The Grand Competition Continues

Dinner, Hundred Zhang Cliff. (www..com)

"My mother and I stood halfway up the mountain, and we watched your match today. Since my junior brother took the stage, Mother hasn't stopped praising you."

Upon seeing Qin Fengming arrive, Junior Sister Zhang Ruotong excitedly hopped over to his side, took his hand, and led him to her parents, speaking with great joy.

Hearing his Junior Sister's words, Qin Fengming's face immediately flushed red. He bent his body and knelt before his Master and Mistress. "Disciple lost a match today, which has disgraced our sect. I ask for Master and Mistress's punishment."

"Hahaha, Fengming, there's no need for punishment. I already know about the match you lost. You must have done it on purpose, and I can discern one or two reasons for that. To be so young and possess such wisdom to know when to advance or retreat is truly rare.

Your current cultivation level has greatly surprised even me, and the Hall Masters and Elders are also astonished. They all praise you highly. If they didn't know you were my disciple, they would surely try to recruit you."

Hearing his Master's words, Qin Fengming was overwhelmed with gratitude and quickly kowtowed. "This is all thanks to the diligent teaching of Master and Mistress. Disciple dares not take credit."

After praising Qin Fengming, his Master's expression turned serious. After a moment of thought, he said solemnly:

"Fengming, after practicing for this past year, you have deepened your understanding of the essence of the Thirteen Forms of the Willow sword technique. With your current cultivation, you already have the strength to enter the top ten in this grand competition."

"What? Master means that I have a great chance of entering the Elite Hall this time?" Hearing his Master's words, the young Qin Fengming almost jumped up.

Seeing Qin Fengming so excited, his Master smiled slightly and spoke again:

"Fengming, don't get happy too soon. Among this batch of disciples, there are three or four people who you might not be able to defeat. If you encounter them, you might lose due to insufficient strength. However, as long as you don't meet them too early, entering the top ten is still very possible. If you successfully enter the top ten, I will personally recommend you to Sect Master Sima, allowing you to enter the Dark Night Hall."

Hearing his Master's words, Qin Fengming showed a hint of confusion. He had no idea what the Dark Night Hall was, but from his Master's tone, it seemed to be a place superior to the Elite Hall.

"The Dark Night Hall is a secret hall of our sect. Only the core disciples of our sect can enter it. However, very few people know its true nature, and even I don't know its location. As long as you enter the Dark Night Hall, all sorts of resources will be provided infinitely. This is a place that any disciple of our sect yearns for."

Hearing his Master's explanation, Qin Fengming became extremely excited. It seemed that the Dark Night Hall was undoubtedly the ultimate goal for disciples of Luoxia Valley.

Although his Master said he could recommend him to enter, Qin Fengming knew that to obtain this opportunity, he would have to undergo several trials. In the future matches, he could not afford the slightest carelessness.

The next day, in the same valley, the atmosphere was even more lively than yesterday. However, only half of the disciples who participated in the competition yesterday remained.

At the hour of the Snake (9-11 AM), Elder Wang once again arrived before the central high platform and announced loudly:

"Today's competition has only thirty-two people remaining. It will be an elimination tournament. The winners will directly enter the Elite Hall. The losers will need to compete again to determine the top four, who can also enter the Elite Hall for further advancement. Alright, now go and collect your number plates."

Qin Fengming followed behind the other disciples and also collected a number plate. This time, the number plates were distributed randomly, with each person's name indicated after their number.

"This competition will only be held at the fifth high platform ahead. The first and thirty-second disciples will take the stage, the second and thirty-first will prepare, and so on. Go." Elder Wang said expressionlessly, looking at the disciples holding their number plates below the stage.

Standing below the high platform, Qin Fengming looked down at the number plate in his hand. It was marked with the character 'seven'. It seemed he would be the seventh to appear.

At this moment, Qin Fengming felt a slight nervousness. Regarding the three or four disciples his Master mentioned last night who could defeat him, Qin Fengming also strongly wished not to encounter them.

However, this was not something he could decide. He could only hope for the heavens and pray not to meet them too early.

The fifth high platform was directly in front of the high platform where his Master and the Hall Masters and Elders were seated. Sitting on the high platform, one could clearly see every slight movement of the disciples competing.

At this moment, Qin Fengming had lost all interest in the competition on the high platform. He had only one thing to do: rest and recuperate well, adjusting himself to his optimal state.

The Dark Night Hall held immense allure for him. If it was truly as his Master said, and he entered the top ten this time, with his Master's word being as good as gold, he would undoubtedly be recommended to Sect Master Sima of Luoxia Valley. To enter the Dark Night Hall at such a young age would save him ten years of struggle.

Two hours later, Qin Fengming stood up at the call of Duan Meng and other fellow disciples. Holding his treasured sword, he steadily walked towards the fifth stone platform.

The first battle that would determine his future destiny was finally here.

Facing a young man in his late teens or early twenties holding a saber, Qin Fengming's young face remained exceptionally calm, showing no unusual expression.

However, upon seeing Qin Fengming ascend the stage, the young man opposite him showed a hint of surprise. He glanced at the audience below and, seeing no one else ascending, asked with a hint of confusion, "You, are you the one competing against me?"

"Senior Brother, please forgive me. Junior Brother is indeed the one for this match. I hope Senior Brother will go easy on me later."

"Junior Brother, you are so young. Even if you started martial arts at eight, you've only been training for four years. How can you be a match for us disciples who have been training for seven or eight years? It's best to concede defeat voluntarily."

Looking at the boy before him, who was only twelve or thirteen years old, the saber-wielding youth, though surprised, felt greatly relieved. Facing such a weak disciple, victory was a certainty, and entering the Elite Hall would be a sure thing.

"Heh heh, it would be a form of training for Junior Brother to spar with Senior Brother for a few rounds. As long as Senior Brother goes a little easy later, Junior Brother will be immensely grateful."

As the young man presiding over the match waved his hand to signal, the crucial battle began.

Seeing that Qin Fengming was still calm and composed, the youth's heart stirred slightly. Following the signal from the presiding youth, his long saber flashed, and a saber flower bloomed. With the saber light flashing, he rapidly attacked Qin Fengming.

He intended to end the fight quickly, not giving Qin Fengming any time to retaliate.

Seeing this, Qin Fengming naturally understood the opponent's intention. Otherwise, given the opponent's status, he wouldn't have attacked a mere twelve or thirteen-year-old boy like himself.

Facing the rapidly attacking saber shadows, Qin Fengming did not dare to be careless. He wielded his long sword, and exquisite sword moves poured out. The sword tip flickered unpredictably, like willow leaves dancing in the wind. A ball of white light surrounded the youth, trapping him firmly within.

After only a brief exchange, the saber-wielding youth was greatly shocked. This boy, shorter than him, was no novice; he was clearly a martial artist of over a decade. His swordsmanship was seasoned, his footwork agile, and his exquisite sword moves were endless. To defeat this twelve or thirteen-year-old boy before him had become as difficult as ascending to heaven.