CHAPTER 266: 264. THE GRAND COMPETITION BEGINS! (4/4)

Cangwu City.

In the inn, Zhao Ying was still chatting with Zhao Yi. Despite having not seen each other many times before, they had plenty of topics to discuss.

Both tried to steer clear of the Zhao Family’s massacre, but every word seemed to touch on memories of the past.

Overall, both were happy to meet each other this time.

Family is the closest bond in this world.

Zhao Yi thought he’d never have family again, but now he did, and he could put aside any unhappiness.

As he inadvertently turned to look out the window, the flickering candlelight startled Zhao Yi, reminding him of tonight’s sect competition, "Aunt, I have to go now."

"Going where? I’ve thought about it, tomorrow we’ll thank the Sect Leader and leave Cangwu City. I’ve planned the itinerary, and you’ll return when you can avenge. You’re now at the Body Refining Seventh Layer, and will surely reach the Profound Realm by the age of 40. Twenty years is fleeting, and we can wait."

After speaking, Zhao Ying glanced at Ye Fei.

Ye Fei nodded, "I’ll accompany you."

Zhao Ying smiled contently, then turned her gaze to Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi quickly explained, "Aunt, I must hurry back to the sect for the sect competition, I really have to go, I’ll visit you tomorrow."

"Sect competition?"

"Did you join that Elder’s sect?"

Zhao Ying and Ye Fei spoke one after another.

The former asked curiously, while the latter was surprised despite being in a questioning tone.

Zhao Yi responded, "Yes, after I fled to Cangwu City, I planned to sell myself off and quietly do work for others for the rest of my life. The Sect Leader found me, bought me back, and helped me rebuild my meridians. I am now a disciple of the Immortal Sect. Aunt, I’ll leave now and see you tomorrow."

"Immortal Sect!"

Both were startled.

The name of the Immortal Sect had been frequently heard in the past month.

The Sect Leader was a bold character.

Zhao Ying couldn’t help but exclaim, "I didn’t expect him to be the Sect Leader of the Immortal Sect."

Ye Fei quickly said, "Go on, there’s plenty of time in the future. You can’t miss the sect competition. It will determine the resources you will have in the future."

Ye Fei laughed.

He was happy for Zhao Yi.

He knew that the Sect Leader was strong enough to have killed Wei Qianjue.

At East Lake, there were hardly any opponents.

Speaking of Flying Dragon Association, even Extreme Realm Mountain would not dare to cause trouble easily.

Zhao Yi’s ability to join a sect like the Immortal Sect was something others sought desperately but could not achieve, and to cultivate within it was truly extraordinary.

Zhao Yi did not explain, hugged his aunt, and returned to the Immortal Sect.

When he returned to the Immortal Sect, the plaza had already started to gather many people.

Upon seeing Zhao Yi, everyone waved, "Senior Brother Zhao, it’s up to you!"

"Hurry up!"

With everyone calling out, Zhao Yi quickly ran over and handed the Flying General Sword back to Wen Ping, and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader!"

Wen Ping nodded, took the sword, "Alright, go to your place. In another quarter-hour, the Secret Realm will be opened."

After Zhao Yi joined the group, Wen Ping continued, "Listen carefully, the Secret Realm has three pathways. Those cultivating Flood Dragon’s Fury, take the first; those cultivating Flame Technique, take the second; those cultivating Sword Control, take the third. Remember, your enemies are not your fellow sect members but external foes."

"External foes!" Everyone was shocked, the imagined scenes of the competition disappeared from their minds.

Disciple sparring!

To determine who is the strongest in the unique techniques of the Immortal Sect.

This was much more interesting than mere comparison of realms.

But no one expected, this competition turned out to be a trial.

Wen Ping didn’t continue to ramble, and announced further rewards, "The victor will be rewarded with the Fire Dragon Skill and any magical treasure from the Immortal Slaying World, so bring out your best state."

With that, Wen Ping waited for time to pass.

Shortly, the hour of midnight arrived!

The entrance to the Secret Realm began to swirl with lights. Wen Ping reminded once again, "Everyone’s realm and abilities are restricted, so it’s best to give yourself a realistic power assessment. Although there are still rewards for losses, I hope you won’t be eliminated by the trial right from the start!"

"Certainly not!"

"Let’s go!"

Everyone responded, and subsequently walked into the Secret Realm.

As they all entered, the entrance of the Secret Realm vanished suddenly.

Wen Ping then headed straight to the Viewing Room, bringing a cup of Spiritual Water to those watching the competition.

Upon arriving at the Viewing Room, the lady of Huan Cheng—a very dignified, gentle woman—asked, "Sect Leader Wen, hasn’t the competition begun yet?"

This was Wen Ping’s second time seeing Lady Huan Cheng, Gong Yuxin.

The first time was during his coming-of-age ceremony.

The whole family still felt strange to Wen Ping now, the couple was completely opposite in character, yet had been living together for twenty years.

Gong Yuxin’s question was also on everyone’s mind. After handing over the water, Wen Ping said, "It has already begun."

Biyue Piaoling asked, "Then we’ll sit here?"

Wen Ping did not explain but immediately let the system show the situation inside the Secret Realm on the screen. When the image appeared on the screen, everyone was taken aback.

If it hadn’t been Immortal Sect’s members appearing there, they would surely have quickly asked Wen Ping what was happening.

But now, everyone felt, this must be the Elder’s means.

Similar to the Hundred Sects Alliance’s magical treasures, all could view scenes from another location.

"Everyone sit down."

After speaking, Wen Ping sat in the front row, his gaze fixed on the screen.

The first were the three doors, each choosing their own to enter.

"Our son!"

Gong Yuxin, seeing Huan Shan, happily said to Huan Cheng beside her.

Seeing was all it took, her tone surprisingly carried a bit of pride within.

Biyue Piaoling’s expression also changed slightly, for he discovered that it wasn’t just disciples in the sect competition, even elders participated!

Biyue Piaoling puzzledly asked, "Sect Leader Wen, why do elders participate in your competition?"

Wen Ping responded, "It’s not just a competition, but a trial. Everyone’s realm is restricted to the 13th Layer Realm, in the Profound Realm, only capable of exerting Body Refining Realm power!"

"Restricted realm?"

Biyue Piaoling and others were inwardly astounded.

Restricting the Profound Realm to the Body Refining Realm, such power is truly formidable.

But what’s the purpose of doing this?

However, he didn’t ask further, but focused on the screen, watching one by one as people chose their paths forward.

The answer is always revealed later.

...

Within the Secret Realm.

"Three paths, you have a map in hand. Every now and then a place will be marked as restricted. For the first marked restricted area, you can linger for 100 breaths; if you exceed this time, you’ll be eliminated and teleported back to the Immortal Sect. For the second, you can linger for 70 breaths... Only when you leave the first checkpoint, will the expansion of restricted areas stop."

The words echoed in everyone’s ears.

Simultaneously, a map appeared in everyone’s hands.

After a glance, they found themselves at the very edge, while the destination was the last place marked on the map.

The next moment, the scene before their eyes shifted.

A barren desert unfolded before them!

Desolate!

Bleak!

And eerily silent.

Zhao Yi, the sole one who chose to enter the path of ’Anger’, stood awkwardly in the center of the group as the scene transformed.

Facing everyone’s startled gaze, he felt extremely awkward.