C14 The Curtains Were Drawn.

As the finals commenced, Chiang Jin found himself in an exasperating situation.

Mo Qingyi's entrance was met with endless applause, but Chiang Jin's appearance drew a chorus of sighs, and he even heard someone cry out, "Down with Chiang Jin!"

Feeling helpless, Chiang Jin thought, "These beasts... if I beat her, I'll probably be drowned in their spit."

Below, the girl's sweet smile and charming dimples sparked another round of wolf whistles.

Mo Qingyi greeted Chiang Jin with a polite fist salute before lunging at him with her spear.

Chiang Jin was on high alert. Mo Qingyi had stuck to basic martial arts in earlier rounds, but he suspected she had hidden skills up her sleeve.

The two cautiously tested each other, exchanging a series of moves.

Chiang Jin, wielding a broken sword, was at a clear disadvantage in reach. Qin Qingguang had once sent Qin Baizhi with a fine sword for Chiang Jin, who refused it, earning Qin Baizhi's scorn.

But Chiang Jin cherished his broken sword, the sole keepsake from his grandfather.

The initial probing gave way to a fierce exchange. Mo Qingyi thrust her spear at Chiang Jin, who narrowly dodged. Her subsequent sweep was powerful, sending Chiang Jin stumbling back three steps.

A flurry of spear thrusts followed, with Chiang Jin barely evading. Mo Qingyi pressed on, relentlessly driving Chiang Jin back, leaving him no chance to counter.

Before reaching the Innate Realm, combatants relied on hand-to-hand and weapon skills. With comparable strength, Mo Qingyi dominated, forcing Chiang Jin to focus solely on evasion.

Eventually, Chiang Jin spotted an opening, seizing Mo Qingyi's spear shaft. Despite his palm splitting open, he held on fiercely.

Mo Qingyi, lacking Chiang Jin's strength, was eventually flung from the stage after a struggle.

The audience sighed collectively, as if they had shared in her defeat.

Thus concluded the Liucheng Grand Tournament.

Just as Chiang Jin breathed a sigh of relief at his entry into the Roc Essence Sect, Mu Xiuzhi's declaration ignited his fury.

"Chiang Jin of Wave Submitting Sword House, having slain two opponents with malicious intent, is hereby disqualified from joining the Roc Essence Sect. The disciples of Wave Submitting Sword House have shown incompetence, a matter we will address later."

These words sparked immediate outrage. In this world, strength was revered, and only murderous madmen were considered corrupt for killing. Clearly, Deacon Mu was targeting Chiang Jin and his sword house.

City Lord Liu Zong whispered urgently to Qin Qingguang, glancing at Qin Baizhi, who was visibly upset. Chiang Jin realized that Mu Xiuzhi's lust for Qin Baizhi was likely the catalyst for this pressure.

Enraged and about to unleash a tirade, Chiang Jin was interrupted by an inquiry, "Xiuzhi, what's the situation here?"

Approaching was a refined middle-aged man in a white shirt, Deacon Sunn Linzhi, who commanded respect from even the City Lord.

The scene took a surprising turn as Sunn Linzhi returned Liu Zong's respectful greeting. Known for his amiable nature, Deacon Sunn never leveraged his status to intimidate.

Mu Xiuzhi briefed Sunn Linzhi on the tournament but glossed over the incidents involving Chiang Jin. Sunn Linzhi, after listening, offered Chiang Jin a warm smile, which felt genuinely kind, not the least bit duplicitous.

Sunn Linzhi addressed Mu Xiuzhi, "This decision seems unreasonable. Injuries are a natural part of martial contests, and I don't perceive young Chiang as someone who revels in killing. Junior brother, let's not overlook a promising talent over this."

As Mu Xiuzhi's senior uncle, Sunn Linzhi was well-liked within the sect despite his modest cultivation level. Reluctantly, Mu Xiuzhi conceded, "Since Senior Uncle Sunn has interceded, I'll extend grace. Chiang Jin may join our sect but only as a servant disciple, without the privilege of mentorship. Chiang Jin, express your gratitude to Senior Uncle Sunn!"

Chiang Jin was on the verge of declaring he didn't give a damn about their so-called favors when he caught Sunn Linzhi's meaningful glance. He respected Sunn Linzhi, who had spoken in his defense, and didn't want to disrespect him. After all, Chiang Jin had joined the Roc Essence Sect solely for the martial arts training; official disciple status was irrelevant. If need be, he could always roam the world later. Swallowing his irritation, he bowed with his fists clasped and said, "Thank you, Senior."

As for Mu Xiuzhi, Chiang Jin simply disregarded him.

Sunn Linzhi had been merely passing through Liucheng, and after concluding his business, he promptly returned to the sect.

The final selections for the Roc Essence Sect had been determined. With Mann Jier dead, and two others chosen for their exceptional performance, there were nine in total.

From Wave Submitting Sword House: Chiang Jin, Qin Baizhi.

From Barbarian Essence Blade House: Yao Hai, Qi Shen;

From Yun Yue Dojo: Lu Youlicheng, Yu Lan;

And three unaffiliated rogue cultivators: Mo Qingyi, and the twin brothers Situ Qing and Situ Bai.

Qin Baizhi and Mo Qingyi were directly admitted as inner sect disciples. Chiang Jin was also eligible, but Mu Xiuzhi demoted him to a menial role, while the rest became regular disciples.

The City Lord Mansion had carriages at the ready, waiting only for them to prepare before departing for the Roc Essence Sect.

East Divine State was bifurcated by the Milky Way into north and south. The Myriad World Dynasty reigned over the north, while the south was a patchwork of various sects.

The Heaven Obeying Pavilion, Spirit Mountain Sect, and Essence Sun Sect were the most revered, with the Heaven Obeying Pavilion perched at the southeastern summit. The Spirit Mountain Sect and Essence Sun Sect, located in the southwest, were allied and balanced the power of the Heaven Obeying Pavilion.

The Roc Essence Sect, Cloud River Sect, and Longitudinal Star House, though less formidable, were strategically situated between the Myriad World Dynasty and the three major sects, at the heart of East Divine State, each governing several cities.

Liucheng was among the cities under the Roc Essence Sect's control, nestled at the edge of the Sky River. A thousand miles south of Liucheng lay the Roc Essence Sect. Chiang Jin and his companions would travel overnight to reach it.

The Roc Essence Sect's gates were graced by a majestic Kunpeng statue, a hundred meters tall, wings outstretched as if in mid-flight. Its dark golden plumage was intricately detailed, and its deep gray talons exuded an aura of invincibility. Its piercing eyes, domineering and disdainful, seemed to survey the world below with imperial contempt.