Outer Sect Trial (Please Keep Reading)

At the mention of the Ghost Face Spider, a commotion immediately broke out below.

"My heavens, why would the sect deploy such a powerful Spirit Beast?"

"I heard that an adult Ghost Face Spider is at least at the 7th level of Qi Refining. What are we supposed to do if we run into one head-on?"

"This is bad. I cultivate the Wooden Vine Art, which is perfectly countered by spiderwebs. If I'd known, I would've learned the Fireball Art."

Xiao Chen did not actually know much about Ghost Face Spiders. After all, he had joined the Outer Sect only recently, and he had been busy cultivating lately.

So he silently made a note to himself that after returning this time, he had to visit the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion and make up for his lack of common knowledge about the Cultivation World.

However, after listening closely, he discovered that the Ghost Face Spider seemed to excel at trapping enemies with its webs and feared fire attacks the most.

If that was the case, then he seemingly had no need to worry.

Besides, the Flying Rainbow Mountain Range was so vast. It was not as if he would necessarily run into a Ghost Face Spider.

He only needed to slow down a little while traveling and stay alert.

The disciples of Branch 2 would not depart until noon.

After Manager Chen finished his lecture, he announced free time and told them to think things over and prepare in advance.

Outside the gathering point on the sect's southern side lay a broad stretch of open ground.

Starting yesterday, clever disciples had brought items over to set up stalls, taking advantage of the crowd to trade what they had for what they needed and earn a little profit from the difference.

Sure enough, quite a few disciples had "accidentally" used up some pills on their way here and needed to replenish them. The two sides hit it off immediately.

Xiao Chen had not paid much attention before coming, since he had the Hextech Buff.

Nor had he expected the sect trial's intensity to be raised so drastically all at once.

Having just heard the grim news from Branch 1, he reconsidered and felt that he should be more cautious. Spirit Stones had to be spent when they needed to be spent.

Thus, he also came to the stalls on the outskirts, intending to pick up something for protection.

"Flying Fire Talismans made by Senior Brother Li of the Inner Sect! Two Spirit Stones each! Only the last three left!"

The moment he arrived, he saw a disciple holding three Talismans and shouting.

Even more outrageously, another disciple actually bought all three Talismans without hesitation.

Xiao Chen's brow immediately rose. Normally, one Spirit Stone could buy two such Flying Fire Talismans. This resale brought a fourfold profit.

More outrageously still, even at that price, all fire-related Talismans at the stalls had already been swept clean.

It was clear that the news of the Ghost Face Spider had greatly stirred everyone up.

He even saw several Inner Sect senior brothers setting up small stalls farther away from the Camp, making Talismans to order on the spot.

Long queues stood before every stall, and the senior brothers' faces were all bright with delight.

Xiao Chen shifted his gaze and spotted several Light Body Talismans at a junior brother's stall.

He strode over in a single step. "How much are these Talismans?"

"One Spirit Stone each. If Senior Brother wants them all, five Spirit Stones for all six."

"No, once we get back to the market, one Spirit Stone can buy five of these. Isn't that too expensive, Junior Brother?"

"Senior Brother, that's not quite right. If you had come yesterday, I would've sold them at three for one Spirit Stone, just earning a little for my trouble. But times have changed, and so has the market."

Heh, you people really knew how to raise prices on the spot.

The Li Fire Sect had strict rules. Unlike Rogue Cultivators in the market, the sect stipulated that only after entering the Inner Sect could one begin learning the Hundred Arts of Cultivation.

Therefore, if ordinary Outer Sect Disciples had not prepared in advance, they could only silently endure these inflated prices now.

"Eh, isn't this Junior Brother Xiao? I happen to have some extra Light Body Talismans. Come with me over here, Junior Brother. I'll spare you a few."

Just as Xiao Chen was about to take out Spirit Stones, a familiar voice suddenly sounded beside him.

Turning around, he saw a young cultivator dressed in black with red patterns, the character Chen embroidered on his chest.

The man was Chen Guangyu, the 6th level of Qi Refining senior brother who had traveled alongside Xiao Chen two days ago.

On the way here, Xiao Chen had learned that he belonged to the Li Fire Chen Family and was Manager Chen's distant nephew.

So he set down the Light Body Talisman in his hand and followed the man to an unoccupied corner nearby.

Chen Guangyu readily took out six Light Body Talismans. "Before coming, my family helped prepare quite a few Talismans. One Spirit Stone will do, Junior Brother."

Xiao Chen handed over one Spirit Stone and picked up five. "I'm already deeply grateful that Senior Brother is willing to give them to me at the regular price. How could I turn around and take advantage of Senior Brother instead?"

It was only preparation to begin with.

"Junior Brother has principles." Chen Guangyu put away the Talismans, then changed the subject. "I heard from my uncle that Junior Brother is a promising talent. I imagine passing this trial should be a sure thing for you."

"Senior Brother has a small business proposition here. I wonder whether Junior Brother might be interested?"

"Oh? Please speak, Senior Brother. I'm all ears."

"This trial uses Points Jade Tokens as proof, with the top ten places up for contention. I am confident of entering the top ten, but I have long coveted a Mysterious-grade Secret Skill."

As he spoke, Chen Guangyu held up three fingers. "If Junior Brother has any extra Points Jade Tokens, I'll pay this amount for every Point."

As soon as he said that, Xiao Chen understood.

The Jade Tokens had no names engraved on them. Whoever presented them received the credit.

Chen Guangyu was planning to privately collect Jade Tokens and make a push for the rankings.

After learning the rules yesterday, Xiao Chen had pondered the same question: which mattered more, ranking or rewards?

For every place an Inner Sect Seed ranked higher, they could receive an additional one Spirit Stone in monthly cultivation subsidies on top of the basic Ten Spirit Stones.

Over a year, the difference between first place and tenth place could amount to one hundred and twenty Spirit Stones.

But then again, a Yellow-grade Spell was also worth more than a hundred Spirit Stones, and it was received all at once.

Considering the Featherweight contestant bonus, voluntarily giving up the fight for the top three was the better choice.

He had not planned to contend for the top spots anyway. Under such circumstances, if Chen Guangyu was willing to offer a high price, enough to offset the losses from a lower ranking, there was indeed room for a deal.

He simply had not expected the other man to be so confident in his ability to obtain Jade Tokens as well.

Had he seen through his strength?

Sure enough, outstanding people were like fireflies in the night—so conspicuous.

Xiao Chen decisively nodded. "Since Senior Brother has such confidence in me, this Junior Brother will naturally give it his all."

Chen Guangyu reminded him, "Then it's settled between us. Oh, right, this is only a little idea Senior Brother came up with himself. Junior Brother, don't..."

Xiao Chen patted his chest. "Rest assured, Senior Brother. I have always kept my mouth shut."

Watching Xiao Chen leave, Chen Guangyu took out a Little Notebook and put a check beside his name.

"Two more people. I need to hurry."

He did not actually think Xiao Chen had the ability to contend for the rankings at all, but obtaining six Points should not be difficult.

Giving him advance notice and reserving those extra Points could not hurt.

Though the Points Xiao Chen could provide alone might not be many, drops of water gathered into a river. Added together, they would be no small help.

More importantly, by making arrangements in advance, he could prevent other competitors from buying Points and pressing him down instead.

At that moment, Xiao Chen suddenly returned with a solemn expression.

Chen Guangyu frowned. What was going on?

Xiao Chen asked in a low voice, "Senior Brother Chen, I have another question. How many extra Points is Senior Brother willing to buy back?"

Chen Guangyu burst into laughter and answered without hesitation, "Naturally, however many you have, I'll take."

"Is that true, Senior Brother? When the time comes, if I bring the Jade Tokens over, Senior Brother can't refuse to take them."

Xiao Chen pressed the question. In his eyes, this was a major business deal.

"Absolutely true. Junior Brother, put a hundred hearts at ease."

Watching Xiao Chen leave as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, Chen Guangyu could not help shaking his head.

This was hilarious. You're a Junior Brother at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, yet you're worried about that?

How many Points could you possibly get in total?