Chapter 105
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Chapter 105: Champion of the Competition
The defeat of Ghost Sword allowed Gray-Clothed Rakshasi to advance to the finals, making her Fang Lie’s final opponent.
Seeing the outcome, the referee immediately declared, "Gray-Clothed Rakshasi wins! Her next opponent will be Fang Lie!"
As he spoke, he activated the mountain’s protective array, summoning the Great Rain Blessing Spell to heal both fighters.
This time, Gray-Clothed Rakshasi hadn’t struck lethally, so Ghost Sword’s injuries were minor and healed swiftly.
Being straightforward, Ghost Sword clasped his hands in a polite bow to Gray-Clothed Rakshasi before departing with effortless grace.
The referee then asked Gray-Clothed Rakshasi, "How long do you need to prepare for the next battle?"
"No preparation needed," she replied calmly. "I forfeit the next match."
With a slight nod toward Fang Lie, she stepped down from the arena just as elegantly.
Fang Lie was stunned. He’d mentally prepared to lose this final round, yet his opponent surrendered before the fight even began—a complete surprise.
Not only Fang Lie but the entire crowd looked bewildered. With his protective treasure damaged, Fang Lie should’ve been no match for Gray-Clothed Rakshasi. Why forfeit when a third-tier high-quality treasure was at stake?
Some speculated Gray-Clothed Rakshasi was repaying a debt. During her previous battle with Zhen Hong Yi, both had been gravely injured. Without Fang Lie’s intervention, they’d have died.
A life owed was no small matter. Knowing she might never repay Fang Lie fully, the proud woman chose to forfeit, clearing both her conscience and a potential heart demon.
Regardless, the result stood unchanged.
Fang Lie acknowledged her gesture with a respectful bow. "I accept your kindness. Thank you."
"Consider us even," Gray-Clothed Rakshasi said coolly. "I despise owing favors."
"Fair enough," Fang Lie agreed with a smile.
Meanwhile, the referee consulted higher authorities before announcing, "By authorization, I declare this Outer Sect Competition concluded! First place: Fang Lie. Second: Gray-Clothed Rakshasi. The remaining two tie for third!"
As third and fourth held equal standing, their match was omitted.
The referee then called, "Now, let the Clan Leader address us!"
The crowd fell silent instantly.
Mo Qianxun, Clan Leader, materialized atop Ascending Immortal Tower, clad in ornate Sect Leader robes that enhanced his transcendent aura.
"Hail the Clan Leader!" Tens of thousands of disciples knelt in unison.
"Rise," Mo Qianxun smiled.
"Our gratitude!" they chorused, standing.
"This competition revealed exceptional talent," Mo Qianxun said warmly. "Even our stubborn old men grew restless, scrambling to claim apprentices mid-match! Remember—when choosing masters, demand generous treasures!"
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
"The competition ends now," Mo Qianxun concluded. "Non-participants may depart. The thirty-two life-and-death arena victors shall enter Ascending Immortal Tower to claim rewards!"
He vanished instantly.
The referee then escorted Fang Lie’s group to the tower’s middle level.
By tradition, any direct disciple of an Immortal automatically qualified as an inner gate disciple.
Fang Lie and the others were merely Qi Sea cultivators, clearly unworthy of attention from Thunder Tribulation Immortals. Thus, they were brought to the floor where Nascent Soul True Immortals gathered for disciple selection.
Only about twenty remained in Fang Lie’s group after competition casualties—Fang Lie himself had eliminated two, leaving fewer than thirty.
Guided by the referee, they entered a great hall where over two hundred Nascent Soul True Immortals waited. These immortals had clearly prearranged their choices. Immediately after the group’s arrival, a dozen immortals stepped forward, each claiming a disciple as their direct successor.
Five remained unchosen: Fang Lie, Zhen Hong Yi, Gray-Clothed Rakshasi, Ghost Sword, and Yan Nanqi.
The envy-faced referee led them upward. These five competition standouts would now be selected by Wind Tribulation Immortals—a promotion that would skyrocket their sect status.
The next floor housed over a hundred Wind Tribulation Immortals. Ghost Sword and Yan Nanqi found masters here, leaving Fang Lie and the two women.
The referee’s astonishment grew. Typically, top Outer Sect Competition performers only attracted Wind Tribulation Immortals. Remaining unchosen here meant higher realms had noticed them.
Though separated by single rank, Fire Tribulation Immortals stood worlds above their Wind Tribulation counterparts. Their disciples enjoyed incomparably superior status and benefits. If Wind Tribulation disciples counted as inner gate members, Fire Tribulation disciples ranked as Inner Elite Disciples—an entirely different tier!
Three Inner Elite Disciples from one competition! The referee marveled. Normally, ten competitions might not yield one such prodigy.
Trembling with excitement, the referee ushered them to the Fire Tribulation floor. Though grander, this hall held only thirty-odd immortals. Zhen Hong Yi and Gray-Clothed Rakshasi were claimed, leaving Fang Lie solitary.
Frowning, Fang Lie wondered: Could Thunder Tribulation Immortals want me? Becoming an Inner Gate Core Disciple directly? Unheard of in centuries!
His pulse quickened. Mo Sect’s millions included fewer than ten Core Inner Gate Disciples—each groomed for Thunder Tribulation status unless killed prematurely. Such talents were usually identified early, never languishing in outer gates.
For an Outer Sect champion to attract Thunder Tribulation attention was millennia-rare. Yet considering Fang Lie’s heaven-defying talents—peerless cultivation speed, combat prowess, and innate alchemical genius—even rival sects would have made him core disciple.
The referee’s eyes bulged. Core Disciples outranked regular immortals! He’d never dreamed of witnessing such a prodigy’s rise.
Tearfully bowing, the referee led Fang Lie to Ascending Immortal Tower’s apex. Mo Sect Leader Mo Qianxun and a dozen Thunder Tribulation Immortals stared at Fang Lie with mixed expressions.
Fang Lie’s heart sank. Their pitying gazes hinted complications—no admiration here.
His suspicions crystallized when Sect Leader Mo Qianxun sighed, "Fang Lie, you’re exceptional. Yet no Mo Sect immortal will accept you. Regrettably, inner gate entry is denied."
"What?" Fang Lie’s eyebrows shot up. "Top four guarantee inner gate placement!"
Mo Qianxun chuckled. "I’ve inspected the rules—no such mandate exists. Historically, top four always attracted immortal sponsors. After millennia, this became mistaken as policy."
Fang Lie silently consulted his old bird companion. "Truth?"
"Unfortunately," the veteran confirmed. "They’ve exploited loopholes. You’re barred."
"Vermin!" Fang Lie shook with suppressed rage. "Congratulations," he spat. "Your scheming succeeds."
"Impudence!" A Thunder Tribulation Immortal roared. "You’re insignificant! We’d never scheme against trash!"
Fang Lie’s withering glare silenced the immortal. Though merely Qi Sea-ranked, his Benevolence Token-wielding aura cowed even Thunder Tribulation elders. None dared meet his eyes.
Witnessing this, Mo Qianxun interjected hastily, "We’ve acted selfishly, Fang Lie, but always for Mo Sect’s good. Our consciences remain clear."
