Divinity Transformation Peak.
In a wide clearing within the forested mountains, all the Outer Sect disciples stood upright, each with a face full of tension and anticipation, looking towards Chen Danfeng who stood at the forefront.
The burly and rugged Chen Danfeng swept a cold gaze over the Outer Sect disciples and loudly announced:
"Now I will announce the names of the ten disciples participating in the Outer Sect competition. Listen carefully!"
Each year, aside from Sword Tomb Peak, the other five peaks select ten disciples each to participate in the competition.
This is also the most tense and anticipated moment for the Outer Sect disciples from each peak every year.
If one can seize the first place in the Outer Sect competition, they can directly enter the Inner Sect.
A straight shortcut, saving decades of wandering.
Even if they canât seize first place, reaching the top eight or top four and showing themselves before the Sect Leader and Peak Masters is very advantageous for their future prospects.
People think cultivators transcend the mundane, ethereal and otherworldly.
In reality, itâs all the imagination of mortals; cultivation is inherently defying the heavens, requiring opportunities and resources.
But worldly opportunities are elusive, and resources are even scarcer; among so many cultivators, hardly anyone can achieve ascension in the end.
If one does not strive to be first in everything, grabbing every bit of benefit, how can one pursue the Great Dao?
And for these Outer Sect disciples, the Outer Sect competition is a shortcut.
At this moment, everyone was staring intently at Chen Danfeng, and this rugged woman without any preamble directly announced the names of the ten individuals:
"Huang Ye, Qi Xiangcheng, Shi Ying..."
Each name announced was met with exclamations of envy.
"He Zhiqiu."
"..."
When He Zhiqiuâs name was announced, it was met with cheers as well.
After all, He Zhiqiuâs bold success at the Rock Conference, breaking Chen Danfengâs Snow Armor, was still quite shocking.
Qin Gengyun remained calm, as yesterday, while training in Body Refining with Cheng Yue, he was already informed that he would not need to participate in the selection, having directly secured a spot on the final ten.
This is the benefit of training daily with the Commanding Disciple; the backdoor has been opened for you.
"Hmph, just a sycophant, even if he succeeds, heâll be a punching bag!"
At this moment, a cold snort sounded from not far away, evidently directed at Qin Gengyun.
The disciples who were applauding and congratulating Qin Gengyun quieted down and silently stepped back, distancing themselves from him.
Qin Gengyun looked towards the one who snorted, not tall and with an unremarkable appearance, leaving only one impressionâstiff!
Having engaged in Body Refining with his Second Brother every day over this period, Qin Gengyunâs physique had become tougher than most cultivatorsâ.
But the person in front of him appeared even tougher than Qin Gengyun.
The short, sturdy body seemed like a piece of indestructible granite, exuding a hard, black glow all over.
Qin Gengyun remembered, he had heard this name earlierâShi Ying.
This person was also a prominent figure among the Outer Sect disciples.
During the Outer Sect competition selection trials recently held at Divinity Transformation Peak, Shi Ying progressed with an invincible posture all the way to the end.
No one who faced him could last through half a stick of incense; the unanimous assessment from everyone wasâdamn, heâs too tough!
The most outrageous part was that Shi Ying never used a magical artifact throughout; he could break othersâ magical artifacts with just his fists.
However, Qin Gengyun had no contact with him, not knowing why Shi Ying targeted him.
Qin Gengyun cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Shiâs physique is extraordinary, naturally giving him a better chance at seizing first place."
"At least you have some self-awareness."
Shi Ying scoffed, "The rest of us earned our spots through strength, unlike you who relied on flattery and back doors. Youâd better not disgrace Divinity Transformation Peak."
With that, he turned and left, and the remaining eight disciples representing Divinity Transformation Peak nodded slightly to Qin Gengyun and followed Shi Ying.
This gesture was clearly an act of isolating Qin Gengyun.
The other Outer Sect disciples couldnât help but whisper, their gazes at Qin Gengyun turning peculiar.
Words like "back door," "flattering Senior Brothers daily," "peculiar interests" floated into Qin Gengyunâs ears from time to time.
"Alright, everyone go practice."
Chen Danfengâs stern voice commanded, and the disciples quickly bowed and dispersed.
Qin Gengyun caught up with Chen Danfeng and asked, "Senior Sister, why does Senior Brother Shi bear such hostility towards me?"
Chen Danfeng glanced at him, "You didnât participate in the selection, yet you were selected; naturally, others will be dissatisfied. Many disciples say you got in by flattering Senior Brother Cheng."
Qin Gengyun nodded, "Understood."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Junior Brother He," it was Chen Danfengâs turn to call out, curiously asking,
"Youâre not angry being slandered like this by others?"
Qin Gengyun smiled, "Senior Sister, even you knew it was slander, so anyone with a brain should understand. For those who donât, itâs hard to help them grow a brain with words; they need a fist instead."
He flashed a brilliant smile at Chen Danfeng and walked away without looking back.
Chen Danfeng stood there, lost in thought, "This He Zhiqiu really sees things clearly."
Then, she realized, "What do you mean, even I knew?!"
...
Xiyue Peak.
Similarly, at this moment, the final ten names were being announced.
Wei Wan stood before hundreds of Outer Sect disciples, her voice gentle, like a heavenly melody, stirring everyoneâs hearts.
The names rolling off her soft red lips held no surprises.
Liu Su, Mo Xiaolan, and Wu Yiren all made the cut.
But when the name "Lan Yin" was called, the cheers from female disciples significantly increased, and a pair of angry eyes were sharply cast towards Mo Xiaolan.
"Young Master Lanyin, Her Highness the Princess keeps glaring at you."
Liu Su giggled as she said to Mo Xiaolan.
Mo Xiaolan turned her head to see Wu Yiren glaring fiercely at her, eyes full of disdain and anger.
Last night, Wu Yiren had walked in on what she believed was an affair involving Mo Xiaolan, Liu Su, and Yun Wu, and since then, she hadnât stopped glaring at her today.
Seeing Liu Su and Mo Xiaolan standing so close now just made Wu Yirenâs eyes widen even more.
Liu Su giggled, wrapped her arms around Mo Xiaolanâs, and sweetly said,
"Yin, weâve both been selected, thatâs great!"
"Shameless! Shameless!"
Wu Yiren stomped her feet in anger, and if it werenât for Wei Wan, she would have drawn her sword.
Mo Xiaolan helplessly turned to Liu Su, "Junior Sister He, what are you planning?"
Liu Su giggled and transmitted her voice, "Last nightâs suggestion from Jian Yue seemed excellent. If Si Minglan is really caught, weâll rely on Her Highness the Princess to save her; to make her lower her guard, naturally, we need to use a handsome man strategy."
"I deliberately provoked her just now, see, she indeed has feelings for you; otherwise, she wouldnât be so angry."
"Third sister, tonight, itâs up to you to apologize to Her Highness and appease her."
Mo Xiaolan was stunned, "Third sister?"
"Yes, Jian Yue calls me second wife, and you third wife, so naturally I must call you third sister!"
"Susu!"
"Donât worry, as long as you win over Her Highness, Iâll be sure to put in a good word for you in the future, so Miss will agree to let our lord take you as a concubine, but let me be clear, youâll have to be behind me!"