Chapter 104: The Sect Competition (Part One)

The most lively sect tournament in the history of the Heart Refining Sect began with the resounding strike of a bronze gong.

At the center of the Heart Refining Sect’s martial arena stood a colossal platform, towering as high as a person.

Facing the platform was an elevated dais, arranged with over thirty seats. Seated at the center was none other than the sect’s patriarch, Elder Jingyun.

With cultivation at the Consolidation stage, Elder Jingyun was a renowned figure throughout the Northern Region.

The other seats were naturally occupied by the leaders of the various sects participating in the tournament.

Behind the sect leaders sat the elders and other figures of Nascent Soul stage or above from those sects.

Of course, in such a grand occasion, those without Nascent Soul level cultivation had no right to sit there.

Other disciples at the Core Formation or Foundation Establishment stages could only stand below to watch the matches.

As for the Qi Refinement stage outer disciples, they were not even allowed close.

There were also many independent cultivators who came just to watch the spectacle.

“The current sect tournament is a great honor for the Heart Refining Sect to host. This tournament aims to select the single most outstanding sect and the weakest sect. The weakest will be eliminated. Thirty-two sects are participating, so there will be thirty-two contestants competing in an elimination format. Now, let us welcome the contestants from these thirty-two sects to the stage,” announced Elder Jingyun loudly, laying out the tournament’s arrangements.

As his words fell, thirty-two cultivators stepped forward, including naturally Lin Yanghao.

“He’s here too…” Lin Yanghao began scanning the other thirty-one competitors. One of them had to be Zeng Quan, the very person he had defeated before.

Zeng Quan, in turn, noticed Lin Yanghao and was somewhat puzzled. He had originally thought Lin Yanghao was only acquainted with Le Dong, but he had never heard of anyone named Lin Yanghao at the Tianwu Sect.

Could it be that the Tianwu Sect had been hiding their strength all along? To have a talent like Lin Yanghao among them—were they secretly cultivating a hidden powerhouse, aiming for a sudden rise to prominence?

Countless thoughts flitted through Zeng Quan’s mind.

“The thirty-two participants in the sect tournament are: Zeng Quan from Dingyuan Sect, Lian Taiyi from Golden Light Sect, … and finally, Lin Yanghao from Tianwu Sect,” the tournament officials soon finished registering the competitors.

Seated beside Elder Jingyun was Ma Teng, leader of the Ink Moon Sect, who remarked with some envy, “Brother Zengfei, your son is truly a lightning prodigy, mastering lightning techniques to perfection. I heard he recently advanced to the False Core realm. It seems Dingyuan Sect will make quite a splash in this tournament.”

Which parent does not hope their child will soar to greatness? Zeng Fei had always been proud of his son Zeng Quan, and hearing such praise naturally lifted his spirits.

“Oh, not at all. Your son Ma Zhao is already an accomplished mid-tier formation master at such a young age. His future achievements will be boundless,” Zeng Fei replied.

But Ma Teng’s face showed no joy; instead, there was sorrow. “Ah, please don’t mention it. That boy is so wayward, always distracted by side pursuits. His cultivation has suffered as a result, and he’s only just reached the early Foundation Establishment stage.”

It turned out Ma Teng had never supported Ma Zhao’s study of formation techniques. His son’s talent was mediocre at best, and learning formations would make it even harder to advance in cultivation. Yet, he ultimately gave in to Ma Zhao’s persistence.

Still, Ma Teng had little faith in the usefulness of formation mastery; becoming a mid-tier formation master was no great feat, and advancing to a high-level formation master was incredibly arduous.

Others similarly discussed the thirty-two contestants below the stage, but the Tianwu Sect was ignored, like a neglected child.

Perhaps in their minds, Tianwu Sect was already doomed to finish at the bottom.

…

“Everyone, quiet! Now I will announce the matchups. Opponents will be decided by drawing lots: number one faces number thirty-two, two faces thirty-one, and so forth. Sixteen will be eliminated in the first round. The sixteen who lose will then draw lots again to compete until the very last place is determined. The sixteen who win will continue competing until the champion emerges,” the referee announced. As he finished speaking, the drawing of lots for Lin Yanghao and the others began.

“I’m number three. Who’s number thirty?” Soon the drawing concluded, and all thirty-two contestants held their drawn numbers.

“I’m number thirty,” a burly man said as he stepped forward.

Seeing this man caused Zhao Shan almost to stumble.

He felt utterly helpless—was heaven playing a cruel joke or setting a trap? Why must he face this opponent?

It wasn’t that the burly man was overwhelmingly strong; in terms of power, they were evenly matched. But anyone who faced him was considered unlucky. Usually, people fled at the sight of him.

This man was Liu Zichen, the beloved son of the Kunshan Sect leader. His elegant name contrasted amusingly with his thickset build.

Somewhere along the way, Liu Zichen’s orientation had undergone a drastic reversal. At first, no one knew until, during a sect competition, he forcibly engaged in relations with his opponent.

Liu Zichen claimed he had long harbored feelings for the man but never had the chance—until he lost control during the match.

This explanation nearly caused his father, Liu Long, to faint on the spot. Liu Zichen was his only son; his mother had passed early. Liu Long doted on his son and never disciplined him. Yet, his indulgence only made Liu Zichen’s behavior worse.

Later investigations revealed that Liu Zichen had engaged in relations with over a dozen fellow disciples.

Of course, no one dared publicize such a scandal. To do so would ruin reputations and cause utter disgrace. Moreover, Liu Zichen was the sect leader’s son, so they endured it silently.

This episode became one of the cultivation world’s great curiosities over the centuries. Cultivators widely spread the story, and Liu Zichen became despised, earning the derisive nickname “Wang Chen Er Tao” — “Look at Chen and Run.”

“Brother Liu, I hope your son won’t do anything to mine. My son is my only treasure…” Zhao Wei, Zhao Shan’s father, watched closely. Seeing his son’s opponent was Liu Zichen, he grew anxious.

If Liu Zichen lost control, his son might lose his honor this time, and his own face would be completely lost as well.