5

However, a group of Daofeng disciples glanced at him, ignored him, and continued to walk back. The outer sect disciples looking for them to make a deal was nothing more than asking them to set up a Spirit Gathering Array. This was a far more cost-effective way to cultivate than using low-grade spirit stones, but usually, only inner sect disciples could use it freely. If outer sect disciples wanted one, they had to find someone privately and pay a high price. The disciples of Zhen Daofeng often made these trades for extra income, but Wang Cheng and the others didn't think highly of Ma Ruhai and had no interest in dealing with him.

Ma Ruhai was unwilling to give up. He finally had a chance to connect with Zhen Daofeng's disciples and naturally wanted them to arrange at least a small or even a medium-sized Spirit Gathering Formation for him. "I'm willing to pay a thousand low-grade spirit stones! Can all senior brothers arrange a small Spirit Gathering Array for me?" He was anxious, trying to stop Wang Cheng's group, but Wang Cheng only gave him a cold stare, freezing him in place. These people were inner sect disciples. It would be too easy for them to deal with him, a mere outer sect disciple.

"Just wait, in another year, when I enter the inner sect, I'll make you all pay for humiliating me today!" Ma Ruhai thought bitterly, his heart burning with resentment.

"This is reality," Chen Shen mused as he walked, sighing in his heart. Ma Ruhai had ignored him for days, acting superior, but now, in front of stronger disciples, he was nothing more than a groveling dog. Yet, after being rejected, he didn't even dare to speak up. This was a vivid lesson in the ruthlessness of the cultivation world. Chen Shen understood one thing clearly—he must never rely on others and should focus on cultivating in obscurity.

The next five days passed peacefully. Work had been light, so Chen Shen spent most of his time cultivating, inching closer to the fourth level of Qi training. He hadn't attempted to set up the Spirit Gathering Formation he had obtained from the Zhen Daofeng disciples yet. Without spirit stones to buy materials, it would have to wait until he broke through to the mid-stage of Qi training.

Ma Ruhai had looked frustrated for days, but he didn't bother Chen Shen, as he had more pressing concerns—the Outer Sect Competition.

The annual Outer Sect Grand Competition was the grandest event in Cangwu Mountain. Not only did it determine the strongest disciples of the outer sect, but the top three would gain direct entry into the inner sect! Normally, the requirement to join the inner sect was reaching the seventh level of Qi training. While this might seem simple, it was extremely difficult. Talented disciples were recruited into the inner sect early or even taken in as true disciples. The ones left in the outer sect were those with limited potential. Rather than struggling for years to reach the seventh level, many disciples gambled on the yearly competition, hoping for a shortcut.

For people like Ma Ruhai, this was a chance to change their fate.

Today was the day when the top twenty disciples competed for the top ten spots. Ma Ruhai arrived at the dueling arena early.

"The first match of the top ten tournament: Zhou Zheng versus Mo Fan!" The competition's deacon announced.

Two disciples immediately flew onto the stage.

"Mo Fan! Finally, I get to fight you!" Zhou Zheng's face was pale, his eyes full of killing intent as he made a throat-slitting gesture at the young man before him.

"Zhou Zheng, I will take your head today to avenge my Qingmei!" Mo Fan's eyes were bloodthirsty, filled with murderous intent.

Months ago, Chen Shen had overheard someone mentioning Mo Fan as a terrifyingly strong outer sect disciple. Mo Fan was at the late stage of the sixth level of Qi training and feared no one, including Zhou Zheng, who had a powerful inner sect brother.

However, while Mo Fan had been away on a mission, Zhou Zheng had taken advantage of his absence and harmed his childhood sweetheart. This blood feud had festered ever since, waiting for today's chance at vengeance.

The Outer Sect Competition had no rule against killing!

Boom!

The two fighters erupted with killing intent, clashing instantly.

Spells, magic weapons, and deadly techniques filled the arena as they exchanged attacks. Zhou Zheng was a minor realm lower, at the mid-stage of the sixth level of Qi training, but he had a magic weapon gifted by his inner sect brother, allowing him to hold his own. Mo Fan, however, was a seasoned fighter with years of experience, and neither could gain an advantage.

Hundreds of moves passed, both fighters were bloodied, and the match showed no clear winner. But the outcome was already determined.

Boom!

Zhou Zheng punched Mo Fan backward and suddenly revealed a pair of shining gloves.

"A mid-grade spiritual weapon?!" Mo Fan exclaimed in shock.

The audience gasped.

A mid-grade spiritual weapon was worth tens of thousands of gold. No one in the outer sect owned such a treasure. With this, Zhou Zheng was almost guaranteed to win the competition.

In the VIP seating area, a handsome man smiled. He was Zhou Zheng's inner sect brother and the one who had given him the weapon.

Just as everyone thought the match was over, Mo Fan calmly replaced his blade with a sharp sword.

"You think a mere low-grade spirit sword can beat me?" Zhou Zheng sneered.

Mo Fan's response was a single word: "Kill!"

They clashed again, but now, Zhou Zheng grew uneasy. The more they fought, the more overwhelming Mo Fan became.

"Xiazhi!" Mo Fan whispered, executing an unfamiliar sword technique.

Up in the sky, Outer Sect Master Wang Changsheng's eyes flickered.

"That's Zhi Jianfeng's unique Four Seasons Sword Art!" he muttered in surprise.

The Four Seasons Sword Art belonged to Zhi Jianfeng, one of the strongest peaks in Cangwu Mountain. Only true disciples of that peak were allowed to learn it. Mo Fan must have obtained it through unknown means.

On the stage, a giant sun appeared behind Mo Fan, radiating terrifying power.

Boom!

Zhou Zheng's mid-grade spiritual weapon cracked under the pressure. Without it, he had no chance.

Bang!

Zhou Zheng crashed to the ground like a dead dog, coughing up blood.

"You have today too? As I said, today I will take your head and avenge her!" Mo Fan sneered, approaching for the final strike.

Zhou Zheng, panicking, looked into the audience and shouted, "I concede!"

Mo Fan ignored him and swung his sword.

"Stop!"

A middle-aged deacon appeared in the arena, stopping Mo Fan in his tracks.

"What is the meaning of this?" Mo Fan growled, struggling to move.

"You have won. There's no need for further bloodshed," the deacon said indifferently.

"But he didn't admit defeat until now! You have no right to stop me!" Mo Fan roared.

"Why go too far? Killing him will only bring you trouble," the deacon reasoned.

"To hell with that! Everyone knows we are mortal enemies!" Mo Fan raged, turning to the audience. "You dare show favoritism in broad daylight just because his brother is an inner disciple?!"

Before he could finish, Zhou Zheng suddenly appeared behind him—his fist pierced straight through Mo Fan's chest.

"If Zhou Zheng's brother weren't close to Tian'er, I would have intervened. But now, it's best to let things be," Wang Changsheng murmured indifferently.

By the afternoon, the top ten competition ended. Zhou Zheng and Ma Ruhai both advanced—the former relying on his powerful background, the latter on sheer luck.

Meanwhile, Chen Shen had already buried Mo Fan's body.

He gained: Four Seasons Sword Art (Incomplete), Immortal Cultivation Experience, and Spiritual Roots.

Remembering Mo Fan's tragic end, he whispered to himself, "If I were an Immortal Emperor, the heavens would be just, and the world would be fair."