Volume 1 Chapter 18 The Great Competition Begins

  Dark clouds filled the sky, a low and oppressive atmosphere shrouded the entire Red Lotus Temple.

  Hundreds of indoor disciples stood silently in the square, regardless of their cultivation level, all indoor disciples had a very solemn expression. The square was so quiet that a needle could be heard falling.

  On the north side of the square, there are three white jade stone bridges connecting this square and Wan Jue Cave. On the white jade stone bridge, there are the first five halls and several elders, all of whom are leaders of the sect.

  These big shots are usually not seen casually. Only at this time today, there is an opportunity to see their demeanor. Gao Huan has been here for ten years and has participated in many comparisons between the old and the young. He almost knows all the leaders of the sect.

  Standing in the middle is an old man with white hair and yellow clothes, Ren Yunfeng, the first seat of Qilin Hall, the younger brother of the sect master Xile Zhenren. He is highly respected and usually presides over major and minor matters of the sect, coordinating the operation between the five halls.

  The yellow-robed monk beside Ren Yunfeng was the master of Gao Huan's magical technique, Mo Jinguang. The Dharma body had a coarse and majestic face, a tall and large figure, with skin as if smeared with gold powder, presenting a light golden color. The expressionless face looked like a golden Vajra statue in the temple.

  Gao Huan had the deepest impression of Fa Xiang, because every year he would meet and pay respects to Fa Xiang twice, listening to Fa Xiang's explanations on cultivation methods. Fa Xiang also had many disciples who were admitted into his inner chamber, but it was just that his disciples all died quickly, in ten years, Gao Huan was already familiar with the faces of those who came and went before him.

  Because of the scarcity of disciples, Gao Huan also had the opportunity to ask various questions about his practice. For some reason, Fa Xiang specially taught him the Qinglong Fan Haitui leg technique.

  In the past, Gao Huan didn't appreciate it, but after forming Qinglong Wheel, Gao Huan discovered the wonders of Qinglong's leg technique. Now thinking about it, Fa Xiang being able to pass on Qinglong's leg technique to him is also a very high recognition.

  However, Gao Huan still didn't like Fa Xiang. Fa Xiang was not like a normal person at all, and he didn't even seem human. Although Gao Huan hadn't spent much time with him, he always felt that Fa Xiang was like a stone statue, without any normal human emotions. He never smiled or got angry, his face was like a well-carved mask. Even in his eyes, there were no normal human emotions.

  Staying by Fasheng's side, Gao Huan always felt a chill run down his spine. Gao Huan thought that although Fasheng had taught him the Qinglong Fanhai Leg, it couldn't be said that Fasheng appreciated him, but rather that Fasheng had some calculation of his own.

  Gao Huan thought that after becoming a true disciple, he would have to follow Fa Xiang for a long time, and his heart felt a chill. Unfortunately, it was always the master who chose the apprentice, and the apprentice never had the qualifications to choose the master.

  At this time, Qinglong Hall's first seat Ren Yunfei began to speak. "Inner disciples, today is the once-in-three-years sect's grand competition, and the top ten will be promoted to true transmission disciples, while the last twenty disciples will be executed."

  As soon as this was said, the inner disciples who had been prepared for a long time still turned pale. The Great Competition is not a joke, and even if one does not have the ambition to become a true disciple, they must fight with their lives on the line to protect themselves.

  The cultivation of hundreds of inner disciples is uneven, but the majority are about the same. At the moment of life and death struggle, who dares to say that they have a sure win? Although only the last twenty disciples will be eliminated, at least fifty or sixty people will die in each big competition.

  Gao Huan, who had experienced two Grand Comparisons, had a clearer understanding of the cruelty of the Grand Comparison. This time, Gao Huan broke through to the third stage of martial arts and would have a great advantage in the Grand Comparison. However, taking the True Disciple's quota was not easy either.

  Ren Yunfei continued, "The rules of the Grand Comparison are simple. All inner disciples will enter the Wan Jie Cave and pay homage to the statue of Hong Lian Patriarch by burning incense. The ranking will be determined by the order in which they burn incense. The top ten will become true transmission disciples, while the last twenty... need not be mentioned. The top ten true transmission disciples will receive rewards: first place will receive a Four-Stage Upper Grade Five Elements Reversion Jade Belt, second place will receive a Four-Stage Upper Grade Sword Equipment Xuan Ying Sword, third place will receive a Four-Stage Lower Grade Wu Jin Inner Armor..."

  As soon as the reward was announced, although there was no commotion below, it was a sound of gasps.

  Wu Xing Gui Yuan Jade Belt, can be used to absorb, accumulate and purify the five elements of yuan qi to temper the body day and night without rest. It is a treasure for low-level cultivators who practice body refinement. In combat, it can also provide endless support of yuan qi. Whether in cultivation or in battle, it plays an extremely important role. Its value is at least 6,000 taels of gold or more.

  Xuan Ying Sword, also known as a sword instrument, is not just a simple treasure sword, but an instrument that can guide the primordial energy of heaven and earth. It also has the sharpness of a treasure sword, which is why it's called a sword instrument. Martial artists can use the sword instrument to guide their primordial energy and produce sword energy. Practitioners or mages can also use the sword instrument to groom their own primordial energy. The lowest value of a Xuan Ying Sword at the fourth rank middle grade is at least 4,000 taels of gold.

  Wujin Nei Jia, a top-grade defensive artifact that naturally protects one's body. Worth over 2,000 taels of gold.

  The law instrument or sword instrument can only be forged with materials of three grades or higher. Inside, it also needs to engrave runes and spell arrays to spit out the yuanqi of heaven and earth, and enhance its power.

  Materials of seven grades or higher are required to forge a spiritual artifact. This type of spiritual artifact is called a Lingyuan. A Lingyuan is extremely rare, and even with the powerful Tianlian Sect's resources, high-grade Lingyuans are not common. Throughout the Xuan Yuan Dynasty, ninth-grade Lingyuans can be counted on one hand.

  The Four-Stage Instrument is naturally incomparable to the Spiritual Instrument, but many Guardian-level figures have at most one or two top-grade Four-Stage Instruments. This shows just how precious the Five Elements Return to Origin Jade Belt is. The effect of the Five Elements Return to Origin Jade Belt is extremely special, even more useful than a general Fifth-Stage Instrument. Its value can no longer be simply measured by its rank as a top-grade Fourth-Stage Instrument.

  Gao Huan participated in the Grand Comparison for the third time, but this time's reward was the most generous. In the previous two times, the first prize was only a three-stage lower-grade artifact. The value of the Five Elements Return to Yuan Jade Belt is at least ten times higher than that.

  The rewards between the top ten are vastly different, and also stimulated those who have the qualifications to compete for the true transmission disciples to strive for first place. Gao Huan was also excited in his heart, and the Five Elements Return to Yuan Jade Belt really stimulated him. Others were fine, but for him, this jade belt was really too crucial. With the Five Elements Return to Yuan Jade Belt, Gao Huan's Golden Five Elements Wheel cultivation realm could be increased by at least double the speed.

  He originally wanted to keep a low profile, but thinking that he was going to compete for the true disciple, being too low-key would not deceive others. Since that's the case, he might as well make a big show, and put the Wu Xing Gui Yuan Jade into his pocket.

  Showing a genius side, he would be subject to much hostility, but also gain the sect's attention. Gao Huan had been low-key before and was momentarily unable to turn his head around. The generous reward made Gao Huan think through the pros and cons, deciding not to hide anything anymore.

  As long as he becomes a true disciple, even if the law enforcement disciples are killed and suspected of him, they will not be punished for it. Gao Huan's eyes wandered around, unfortunately, Fei Xue stood in the front row, he couldn't communicate with Fei Xue at all. Fortunately, Gao Huan only made some strategic adjustments, which would not affect their previously formulated plan.

  Ren Yunfei was very satisfied with everyone's reaction, and after a pause, he said: "The Wan Jie Cave is a forbidden place of the sect. The formation array is strict, and the sect's elders will pay attention to your performance. Also, during the competition, there are no rules. Everyone can fully display their talents and martial arts skills. Victory is the only thing you need to pursue."

  Everyone's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Ren Yunfei's words were clear, encouraging everyone to win at all costs. The sect only cared about the outcome and didn't mind the process.

  Ren Yunfei glanced at the timing device in his hand, turned his head and politely asked several heads beside him: "Let's start now." Seeing that the other heads had no objection, Ren Yunfei formally announced: "The inner disciples enter the Wan Jie Cave, starting the grand competition."

  Hundreds of meters into the room, three teams of disciples were lined up, entering the Wan Jie Cave through the three jade stone bridges in a fish-like manner.

  The Wanjiadong Cave is like an inverted mountain peak, with a rounded top and a sharp bottom. The circular surface has a diameter of over 100 meters, with hundreds of holes on it. The lower part is sharp as a cone, extending deep into the Tianchi Lake water. From the outside, it looks like a giant black lotus flower.

  Hundreds of disciples each randomly selected a cave and stood still, after which the vast primordial energy inside the Cave of Eternal Rebirth began to shake and circulate. Although the Cave of Eternal Rebirth itself did not shake, the intense shaking of the primordial energy gave people a feeling of dizziness.

  Suddenly, a burst of white light shot up from the hole and into the sky. After the white light passed, all the disciples who had entered the room disappeared without a trace.

  Ren Yunfei led several first seats into the core position of the Wan Jie Cave, the Zushi Hall, from the largest hole in the center. A white light flashed by, and more than a dozen people arrived in front of the Hong Lian Zu Shi statue.

  Inside the ancestral hall, jade bricks and golden pillars, a huge four-legged bronze incense burner with swirling incense, a three-zhang-high white jade Buddha statue standing on top of the incense table. The Buddha's hands are in the lotus seal, his red feet stand on a blooming red lotus, his face is dignified and majestic, his eyes embedded with black gemstones are calm and profound, and there is a small red lotus flower between his eyebrows.

  This Buddha statue has a majestic and stern aura, vastly different from the usual peaceful and compassionate Buddhist statues, and it subtly exudes an infinite murderous intent.

  Ren Yunfei and others lit incense in the censer, performed three bows and nine knocks of great courtesy, and quietly chanted the Dharma name of Hong Lian Zushi to pray for blessings. Throughout the whole process, everyone was extremely respectful and did not dare to be negligent.

  "The prosperity of our sect's talents is a testament to the ancestors' blessings, and they must be delighted." Yunfei said with a relaxed expression after completing the ritual of paying respects to the ancestors.

  Qilin Hall's first speaker immediately had several elders speaking in agreement.

  "Yes, I see that among this batch of indoor disciples, there are already seven or eight people who have entered the third stage realm, which is rarely seen in recent years."

  "Hehe, this group of disciples still has a few who claim to be three heroes and four beauties. Although their tone is somewhat arrogant, they also have some standards."

  Ren Yunfei stroked his long beard and smiled: "Among the inner disciples, I think Bai Shanyou is strong and fierce, he should be able to get first place."

  "Bai Shan is brave but reckless, being able to stay alive is already a big luck. I think Fei Xue can be the first." Zhu Que said suddenly. Miao Ying was wearing a red dress like blood, with wind-swept hair and misty temples, her eyes were like autumn water, her slender figure rose and fell with elegance, and the small piece of crystal-like skin exposed at the collar added to her charm.

  Miao Ying had a nickname, Huo Feng. Although she looked delicate and beautiful, her temperament was actually violent and ruthless. Her skills were high and profound, and no one in the sect dared to provoke her. Although she was younger than Ren Yunfei by one generation, they were of the same rank in terms of their duties. Miao Ying disliked Ren Yunfei's slyness and hated him for having used underhanded tactics on her before, so she never treated him with courtesy.

  The master of the Xuanwu Hall, Yu Diejun, also smiled lightly and said: "I think that Yue Zhenjiu's Youyou Huanyu Mo can grasp the true essence, it is very likely to get the first place." Yu Diejun was elegant in appearance and had a refined demeanor. At this time, as soon as he spoke, he relieved Ren Yunfei's embarrassment.

  Mr. Zhong of the Qinglong Hall said, "In that case, Qin Heng also has a great chance of getting first place." Mr. Zhong was short and had an ordinary face, but his voice was like thunder, with an extraordinary heroic spirit.

  The always silent Fahsang said: "Wu Kong." Fahsang's voice was like gold and iron, clear and powerful, concise and meaningful, only saying a name to clearly express his meaning.

  Five faction leaders each nominated their own inner disciples, involving a struggle between the five factions. The sect's greatly increased reward for true transmission disciples was strongly advocated by Ren Yunfei. The first prize, the Five Elements Return to Origin Jade Belt, was clearly prepared for Bai Shan who cultivates the Great Asura Body.

  Several other elders said that their own disciples could take first place, also to compete with Ren Yunfei. The elder's position is respected and noble, there is no need to get involved in this power struggle. Several elders pretended to be fully focused on the formation of the law array, no one spoke up.

  Ren Yunfei's reaction to the several first seats was not unexpected, he had already made arrangements and didn't need to engage in verbal disputes with a few people, just twirling his mustache and smiling, with an air of ease. "Who wins or loses will be clear when the time comes. Let's take a look at the performance of the various disciples first..."

  On the wall beside the ancestral hall stood a white jade screen, which showed various lights and shadows as the formation turned, revealing the situation inside the Wan Jie Cave.

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