Chapter 159: Victory Without a Fight

At the Mao hour, the sky was already bright.

The mountain plateau of Jishui Peak was crowded with people, even more than two months ago. It was said that senior disciples and juniors from other halls had also arrived.

In front of the stone platform of Bohai Pavilion, a clear space more than twenty zhang wide was cordoned off, surrounded by eight stone pillars—obviously the site of a formation.

Within the formation lay the arena for the mid-year grand competition.

Numerous disciples sat around the formation, some gazing around, others whispering to each other, creating a lively atmosphere.

Yu Ye and Dang Guiyi sat among the crowd, alongside peers who had joined at the same time—Yu Xing, Li Yun, Mu Sha, Shang Xin, Hong Qiao’er, Zhan Kun, and others. Ming Ye, Gu Muzi, Yu Fei, and other outer disciples sat together, among them Bai Zhi and Chen Qi.

“Hey, I heard a senior from the Divine Enlightenment Hall has come in person, solely to select inner disciples,” someone whispered.

“Who can be chosen?”

“One must have strong cultivation and win in the competition. Otherwise, it’s impossible to catch the eye of the elites or be selected by the Divine Enlightenment Hall.”

“Dang shidi, when will you enter the inner sect?”

“Heh, with my exceptional talent, hopefully in two or three years.”

“Ha! Dang shidi, you’re so arrogant. The Divine Enlightenment Hall is the supreme of the five halls, home to the sect’s elite. I don’t think you’ll enter the inner sect in ten years!”

“I won’t underestimate anyone…”

Dang Guiyi chatted casually with Shang Xin, Hong Qiao’er, and others.

Yu Ye looked over the crowd.

Ming Ye, Gu Muzi, Yu Fei, Bai Zhi, and Chen Qi were laughing together, showing a congenial spirit. Perhaps sensing something, Ming Ye, Chen Qi, and Bai Zhi glanced over here, their expressions mixing provocation, ambiguity, and avoidance.

Yu Ye felt a surge of unrest and turned his gaze to the distance.

By calculation, it had been over five months since he joined the Yunchuan Immortal Sect. Although the season was scorching, Jishui Peak still enjoyed cool breezes and the warmth of spring.

A few sword lights flashed across the sky, disappearing in an instant.

They were likely seniors from Tianxiu Peak and Yunchuan Peak, each mysterious in demeanor.

He had learned that Tianxiu Peak lay due east, fifty li away; Yunchuan Peak was southeast, over thirty li distant, forming a tripartite alliance with Jishui Peak. Among the peaks, Jishui had the most disciples, Tianxiu the second, and Yunchuan the least. Yet Yunchuan Peak was the strongest, housing several Golden Core elders, over twenty Foundation Establishment disciples, and more than a hundred Qi Refining disciples. The Yunchuan Immortal Sect numbered nearly a thousand, commanding pride throughout the five kingdoms of Qizhou.

As for the state of the five kingdoms, there was no time to worry about that. While guarding against treachery, one must focus on cultivation. Only by firmly establishing oneself within the sect could one make a difference…

“Yu shidi!”

Yu Ye turned back.

“Do you know the name of the Divine Enlightenment Hall’s elder?”

“Oh...?”

“Do you know the name of the sect master?”

“Well...”

“Yu shidi, you know nothing, always busy cultivating, yet your progress is mediocre!”

“Hmm, I feel ashamed of my dullness!”

Yu Ye replied perfunctorily, then turned his gaze back to the stone platform of Bohai Pavilion.

He had secretly inquired about several senior figures of the sect. The sect master was named Xie Luozi. The five elders under him were Tie Shan, Yan Qiu, Yuan Gong, Shi Danzi, and Fang Xunzi. The suffix “zi” was a favored honorific among cultivators, a mark of respect. Elders were akin to village elders. These five Golden Core elders were true masters of the Immortal Sect. Beyond that, their personalities, preferences, cultivation levels, and specialties were unknown and unapproachable, especially to outer disciples. As for the sect master Xie Luozi, he was even more enigmatic.

At that moment, Steward Chang Ming stepped onto the stone platform and raised his voice: “Our Baichuan Hall’s Elder Fang and Divine Enlightenment Hall’s senior brother Hong Lie have come to Jishui Peak. Additionally, three instructors from Baichuan Hall will serve as judges. Disciples, show your respects!”

Following him onto the platform was an elder, Fang Xunzi of Baichuan Hall, and a tall man in his thirties with a short beard and imposing presence—presumably Hong Lie, the senior brother of Divine Enlightenment Hall. The three instructors did not ascend but sat to the sides of the open space in front of the platform.

The disciples all stood respectfully and bowed.

On the stone platform were three meditation cushions. Hong Lie graciously yielded and sat first; Fang Xunzi smiled, sitting in the center.

Chang Ming gestured, and the disciples sat down. He continued: “The rules of this mid-year grand competition remain as before. Today is rare indeed, with senior brother Hong Lie personally here to teach. Outstanding competitors may be recommended by him for inner sect admission. As the saying goes: Heaven rewards diligence, hard work never cheats. Seize the day, do not waste your youth. I hope all disciples display their true talents. First, those with Qi Refining level seven or above will draw lots to compete. The final winner will receive generous rewards…”

Though the rules were unchanged, Chang Ming still gave a few reminders. Then the steward disciples brought out a sealed jar containing stones inscribed with characters. Disciples with Qi Refining level seven or higher drew stones. Those with matching characters competed in pairs in rounds until a final victor was decided.

There were many outer disciples; most were above Qi Refining level five. Those above level seven numbered several dozen. The lot drawing took some time. Under Mu Hu’s instructions, two disciples who drew the character “Jia” stepped into the central open space. The three instructors had already seated themselves and waved their hands, casting a spell.

A faint light enveloped the area and the two disciples within.

“Click, click, under the formation one cannot ambush or cheat; it’s pure strength and cultivation now. Yu shidi, I doubt your tricks will work. I’m truly worried for you!” Dang Guiyi, having seen Yu Ye’s strange divine abilities, thought Yu Ye couldn’t gain an advantage under such scrutiny and formation, so he worried for him.

Yu Ye didn’t respond, only nodded silently.

Regardless of the strict rules or the presence of Golden Core masters, he dared not use the Seven Kill Sword Qi or his transformation technique, lest he reveal his identity and become a target. Today was just for show—win or lose was unimportant.

At Mu Hu’s command, the duel began.

The two disciples in the formation—one at Qi Refining level eight, the other at level nine—each unleashed flying swords at each other, sword lights flashing and roaring. Unable to use talismans and being familiar with their own sect’s abilities, they relied solely on cultivation, driving their flying swords to collide continuously. As they gasped for breath, the level eight disciple was pushed to the formation’s edge. The three instructors outside judged the match in time, and the crowd cheered loudly. Fang Xunzi and Chang Ming nodded in approval, while Hong Lie repeatedly shook his head in disappointment.

Yu Ye initially felt some anticipation but grew bored after the first match. The mid-year competition was merely a test of cultivation. With most divine arts restricted, a disciple’s true skill was hard to demonstrate.

After the “Jia” character matches, those with “Yi,” “Bing,” and “Ding” drew and competed. The final victor was a middle-aged disciple, a perfect level nine Qi Refining expert, who received ten spirit stones, two pills, and a flying sword, along with Elder Fang Xunzi’s personal praise. Chen Qi won two rounds before losing to a level nine disciple, ranking tied for seventh—a remarkable achievement for someone under thirty with level seven cultivation, drawing the attention of senior sect members.

Then came the matches for disciples above Qi Refining level five.

Bai Zhi, at level six, drew lots and faced a level five young man. Her flying sword was extraordinarily fierce, breaking through his protective energy and nearly causing serious injury. The instructors outside stopped her just in time, scolding her for excessive brutality, but she was ultimately declared the winner.

While watching the competition, Yu Ye kept an eye on the elders on the platform.

During Bai Zhi’s victory, Divine Enlightenment Hall’s senior brother Hong Lie seemed quite interested.

Two hours later, the matches for disciples above level five concluded. Ming Ye remained undefeated and naturally won overall. Gu Muzi and Bai Zhi followed. Bai Zhi took third place; her opponent, Yu Fei, conceded without a fight, clearly yielding intentionally. Regardless, she was an outstanding young female cultivator in Baichuan Hall.

It was already noon.

Elder Fang and Hong Lie lost interest in the lower-level matches and left on their flying swords. Chang Ming and the others rose to see them off and then took a short rest.

After noon, the competition resumed.

Next were disciples below Qi Refining level four, including Dang Guiyi, who also had to draw lots, looking dejected and muttering about bad luck. Though Baichuan Hall had many members, low-level disciples numbered just over twenty, with only a few at level two, so it was expected they would compete among themselves.

Yu Ye drew a stone marked “Geng” from the jar and waited quietly.

He was at Qi Refining level three; his peers were Hong Qiao’er, Shang Xin, Zhan Kun, and Yu Xing. Sure enough, Zhan Kun also drew “Geng.”

Under Mu Hu’s urging, the two entered the formation.

A flash of light, and the formation enveloped them.

Yu Ye drew his long sword and, channeling his energy, the blade hummed with fluctuating light.

His steel-blue sword was a Baichuan Hall beginner’s gift, now serving as his standard weapon for this competition. Though enclosed in a formation, the surroundings were clear. After half a day, most disciples had left, but Bai Zhi, Chen Qi, Ming Ye, and dozens remained on the sidelines watching.

“Senior Brother Zhan, please—”

Yu Ye looked to Zhan Kun, urging him to begin.

Zhan Kun stood about ten steps away, head bowed, sword hidden behind him, looking timid and nervous.

“What’s wrong...?”

Yu Ye was puzzled, then saw Zhan Kun throw down his sword and timidly say, “Senior Brother Yu, I concede!”

“This…”

Yu Ye was stunned.

The formation disappeared, and Xin Jian declared: “Zhan Kun abandoned his sword and admitted defeat; Yu Ye wins!”

Instructor Xiang Xu shook his head and sighed: “Useless fool!”

Mu Hu shouted: “Next, disciples with the ‘Xin’ character, step forward…”

Yu Ye had no choice but to step aside.

Moments later, it was Yu Ye’s turn to draw again. Unexpectedly, while Dang Guiyi had drawn alone last time, this time both drew “Bing.” Before the match, Dang Guiyi approached Xin Jian and conceded. Since that was allowed, yielding was a wise choice.

In a blink, only four low-level disciples remained victorious: Mu Sha, Li Yun, Yu Xing, and Yu Ye.

They drew lots again: Yu Ye faced Yu Xing; Mu Sha faced Li Yun.

Unexpectedly, Yu Xing also conceded, offering Yu Ye a smile, evidently intending to help him. Mu Sha and Li Yun fought, with Li Yun winning.

Yu Ye stepped into the formation once more.

His final opponent was Li Yun, a perfect level four Qi Refining female cultivator who had defeated several male disciples—a formidable fighter.

Yu Ye did not draw his sword, instead hesitating.

Though Li Yun was formidable, he was far superior. The issue was that he did not want to fight a woman and preferred to concede, like the others.

Yet he did not yield. Before he could act, Li Yun dropped her sword and raised her hand: “Third uncles, I admit defeat!”

The formation vanished. Instructor Xiang Xu angrily shouted: “Absurd! Truly absurd! How can you concede without a fight? You lot are useless!”

“Yu Ye wins!”

Xin Jian had to rule, but snorted coldly: “Hmph, outrageous!”

Mo Xiao shook her head and sighed: “Alas, rules are rules. No need to be harsh. Please calm your anger, senior brothers!”

On the platform, Chang Ming said nothing but his face darkened—clearly angered.

Li Yun hastily picked up her sword and left.

Yu Ye stood there in a daze.

Winning one match after another without fighting was awkward, even if it allowed him to pass. Zhan Kun, Dang Guiyi, and Yu Xing had conceded; why had Li Yun also done so? Was she making up for a previous mistake? And why did Dang Guiyi wear such a proud expression?

“Ha ha!”

At that moment, laughter erupted.

From among the crowd, Ming Ye mocked: “The champion of low-level disciples must be none other than Yu shidi. Such a string of victories is unheard of in the sect, ha ha—”

The three instructors rose in anger; Chang Ming also prepared to leave.

Yu Ye finally could no longer bear it and shouted: “Steward Chang, three uncles, my victories are undeserved and make me uneasy. May I dare to challenge other senior brothers?”

Chang Ming was surprised: “Oh? Whom do you challenge?”

“I challenge Chen Qi and Ming Ye.”

“You are challenging beyond your rank, unlikely to win!”

“Victory and defeat are common; I only seek not to disappoint the teachings of our elders!”

“Very well—”