The Power of One Elephant

In the blink of an eye, amidst everyone's anticipation, the day for the top 300 to vie for rankings quickly arrived.

During this period, everyone had a basic consensus on who had the ability to contend for the top ten.

First was Feng Chao, currently ranked eleventh, who had become a popular candidate for the top ten.

After all, he was the formidable individual who had taken on a Level 5, 2-star mission alone.

Next were those within the top twenty; their chances were all very high.

Finally, there were those who had performed exceptionally brilliantly in the last Grand Competition.

For example, Li Biehe, ranked sixtieth. He had managed to achieve this rank with a Mid True Qi Realm cultivation last time. Now that he was in the later stages of the realm, his strength had surely improved significantly.

Coupled with his father being an Inner Sect Elder, he would not lack martial arts techniques.

Therefore, his methods were hard to predict.

In the Inner Sect Elder's residence, Li Biehe's father, Li Zaihu, asked in a deep voice:

"Biehe, the arena battles begin tomorrow. That Heavenly Illumination Divine Art, what level have you trained it to?"

"Don't worry, Father. I've already trained the Heavenly Illumination Divine Art to the ninth layer, the highest in the True Qi Realm. I will definitely make it into the top ten this time, maybe even the top three."

Li Zaihu nodded with satisfaction. "Good. This divine art was something I obtained by chance. It's an Earth-grade initial level technique. The fact that you've cultivated it to the ninth layer so quickly is enough to show your extraordinary talent."

Pleased with the praise, Li Biehe also felt delighted. He then tentatively asked:

"Father, about Zhu Ningyun, the matter I told you about..."

Upon hearing this, Li Zaihu's smile immediately vanished, and he said sternly:

"The possibility of that is slim. Zhu Ningyun is someone valued by the Sect Master, even the Grand Elders. Your father is just an ordinary Elder in the Inner Sect. Even if I were to grovel, it wouldn't yield any results."

Li Biehe felt a wave of disappointment.

Li Zaihu didn't want to crush his confidence and advised, "It's not that there's no chance. As long as you display extraordinary talent and gain the attention of the Sect Master and the others, it's still very possible."

"I understand."

Li Biehe's eyes immediately lit up. He clenched his fists, determined to go all out in this Grand Competition.

Not far outside the Wuji Sect, near a pool of water, trickles of water were flowing in from the mountain wall. Along with the water came a giant python as thick as a water bucket.

It was wrapped around a dead tree on the cliff face, slowly lowering its head to peer into the pool.

It seemed to have sensed the scent of food nearby.

Indeed, as its head dipped into the water, a figure meditating at the bottom of the hundred-meter-deep pool was immediately reflected in its bulbous eyes.

Without hesitation, its entire body slid down, heading towards the bottom of the pool.

According to its habit, it would first constrict, then begin swallowing from the head.

The first step was successful. However, when it came to the second step, the figure suddenly opened its eyes, like an ancient beast awakening.

Then, it felt a power far exceeding its constricting strength, tearing at its body.

Its feeling was correct.

With a "bang," the pool water was obscured by a red hue.

Gulp!

After an unknown amount of time, before the pool water completely turned red, a figure emerged, then slowly walked ashore.

"The third trial of the Iron Elephant Art has finally reached great success!"

It turned out this person was Lu Ming. Before the preliminary rounds last time, he had cultivated the Iron Elephant Art to the third trial.

However, it had not reached great success.

So, after obtaining his spot, he ignored the outside disturbances and came directly to this place, using the water pressure of the deep pool to push this body-refining external art to its highest realm.

However, whether it was because external arts were inherently difficult to practice and required meticulous effort, or because the water pressure of the deep pool was insufficient, he was unable to break through his limits.

Thus, he was always a single step away from great success.

Fortunately, fate intervened. Just as he was about to give up, a small snake came and gave him a great deal of help.

It was a Rank 2 mid-stage demonic beast, and its constricting power was immense.

Combined with the water pressure, it finally allowed him to break through his limits, achieving great success in his external art.

Now, not only were his internal and external arts in harmony, his defense had greatly increased. Within the True Qi Realm, very few could break through his defense.

His physical strength had also increased further, reaching a terrifying ten thousand jin.

This was the Power of One Elephant described in the technique.

And not only that, another benefit of achieving great success in his external art was that the True Qi within his body had been tempered, becoming even more condensed.

Although he was still in the Mid True Qi Realm and hadn't reached the peak, the density of his True Qi had improved compared to before.

It could be said that his strength had advanced once again.

"With this, the Inner Sect's first place should be secure, right?"

Steam rose from the water. Lu Ming used his True Qi to dry the water off his body and then returned to the sect.

The Grand Competition officially begins tomorrow, and today is the day for drawing numbers.

The Martial Arts Square, a place specifically designed for the Grand Competition by the Wuji Sect, resembles a giant, deep bowl. At the bottom are fifteen combat stages, and the walls are lined with spectator stands.

It looks like it can accommodate tens of thousands of people.

Not only will the disciples and elders of the Wuji Sect be there to watch, but also some famous figures from outside and leaders of nearby factions will be invited.

After all, the Wuji Sect needs to maintain its influence in the surrounding area, and promoting the martial prowess and talent of its disciples is the best way to do so.

Today, many outer sect disciples can already be seen here setting up the venue.

Lu Ming didn't look any further, as someone was calling him – it was Chu Yunxiao.

"You're really late. Have you seen the competition format?"

Lu Ming shook his head and asked, "Have you drawn your number yet?"

Chu Yunxiao nodded. "You go draw your number first, and then I'll explain it to you in detail."

"Okay."

Lu Ming didn't delay and headed straight for the number drawing area. There was a large box there. After his identity was verified, he reached inside.

He then pulled out a small ball.

Upon opening it, he saw it was marked "Group Eleven, Number Seven."

After it was registered, he walked out.

"How did it go?" Chu Yunxiao immediately asked.

Lu Ming held up the sign he had received. "Group Eleven, Number Seven. What about you? Don't tell me we're up against each other right from the start?"

Chu Yunxiao smiled and shook his head. "I'm in Group Thirteen, Number Three."

"What's the specific breakdown?"

Chu Yunxiao then began to explain. Apparently, the three hundred participants were divided into thirty groups, with ten people per group. The top thirty ranked individuals on the current leaderboard were designated as seeded players.

Lu Ming was in Group Eleven, and the seeded player for his group was naturally Feng Chao, who was ranked eleventh.

"It's him?"

Lu Ming suddenly recalled the figure in the mission hall. He hadn't expected to encounter him so early in the competition and found it interesting.

Without further thought, he continued listening to the competition rules.

The competition was divided into three stages. The first stage was the elimination round, which would narrow down the participants to thirty.

The second stage was the semifinals, eliminating fifteen people.

The third stage was the finals, where the remaining fifteen would compete for the top fifteen rankings.

In short, it was very detailed, and Lu Ming suspected it might even take more than a day to complete.

After understanding the competition format, Lu Ming didn't chat much more with Chu Yunxiao, as both needed to adjust their states to prepare for tomorrow's matches.

Back in his small courtyard, Lu Ming only practiced his internal cultivation before resting.

And so, in the blink of an eye, the second day arrived. Even before the dawn broke, many disciples had already woken up.

Some were there as spectators, eager to witness the excitement. Additionally, they had set up odds for many dark horse contenders, wanting to see how their investments would perform.

In short, even before the sky had fully brightened, the sect had already begun to buzz with activity.