The Grand Competition Begins

"Just one more step, and I'll reach Qi Refining Level 4."

The corners of Ye Lin's mouth lifted. He possessed a Defective Spirit Root, and his cultivation speed was incomparably slow. Yet even so, with Spirit Stones aiding him, he had still progressed at astonishing speed.

No wonder everyone wanted Spirit Stones. Their rarity had its reasons.

"Time to handle proper business."

Ye Lin rose and dusted himself off. He had not forgotten that so-called Long Sword. A Yellow-Grade High-Tier Longsword—one that would make even Inner Sect disciples green with envy.

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

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

Ye Lin did not know much about Azure Wave Lake, but he knew there was only one lake within the 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—the name sounded elegant, but it was merely a small lake. Several figures bustled about nearby, while a layer of white mist drifted across the surface.

Ye Lin placed his Identity Token on the shore, then plunged headfirst into the lake and swam toward the bottom. After searching for a long while, he finally spotted a sword hilt protruding from a corner.

Delighted, Ye Lin hurriedly grabbed the hilt and pulled out the entire sword. Carrying the Immortal Sword, he returned to shore.

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

Seeing the wisps of cold air emanating from the sword hilt, Ye Lin exclaimed in admiration.

After confirming that no one was nearby, Ye Lin flickered several times and vanished. He was now at Qi Refining Level 3; 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.

"Whew. Time to cultivate."

With that, Ye Lin took out his final three remaining Spirit Stones. He circulated his cultivation technique with all his strength while simultaneously absorbing the remaining spiritual energy in his dantian, advancing at breakneck speed.

As time trickled away bit by bit, fifteen days passed in the blink of an eye.

"Whew."

At that moment, Ye Lin slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and brushed 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, you will be forced to participate in the Chore Disciple Tournament. While competing for the position of Chore Overseer, you will battle Zhang Liang and then powerfully kill Zhang Liang. Afterward, Zhao Hu, a subordinate of Zhang Liang's elder brother Zhang Xiao, will set his sights on you. In order to curry favor with Zhang Xiao, he will discuss the matter with others and use sleeping medicine tomorrow night to knock the host unconscious, then lock the host in a dungeon. Two months later, Zhang Xiao will emerge from seclusion and kill the host.

Recent Opportunity: None

[Divine Comprehension]: Transcendental Comprehension. You comprehend all kinds of cultivation techniques at an extremely fast rate. For the same cultivation technique, others require three months of comprehension, while you need only a few days.

[Cursed with Bad Luck]: Your luck is poor. For example, you will trip whenever you walk and be cheated on whenever you marry.

Looking at his Destiny, Ye Lin's eyes narrowed. He knew Zhang Xiao's name. Zhang Xiao was the foremost figure of the Outer Sect, with a terrifying cultivation of Qi Refining Level 7.

If they fought head-on, he might not be able to defeat him, but he could flee. Yet the panel showed that Zhang Xiao's subordinates would use sleeping medicine to knock him unconscious.

"I must obtain this Chore Overseer position. I need to make preparations for what comes next."

Ye Lin muttered. His current status was merely that of a Chore Disciple, making many things inconvenient. Moreover, if tomorrow's Grand Competition selected one Chore Overseer and nine squad leaders, he would no longer be able to cultivate in peace.

As long as he obtained the position of Chore Overseer, many things would become much more convenient. Not only would he manage the resource distribution for all Chore Disciples, but he would also be free from anyone's control.

Ordinary tasks were issued by the sect, then handed to the Chore Overseer. Chore Disciples had to go through the Chore Overseer to receive tasks. The benefits involved went without saying.

What was more, he could receive a Yellow-Grade Mid-Tier Martial Skill. The benefits were simply endless.

The next day, the once incomparably quiet Chore Disciple residences began to stir with excitement.

Countless figures hurried toward the sect plaza, for today was the day the Chore Disciple Tournament began. Whether they could leap like carp through the Dragon Gate depended on today.

Within an incomparably vast plaza, figures packed the area shoulder to shoulder.

At its very center stood an enormous 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 Chore Disciples."

At that moment, an elderly figure stood atop the steps at the front of the plaza, his voice spreading throughout the entire square.

This figure was precisely an Outer Sect Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect, a Qi Refining Level 9 powerhouse.

"The rules of the Grand Competition are simple. Anyone who wishes to participate may step onto the arena, then fight freely. In the end, the strongest person and the top nine remaining will be chosen. These ten will manage all Chore Disciples."

After the elder finished speaking, he waved his hand. The Chore Disciples below surged forward in a flood, climbing onto the arena one after another and watching those around them with wary expressions.

As for the newly arrived Chore Disciples, not a single one stepped onto the stage. They all knew their place. The Chore Disciple Tournament was ultimately the stage of veteran Chore Disciples.

They had merely come to make up the numbers.

Meanwhile, Ye Lin fixed his gaze on the elder in the sky. He watched for a long time, yet no panel appeared.

"Is it impossible to view them when their cultivation is too much higher?"

Ye Lin muttered before stepping onto the arena. It made sense. If he could inspect anyone without restraint, he could sneak a glance at the Sect Master. The stronger someone was, the more terrifying the opportunities they encountered would be.

"Very well. The rules are simple: falling from the arena means defeat. Try not to kill anyone."

After the elder spoke, Ye Lin frowned. Try not to kill anyone—meaning killing was allowed.

With the elder's final shout, the disciples on the arena moved instantly, attacking those beside them one after another. The scene immediately descended into chaos, with figures continuously falling from the arena.

At that moment, whether they were brothers bound by blood or friends of many years, they turned against one another, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"Brother, forgive me. Down you go."

After saying this, a Chore Disciple beside Ye Lin raised his fist and smashed it toward Ye Lin's face. Ye Lin frowned and casually waved a hand. The disciple at Qi Refining Level 1 was immediately sent flying off the arena.

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