Outer Sect Grand Competition

Spring always came late in the mountains. By the time the pear trees at Bamboo Retreat finally put forth their buds, Profound Heaven Sect's annual Outer Sect Grand Competition was also about to begin.

For this reason, the direct disciples had been summoned together to hold a meeting.

Inside the Misty Spirit Peak council hall, several elders sat upright in the seats of honor, their expressions composed and unruffled, carrying the authority tempered by countless years.

"You mean all matters concerning this Outer Sect Grand Competition will be entrusted entirely to us?" Even Chu Shihan's pupils widened slightly upon hearing the news.

Just moments ago, all the direct disciples had been gathered here, only for the elders to announce that every matter regarding this competition would be handed over in full to several direct disciples.

For Profound Heaven Sect, the Outer Sect Grand Competition was undoubtedly a crucial opportunity to select talent. Its importance was as self-evident as a foundation beneath a towering building.

Handing such a weighty responsibility over to the disciples without reservation was undoubtedly a bold attempt.

Normally, direct disciples focused primarily on their own cultivation, single-mindedly improving their strength. Taking charge of the Outer Sect Grand Competition this time would give them comprehensive training in organization, coordination, judgment, and other areas. This was not only a testing ground for their abilities, but also an excellent opportunity to examine their discernment and overall caliber.

The sect's future could not be supported by individual martial strength alone. It also needed talents capable of overseeing the whole picture from a broader perspective and guiding the sect's development.

In this matter concerning the sect's rise and fall, whether the direct disciples could stand on their own and successfully fulfill the mission of selecting outstanding disciples to inject fresh blood into the sect was the test the elders had carefully arranged.

True Person Yu Qing nodded. "Correct. After unanimous discussion among the elders, we have decided to place this Outer Sect Grand Competition entirely in your hands. This is both a test of your abilities and proof of the sect's profound trust in you. I hope you will uphold the principles of fairness and impartiality, select disciples of genuine potential and strength, and add bricks and tiles to the sect's development."

At those words, the disciples straightened abruptly, resolute as towering pines, determination gleaming in their eyes as they replied in unison, "We shall heed the Sect Master's teachings!"

True Person Yu Qing's gaze remained calm as he continued, "For this Outer Sect Grand Competition, none of the elders present will provide any assistance. Methods previously used in competitions, such as opening a small dimension or casting large-scale spells—if you require them, you will have to find a way to solve the matter yourselves."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable authority and reached every ear with perfect clarity.

Hearing this, a trace of surprise flickered across the disciples' previously focused, solemn faces.

They had thought that taking charge of the Outer Sect Grand Competition merely meant arranging matches and organizing personnel. They had not expected that they would now need to prepare even the examination grounds, magical treasures, and all manner of spells themselves. This decision undoubtedly made the task far more difficult.

As the greatest sect in the Spirit Pivot Heavenly Domain, Profound Heaven Sect had countless disciples. Among those who sought the Dao, who did not harbor desires for reputation, strength, and resources? The Outer Sect Grand Competition was precisely their finest opportunity to make a name for themselves and realize their dream of advancing from the outer sect to the inner sect.

In past Outer Sect Grand Competitions, the initial screening of disciples had not been difficult for the elders. They merely needed to cast wide-ranging illusions over the disciples, testing their temperament and ability to react through illusionary realms; or employ profound spells to transport disciples to spaces beyond the realm, using natural trials and preset checkpoints to comprehensively examine their abilities.

But this time was entirely different. Opening a small dimension required an extremely deep understanding of spatial laws, as well as immense spiritual power to sustain it. Casting large-scale spells required precise command of the principles and structure of those spells, likewise inseparable from vast spiritual power.

Now that the elders would no longer help, without either of those things, it was truly difficult to find effective alternatives. For the still-young direct disciples, this was undoubtedly an enormous challenge.

The brief surprise passed like a breeze, and the direct disciples quickly regained their senses and adjusted themselves.

Chu Shihan frowned slightly. "There are many outer sect disciples. We must deliberate carefully over the examination method."

The direct disciples sat together, looking at one another with varying expressions. Some furrowed their brows slightly in deep thought; some had flickering eyes, as though vague ideas had already formed; others lightly bit their lips, their faces troubled.

For outer sect disciples, the Outer Sect Grand Competition was a crucial turning point on the path of cultivation, the key staircase leading toward advancement into the inner sect, and an important event carrying countless hopes and dreams.

In this fiercely competitive cultivation world, fairness and impartiality were a bright mirror hanging high overhead. They could not tolerate the slightest stain and had to be absolutely guaranteed.

This concerned not only every outer sect disciple's future and fate, but also the vital principle the sect upheld in selecting talent—the cornerstone that kept the sect standing firm.

However, the various peaks under Profound Heaven Sect practiced vastly different cultivation methods and emphasized different things. Their disciples' strengths also varied wildly. Some possessed fierce and exquisite swordsmanship; some specialized in alchemy and could refine pills with extraordinary effects; still others had deep attainments in formations and could lay down ever-changing arrays.

Under such circumstances, how to formulate an examination method that was comprehensive, suitable, and effectively enforceable—one that could account for the strengths of disciples from every peak while truly selecting talents with potential and ability—became a thorny problem before the direct disciples.

The elders exchanged glances, understanding one another without a word, yet they merely smiled in silence. Watching the disciples' anxious expressions, they had no intention of offering a helping hand. Instead, they were secretly pleased, anticipating the disciples' growth amid adversity.

"What about a written examination?" Shen Yuxi frowned faintly, then proposed it after a moment.

A thousand troops and ten thousand horses crossing a single-log bridge? Shen Yuxi knew that kind of intense competition all too well!

After all, he retained memories of his previous life. Those tense yet passionate college entrance examination days remained vividly etched in his mind, as clear as though they had happened yesterday. In his view, using a written examination for the Outer Sect Grand Competition's initial screening was undoubtedly a good idea.

There was no need whatsoever to worry about examination halls. Profound Heaven Sect covered a vast expanse, with countless pavilions, towers, mountains, rivers, and valleys. Accommodating numerous examinees would be more than easy.

Nor was there any need to worry about the questions. Fourth Junior Sister had always been renowned throughout the sect for her vast knowledge and extensive reading. Whether it was Qimen Dunjia, the principles of spiritual plants and medicinal herbs, or historical allusions and secret legends of the cultivation world, she knew them like the palm of her hand. In terms of theoretical knowledge, no disciple of this generation could truly rival her.

Having her set the questions would surely allow every aspect to be covered comprehensively and in depth, testing the disciples' overall qualities. Nothing could be more suitable.

As for invigilators... in the cultivation world, that was not a problem at all.

In this world of wondrous spells and extraordinary abilities, cultivators—especially inner sect disciples—had long acquired profound cultivation and keen spiritual awareness through years of practice, far beyond ordinary outer sect disciples. Would it not be as easy as turning one's hand for one inner sect disciple to supervise several hundred outer sect disciples?

It could even serve as an assessment for inner sect disciples, testing the results of their cultivation.

Cheating, huh... If someone could cheat under the very noses of inner sect disciples, that really counted as ability too. After all, the path of immortality was filled with endless variables and challenges, and luck was also an indispensable part of it.

Besides, this was merely an initial screening. Successfully cheating once could perhaps simply be attributed to luck. But if someone could repeatedly cheat successfully afterward, cleverly evade the vigilant spiritual awareness of inner sect disciples, and remain undiscovered through layer upon layer of tests, how was that not a unique expression of strength?

It would show that the cheater was not only meticulous, but also capable of handling all kinds of sudden situations and grasping timing with precision. Those abilities were equally rare talents.

If Shen Yuxi were to evaluate it, his eyes would surely light up as he raised a thumb without hesitation and praised, "What a talent!" A mature, vast sect thirsted for every kind of capable person. Why would it worry about having nowhere to use them?

Shen Yuxi's eyes flickered. After a brief moment of thought, he immediately picked up brush and ink. His movements were smooth and natural, and as his brush spread ink across the paper, he concisely wrote down his ideas in clear order.

First, conduct an initial screening based on strength.

Disciples at the Qi Refining Stage and above already possessed a certain foundation in cultivation and could register voluntarily. After all, only disciples confident in their own strength would actively sign up, which would screen out some who lacked ambition.

Such people often lacked both the resolve to serve the sect and the drive to pursue higher realms of cultivation. Excluding them would make the competition's environment purer.

At the same time, introduce a multiple-recommendation system.

Within the sect, fellow disciples knew one another well. Some disciples might possess remarkable strength yet miss opportunities to display themselves because they were reserved, unwilling to seek attention, or had suffered setbacks that left them lacking confidence and unable to properly recognize their own abilities.

The multiple-recommendation system would give them the opportunity to step onto the competition stage.

When several fellow disciples acknowledged and recommended someone's strength, it showed that person must have something exceptional in cultivation and deserved a chance to participate in the competition.

Would people really recommend one another to cheat the system... Social ability was ability too. This was long past the era where burying one's head in cultivation made everything fine. If they could get in, then let them get in. It was only the preliminary round anyway.

As for those who believed themselves exceptionally gifted but had not yet reached the Qi Refining Stage, they should not be shut out either. Talent was like uncut jade; without appraisal, its worth was difficult to discover.

Therefore, a special channel could be opened to test them, deeply uncovering their talent and potential. If testing proved that they truly possessed extraordinary qualities, they could naturally participate in the competition as well.

This step would serve as an initial gatekeeping process for participants, encompassing to the greatest extent possible disciples with both aptitude and ambition.

There would surely be disciples relying on family backgrounds and connections to slip in, but from another perspective, were financial resources and connections not resources as well?

A sect's operations and development were not as simple and casual as children playing house. This was only a minor inner sect disciple selection, not the choosing of direct disciples or elders. If they were willing to buy connections, then let them.

Having disciples who were "foolish and rich" was also the sect's good fortune. Disciples with talent but no background still required early investment, while these kinds of disciples brought profit the instant they entered. What sect would casually reject that?

What? You ask where fairness and impartiality went? They already spent money! It would be one thing if their strength had not increased much, but would it not be a little excessive to deny them even a new title or skin?

What did fairness and impartiality mean? The grinders relied on stamina, the spenders relied on wealth! That was called fairness and impartiality! Next!

Shen Yuxi paused briefly, his gaze passing over his fellow disciples' faces one by one as he observed their reactions. Seeing everyone immersed in thought and seriously considering the feasibility of his proposal, he continued writing.

The second step: arrange a written examination.

The questions were the most important part. He suggested letting Fourth Junior Sister set them, since she had always been versed in ancient and modern matters alike and possessed an extremely deep understanding of every kind of knowledge in the cultivation world.

The questions would cover cultivation common sense, including pill knowledge, formation principles, essential sword art doctrines, sect history, demonic beast traits, practical combat strategies, and even the geography of the Nine Domains, striving to comprehensively assess the disciples' store of knowledge.

Finally, candidates would be judged by their total scores. They would be screened according to the average score, with anyone below average eliminated directly. The top three in the theoretical examination would enter the inner sect immediately and would not need to undergo a third assessment.

After these two rounds of screening, at least sixty to seventy percent of people could be eliminated. In that case, even if the remaining thirty percent used the most traditional one-on-one arena format, the enormous Sword Trial Platform would seem much roomier, and the subsequent examination process would naturally become much easier.

The moment Shen Yuxi's idea was voiced, it was like a boulder dropped into a still lake, instantly stirring up a thousand layers of waves among his fellow disciples.

Everyone nodded in approval, unanimously agreeing that this method was both comprehensive and reasonable, and could select capable outer sect disciples relatively fairly.

Zhou Wan, who bore great responsibility, became so excited that her eyes shone, as though she had suddenly discovered a treasure trove containing endless riches. Her hands trembled faintly as she eagerly wished she could pull all the knowledge in her head out at once and turn it into questions. "How about adding handwriting points?"

Shen Yuxi's jaw nearly dropped in shock, his face filled with disbelief.

"I really do not understand you spell cultivators who enter the Dao through literature. Is practicing calligraphy truly that important? Must this neatness-of-the-paper score really be added to the total?"

Having truly gone through the college entrance examination, he could not help but let out a mournful cry. He did not dare imagine what would happen if the already fiercely competitive college entrance examination genuinely added paper-neatness points. Were they planning to turn a whole bunch of minors into calligraphers or what?

Recalling Fourth Junior Sister's usual harsh demands regarding handwriting practice, he could not help secretly sweating for the junior brothers and sisters about to take the examination.

"Well, I hope Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters survive. It would be far too undeserved to stumble over something like this."

"Handwriting reflects the person. One can see someone's character from their writing, so it cannot be treated carelessly," Zhou Wan said with a smile.

The fellow disciples discussed Shen Yuxi's proposed plan for the Outer Sect Grand Competition with great enthusiasm, their debate in full swing. Everyone in the hall spoke one after another, and the atmosphere immediately became lively.

Once the basic framework had been established, adjusting the finer details became much easier.

Although most direct disciples had been accepted as elders' personal disciples as soon as they entered the sect, even if they had never eaten pork, had they not at least seen pigs run? Over the years, they had watched no shortage of competitions. Even without practical experience, they were familiar with the process from seeing it so often. The detailed plan was quickly finalized.

Amid the noisy bustle, it was as though lightning suddenly tore through the darkness of Shen Yuxi's mind. He abruptly recalled that Chu Shihan's emergence from secluded cultivation was precisely a plot point from the beginning of the novel he knew, and what followed immediately after was this approaching Outer Sect Grand Competition—Will a Demonic Cultivator infiltrate the competition?

The instant this inner voice came through, the once-boisterous hall fell silent. It was so quiet that even the faint sound of a needle falling to the ground seemed clearly audible, as though time itself had frozen in this space.

Shen Yuxi's heart skipped a beat. A powerful sense of foreboding surged over him like a tide, and his heartbeat suddenly accelerated. For one terrifying moment, he even thought his inner thoughts had been exposed completely before everyone.

Then, amid that nearly suffocating silence, the Sect Master coughed heavily twice. The sound was especially abrupt and piercing in the hall's eerie stillness.

Afterward, the Sect Master wore a stern expression, his cold gaze sweeping over every direct disciple's face one by one as he concluded, "You have all spoken well. Since that is the case, this Outer Sect Grand Competition shall proceed according to the results of your discussion. Are there any objections?"

"We shall not fail the mission!" Only then did the direct disciples seem to awaken from a dream, as though they had just been abruptly startled awake from a tense nightmare.

They hurriedly answered in unison, their voices orderly and loud, attempting to use that resounding declaration to discreetly cover up their momentary lapse just now.

Shen Yuxi secretly rejoiced, feeling as though a heavy stone had finally dropped from his heart. He could not help thinking, That scared me to death. So it was just time for the leader to make a speech. I thought I had accidentally blurted out what I was thinking.

By then, a faint sheen of sweat had already appeared across his back. Fortunately, it had ended without danger.

The elders and direct disciples likewise secretly breathed sighs of relief, everyone coincidentally thinking, That scared me to death. Good thing the Sect Master reacted quickly. I thought Second Senior Brother/the disciple had discovered it.

If Shen Yuxi realized that others could hear his inner thoughts, the matters to come would very likely become exceedingly thorny and complicated. The Sect Master's clever resolution of this hidden crisis was truly a blessing beyond measure.

Nine Domains Encyclopedia:

○ Spoiler Rules

He had originally known it by heart. After living for many years in his current identity, he had forgotten some details and remembered only the general characters and famous scenes.

Restricted by the Heavenly Dao, he could recall key plot points only when he encountered [a specific time] or [a specific place] and saw [a specific target].

While restricting Shen Yuxi, the Heavenly Dao also tacitly allowed his leaks and would not punish him for them.

But no one knew this. (Except for a certain true cheat-powered darling of the Heavenly Dao.)

○ Bamboo Retreat

Shen Yuxi's residence. The real Bamboo Retreat was halfway up Spirit Pool Peak, surrounded by lush bamboo, with the house itself also built from bamboo. The setting was tranquil and pleasant, exceptionally cool.

After Shen Yuxi fell in love at first sight with the fragrant pears atop Spirit Pool Peak, True Person Yu Qing built the child a small courtyard at the summit. Shen Yuxi could not be bothered to name it, so it was still called Bamboo Retreat.