21: Chapter 21 An Encounter

Cao Yang familiarized himself with his cultivation, then stood up and flew out of his Immortal Cave toward the mid-slope of Moyang Peak.

Just now, Cao Yang's Divine Sense had sensed many Disciples heading toward Moyang Peak. Out of curiosity, he listened closely and learned from the conversations of several Disciples that the Sect was organizing a Grand Competition today to select the Disciples who would participate in the exchange meeting.

Personal Disciples like Cao Yang could participate in the exchange meeting directly, as long as their cultivation met the requirements.

With Cao Yang's cultivation, he originally had no interest in the competition. However, since joining the Moyang Sword Sect, he had not yet shown his face before his fellow Disciples, so he also wanted to take the Opportunity to see the Sect's geniuses.

The cultivation Cao Yang displayed to the outside world was the Soul Transformation Middle Stage. This was something he had discussed with his Revered Master; showing a cultivation level that was too low would make it impossible to win the Four Provinces Exchange Meeting.

His beautiful Revered Master said she would handle the explanation for the sudden jump in cultivation. As for the reason, Cao Yang didn't actually care much now; after all, he was practically invincible and feared no demons or monsters.

Before long, Cao Yang arrived at the mid-slope. Just as he was about to enter, two graceful figures, one in pink and one in green, appeared in his Divine Sense. Cao Yang immediately recognized them as Third Senior Sister Hua Xinyu and Fourth Senior Sister Fu Xiaoya. He had already seen them with his Divine Sense when he previously left seclusion, so he recognized them at once.

Cao Yang simply waited where he was. Not long after, the two women also neared the mid-slope, and from a distance, they saw Cao Yang looking at them with a smile.

The two women were somewhat puzzled by this. After approaching, Third Senior Sister Hua Xinyu first cupped her hands toward Cao Yang and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother. May I be so bold as to ask if you happen to know us two sisters?"

Seeing that every movement of Third Senior Sister Hua Xinyu was charming and seductive, Cao Yang was momentarily stunned. However, it wasn't just because of the two sisters' beauty, but also because of the System's voice ringing in his head.

Cao Yang said with a smile, "Third Senior Sister, you misunderstand. I wouldn't dare call myself 'Senior Brother.' I am a Disciple recently taken in by Master, named Cao Yang."

Then, Cao Yang cupped his hands to the two women and said, "I presume you two sisters haven't met me yet, but I heard about you both long ago. Junior Brother Cao Yang greets Third Senior Sister and Fourth Senior Sister."

Hearing Cao Yang's response, the two women were very surprised. They had thought the new Disciple Master took in was a female, but they hadn't expected it to be a Junior Brother.

As soon as Third Senior Sister Hua Xinyu heard he was her own Junior Brother, she floated right in front of Cao Yang and said with a face full of seductive smiles, "So you are the new Disciple Master took in. You're quite handsome, Junior Brother." As she spoke, she lightly brushed her hand across Cao Yang's cheek.

Cao Yang was also shocked; Third Senior Sister seemed even more open than Second Senior Sister.

Cao Yang didn't know how to answer for a moment. Third Senior Sister Hua Xinyu continued, "Junior Brother, are you carrying some treasure that hides your Realm? Since you've taken advantage of me by letting me call you 'Senior Brother' the moment we met, how do you think you should compensate me? I never like to come out on the losing end, you know."

Cao Yang was speechless for a moment, thinking to himself, 'You're the one who called me Senior Brother the moment we met, how can you blame me?'

Cao Yang took a small step back, escaping Third Senior Sister's unsettling demon hand.

Cao Yang smiled slightly and said, "Third Senior Sister, it was my fault. Please be magnanimous and forgive me this once."

"Hmph, since it's our first meeting, I'll forgive you," Third Senior Sister Hua Xinyu snorted softly when she saw Cao Yang pull away from her.

At this point, the Fourth Senior Sister stepped in at the right time and said, "Junior Brother, you're also here to watch the exchange meeting Preliminaries, right? Let's go together."

"Alright, Fourth Senior Sister," Cao Yang replied with a smile.

The three of them walked together onto the mid-slope of Moyang Peak, and soon a large square appeared before their eyes.

Many arenas were set up on both sides of the square, about dozens of them. The middle was filled with Sect Disciples wearing clothes of various colors—green, white, black, and purple—but they all had the same pattern on their chests. It was a sword with a magnificent Aura, the exclusive emblem of the Moyang Sword Sect.

Sitting on the high platform were the Sect Master and various high-ranking Elders. The Sect Master was a middle-aged man sitting in the very center; his whole being was like a sword, with a majestic Aura.

Revered Master Ouyang Liuli was also sitting toward the left. She glanced over at Cao Yang and the other two, then looked away.

The three of them soon merged into the crowd. After waiting for a while, more Disciples arrived one after another.

The Sect Master signaled to an elderly Elder that they could begin. That Elder was an old man with hair that was half-gray.

The Elder stood up and said to the Disciples below, "Silence! As in previous years, all Disciples shall occupy an arena based on their own strength. If no one challenges you for one hour, you will be considered to have successfully held the arena. Arena number one is for first place, and so on."

"As for the competition rules, they are the same as in previous years. I won't say much else, but I will emphasize one thing: the use of high-grade disposable Talismans is forbidden, and the use of prohibited Medicinal Pills is forbidden. Otherwise, you will be disqualified."

"The competition now officially begins. I wish all Disciples the best of luck in achieving their desired rankings."

After the half-gray-haired old man finished speaking, he sat back down.

Soon, many arenas were occupied. Cao Yang and the other two went to watch near the first five arenas. They found that almost no one dared to challenge the first three arenas, while the fourth and fifth arenas were already in the heat of battle.

"Hmph, how boring. Every time, the winners of the first three arenas are set in stone; no one even dares to challenge them!" Third Senior Sister snorted softly in dissatisfaction.

She turned around, gave a charming smile, and said to Cao Yang, "Junior Brother, do you see? The Senior Brother on arena number one is named Shen Lang. He is a Soul Transformation Peak expert and the First True Disciple! Those on the first ten arenas are all experts at or above the Soul Transformation Realm, and they are all True Disciples. Even our Eldest Senior Sister has only just broken through to Soul Transformation."

Cao Yang asked curiously, "Since their Realms are so high, why aren't they Personal Disciples?"

At this time, Fourth Senior Sister Fu Xiaoya also chimed in, "Junior Brother, except for our Liuli Peak, the Personal Disciples of other Peaks are chosen based on their Aptitude and potential. Our Liuli Peak, however, places more importance on affinity!"

"That's right. Personal Disciples are chosen with the utmost regard for Aptitude. As for True Disciples, their Aptitude might not compare to Personal Disciples, but some True Disciples have obtained great opportunities, so their Realms are also very high. Furthermore, to become a True Disciple, one's Realm must be at least at the Golden Core stage," Third Senior Sister Hua Xinyu added.

"I see," Cao Yang nodded.

Fourth Senior Sister Fu Xiaoya continued, "Only our Master places the most weight on affinity when taking in Personal Disciples. As long as Master feels someone has an affinity with her, she doesn't care much even if their Aptitude isn't very good. Second Senior Sister's Spiritual Root is only Medium Grade; I heard she was brought back by Master at a very young age simply because they shared an affinity."

Cao Yang nodded, but in his heart, he thought that the Phoenix Nirvana Immortal Scripture he had obtained from the System sign-in last time was likely intended for Second Senior Sister Su Xuan. He just didn't know if she could Cultivate it while her Bloodline was sealed.