Due to the vast number of participants, the sect grand competition across the three provinces would have five matches starting simultaneously.
The battles would take place within formation grounds.
During this time, the sect masters could not observe their own disciples’ performances.
Only when the number of competing disciples was reduced to twenty would their battles be shown before all the sect masters.
This rule seemed unfair on the surface, but it actually revealed a harsh truth:
The weak do not deserve attention!
As time passed, Huangfu Jin, the sect master of Zhutian Sect, grew increasingly anxious backstage.
Two hundred years ago, during the last sect grand competition, Zhutian Sect’s ranking had bottomed out, earning ridicule from many other sects.
This matter had long been a thorn in Huangfu Jin’s side.
He was determined to take back all the lost face in this competition.
But not being able to see his disciples fight early on was truly nerve-wracking.
He also suddenly felt a bit fearful.
Although he kept hoping Ye Yu would bring the surprise that Pei Chuxia predicted,
he reminded himself that this kid’s background was too special.
The Demon Lord was the /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ only heir.
Even though the demon-immortal artifact robes sent by the Demon Lord’s wife were already worn by him,
one can never be too careful.
The demon realm was vast,
and prodigies had never been in short supply since ancient times.
If something really happened to Ye Yu, it would cost more than selling the entire Zhutian Sect to compensate.
Thinking of this, cold sweat broke out on Huangfu Jin’s forehead.
He immediately went to Pei Chuxia, who was meditating with her eyes closed, and wore a distressed expression, saying, “Oh, my Elder Pei, how are you not even a bit nervous?”
Pei Chuxia replied calmly, “Because I am not afraid, so I am not nervous.”
Huangfu Jin was speechless, then continued, “On the very first day Ye Yu entered Zhutian Sect, I told you his identity was special and that we must treat him carefully.
Now that he’s already at the sect grand competition, why don’t you tell me what realm he is at? I want some peace of mind, or else I’m really uneasy.”
Since recommending Ye Yu to the sect grand competition last month, Huangfu Jin had been curious about his cultivation.
But no matter how he asked, Pei Chuxia remained silent.
“Now that the competition has started, you must say something, right?
After all, it’s meaningless to keep it a secret.
Once everything is over, we can find out the truth from his opponents.”
Pei Chuxia slowly opened her eyes, smiling lightly as she asked back, “Sect Master, what realm do you think Ye Yu is at?”
Huangfu Jin was momentarily speechless.
Guessing too low was unlikely, since someone recommended by Pei Chuxia must have some strength.
But guessing too high was unrealistic.
After all, in ten years, how far could a mere Foundation Establishment Realm practitioner advance?
After pondering carefully,
Huangfu Jin gave his answer: Integration Realm.
Pei Chuxia couldn’t help but laugh freely, “Sect Master, you really underestimate the two of us. To tell you the truth, Ye Yu has already reached the mid-Earth Demon Realm!”
Hearing this, Huangfu Jin gasped inwardly.
From Foundation Establishment to Earth Demon Realm in ten years?
Are you cheating? Or did I mishear?
How does this seem so unrealistic?
At that moment, Zhutian Sect’s holy son, Wang Shang, returned, looking dejected.
He said apologetically, “Sect Master, sorry, I lost in the second round to Dongfang Ling of Yangyi Hall.”
Huangfu Jin nodded blankly.
At this moment, he was still immersed in the shock of Ye Yu’s mid-Earth Demon Realm cultivation, so he paid no attention to the outside.
This expression made Wang Shang feel even more guilty.
He stood there dazedly, instinctively scanning the surroundings.
“Huh? I don’t see Junior Brother Ye Yu’s figure anywhere.
The disciples in this sect grand competition are very strong; he must be having a hard time!”
Just as Wang Shang worried about him,
Ye Yu appeared, looking displeased.
Seeing him arrive, Huangfu Jin hurried forward to greet him, while Pei Chuxia instinctively clenched her fists.
“How was the competition?”
Upon hearing this, Ye Yu said irritably, “It’s unfair. After winning five matches straight, I clearly had the ability to continue, but the disciples of Kunshen Palace simply wouldn’t allow me, claiming that the top twenty battles will start tomorrow!”
When Wang Shang first heard the words “top twenty,”
he instantly felt a sense of shared suffering.
It was indeed unfair; if Ye Yu had been matched with more equally strong opponents early on, he might not have been eliminated so quickly.
So drawing lots was really about luck, not strength.
Baby’s heart is bitter, baby is sad.
But still wants to hold an umbrella for those who share his pain!
Wang Shang was about to step forward to offer comfort, but upon hearing “top twenty” he froze instantly.
Not just him — even Huangfu Jin was momentarily stunned.
He hurriedly asked in a trembling voice, “Top twenty? You really made it into the top twenty?”
Ye Yu nodded sullenly.
Then, ignoring the jubilant Huangfu Jin and the distressed Wang Shang, he walked straight to his master Pei Chuxia’s side.
She asked by telepathic voice, “How was it? Did you encounter any good prospects?”
Ye Yu decisively shook his head.
He really had bad luck — in these consecutive battles, most opponents had green attributes, not a single purple one.
Moreover, their attributes were flashy, either with side effects or from shady methods.
This left Ye Yu without killing anyone, merely severely injuring them.
However, he did not lose heart.
Because when he left, he had already spotted a very suitable target.
That person possessed a golden attribute.
Gold—just a glance without fully noticing what trait it was still made Ye Yu’s heart race.
He had been eager to strike and finish him, but was stopped by Kunshen Palace disciples, which explained his anger.
Pei Chuxia comforted him, “It’s alright. Only those who make the top twenty can be considered true prodigies. The battles ahead will not disappoint you.”
Ye Yu nodded, remaining silent.
Night fell.
Huangfu Jin, sect master of Zhutian Sect, had already begun going out drinking.
After a thousand years, Zhutian Sect finally had a disciple in the top twenty.
How could he not show off a little?
Meanwhile, holy son Wang Shang sat alone in his room, reflecting with tears of weakness.
Ye Yu and Pei Chuxia were inside another room analyzing the opponents’ situations.
