The Inner Sect Grand Competition Begins

They arrived at the great hall, which was already packed with a sea of people as countless Inner Sect disciples flooded inside.

They were filled with immense anticipation regarding this so-called mysterious Tenth Elder, and even more awestruck by the strength this Tenth Elder possessed.

It was common knowledge that the Azure Cloud Sect only had two Golden Core realm experts: one was the Sect Master, and the other was the Supreme Patriarch.

However, neither of them took on disciples, so the sudden appearance of a Golden Core cultivator looking to take an apprentice had them all incredibly stirred up.

"I heard the Tenth Elder is a female cultivator. I wonder if that's true or just a rumor."

"Who cares if it's a man or a woman? As long as I can be accepted as a disciple under the Tenth Elder, it would be a blessing cultivated over ten lifetimes."

Just then, five streaks of sword light descended from the sky, and the five direct disciples arrived on the scene one after another.

Watching the direct disciples make their entrance, many Inner Sect disciples frowned, thinking, Who are you trying to impress with that act?

At this moment, a terrifying aura descended from above the hall, and an aged figure appeared high above.

"It's the Ninth Elder."

A disciple whispered.

The Ninth Elder was the ninth elder of the Azure Cloud Sect's Inner Sect, possessing the terrifying strength of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Everyone, today is the triennial Inner Sect Grand Competition. The arena has been set up outside the great hall."

"The rules this time are the same as in the past: it will be a chaotic melee. The final ten people remaining on the arena will be the top ten of this competition."

"The top ten will each receive different rewards, and finally, they will draw lots to battle until the first place is decided."

The Ninth Elder began to announce the rules of the competition.

After hearing the rules, the disciples below erupted into an uproar; these rules seemed different from those of the past.

"Everyone, the arena has been raised. Please enter it. Remember, do not kill anyone."

Once the Ninth Elder finished speaking, the ground began to tremble, and a massive arena slowly rose up outside the great hall.

The first to step onto the arena were the five great direct disciples, their graceful figures appearing like immortals descended to the mortal world.

Behind them, one figure after another of the Inner Sect disciples began to leap onto the arena, and Ye Lin also climbed up, putting on a show of effort.

"This time, all five direct disciples are in the Foundation Establishment Realm, and there are three other Foundation Establishment senior brothers in the Inner Sect. That means there are only two spots left for us."

"One of those two spots must be mine."

On the arena, some disciples spoke up; as long as they could make it into the top ten, they would receive generous sect rewards, so even if it cost them something, they had to make it in.

"I declare the Grand Competition, begin."

Once everyone was standing on the arena, the Ninth Elder let out a shout, and immediately, the surrounding Inner Sect disciples began to clash.

The five direct disciples in the very center stood calmly in place, far too disdainful to make a move; presumably, no Inner Sect disciple was blind enough to provoke them.

"What? You still haven't finished that guy off? Are you even capable?"

In the center of the arena, a chubby disciple looked at Ye Lin, who was standing motionless in the distance, and teased Lin Zisheng beside him.

"My business is none of your concern."

Lin Zisheng snorted coldly at the remark.

"Junior brother, get off the stage."

Just then, a loud shout came from beside Ye Lin, and a disciple was seen charging toward his shoulder with a long sword in hand.

Ye Lin took a step back to dodge the blade, then slapped the disciple in front of him, sending him flying off the arena.

Meanwhile, an old man with the air of a celestial being and a beautiful woman in white palace robes stood in the sky.

"Junior sister, how is it? Do you see any disciples you like?"

The old man asked the beautiful woman.

The woman shook her head faintly, and seeing this, the old man sighed.

However, down on the arena, the battle had reached a fever pitch, with various disciples fighting tooth and nail.

Throughout it all, Ye Lin barely made a move, yet he always managed to dodge every attack thrown his way, leaving the other disciples puzzled and confused.

Time ticked away, and the number of disciples standing on the arena dwindled until only eleven remained.

"Junior brother, my name is Wang Hu. Get off the stage, and I will reward you handsomely once this is done."

A burly man with a tiger's back and a bear's waist looked at the few people before him, then refocused his gaze on Ye Lin.

Is this... treating me like a soft persimmon?

Ye Lin muttered to himself.

"Senior brother, I'm afraid I cannot comply."

"In that case, junior brother, you had better be careful."

Wang Hu finished, a layer of purple light appearing on his right fist as he punched toward Ye Lin's chest.

"Junior brother, watch yourself. This is my Yellow-grade high-tier Thunderbolt Fist."

Wang Hu laughed loudly.

Seeing this, Ye Lin shook his head. Although the punch before him was imposing, in his eyes, it was no different from a child's tantrum.

To avoid letting Lin Zisheng notice anything amiss, Ye Lin turned slightly, dodging Wang Hu's fist.

He then grabbed Wang Hu by the shoulder and pushed him forward.

Thud, thud, thud.

Wang Hu's face was filled with horror as he stumbled backward, only managing to stop when he reached the edge of the arena, his eyes wide with shock.

"Many thanks to Junior Brother for showing mercy."

Wang Hu cupped his hands toward Ye Lin before turning and leaping off the arena.

"What exactly is this person's cultivation level? Wang Hu has been stuck at the ninth level of the Qi Refining realm for three years. In the entire Inner Sect, there are no more than five people who can repel him head-on at the ninth level of Qi Refining."

"This junior brother didn't reveal any aura when he struck just now, so I can't discern his cultivation. He must be at the ninth level of Qi Refining at most."

Seeing Wang Hu defeated so easily, the Inner Sect disciples watching below began to whisper among themselves.

"I announce the end of the first stage. We shall now begin the drawing of lots."

At this moment, the Ninth Elder's raspy voice echoed from above.

A wooden box descended from the sky and landed in front of Ye Lin. Ye Lin reached out and grabbed it; inside lay a slip of paper with two characters written clearly upon it.

Ren Dong.

"Ren Dong? That sounds like one of the Inner Sect disciples."

Looking at the slip in his hand, Ye Lin muttered to himself.

His heart was filled with fighting spirit. He dared to say that among those present, only Lin Zisheng was worth his attention; as for the other Foundation Establishment Realm disciples, whether they were personal disciples or Inner Sect disciples, he could defeat them all with ease.

"Since everyone has finished drawing lots, let the first match begin: Personal Disciple Lin Zisheng versus Inner Sect Disciple Zhang Lei."

Following the Ninth Elder's shout, two figures slowly walked onto the arena.

Just as everyone was filled with anticipation, Zhang Lei voluntarily surrendered, and thus, Lin Zisheng won the match.

Such an occurrence was within reason; after all, personal disciples possessed numerous methods, and even if their cultivation levels were the same, Inner Sect disciples were generally hesitant to provoke them.

"Second match: Ye Lin versus Ren Dong."

As soon as the Ninth Elder finished speaking, Ye Lin stepped onto the arena. Before him stood a man with a long sword strapped to his back and a black cloth covering his eyes.

"Damn, it's actually Senior Brother Ren. This junior brother is in for a rough time."

"You said it. Senior Brother Ren has spent ten years sharpening his blade; the Sword Qi within the sword on his back has already reached perfection. Once it leaves the sheath, even a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage would be no match for him."

The Inner Sect disciples below began to chatter incessantly upon seeing Ren Dong.

"Make your move. I fear that if I strike first, you won't even have the chance to react."

Ren Dong said coldly, his tone devoid of any emotion.

What a show-off, was Ye Lin's first thought.