C22 The Competition Began!

Harnessing his magical power, Lee Yi isolated himself from the surrounding currents. No longer at the mercy of the whirlpool, he finally found stability.

The raging whirlpool roared around him, yet it seemed to have no impact. The force of the vortex was entirely neutralized by the Wind Magical Power.

He glanced down at his hands, experiencing a long-lost sense of freedom. For days, he had been at the mercy of the whirlpool, disoriented and out of control. But now, he felt as though he had returned to solid ground.

Taking a step forward, Lee Yi began to navigate through the whirlpool, deliberately moving against its direction. He walked a full circle and then broke into a run.

Ultimately, his counter-assault diminished the whirlpool's power until it dissipated completely, leaving nothing but a cluster of bubbles.

With another surge of magical power, he leaped forward at an astonishing speed. In just a moment, he covered a distance of a hundred feet.

It's worth noting that he was at the bottom of the Heavenly River, clad in the Black Turtle Heavy Armor, yet his speed surpassed that of an average person sprinting on land.

A smile graced Lee Yi's face, radiating a powerful confidence. His strength was now sufficient to challenge the top rank of the Outer Sect.

"Damn, the Outer Sect Competition is today, and I forgot!" Lee Yi's face fell as he remembered the crucial event.

The quintennial Outer Sect Competition was indeed scheduled for today. Now, as dusk approached, a full day had elapsed since the competition began.

"Damn it!" Lee Yi cursed inwardly, frustrated beyond measure. He had dedicated so much time to his cultivation for the sole purpose of competing in the Outer Sect Competition, only to miss the critical moment. The guilt was overwhelming.

The Longevity Academy enforced its rules with an iron fist, particularly during the Outer Sect Competition. Missing even a single match meant immediate disqualification, no questions asked.

The competition's early days typically featured matches between lower-ranked disciples, whose lesser strength made for swift bouts. As the competition progressed, the more formidable contenders would take the stage, and the pace would inevitably slow.

Lee Yi's previous ranking had been at the very bottom, and it was almost certain that he would be scheduled to compete on the first day. The thought alone filled him with a sense of urgency.

A towering wave erupted, and countless droplets rained down like a torrential downpour. Then, with a resounding thud, Lee Yi crashed to the ground. Summoning his magical power of wind, he dashed toward Caflin City, undeterred by the pelting rain.

"I hope I'm not too late!" Lee Yi clung to a sliver of hope, though it felt more like self-consolation. Deep down, he was nearly convinced that he had been disqualified.

Before long, he arrived back in Caflin City and made his way to the Longevity Academy, only to find it deserted.

His premonition grew darker as he rushed to the square where the Outer Sect's Grand Competition was to be held. To his bewilderment, the square was also empty.

"Could the rain have caused a delay?" he wondered. But he quickly dismissed the thought; surely, the Grand Competition wouldn't be postponed for a mere storm.

As he stood there, puzzled, a fellow disciple approached from a distance.

Lee Yi inquired, "Senior Brother, isn't today the day of the Outer Sect Grand Competition? Why is no one here? Has the location been changed?"

The man paused, looking annoyed, and replied, "You've got the wrong day. The Grand Competition is tomorrow. Everyone is busy with their final preparations, which is why you don't see anyone around."

Hearing this, Lee Yi's anxiety dissolved, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He was about to express his gratitude when the man gestured dismissively and grumbled, "You can't even remember the right date. Why bother competing at all? You're just wasting my time!" With that, he hurried off.

Lee Yi, relieved by the false alarm and in high spirits, decided not to take offense and returned to his lodgings.

That evening, he settled into meditation in his room, focusing on consolidating his cultivation and mastering the techniques of channeling his Genuine Qi.

He had successfully condensed Genuine Qi, yet he remained clueless about the peculiar stone he had refined. Its nature was a mystery, making the Genuine Qi he produced equally enigmatic and challenging to wield with proficiency.

Lee Tiancheng had refined a drop of heavy water, an object from ancient times with some mention in the texts and a treasured family heirloom, complete with inherited techniques for its use. Lee Yi, on the other hand, was dealing with an odd stone, utterly undocumented in any literature. Mastery would come only through his own painstaking exploration.

Nevertheless, his natural intelligence was remarkable. In just one night, he had gained a profound understanding of the mysterious Genuine Qi within him.

The most notable quality of his Genuine Qi was its sheer density and weight. Even a mere wisp of it, when utilized, unleashed formidable power that vastly surpassed that of ordinary Genuine Qi.

Aside from its immense strength, Lee Yi had yet to identify any other distinctive features. However, this one attribute was potent enough. With proper application, it promised to be spectacular.

At dawn, Lee Yi stepped out of the courtyard. The storm had ceased, leaving the eastern sky painted in shades of purple and red, and the air was crisp and invigorating.

Yet, as he made his way to the square, he felt anything but invigorated. The atmosphere was oppressively heavy, almost suffocating.

The much-anticipated Outer Sect Competition was about to commence!

Despite his thorough preparations, Lee Yi couldn't shake off a sense of nervousness and apprehension. Glancing around, he saw he wasn't alone in his sentiments; the majority of his fellow disciples appeared even more anxious.

The plaza was already teeming with people. Many, too restless to sleep or continue their cultivation, had arrived early, their anxiety mounting with each passing moment.

Lee Yi was among the later arrivals. For him, every moment before the competition was an opportunity to cultivate and enhance his abilities. Yet, due to the previous day's alarm, he had shown up half an hour ahead of schedule.

When the crowd had nearly all gathered, a ripple of excitement spread from the outskirts as individuals made their way through the parted throng to take their places at the forefront.

It was clear who they were: the elite of the Outer Sect, renowned masters among whom was Hee Shuixian and others of similar stature.

After many days apart, Hee Shuixian appeared to have undergone a significant transformation. She still donned her black bamboo hat, with her body fully concealed, yet there was a noticeably sharper edge to her presence. Her steps were firm and strong.

What was even more noteworthy was the shift in her mindset. Previously, she had been deeply affected by others' ridicule of her appearance, leading her to shroud herself in mystery and rarely reveal her face. But after her defeat by Lee Yi and the subsequent embarrassment she endured, she didn't falter. Instead, she emerged with a fortified spirit, now able to meet the stares of others with composure.