Chapter 238
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Chapter 238: Sudden Turn
Shadowless Peak, Shadowless Hall!
The luxurious hall glimmered with golden light through gentle mist, resembling an immortal realm from afar.
Su Hao sat imposingly atop the Shadowless Hall, his eyes sharp and commanding.
"The triennial sect competition approaches. Are you all prepared?" His voice carried cool detachment.
"This concerns Shadowless Peak’s ranking—preparations began long ago. For individual rankings, disciples will register based on strength. The first team requires inner disciples with over five years’ experience, led by Duanmu Longtai. As for the second team of new disciples… its roster remains incomplete," answered a gray-haired elder slowly.
"Elder Tai’s competence is trusted. Submit the first team’s list as planned. For the second team, let Ye Yun lead the new disciples."
Elder Tai frowned. "Ye Yun? Though he’s the Peak Master’s disciple, his seniority is shallow. Among three years’ worth of new disciples, he’s unremarkable."
Su Hao chuckled. "Let strength decide through selection."
"True enough," Elder Tai conceded. "The sect competition measures power, not empty boasts."
"Then it’s settled." Su Hao waved dismissively.
"As the Peak Master commands."
Su Hao rose and gestured. All except Elder Tai swiftly exited the hall.
"When will Xue’er emerge?" Su Hao asked hesitantly.
"Yinxue concludes seclusion within days. Success remains uncertain."
"We must inform her. Find time for Shui Qingxuan to speak with her."
Elder Tai hesitated. "Xiao Hao, rushing this might overwhelm her."
"Uncle Tai, time grows short. If unprepared, she’ll stubbornly stay when crisis strikes."
"Xue’er grew under my care. I’ll choose the moment. This matter may yet resolve peacefully."
Su Hao nodded. "Then I entrust this to you."
Elder Tai smiled faintly.
One month later – sect competition!
When Grand Elder Tai Zhengyun’s announcement reached disciples, Shadowless Peak erupted.
"A month? Wasn’t Heavenly Sword Sect’s youth tournament in three months?"
"This is the full sect competition! It should happen next year!"
"Why advance it? My fourth-level Qi refining prowess needed another year to shine!"
"Your weak skills hardly matter! My thirty years’ training finally bears fruit!"
"Thirty years? You’ve been an inner disciple twenty years! Stop pretending youth!"
"Fool! This isn’t just youths competing! My thirty-year wait ends now!"
Disciples buzzed with confusion and exhilaration at the sudden upheaval.
"Sect Competition?"
Ye Yun stood in front of the Task Hall, intending to check for Ninth-level tasks to practice with, when Elder Tai’s voice suddenly echoed from the sky.
"Brother Ye, didn’t you know? The sect competition is a grand contest among all peaks of our Heavenly Sword Sect," Nie Yuanping chimed in. He and Yin Haotian had also come to the Task Hall for missions and unexpectedly encountered Ye Yun.
"You idiot! Of course Brother Ye knows. He’s probably wondering why it’s happening in a month," Yin Haotian snorted, standing beside Nie Yuanping.
Ye Yun nodded. "I’d heard the young disciples’ competition was supposed to be in three months. Advancing the sect competition by a month must mean something’s changed."
He recalled how the Hualun Great Tomb selection had similarly been moved up, resulting in only a handful of Tian Zhu Peak’s hundred outer disciples surviving. Now the sect competition was over a year early—another scheme?
But that wasn’t Ye Yun’s immediate concern. With his current second stage of Qi refining cultivation, participating might be unwise. Observing rivals like Yang Hualong and Chen Tianyun would be more valuable.
"Besides individual battles, there are team matches," Yin Haotian explained. "The Four Peaks, Tian Shen Peak, and the Elders send teams. Teams split into adult and youth groups—the youth group’s for inner disciples promoted within three years. You qualify, Brother Ye."
Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. "Three years? Then I might actually compete."
"Anyone can join by claiming one of sixteen slots per peak for individual battles. You should sign up," Yin Haotian added.
"What are the rewards?"
Yin Haotian’s eyes sparkled. "Top three individual fighters get 100,000 Contribution Points and access to the Zang Wu Pavilion’s fourth layer for Celestial Techniques or cultivation manuals. The youth champion receives a Foundation Establishment Pill and a top-grade spiritual weapon."
"A Foundation Establishment Pill?" Ye Yun recognized its value—critical for breaking through to the foundation establishment stage from the Qi refining pinnacle. As for top-grade spiritual weapons, he only owned the Blazing Flame Explosion Ring and Ice Spirit Soul Lock. The Purple Shadow Sword’s quality was unclear, but another top-grade weapon would drastically boost his strength.
A glimmer of excitement flashed in Ye Yun’s eyes. The pill mattered less now, but a top-grade spiritual weapon was priceless.
"Interested? Yuanping and I are joining. You should too," Yin Haotian urged, noticing Ye Yun’s expression.
Ye Yun nodded.
"Perfect! We’ll dominate the top three together!" Yin Haotian laughed.
"Senior Brother Yin, you’ve been a disciple for over three years," Nie Yuanping remarked flatly.
Yin Haotian’s laughter died. "…I forgot."
Ye Yun shook his head, amused.
After signing up, Ye Yun headed to the back mountain’s Small Courtyard. His reputation from defeating Ming Siyu meant most disciples dreaded facing him.
"Ye Yun requests an audience with Master!"
Su Ling burst out, grinning. "Here for free food again?"
Ye Yun ruffled her hair, ignoring her protests, and entered to find Su Hao and Shui Qingxuan waiting.
"Master. Aunt Xuan." He bowed.
Su Hao gestured for him to rise. "You’re here about the sect competition."
"Yes. What of the team battles?"
"You’ll lead Shadowless Peak’s youth group," Shui Qingxuan said.
Ye Yun blinked—he’d only come for information.
"The others may challenge your leadership," Su Hao warned, sipping tea. "Handle it yourself, or withdraw."
Ye Yun’s eyes sharpened. "I won’t disappoint you, Master."
