C11 Chapter 11

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 showing they had made progress. "Hua Hsing," they called out. Hua Hsing glanced at them and asked, "Did you both make a breakthrough?" Hsu Feng replied excitedly, "Hua Hsing, we owe it to the Barrier Breaking Pill you gave us. Without it, Jiang He and I would not have reached Qi Refining Stage Level Three." With the Outer Sect Tournament approaching, anyone who wanted to stand out needed at least the strength of Qi Refining Stage Level Three. Disciples at Qi Refining Stage Level Two had no chance of succeeding. The true top disciples of the Outer Sect were all at Level Three, and a few had even reached the peak of that level.

"The tournament is tomorrow. How about we go out for a walk?" Jiang He suggested. With only one day left, even if they continued training, they would not improve much, so they decided to take a stroll. Hua Hsing nodded, and the three of them left their independent courtyard and arrived at the Outer Sect square. With the Outer Sect Tournament drawing near, the entire Outer Sect was lively. Countless disciples were full of anticipation, hoping to distinguish themselves in this competition.

"Have you heard? Senior Sister Jiaang Xue broke through to Qi Refining Stage Level Four three days ago. She entered the Inner Sect and became an Inner Sect disciple."

"Not only that, but it is said that when Senior Sister Jiaang Xue reached Qi Refining Stage Level Four, she alerted an elder from the Inner Sect. That elder immediately accepted her as a personal disciple."

"Senior Sister Jiaang Xue is truly powerful. Although she had always been suppressed by Re Yunzheng in the Outer Sect, no one expected that she would reach Qi Refining Stage Level Four before him."

As they walked through the square, they could hear news of Jiaang Xue entering the Inner Sect everywhere, which made Jiang He and Hsu Feng somewhat worried. "Hua Hsing..." Jiang He was about to speak when Hua Hsing stopped him, already knowing what he wanted to say. "It is alright," Hua Hsing said calmly. While the three of them were talking, a sudden commotion broke out in the square as countless disciples stepped aside. Soon after, Re Yunzheng appeared in white robes. At that moment, Re Yunzheng radiated a formidable aura and was clearly much stronger than before.

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

"Could it be that Senior Brother Re has reached Qi Refining Stage Level Four?"

"If Senior Brother Re had reached Qi Refining Stage Level Four, he would not be here right now."

Many disciples speculated as Re Yunzheng made his way directly toward Hua Hsing. When he stopped in front of Hua Hsing, a sinister smile crossed his face.

"Hua Hsing, Jiaang Xue told me something when she entered the Inner Sect," Re Yunzheng said.

Hua Hsing glanced at Re Yunzheng but said nothing.

"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, staring at Hua Hsing with an eerie expression. "So tomorrow's competition will be your final performance at the Azure Edge Sword Sect."

With that, Re Yunzheng burst into laughter and strode away from the square, leaving the surrounding disciples confused.

"Hua Hsing, Jiaang Xue has gone too far," Jiang He and Hsu Feng said angrily after Re Yunzheng left. "She is truly ruthless."

Hua Hsing shook his head slightly. A flicker of killing intent flashed through his eyes before he turned and left the square.

Early the next morning, the entire Outer Sect buzzed with excitement. The Martial Arena was crowded with Outer Sect disciples. In the center of the vast arena stood 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 competition was considered a major event within the Azure Edge Sword Sect, and most of those attending this time were elders from the Inner Sect. As they watched the matches, they were also selecting suitable disciples. On the left side of the main platform sat a white-haired elder, and beside him stood a beautiful young woman. "Jiaang Xue, you have only just come from the Outer Sect. What do you think? Are there any truly outstanding talents among them this time?" the white-haired elder asked. "Master, Re Yunzheng, the number one disciple of the Outer Sect, is fairly good. The others are nothing special," Jiaang Xue replied. As she spoke, she deliberately glanced into the distance at Hua Hsing. Unfortunately, Hua Hsing was sitting with his eyes closed in quiet contemplation and did not notice her at all. "Let us hope some promising disciples emerge 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 do not measure up." "Hua Hsing has been improving rapidly lately. I wonder how far he has come," someone said. "Hua Hsing, that loser? Even though he has made some progress, with his Qi Refining Stage Level Two cultivation, he will not even make the top 30." "Exactly. A loser is a loser. He has only just started improving, and it is already too late." "If Hua Hsing makes it into the top 30, I will eat my hat."

Naturally, all the discussion centered on Re Yunzheng. As for Hua Hsing, no one believed he would become a dark horse, with the exception of Hsu Feng and Jiang He. At that moment, Hsu Feng and Jiang He were full of anticipation, ready to display their abilities in the competition.

Hua Hsing’s help had allowed them to reach Qi Refining Stage Level Three, and this time they were confident they could place within the top 30 of the Outer Sect.

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

"Hua Hsing, what ranking are you aiming for? Jiang He and I will be satisfied as long as we make the top 30," Hsu Feng said with a grin.

Hua Hsing, who had been waiting with his eyes closed, heard Jiang He and Hsu Feng’s words. He smiled slightly but did not answer.

As time passed little by little, the long-awaited Outer Sect competition finally began. On the main platform, an old man with a white beard swept his gaze across the crowd and raised a hand to signal for silence.

"Today is the day of our Azure Edge Sword Sect Outer Sect competition. Next, I will announce the rules. I hope all of you can achieve good rankings," the white-bearded old man said.

Before long, he finished explaining the rules. In general, there were several main points. First, no one was allowed to use lethal force during the competition unless it was impossible to stop in time. Second, the competition would follow an elimination format. Each participant would draw a number and compete according to that number. After the first round, there would be a second round, and so on until the matches were complete.

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 200 disciples in the Outer Sect, and all 200 numbers were handed out.

"All right, let the competition begin," the white-bearded old man announced.

As soon as he finished speaking, a warrior in gray stepped onto the Martial Arena, facing a warrior in white. The two engaged in battle instantly, and it was not long before a winner emerged. The first round moved quickly because of the significant differences in skill levels.

After about half an hour, it was Hua Hsing’s turn. His opponent, a warrior at Qi Refining Stage Level Two, looked at Hua Hsing with a complicated expression before declaring loudly, "I concede."

The referee glanced at both of them in confusion, 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, showing that his strength was at the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Two. However, most disciples were unaware that Hua Hsing had already reached Qi Refining Stage Level Three.

One warrior after another and one battle after another, the matches continued. It took a full 3 hours to complete all 100 battles. After the first round, 100 disciples were eliminated, leaving 100 to advance.

Hsu Feng and Jiang He also advanced to the second round, where another series of one-on-one matches began.

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

"Jiang He is up against Jin Kun? He is definitely going to lose."

"Yeah, even though Jiang He is strong, Jin Kun is formidable too."

"Jin Kun has reached Qi Refining Stage Level Three. Jiang He does not stand a chance against him."

While the disciples were discussing the matchup, 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’s eyes carried a sinister smile.

"Jiang He, you are no match for me," Jin Kun said.

"Jin Kun, we will see who the real winner is," Jiang He replied.

Because the gap in strength during the first round was so great, the matches moved quickly. About half an hour later, it was Hua Hsing's turn. His opponent was a warrior at Qi Refining Stage Level Two. When he saw Hua Hsing, a complicated expression appeared on his face. In the end, the warrior said loudly, "I concede." The referee looked at the two of them in confusion, then immediately announced Hua Hsing's victory.

Hua Hsing's easy win in the first match was well within everyone's expectations. After all, he had easily defeated Feng Gan, and his strength had already reached the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Two. Of course, at this moment, many disciples still did not know that Hua Hsing had already advanced to the third level of the Qi Refining Stage.

One warrior after another stepped forward, and one battle after another unfolded. It took a full 3 hours for all 100 matches to conclude. After the first round ended, 100 disciples had been eliminated, while the remaining 100 advanced. Hsu Feng and Jiang He also successfully moved on to the second round.

Next came the second round, which was still a series of one-on-one matches. The first match of the second round was Jiang He's. Jiang He faced Jin Kun and said, "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?" Hua Hsing replied, "Jin Kun isn't a match for Jiang He." Hearing Hua Hsing's words, Hsu Feng fell into thought.

Sure enough, after a quarter hour of intense fighting in the Martial 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." Murmurs of surprise and disbelief filled the air.

"Useless," Re Yunzheng silently cursed when he saw Jin Kun lose the match. 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."