Maoshan Grand Competition Day, Zhong Bai Intends to Hide His Strength

Another year passed in a flash.

In this year, Zhong Bai descended the mountain over twenty times, accumulating a total of 4500 Exorcism Points.

However, aside from allocating 500 Exorcism Points to the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art, Zhong Bai distributed the remaining points between the Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art and the Thunder Escape Technique.

The Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art progressed quite well; Zhong Bai was practically at the peak of Qi Condensation Layer 3 and could break through to Qi Condensation Layer 4 if he wished.

It would just draw too much attention.

As for the Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art, it was a different story.

A full two thousand points were invested, meaning if Zhong Bai had to cultivate it himself, it would take six or seven years. Yet, even with that, the Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art had not reached perfection.

This left Zhong Bai speechless...

Still, there were gains. While his vital energy strengthened, his arms also gained five thousand jin of immense power!

Furthermore, the Thunder Escape Technique proved quite effective. Two thousand Exorcism Points poured into it brought Zhong Bai's Thunder Escape Technique to mastery.

This year, Zhong Bai was nearly twenty-one, and he had been at Maoshan for almost five years.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall.

True Immortal Qianyuan looked at the respectfully standing Zhong Bai, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. His disciple stubbornly refused to participate in Maoshan's quinquennial Grand Competition.

Originally, True Immortal Qianyuan thought that with Zhong Bai's current strength, even if he didn't take first place, just participating would be enough to let his fellow disciples know of his talent and bring honor to him.

"Zhong Bai, my disciple, are you... truly not planning to participate in this Grand Competition?"

Zhong Bai was taken aback, unsure why his master was so keen on him participating.

He quickly shook his head.

"Master, this disciple's mind is made up. The so-called Grand Competition is merely a friendly match to compare cultivation achievements.

Master knows this disciple's nature; I am unwilling to contend with my fellow Maoshan disciples.

Especially Senior Brother Four-Eyes and Senior Brother Lin Fengjiao, this disciple truly does not wish to participate in the Grand Competition. I hope Master will grant my wish!"

Hearing this, True Immortal Qianyuan sighed helplessly.

"Alas, alas. This Grand Competition is quite special. The world's situation is quietly changing. The Qing dynasty is on the verge of collapse, and an era of chaos is approaching. Leaving the mountain a little later is fine.

At least this way, it's safer, isn't it?"

It sounded like he was talking to himself, but as soon as Zhong Bai heard "leaving the mountain," he was stunned.

"Ahem, Master, what did you just say? Disciples who rank high in this Grand Competition can leave the mountain?"

Zhong Bai suspected he was so desperate to leave the mountain that he was hearing things. But even with the slightest chance, Zhong Bai wouldn't let himself give up.

"That's right. The top five disciples, regardless of their cultivation level, can choose whether or not to leave the mountain!"

It wasn't until True Immortal Qianyuan repeated himself that Zhong Bai was certain: the opportunity he had always longed for had finally arrived!

"Ahem, Master, this disciple will always remember your kindness. Before, I truly didn't know how to repay you. Since Master still wishes for this disciple to participate in the Grand Competition, then I shall obey your command!"

????

True Immortal Qianyuan also wondered if he had misheard, but seeing Zhong Bai's suddenly changed expression, filled with longing, he confirmed it.

"My disciple, you... actually don't have to participate. I was just saying. You've only been here for less than five years.

Participating in the Grand Competition for fun is one thing, but if you truly make it into the top five, even I might not be able to protect you!"

For some reason, True Immortal Qianyuan felt a pang of anxiety, as if his disciple was about to leave.

It was like an old father marrying off his daughter. True Immortal Qianyuan had only one disciple in his life, Zhong Bai, and he truly cherished him.

However, True Immortal Qianyuan probably wouldn't have guessed in a million years how eager Zhong Bai was to leave the mountain and guard a territory.

"Master need not persuade me further. When I first entered the sect, I said I only wished to sweep away all demons across the Nine Provinces. Now, after nearly five years of studying here, though I am untalented, I possess a heart unafraid of evil!

Though the Grand Competition will be difficult, this disciple will do his best to make Master proud!"

Zhong Bai spoke with such righteous conviction that True Immortal Qianyuan was left utterly speechless.

"Sigh, alas. Sooner or later, you'll have to leave Maoshan to guard a territory. You're also nearing Qi Condensation Layer 4, and with Thunder Techniques' extremely strong combat ability, ordinary Vengeful Ghosts are no trouble at all.

Even a Ghost Soldier, you can fight!

No matter how worried I am, I am willing to believe that you, my disciple, know when to advance and retreat, and understand gain and loss."

True Immortal Qianyuan didn't continue with other admonishments. It was still too early to tell; what if Zhong Bai couldn't make it into the top five?

Of course, that probability was actually very low.

Back in his small courtyard, closing the door, Zhong Bai's heart was pounding. He couldn't calm his ecstatic state.

"Heaven helps me!

Now that I have this opportunity, I must seize it. This Grand Competition should allow people to leave the mountain. At least the sect master's direct disciple, Shi Jian, and Senior Brother Lin Fengjiao, will probably succeed."

Thinking of this, Zhong Bai was quite emotional.

Before coming to Maoshan, Zhong Bai thought it was fortunate enough to become an outer disciple.

Yet, he was incredibly lucky, chosen by his master and brought into the fold.

When Zhong Bai learned he had an older martial brother named Lin Fengjiao and that the Sect Leader's direct disciple was Shi Jian, he decided that in the future, he wouldn't aim to surpass these two powerhouses. His goal was simply to maintain good relationships with both of them.

When Zhong Bai achieved minor success in the Supreme Clarity Body Forging Art after a year and began cultivating the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art, he set his sights on becoming a Foundation Establishment True Immortal and inheriting the position of elder in the Law Enforcement Hall.

Everything had been progressing steadily until the Exorcism Panel appeared, shattering all of Zhong Bai's previous plans.

In just one year, his progress in all aspects was incredibly fast, and that was without being able to acquire a large number of Exorcism Points.

Otherwise, Zhong Bai believed he could push his cultivation to an unimaginable level within a year!

"The Sect Leader's direct disciple, Shi Jian, seems to be only at the peak of Qi Condensation Level 4. Senior Brother Lin Fengjiao from the Talisman Hall just entered Qi Condensation Level 4, and Senior Brother Four-Eyes from the Corpse Herding Hall is at Qi Condensation Level 3, which is even lower than mine...

Hmm, getting into the top five in the grand competition shouldn't be difficult, but there's no need to be overly dazzling!"

Having set the tone for the grand competition, Zhong Bai decided not to be too eye-catching. A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. Without absolute strength, Zhong Bai didn't want all his trump cards to be revealed.

Meanwhile, in the Sect Leader's main hall!

At this moment, Shi Jian's gaze was somewhat anxious. The current Shi Jian was not yet the future Thunder Techniques Master. Facing his sect leader and master, who was in seclusion, he truly dared not even breathe loudly.

"Jian'er, I found you and brought you to Maoshan when you were ten. You officially began cultivating at sixteen. Although you were delayed for some time due to certain reasons, reaching the peak of Qi Condensation Level 4 at twenty-four is still quite good.

In Maoshan, the only one who can compare to you is Lin Fengjiao, your Uncle Lin's disciple from the Talisman Hall.

He's at Qi Condensation Level 4 at twenty-three.

After this grand competition, my disciple, you can go down the mountain and establish your own dojo.

Remember, you are a future candidate for the Sect Leader. There are some things you can do, and some things you absolutely must not do. Do not bring ruin upon yourself!"

The thunderous voice echoed. The current Maoshan Sect Leader, Xuanmingzi, had still not emerged from seclusion, yet even without seeing his face, just hearing his voice made Shi Jian's soul tremble.

"Master, this disciple understands. This disciple will certainly not disappoint you!"

"I hope so. You may go..."

Hearing this, Shi Jian nodded and left the main hall.

Feeling Shi Jian's retreating figure, Xuanmingzi, who was in seclusion in the secret chamber, smiled bitterly with a hint of helplessness.

He had just divined Shi Jian's future. Hmm, nine deaths, one life!

As the Maoshan Sect Leader, Xuanmingzi couldn't interfere too much, especially while in seclusion. Regarding Shi Jian's future, he could only offer a warning. He could only watch as the future unfolded