Scum Of The Demonic Sect

Chapter 85 Each Displays Their Unique Abilities

Compared to outer disciples, inner disciples, if their cultivation reaches the Great Perfection of the Qi Refining stage, can obtain two spirit stones and three Qi Harmony Pills per month, totaling only twenty-four spirit stones and thirty-six Qi Harmony Pills per year.

Of course, inner disciples can take on some tasks from the Hall of Affairs to earn spirit stones and even sect contributions, but the earnings are limited, at most twenty or thirty spirit stones more per year, and it's a waste of time.

In this kind of competition, if the talismans used are low-grade or mid-level, they are unlikely to pose a threat to the opponent, while high-grade talismans generally cost fifty spirit stones. That means using one is equivalent to two years' worth of spirit stone income, and this is only accumulated without using them. Therefore, this competition is almost entirely about who is stronger.

Although they weren't wealthy, their attacks were extremely ruthless; clearly, none of those daring to vie for the cave dwellings were pushovers.

After the battles for the Yellow-ranked cave dwellings concluded, it was time for the Black-ranked ones.

None of the six Black-ranked cave dwellings were easily claimed by a single person; almost every cave dwelling attracted four or five contenders.

Unlike the Yellow-ranked cave dwelling battles, these disciples, while perhaps not the most powerful, were significantly wealthier. They used high-grade magical artifacts and numerous talismans during their fights. One disciple, in particular, simply overwhelmed his opponent with sheer numbers of talismans, forcing him to concede defeat.

Lin Haoming had heard that this person was also a descendant of some ancestor.

After the battles for the Black-ranked cave dwellings ended, several disciples responsible for maintaining order began tidying up the Life and Death Arena, which had been damaged in the competition.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed He, who appeared to be in his thirties or forties and was presiding over the competition, approached the crowd again and announced, "The competition for the Xuan-level cave dwellings is over. Next, we will compete for the two Di-level cave dwellings."

Hearing that it was finally the turn of the Di-level cave dwellings, Lin Haoming abandoned his earlier spectator mentality and listened attentively.

"There are two Di-level cave dwellings: Cave Dwelling Number Thirteen and Cave Dwelling Number Sixteen. Cave Dwelling Number Thirteen was automatically awarded to Ji Xiong Ying because only he competed for it!"

When the Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed He finished speaking, Lin Haoming was stunned, while the others exclaimed in surprise. Clearly, even a fool could tell that something unusual had happened.

Looking at this Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed He, Lin Haoming understood that someone had definitely rigged things behind the scenes, or rather, this Ji Xiong Ying was probably someone with a powerful background, allowing him to directly obtain the cave dwelling. His participation in the competition was merely a formality.

Previously, Ling Shengjie had boasted that no one could tamper with a Class 1 (Earth) cave dwelling. Now, with reality right before his eyes, Lin Haoming suddenly understood why Ling Shengjie hadn't come. It was entirely because of Ji Xiong Ying's matter; he was embarrassed to face him.

He just didn't know who this Ji Xiong Ying was, that he could get Ling Shengjie to do something he couldn't.

With this result, Lin Haoming suddenly realized that attracting seven people to compete for a Class 1 (Earth) cave dwelling was probably beyond the realm of normalcy.

At this moment, the Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed He continued reading: "Class 16 (Earth) cave dwelling, seven people are participating in the competition: Zuo Chengze, Mei Zheng, Ji Yushu, Xia Xunzhen, Min Qing, Shao Youhe, and Lin Haoming. Those whose names are called, if you wish to participate, must sign a life-or-death contract!"

Lin Haoming heard his name and also heard someone exclaim in surprise.

Since seizing the top-grade spirit stone and rendering great service to the sect, Lin Haoming's name had long been remembered by all the Qi Refining disciples. Many were now eager to see what this lucky fellow was like.

Of course, many were even more curious: after receiving so many benefits, why would Lin Haoming still want to compete for a cave dwelling? And why compete with so many others? Wouldn't it be better to slowly cultivate to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining and then establish Foundation Establishment?

Although Lin Haoming heard many such doubts and questions, he calmly walked forward and, like the cultivators who had fought before, signed a life-and-death contract.

While signing the contract, he also noticed that those competing with him for the cave dwelling were three men and three women.

While he was sizing them up, the six others were also sizing up Lin Haoming and the others. However, perhaps because Lin Haoming's recent reputation was too great, and because a scan of his divine sense could reveal that he was only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, many people paid special attention to him.

"That Lin Haoming is only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, yet he dares to compete for a Earth-grade cave dwelling? Has he gone mad?" The other spectators, upon discovering Lin Haoming's true cultivation level, also began to discuss in surprise.

One view was naturally one of disdain for Lin Haoming, believing he thought he had gotten lucky and could rely on his good fortune forever.

Another view was that Lin Haoming was definitely not simple; since he dared to participate in the cave dwelling competition, he must have extraordinary abilities.

A very small minority speculated that Lin Haoming might be like that guy named Ji Xiong Ying from before, having taken a different path to this competition, and that it might be a staged performance.

But even with so many thoughts, once the actual competition began, everyone fell silent.

Lin Haoming received a bye, and the remaining six fought in pairs. The closest opponent to Lin Haoming on the life-or-death arena was Zuo Chengze versus Mei Zheng.

Coincidentally, both were sword cultivators, and their first move was a duel using flying swords. Back and forth they clashed, swords flashing and dancing. Both fighters displayed their flying swordsmanship to the fullest, excelling in both offense and defense. Sometimes, seemingly unavoidable attacks were averted through sheer skill, a spectacle that thrilled the spectators.

Lin Haoming watched their swordplay, feeling deeply ashamed of his own inferiority, especially in his control of the flying sword.

Because their cultivation levels were similar, their skill with the flying swords was also comparable. The battle lasted nearly half an hour before Zuo Chengze was finally defeated by Mei Zheng due to insufficient mana.

Fortunately, their strengths were evenly matched. Zuo Chengze, though defeated, suffered no major injuries, only losing the opportunity to compete for the cave dwelling.

The victorious Mei Zheng immediately took out a pill and swallowed it, while simultaneously holding a spirit stone in each hand to rapidly replenish his mana for the next round.

Compared to their nearly half-hour battle, the duel between Ji Yushu and Shao Youhe was decided in the blink of an eye.

Shao Youhe unleashed countless colorful ribbons, instantly enveloping Ji Yushu. When everyone saw him again, he was severely injured.

Compared to these two matches, the most bizarre was the duel between Min Qing and Xia Xunzhen.