"Come on, Old Bull, let's go see the excitement." "Moo." Chen Xun led the big black bull, sprinting after the crowd. The venue for the sect competition was on another high peak, quite a distance from here. As they approached the mountain of the sect competition, the number of disciples from the Five Elements Sect increased. Chen Xun, wearing a straw hat and leading the big black bull, became inconspicuous among them. There were not only spirited senior brothers but also delicate junior sisters, their laughter ringing out, causing many disciples to swallow nervously.
At the peak was a vast square surrounded by nine stone pillars, where a dozen elders sat cross-legged atop the pillars, gazing down at the disciples with an air of authority. "Wow!" Chen Xun wandered around with the big black bull, observing countless disciples seated in various places, taking out golden tokens to register. The square was filled with a cacophony of voices, yet it didn't feel crowded; there were even wisps of mist drifting by, adding an ethereal quality to the scene.
"Moo~" The big black bull nudged Chen Xun, wondering why he wasn't signing up. "Let's observe the situation first; there's no rush." Chen Xun smiled, wanting to see what level the top five hundred were at. The big black bull nodded, stretching its head to look at the cultivators, its nose sniffing the air curiously.
Three days later, the main peaks of the Five Elements Sect erupted with divine light, and a resounding bell echoed everywhere, followed by the low roars of disciples throughout the mountains. Boom—boom—... Nine consecutive strikes resonated, the echoes lingering in the Yuzhu Mountain range, while several individuals soared into the sky, moving with light, their feet unencumbered by any artifacts. The annual sect competition officially began, marking an opportunity for many disciples to see the prominent figures of the sect.
As a giant peak cleared of mist, all disciples respectfully ascended the mountain, not daring to fly on their swords. Looking down, they saw a vast sea of black-clad figures, the sheer number sending shivers down their spines. Chen Xun, trailing behind the other disciples with the big black bull, didn't dare to breathe loudly; he had seen someone walking through the air! The overwhelming aura of that person made both him and the big black bull feel as if a mere glance could crush them.
Atop the giant peak, dark platforms were established in various locations, overlooking over a hundred fighting stages, each manned by a foundational elder. They sat calmly, waiting for the younger generation. "Greetings, esteemed elders, greetings, sect master!" "Greetings, esteemed elders, greetings, sect master!"... All disciples bowed, their voices booming around them, the clouds swirling, the atmosphere majestic.
On the platforms, thirteen prominent figures rose, each with distinct expressions and attire, gazing at the thousands of disciples. Their otherworldly presence was impossible to ignore, easily spotted amidst the crowd. "The younger generation is formidable; the Five Elements Sect's grand competition officially begins!" Sect Master You Yuanhua smiled slightly, his robe billowing without wind, his deep voice resonating everywhere, making every disciple feel as if they were under his watchful gaze.
Without further ado, all disciples flushed with excitement, looking towards the fighting stages, their internal powers surging. The foundational elders' eyes sparkled, and a jade slip soared into the air: "In the sect competition, life and death are fated; if you find yourself outmatched on stage, you may concede." The foundational elders stepped onto their artifacts, soaring into the air, but did not dare to exceed the heights of the platforms. They looked expressionlessly at the disciples, channeling their powers into the jade slip: "Begin!"
As the words fell, countless disciples' tokens glimmered in their hands, their opponents chosen completely at random; the first battle relied solely on luck. Below the platforms, over a hundred inner disciples stood at the forefront, dressed in white, their eyes gleaming as they gazed at the various fighting stages. The thirteen prominent figures on the platforms also directed their attention to the scene; these juniors were the future of the sect, and they did not want their gems to gather dust.
As their gazes swept across, the battles on the stages reached a fever pitch, each participant eager to showcase their abilities, exerting their utmost effort. On one stage, two disciples in blue faced each other; one broke into a cold sweat, his heart racing—how did he end up facing him! "Bai Shi... Senior Brother, I hope for your guidance." He was at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, his strength limited, but he still had the power to fight back, unwilling to be looked down upon.
"If you lose, Junior Brother, don't be disheartened; there will be opportunities next year." Bai Shi wore a friendly smile, exuding a gentle aura, complemented by his chiseled features—truly perfect. Cheers erupted from the crowd, countless junior sisters enchanted, calling out for Senior Brother Bai! Many junior brothers gathered around the stage, cheering for their senior brother, putting immense pressure on the opposing fighter.
"Oh dear." A voice of discontent broke through as Chen Xun led the big black bull to a shaded area, watching the junior sisters with a sigh. "With such looks and strength, he would be popular in any world." "Moo moo!" The big black bull shook its head, nudging Chen Xun, thinking that Chen Xun was the best-looking, even if he never groomed himself.
Leaning against the shade, Chen Xun fanned himself with his straw hat, occasionally picking his nose, his eyes glued to the unfolding spectacle. On the stage, Bai Shi's expression suddenly sharpened; he activated a wind technique, leaping onto the stage with a powerful stomp, causing the platform to tremble. The surrounding powers rippled outward, a suffocating aura rushing toward his opponent, a slender sword slowly materializing in his hand.
The opponent was quick to respond, activating a talisman that flashed white light, suddenly appearing beneath Bai Shi's feet. "Earth Spike Talisman, Junior Brother, you really went all out." Bai Shi smiled slightly, his body twisting in an uncanny manner, perfectly evading the spikes, his demeanor relaxed. "What?!" The opposing disciple's eyes widened in disbelief; he hadn't even grazed Bai Shi's robe.
"Clang." Bai Shi's sword energy, infused with power, slashed out, and the disciple took a deep breath, gritting his teeth to withstand the blow, staggering back a few steps. He felt a sweetness in his throat, forcing the blood back down, steadying himself, but blood vessels appeared in his eyes as he unleashed another talisman. "Mighty Force Talisman!" The disciple's eyes burned with determination; if he couldn't match in power, he would rely on physical prowess.
His muscles bulged, a fierce aura enveloping him as he roared and charged forward with his sword. Bai Shi's eyes showed a hint of seriousness; he tapped his storage bag, summoning another flying sword that whistled sharply through the air. However, it halted just half a foot from the disciple, a golden barrier blocking the sword. Bai Shi chuckled softly, "Diamond Talisman!"
Under the shade, Chen Xun and the big black bull widened their eyes; while others fought with power, this person was fighting with spirit stones. "A wealthy disciple indeed." Chen Xun blinked, looking at the big black bull, "When can we have such spirit stones?" The talismans clanged as they struck out, infuriating the senior brother.
"Moo~" The big black bull called out dismissively, its eyes wide; the variety of techniques in these battles was overwhelming. "Oh, the footwork!" Chen Xun was excited; he wanted to learn a technique for movement, to maximize his speed. On the stage, Bai Shi avoided direct confrontation, continuously dodging, waiting for the Mighty Force Talisman to wear off, leaving the disciple exhausted.
As expected, Bai Shi won the battle, but this was not his true strength; his opponent was merely one of the inner disciples.