C9 Inner Sect Competition

The Profound Purity Sect's biennial Inner Sect Advancement Competition was underway.

Only those Outer Sect disciples who had achieved at least Body Refining Level Eight were eligible to compete.

The top ten finishers would earn the coveted promotion to the Inner Sect.

At the competition's entrance, a designated official was verifying each participant's cultivation level.

Those not at Body Refining Level Eight were relegated to the spectator stands.

In the plaza's center, the Outer Sect's First Elder sat in the elder's seat, stroking his beard and nodding in approval.

This year's competition was exceptional, with over fifty entrants.

Among them, more than a dozen had reached Body Refining Level Nine, and five or six were at the pinnacle of Body Refining, a significant increase from previous years.

Most notably, this cohort included three Spirit Gathering Cultivators, a testament to his leadership as the head of the Outer Sect.

Wang Meng, a disciple of the Inner Sect's First Elder, enjoyed the privilege of sitting among the elders.

Zhan Shuining, the girl Lin Feng had twice deprived of her chance, was also present.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng sat atop a Rank Three Flame Beast, gazing from a distance at the Outer Sect of the Profound Purity Sect.

"Thank you. I'll return to visit when I can," he promised.

With that, Lin Feng leaped down, as the Flame Beast dared not tread further into Profound Purity Sect territory, lest it provoke a confrontation with the Sect's masters.

Upon landing, Lin Feng employed the Ghost Shadow Mystery technique and hastened toward the plaza.

"I now declare the registration for the Inner Sect Advancement Competition officially closed," announced an official.

"Hold on," interjected a voice.

"Master Changqing, I wish to enter the competition."

Gu Changqing gave the dusty and travel-worn Lin Feng a look before shaking his head.

"Lin Feng, as a seasoned member of the Outer Sect, you know the rules well. Only those who have reached Body Refining Level Eight may enter."

"Master Changqing, I'm serious about competing. If you doubt me, let me prove it," Lin Feng insisted, drawing the curious gazes of his fellow disciples.

"Ouch, isn't that the crafty Senior Brother Lin Feng?"

"Rumor has it he vanished after Wang Meng gave him a thrashing last month."

"Maybe he got knocked senseless?"

"He's just a nobody at Body Refining Level Three. What right does he have to compete?"

Gu Changqing's face soured.

"Keep up this nonsense, and I'll have you all confined."

"Lin Feng, I've put in a word with the Elders. After this year, you can stay on as my assistant in the outer sect."

Lin Feng was at a loss for words.

Why did no one believe in him?

The mark of a Body Refining Cultivator over an ordinary person is the ability to lift a thousand kilograms.

With each level ascended, they gain another thousand kilograms of might.

A practitioner at Body Refining Level Eight possesses at least eight thousand kilograms of strength.

Thus, the test is to lift the eight-thousand-kilogram cauldron at the entrance.

Only those who can hold it for more than ten seconds are deemed worthy to compete.

Without further ado, Lin Feng approached the massive cauldron.

Following Gu Changqing's stern warning,

The other disciples held their tongues, watching Lin Feng's attempt with smirks.

"Lin Feng, don't be ridiculous."

Gu Changqing couldn't fathom that in just one month,

Lin Feng could have possibly advanced from Body Refining Level Three to Level Eight.

But the next moment,

He was metaphorically slapping his own face.

Eight thousand kilograms of force.

He actually did it.

Lin Feng, with one hand, easily hoisted a leg of the cauldron.

He reckoned he could lift two or three cauldrons of this size.

After ten seconds,

Lin Feng set the cauldron down to the astonishment of all present.

"Master Changqing, may I enter now?"

Gu Changqing nodded, speechless.

He even wondered if the Lin Feng before him was an imposter.

Lin Feng flashed him a smile, then strode into the inner sanctum.

"He, he, he's truly reached Body Refining Level Eight."

At last, one of the outer sect disciples voiced the collective doubt.

"Meng'er, you should head down too. The competition is about to start."

At the elders' table, Guu Yi turned to Wang Meng, who was seated beside him.

"Yes, Master," Wang Meng replied, bowing and preparing to depart.

But then, a figure caught his eye.

"Lin Feng?"

"What's that loser doing here?"

"If you hadn't wasted my time last time, someone else wouldn't have snatched the Fire Spirit Grass before me."

Clearly, Wang Meng held Lin Feng responsible for his misfortune.

And if he knew Lin Feng had actually made off with all those items, his fury would know no bounds.

"Too bad you're at the fifth arena," he muttered, watching Lin Feng head towards the outermost platform, his tongue flicking out in anticipation.

The plaza was home to five arenas.

Upon entering, each member drew a lot to determine their arena, where they would await their match.

"Spirit Gathering Realm. He's reached the Spirit Gathering Realm."

"I never expected a Spirit Gathering Realm master to emerge in this Inner Sect promotion."

Lin Feng followed the voice and saw the fourth arena.

Wang Meng was standing on a fellow disciple, looking triumphant.

Feeling Lin Feng's gaze, Wang Meng's eyes darted towards him, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"This guy, to think he could advance to the Spirit Gathering Realm so quickly after stealing that opportunity from me. It's always the lucky ones who are the strongest."

Since entering the arena, Lin Feng had activated his system.

Advancing to the Inner Sect was a chance in itself.

Within the Inner Sect, one could receive substantial support from the Profound Purity Sect, and access to pill recipes and secret manuals far beyond what the outer sect offered.

At that moment, over a dozen individuals in the plaza were bathed in white light, indicating their potential for promotion.

Green light signified a higher likelihood of advancement.

But only three individuals radiated blue light, signaling the strength of the Spirit Gathering Realm.

Lin Feng hadn't anticipated such a use for the system.

By locking onto a known opportunity, he could gauge the fortune of those around him in seizing it.

He glanced at the white light enveloping him.

For an ordinary practitioner at Body Refining Level Eight, it was merely a slim chance.

But was he just an ordinary person?

Clearly, the system was underestimating him.

Seizing the chance to advance to the Inner Sect, the higher your rank, the greater the rewards you'll receive.

Lin Feng cracked a small smile.

For him, at this moment, it didn't seem too challenging.

"Lin Feng."

"Zhang Li."

Lin Feng stepped onto the platform, eyeing the towering figure of Zhang Li.

A practitioner of Body Refining Level Nine.

"So you're Lin Feng, huh? I've heard about you."

"You still have time to forfeit. If not, I won't be holding back."

"Come at me."

Lin Feng beckoned to him with a gesture.

"It's your funeral."

Zhang Li wasted no time.

Launching into action, he executed the low-tier Yellow Rank martial technique "Force Cut".

His massive palm, sharp as a blade, swept towards Lin Feng.

With a subtle shift, Lin Feng dodged.

A swift punch targeted Zhang Li's side.

Crack!

In an instant, Zhang Li was sent flying, crashing down outside the ring.

"The victory goes to Lin Feng."