Outer Sect Tournament

Upon returning to the sect, Wang Quan remained constantly alert, wary of the evil spirits tracking him. He also knew that the greatest challenge currently lay within the sect itself. To avoid drawing Li Cang's attention, he decided to keep a low profile and gather information about the sect's latest developments. Soon, he learned three highly important pieces of news.

The first piece of news concerned Li Cang. After returning to the sect, Li Cang had begun preparations for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. As one of the top inner disciples of Yunxiao Sect, Li Cang's advancement was not just about his own cultivation but was also a major event closely watched by the higher-ups in the sect. If Li Cang successfully broke through, such a young Foundation Establishment cultivator would see his status within the inner sect rise even further.

When Wang Quan heard this, his heart sank slightly.

"Li Cang is preparing for his Foundation Establishment... It seems he's made further progress." Though Wang Quan's own cultivation had improved, the gap between him and Li Cang remained vast. If Li Cang successfully advanced, his strength would soar, and Wang Quan's position in the outer sect would become even more precarious.

The second piece of news was about the discovery of an ancient ruin within the Yunxiao Sect's territory.

The ruin was said to be the residence of an ancient cultivator, containing many rare treasures, spiritual materials, and even rumored top-tier pills that could aid in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. The discovery caused a stir among the sect's disciples, with many inner and outer disciples eager to explore the site.

Though Wang Quan was somewhat interested, he knew that ancient ruins were often fraught with peril. Weaker cultivators could easily lose their lives in such places. Having just broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refinement, he needed to stabilize his cultivation and avoid unnecessary risks for the time being.

The third piece of news was about the upcoming Outer Sect Disciple Tournament.

The outer sect tournament was the sole opportunity for outer disciples to advance to the inner sect. This event attracted the attention of many disciples, as the top ten participants would earn a chance to join the inner sect, while the top three would receive a Foundation Establishment Pill to aid in their breakthrough.

Upon hearing this, Wang Quan's eyes lit up.

"A Foundation Establishment Pill…" Though Wang Quan was still far from reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, possessing such a valuable pill early would provide a solid foundation for his eventual breakthrough.

Moreover, entering the inner sect would grant access to better resources and a superior cultivation environment, which would greatly benefit his cultivation of the Five Elements Secret Technique.

Determined, Wang Quan resolved to participate in the tournament.

"While reaching Foundation Establishment may still be far off, preparing in advance isn't a bad idea. Entering the inner sect will help me grow faster."

He knew the competition would be fierce, with many talented outer disciples vying for the top spots. But he no longer feared them—he had come a long way from being a mere target for bullies. The power of the Five Elements Secret Technique had taken root within him, and though it had not yet fully matured, it was enough to set him apart from the other disciples.

After returning to his thatched cottage, Wang Quan immediately focused on closing himself off for cultivation.

For half a month, he healed his injuries and continuously absorbed the materials he had obtained from the marketplace. These resources provided a steady stream of spiritual energy, helping him further improve his cultivation. While the Five Elements Secret Technique was incredibly powerful, it also came with a clear drawback—it required a tremendous amount of resources to maintain.

After half a month of dedicated cultivation, Wang Quan finally broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refinement!

Following the breakthrough, the flow of spiritual energy through his meridians became smoother, and the quality and quantity of his spiritual power significantly increased. He could feel the growing strength of the Five Elements Secret Technique as the energies of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth circulated continuously within him, helping him make steady progress.

"Although I've reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement, I've used up more than half of my materials." Wang Quan frowned slightly, calculating his next steps. He knew that advancing the Five Elements Secret Technique relied heavily on a steady supply of resources, which were not easy to come by.

"Not only do I need to secure a good ranking in the tournament, but I also need to find ways to gather more resources to sustain my cultivation."

As the date of the outer sect tournament approached, Wang Quan stood before his thatched cottage, his gaze deep and thoughtful. He knew this tournament would be his first step toward entering the inner sect, and a critical opportunity to gain the power he sought.

His eyes gleamed with determination, and the spiritual energy around him stirred, carrying a strong sense of battle spirit and resolve.

"The outer sect tournament—here I come!"