Selection Tournament!

"Ten thousand taels of silver... should be about enough." Ye Feng looked at the banknotes in his hand, his eyes flickering.

Time to buy a Top-grade Qi Gathering Pill!

The Top-grade Qi Gathering Pill was among the finest Grade 2 pills. Its price was exorbitant—far beyond what an ordinary Body Refining Realm disciple could ever hope to afford.

Yet its effects were equally tyrannical. After taking it, one could increase the chances of breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm by a full 80%!

Ye Feng had made this decision for two reasons. First, he had tried using the system to modify that Grade 2 Qi Gathering Grass, only to discover that a ten-year modification period was far too short for the growth of Treasure Herbs. The effect had been negligible.

Second, he truly had little confidence in this body's Bone Root Talent. The fact that ten years of modified cultivation had only brought him to the Body Refining Tenth Level was proof enough.

To ensure a smooth breakthrough to the Qi Gathering Realm, he had to play it safe.

Thus, without the slightest hesitation, Ye Feng sold the Grade 2 Qi Gathering Grass he had picked earlier as well, gathering enough money to buy a Top-grade Qi Gathering Pill.

"With this Top-grade Qi Gathering Pill, breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm should be in the bag." Ye Feng clenched the small jade bottle containing the pill.

However, a pill alone was not enough to break through to the Qi Gathering Realm. He also needed to cultivate a Qi Gathering cultivation technique.

And only Inner Sect disciples were qualified to obtain Qi Gathering cultivation techniques.

In the sect's eyes, Outer Court disciples only counted as half-disciples, receiving barely any resources.

Only by becoming an Inner Sect disciple could one truly receive the sect's full support and gain access to better cultivation techniques, martial skills, and resources.

"So the Inner Sect Selection Competition is mine for the taking!" Ye Feng's gaze was resolute.

No longer lingering in Black Forest Town, Ye Feng packed his belongings and set off back to Feiyun Sect. He had to prepare for the upcoming Inner Sect Selection Competition. Only by entering the Inner Sect could he obtain a Qi Gathering cultivation technique and truly take the crucial first step on the path of cultivation!

Feiyun Sect Outer Court Plaza.

With only one day remaining before the Inner Sect Selection Competition officially began, the plaza was already packed with Outer Court disciples. Heads bobbed through the crowd, while discussions and conversations rose without end. The atmosphere was fervent and tense.

"Have you heard? The bar for this Inner Sect Selection Competition has been raised again. You have to reach the Body Refining Tenth Level just to participate!"

"Sigh, I'm only at the Body Refining Eighth Level. Looks like I have no hope. I can only work harder next year."

"Forget next year. How can the Body Refining Tenth Level be so easy to break through? Among us Outer Court disciples, anyone who reaches the Body Refining Tenth Level is a true genius."

"Exactly. The ones most likely to advance this time should be Senior Brother Ding Qian, Senior Brother Jin Zhong, and Senior Brother Wei Zhao, right?"

At the mention of those three names, the discussions in the plaza grew even more heated.

"There's no need to mention Senior Brother Ding Qian. They say that back when he was at the Body Refining Tenth Level, he could kill Level 1 demon beasts across realms. His strength is unfathomable. I even heard he has secretly broken through to the Qi Gathering Realm already! If that's true, an Inner Sect position is already his for the taking!"

"Senior Brother Jin Zhong's swordsmanship is incredible too—ghostly as a phantom, marvelous beyond measure. Among the Outer Court disciples, aside from Senior Brother Ding Qian, there are practically no opponents to be found!"

"And there's Senior Brother Wei Zhao. His fists are hard as iron! Among those of the same level, he has few rivals. They say he can even face Senior Brother Jin Zhong's swordsmanship head-on!"

Those three were publicly acknowledged as the cream of the Outer Court disciples, and they were also the hottest candidates for advancement in this Inner Sect Selection Competition.

Ye Feng stood at the edge of the crowd, listening to the surrounding disciples' chatter with a calm expression. Ding Qian? Jin Zhong? Wei Zhao? In his eyes, those so-called geniuses could not threaten him for the time being.

He pushed through the crowd and headed straight toward the Outer Court steward in charge of registration.

"Disciple Ye Feng, Body Refining Tenth Level, here to register for the Inner Sect Selection Competition," Ye Feng said to the steward.

The Outer Court steward looked Ye Feng over. Finding him unfamiliar, he pointed to the strength-testing stone beside him. "Circulate your blood and qi. Prove your strength."

Following his instruction, Ye Feng released a tiny trace of the power of his blood and qi. An aura belonging to the Body Refining Tenth Level spread from his body. He did not deliberately reveal potential beyond the Body Refining Tenth Level; he only wanted to register quietly.

"Mm, it is indeed the Body Refining Tenth Level." The steward nodded and wrote Ye Feng's name into the register. "All right, your registration is successful. Gather here at the Outer Court Plaza tomorrow morning and prepare for the competition."

"Thank you, Steward." With that, Ye Feng turned and left.

The next morning, Outer Court Plaza.

Even more Outer Court disciples had gathered here than the day before. Aside from the competitors, there were even more onlookers who had come to watch the excitement and cheer for the senior brothers they supported.

At the center of the plaza stood a temporary elevated platform, where several Outer Court Elders and numerous stewards sat.

An Outer Court Elder with white hair and beard and a stern face rose to his feet. His gaze swept across the disciples below as he cleared his throat, his booming voice ringing out. "Silence!"

The plaza instantly fell quiet, and every disciple turned their attention to the platform.

"Today is the selection competition for Outer Court disciples of Feiyun Sect to advance into the Inner Sect!" the Elder said slowly. "I believe everyone already knows the rules, but I will repeat them once more!"

"First, eligibility! Any Outer Court disciple who has reached the Body Refining Tenth Level may participate in this selection competition! Those who have already broken through to the Qi Gathering Realm need not participate and may advance directly to become Inner Sect disciples!"

At this, envy appeared in many disciples' eyes. The Qi Gathering Realm was a goal far beyond their reach.

"Second, the format of the competition!" the Elder continued. "For this selection competition, we will open the entrance to the Trial Secret Realm in the sect's back mountain. All participating disciples will enter a designated Arena and fight Fierce Beasts randomly released within! We Elders will observe from the side and assign comprehensive scores according to your battle performance, the speed at which you kill Fierce Beasts, and the potential you display!"

"Third, advancement and rewards!" The Elder raised his voice. "Those with outstanding battle performance will successfully advance to become Inner Sect disciples and enjoy the treatment of Inner Sect disciples! And the most outstanding performer among all participants will receive an additional sect reward—10 Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

"Ten Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

The crowd below instantly erupted into an uproar! Every participating disciple's eyes lit up! This was an enormous fortune!

The ordinary disciples began talking excitedly. "My heavens, the rewards are this generous this year? Ten Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

"But isn't this competition format too difficult? In previous years, it seemed like they had to break through formations or pass traps and such. This year, they've directly changed it to fighting Fierce Beasts!"

"Exactly. Fierce Beasts won't show mercy. It's far too dangerous! Good thing I'm not qualified to participate..."

Those disciples who had failed to meet the entry requirements were relieved that they did not have to risk their lives, yet they still drooled over those ten Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Most of the participating disciples, meanwhile, wore eager expressions. Though it was dangerous, high risk meant high reward! As long as they could advance into the Inner Sect—or even claim those ten Spirit Stones—it would all be worth it!

"Alright, the rules have been made clear!" the Outer Court Elder said sternly. "Now, the disciples whose names are called will enter the Trial Secret Realm one by one!"

"First, Chen Ye!"

A burly disciple drew a deep breath and stepped out from the crowd, walking nervously toward the entrance of the Trial Secret Realm.

Before long, the roars of Fierce Beasts and the clash of weapons rang out from within the Trial Secret Realm.