Volume 2: The Appearance of the Nine Provinces Map, Entering the Lingxu Sect Chapter 164: The Conclusion of the Outer Sect Competition

Such an outcome exceeded most people's expectations, yet it also felt entirely natural. Following a brief moment of silence, cheers erupted from the crowd below.

Although they might not have known Chen Yu intimately, Chen Yu was at the Unity Realm, which could be said to represent the aspirations of all disciples in the Unity Realm.

As Chen Yu stepped down from the stage, the surrounding disciples offered a mix of envy and congratulations, every single one of them brimming with enthusiasm.

Immediately afterwards, four others took the stage in turn to issue challenges, and among them, one successfully seized a seat.

Chen Yu inwardly nodded. Indeed, this was not the final conclusion yet. For the remaining few days, Chen Yu did not dare to relax in the slightest, as that might prove to be his greatest challenge. Of course, as long as he managed to withstand one challenge each day, he would be safe. After all, this was the regulation, designed precisely to prevent others from using a wheel-war strategy to plot against that single seat.

However, Chen Yu's worries seemed somewhat redundant.

Aside from the second day, when he fought one more match, no one challenged him for the rest of the time. Just like that, the ten-day challenge period passed by.

"Ah... You succeeded! Senior Brother Chen Yu, you are too amazing. I never expected you to actually secure a spot among the top two hundred outer sect disciples," Shi Bing exclaimed with burning admiration from the side.

Chen Yu smiled and said, "It was merely sheer luck."

"No way! This is well-deserved, Chen Yu," Xiao Gu chimed in, not forgetting to offer his congratulations.

"I truly never expected that you would leave us so far behind, Chen Yu," Deng E said with a sigh of emotion. "Two or three years ago, you were just a newly initiated handyman disciple in the Spirit Void, yet in the blink of an eye, you are probably about to break through to the Yin-Yang Realm."

"Indeed! I didn't expect it either!" Wu Yue smiled as well. "Chen Yu, you couldn't possibly be about to break through for real, could you?"

Chen Yu gave a calm smile and replied, "How could it be that fast? I am still only at the eighth aperture of the Unity Realm."

Yet immediately afterwards, Chen Yu added, "However, regarding that Yin-Yang Realm, I have indeed gained some comprehension."

Upon hearing this, the group was instantly dumbfounded. Just moments before, they had merely been speaking in a joking manner. They had not expected it to be the absolute truth.

"It's true?!" Wu Yue asked in astonishment, murmuring under her breath.

Chen Yu nodded and said, "I do have a bit of insight, but it still needs to be refined."

Inwardly, every single one of them couldn't help but curse mentally: What a freak!

Right at that moment, Elder Xia You, who was in charge of the outer sect, stepped onto the stage and announced, "The two hundred outer sect disciples who passed the grand competition, step forward."

Chen Yu offered his apologies to the others and stepped forward.

The two hundred of them felt as if they were returning home in glory—excited, thrilled, and honored. Among them, Chen Yu also spotted several familiar faces and exchanged greetings with each one.

"Chen Yu, I truly never expected you to achieve such success today. It seems my decision back then was not wrong at all," Zhao Ying said with a smile.

Chen Yu nodded in acknowledgment, then expressed his deep gratitude, saying, "If Senior Brother Zhao had not guided me on my Dao path, I would not have achieved what I have today. Thank you very much."

Zhao Ying and the others could easily tell that Chen Yu was a person who remembered kindness and valued deep bonds, so they were naturally very happy to converse with him.

"Chen Yu, it has been a long time. I am also looking forward to a duel with you," Chu Shu said, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"Me too!" Chen Yu looked seriously at Chu Shu. From the other's battles, Chen Yu could perceive the formidable nature of his innate talent and the profound depths of his strength.

Before the group could exchange any more words, Elder Xia You spoke up.

"The two hundred of you will receive guidance from several of us elders, preparing for the upcoming mystic realm expedition in a few years. Remember, your spots are not set in stone. If you are surpassed by other disciples in the outer sect grand competition three years from now, not only will you lose your spots, but all the resources consumed by you three must also be returned to the sect. I imagine your days for the next few years would not be very comfortable either. Therefore, work hard! Strive not to be eliminated!"

"Understood!" Apart from the two hundred disciples, even those who had been eliminated looked at Elder Xia You with excitement, knowing they still had a chance.

Elder Xia You gave a light cough and continued, "Those two hundred of you, if you are willing, may all move out of the mountain peak residences and choose a quiet place for cultivation at the base of the various peaks' mountain ranges."

"Understood!" Upon hearing this news, some were delighted while others remained calm, each harboring their own thoughts.

As for Chen Yu, he was more than happy to do so.

"Very well... All of you go and make your preparations. Gather here in five days. I will take you to cultivate in a secret land. Look forward to it."

"Understood, Elder!"

Following the conclusion, Chen Yu immediately set about arranging to change his residence. What he chose was none other than Peach Blossom Peak.

Peach Blossom Peak was not tall, but its advantage lay in its tranquility, and Chen Yu had spent most of his time cultivating there anyway.

Hearing the news, Xue Ren, Zheng Geng, and several other disciples from Taizhu Peak happily followed along, eager to lend Chen Yu a hand.

"Senior Brother Chen Yu, why did you choose a place like this?" Shi Bing asked with some puzzlement. "There are plenty of places far better than this small peak."

"Such a busybody!" Zheng Keng knocked Shi Bing on the head and said with displeasure.

Chen Yu did not mind at all, merely smiling faintly, "There is water and there are flowers here; it's quite nice. Moreover, ever since I entered the outer sect, I have spent most of my time cultivating here, so I've grown attached to it."

This was something Zheng Keng and the others were well aware of.

"Oh..." Shi Bing smiled awkwardly.

"Alright, let's go build a few rooms first," Zheng Keng asked. "Is Senior Brother planning to use a Cave-Opening Talisman to modify the dwelling?"

As he spoke, Zheng Keng had already drawn a yellow talisman from his bosom.

Chen Yu thanked him for his kind intention, saying, "I do not plan to use a Cave-Opening Talisman to construct a dwelling. Instead, I wish to use wood to build a small hall at the peak."

"Alright, then let's all pitch in!"

Some set about leveling the earth, while others chopped wood, repaired beams, and carved pillars...

If ordinary mortals were to handle such tasks, it might take them a month or two to succeed. But for Chen Yu and the others, it was merely a matter of a day or two.

Three days later, a quaint little hall stood before them, presenting a scenery of its own atop Peach Blossom Peak.

"This is really quite nice," Shi Bing said with envy. "I wonder when I'll be able to find a peak around Taizhu Peak to live on?"

"Hmph, if you cultivate diligently, perhaps you'll still have a chance. But with your attitude, I'd say it's difficult," Zheng Keng criticized bluntly, showing him no mercy.

Shi Bing could only offer an awkward smile.

"If you like it, you can come and live here too. In any case, I'll be leaving with the elders to cultivate elsewhere in a few days, and it will be vacant anyway."

"Haha... No problem at all. Then during the time Senior Brother is away, allow this junior brother to take good care of it for you!" Shi Bing said hurriedly. He was quite quick-witted, having thought of latching onto Chen Yu's influential coattails early on, a sight that left Xue Ren and the others filled with envy.

"Heh heh... Then I will thank Junior Brother Shi in advance."