Preparations Before the Four Halls Grand Competition

After news of the Four Halls Grand Competition spread next month, the Four Symbols Sect focused almost all its attention on Shen Jingfeng of the White Tiger Hall and Jiang Tingxue of the Vermilion Bird Hall.

Both are at the Late Qi Condensation; one is exceptional in Sword Dao, and the other possesses divine finger techniques. They are the two most popular choices for first place this time.

As for Ye An and Song Qinglin, although they are both the Four Halls Chief, most people believe that there is still a considerable gap between them and Shen Jiang and Song Qinglin.

Inside the White Tiger Hall.

Han Feng stood in the center of the Martial Practice Ground inside the hall, while Shen Jingfeng stood opposite him, holding his own personal sword in his hand.

"The Sect Master has already given the order that the Four Halls Grand Competition will be held next month. You should understand what the results of this competition mean."

Centennial Cangwu Fruit?

This is merely a reward for becoming the Chief Disciple of the Four Symbols Sect.

Whoever wins will basically become the Chief Disciple of the Four Symbols Sect.

His status rose directly, completely surpassing that of the Four Halls Chief.

"This disciple understands." Shen Jingfeng said with a serious expression.

Han Feng looked at Shen Jingfeng and nodded with satisfaction.

"If we win this competition, we will truly represent the honor of our sect."

"There's also the Century-Old Cangwu Spirit Fruit, a rare Cultivation Resources. If you can obtain it, you'll have a much better chance in the upcoming Four Sects Grand Competition."

Shen Jingfeng asked in confusion, "Isn't this spiritual item used to increase the success rate when breaking through to the Gathering Essence? Does the Hall Master mean to use it immediately after obtaining it?"

Han Feng explained with a smile, "Otherwise what? If the pressure from the Hanging Sword Sect hadn't been so great this year, why would the Sect Master have taken out such a treasure?"

"You don't need to worry. Although this item is valuable, it's not unique..."

"If you really win the Four Sects Disciple Competition Champion in the future, and you break through to the Gathering Essence stage, it won't be a problem for you to ask the Sect Master for a Centennial Cangwu Fruit."

Han Feng paused for a moment, then announced the upcoming arrangements, "For the next month, I will do my best to guide you in cultivating the White Tiger Thunderclap Sword. How much you can comprehend depends on your own comprehension."

After Han Feng finished speaking, he took out a bottle of pills from his sleeve and tossed it over. "These contain three Essence-Gathering Pills, of Higher Vehicle quality, which are my personal stash. They can be used in conjunction with the Cangwu Spirit Liquid. You need to further improve your cultivation to ensure victory in this competition!"

Essence-Gathering Pill! It can be considered a superior alternative to Qi Condensation Pill, with much stronger effects.

Shen Jingfeng caught the porcelain bottle without saying much thanks.

He knew that his leader, Han Feng, disliked such formalities; what he needed was for him to prove himself with his strength.

Vermilion Bird Hall.

Zhu Qingli sat leisurely by the window, while Jiang Tingxue stood beside her, her posture upright.

"You already know about the Four Halls Grand Competition," Zhu Qingli said calmly. "Do you... have any thoughts?"

Jiang Tingxue remained silent for a moment. She rarely spoke boastfully, but this time...

She wasn't just after resources, but also for the Vermilion Bird Hall, and replied, "Yes."

Tell me your thoughts.

"Shen Jingfeng 'Sword Dao talent in swordsmanship is indeed strong. If it were half a year ago, I certainly wouldn't have had a chance to compete with him. But now, I am just like him, both at the Late Qi Condensation, and my Martial Techniques have also Penetration."

Jiang Tingxue paused for a moment, then said, "It's still worth a shot!"

Zhu Qingli glanced at her, a hint of barely perceptible admiration in her eyes. This is truly the Chief Disciple of my Vermilion Bird Hall!

"In a battle between martial artists, there will inevitably be injuries."

"Your Vermilion Bird Heaven-Burning Finger has already reached the Penetration, but Shen Jingfeng's White Tiger Thunderclap Sword is also at the Penetration Realm. If you want to defeat him in the Four Halls Grand Competition, you need to take it a step further."

Zhu Qingli stood up and flicked her sleeve. "I'll take you out for a bit."

"Where to?" Although Jiang Tingxue always listened to Zhu Qingli, shouldn't she be using this time to cultivate?

"Blazing Fire Manor."

Jiang Tingxue was slightly taken aback.

Blazing Fire Manor is the fourth largest power in Cangwu Prefecture. Within the manor is a training ground that is constantly scorched by earth fire, making the fire-attribute True Essence extremely rich. This is of great benefit to the cultivation of the Firelight- attribute Martial Arts of the Vermilion Bird Hall.

The relationship between Ke Blazing Fire Manor and the Four Symbols Sect isn't that close. Would they really offer such a treasure trove for him to cultivate in?

"Chi Wensu, the deputy head of the Blazing Fire Manor, is an old acquaintance of mine."

Zhu Qingli saw through Jiang Tingxue's thoughts. "I've already spoken to her. You'll go there to cultivate for half a month. The fire-attribute True Essence there will greatly help your cultivation of the Vermilion Bird Heaven-Burning Finger."

"Yes."

Black Tortoise Hall.

Ye An just finished practicing the Black Tortoise Mountain-Suppressing Palm and was sitting in his room refining his True Essence when a disciple came to report, "Chief Disciple Ye, the Hall Master requests your presence in the main hall."

Shi Jian sat at the head of the table, with a square wooden box in front of him. The box was simple in design and had no extra decorations.

"Master, you wanted to see me?"

Shi Jian raised his head, his gaze falling on Ye An: "You've heard about the Four Halls Grand Competition, haven't you?"

I've heard about it.

"Any ideas?"

Ye An for a moment, then answered without hesitation, "If the Hall Master requires me to compete for first place, I will certainly do my utmost. I am also willing to fight for the sect's Chief Disciple spot for my Black Tortoise Hall Sect."

After listening, Shi Jian's gaze shifted slightly, and after a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Sit down."

Ye An sat down as instructed, somewhat puzzled.

Ye An thought that the hall master had summoned him here to ask him to compete for first place and to have a contest with Shen Jingfeng and Jiang Tingxue.

The allure of the Centennial Cangwu Fruit to Ye An was undoubtedly immense.

Shi Jian didn't mince words and said directly, "What if I said I don't need you to compete for first place?"

Ye An was taken aback. "You don't need to? Then I still have to go."

Shi Jian continued, "In the end, the first place in the Four Halls Grand Competition is just a contest between Shen Jingfeng and Jiang Tingxue."

"The gap between you and them is quite large. If you rashly compete, you might get injured if you lose, which would affect your cultivation. It would be a losing proposition."

Ye An sat on the bamboo chair, but before he could speak, Shi Jian raised his hand to interrupt him, "Don't rush to speak, I have something else to confirm."

Shi Jian gestured for Ye An to place his hand on the table, Ye An did so.

Shi Jian's withered fingers touched Ye An's wrist pulse, his True Essence probing slightly. He then raised an eyebrow, followed by a barely perceptible look of satisfaction. "Grade B+ Bone Aptitude?"

"This disciple previously had some fortuitous opportunity, and by sheer luck, my Root Bone reached the High-Grade B."

Shi Jian withdrew his hand and gathered his thoughts.

He had originally prepared a spirit medicine that could elevate his Mid-Grade B Root Bone to the High-Grade B, but now it seemed he wouldn't need it.

This saved a step and avoided some complications.

Finally, Shi Jian didn't say anything more, but simply pushed the square wooden box in front of him onto Ye An's table. "Open it and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Ye An reached out and opened the wooden box.

But they discovered a spiritual fruit lying inside!

This spiritual fruit is pale gold in color, with a fine luster flowing across its surface, indicating its extraordinary nature.

The fruity fragrance was very faint; although Ye An only caught a whiff of it, it instantly invigorated him.

Ye An didn't react for a moment. "Master, this is..."

"Century-Old Cangwu Spirit Fruit".

Upon hearing this, Ye An's heart raced several times.

This voice reached Shi Jian's ears.

Shi Jian's voice was calm, as if he were talking about something unimportant. "You don't need to fight for it. I know you desperately need this Centennial Cangwu Fruit to improve your Root Bone."

"But Jiang Tingxue and Shen Jingfeng have both reached the Late Qi Condensation, and their understanding of Martial Techniques is far superior to yours. In this Four Halls Grand Competition, my Black Tortoise Hall will not compete..."

"All you need to do is cultivate diligently, reach the Gathered Origin Realm as soon as possible, and protect the Black Tortoise Hall."

"Among the current disciples of the Black Tortoise Hall, you are the only one with this hope."

Ye An looked at the Centennial Cangwu Fruit in front of him, and then glanced at the cloudy eyes of the Hall Master Shi.

Hall Master Shi's unusual expression, Ye An... this was a sign that his life was about to end.

Ye An immediately stood up and bowed solemnly to Shi Jian: "Master, this kindness is something I can hardly repay."

"This disciple will certainly..."

"Alright, enough with the formalities." Shi Jian waved his hand, his tone tinged with impatience, but a flicker of light appeared in his long-clouded eyes. "Let's go back."

"Gathering Essence as soon as possible. If you have any questions about cultivation, you can come to me as usual."