The Selection Begins

?The Selection Begins

Bi Fan swallowed an Inner Breath Pill and began cultivating the Qingyang Longevity Art.

The Inner Breath Pill melted as soon as it entered his mouth, transforming into a warm current that raced through Bi Fan's meridians.

Bi Fan hurriedly circulated the Qingyang Longevity Art to refine the medicinal energy.

After absorbing all the energy from one Inner Breath Pill, Bi Fan could clearly feel that his inner breath had increased considerably.

Then he practiced the basic footwork of Misty Dance and the Carefree Immortal Finger. With inner breath to back him up, practicing martial techniques was much easier.

Late that night, Bi Fan continued practicing the martial techniques in the Blood Demon Art, tempering his physical strength.

No matter what realm one cultivated, physical strength was extremely important. The strength of the body determined how much spiritual energy and spiritual power one could absorb and contain.

The Blood Demon Art placed the greatest emphasis on cultivating the body. It even contained many sinister methods, such as devouring the bloodlines of powerful cultivators to strengthen one's own body.

After finishing his cultivation, Bi Fan took out Talisman Communicate with Gods and began studying it.

Bi Fan had bought Talisman Communicate with Gods mainly to learn about talismans, so he could identify and use them in the future.

Although Talisman Communicate with Gods recorded knowledge of only beginner talismans, it was exceptionally detailed—even including methods for inscribing them.

For now, Bi Fan had no intention of learning how to inscribe talismans. Instead, he focused on the sections about identifying and using them.

Time always flew when he was studying. Outside, the sky had already grown bright.

Bi Fan washed up, tucked the still-sleeping Dragon Sable into his clothes, then headed to the Medicine Garden.

He inspected all the precious spiritual herbs. Only after confirming nothing was wrong did he finally relax.

Yu Si Yan had shown him kindness by recognizing his potential. Bi Fan wanted to do his utmost to carry out the task she had entrusted to him.

If anything happened to those precious spiritual herbs, Bi Fan would have no way to answer for it.

That day, Bi Fan stayed crouched in the Medicine Garden, tending to it until he was satisfied.

After that, Bi Fan settled into a dull but fulfilling routine, spending every day cultivating and caring for the spiritual herbs.

In the blink of an eye, another three months passed. It was time for the Qingyang Sect's annual Registered Disciple selection and Inner Disciple martial competition.

After three months of hard cultivation, Bi Fan's strength had improved tremendously.

His physical strength was now close to four cloudstones, and he had reached the peak of the Inner Breath Realm.

He had also accumulated a considerable amount of inner breath and could just barely use the Carefree Immortal Finger. Although it could only harm targets within one meter, Bi Fan was already ecstatic.

This was his trump card. If he used it at a critical moment, his opponent would have no chance to guard against it.

As for the basic footwork of Misty Dance, Bi Fan had already mastered it so thoroughly that he could use it as he pleased. However, his realm was still too low for him to practice Misty Dance itself.

Bi Fan had yet to practice the Qingyang Willow Catkin Sword Art. He was afraid that if he used it in a pinch, he would be unable to explain himself. After all, the Qingyang Willow Catkin Sword Art was one of the Qingyang Sect's most important secret arts.

Bi Fan had never stopped cultivating the Blood Demon Art. His rapid progress was inseparable from it.

Bi Fan had also thoroughly studied Talisman Communicate with Gods, but he had not tried inscribing any talismans. He wanted to devote himself entirely to cultivation.

Strength was what mattered most. He could learn talismans, alchemy, and other miscellaneous arts once he was stronger.

One day, Yu Xiao Feng came to see Bi Fan and asked with a smile, "Bi Fan, the Registered Disciple selection is about to begin. Are you going to take part?"

"I'll give it a try." Bi Fan nodded firmly. No matter what, this was his chance.

With his current strength, he had no problem becoming a Registered Disciple directly, but Bi Fan still wanted to take part in the selection.

Those who entered the selection and achieved a good ranking would receive pills and Magic Tools as rewards.

Outstanding performers might even catch the eye of an Elder and become Inner Disciples on the spot.

Inner Disciples enjoyed far better treatment than Registered Disciples and received many more cultivation resources. With renowned masters to guide them, their progress was naturally much faster.

Yu Xiao Feng studied Bi Fan, then said with confidence, "With your strength, becoming a Registered Disciple will be no problem. Just keep working hard."

With that, Yu Xiao Feng turned and left, her steps graceful.

Watching Yu Xiao Feng's slender figure, Bi Fan couldn't help staring in a daze.

He harbored no impure thoughts toward her; he was simply appreciating a beautiful woman.

Every year, when the Qingyang Mountain Registered Disciple selection and Inner Disciple martial competition rolled around, the place grew especially lively. Disciples returning from their travels streamed back, and many Elders emerged from seclusion as well.

Of course, most people talked about the Inner Disciples. Those who had yet to become Registered Disciples were mostly unknown.

Inner Disciples were already an important force within a sect. Their strength represented the strength and potential of the sect's younger generation.

The most famous Inner Disciple of the Qingyang Sect was naturally Jing Feng. He ranked third on the Nine Nether Hidden Dragon Ranking and was the number one Inner Disciple in the Qingyang Sect.

Inner Disciples were generally at one of four realms: the sixth level of the Mortal Embryo Realm, the Valiance Realm; the seventh, the Spiritual Wisdom Realm; the eighth, the Great Strength Realm; and the ninth, the Metamorphosis Realm. Jing Feng had already reached the Metamorphosis Realm a year ago.

Jing Feng was a dazzling genius of the Qingyang Sect. He was only fifteen years old, yet had already reached the Metamorphosis Realm.

More importantly, Jing Feng was not only highly cultivated; he also had an abundance of real combat experience.

Among the Qingyang Sect's younger generation, only Yu Si Yan surpassed Jing Feng.

However, it was the women who talked about Jing Feng the most. They all praised his charm and handsome looks.

With the Inner Disciple martial competition drawing near, even more people began talking about Jing Feng.

Even the women of Jade Maiden Peak would whisper among themselves from time to time, and every word was about Jing Feng.

Bi Fan overheard some of their conversations and learned how strong Jing Feng was. He admired him all the more.

At the same time, Bi Fan made Jing Feng the target he had to surpass. Pressure brought motivation, and he cultivated even harder.

Three days later, the Registered Disciple selection began as scheduled.

The selection was held in Ming Feng Valley, where the grounds were spacious enough for a large crowd.

Yu Xiao Feng was quite invested in Bi Fan's participation, and personally accompanied him to Ming Feng Valley.

Most of the other female disciples from Jade Maiden Peak went too. Their main purpose wasn't to cheer Bi Fan on, but to catch a glimpse of Jing Feng.

The Inner Disciple martial competition would begin after the Registered Disciple selection, and Jing Feng was likely to appear.

Many female disciples of the Qingyang Sect had come running at the news, a testament to Jing Feng's incredible appeal.

By the time Bi Fan and Yu Xiao Feng arrived at Ming Feng Valley, it was already packed with people and buzzing with excitement.

The Qingyang Sect was a first-rate power in Jiu You City, with tens of thousands of disciples. A crowd of this size was hardly surprising.

In fact, this was nothing. The real excitement would come during the Inner Disciple martial competition, when more than ten thousand people would gather to watch. The atmosphere would be even more electric.

Bi Fan had never seen so many people or such a lively scene before. He was a little stunned, his mouth hanging slightly open.

Yu Xiao Feng smiled and said, "Bi Fan, don't be so nervous. Relax... just relax..."

"I'm not nervous..." Bi Fan murmured. In truth, he knew better than anyone that his clenched fists were already slick with sweat.

To help Bi Fan relax, Yu Xiao Feng even began massaging his shoulders.

"Mm..." It felt so good that Bi Fan nearly groaned aloud. He said nothing more and simply enjoyed the beautiful woman's attentions.