Chapter 621 - 52 Honglie Continent - The Great Competition Begins
To the west of Dragon Abyss Marsh, a waning crescent moon hung high in the sky, the evening breeze brushed gently, and two cultivators dressed in long robes stood atop opposing peaks, raising their cups in a distant toast.
One of them had a face full of stubble, his robe stained with grease, appearing rather slovenly. He held a wine jug in his hand, taking sporadic swigs, yet his gaze was lucid without a hint of drunkenness. He looked at the cold and crystalline water surface, then at the moon’s reflection within, which shattered continuously. He let out a melancholic sigh and lamented, "Time flies; twenty-four years have passed in the blink of an eye. It’s already time for another sect competition. Junior Brother Luo, I fear I’ll have to witness your impressive skills again this time."
On the opposite peak stood a man with elegant and refined features, his demeanor free and unrestrained, his robes fluttering in the wind. It was Luo Qingyu, the eighth-ranked among the Top Ten Disciples under True Master Yan. He gazed at the bright moon above and said, "I wonder what ingenious moves Senior Brother Zhou will use to teach me this time."
Senior Brother Zhou shook his head repeatedly, a wry smile on his face as he said, "Junior Brother Luo, why do you insist on teasing me? You know all too well that I’m just a hopeless case. My kin will likely hurl a few more insults at me for being worthless again. When we duel this time, I ask for your mercy."
Luo Qingyu frowned slightly, then looked at him earnestly and said solemnly, "Senior Brother Zhou, you underestimate yourself. With your aptitude and cultivation, if you were to muster some determination, the victor of our duel would still be uncertain."
Senior Brother Zhou chuckled lightly, sat back lazily onto a rock regardless of the dust on its surface, and leaned against it with an indifferent demeanor. He murmured, "Junior Brother Luo, why bother probing me? I gave up on such ambitions a century ago. Otherwise, why would I have relinquished my position among the Top Ten Disciples? Now, what remains is merely the desire for a peaceful life ahead."
Luo Qingyu shook his head gently, sighed deeply, and then asked, "For the sake of a mere female demon, was it truly worth it?"
Senior Brother Zhou’s face suddenly showed a flash of agitation as he clenched his fists, seemingly about to dispute something. Yet as his mouth opened, no words came out. He merely downed several mouthfuls of wine, wiped his lips, and then suddenly looked up and said, "Almost fell for your bait there, Junior Brother Luo. Don’t try to provoke me."
Luo Qingyu smiled faintly and then fixed his gaze upon him, declaring, "Regardless, when the time comes on Honglie Peak, I shall not hold back, Senior Brother. Prepare yourself."
Senior Brother Zhou erupted into hearty laughter, appearing wildly uninhibited. He said, "Junior Brother Luo, though I have no intention of contesting anything with you all, I am far from ready to die. Although I may not best you, killing me won’t be easy either."
Luo Qingyu waved his sleeve and replied coldly, "We’ll meet again at the competition!" With that, he leapt into the air, transforming into a faint trail of Green Cloud as he flew away.
Senior Brother Zhou raised his cup and saluted that wisp of smoke-like cloud before tilting it back to drink. As the wine soaked his beard and hair, the chill of it caused him to shake his head. His eyes suddenly gleamed with vivid colors, yet within moments, as if reminded of something, he heaved a heavy sigh, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.
On Honglie Continent, jagged mountain ridges and perilous peaks crisscrossed the land, and turbulent rivers rushed everywhere. At this moment, tens of thousands of Dharma Device Flying Boats were converging upon this region from the heavens. Under the night sky, beams of light scattered across the Heavenly Vault like a rainfall of stars.
Mingcang Sect held countless disciples, many of whom were scattered across the various islands of Dragon Abyss Marsh practicing cultivation. It wasn’t uncommon for disciples to go their entire lives without meeting one another. Yet today, with the sect competition, they were all converging from the west and beyond, gathering together like rivers flowing into the sea.
The first twenty days of the competition were dedicated to the Ming Qi disciples. Elders from the Shangming Institute, Merit Institute, Spirit Mechanism Institute, and Zhengqing Institute were dispatched to serve as adjudicators. Ultimately, sixty victors would be chosen, rewarded with True Palace Qi Mansions, Dharma Treasures and Elixirs, secret manuals, and even the opportunity to visit the Shangming Institute to listen to the elders teach the Dao and resolve cultivation doubts.
However, for the True Disciples, the tournament had different stakes. Those who failed to rank among the Top Ten received no rewards and were further required to forfeit all Spiritual Shells granted over the past twenty-four years.
The Wang Sisters and Tian Kun were currently seated on a flying boat, clutching the ship’s railing as they approached Honglie Continent. They marveled at the treasure light beams illuminating every direction, resembling dancing streams of brilliance with stars adorning the void, dazzled by the spectacle.
The sect competition, held once every twenty-four years, not only allowed disciples to observe their peers’ techniques and learn from them but also served to inspire their competitive spirit. As such, Zhang Yan did not insist that his disciples remain confined in their caves for cultivation. Instead, he permitted them to attend and observe the event.
Moreover, Liu Yan Yi was participating in the competition this time. Based on Zhang Yan’s assessment, with her current strength, among her peers, even if opponents existed, they were few. It was an excellent opportunity for the Wang Sisters and Tian Kun to witness the disparity between themselves and their Senior Disciple Liu Yan Yi.