Chapter 26 - Registration

The Next Day.

Morning mist clung to the stone pathways of the Silver Crescent Sect, drifting like silent thoughts across the outer disciple quarter. The air was unusually lively, buzzing with whispers, footsteps, and tension so thick, it nearly coiled in the lungs.

Word had spread like wildfire overnight.

The tournament was real.

A chance for every outer disciple to rise above the rest. Fame, fortune, recognition... An open gate to the inner sect.

Lao Xie stood outside his hut, sipping plain water as he watched the commotion from afar. Dozens of disciples jogged past in groups, some adjusting their robes mid-step, others nervously gripping weapon handles. Every direction seemed to pulse with ambition.

He tilted his head slightly.

"Ah… so the desperate finally smelled hope." he said inwardly.

The announcement yesterday had stirred the entire mountain. And today, the Commission Hall had become the focal point, where one could officially register for the event that might change their life.

Lao Xie's gaze drifted east, toward the wide corridor leading uphill.

Without a word, he stepped off the stone step and began walking.

The path to the Commission Hall was unusually packed, with disciples crowding into lines that snaked around the outer courtyard. A few inner disciples patrolled nearby, silently observing the flow with casual disinterest.

Chatter filled the air.

"Do you think the top ten rewards are real? They said artifacts , right?"

"Forget artifacts! I just want to be promoted to the inner sect!"

"Ha! You? Barely at seventh stage body tempering. Don't embarrass yourself."

Among them, Lao Xie passed by quietly, drawing little attention until a pair of sharp-tongued disciples caught sight of him.

"Eh? Isn't that the little mortal?"

"What's he doing here? Did he come to die?"

"Maybe he's finally lost it. Hah!"

Lao Xie didn't even blink. "Look at them, tch."

...

Inside the Commission Hall, three long registration counters had been set up, with several clerks seated behind each desk. Wooden tablets, scrolls, and jade slips glimmered in neat stacks.

A clerk at the leftmost table gestured lazily. "Next!"

Lao Xie stepped forward.

The clerk barely looked up, reaching for a blank jade token. "Name?"

He handed over his disciple token silently.

The clerk took it without care, placing it into a verifying crystal formation until the formation glowed brighter than usual.

The elder's brows raised.

"…Lao Xie?"

The name clearly triggered a flicker of memory.

"You've… been in the records recently." His tone changed slightly.

Lao Xie merely offered a faint smile.

Just then-

Ding~

[Side Task Available - Optional]

Task: Leave an impression at the tournament registration table.

Reward: 20 Spirit Stones.

Accept? [Yes] / [No]

Lao Xie mentally chose [No].

"There's no need to cause a scene for now."

The clerk's tone shifted again, trying to sound professional. "Alright, you're officially registered."

He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in. "You know… there are a lot of strong participants this year. Are you… sure about this?"

Lao Xie's lips twitched upward.

"Worried for me?"

"…Not really," the clerk coughed. "I know you've become strong now.. Just… don't die out there."

With a final nod, Lao Xie turned and walked away.

As he exited the Commission Hall, Lao Xie didn't return to his hut right away.

Instead, he wandered toward the edge of the plaza, where a narrow pathway overlooked the eastern cliffside. From here, he could see much of the outer sect.

Rows of huts, practice fields, meditation courtyards. The sun had begun to rise higher, casting long shadows from the watchtowers above.

Below, hundreds of disciples moved about, some preparing, while others posturing.

He watched them in silence, eyes unreadable.

"All these little ants scrambling over a ladder... They think this tournament is their big chance.."

He folded his arms behind his back, the wind brushing gently through his sleeves.

"But in the end, they're just meat for the grinder. Only eighty will make it through and ten will shine. As for the rest? Not even worth remembering."

A wry smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"And none of them realize yet... that this 'little mortal' already two steps ahead."

The cliffside breeze grew stronger, rustling leaves and distant banners. Behind him, disciples were still lining up to register, full of bravado and desperation.

Lao Xie didn't need either.

He hadn't come to win the crowd's approval.

He had come to rise quietly, efficiently, and without mercy.

His gaze flicked toward the mountain peak where the Inner Sect resided. Though veiled in mist and distance, it stood like a symbol status, resources… power.

And right now, it was out of reach.

For now.

He turned away from the cliff and made his way down the path toward the practice field.

"They're all so loud about strength," he thought, "but true strength doesn't need to scream. It only needs to strike when it matters most."

....

After registering, Lao Xie didn't return to his hut right away. Instead, he wandered toward one of the practice fields, where various groups had already begun sparring in preparation.

He took a seat under a tree nearby, casually scanning the crowd.

Among them, a few notable figures stood out.

First, Zhang Weiren. a brawny fifth stage brute known for his bone-breaking fist techniques.

Second, Mei Yan. the sword-wielding female from earlier, known for her elegant and cold sword style.

Third, Shen Yun. a smiling boy with innocent eyes… and a rumored expert from previous inter-peak scuffles.

He memorized their faces silently.

"Huh, so these are the famous top dogs of the outer sect.. Rumored to be at the peak of Body Tempering Realm, the ninth stage.."

A soft breeze passed. The tree above him rustled.

He leaned back, letting the shade cover his face.

.......

That night, in the quiet of his hut, Lao Xie sat cross-legged again. The room was lit only by moonlight and a faint blue glow from the system screen.

[Main Task – Ling Ruxin]

Progress: 0%

Time Left: 23 Days

He glanced away from the panel and opened another.

[Side Task – Tournament Participation]

Objective: Reach Top 10

Reward: 100 Spirit Stones, 1x Low-Grade Talisman, 1x Low-Grade Artifact

He rubbed his chin.

"Hmph… Spirit stones, pills, artifacts, and a ticket to the inner sect…"

His eyes flickered, not with greed, but with something in mind.

"Not bad."

"These prizes aren't that bad," he muttered. "Quite generous, aren't they?"