First

Chapter Twenty-One

Next, it was Bi Fan and Li Shu's turn to compete for first place. The two ascended the stage simultaneously.

"Bi Fan, please guide me!"

"Li Shu, please!"

The martial arts competition began. Li Shu launched a fierce, storm-like barrage of attacks, incredibly intense.

Bi Fan had no intention of meeting him head-on. He unleashed the basic footwork of Misty Dance, dodging left and right, handling the assault with ease.

A high-ranking elder of Qingyang Sect exclaimed in surprise, "What movement technique is Bi Fan using? I've never seen it before."

"This isn't really a movement technique; it's just the most basic footwork, cultivated to the point of perfection. Truly impressive. This young man has a good disposition, to have cultivated basic footwork to this extent. He will achieve great things in the future," Ling Xin Ya said.

Seeing that he couldn't get the better of Bi Fan, Li Shu grew somewhat agitated. His rapid offense was a desperate measure.

Previously, Li Shu had been in a tough fight against Zhou Feng and was not lightly injured. It was impossible for him to recover completely in just an hour.

Meanwhile, Bi Fan had won his previous match by default, meaning he was well-rested and already had an advantage.

Li Shu had to end the fight quickly. The longer it dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for him.

However, Bi Fan refused to engage him directly. Li Shu's movement technique was no match for Bi Fan's agility, leaving him utterly helpless.

Li Shu's speed began to wane. Bi Fan's eyes lit up; he knew the time was almost right.

Myriad Ancestor Fist—Black Tiger Steals Heart.

Bi Fan finally launched his counterattack. It was the simplest of moves, but he used his full strength, his power immense.

He broke through skill with brute force. Bi Fan was exploiting Li Shu's inferior strength.

Li Shu quickly dodged, no longer daring to meet Bi Fan head-on.

"Hah!" Li Shu retreated, and Bi Fan pressed his attack, blow after blow, giving Li Shu no chance to catch his breath.

Li Shu's speed slowed, and his posture was no longer as upright as before.

Ultimately, Li Shu couldn't dodge in time and was struck by Bi Fan.

Bi Fan's punching power was formidable. Li Shu's already injured body couldn't withstand it, and he was immediately sent crashing to the ground, only recovering after a long while.

Bi Fan emerged victorious, and the Registered Disciple ranking matches concluded.

Yu Xiao Feng shouted loudly, "Bi Fan, well done!"

The cheers from the stands were considerable. From the Registered Disciple selection to the ranking matches, Bi Fan had performed exceptionally well, earning the support of many fellow disciples.

Bi Fan stood on the stage, filled with emotion. Just a few months ago, he was a frail Medicine Boy, bullied and verbally abused by others.

Now, he had not only become a Registered Disciple but had also won the championship in the Registered Disciple ranking matches.

He felt as if it were a dream, almost unreal.

After a long moment, Bi Fan shook his head and descended the stage.

This was just the beginning. The road ahead was long; he needed to look forward.

Bi Fan walked away with a light step, putting the championship victory behind him. He knew he had far from accomplished enough.

The revolution has not yet succeeded; comrades must continue to strive.

"The Registered Disciple ranking matches have successfully concluded. Congratulations to the disciples who achieved good results. Those who didn't, do not be discouraged; continue to cultivate diligently," Ling Xin Ya announced.

Afterward, it was time to present the prizes. Bi Fan was last.

The first-place prize included a high-grade Magic Tool, ten Inner Breath Pills, and three Viscera Solidifying Pills. The rewards were incredibly generous. Even holding them, Bi Fan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

"Bi Fan, would you like to venture into the Demon Realm for training?" Ling Xin Ya asked.

"Enter the Demon Realm?" Bi Fan was taken aback, unsure of the situation.

In truth, the Demon Realm was a place for cultivators to gain experience. Many sects would send their younger generation disciples there to hone their skills.

At Qingyang Sect, to become an Inner Disciple, one had to undergo a month-long trial in the Demon Realm.

As long as they survived, they would become Inner Disciples, with a significant improvement in status and treatment.

Of course, Bi Fan was unaware that Ling Xin Ya's question was a prelude to his intention of taking him as a disciple.

Ling Xin Ya continued, "If you can last one month in the outer regions of the Demon Realm, I will promote you to Inner Disciple and accept you as my disciple. You may consider it."

"I accept," Bi Fan replied without hesitation.

He didn't overthink it. If he considered every possibility too carefully, he would never accomplish anything.

Becoming a disciple of the Vice Sect Master already exceeded Bi Fan's expectations.

Once Bi Fan became the Vice Sect Master's disciple, Zhu San's death would be imminent. Killing Zhu San would then be an act no one would dare to question.

This was the art of leveraging influence. Cultivators must learn to use influence; otherwise, their path would not be smooth.

"Very good. When you have passed the trial of the Demon Realm, bring this token to the peak of Yang Mountain and find me," Ling Xin Ya said, producing a golden token and handing it to Bi Fan.

Bi Fan accepted the token and bowed. "Thank you, Vice Sect Master. I will certainly pass the Demon Realm trial as soon as possible."

"The Demon Realm... no matter how dangerous it is, I will definitely break through," Bi Fan thought to himself as he walked off the stage.

The Registered Disciple ranking competition concluded, and night had fallen. The Inner Disciple matches would be held tomorrow, so the spectators began to disperse.

"Bi Fan, you're amazing! You did so well!" Yu Xiao Feng patted Bi Fan's shoulder and laughed.

Bi Fan just grinned foolishly, not saying a word. He was incredibly excited inside.

Jing Feng strode over and said, "Brother Bi Fan, congratulations on getting first place."

"Thank you, Brother Jing Feng," Bi Fan replied with a smile.

As soon as Jing Feng arrived, the female disciples from Jade Maiden Peak flocked around him, acting like giddy fans.

Yu Xiao Feng shot Jing Feng a glare, then turned her head away, leaving Jing Feng somewhat bewildered.

Jing Feng asked, "Brother Bi Fan, did the Vice Sect Master ask you to venture into the Demon Realm just now?"

Bi Fan nodded. "How did Brother Jing Feng know?"

"I guessed. Your performance was astonishing. It's only natural for the Vice Sect Master to want to take you under his wing. It would be strange if he didn't extend an olive branch to you," Jing Feng said with a smile.

Yu Xiao Feng exclaimed in surprise, "Bi Fan, the Vice Sect Master really wants to take you as a disciple?"

"That's right, but only after I've successfully navigated the Demon Realm," Bi Fan said.

Yu Xiao Feng teased, "Bi Fan, you're going to soar to new heights this time! Don't forget about us later, especially how much Miss values you."

"Sister Xiao Feng, I will never forget. If Miss hadn't taken me in and taught me cultivation techniques, I'd probably still be tending to the Medicine Garden somewhere obscure and unknown," Bi Fan said sincerely.

What he said was absolutely true. Yu Si Yan's kindness to him was immense, and he could never forget it.

Jing Feng fanned himself with a folding fan, drawing admiring glances from the female disciples of Jade Maiden Peak.

"Brother Bi Fan, I'll be taking my leave now. Remember to come watch the matches tomorrow and cheer for me."

"Brother Jing Feng, I'll be there on time," Bi Fan said, stroking his chin.

"Senior Brother Jing Feng, we'll cheer for you too..." The female disciples swarmed Jing Feng, scaring him into abandoning all pretense of composure as he fled.

Yu Xiao Feng burst out laughing. "Such a poser. To think he'd get so flustered."

Although she was disparaging Jing Feng, a smile played on her lips, clearly showing no ill will. In fact, she seemed to have a soft spot for him.

Bi Fan also sensed that Yu Xiao Feng's attitude toward Jing Feng was a bit unusual, and he felt a pang of jealousy.