Taking the Vanguard

After hearing Yang Yuanzi's introduction, Fang Wang felt that something was amiss. If the final nine slots were determined solely by the number of victories, wouldn't the lower-ranked peaks have the advantage?

As long as the peak ranked second refused to challenge the peak ranked first, couldn't they suffocate the First Vein alive?

But on second thought, he understood.

This was the Nine Meridians Martial Competition!

First came the contest between the Nine Peaks, and only then came the contest between individuals. Which vein to challenge was not for the disciples to decide. To a peak master, the ranking of their vein was what mattered most; the final nine slots were merely the disciples' personal interests.

The peak ranked second would certainly challenge the First Vein. Otherwise, they would have to wait another ten years!

A vein peak's ranking concerned the allocation of sect resources and could also attract disciples to join. Like the First Vein, which had the largest number of disciples.

Wait!

Zhou Xue was in the First Vein, and Lu Yuanjun was too...

Fang Wang suddenly felt the pressure emanating from the First Vein. The First Vein was not to be touched!

Still, the Third Vein was ranked eighth, so they probably would not challenge the First Vein.

Yang Yuanzi continued explaining various matters requiring attention. The nine disciples listened earnestly, and only when bells rang out from the Sect Main City did Yang Yuanzi lead them away.

The group flew on swords. From high in the air, Fang Wang saw countless disciples flying toward the ten vein peaks surrounding the Sect Main City, weaving through the hazy snow mist.

The bells of the Sect Main City rang without pause. Golden light rose from thirty-two different areas within the city, gathering in midair to form thirty-two translucent Golden Mirrors. Only when he drew closer did Fang Wang see that each mirror reflected an enormous Martial Competition Platform.

That Martial Competition Platform stood in the center of the Sect Main City, one hundred zhang long and wide. Formation artifacts lined its edges, while pavilions stood beyond them. Normally, disciples would settle their grudges here as well.

Following Yang Yuanzi toward the Martial Competition Platform, Fang Wang saw disciples from all Nine Peaks arriving throughout the city. They spread out in every direction; there was no need to approach the platform, as they could simply look up at the Golden Mirrors to watch. Some disciples eager for excitement began setting up betting pools, allowing others to wager spirit stones and Spirit Qi Pills.

"Brother Fang Wang! He's participating too!"

On one street, Fang Xin watched Fang Wang streak across the sky and cried out excitedly. The three Fang Manor disciples beside her grew excited as well. Fang Wang had only been in the sect for three years, yet he could already participate in such a major sect event?

What kind of talent was that!

These clan members felt no jealousy, only boundless pride. The more famous Fang Wang became, the more they benefited.

Fang Hanyu, his eyes covered, flew in on his sword from the vast snow mist. Though he had not seen Fang Wang's figure, he had come specifically to watch Fang Wang fight. After returning and learning of White Clad Startling Swan's record, he had understood the truth: Fang Wang was White Clad Startling Swan!

With White Clad Startling Swan's strength, entering the Nine Meridians Martial Competition would not be difficult!

After Fang Hanyu achieved Spirit Molding, his strength had soared. Unfortunately, he had not managed to fight his way out of the Second Vein. The Second Vein's overall strength ranked among the top three and was by no means comparable to the Third Vein.

The names of the vein peaks reflected their earliest rankings. The Third Vein had once ranked third, yet now it had fallen to eighth. It could be called the greatest joke in the Taiyuan Sect.

Fang Wang followed Yang Yuanzi into a pavilion beside the Martial Competition Platform. Yang Yuanzi went straight to a chair on the terrace and sat down, while the disciples stood behind him.

"Master, which vein shall we challenge first?" Li Yu asked.

Fang Wang watched the other vein peaks fly into their respective pavilions. For now, he had not seen Zhou Xue.

Yang Yuanzi said calmly, "We'll challenge the Fifth Vein first."

The Fifth Vein had ranked seventh last time. Challenging them would place the least pressure on the Third Vein.

After a while, Fang Wang saw the First Vein arrive. A large group of First Vein disciples had come, with Lu Yuanjun and Zhou Xue among them.

After the time it took an incense stick to burn, Guang Qiuxian descended with a group of elders from the main peak. Peak masters such as Yang Yuanzi rose one after another, and the disciples behind them all quieted down.

True Person Greedy Sleep, who had served as an elder during the entrance examination, landed on the Martial Competition Platform. He looked as unreliable as he had three years ago.

"The once-in-ten-years Nine Meridians Martial Competition is beginning early. I trust the peak masters have already explained the rules. There are seven days in total, so take your time fighting. Which vein wishes to be the first challenger?"

True Person Greedy Sleep spoke with a smile. His voice was actually transmitted through the city's thirty-two Golden Mirrors, spreading throughout the entire main city.

After speaking, True Person Greedy Sleep swept his gaze across the pavilions.

Yang Yuanzi did not speak. Instead, he closed his eyes.

Seven full days was enough time for every vein to take the stage. Even those who lost could continue challenging, so long as they still had disciples capable of fighting.

Very soon, the Fifth Vein's peak master said, "The Fifth Vein challenges the Second Vein!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a disciple behind him flew onto the platform. A disciple from the Second Vein leaped onto the Martial Competition Platform as well. Four elders sat cross-legged around the platform, immediately casting spells to activate the formation. The artifacts at the platform's edges emitted pale white curtains of light, which expanded continuously as they rose until they connected end to end with the other light screens.

Once the formation was established, True Person Greedy Sleep announced the start of the match.

Both participants were in the Spirit Pill Realm. Clearly, they both wanted to get off to a good start. Fang Wang watched intently, wanting to see what a Spirit Pill Realm battle looked like.

His fight with Li Honggang had ended too quickly, leaving him unclear on how Spirit Pill Realm cultivators normally fought.

Then again, the Fifth Vein was really hard-headed. Ranked seventh, yet they had challenged the Second Vein, which was among the top three!

As soon as the battle began, the two disciples condensed their respective natal artifacts. They rapidly cast spells and fought at range, all manner of techniques erupting amid unending booms.

The Martial Competition Platform was extraordinarily sturdy. No matter what spells struck it, its surface remained smooth as jade, without the slightest damage.

The disciples staying in the main city all watched the battles, discussing them with their friends, keeping the entire city in a constant uproar.

The first battle lasted half the time it took an incense stick to burn. The Second Vein disciple won, but he did not step down, instead remaining to face the next battle.

"Master, who will go on stage first for us later?"

Li Yu asked. He was not as excited as disciples from the other veins, since the most recent Nine Meridians Martial Competitions had been nothing but days of humiliation for them.

Yang Yuanzi kept his eyes closed and said, "You arrange it."

At those words, Li Yu turned to look at the disciples, his brows knitting slightly.

Which one is White Clad Startling Swan?

White Clad Startling Swan's name had spread throughout the cultivation world, so Li Yu had naturally heard of him. Anyone capable of using the Startling Swan Divine Sword Art had to belong to the Third Vein. Yet Yang Yuanzi and the Third Vein elders had all flatly denied it, leading him to boldly suspect that White Clad Startling Swan might be one of the Personal Disciples.

Before long, Li Yu's gaze landed on Fang Wang. "Junior Brother Fang, are you willing to take the vanguard?"

Fang Wang nodded. "Of course I am!"

But if I go up, none of you will get a chance!

"Senior Brother Fang can definitely do it!" Zhou Bo said ingratiatingly.

That was right. Zhou Bo had also secured one of the Third Vein's nine slots. Fang Wang rather suspected that he had come in through the back door.

The other disciples looked at Fang Wang with curiosity and scrutiny. He had entered the sect as a Personal Disciple, and that halo weighed too heavily, causing many disciples to hold him to higher standards.

Gu Li shook her head slightly and sighed inwardly. It seemed she would not be taking the stage today, at the very least.

The competition between the Second Vein and Fifth Vein lasted an hour, ultimately ending in the Fifth Vein's defeat. Five Fifth Vein disciples were severely injured, making for a truly miserable sight.

There were numerous elders around the Martial Competition Platform, and True Person Greedy Sleep was on the platform as well. There was no possibility of disciples dying.

Next came the Ninth Vein. This vein peak, initially ranked last, actually challenged the First Vein. Only then did Fang Wang learn that the Ninth Vein had ranked fourth in the previous Nine Meridians Martial Competition.

Fourth challenging first—quite bold, and just as hard-headed as the Fifth Vein.

The First Vein's first participant was neither Lu Yuanjun nor Zhou Xue, but this disciple was immensely powerful. Wielding a dharma sword, he won four consecutive matches before calmly stepping down to be replaced.

Fang Wang secretly compared their strengths. Li Honggang was likely no match for this First Vein disciple.

The First Vein truly deserved to be called the strongest vein peak!

In less than half an hour, this vein peak competition ended with the First Vein's victory. They had only lost one match and had sent out merely four people in total. Zhou Xue had not taken the stage.

It seems Zhou Xue holds a very high position in the First Vein.

Fang Wang was curious. Zhou Xue had gone away for three years—what kind of strength had she displayed upon returning to earn such standing?

Disciples throughout the city were marveling at the First Vein's strength, while the First Vein disciples basked in the shared glory, each one brimming with pride.

"Which vein wishes to challenge next?"

True Person Greedy Sleep stood atop the Martial Competition Platform and asked. As his words fell, Yang Yuanzi's voice rang out. "The Third Vein challenges the Fifth Vein!"

The entire city erupted in an uproar!

The Fifth Vein had just failed in challenging the Second Vein, with five severely injured disciples. How long had it been? Yet the Third Vein was actually taking advantage of their misfortune?

This had been Yang Yuanzi's original arrangement. Fang Wang had thought Yang Yuanzi would change his mind after the Fifth Vein lost, but unexpectedly, he did not.

Good heavens, it seemed the Nine Meridians Martial Competition was the real deal, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface!

The Third Vein disciples looked toward Fang Wang. Without another word, Fang Wang walked to the terrace's edge, leaped, and landed upon the Martial Competition Platform.

"It's you, little fellow. You've grown quickly."

True Person Greedy Sleep winked at Fang Wang and teased him.