Chapter 9 Sect Competition Begins (1)

Xiao Chen collected the beast core and distributed the spoils among the group. With the mission completed, they returned to the sect.

"Two months from now is the Lower Sect Competition at Emie Sect. We need to start preparing," Zhou Tianchen reminded them.

After exchanging polite farewells, everyone went their separate ways.

For Xiao Chen, his routine remained unchanged: cultivation, blacksmithing, and alchemy, day in and day out.

He crafted several Grade 2 perfect-grade Ironbone Body Tempering Pills to distribute to the others, except Mei Ling. After she advanced to the 5th layer of the Foundation Establishment, Xiao Chen noticed certain changes in her and deduced they were related to her unique constitution.

Their bodies underwent a qualitative change as the pill significantly enhanced the practitioners' ability to strengthen their bones. There was a 5% chance that those who consumed the Ironbone Body Tempering Pill would develop iron-like skin and bones, impenetrable by cuts. Among them, the one fortunate enough to experience this transformation was Wei Junhao.

Even Xiao Chen was taken aback by the result. Junhao now stepped into the path of body cultivator also. Currently, he can considered Body Force Awakened Stage

Body cultivation in Ironroot World is simple 10 stages, Currently, they are Body Force Awakened, Body Force Refinement, Body Force Condensation, Rejuvenation Body, Heaven Fortification Body, Heaven Harmony Body, Primal Force Body, Eternal Endurance Body, Cosmic Balance Body.

Usually, spiritual cultivators looked down on body cultivators, since as long as they broke through the Nascent Soul Realm, their bodies also go a metamorphosis and would be equal to a Grade 8 Body cultivator, only special body Cultivator or Dragon blood pill or Vajra technique will grab the attention of those higher level.

Using his AI, he conducted a spiritual scan.

[Ding... detected an ice-related constitution, but no matching constitution details were found in the database.]

Xiao Chen then considered creating a Grade 3 Frostblood Pill, which would infuse Mei Ling's bloodstream with frost energy, greatly enhancing her control over ice-based techniques and her resistance to extreme cold. The AI, capable of stimulating her constitution, confirmed that the Frostblood Pill would have no adverse effects on her body, making it the ideal choice for her. However, the sect and the Celestial Jade City's Alchemy School, along with affiliated merchant clans like the Wang Clan, were missing a critical ingredient - Northern Ice Essence. Xiao Chen submitted a request to the Alchemy School, and any updates regarding the Northern Ice Essence would be sent to him.

As two months passed, the competition day approached.

Everyone was on rapid growth, due to high spiritual Qi around Mo sect due to formation.

Xiao Chen had now reached the 1st layer of Core Formation. His condensed Qi had transformed into a metaphysical Golden Core within his dantian—a rare and legendary core known for its unparalleled purity. This breakthrough granted him explosive power, marking him as a true cultivator in the eyes of higher-level cultivators. The purity of his core was crucial for his future cultivation. Since his technique provided him with the purest Qi in the world, his core formed from this energy was exceptionally refined, making him far stronger than his peers - nearly three times as powerful.

However, while a source of immense strength, the core posed a potential weakness. If the core were to shatter, it would be almost impossible to recover, unless treated by a godly doctor or with the use of miraculous pills. Such pills would require the skill of a 5-star alchemist or higher, and the recipes for these pills were exceedingly rare.

With the support of abundant pills, improved techniques, and enhanced Qi formations, advancing further became much easier. During this period, most of the disciples experienced explosive growth.

Xiao Chen informed Mei Ling of the Frostblood pill, and she was more than happy to wait. She advanced to the 9th level of Foundation Establishment, Yan Rong reached the 7th level of Foundation Establishment, Wei Junhao broke through to the 1st layer of Core Formation, and Zhou Tianchen advanced to the 4th layer of Core Formation.

All the disciples were astonished when they learned that Xiao Chen had advanced to the Core Formation realm, as he had surpassed their own cultivation levels. Elder Le and the Sect Leader, however, reacted calmly, accustomed to Xiao Chen's rapid growth and his frequent surprises in various disciplines.

With Elder Le , Xiao chen and other disciples set out their destination for Emei Sect

The Emei Sect is located in the southern region of the Verdant Sky Empire, serving as a branch of the main Emei Sect, which lies further south in the Tianyue Empire. Xiao Chen and the other disciples traveled to this branch, which is composed entirely of female disciples and is connected to the prestigious main Emei Sect, one of the top clans in the Ironroot World.

Numerous sects were participating in the upcoming competition. Despite the festive decorations surrounding the Emei Sect, the event itself was steeped in tension and unease. Hidden dangers and powerful opponents lay in wait, like crouching tigers and concealed dragons.

Suddenly, a beautiful girl dressed in red stepped forward and used a Spiritual Voice Art to address the crowd. "Welcome, fellow cultivators. I know many of you have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of the competition prizes. The winner of this sect competition will be awarded control over a 'Lower Realm,' A world rich in resources, and both the individual and their sect will be under the protection of the Qinghai Sect, Emei Sect, and the Royal Clan of the Verdant Sky Empire for a period of five years. Additionally, the winner will receive a Dragon Bloodline Pill, which bestows the legendary Dragon's bloodline upon its use, a rare treasure we discovered in ancient ruins. Lastly, they will be offered personal tutelage from an elder of the Qinghai Sect."

Xiao Chen and the others observed the competition intently. The final selection of sects would be determined by the outcome of five victories out of eight matches, with each match featuring a different sect. No sect would face the same opponent consecutively until the semi-final. While several arenas were in use, the largest, the central arena, was reserved exclusively for the semi-final and final showdown.

In Area 12, the Mo Sect faced off against the Thunderstrike Sect.

For the first round, it was Wei Junhao of Mo Sect versus Liang Zhen of Thunderstrike Sect.

"Disciple of Mo Sect, you'd be wise to surrender before embarrassing yourself," taunted Liang Zhen.

Wei Junhao smirked. "How do you know I wasn't going to say the same? You should surrender, unless you want to hurt yourself."

"Courting death! Prepare yourself," snarled Liang Zhen.

The disciples of Thunderstrike Sect were known for their mastery of Thunder Arts, while Wei Junhao specialized in the Blazing Arts, fire-based techniques. Both fighters were at the 1st stage of Core Formation.

As the match began, Liang Zhen immediately used his Thunder Steps to close in on Wei Junhao. Seeing no reaction from his opponent, he grinned, confident that victory was at hand, and unleashed his Glorious Thunder Strike. Smoke filled the arena as the two forces collided, and spectators held their breath. Many had bet on Liang Zhen, pitying the once-great Mo Sect, now fallen into decline.

But as the dust settled, the crowd was left in shock. Liang Zhen lay unconscious on the ground, injured, while Wei Junhao stood unharmed. The judge swiftly declared Wei Junhao the victor.

An uproar erupted among the audience. In the last sect competition, the Mo Sect had struggled even in the first round, suffering a humiliating defeat. Yet now, they had secured an instant victory. The change was astonishing.

It all happened so fast. As Liang Zhen charged forward, just before his strike landed, Wei Junhao used the Whispering Breeze Step to evade and countered with a Blazing Strike. The speed of the attack was so quick that most lower Core Formation cultivators couldn't even see it coming.

"Junior Wei Junhao has claimed our first victory. We must follow his lead and do our best," said Zhou Tianchen, one of Mo Sect's senior disciples.

Meanwhile, in a nearby arena, the Asura Cloud Sect was announced the winner but at a grim cost. Their opponent lay dead, brutally mutilated. While injury or even death was common in these competitions, as attacks often couldn't be pulled back in time, the Asura Cloud disciple had continued to strike, ignoring the opponent's attempts to surrender. Such cruelty was typically seen only in demonic sects or from those seeking revenge.

Xiao Chen watched as the disciples from Asura Cloud Sect erupted in cheers for their victorious comrade. The participant took a pill after the match. Their enthusiasm was unsettling, given the brutality of the match. Instead of reprimanding the disciple for his excessive cruelty, the sect elder appeared to encourage it, a faint smile of approval visible on his face. This blatant support for such ruthless behavior only fueled the tension in the arena.

Across from them, the members of the opponent's clan were visibly furious, their faces flushed with anger. Their gazes burned with resentment as they looked at the fallen body of their disciple, who had been brutally cut down despite his attempts to surrender. The elder of the opposing clan clenched his fists, clearly struggling to hold back his outrage. Yet, bound by the strict rules of the competition, he could do nothing. Interfering in the outcome of the match would violate the regulations, and any form of protest would only lead to further humiliation for his clan.

The atmosphere around the arena grew heavier, with a palpable sense of injustice hanging in the air. Xiao Chen could feel the brewing storm, as the tension between the two sects had reached a dangerous peak, teetering on the edge of violence.

The next match of the Mo sect was with the Thousand Shadows Sect