cultivation base, although he couldn't unleash all of its power, even just driving a portion of it was enough to make his strength skyrocket.

"Although I am not a saber user, with this flame prison void-breaking saber in hand, coupled with my Physical Body strength, I can at least unleash strength comparable to the 2nd layer of the Golden Core Stage."

Confidence flashed in his eyes.

With the strength of the 2nd layer of the Golden Core Stage, even if those favorite contenders truly had Golden Core-level methods in their hands, he could calmly deal with them.

Baili Yunche hesitated no longer, sat cross-legged, and began refining the flame prison void-breaking saber.

Mana surged into the blade body, and the flame patterns lit up one by one, emitting a buzzing tremor.

The fiery red spiritual pearl shone brilliantly, illuminating the entire room in a crimson red.

Refining a Tier-3 Magic Treasure was not easy.

With his Foundation Establishment 7th Layer cultivation base, wanting to completely control this Magic Treasure would take at least two days of effort.

...

Three days later.

Early morning.

Xuanyang Sect Inner Sect Grand Competition square.

When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and sprinkled on the towering mountain gate of the Xuanyang Sect, the entire Inner Sect square was already a sea of people.

The once-every-five-years Inner Sect Grand Competition officially began today.

The square covered an extremely vast area, enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people.

At this moment, the dense crowd surrounded the square impenetrably.

There were participating Inner Sect Disciples, spectating Outer Sect Disciples and Utility Disciples, as well as Elders and enforcers from various Peaks who had all come to watch the battle.

In the center of the square, ten huge arenas were neatly arranged, each arena being ten zhang in radius, built entirely of bluestone, extremely sturdy.

The edges of the arena were carved with densely packed Formation runes. Once activated, a transparent protective light barrier would rise to ensure that the battle on the arena would not affect the audience.

Directly in front of the arena was a high platform.

Several chairs were placed on the high platform, reserved as seats for the Sect Elders.

At this moment, quite a few people were already seated on the high platform.

Some of them closed their eyes to rest, some talked in low voices, and some nervously paced back and forth.

A tense yet excited atmosphere permeated the air.

Many Disciples with stronger strength had already begun rubbing their palms and fists, eager to try.

For them, this Inner Sect Grand Competition was an excellent opportunity to prove themselves and soar straight up.

As for those Disciples with slightly weaker strength, although they knew they couldn't get a good ranking, they still wanted to seize this rare opportunity to perform well in the arena and strive to be favored by a certain Elder.

In the square, voices were boiling, and it was extraordinarily lively.

"Look quickly! Xie Guangkun is here!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a slender youth walking out of the crowd, striding towards the arena direction.

He wore a golden brocade robe, with flame patterns embroidered on the hem of the robe, shining brilliantly in the morning light.

Sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a high-bridged nose, and a faint hint of arrogance hanging at the corners of his mouth, the whole person was like a drawn sharp sword, exposing its sharp edge.

Wherever Xie Guangkun passed, the crowd automatically made way for a passage.

Without squinting, he walked straight to the front of the arena, stood with his hands behind his back, swept his gaze across the ten arenas, and a trace of Battle Intent flashed in his eyes.

"After being in closed-door cultivation for a year, it's time to stretch my muscles and bones."

He said unhurriedly, his voice clearly transmitting into the ears of everyone around, drawing a gasp of amazement.

"Senior Brother Xie has such grandeur!"

"The number one of this Inner Sect Grand Competition belongs exclusively to Senior Brother Xie!"

"That might not be certain; Senior Sister Ye and Senior Brother Zhou are not pushovers either..."

Just as everyone was discussing spiritedly, two figures appeared in the square almost simultaneously.

The person on the left wore snow-white clothes like snow, dark hair like a waterfall, with a cold and peerless face, like a Fairy walking out of a painting.

It was Ye Hongyu, a strong contender for the championship of the Inner Sect Grand Competition.

The person on the right had a figure as bulky as a mountain, with a tiger's back and bear's waist, taller than ordinary people by two heads.

He bared his arms, revealing bronze-colored muscles, chunk by chunk like cast steel, filled with explosive power.

It was Zhou Dafu.

The three of them appeared at the same time, and the atmosphere in the square was instantly ignited.

"The three half-step Golden Cores have all arrived! Now there's a good show to watch!"

"I wonder if the three of them will be assigned to the same arena? If they run into each other early, it will be really exciting!"

"Probably not; the Sect's drawing lots will definitely separate them to ensure the competition for the top ten is more interesting."

...