**Chapter 24: The Xiayin Valley Minor Competition, Little Immortal Huang Tao**

The Hidden Valley occupies a vast stretch of mountains, roughly the size of a large Dao cultivation sect. Eighty percent of the self-cultivators live in less than twenty percent of the Hidden Valley, while the remaining powerful cultivators reside in the more than eighty percent of the Xianyin Valley. This reflects the underlying logic of societal operations.

To maintain a competitive atmosphere among the self-cultivators, the Hidden Valley mandates that a minor competition be held every three months in the Xiayin Valley, while a major competition involves the entire Hidden Valley every six months. Winners increase their standing and receive better living conditions, while losers can be ousted or expelled from the Hidden Valley.

After settling Reyana, Leo donned a hat and discreetly made his way to the competition venue. It was a spacious courtyard where a few elderly judges with white beards sat behind desks. Among them was the elder who had exempted Leo from expenses for a month.

In the central combat area of the courtyard, several long benches lined the sides, occupied by other self-cultivators participating in the minor competition. Just as Leo took a seat, he overheard the lively chatter of nearby spectators.

"I heard the 'Little Immortal Huang Tao' is coming today. He's also from District C of the Xiayin Valley!"

A dark-skinned, sturdy man said excitedly, a knowing smile creeping onto his face as if reminiscing about something amusing.

"Is that for real? That guy's strength is in our district?!" His companion expressed surprise.

"Don't you know his cultivation level? He's at the eighth level of Qi Refinement—it's clearly written on the arena!"

Another chimed in. Once the name "Little Immortal Huang Tao" was mentioned, the surrounding crowd seemed to ignite with excitement.

The male cultivators grinned slyly, while the female cultivators rolled their eyes, some even spitting in disdain, faces turning rosy with embarrassment.

"A genius who can defeat Golden Core cultivators across levels? If I encountered him, I'd just admit defeat… no need to embarrass myself."

A scholar dressed in scholar's attire with a folding fan remarked.

"Why worry about that? Are you scared he'll embarrass you?" The dark-skinned man laughed heartily. (His comment sent waves of laughter through the crowd. "That guy probably just made a risqué video with someone from the Hehuan Sect. Do you really think he's impressive? A proper practitioner couldn't be that reckless!")

"I think he's just a pretty face, lucky to have run into that trashy Wu Chi!"

When those words were spoken, most people around nodded in agreement.

After Qin Ran defeated Wu Chi, the news about him had become increasingly convoluted. Some people claimed that he was the strongest Qi Refinement cultivator in history. Others believed he would inevitably make it onto the list of prominent figures of the continent in fifty years, rapidly approaching a reputation that almost eclipsed Yani and other cultivation geniuses.

However, once the scandalous video of the young prodigy leaked, the rosy lens people wore shattered. What is this?! An unfeeling pervert, as if he had never seen a woman before, and many who admired Qin Ran turned away from him.

In the spectator area, the dark-skinned cultivator lashed out with ridicule, prompting laughter from the crowd.

Only a few remained silent; these were the ones who had witnessed Qin Ran defeat Wu Chi with their own eyes just a week ago.

They believed that there was more to Qin Ran than met the eye, but as the public opinion shifted away from their side, they naturally refrained from sharing their views and remained quietly silent.

Soon, the competition began. One of the elderly judges waved his sleeve, the large gates at the entrance slammed shut, and an invisible barrier enveloped the courtyard. "Fellow friends, the Xiayin Valley minor competition, March District C, is now officially starting!"

"First match: Zhang Bei vs. Zhong Haoran."

As soon as the announcement was made, a cultivator carrying a bagua mirror stood up, muttering to himself as he walked toward the center of the arena.

"I didn't expect to be the first one!"

The previously mentioned scholar gave an awkward smile as he slowly rose. "It's alright, Brother Zhong, go for it!" the dark-skinned man encouraged him.

Zhong Haoran forced a weak smile, nodded, and walked onto the stage. He seemed a bit timid, even as Zhang Bei, who was waiting for him, wore a disdainful smirk.

Half a stick of incense later…

"The winner of this match is Zhong Haoran!"

Zhang Bei lay on the ground, staring in shock at the weak-looking scholar, Zhong Haoran.

Zhong Haoran cupped his hands in salute, then stepped back to his seat. He still had the same timid expression, but his words left everyone feeling embarrassed.

"This guy is really weak…"

His voice remained steady and sincere, showing that he wasn't mocking or teasing; he genuinely believed that. Leo perceived this and thought: The Hidden Valley really hides dragons and crouching tigers; it truly deserves its title as the holy land for self-cultivators.

Just moments ago, the techniques Zhong Haoran had displayed were evidently from the Confucianism tradition, which holds significant influence in the Middle Continent.

If the Justice Alliance is the public leader among sects, then Confucianism is the true mastermind behind the scenes. Each of the five great dynasties has been influenced and controlled to various extents by it.

To control the five great dynasties is essentially equivalent to controlling the entire Middle Continent!

Leo silently noted Zhong Haoran's name in his mind.

After several more matches featuring swordsmen, martial artists, and even a beast tamer, it was finally Leo's turn.

"Match 7: Zhong Haoran vs. Qin Ran!"

As soon as Leo's name was called, the crowd of loose cultivators erupted in excitement. "Little Immortal Huang Tao is here? Where is he?!"

"I've been looking for him everywhere; I just didn't manage to see him before."

"I've watched that video dozens of times from start to finish; there's no way I'd mistake it, but I still couldn't find him!"

As the crowd gossiped, Leo stood up, quietly taking off his hat and placing it aside as he walked to the arena.

The dark-skinned cultivator suddenly turned pale. He hadn't realized Leo had been sitting right next to him!

"Brother Leo, please be gentle."

Zhong Haoran also showed surprise and cupped his hands in respect.

"Are you not just going to admit defeat?" Leo asked him.

Zhong Haoran smiled lightly. "Earlier, when I hadn't seen you in person, I did feel a bit hesitant to compete. But now that I've seen you, with your youthful bearing, I can't help but feel the urge to battle."

"I'd like to give it a try!"

"Alright!" Leo exclaimed, impressed by Zhong Haoran's honesty and openness, which was quite rare.

"Then I'll accept your challenge, Brother Meng."

Leo took a fighting stance. Zhong Haoran looked slightly feeble in his loose garments, but after a slight nod, a powerful aura erupted from him!

It was an imposing presence that seemed capable of engulfing the heavens and earth, as if embodying the joys and sorrows of all living beings, carrying the grand ambition of bearing the weight of home and country on his shoulders!

Zhong Haoran's apparent frailty was overshadowed by the lofty, righteous air emanating from him, pressuring the onlookers intensely!

The spectators were astonished; Zhong Haoran had already participated in two matches, but he had never projected such an aura!

Even those inexperienced self-cultivators realized that he was a legitimate Confucian practitioner!

Leo narrowed his eyes, observing Zhong Haoran as he displayed his combat stance.

It seemed this guy was also a strong individual hiding his true strength!

From his displayed aura, Leo estimated that Zhong Haoran had attained a solid mid-level cultivation.

Zhong Haoran's temperament was far superior to Wu Chi; he didn't overestimate himself but viewed Leo as an equally matched opponent.

A battle spirit also surged within Leo. He was eager to find out if he could defeat a Confucian practitioner at the Concentration level with his current abilities!