The Grand Competition of the Five Regions officially began. The first to step onto the arenas were the Foundation Establishment disciples from each region. The instant the protective barriers closed, dazzling spells flashed across the arenas, and in less than three breaths, disciples were already tumbling off the platforms.
The eliminated disciples were immediately caught with a sweep of a golden core cultivator's sleeve, preventing them from suffering any further injuries.
Yet the eliminated disciples were clearly deeply frustrated. They had never expected to be knocked out so quickly, and they returned to the spectator stands looking somewhat dispirited.
Zhang Lingrui and Yunxi were not seated in the stands. They had merely concealed themselves as they observed the matches. This was an unspoken agreement among the Five Regions: each region would privately arrange for high-level cultivators to watch over its participating disciples.
Since they had no idea what tricks the demonic cultivators might pull during the competition, they could only prepare defensively. Huaxian Sect, as the host, had even more matters to oversee, so each region could only make its own arrangements to protect its contestants.
Today, it was Haoran Sect's turn, and Yunxi and Zhang Lingrui had been assigned to secretly protect the Western Regions' participating disciples.
Zhang Lingrui stood beside Yunxi with his arms folded. Watching the disciples competing below, he said with a smile:
"Seeing these young disciples reminds me of when we took part in the Grand Competition. It was that very competition that made the four of us acquainted through fighting. Looking back now, we really have been through quite a lot together.
"I remember that your cultivation back then wasn't the highest, but your luck was excellent. You had two byes and went straight into the finals."
Yunxi curled her lips into a smile.