Chapter 20: The Outer Sect Competition Begins
1578 Words
The first rays of dawn bathed the Azure Cloud Sword Sect in golden light.
A deep bell echoed across the mountain peaks.
Dong...
Dong...
Dong...
Every disciple immediately recognized the sound.
Today...
The Outer Sect Grand Competition would begin.
Disciples poured from their courtyards, excitement filling the mountain paths. Some had prepared for months, while others hoped to make a name for themselves in a single battle.
For the victors, glory awaited.
For the strongest...
The gates of the Inner Sect would finally open.
Lin Chen quietly finished his morning cultivation before placing his plain iron sword on his back.
Unlike the other disciples, he wore no expensive robes or protective treasures.
His appearance remained as ordinary as ever.
The jade token and bronze key stayed hidden inside his storage pouch.
Some secrets were meant to remain hidden.
A knock sounded at his courtyard gate.
"Brother Lin!"
Luo Jian's cheerful voice rang out.
"The competition is about to begin!"
Lin Chen opened the gate.
Luo Jian was already dressed in clean blue disciple robes, his sword polished until it reflected the morning sun.
He grinned.
"I couldn't sleep all night."
Lin Chen smiled.
"Then don't fall asleep during your match."
Luo Jian laughed loudly.
"I'll leave that to Zhao Feng."
The two walked toward the Martial Plaza together.
The plaza was overflowing with people.
Thousands of disciples surrounded ten massive stone arenas.
Colorful banners fluttered in the wind.
Outer Sect elders sat upon elevated platforms overlooking the competition grounds.
Above them, several figures in white robes observed silently.
They were Inner Sect elders.
Every year, they selected promising disciples for promotion.
One impressive performance could change a cultivator's future forever.
Luo Jian looked up nervously.
"I've never seen so many elders gathered together."
Lin Chen calmly scanned the platforms.
Then...
His eyes stopped.
Among the seated elders was Qin Yu.
Standing behind an elderly Inner Sect master, he gave Lin Chen a small nod.
Lin Chen returned the gesture before looking away.
He had no desire to attract unnecessary attention.
A loud voice echoed throughout the plaza.
"The Sect Master has arrived!"
Everyone immediately bowed.
An elderly man wearing flowing white robes slowly walked onto the highest platform.
His hair was silver, but his eyes remained as sharp as drawn swords.
This was the Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect.
His gaze slowly swept across the crowd.
The entire plaza fell silent.
"You are the future of this sect."
His calm voice carried effortlessly across the enormous square.
"Some among you seek glory."
"Others seek strength."
"But remember..."
"A swordsman who pursues victory alone will never reach the peak."
His words lingered in the air.
Then he raised one hand.
"The competition..."
"...begins."
A huge stone monument beside the arena suddenly glowed.
Names rapidly appeared upon its surface.
The first round of matches had been decided.
Disciples hurried toward the monument.
Luo Jian pushed through the crowd before quickly returning.
"I found ours!"
He handed Lin Chen a wooden token.
Arena Three.
First Match.
Lin Chen vs. Xu Ming.
Luo Jian's eyes widened.
"You're fighting first."
Lin Chen simply nodded.
"That saves time."
Arena Three quickly filled with spectators.
Xu Ming climbed onto the stage first.
He was tall and muscular, carrying a heavy bronze sword across his shoulder.
Several disciples cheered loudly.
"Senior Brother Xu!"
"You'll win in one move!"
Xu Ming smiled proudly before looking toward the stairs.
"So..."
"The famous Lin Chen finally arrived."
Lin Chen stepped onto the arena without speaking.
The referee, an Outer Sect elder, glanced at both disciples.
"No killing."
"No crippling."
"The loser must admit defeat."
"Begin!"
The elder's hand dropped.
Xu Ming immediately rushed forward.
His heavy sword whistled through the air with tremendous force.
Unlike Wang Hu, Xu Ming relied entirely upon overwhelming strength.
The spectators nodded approvingly.
"His Heavy Mountain Sword Technique has improved."
"Lin Chen won't last."
The bronze blade descended like a falling boulder.
Lin Chen didn't retreat.
He calmly sidestepped.
The heavy sword smashed into the stone floor.
Boom!
Cracks spread across the arena.
Before Xu Ming could recover, Lin Chen lightly tapped the flat of his iron sword against Xu Ming's wrist.
It wasn't fast.
Nor was it powerful.
Yet Xu Ming's grip loosened involuntarily.
Clang!
His bronze sword fell onto the arena.
The entire plaza became silent.
Xu Ming stared blankly at his empty hand.
He hadn't even understood what had happened.
Lin Chen calmly lowered his sword.
"You lost."
The referee looked equally surprised before finally announcing,
"Winner..."
"Lin Chen."
Cheers erupted from every corner of the arena.
Some disciples applauded.
Others whispered in disbelief.
"One move..."
"He won in one move!"
High above, Qin Yu smiled faintly.
"He improved again."
Beside him, the Inner Sect elder narrowed his eyes.
"Not bad."
"But..."
"He is hiding much more than his cultivation."
Far away, Zhao Feng watched everything with an icy expression.
His eyes burned with killing intent.
"So..."
"You've become stronger."
He slowly drew his sword halfway from its scabbard.
"It doesn't matter."
"Your journey ends in this competition."
The cheers gradually subsided.
Xu Ming picked up his bronze sword, his face flushed with embarrassment.
He cupped his fists toward Lin Chen.
"I lost."
"There are no excuses."
Lin Chen returned the gesture.
"Your foundation is solid."
"But your strength controls your sword."
"It should be the other way around."
Xu Ming stood silently for a moment before nodding.
"I understand."
Then he stepped down from the arena.
Many disciples were surprised.
Instead of holding a grudge, Xu Ming had accepted his defeat with dignity.
Among the spectators, several elders nodded approvingly.
"A good temperament."
"He has the heart of a true swordsman."
Luo Jian rushed over with a broad smile.
"Brother Lin!"
"That was incredible!"
"You barely even attacked!"
Lin Chen smiled faintly.
"He left too many openings."
Luo Jian scratched his head.
"I didn't see any."
Lin Chen laughed softly.
"You will."
"One day."
Just then, another match began on the neighboring arena.
A referee called loudly,
"Arena Five!"
"Zhao Feng versus Sun Wei!"
The crowd immediately surged toward Arena Five.
Many disciples whispered excitedly.
"It's Zhao Feng!"
"The strongest Outer Sect disciple!"
"He'll definitely enter the Inner Sect this year."
Lin Chen and Luo Jian also turned to watch.
Sun Wei was a capable disciple at the Fourth Layer of Body Tempering.
Although he wasn't among the top favorites, few underestimated him.
He respectfully saluted Zhao Feng.
"Senior Brother."
"I ask for your guidance."
Zhao Feng didn't respond.
He slowly stepped forward.
His expensive sword left its scabbard with a sharp metallic ring.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Sun Wei immediately attacked.
His sword technique was swift and disciplined.
Unfortunately...
He never reached Zhao Feng.
A streak of blue sword qi flashed across the arena.
Clang!
Sun Wei's sword flew from his hand.
A second flash followed.
His disciple badge split cleanly into two pieces.
The tip of Zhao Feng's sword stopped against his throat.
The entire exchange lasted less than three breaths.
The referee inhaled sharply.
"Winner..."
"Zhao Feng!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
Many disciples stared in amazement.
"So fast!"
"I couldn't even follow his movements!"
"He truly deserves to be called the number one Outer Sect disciple."
Zhao Feng slowly sheathed his sword.
Instead of leaving the arena, his gaze shifted across the crowd.
Finally...
It landed on Lin Chen.
Their eyes met.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Zhao Feng smiled.
It wasn't a friendly smile.
It carried open provocation.
He slowly raised one finger...
And pointed it directly at Lin Chen.
"I'll be waiting."
The entire plaza fell silent.
Everyone understood what that gesture meant.
The two strongest dark horses of the competition...
Were destined to clash.
High above the arena, the Sect Master quietly watched everything.
Beside him sat Elder Mo Yun.
One of the elders spoke first.
"That Zhao Feng possesses remarkable talent."
Another nodded.
"If nothing unexpected happens, he'll claim first place."
Mo Yun calmly sipped his tea.
"Not necessarily."
Several elders turned toward him.
"You think someone can defeat Zhao Feng?"
Mo Yun smiled.
"I think..."
"The outcome has not yet been decided."
The Sect Master remained silent.
His sharp eyes rested on Lin Chen.
For some reason...
The young disciple reminded him of someone from long ago.
Someone who had once shaken the entire cultivation world.
The first round of matches continued until sunset.
When the final battle ended, only sixty-four disciples remained.
A disciple struck the great bronze bell.
Dong!
"The first round has concluded!"
"The second round begins tomorrow morning!"
One by one, the disciples left the Martial Plaza.
Some celebrated their victories.
Others silently accepted defeat.
Lin Chen and Luo Jian walked back toward Forgotten Sword Peak.
Luo Jian looked excited.
"If we both keep winning..."
"We might meet in the later rounds."
Lin Chen chuckled.
"If that happens..."
"I won't go easy on you."
Luo Jian laughed loudly.
"I wouldn't want you to."
As they disappeared into the evening mist...
Neither noticed the shadow watching from the rooftop of a distant pavilion.
The cloaked figure from the previous night had entered the Azure Cloud Sword Sect without anyone noticing.
His eyes remained fixed on Lin Chen.
"So..."
"The successor."
He reached into his robe and removed a black jade talisman.
A single message appeared upon its surface.
Target confirmed.
Awaiting further orders.
The talisman dimmed.
The assassin smiled coldly.
"The hunt..."
"...begins tonight."
- Writer
