Grand Competition Begins

"Just one step away from reaching Qi Refining Level 4."

The corners of Ye Lin's mouth lifted. He had a Defective Spirit Root, making his cultivation speed incredibly slow. Even so, with Spirit Stones to assist him, his progress was still astonishingly fast.

No wonder everyone wanted Spirit Stones. Their preciousness had its own reason.

"It's time to get down to business."

Ye Lin rose and patted the dust from his clothes. He hadn't forgotten that so-called Long Sword—the Yellow-Grade High-Tier Longsword. Even Inner Sect disciples would be green with envy upon seeing it.

More precious than spirit herbs, spirit medicines, and Spirit Fruits were magical treasures. Forging a magical treasure—even a Yellow Grade Low-Tier one—required an enormous amount of resources and effort.

Yet the odds of failure during the forging process were even greater. Thus, one Yellow Grade Low-Tier magical treasure could be exchanged for at least ten Yellow Grade Low-Tier Pills.

Ye Lin still didn't know much about Azure Wave Lake, but he knew that there was only one lake within Azure Cloud Sect.

That had to be Azure Wave Lake.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Lin arrived before Azure Wave Lake.

Azure Wave Lake sounded like a beautiful name, but it was merely a small lake. Several figures bustled around its shores, while a layer of white mist floated over the water.

Ye Lin placed his Identity Token on the shore, then dove into the lake and swam toward the bottom. After searching for a long while, he finally found a sword hilt sticking out from a corner.

Seeing it, Ye Lin's heart leaped with joy. He hurriedly seized the hilt and pulled out the entire sword. Holding the Immortal Sword, he returned to shore.

"As expected of a Yellow-Grade High-Tier Longsword. It truly is extraordinary."

Looking at the strands of cold air radiating from the sword hilt before him, Ye Lin praised it.

After confirming that no one was around, Ye Lin vanished in a few flickers. He now possessed Qi Refining Level 3 cultivation, and if he wished, ordinary people would find it difficult to catch sight of him.

Upon returning to his residence, Ye Lin carefully hid the Long Sword beneath his bed. This sword was far too precious. Unless absolutely necessary, it was better not to take it out.

"Phew. Cultivate."

With that, Ye Lin took out the three remaining Spirit Stones. He then circulated his cultivation technique with all his strength while simultaneously absorbing the remaining spiritual energy in his dantian, causing his progress to soar.

As time trickled away, fifteen days flashed past in the blink of an eye.

"Phew."

At that moment, Ye Lin slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and patted the dust from his body.

Name: Ye Lin

Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 5

Fate Rank: Black (Calamitous)

Fate Traits: [Divine Comprehension] [Cursed with Bad Luck]

Destiny: Tomorrow, he will be forced to participate in the Chore Disciple Tournament. To fight Zhang Liang for the position of Chore Overseer, he will battle him and then forcefully kill Zhang Liang. Afterward, he will be targeted by Zhao Hu, Zhang Xiao's subordinate. To curry favor with Zhang Xiao, they will discuss the matter and use knockout drugs tomorrow night to render the host unconscious, then lock him in a dungeon. Two months later, when Zhang Xiao emerges from seclusion, he will kill the host.

Recent Opportunity: None

[Divine Comprehension]: Transcendental Comprehension. He comprehends various cultivation techniques at an extremely fast speed. For the same cultivation technique, what takes others three months to comprehend will take him only a few days.

[Cursed with Bad Luck]: His luck is poor. For example, he is bound to trip while walking and will be cheated on after getting married.

Looking at his Destiny, Ye Lin's eyes narrowed. He knew Zhang Xiao's name. He was the number-one person in the Outer Sect, and his cultivation had already reached the terrifying Qi Refining Level 7.

If they fought head-on, Ye Lin might not be able to defeat him, but he could escape. However, the panel showed that he would be rendered unconscious by one of Zhang Xiao's subordinates using knockout drugs.

"I absolutely have to obtain this Chore Overseer position. I need to make preparations for what comes afterward."

Ye Lin murmured. His current identity was merely that of a Chore Disciple, which made it inconvenient to do anything. Moreover, if the Grand Competition tomorrow selected one Chore Overseer and nine squad leaders, he would no longer be able to cultivate in peace.

As long as he obtained the Chore Overseer position, things would become much more convenient. Not only would he manage the distribution of resources among all Chore Disciples, he would also be free from everyone else's control.

The sect generally issued missions and then handed them to the Chore Overseer. If Chore Disciples wanted to accept missions, they had to go through the Chore Overseer. The benefits within were self-evident.

What was more, he could even receive a Yellow-Grade Mid-Tier Martial Skill. There were simply benefits everywhere.

The next day, the formerly tranquil Chore Disciples' residences began to erupt into commotion.

Countless figures hurried toward the sect's public square. Today was the day the Chore Disciple Tournament began. Whether they could leap through the Dragon Gate and rise above their station would be decided today.

In an incomparably vast public square, crowds packed the area.

At the very center stood a gigantic Arena.

"Today is the Chore Disciple Tournament. Its purpose is to select one Chore Overseer and nine squad leaders. These ten people will be responsible for managing all the Chore Disciples."

At that moment, an old figure stood atop the steps at the very front of the square, his voice carrying throughout the entire area.

This figure was none other than an Outer Sect Elder of Azure Cloud Sect, a powerhouse at Qi Refining Level 9.

"As for the tournament rules, anyone who wishes to participate may step onto the Arena. You will then fight on your own. In the end, the strongest person and the top nine will remain. These ten people will be responsible for managing all the Chore Disciples."

After the elder finished speaking, he waved his hand. The Chore Disciples below surged forward, scrambling onto the Arena while warily watching everyone around them.

As for the new Chore Disciples, not a single one took the stage. They all knew their place. The Chore Disciple Tournament was ultimately a stage for the veteran Chore Disciples.

They were merely here to go through the motions.

Ye Lin, meanwhile, shifted his gaze to the elder in the sky. He watched for a long while, but no panel appeared.

"Is it impossible to view someone whose cultivation is too much higher?"

Ye Lin murmured, then stepped onto the Arena. Indeed, if he could inspect people without restraint, he could simply sneak a glance at the Sect Master. The stronger one's cultivation, the more terrifying the opportunities one encountered.

"Very well. The rules are simple: anyone who falls from the Arena loses. Try not to kill anyone."

After the elder finished speaking, Ye Lin's brows furrowed. Try not to kill anyone—in other words, killing was allowed.

With the elder's final shout, the disciples on the Arena moved instantly. They attacked the people beside them one after another, and the scene immediately descended into chaos as figure after figure fell from the Arena.

At that moment, whether they were flesh-and-blood brothers or longtime friends, they all turned against one another, showing not the slightest mercy.

"Brother, forgive me. Go down."

A Chore Disciple beside Ye Lin finished speaking, raised his fist, and smashed it toward Ye Lin's face. Ye Lin's brows furrowed. With a casual wave of his hand, he sent the Qi Refining Level 1 disciple flying off the Arena.

The entire process was incredibly swift. In just a few minutes, only eleven people remained on the stage, himself included.