Early morning.
The warm sunlight spilled across the land, carrying a hint of warmth. The usually bustling inner sect area was unusually quiet today, silent and still. In contrast, the inner sect square was packed with inner sect disciples. Numerous inner sect elders, stewards, and managers were also present. Even several inner sect elders at the Spiritual Yuan realm had gathered here.
Today was the annual Inner Sect Ranking Tournament of the Flowing Cloud Sect. The Ranking List was the ultimate roster of the strongest inner sect disciples. Any disciple on this list possessed the potential to become a true disciple, with the prospect of rising to the sect’s upper echelons. These ranked disciples also enjoyed generous treatment, far surpassing ordinary disciples. The higher the rank, the better the benefits. Moreover, the sect would bestow substantial rewards on those who made the list.
Thus, the Ranking Tournament, offering both prestige and material gains, naturally drew immense attention. It could be said that nearly all inner sect disciples had left their quarters early to gather at the inner sect square. Even the various inner sect stewards and managers, unless on duty, had converged here. This tournament had become a major event within the inner sect, capturing everyone’s focus.
At that moment, the inner sect square was like a sea of people. Apart from the five central arenas and their immediate vicinity, the entire space was filled with crowds, even spilling beyond the square’s edges. To the east stood a high platform, where the inner sect elders and higher-ups sat, observing the matches. To the west was a smaller platform, half the height, with thirty-six seats arranged in tiers: one at the top, two on the second level, four on the third, and so on. These seats were occupied by the thirty-six inner sect disciples on the Ranking List.
In the center of the square, surrounding the five arenas, stood the elite inner sect disciples eligible to compete in the tournament. As for the ordinary inner sect disciples still at the Qi Transformation stage, they could not participate and could only serve as spectators. Of course, if someone insisted on joining, it wasn’t strictly forbidden. However, they would likely be ganged up on by the elite disciples, swiftly defeated, and left with injuries. So, most ordinary disciples chose not to compete.
Soon, the tournament began.
The first round was a free-for-all. All participating disciples took to the five arenas for chaotic battles. This continued until only ten remained on each arena. These fifty would advance to the next round. Those who performed exceptionally in the melee, even if they didn’t advance, might receive some rewards from the sect.
The second round was the challenge round. The fifty advancing disciples had the right to challenge any disciple on the Ranking List. Victory would allow them to take that disciple’s place, while defeat meant elimination. Each challenger had only one chance.
The third round was the ranking round. Once the thirty-six spots on the Ranking List were finalized, the listed disciples would challenge each other. They could freely duel to determine their final rankings. The rules were simple.
Time passed slowly. Unnoticed, the first round ended, and the second round neared its conclusion. Yet throughout this time, Lin Xuan, who had recently dominated the inner sect with his overwhelming reputation and was hailed as the sect’s number one genius, had not appeared. On the smaller platform, the seat for the twenty-eighth rank remained empty.
It was well known that although Lin Xuan was only at the Qi Transformation stage, his strength was astonishing. Not only had he secured the twenty-eighth spot, breaking the record for a Qi Transformation disciple on the Ranking List, but even disciples ranked in the teens were no match for him in a single encounter. In fact, Wu Jie, ranked ninth on the list, had publicly admitted he was no match for Lin Xuan and had voluntarily stepped forward to apologize and make amends. Lin Xuan’s strength was widely acknowledged to be worthy of the top ten, or even higher. Logically, he should not have missed this tournament. Even if he didn’t care about fame, the rewards were substantial. To secure enough cultivation resources, Lin Xuan would have no reason to skip it.
Yet now, Lin Xuan had still not shown up. According to sect rules, if a participant failed to appear by the end of the second round, they would be eliminated. Lin Xuan would be removed from the Ranking List and barred from challenging for six months. For such an important tournament, Lin Xuan’s absence was puzzling.
The disciples, elders, stewards, and managers were all bewildered. At the same time, many disciples secretly rejoiced, including some on the Ranking List. Not only did Lin Xuan’s absence free up a spot, but his strength was such that even if he wasn’t among the top three, few in the top ten could confidently defeat him. If Lin Xuan had come, they might have been challenged and dropped in rank, or even severely injured and bedridden for a long time. Past battles showed that Lin Xuan’s opponents always ended up heavily wounded. These were outcomes they wished to avoid. So, his absence brought them great joy. But they dared not show it, as Lin Xuan was highly valued by the sect’s higher-ups. Many of them were likely quietly observing his performance. If they angered those higher-ups, they wouldn’t fare well either.
On the high platform, several inner sect elders at the Spiritual Yuan realm frowned as they looked toward the smaller platform. Normally, the Inner Sect Ranking Tournament was a major event, but it only required one Spiritual Yuan elder to preside. There was no need for all of them to attend. After all, the Ranking List was merely a pool of potential true disciples, not the real thing. It didn’t warrant such ceremony. They had come only because they’d heard many rumors and wanted to witness the performance of Lin Xuan, the new number one genius surpassing Liu Qianyu. But now, Lin Xuan was absent. Had their trip been in vain? The Spiritual Yuan elders grew impatient. If Lin Xuan truly didn’t show and lost his eligibility, they would have to leave early.
Meanwhile, in a pavilion several thousand meters from the inner sect square, two figures were watching the square from afar. One of them, a tall, imposing middle-aged man with an extraordinary aura, waved his hand, summoned someone, and gave a few instructions.
At the center of the square, on the third arena, the referee scanned the crowd and announced loudly, “Does anyone else wish to challenge? If not, the second round will conclude!”
“I want to challenge!” A cold-faced young man beside the arena glanced at the smaller platform and replied loudly, “Disciple Zheng Yuan challenges Senior Brother Lin Xuan, ranked twenty-eighth on the Ranking List!” He then leaped onto the arena.
The referee continued in a clear voice, “Lin Xuan, do you accept the challenge? If there’s no response within three breaths, you forfeit. One, two...”
The arena fell into a deathly silence. But before the referee could finish, a voice like thunder from the heavens rang out:
“Accepted!”