Shen Ye found a spot and comfortably sat down to watch the competition on the stage.
About seven or eight minutes passed.
The gourd was still releasing lightning, but the staff gradually couldn’t hold on anymore. It softened and transformed into a rope.
It could no longer release the five-colored clouds and mist, nor could it withstand the lightning.
"The winner has been decided!" the Black-Bearded Big Man announced loudly.
Two disciples collected their magical items and jumped off the stage.
"Sun Lian has moved up a rank, and Wu Fang has moved down a rank—are there any more challengers?" the Black-Bearded Big Man asked.
As everyone hesitated, a streak of light flew from the sky and landed on the stage.
It was an old man with white hair dressed in a deep blue Taoist robe.
Without any preamble, he declared, "The Mystic Sect Leader Yun Ni has gone mad with obsession, has died, and his soul has perished. All resources and treasures he left behind will now be redistributed among you."
"You can vie for them according to the rules of the Mysterious Gate."
As he spoke, dozens of Taoists carrying various objects, books, and even several Taoist Boys descended onto the mountain peak.
The Taoist holding the book intoned, "There is one Spiritual Spring, one Cultivation Mansion of the Mysterious Gate, twelve Ten-Thousand Spirit Fruit Trees, one Superior Alchemy Furnace, three Top-grade Taoist Weapons, one Fire-Tending Apprentice, one Fan-Holding Apprentice, one Harvesting Apprentice…"
It took a whole three to five minutes to finish reading the list.
The Black-Bearded Big Man asked, "Isn’t this the treatment only the Mystic Sect Leader is supposed to receive? Are we really distributing everything this time?"
"Yun Ni has gone mad with obsession. The Sect Leader, deeply afraid you might follow the same path, had everything inspected by people. Still not reassured, he decided to disperse all these resources and bestow them upon you all."
Everyone grew excited.
Shen Ye listened from the side but didn’t feel much interest.
He might as well sit this one out.
He was thinking this when suddenly, he sensed something and looked up at the group of Taoists.
He saw a female child among those brought in meeting his gaze.
The girl seemed to want to say something but cautiously looked around before lowering her eyes.
Recognize her?
Shen Ye studied the girl closely.
…No, he didn’t recognize her at all.
This was the Ninety-Nine Layered Universe; how could he possibly know someone here?
She was probably just looking because he was handsome.
Shen Ye shifted his gaze and leaned back in his chair again.
On the stage, the elder announced, "Those who want the Mysterious Fire Spiritual Spring, come forward and compete for it."
Immediately, five Taoists jumped onto the stage.
The elder had them draw straws to pair off for combat.
As Shen Ye watched, another premonition struck him.
He looked across the stage.
The girl’s gaze met his again.
"What is it?" Shen Ye communicated telepathically.
"Elder? Is it you?" the girl cautiously replied.
A thought crossed Shen Ye’s mind.
She called me "Elder."
Why?
Could it be—
"Do not make any noise. How do you recognize me?" Shen Ye transmitted back.
"I was with the elder when we fashioned the Demon-Subduing Pestle," the girl’s voice carried excitement and urgency, "it contains a strand of my spirit."
Shen Ye was startled, a sudden unease overwhelming him.
The Demon-Subduing Pestle could break all defenses of the Supreme Tao Palace.
It was made using a spirit?
This Taoist Boy must not fall into others’ hands.
"It’s me—don’t look at me anymore to avoid suspicion and just wait patiently."
Shen Ye communicated.
The girl lowered her head, truly not looking at him anymore.
The competition on the stage continued.
The Cultivation Mansion, fruit trees, Alchemy Furnace, and other items were being contested and divided.
Finally—
The girl was brought forward, standing beside the elder.
"One Fire-Tending Apprentice, this is a child born with the Talent for Artifact Refining and Alchemy. If nurtured properly, she will also become a valuable disciple of our Taoist Palace," the elder spoke on the stage.
Shen Ye’s Physique flashed, and he jumped onto the stage.
Along with him, six others jumped onto the stage as well.
Even the Black-Bearded Big Man landed on the stage, laughing loudly, "Who doesn’t know of Pei Pei’s Talent? Who isn’t aware? She deserves a fair competition among us all."
"That’s right, I too need an apprentice of such caliber for Artifact Refining," another disciple laughed.
"If Pei Pei hadn’t lost her parents early on, how would she have ended up tending fires? I’ll rescue her; the rest of you step aside!" another disciple shouted.
No one paid him any heed.
Everyone wanted to obtain the Fire-Tending Apprentice.
The elder counted the number of people and nodded, "Draw straws. Pair off two by two. The last victor will have this apprentice attend to them."
Seven jade slips were laid on the ground.
Everyone reached out and picked up a jade slip.
"Two!"
"Three!"
"Five!"
"Six!"
Everyone read the numbers inside the jade slips aloud.
Shen Ye held the remaining jade slip and read, "Bye."
Everyone looked at him oddly.
The lucky kid doesn’t even have to fight in the first round, not expending any Strength.
"Those who have a bye, step down and wait for the next round," the elder directed.
"Yes."
Shen Ye jumped off the stage.
The struggle began.
Disciples drew various magical items to confront each other.
Before Shen Ye could take a closer look, a disciple had already been flung off the stage, rolling onto the ground.
"Thanks for going easy."
The Black-Bearded Big Man grinned.
Shen Ye glanced by his side but saw a black hen standing next to him.
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A hen?
"Phoenix King, you’ve met your match."
Shen Ye muttered.
The first round ended, leaving four people.
They drew straws again.
"One!" the Black-Bearded Big Man shouted.
"Two," a graceful youth responded.
"Three," Shen Ye held the jade slip and voiced out.
"Four—I relinquish my right," the last disciple said, face downcast.
Everyone looked at him.
He held a white mouse in his hand, clearly injured in the recent fight, covered in blood.
"Quick, go to the infirmary!" the elder urged him.
Every magical item was hard-won; a disciple’s loss of a magical item meant the Sect also lost that item.