Chapter 1619

Although the gossip about Fairy Chu was sensational, the Sect Competition was a more important matter.

The disciples from various sects who accompanied their elders to Mount Zi were either outstanding individuals chosen through internal selections or promising talents whose future potential was recognized by their sects. They had been brought specifically to broaden their horizons. Regardless of their background, all of them highly valued this competition.

Today was the first day of the event, which was held at the Golden Summit of Cloud-Resting Peak, Mount Zi's main peak. It was called the Golden Summit because at sunrise, the sunlight bathed the mountaintop in a golden hue, creating a beautiful scene resembling a golden mountain bathed in sunlight. Unlike typical mountaintops, the Golden Summit was not a sharp, protruding peak but a vast, flat platform. In addition to Wang Wuxie's Pure Yang Hall and other important sect buildings, there was also a spacious square used for martial arts training.

Ordinarily, the Golden Summit was considered forbidden territory for the True Yang Sect. Only the Sect Master, the various peak masters and elders, and a few important successors were permitted to ascend. Other disciples could only visit briefly during important ceremonies. The reason for this restriction was that, besides the 'Golden Mountain Bathed in Sunlight' phenomenon, the Golden Summit had another special characteristic: at sunrise, a mystical purple mist would emanate from its surroundings, greatly aiding cultivation. Naturally, such precious cultivation resources could not be made freely available. For instance, even with the presence of disciples from the other eight sects for this grand competition, they had not been able to ascend to the summit until now.

However, today, for the decade-yearly Daoist Sect Competition, the True Yang Sect made an exception, opening the Golden Summit as the venue for the trials. The disciples from various sects were naturally overjoyed. They eagerly circulated their respective cultivation techniques, greedily absorbing the surrounding mystical purple mist. They felt refreshed and invigorated, noting that their cultivation speed was several times faster than usual. Each one was ecstatic, thinking how astonishingly fast their cultivation would improve if they could remain here for extended periods. The sect masters and elders from various factions also quietly sensed the mysterious purple mist around them, secretly admiring Wang Wuxie's magnanimity for opening this place to all the sects.

Zuan turned to Xie Daoyun beside him and said, "Ling'er, while there's a large crowd and some chaos, discreetly check around. See if any killing arrays or similar traps have been set up on this Golden Summit." Previously, he had accompanied Xie Daoyun around various parts of the mountain without finding anything, but they hadn't had the opportunity to access a forbidden area like the Golden Summit before. Now, with disciples from all sects immersed in absorbing the purple mist, the scene was somewhat chaotic, which would perfectly cover her movements. Xie Daoyun hummed in acknowledgment and quietly blended into the crowd. Zuan, meanwhile, absorbed some of the surrounding mystical purple mist to understand its nature. He was soon surprised because the mist was very similar to his own Primordial Qi, though much thinner. Even so, its quality was far superior to ordinary heaven and earth essence—no wonder everyone looked so entranced.

Among the Lihentian Sect's contingent, Guan Chouhai couldn't help but glance at his favored disciple beside him. "Zhiyin," he admonished, "the great battle is imminent, yet you're so dispirited. It's just a woman, why let it affect you this much!" At this moment, Zhiyin had none of his usual high spirits. A thin stubble covered his chin and jaw, and he clearly hadn't bothered to shave—a state unimaginable for someone who previously paid great attention to his appearance. His eyes were somewhat unfocused and listless. As a Grandmaster, Guan Chouhai naturally knew that a person's spirit, energy, and vitality best reflected their strength and condition. Currently, Zhiyin was likely not even at seventy percent of his peak, and he would certainly suffer a significant disadvantage in the upcoming competition. As Lihentian's top contender, representing the sect's prestige, how could Guan Chouhai not be anxious?

Zhiyin said weakly, "It's easy for you to say, Master. If you knew that Abbot Yan also had a man, I doubt you'd be so calm." The surrounding disciples were startled, wondering if Senior Brother Zhiyin had gone mad to dare speak to the Sect Master like that. However, Guan Chouhai didn't get angry; instead, he laughed heartily. "Fairy Yan is different from ordinary women. How could a woman as distant and aloof as the celestial Milky Way ever fall for a mortal man? If she truly were to have a man in this world, it would undoubtedly be me, Guan Chouhai." Zhiyin rolled his eyes, too exhausted to even comment. "Master, where do you get this confidence?"

Guan Chouhai patted his shoulder in encouragement, then looked towards Zhao Xiaodie, who was similarly distracted on the other side. "Xiaodie, what's wrong with you?" Zhao Xiaodie was startled and forced a smile. "Nothing's wrong with me, Master?" "Nothing?" Guan Chouhai sneered. "For the past few days, I've noticed you've been acting strangely. Compared to your usual self, you've been overly quiet. Sometimes you seem to be secretly weeping, other times you're giggling to yourself, as if someone has... broken you." "Master~" Zhao Xiaodie immediately blushed deeply, but involuntarily, the scene of Zuan brutally punishing her that day flashed in her mind, and her legs instinctively pressed tightly together.

"Everyone, adjust your mindset. The competition will begin soon. Your opponents on the first day shouldn't be too strong, so use this opportunity to get yourselves in proper form." Guan Chouhai dropped his smile. Besides Zhiyin, Zhao Xiaodie was his second most promising disciple, and her unique status naturally made her much more important than other disciples. Yet, both of them coincidentally ran into trouble. Anyone unaware might think they were romantically involved and something had gone wrong. "Yes, Master!" Although Guan Chouhai was usually quite tolerant, his angry demeanor was terrifying. The two of them could only reluctantly brace themselves and respond.

Among the Bixiao Palace's contingent, Wan Guiyi withdrew his gaze and scoffed, "Lihentian's Zhiyin is quite famous, but look at him now—a complete mess. And Lou Wucheng from White Jade Capital also looks half-dead. How could a swordsman whose spirit, energy, and vitality are so depleted have a powerful Immortal Sword?" Wan Tongtian said in a deep voice, "They've likely suffered emotional setbacks due to the recent scandal. You must not be careless; this might even be an opportunity for them. If they can't overcome it, then so be it. But if they do, they could very well reach a new level."

"Just a woman, and they're acting like their world is ending. How can women be more interesting than cultivation?" Wan Guiyi said disdainfully. "As the saying goes, for the first sword of cultivation, first sever ties with your beloved. With no woman in your heart, your sword will be like a god!" At that moment, Grandmaster Hooling's cold laugh came from nearby. "Well, well, Mr. Wan," she sneered, "so you've been teaching him all this nonsense all day? So that's what you thought back then!" Grandmaster Hooling stood a short distance away, her face clearly angry. Pei Mianman, beside her, also looked displeased, as she was, after all, a woman. Wan Guiyi grunted and simply turned his head away, ignoring her. As the son, he naturally held no affection for his mother's legendary rival.

Wan Tongtian, on the other hand, quickly apologized, wiping cold sweat from his brow. "Junior Sister, I truly didn't teach him that. This child is too extreme. Honestly, I'm worried he'll remain single his whole life and our Wan family line will end." "You should have died out long ago," Grandmaster Hooling retorted, then pulled her disciple and moved to another spot, leaving Wan Tongtian alone, bewildered.

On the other side, an old monk and a young novice silently observed the scene. The chubby little novice remarked, "The Daoist sects are truly lively, with every one of them so prosperous in terms of members, Master. Do you think it's because they allow marriage and procreation?" The old monk beside him immediately tapped his head with a wooden fish. "Are you suggesting we Buddhists should also permit marriage and childbearing?" "That's not what I meant," the chubby little novice asked curiously. "I was just wondering what Palace Master Wan meant by 'ending the family line'." "It means not marrying or having children. With no one to continue the family lineage, it naturally ends," the old monk explained. The chubby little novice gasped, "Then wouldn't everyone in our Buddhist sect be 'ending their family line'?" The old monk's breath hitched. After a long pause, he exhaled and said, "Jie Se, you truly have profound wisdom." These two, the old monk and the young novice, were naturally Master Jianhuang and the young monk Jie Se from Wuyou Temple.

"I think so too," the chubby little novice said, puffing out his chest proudly. "Master, what do you think of women?" "Jie Se, that's not something you should be concerned with," the old monk said gravely. "You just need to remember that women are like tigers." The chubby little novice mumbled, "Tigers eat people, but do women eat people too? Their mouths are so small, what could they eat with?" His response was a knock on the head with the wooden staff. The old monk said, somewhat annoyed, "What kind of nonsense do you think about all day?" The little novice looked at him with an innocent expression. "Master, I think you're too attached to worldly appearances." The old monk paused, then clasped his hands together. "Amitabha, a sin, a sin."

After a period of mild chaos, Wang Wuxie, seeing that the time was right, stepped forward. He didn't even need to speak; the entire venue felt an inexplicable pressure and instinctively quieted down. The sect leaders from the other factions subtly furrowed their brows. Wang Wuxie's cultivation had advanced further. It seemed Mount Zi truly was a treasure trove.

"The significance and rewards of this Sect Competition have surely been emphasized by your respective sects, so I won't waste any more time. I will only stress one point: stop when advised. Any action that results in the death of an opponent will lead to immediate disqualification." Wang Wuxie's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached every ear.

At this moment, Wan Guiyi suddenly spoke up, asking, "Competitions are meant to be fought with full effort, and as the saying goes, 'swords and blades have no eyes.' What if one accidentally injures an opponent?" The disciples from various sects in the arena felt a surge of admiration. This man actually dared to directly question Wang Wuxie; they wouldn't have had the courage. The young monk Jie Se remarked, "Master, this person has a very strong murderous aura." Master Jianhuang didn't respond to him at all; he simply closed his eyes and murmured Buddhist scriptures, as if he had just thought of something impure that needed purification.

Wang Wuxie gave Wan Guiyi a deep look before replying, "Regarding that, there's no need to worry. We have specifically invited the sect masters and leading elders from each faction to serve as referees. Additionally, we have invited the highly esteemed Master Jianhuang from Wuyou Temple as a witness, and..." At this point, his expression became somewhat unnatural. "And also, Lord Zu from the imperial court as a special guest. The presence of all of us should be sufficient to ensure fairness and impartiality in every match."

As soon as these words were spoken, the venue immediately erupted in an uproar.