C11 Outer Sect Large Competition

Just an hour after Hua Hsing emerged from seclusion, both Jiang He and Hsu Feng came looking for him. Their faces were all smiles, clearly having made some progress.

“Hua Hsing,” they called out.

“Did you both make a breakthrough?” Hua Hsing asked, glancing at them.

“Hua Hsing, we owe it to the Barrier Breaking Pill you gave us. Without it, Jiang He and I wouldn’t have reached Qi Refining Stage Level Three,” Hsu Feng said excitedly.

With the Outer Sect Tournament approaching, standing out required at least a Level Three in the Qi Refining Stage. Those at Level Two didn’t stand a chance; the top disciples were all at Level Three, with some even reaching the peak of that stage.

“The tournament is tomorrow. How about we take a walk?” Jiang He suggested.

With only a day left, further training wouldn’t yield much more improvement, so they decided to take a stroll.

Hua Hsing nodded, and the three of them left their secluded courtyard, heading to the bustling square of the Outer Sect. The upcoming tournament had the entire sect buzzing with excitement. Countless disciples were eager to prove themselves.

“Have you heard? Sister Jiaang Xue broke through to Qi Refining Stage Level Four three days ago and joined the Inner Sect as a disciple.”

"Not only that, but it's said that when Senior Sister Jiaang Xue reached the fourth level of the Qi Refining Stage, she caught the attention of an elder from the Inner Sect. This elder immediately accepted her as a personal disciple."

"Senior Sister Jiaang Xue is truly remarkable. Even though she was always overshadowed by Senior Brother Re Yunzheng in the Outer Sect, she unexpectedly surpassed him to reach the fourth level first."

As they walked across the plaza, news of Jiaang Xue's entry into the Inner Sect was everywhere, causing Jiang He and Hsu Feng some concern.

"Hua Hsing..."

Jiang He was about to speak when Hua Hsing stopped him, knowing what he wanted to say.

"It's alright," Hua Hsing said calmly.

While the three of them were talking, a sudden commotion erupted in the plaza as countless martial artists made way.

Soon after, Re Yunzheng appeared, dressed in white.

At this moment, Re Yunzheng exuded a formidable aura, clearly much stronger than before.

"Has Senior Brother Re really come out of seclusion?"

"Could it be that Senior Brother Re has reached the fourth level of the Qi Refining Stage?"

"If Senior Brother Re had reached the fourth level, he wouldn't be here right now."

Many disciples were speculating, while Re Yunzheng made his way directly toward Hua Hsing.

When Re Yunzheng stopped in front of Hua Hsing, he flashed a sinister smile.

"Hua Hsing, Junior Sister Jiaang Xue mentioned something to me when she joined the Inner Sect," Re Yunzheng said.

Hua Hsing glanced at Re Yunzheng but remained silent.

"Junior Sister Jiaang Xue told me that if I could cripple you, or even kill you, during the Outer Sect disciples' competition, she would accept my pursuit," Re Yunzheng said with a sinister look at Hua Hsing. "So, tomorrow's competition will be your final performance at the Azure Edge Sword Sect."

With that, Re Yunzheng laughed heartily and strode away from the square, leaving many puzzled disciples in his wake.

"Hua Hsing, Jiaang Xue is going too far," Jiang He and Hsu Feng said angrily after Re Yunzheng left.

"She's truly ruthless."

Hua Hsing shook his head slightly, a flicker of murderous intent in his eyes, and then he left the square.

Early the next morning, the entire Outer Sect was buzzing with excitement. The Martial Arena was packed with Outer Sect disciples.

In the vast arena, there was a martial stage, and in front of it was the main platform.

As time passed, the main platform gradually filled with the high-ranking members of the Azure Edge Sword Sect.

The Outer Sect disciples' competition was a grand event within the sect, and most of the attendees were Inner Sect elders. They watched the competition while scouting for promising disciples.

On the left side of the main platform sat a white-haired elder, with a beautiful young woman standing beside him.

"Jiaang Xue, you just came in from the Outer Sect. Do you think there's any remarkable talent there this time?" the white-haired elder asked.

"Master, Re Yunzheng, the top of the Outer Sect, is quite impressive. The others don't stand a chance," Jiaang Xue replied, glancing at Hua Hsing in the distance.

Unfortunately, Hua Hsing was meditating with his eyes closed and didn't notice Jiaang Xue.

"Let's hope we find some promising disciples this time," the elder said.

In the Martial Arena, countless disciples were buzzing with conversation.

"Do you think the top spot in the Outer Sect will change this time?"

"No way. Senior Brother Re has already reached the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Three. No one can challenge him."

"Yeah, I agree. Senior Brother Re is unbeatable. The others don't measure up."

"Hua Hsing has been improving rapidly lately. I wonder how far he's come," someone mused.

"Hua Hsing, that loser? Even though he's made some progress, with his Qi Refining Stage Level Two skills, he won't even make the top thirty."

"Exactly, a loser is a loser. He's only just started improving, and it's too late now."

"If Hua Hsing makes it into the top thirty, I'll eat my hat."

Naturally, all the chatter was focused on Re Yunzheng. As for Hua Hsing, no one thought he would be the dark horse, except for Hsu Feng and Jiang He.

At this moment, Hsu Feng and Jiang He were eager and ready to showcase their skills in the competition. Thanks to Hua Hsing's help, they had reached Qi Refining Stage Level Three, and this time, they were confident they could break into the top thirty of the Outer Sect.

"Hua Hsing, what's your goal this time?" Jiang He asked.

Hsu Feng grinned and added, "Yeah, Hua Hsing, what's your target? Jiang He and I are just hoping to make it into the top thirty."

Hua Hsing, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, smiled slightly at their words but remained silent.

Time ticked by slowly, and finally, the highly anticipated Outer Sect competition was about to begin.

On the platform, an elderly man with a white beard scanned the crowd and gestured for silence.

"Today marks the day of our Azure Edge Sword Sect's Outer Sect competition. I'll now explain the rules, and I hope you all achieve great rankings," the white-bearded elder announced.

Soon after, he finished explaining the rules. In summary, the rules were straightforward: first, no lethal force was allowed unless absolutely necessary. Second, the competition was a knockout format. Each participant would draw a number and compete according to that number. After the first round, the second round would commence, continuing in this manner.

The top three competitors would receive accolades from the Azure Edge Sword Sect.

After hearing the rules, everyone was eager to start. Although the rewards were still unknown, everyone was determined to secure a good ranking.

Moments later, the numbers were distributed. There were two hundred disciples in the Outer Sect, and all two hundred numbers were handed out.

"Alright, let's get the competition started," the old man with the white beard announced.

As soon as he finished speaking, a warrior in gray stepped onto the martial arena, facing off against a warrior in white. The two engaged in battle instantly, and it wasn't long before a winner emerged. The first round went quickly due to the significant differences in skill levels.

After about half an hour, it was Hua Hsing's turn. His opponent, a warrior at the second level of the Qi Refining Stage, looked at Hua Hsing with a complex expression before declaring loudly, "I concede."

The referee glanced at both of them in confusion but then announced Hua Hsing's victory. Hua Hsing's easy win in the first match was expected by many. After all, he had effortlessly defeated Feng Gan, indicating his strength was at the peak of the second level of the Qi Refining Stage. However, most disciples were unaware that Hua Hsing had already reached the third level.

One warrior after another, battle after battle, the matches continued. It took a full three hours to complete all one hundred battles. After the first round, one hundred disciples were eliminated, leaving another hundred to advance.

Hsu Feng and Jiang He also advanced to the second round. The next phase was another series of one-on-one matches.

The first match of the second round was Jiang He’s.

“Jiang He is up against Jin Kun? He’s definitely going to lose.”

“Yeah, even though Jiang He is strong, Jin Kun is really formidable too.”

“Jin Kun has reached the third level of the Qi Refining Stage. Jiang He doesn’t stand a chance against him.”

While the disciples were discussing, Jin Kun stepped onto the martial arena. As he passed by Re Yunzheng, he heard a whisper: “Go all out and take Jiang He down.”

Standing on the arena, Jin Kun had a sinister smile in his eyes.

“Jiang He, you’re no match for me,” Jin Kun boasted.

“Jin Kun, we’ll see who the real winner is,” Jiang He replied.

“Jiang He, I’ll show you what I’m made of.” With that, Jin Kun launched into battle against Jiang He.

In the audience, Hsu Feng looked a bit worried and asked, “Hua Hsing, do you think Jiang He can win?”

“Jin Kun isn’t a match for Jiang He.”

Hearing Hua Hsing’s words, Hsu Feng pondered.

Sure enough, after a quarter-hour of intense fighting on the arena, Jiang He unleashed his full power and defeated Jin Kun.

“What? Jin Kun actually lost? Has Jiang He reached the third level of the Qi Refining Stage?”

“Damn, Jiang He has reached the third level of the Qi Refining Stage.”

“Jin Kun lost.”

The murmurs of surprise and disbelief filled the air.

“Useless.”

Seeing Jin Kun lose the match, Re Yunzheng silently cursed.

On the stage, the old man with the white beard smiled warmly at Jiang He.

"Interesting, an Outer Sect disciple actually managed to obtain a Barrier Breaking Pill."