The Grand Competition

Li Mu could only pretend not to see his master's embarrassment, though he didn't think there was anything shameful about it.

Martial cultivation is inherently fraught with obstacles, and the difficulty only increases as one progresses. While there are many first-rate experts in the pugilistic world, supreme experts are few and far between.

Even the two hegemons, Shaolin and Wudang, have had periods where their succession faltered. For the Mount Hua Sect to produce two supreme experts in this generation is purely a stroke of blind luck.

For ordinary sects, as long as they have a steady stream of first-rate experts, they can maintain their heritage.

Though supreme experts are formidable, they are not truly invincible. A group of four or five peak first-rate experts working in unison can hold their own against a single average supreme expert.

The awkward interlude ended quickly, and with the arrival of the Double Ninth Festival, Li Mu was finally freed from the tedious social obligations.

Chaoyang Peak

As the venue for this grand competition, it was already packed with people. Aside from a few invited guests who had seats, everyone else had to find their own place to stand.

Even so, one could vaguely discern the "circles." The major sects gathered together, small gangs and martial arts families mingled, and the wandering martial artists formed another wave.

Although people occasionally stepped forward to exchange greetings, they eventually returned to their own circles, creating clear-cut divisions.

Fortunately, this Chaoyang is not that Chaoyang; the open space was vast enough, otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to accommodate so many people.

"I welcome all fellow martial artists to witness this event. Your presence brings great honor to the Mount Hua Sect. Ning offers his thanks, and now, the martial arts tournament begins."

The crisp and efficient opening gave Li Mu a new perspective on Sect Leader Ning Qingyu. Indeed, no big shot in the pugilistic world is simple; his grasp of human nature was impeccable.

The competition rules were very simple: the participants were divided into five rings based on their entry time. This meant the earliest disciples of the "Bu" generation had entered twelve years before Li Mu.

As for those who entered later, the grand competition had nothing to do with them for now. Participating with cultivation that is too low would only be an embarrassment.

If it weren't for the fact that the competition helps stimulate breakthroughs in bottlenecks, I fear even disciples at the third-rate realm wouldn't have a chance to appear. Even so, the minimum cultivation required to participate was the peak of the third-rate realm.

Just like the two junior brothers who entered at the same time as Li Mu; they lacked the necessary cultivation and were ineligible to compete.

After the ring matches concluded, the challenger tournament would begin to determine the top ten of the sect. Although there was no explicit rule, everyone tacitly agreed that the junior brothers would challenge the senior brothers ahead of them.

Drawing a lot from the bamboo tube and looking at the number in his hand, Li Mu couldn't help but laugh. I don't know what kind of luck this is, to actually draw "Number 8."

There were fifteen people from the same cohort eligible to participate. Following the sequence of 1 against 15, 2 against 14... the middle number 8 received a bye and advanced directly to the next round.

To hit a one-in-fifteen probability—if this kind of luck isn't the mark of a chosen one, I don't know what is.

Under the envious gazes of the crowd, Li Mu successfully advanced to the second round. Now, he only needed to watch his fellow disciples duel.

"Heavenly Sash Hanging Upside Down"

"White Rainbow Piercing the Sun"

"Golden Goose Across the Sky"

"Boundless Falling Leaves"

"Hidden Green Mountains"

Various sword techniques were continuously displayed on the rings, opening Li Mu's eyes and making him sigh repeatedly: So, the sword can be used this way.

As a sect centered on swordsmanship, the Mount Hua Sect naturally lacked no sword techniques. However, human energy is limited; one cannot learn every martial art.

The average Mount Hua disciple only practices three or five sword techniques, usually following whatever their master practices.

After all, a sword technique requires more than just the moves; it requires the corresponding internal energy circulation methods. These are top-secret teachings passed down orally and are never recorded on paper.

Compared to the other rings, the "pecking of chicks" on Ring Number Five was clearly not worth watching.

Its only advantage was the speed; in less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, two waves of people had already been swapped out. At this rate, the first round would likely end by the morning, and they might even finish the whole tournament today.

Thinking about it, that makes sense; after all, this is just a sparring match, not a life-or-death struggle. Once they determine they cannot win, they will voluntarily concede to display the gentlemanly grace of being a good sport.

Even when disciples of the Sword and Qi Factions met, it was the same; this was something the elders had instructed. After all, with outsiders present, they couldn't cause a scene and become a laughingstock.

Even if one wanted to suppress the other, that was a matter for the final, and it had little to do with ordinary disciples; it was the perfect opportunity to display one's poise.

"Senior Brother, Yue Buqun is very strong. Just now, Senior Brother Cheng accidentally lost to him and was seriously injured. You must be careful."

Just after drawing the lot for the second round, a familiar voice rang in Li Mu's ear. It was his junior brother, Xu Buwei, who had entered the sect at the same time as him.

His attention had been on the matches at the first and second rings, so he hadn't paid close attention to the duel between Yue Buqun and Cheng Buyou.

Since it was a martial arts competition, injuries were inevitable. Li Mu didn't take Cheng Buyou's injury to heart.

Such things were mostly accidents; under the watchful eyes of everyone, no one would dare to strike with malicious intent.

Infighting among fellow disciples is a major taboo in the pugilistic world, and if someone were to play dirty during a match, the Mount Hua Sect's rules would not be trifled with.

Patting Xu Buwei's shoulder lightly, Li Mu replied with a smile: "Don't worry, Junior Brother. I can handle it."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the uncle presiding over the match shout: "Next group, Yue Buqun versus Li Bumu!"

Without any hesitation, Li Mu immediately channeled his light-body technique and landed on Ring Number Five like a flying swallow.

It wasn't enough to shock the entire audience, but the fellow disciples watching Ring Number Five were truly stunned. This light-body technique alone was enough to keep Li Mu in an invincible position during the match.

Yue Buqun, his opponent, was also stunned, yet he had not forgotten they were in the middle of a duel and quickly regained his composure, saying with a graceful air, "Senior Brother, what fine footwork!"

With such a demeanor, it was difficult for anyone to harbor ill will toward him. Li Mu finally understood the origin of the title "Gentleman Sword."

There are only wrongly chosen names, never wrongly given nicknames. In his youth, Yue Buqun's words and actions truly befitted a gentleman, and he was not lacking in wisdom, either.

The ranking of disciples in the Mount Hua Sect was quite interesting; those who entered earlier were naturally senior brothers, but for those who entered in the same batch, their rank was determined by their cultivation.

The ranking was to be decided by this very tournament. Calling him "Senior Brother" before the fight had even begun clearly signaled an intent to concede, making Li Mu feel somewhat embarrassed to let him lose too miserably.

After responding with a faint smile, Li Mu gestured with his hand and said, "Junior Brother, please!"

"Green Pine Welcomes Guests"

"Phoenix Descends"

"Xiao Shi Rides the Dragon"

"Refreshing Breeze"

"Poetry and Sword Meeting Friends"

The two exchanged blows back and forth, appearing to be evenly matched. However, any seasoned veteran of the martial arts world would know just how hard Li Mu was suppressing himself to maintain this facade of equality.