Chen Cheng got up and opened the door, finding Ji Jingyou, Lu Mingyang, and Gu Fei outside.
"What happened?" Chen Cheng asked.
"The rising stars of this year's Vast Sea Sect and Star-Seizing Sect have arrived."
Ji Jingyou said:
"Those two sects have always been on good terms with our Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Sect. They wanted everyone to gather before the competition and get acquainted, so we don't fight until we see red in the arena and damage our friendship."
"Sounds good."
Chen Cheng nodded, then shut his door and followed them toward the front courtyard.
Twenty or thirty people had already gathered there, chatting animatedly in groups of two or three.
Chen Cheng and Ji Jingyou didn't know anyone from either sect.
Lu Zhenting and Gu Fei, however, had friends among them. They had barely entered the courtyard when two men and two women came over to greet them.
"Let me introduce everyone."
Lu Zhenting said with a cheerful smile:
"These two are Gu Tan and Liu Yuling from the Vast Sea Sect. And these two are Ma Chengguo and Ye Qian from the Star-Seizing Sect."
At that, Chen Cheng and Ji Jingyou cupped their fists in greeting to the four.
Lu Zhenting continued, "These two senior brothers beside me are from our Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Sect-"
"I know!"
Liu Yuling smiled sweetly and gave a mischievous wink before saying:
"This handsome senior brother with the white robes and white sword must be your sect master's cherished disciple, ranked fourth, Ji Jingyou!"
"And this junior brother beside him, who can't be more than eighteen or nineteen, must be the fifth-ranked Chen Cheng! The youngest participant in the history of the Vast Righteousness Alliance's Outer Sect Grand Competition!"
"Exactly!"
Lu Zhenting smiled, looking proud to share in their glory.
"We've