The Inner Sect Grand Competition Opens

The next morning, just as the sky was barely light, the inner sect training ground of Ziyang Sect was already packed with people, buzzing with excitement. The inner sect training ground was far more magnificent than the outer sect one. It sat at the foot of the main peak, Ziyang Peak, spanning a thousand acres, its surface paved with hard obsidian that gleamed with a cold luster. In the center of the training ground stood ten enormous arenas, each three zhang high, surrounded by a ring of white jade railings carved with defensive runes capable of withstanding the full-force attacks of Qi Refining Stage cultivators.

Around the arenas, tiered spectator stands rose layer upon layer, already filled with inner sect disciples and sect elders. The disciples, clad in blue daoist robes, gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing the upcoming competition. The elders sat in the front VIP seats, wearing green or purple daoist robes, their expressions calm, their gazes carrying a mix of scrutiny and anticipation.

Shen Hao and Zhang Shan met at the entrance of Qingyun Peak at Mao Hour as agreed, then headed together toward the training ground. Along the way, they encountered many participating disciples, most of whom looked tense and walked hurriedly. Zhang Shan's palms were sweating again; he clenched his fists tightly, his breathing becoming a bit rapid. Shen Hao patted him on the shoulder and said softly, "Relax. Just perform normally." Zhang Shan took a deep breath, nodded, and tried to calm himself.

Following the crowd, the two arrived at the spectator stands and found seats in the back. Their eyes turned to the high platform in front of the arenas, where a rosewood table was set, covered with bright yellow silk. Several white-haired elders sat there, their auras steady, spiritual energy swirling around them, their eyes deep as ancient wells. They were all Nascent Soul Stage Elders of Ziyang Sect, imposing and awe-inspiring.

At Chen Hour, the morning bell rang, its melodious sound spreading across the entire Ziyang Peak. The noisy training ground fell silent instantly. All disciples held their breath, their gazes fixed on the high platform. A purple-robed elder slowly walked up to the platform. Tall and dignified, he was none other than the Grand Elder of Ziyang Sect, his cultivation unfathomably deep.

The Grand Elder's gaze swept over the disciples below, and his voice rang out like a great bell, amplified by spiritual energy, reaching every corner of the training ground: "Fellow inner sect disciples, today marks the triennial Inner Sect Grand Competition of Ziyang Sect!"

As his words fell, thunderous applause erupted from the stands, deafening.

The Grand Elder raised a hand to quiet the crowd, then continued, "This competition is not only to select the top inner sect disciples and grant generous rewards, but also to give you an opportunity to spar, exchange insights, and learn from each other's strengths. I hope you all can display your true abilities, compete with style, and show your level!"

He paused, his gaze sharpening, his tone growing more serious: "This competition has two hundred participating disciples, all inner sect disciples above Qi Refining Fourth Layer. It is divided into two rounds. The first round is elimination: the two hundred will draw lots randomly and face off in pairs. The winners advance to the next round. The second round is ranking: the one hundred who advance will draw lots again and compete until the top ten are decided! The rewards for the top ten are extremely generous. I hope you will give it your all!"

When the disciples below heard "generous rewards," a gleam of fervor flashed in their eyes. At the mention of Foundation Establishment Pills and High-grade Cultivation Methods, their breathing quickened and longing showed on their faces.

The Grand Elder emphasized again: "The rules of the competition: stop at the point of contact; no lethal strikes. If one side concedes, the other must stop immediately. Anyone who insists on killing will be disqualified and face sect punishment. Do you all understand?"

"We understand!" The two hundred participating disciples answered in unison, their voices loud and clear, resounding through the sky.

"Now, the lottery begins!" At the Grand Elder's command, ten stewards in green daoist robes carried ten lottery boxes carved with mysterious runes and slowly walked to the front of the arenas. The boxes were made entirely of white jade, each containing two hundred bamboo slips with numbers written on them, each number corresponding to an opponent.

The participating disciples rose one by one and lined up to approach the lottery boxes. Shen Hao and Zhang Shan also stood and followed the crowd. Zhang Shan went first. He reached into the box, fumbled for a moment, and pulled out a bamboo slip. Seeing the number on it, his face lit up with surprise: "Great! My opponent is a disciple at Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer!"

Shen Hao patted his shoulder and smiled. "Good luck." Then he stepped up to the box, took a deep breath, and drew a bamboo slip. The slip bore the number "thirty-seven." Just as he put the slip away, a venomous voice came from beside him: "What a narrow path for enemies, Shen Hao!"

Shen Hao turned to look. Li Wei stood next to him, holding a bamboo slip with the same number "thirty-seven," his face dark as a storm cloud, his eyes gleaming with malice. Shen Hao was momentarily startled, then composed himself. He hadn't expected to run into his old rival Li Wei in the very first round.

Ever since his defeat at Qingyun Peak, Li Wei had held a grudge, training day and night until his cultivation broke through to Late Qi Refining Fourth Layer, making him much stronger than before. He had planned to show off his skills in the Inner Sect Grand Competition and settle the score, but he never imagined he'd meet his nemesis Shen Hao in the first round.

Li Wei stared at Shen Hao, grinding his teeth. "Shen Hao, I haven't repaid you for last time! This time, I'll make sure you lose badly. I'll teach you that a cultivator at Late Qi Refining Fourth Layer is not someone you can mess with!"

Shen Hao saw the venom in Li Wei's gaze but remained calm, his heart as still as an ancient well. No matter who the opponent was, he would give it his all. He nodded faintly without saying much, then turned and walked back to the spectator stands.

Watching Shen Hao's composed retreating figure, Li Wei's face darkened even further. His fists clenched until his knuckles cracked, and the murderous intent in his eyes nearly overflowed.

The first round of the Inner Sect Grand Competition was about to begin. On the ten arenas, stewards were checking the defensive runes. The disciples in the stands held their breath, eagerly awaiting the start of this clash of titans. A contest among the top inner sect disciples was about to unfold.