28: Prelude to the Small Competition
Time flew by, and the two-month deadline arrived in the blink of an eye.
During this period, Ye Chen lived in seclusion, devoting all his energy to cultivation. After consuming a large amount of Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills, and experiencing several life-and-death practical tempering sessions, his cultivation finally took another step forward, breaking through to the Kaiyuan Realm Second Level! His total spiritual power and purity increased once again.
The "sword intent furnace" also successfully fused a second brand-new embryonic Sword Intent—"Immovable Rock Guarding Heart." This Sword Intent focused on defense and mental stability. When executed, the sword momentum was like a mountain, offering peerless defense and greatly resisting the opponent's mental impact and spiritual power erosion.
By now, Ye Chen had the extreme speed and trickery of "Flowing Wind Fleeting Shadow" for offense, the mountain-like steadiness of "Immovable Rock Guarding Heart" for defense, and "Extinction" as his ultimate trump card. His methods became increasingly varied, and his combat power soared.
On this day, the Tianfeng Academy Outer Court plaza was bustling with people and fluttering banners.
The triennial Outer Court Minor Competition officially kicked off!
In the center of the massive plaza stood ten arenas built of black granite and inscribed with reinforcement Formations. The surrounding spectator stands were already packed. Not only were there tens of thousands of Outer Court Disciples, but many Inner Court Disciples had also come to watch. Even on the high platform, many Elders and deacons with profound auras sat in state.
Deacon Zhao Qianjun was among them. His gaze swept over the milling crowd below, finally resting on the quiet figure in green robes among the throng, his eyes carrying a hint of expectation.
Ye Chen stood in the competing Disciples' area, with a small empty space around him. After the incident with Zhou Tong at the Mission Hall and the series of high-difficulty missions he had completed over the past two months, his reputation had already spread through the Outer Court, and no one dared to underestimate him. Many gazes, both open and hidden, fell upon him with curiosity, wariness, and even Battle Intent.
He sensed several exceptionally powerful auras. There was a black-clad youth carrying a long spear, his eyes sharp as an eagle's and his aura already at the Kaiyuan Realm Fourth Level Peak; a young girl in a pale yellow dress, smiling sweetly while playing with a jade hairpin, yet her spiritual power fluctuations were obscure and deep, also at the Kaiyuan Realm Fourth Level; and a taciturn white-robed youth holding a sheathed ancient sword with his eyes closed, whose aura was actually at the Kaiyuan Realm Fifth Level!
These few were the recognized top geniuses of the Outer Court and strong contenders for the top spot in this Minor Competition.
"Silence!"
A majestic voice suppressed all the noise. The Grand Elder of the Instruction Hall appeared in person, standing high in the air, his voice like a resonant bell: "The Outer Court Minor Competition aims to test your cultivation results, exchange skills, and select the best! The rules are as follows: the preliminary round is an arena free-for-all. There are ten arenas with a hundred people each; the final ten remaining on each arena will advance! Intentionally causing death during the competition is forbidden, and violators will be severely punished! Now, all participating Disciples, follow the guidance of your jade tokens and take the stage!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the identity jade tokens of thousands of participating Disciples lit up simultaneously, guiding them to their respective arenas.
Ye Chen's jade token guided him to Arena No. 7.
With a shift of his body, like a passing breeze, he landed silently on the edge of Arena No. 7. The arena was extremely wide, enough to accommodate a hundred-person free-for-all. At this moment, dozens of people were already standing on the stage, eyeing each other warily in a tense atmosphere.
Ye Chen's appearance immediately caught the attention of many on the stage. He had been too prominent over the past two months; it was hard not to be noticed. Instantly, several unfriendly gazes locked onto him.
Clang—!
A bell rang, announcing the start of the competition!
"Clear the field first! Knock the weak ones down!"
"Join forces! Deal with those strong ones!"
The melee broke out instantly! Spiritual power glowed, and shouts, the clashing of weapons, and screams of pain were heard incessantly.
Ye Chen did not take the initiative to attack. His figure was elusive, like a ghost, weaving through the chaotic battle and easily avoiding all attacks. His goal was clear: just remain until the end; there was no need to waste energy.
However, even if he didn't seek trouble, trouble sought him.
"Ye Chen! Don't you dare hide!" With a sharp shout, five Disciples with decent auras, seemingly having a prior understanding, surrounded and attacked him simultaneously! These five were all at the Kaiyuan Realm Second or Third Level, and their combined might was considerable.
"It's the 'Black Water Alliance'!" someone below the stage recognized. "They specialize in these kinds of ganging-up tactics!"
"Ye Chen is in trouble. Being targeted by them, he'll be lucky to escape with his life!"
Facing the five-man siege, Ye Chen's eyes turned slightly cold. He recognized two of them; they seemed to have some connection with Liu Feng, whom he had taught a lesson to before.
"Get lost!"
He stopped dodging, and the qingfeng sword suddenly unsheathed! A dark green sword light rippled out like a wave!
"Flowing Wind Fleeting Shadow" Sword Intent was activated!
Everyone felt their eyes blur, as if several afterimages flashed by simultaneously!
Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!
Five soft sounds rang out almost at the same time!
The movements of the five attacking Disciples instantly froze. On each of their weapon-holding wrists, a bone-deep bloody gash appeared, and their weapons fell to the ground with a "clatter"! Their faces were filled with terror and disbelief; they hadn't even seen how Ye Chen drew his sword!
Ye Chen stood with his sword sheathed, not even sparing the five a glance.
Clutching their wrists and dripping with blood, the five didn't dare stay a moment longer and scrambled off the arena to forfeit.
Silence!
A brief dead silence fell over Arena No. 7. Those who had originally intended to target Ye Chen gasped and instinctively moved away from his area.
One strike! Just one strike to defeat five Kaiyuan Realm cultivators!
What kind of terrifying strength was this?!
A large area around Ye Chen was cleared once again. He stood quietly with his sword, as if he were in a world of his own, and no one dared approach.
In the subsequent melee, not a single person dared to provoke Ye Chen again. He was happy to be idle, watching the others on stage fight desperately for the ten spots.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the melee ended. On Arena No. 7, only ten people remained, including Ye Chen. While Ye Chen's aura was steady, the other nine were all injured and panting heavily, their gazes toward Ye Chen filled with awe.
Preliminary round: easily advanced.
The other arenas also gradually determined their qualifiers. Those few top geniuses of the Outer Court, without exception, advanced with crushing dominance. Some even cleared half an arena with a single move, drawing constant exclamations from the stands.
On the high platform, Zhao Qianjun nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Ye Chen's performance. Elder Liu Qingfeng, who sat not far from him, also let his gaze rest on Ye Chen for a moment, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.
"This boy is progressing rapidly; his Sword Intent has already begun to take shape... he's a good seed."
The preliminary round ended, and the top hundred were born.
The Grand Elder of the Instruction Hall spoke again, his voice reaching the entire field: "The preliminary round is over! The qualifiers shall rest for one hour! In one hour, the second round—the elimination round—will take place! The top hundred will draw lots for one-on-one duels, and the winners will advance to the top fifty!"
The atmosphere became even more tense. The elimination round meant stronger opponents and more brutal competition.
Ye Chen sat cross-legged in the resting area, eyes closed as he regulated his breathing, adjusting his state to its Peak.
He could feel several powerful Divine Senses sweeping over him, filled with inquiry and Battle Intent. One came from the white-robed youth holding the sword, and another from the girl in the pale yellow dress.
"Interesting." Ye Chen felt no ripples in his heart; instead, he was faintly expectant. Only by clashing with the strong could he break through himself faster.
An hour passed quickly.
"Elimination round, begin! First match: Ye Chen of Arena No. 7 versus Zhang Kui of Arena No. 3!"
Ye Chen opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing through them momentarily.
The first battle had arrived.
He rose to his full height and walked composedly toward the designated Arena No. 3.
His opponent, Zhang Kui, was a burly, bald man built like an iron tower, holding a giant axe the size of a door. His cultivation was at the Kaiyuan Realm Third Level Peak, and he was known for his fierce strength. Seeing Ye Chen take the stage, he grinned, revealing pearly white teeth: "Kid, your swordplay is fast, right? Watch your grandpa smash your sword to pieces with one axe swing!"
Ye Chen's expression was calm, his qingfeng sword pointing diagonally at the ground: "Please."
"Roar!" Zhang Kui bellowed, his body erupting with earthy yellow spiritual power. He charged at Ye Chen like a wild bull, the giant axe in his hand slashing down with the force to split mountains and shatter rocks! The axe wind whistled, causing the air to boom from the pressure!
Facing this pure strength-based attack, Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't even use "Flowing Wind Fleeting Shadow."
He didn't move his feet; he simply raised the qingfeng sword, the tip trembling slightly as it met the heavy axe.
To the onlookers, this was no different from a mantis trying to stop a carriage!
However, at the very moment the sword tip was about to collide with the axe blade—
Ye Chen's wrist flicked with extreme subtlety, the sword tip tracing a profound arc. Instead of a hard clash, it slid along the side of the axe blade like a spirit snake, and a supple, lingering force instantly surged out!
"Immovable Rock Guarding Heart" Sword Intent, lead!
Zhang Kui felt a bizarre force transmit through. His violent forward slash was actually diverted, the giant axe sliding to the side uncontrollably. His whole body followed the momentum of the axe, stumbling as his defenses were blown wide open!
"What?!" He was horrified.
At the moment his old strength was spent and new strength had yet to rise, and his posture was unstable, Ye Chen's sword moved!
Fast as lightning! Swift as the wind!
A dark green sword light flashed and vanished!
Zhang Kui felt his chest go numb as a cold Sword Qi pierced through him, sealing several of his major acupoints! His forward momentum came to a dead stop, his massive body freezing in place. The giant axe in his hand fell to the arena with a "clatter," his face full of daze and disbelief.
Ye Chen sheathed his sword and nodded slightly to the referee.
The referee froze for a second before reacting and announcing loudly: "Winner, Ye Chen!"
The whole place was silent for a moment, followed by bursts of discussion.
"What happened? Why did Zhang Kui fall down on his own?"
"He didn't fall! It was Ye Chen's sword! His swordplay... is too bizarre!"
"Deflecting a thousand pounds with four taels? What kind of swordplay is this?"
Zhang Kui stood dazed until the referee unsealed his acupoints. Only then did he pick up his axe with a flushed face and slink off the stage, not even understanding how he had lost.
Ye Chen walked off the arena, his expression remaining calm.
The "Immovable Rock Guarding Heart" Sword Intent had shown its initial power. Overcoming hardness with softness and using the opponent's strength against them worked exceptionally well against such pure strength-based opponents.
On the high platform, the admiration in Elder Liu Qingfeng's eyes grew even stronger: "Handling heavy things as if they were light, his use of Sword Intent has reached the Transcendent state. This boy's understanding of the Dao of the sword far surpasses his peers."
Zhao Qianjun also stroked his beard and smiled, feeling a sense of shared glory.
Ye Chen's strong performance was like a whirlwind starting to blow through the hearts of the Outer Court Disciples. Those who had previously thought he was just relying on movement speed to take shortcuts shut their mouths.
This seemingly calm youth in green robes had a true strength that was unfathomable!
The elimination round continued, with one intense duel after another. Disciples constantly advanced, while others left the field in disappointment.
Ye Chen's second-round opponent was a Kaiyuan Realm Third Level Disciple skilled in hidden weapons. Ye Chen easily closed the distance with "Flowing Wind Fleeting Shadow" and defeated him with a single sword strike.
In the third round, his opponent was a Kaiyuan Realm Fourth Level Sword Cultivator with sharp swordplay. However, before Ye Chen's "Wind Shadow Sword Art," which fused multiple Concepts, the opponent still couldn't hold out for more than ten moves before being defeated.
Ye Chen advanced triumphantly, easily breaking into the top twenty-five!
His performance completely drew the attention of all the spectators. The top geniuses of the Outer Court finally looked at him with solemnity.
Next was the brutal duel to advance to the top ten!
And Ye Chen's opponent in this round was none other than one of the recognized top geniuses of the Outer Court, the black-clad youth carrying a long spear—Situ Nan!
Kaiyuan Realm Fourth Level Peak, spear techniques like a dragon, and fierce combat power!
When the news broke, the whole place was in an uproar!
"Situ Nan! He's actually matched up against Ye Chen!"
"Now there's a good show to watch! Will Ye Chen's dark horse journey end here, or will Situ Nan's myth be shattered?"
"I think Ye Chen is in trouble; Situ Nan's 'Soul-Rending Spear' is no joke!"
Everyone held their breath in anticipation. This clash of the titans was bound to set the whole place on fire!
Ye Chen looked at Situ Nan, who was slowly walking onto the arena opposite him. In the other man's eagle-sharp eyes, a raging Battle Intent was burning.
He slowly tightened his grip on the qingfeng sword.
Finally, a decent opponent had arrived.