Chapter 88 The Competition Within the Sect

The four women standing behind Lin Yue also quietly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Su Qingyuan pursed her lips, a trace of a smile flashing in her eyes; she knew Lin Yue wouldn't take advantage of such a thing. A He gently tugged at the corner of Lin Yue's robe, her eyes filled with support. Luo Ningshuang smoothed her hair, the blush on her cheeks not yet faded, though she wore a look of pride. Ling Wei raised her eyes to look at Lin Yue's back, a hint of approval flashing in her gaze, secretly thinking that he was indeed steady in his actions.

Liu Qingyan, on the high platform, was stunned for a moment, then the look of approval in her eyes grew even stronger. She laughed loudly: "Good! A truly good 'compete based on one's own strength'! Lin Yue, not only has your cultivation advanced, but your Heart-Nature is also rare! Such a modest, unarrogant demeanor that does not fear challenges is even more worthy of being learned by all Disciples!"

She turned her head to look at the other Elders of the East Peak. One white-haired Elder stroked his beard and nodded: "Junior Sister Liu is absolutely right. This Lin Yue is a youth of extraordinary vision. To have such a Disciple in the East Peak is the Sect's good fortune."

Another East Peak Elder in charge of the competition echoed: "Since Lin Yue insists on participating in the competition, the recommended spot will be chosen for someone else. However, given the strength of the five of them, I imagine no one can contend with them for the spots in the East Peak internal competition."

In the crowd, several Inner Sect Disciples who had coveted the recommended spot now wore complex expressions.

They were both glad that Lin Yue had given up the spot and couldn't help but mutter to themselves—even without the recommended spot, with the strength of Lin Yue and the others, who could stop them in the competition?

There were also a few Disciples who had previously been jealous of Lin Yue, who were now speechless.

They had originally wanted to criticize him for advancing through special treatment, but he had even refused the direct spot and instead wanted to compete based on strength. Such openness left them unable to even find a reason for jealousy.

Liu Qingyan pressed her hand down, and the plaza quieted down again. She looked at Lin Yue with a solemn tone: "Since your mind is made up, then it shall be as you say. Prepare well for the Inner Sect competition in three days with your Dao Companions. Remember, while the competition does not forbid injuring others, you must not use lethal force; stop once the point is made."

"This Disciple obeys," Lin Yue replied with a bow.

Liu Qingyan nodded with satisfaction and continued to explain the other details of the trial: "Within the Qingyuan Secret Realm, besides the Opportunity for Qingyuan Attainment, there are many Heaven And Earth Treasures and Incomplete Manuals of ancient Cultivation Techniques hidden, but it is also filled with Yao Beasts and Restrictions. After you enter as a team, you must support each other. You must compete for the Opportunity while also guarding against Cultivators from other Sects—this time, seven major Sects are participating in the trial, including the Profound Iron Sect, Hundred Flower Valley, and Nether Pavilion. Among them, the Nether Pavilion acts deviously and uses ruthless methods; you must be extra vigilant."

She paused, emphasizing her tone: "At the core of the Secret Realm, there is a Qingyuan Fruit Tree with nine Qingyuan Fruits. Consuming them can help a Qi Refining Cultivator break through the Foundation Establishment Bottleneck; this is the core Opportunity of this Qingyuan Attainment trial. Twenty spots, nine fruits—it is destined to be a fierce battle. You must act according to your ability; if a situation is impossible, prioritize saving your life."

"This Disciple understands!" the Disciples replied in unison, their eyes flashing with fiery light. Who could not be moved by the Opportunity to break through to Foundation Establishment?

After the lecture ended, the Disciples dispersed one after another. Many gathered around Lin Yue, either to ask for advice on Cultivation or to express their admiration.

"Senior Brother Lin, you are too humble! The recommended spot clearly belonged to you!"

"Senior Brother Lin, please go easy on us in the competition three days from now!"

"Senior Brother Lin, how did you and the Senior Sisters break through to the Peak within half a month? Can you share some secrets?"

Lin Yue responded to them one by one with a smile, his tone modest: "Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, you are too kind. The matter of Cultivation lies in persistence and realization; I was just lucky."

The four women stood to the side, watching Lin Yue surrounded by the crowd, wearing faint smiles on their faces.

Su Qingyuan leaned into Luo Ningshuang's ear and teased in a low voice: "Senior Sister Ning Shuang, do you think if Revered Master knew the true nature of our 'diligent cultivation,' she would take back her previous praise?"

Luo Ningshuang's cheeks flushed red, and she glared at her, but she couldn't help but curve her lips: "Don't talk nonsense; Revered Master is also trying to motivate everyone. However... the competition three days from now will be a good chance for us to stretch our muscles; it's certainly easier than 'sparring' in the stone chamber."

Upon hearing this, A He and Ling Wei couldn't help but smile at each other. The embarrassment in their eyes gradually faded, replaced by eager Battle Intent.

Although the "bitter cultivation" over the past half-month had caused them much "suffering," the improvement in their strength was real. Now, they also wanted to see who among the Cultivators of the same rank could still fight them.

Lin Yue socialized for a moment, then took the four women and left the East Peak plaza, heading towards the Lingyun Cave Dwelling.

On the way, Su Qingyuan held his arm, raised her eyebrows and said: "Husband, do you really not want to take the spot directly? It would save us from having to fight."

Lin Yue looked down at her and smiled: "Competing is fine. It's a good Opportunity to let the Sect Disciples see that your husband's and your strength does not come from taking shortcuts. Besides, entering the Secret Realm after a warm-up will help us adapt to the slaughter faster."

Ling Wei nodded in agreement: "Husband is right. Cultivators from Sects like the Nether Pavilion are not easy to deal with. It is a good thing to hone our formation through the competition in advance."

Luo Ningshuang added: "And the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters of the East Peak also have it hard. That recommended spot might help someone who needs it more. Even without a recommended spot, we can easily take a spot in the competition."

A He nodded gently: "Mm, competing with Husband is good."

Lin Yue looked at the confidence and Battle Intent in the eyes of the four women beside him, and a sense of anticipation also arose in his heart.

The half-month of bitter cultivation had not only allowed their cultivation to break through but had also deepened their mutual tacit understanding.

For this Qingyuan Attainment trial, whether it was the internal competition or the fierce battle within the Secret Realm, he had full confidence—he would take his four Dao Companions, seize the Qingyuan Fruits, break through to Foundation Establishment together, and carve out a world of their own in the cultivation world!

Three days later, East Peak competition grounds.

The sunlight was just right, and the area around the competition grounds was crowded with Disciples watching the battle. The Elders of the five great Peaks sat on the high platform, with Liu Qingyan in the main seat, her gaze falling on Lin Yue and the others, full of expectation.

The rules for this Inner Sect competition had been adjusted to five-person team duels—after all, the Qingyuan Secret Realm trial required teams to travel together, so the Sect specifically changed it to a team competition, ultimately deciding on four teams to receive spots for the Secret Realm. The rules were simple and direct: draw lots to group, two teams duel, the winner advances, until the final spots are decided.

Lin Yue and the others drew lots as a complete team, and the bamboo slip they drew was engraved with "Number Three." Their opponents were the Number Twenty-Seven team—five Inner Sect Disciples led by Fang Hao.

"First match, Number Three Lin Yue team, versus Number Twenty-Seven Fang Hao team!"

The referee Elder's voice fell, and Fang Hao led his four companions onto the competition stage.

The five stood in a triangular formation, each holding a long sword with different attributes: Fang Hao held a Gold-Patterned Sword, and the other four held a Wood Spirit Sword, Water Spirit Sword, Fire Flame Sword, and Earth Yellow Sword, respectively. It was clear they had cultivated the Five Elements Sword Array, which had been lost to the East Peak for many years.

"Senior Brother Lin," Fang Hao said, cupping his fists, his tone carrying a hint of stubbornness, "We know your strength is formidable, but we five have polished this Five Elements Sword Array for ten years. Today, we want to ask for your guidance! Even if we lose, we will be convinced!"

The four Disciples behind him also nodded in unison; although there was awe in their eyes, there was more of a do-or-die Battle Intent.

This Five Elements Sword Array generated and restrained each other, capable of stacking the strength of the five people. Although they knew that Lin Yue and the others had broken through to the Peak Ninth Level of Qi Refining within half a month, they still wanted to give it a try with this trump card of theirs.