3 Year Small Competition

Of course, if there were any other options, Lei Dong wouldn't want to resort to that. After all, if he were forced to kill Zhou Minghua in front of everyone, there would be some risk in facing the Ancestor. Lei Dong would rather find an opportunity to kill him quietly.

While many people were eyeing Lei Dong menacingly, the Ghost Slaves under the Ancestor quietly appeared before the crowd and began to announce the official start of the Three Year Small Competition, using a draw to select their first opponents. There was only one rule for the competition: no intentional killing. The Ghost Slaves explained that intentional killing meant any attack after the opponent had called out "I surrender," regardless of whether the opponent was harmed. The punishment for intentional killing was extremely severe: the soul would be extracted, made into a soul lamp, and slowly burned to death with ghost fire.

Hearing the Ghost Slaves' sinister and terrifying explanation of the punishment, even the disciples of the Myriad Ghost Cave, who were accustomed to monsters, couldn't help but feel a chilling fear. They had all witnessed the process of soul refinement with ghost fire during the sect's Grand Competition three years ago, a process that was extremely cruel and terrifying. The thought of being made into a soul lamp and slowly burned was unimaginable.

Next, they announced the rewards for the Three Year Small Competition. The first-place winner would receive five thousand Contribution Value, second and third place would receive three thousand and one thousand five hundred points respectively, fourth place would receive one thousand points, and so on, with each subsequent rank receiving one hundred fewer points, until the tenth place received only three hundred points. Those ranked below twentieth would have their cultivation sealed and be subjected to a whipping. The twenty-first place would receive ten lashes, with an additional ten lashes for each lower rank. If one ranked thirty-second, they would be in a dire situation, receiving one hundred and twenty lashes, which would leave them half-dead even if they survived.

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At the same time, this ranking would officially confirm the titles of Senior Brothers and Sisters among the disciples for this batch, and these titles would not change for the next three years until the next Three Year Small Competition.

Upon hearing the rewards, everyone's faces lit up with excitement. However, when they heard the punishments, those with weaker abilities turned pale.

Then, the Ghost Slaves explained the rules for ranking. The entire competition would last ninety-six days, with one round every three days, totaling thirty-two rounds. At the start of each round, opponents would be determined by a draw. Before the draw, those who had already fought would be excluded. Each win would earn one point, while a loss would earn no points. In the event of a tie in points, additional matches would be held to determine the ranking.

Lei Dong somewhat understood the purpose of this competition format. On one hand, it was to spur the disciples to constantly strive for improvement. On the other hand, it was also an opportunity to hone their actual combat abilities. Cultivating in seclusion without practical experience would make even the strongest cultivator a weakling. Moreover, secluded cultivation often led to bottlenecks. Intense battles could potentially trigger flashes of insight or stimulate the body's potential.

This meant that the competition would only end after everyone had fought each other once. Even Lei Dong believed that after thirty-two consecutive matches, his combat skills would likely improve significantly.

Next was the draw. Everyone wanted to draw a weaker opponent in the first round to get off to a good start and boost their morale and confidence.

However, Lei Dong was indifferent. Even if he drew Senior Sister Ding, he would still have to fight her. If he couldn't win, he would simply surrender.

Under the Ghost Slaves' sinister pressure, the draw proceeded in an orderly fashion. However, only sixteen people were needed for the first round. When it was Lei Dong's turn, he saw Zhou Minghua watching him gloomily from not far away, likely hoping Lei Dong would draw him. Ignoring him, Lei Dong reached into the draw and pulled out a slip. He looked at it and saw the name Wu Qianqiu. He didn't have a strong impression of this name, only vaguely remembering that he was very ordinary. He scanned the crowd and spotted Wu Qianqiu in the distance, then waved at him.

The scribe began to record: Lei Dong drew Wu Qianqiu, the second match on Arena C. The draw results were then publicly announced.

Wu Qianqiu was a sturdy young man who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old.

Since joining the sect, he had diligently cultivated and had just broken through to the Third Layer. Seeing this, he breathed a sigh of relief. Although Lei Dong was well-known among his peers, he was still only at the Third Layer. Facing him in the first match was better than directly confronting a direct disciple of the Ancestor.

Lei Dong also looked around. Based on his previous knowledge, he realized that after three years, many of his peers had reached the Third Layer, with a few at the Second and Fourth Layers. Zuo Chao and Zhou Minghua, due to their excellent aptitude and resources, had reached the Fifth Layer. As for Senior Sister Ding, Lei Dong couldn't see through her cultivation, but it was rumored that she had reached the Sixth Layer a few months ago. She was also the biggest favorite to win this competition.

Five thousand points of Contribution Value! Even with the Soul Devouring Pagoda, a treasure of immense power, in his possession, Lei Dong couldn't help but feel tempted. To obtain such a large amount of contribution solely through Spirit Stones would cost thousands. Lei Dong now understood the value of Contribution Points. Using them to exchange for common Magic Artifacts, Pills, or other resources would be very inefficient; it would be better to buy them in the market. However, using Contribution Points to exchange for Cultivation Methods, spells, and other rare and precious items was very ideal. Especially for the unique spells and cultivation methods of the Yin Sha Sect, which were unobtainable elsewhere, one had to rely on Contribution Value.

However, Lei Dong was merely tempted by the five thousand Contribution Points. It would not be easy to snatch the prize from Senior Sister Ding. Senior Sister Ding not only had a cultivation base of the Sixth Layer but also possessed many Mid-grade Magic Artifacts and even High-grade ones. Even if he used his full strength, he would likely lose.

Originally, Lei Dong thought he could contend for second or third place, but he truly didn't want to be too conspicuous in terms of strength. It was best not to reveal his true capabilities if possible.

Soon, the draw was completed. Chen Ge and Wei Hua squeezed up to him, flanking him on either side, and asked menacingly, "Be honest, what evil spell did you cast on Senior Sister Ding? Not only did she speak to you kindly, but she even accepted your gift?"

"Heh heh, this is my Exclusive Secret Technique," Lei Dong said with a sly smile. "If you two want to learn it, it'll cost you one hundred Spirit Stones each."

"Get lost!" Chen Ge and Wei Hua both burst into laughter and playfully punched him.

After a bit of joking, Chen Ge's expression turned serious. "But seriously, you're only at the Qi Refining Third Layer now. When you encounter Zhou Minghua later, just surrender directly. That way, he won't take advantage of you when you're not paying attention and suddenly attack you. But what I fear most is him provoking you. Don't lose your temper."

"Don't worry, I can't be bothered with him," Lei Dong said lazily, stretching. "How were your opponents in the draw?"

Chen Ge's face lit up, his eyes narrowing into slits as he grinned. "My opponent is only at the Qi Refining Second Layer." However, Wei Hua's expression was exceptionally gloomy. He raised his hand and said, "My opponent is Senior Sister Ding."

"Haha." Even Lei Dong couldn't help but burst into laughter after a moment of surprise. He had to admit, this guy's luck was truly incredible. He laughed until his stomach hurt, then put an arm around Wei Hua's shoulder sympathetically. "The only thing I can do for you, buddy, is cheer you on from the sidelines."

Wei Hua rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I think you just want to watch me make a fool of myself, don't you? Don't get too cocky. You'll run into Senior Sister Ding sooner or later, and I'll get my revenge then."

"Revenge, revenge, it's all about having fun today," Chen Ge wasn't exactly a saint either, readily accepting the offer to cheer.

Their match was the first on Arena B. The two of them dragged the crestfallen Wei Hua along.

There were a total of five arenas, and each was presided over by a Foundation Establishment Realm second-generation disciple from the Myriad Ghost Cave, acting as referees. Soon, the black-faced referee on Arena B called out the names of Wei Hua and Ding Wanyan.

Ding Wanyan's appearance naturally drew a crowd. However, Wei Hua, before the fight even began, was already intimidated and reluctant to go up. Lei Dong and Chen Ge exchanged a look, then lifted him up and tossed him onto the stage.