Chapter 130.3: A Long-Awaited Newcomer, Chu Yang! Another Mixed World!

Either possibility was terrifying.

He could only hope he was overthinking it.

With a deep frown, Xu Changqing wordlessly pulled Chu Yang into the teleportation array.

The scenery blurred.

The two of them appeared at the left front side of a majestic grand hall.

Floating sword-shaped sculptures surrounded the area, each one unique in design.

Upon closer inspection, they weren't just decorations but part of a profound formation.

Chu Yang scanned his surroundings and quickly realized—every architectural detail around the sect's grand hall was a formation node.

Interlinked formations, layers upon layers—this was a colossal, unfathomable array.

"…Incredible."

Chu Yang couldn't help but sigh.

"You've been here for years, but have you ever set foot in the sect's grand hall?"

Xu Changqing chuckled but suddenly looked embarrassed. This was not a pleasant topic for Chu Yang.

After all, being in the sect for years without ever entering the grand hall meant he wasn't even considered a formal disciple.

"Indeed, I haven't been here much. The scenery's nice, though," Chu Yang joked, then teased, "Senior Brother, what's wrong today? If I didn't know better, I'd think you were about to be expelled."

"Ayang, you've really changed," Xu Changqing sighed, lowering his head as he walked toward the grand hall.

Chu Yang followed closely behind.

Inside the hall, lanterns blazed brightly, illuminating the ancestral tablets of past grandmasters and countless celestial deities. At the center stood a massive cauldron, hovering with wisps of incense smoke.

Before the cauldron, two figures could be faintly seen.

The elder among them had snow-white hair and beard, a face weathered by time yet carrying a kind demeanor. His Daoist robes added to his otherworldly presence.

The slightly younger man was stocky, exuding a natural authority. He swung his horsetail whisk constantly, his temper seemingly on edge.

"Master! Sect Leader!"

Xu Changqing bowed respectfully.

Chu Yang followed suit.

Cang Gu Elder was Xu Changqing's master—the very one who had picked up Chu Yang and brought him to the Shu Mountain Sect years ago.

When Chu Yang looked at him, Cang Gu turned away, his eyes filled with reluctance, mirroring Xu Changqing's reaction earlier.

"Chu Yang."

Qingwei Daoist called out softly.

"Disciple is here."

Chu Yang cupped his fists and bowed.

"Have you completed today's cultivation practice?" Qingwei Daoist asked with a smile.

"I have never slacked."

Hearing those words, even Qingwei Daoist couldn't help but sigh. "'Never slacked'—indeed. Since the day you could remember, you've spent over ten years cultivating and comprehending the Dao without missing a single day. In terms of diligence, even Changqing is no match for you…"

Cang Gu could no longer bear to listen and turned his back completely.

Chu Yang kept his head lowered in silence.

Seeing this, Qingwei continued, "But after years of cultivation, you should understand that human effort has its limits. Some things, no matter how hard you try, are simply not meant to be."

Chu Yang lifted his gaze slightly, his voice calm. "Sect Leader, you know my nature—I do not believe in fate."

"Not believing in fate changes nothing. After all these years, you haven't made the slightest progress. You simply cannot comprehend the Dao," Cang Gu finally erupted, shouting in anger, though his eyes were filled with pain.

Chu Yang's gaze remained firm as he looked at Qingwei. "Sect Leader, give me another chance."

Qingwei sighed helplessly. He had watched Chu Yang grow up in Shu Mountain.

If anyone felt pained by this situation, he was no better off than Cang Gu.

But mortals and immortals were different. Those who couldn't cultivate immortality simply couldn't. Keeping Chu Yang in Shu Mountain would only lead to endless suffering in the future.

"Very well. One last chance."

Qingwei seemed to have made up his mind. "The Ten-Year Grand Competition of the Sword and Qi Sects is approaching. If you can place in the top three, you may stay."

"What?!"

"You might as well let him bash his head against the Grandmaster's Hall and end it!"

Cang Gu was furious, rushing up to Qingwei. "Sect Leader Senior Brother, do you hear yourself? Top three? If you said this to Changqing, it would still make sense. But making Chu Yang compete for the top three? You might as well kick him down the mountain now!"

"At least that way, he'll still have a whole corpse if anything happens in the future!"

Xu Changqing hurriedly stepped forward to hold back his master.

Cang Gu's spit had already landed on Qingwei's robe, but with a flash of divine light, the robe became spotless again.

Qingwei's eyelid twitched.

He thought to himself, I'm trying to make him give up on his own! Why are you getting so worked up?

If not for the two disciples present, Qingwei would have outright scolded Cang Gu.

Having spent years in Shu Mountain, Qingwei understood Chu Yang's personality well—cautious and reserved, never one to take reckless risks.

To put it bluntly, he was a survivalist.

Someone like him would never risk his life in the Sword Qi Competition.

The so-called competition was a longstanding contest between the Sword Sect and Qi Sect. Whoever won could claim the name "Shu Mountain Sect" for the next decade.

Shu Mountain Immortal Sword Sect.

The winner remained Shu Mountain Sect, while the loser had to call themselves the Immortal Sword Sect.

Held once every ten years, the competition had a high mortality rate—especially in the ranking battles among the final ten contenders.

The top three were usually the last three standing. Because of this, the rivalry between the two sects, once part of the same lineage, had deepened over time.

From Qingwei's perspective, there was no way Chu Yang would participate. This was just a method to push him down the mountain.

"Alright!"

Chu Yang answered.

Qingwei nodded with a smile. "A wise choice. Since that's the case, then—"

His words were abruptly cut off, and he stared at Chu Yang in shock.

Cang Gu and Xu Changqing were also stunned.

Cang Gu roared in fury, "You're going to compete in the Ten-Year Grand Competition? Are you insane?!"

"Master…" Realizing his disciple status was unofficial, Chu Yang quickly corrected himself. "Elder, I am not crazy. Please give me another chance."

Cang Gu was so furious he nearly jumped. "I know you have a heart for the Dao, but you must understand—only the living can cultivate. The dead cannot!"

Qingwei looked at Chu Yang in confusion.

Something about this boy's demeanor felt different than before.

Had he been overly shocked by the situation?

Xu Changqing quietly stepped closer to Qingwei and whispered a few words in his ear.

Qingwei's expression immediately changed. He spoke coldly, "Ayang, step forward."

Chu Yang did as instructed.

Qingwei grabbed Chu Yang's hand, and an overwhelming power suppressed his body. Then, the sect leader began chanting.

Cang Gu turned pale with shock. "Sect Leader Senior Brother, what are you doing?! Why are you chanting the Demon Subjugation Incantation?!"

Moments later, the incantation was complete.

Chu Yang looked at Qingwei in confusion.

Qingwei, feeling a little awkward, examined Chu Yang's body and soul once again—finding nothing out of the ordinary.

"Fortunately, he's fine."

Qingwei released Chu Yang's arm and turned to glare at Xu Changqing.

Xu Changqing looked innocent.

All I said was that it was a possibility!

It was you who chanted the incantation without hesitation!

Cang Gu finally processed what had happened. His blood surged with anger, and he bellowed at the two men,

"So just because he said he wanted to compete, you thought he was possessed?!"

"You think he's that worthless?!"

"You two have gone too far!!"

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