Chapter 28: Three Years of Small Comparisons

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  Of course, but if there were other possibilities, Leidong would not want to take that step. After all, if he was forced to kill Zhou Minghua in front of everyone, it would still be a bit risky to get past Laozu. Leidong would rather find an opportunity to quietly and silently get rid of him.

  As many people were staring at Leidong Hu, the old ancestor's ghost slave suddenly appeared in front of everyone and announced that this year's three-year small competition was officially starting. The way to choose each person's first opponent was by drawing lots. The rules for the competition had only one rule: no intentional killing was allowed. As for what constitutes "no intentional killing", the ghost slave only gave a brief explanation, which was that if someone shouted out "admit defeat" and then continued to attack in any way, regardless of whether it harmed their opponent or not, it would be considered intentional killing. The punishment for those who intentionally killed others was extremely severe: they would have their soul extracted, made into a soul lamp, and slowly tortured to death by the yin fire.

  After the ghost slave's eerie and terrifying announcement of the punishment, even the Wan Gui Ku disciples who had long regarded ghosts as ordinary objects couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines. The matter of refining souls with ghostly flames was something everyone had witnessed three years ago during the sect's grand competition, an extremely cruel and terrifying affair. If one were to be made into a soul lantern, the thought alone was unbearable.

  The rewards for this three-year small competition were then announced. The first place winner will receive 5,000 points of sect contribution, the second and third places will receive 3,000 and 1,500 points respectively, the fourth place will receive 1,000 points, and each subsequent place will decrease by 100 points until the tenth place has only 300 points. As for those who ranked twentieth or lower, they will be locked up to practice their cultivation and subjected to corporal punishment, with the twenty-first place receiving ten lashes, and every subsequent place increasing by ten lashes. If one is ranked thirty-second, it would be disastrous, having to endure 120 lashes, even if not fatal, half of one's life would be gone.

  At the same time, this ranking is a formal confirmation of the titles of brothers and sisters among the disciples in this session. It will not be changed within three years until the next three-year competition.

  When they heard the reward, one by one, their faces showed excited expressions. However, as soon as they heard the punishment content afterwards, those who were slightly weaker, one by one, turned pale.

  Then, the ghost slave said how to proceed with the ranking rules. The whole small competition will last for 96 days, with one round every three days, a total of 32 rounds. At the beginning of each round, a draw will be held on the spot to determine the opponent, and before the draw, those who have already fought against each other will be eliminated. One win gets one point, and the loser gets no points. Finally, if there are people with the same score, an additional trial will be added to decide the ranking.

  This kind of trial method, Lei Dong also has some understanding of its meaning. Firstly, it is to spur the disciples to continuously strive for improvement, and secondly, it is also an opportunity to hone the disciples' actual combat skills. If one only knows how to cultivate in seclusion, no matter how high their cultivation is, they will still be a mediocre person. Moreover, cultivating in seclusion often leads to encountering many bottlenecks. Through intense battles, there may be moments of enlightenment or stimulation that can bring out the body's potential and so on.

  That is to say, everyone must fight against all the same level before the entire small competition will end. Even Lei Dong believes that after thirty-two consecutive battles, he may have made great progress in fighting skills.

  Then comes the draw, everyone wants to draw a weak team in the first round, make a good start, and boost morale and confidence.

  But Lei Dong didn't care, even if he drew Ding Shi Jie, he would still play a few rounds with her, and at worst, if he really wasn't her match, he could just admit defeat.

  Under the gloomy oppression of Gui Nu, the lottery draw was surprisingly orderly. However, for the first draw, only sixteen people were needed. When it was Lei Dong's turn, he saw Zhou Minghua staring at him from a distance with a sullen expression, seemingly hoping that he would draw his name. Ignoring him, Lei Dong reached out to touch the slip of paper and took a glance at the name written on it - Wu Qianqiu. The name didn't leave a deep impression on him; all he could vaguely recall was that Wu Qianqiu was an ordinary person. After scanning the surroundings, his gaze landed on Wu Qianqiu in the distance, and he waved at him casually.

  The host began to record, Lei Dong drew lots, against Wu Qianqiu, the third game of the second round. And publicly announced the results of the draw.

  Wu Qianqiu was a young man who looked like he was seventeen or eighteen years old. Since entering the sect, he had been diligent in his cultivation and had just broken through to the third layer. Seeing this scene, he also let out a slight sigh of relief. Leidong's reputation among his peers was not small, but he was still only at the third layer. The first time they met, it was better than directly facing the old ancestor's personally taught disciple.

  Lei Dong also glanced around the ring, adding to his previous understanding, and knew that after entering the door for three years, many of his peers had entered the third layer, a few in the second and fourth layers. Zuo Chao and Zhou Minghua, due to their good qualifications and resources, had entered the fifth layer. As for DIng Dashi, Lei Dong couldn't see through her cultivation, but it was said that she had already reached the sixth layer several months ago, and she was also the biggest hot favorite to win this small competition.

  50,000 contribution points, even with the Reverse Treasure, Soul Devouring Tower in hand, Lei Dong couldn't help but feel a thrill. If he were to obtain this many contributions just by donating spirit stones, it would cost him over 1,000 spirit stones. Now, Lei Dong somewhat understood the use of contribution points. Some common resources and tools that could be exchanged for contribution points wouldn't be worth it, and it would be better to buy them from the market instead. However, exchanging contribution points for skills, techniques, and some rare and precious items was a very good deal. Especially the unique skills and techniques of the Dark Shadow Sect, which couldn't be obtained on the outside market, could only be acquired through contribution points.

  However, as for those 5,000 contribution points, Lei Dong was just moved in his heart. To think of snatching food from the tiger's mouth, Ding Shifu, it's probably not that easy to do. Not only has Ding Shifu's cultivation reached the sixth level, but she also has a large number of mid-grade artifacts on her body, and even some high-grade ones. Even if he were to exert his full strength, he would likely be defeated.

  Originally, Leidong thought that being second or third would be acceptable, but he really didn't want to stand out too much in terms of strength, and it was best not to expose himself if possible.

  It wasn't long before the draw was over. Chen Ge and Wei Hua squeezed to his side, one on the left and one on the right, sandwiching him in, and asked menacingly: "Confess honestly, what evil curse did you put on Teacher Ding? Not only did she speak to you with a smile, but she even accepted your gift?"

  "Hmph, this is my exclusive secret technique." Lei Dong narrowed his eyes and smiled: "If you two want to learn it, each of you has to pay 100 spirit stones."

  "Get out of here." Chen Ge and Wei Hua burst into laughter, heavily pounding him.

  After laughing for a while, Chen Ge's expression finally turned serious: "But to be honest, you're only at the third layer of Qi refinement now. Later on, when you encounter Zhou Minghua, it would be better if you just surrender directly, so as to avoid him taking advantage of your carelessness and making a sneak attack. But what I'm most worried about is that he will provoke you, don't lose your rationality."

  "Don't worry about it, I'm too lazy to care." Lei Dong lazily stretched his waist and asked, "How are the opponents you two drew in the lottery?"

  Chen Ge's face suddenly lit up, laughing so hard that his eyes narrowed into a slit: "My opponent is only at the second level of Qi refinement." However, Wei Hua's face was unusually gloomy, raising his hand and saying: "My opponent is Dīng Shī Jiě."

  "Haha." Even Lei Dong couldn't help but burst out laughing after a moment of stunned silence. He had to admit, this guy's luck was just too strong. Laughing so hard his stomach hurt, he patted him on the shoulder with a sympathetic expression: "The only thing I can do to support you is to cheer you on from the side."

  Wei Hua's eyes rolled back in anger: "I think you want to see me make a fool of myself? Don't be too arrogant, you'll eventually meet Teacher Ding's sister, and I'll get my revenge when the time comes."

  "An eye for an eye then, let's just enjoy ourselves today." Chen Ge also wasn't a good guy, and he gladly accepted the proposal to go stir up some excitement.

  Their match was just the first game of the B-numbered arena. The two men dragged and pulled, taking Wei Hua away with a bitter face.

  There were five arenas, each with a second-generation disciple of the Wan Gui Ku's foundation period serving as a judge. Soon, the black-faced judge at Arena B called out the names of Wei Hua and Ding Yuanyan.

  Ding Yuanyan made her appearance, and naturally attracted a crowd of onlookers. However, Wei Hua was already showing signs of cowardice before the fight even began, hesitating and refusing to go up. Lei Dong and Chen Ge exchanged a look, then picked him up and threw him onto the stage directly.

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