C23 Experts Gathered

Hee Shuixian's metamorphosis took Lee Yi by surprise. He had assumed that her prideful and sensitive nature would only intensify after her public defeat at his hands, possibly even morphing into self-doubt. Yet, contrary to his expectations, she emerged with a newfound confidence that surpassed her previous demeanor.

This newfound self-assurance was distinct from mere arrogance or conceit. It appeared that her recent failure had significantly fortified her resolve.

Her magical prowess had also visibly increased. As she moved through the crowd, some were too slow to step aside, obstructing her path. Without hesitation, she advanced, and those standing half a meter away were as if propelled by an unseen force, involuntarily parting ways, their faces registering shock and disbelief.

In addition to Hee Shuixian and her fellow Alchemy Pavilion disciples, the esteemed practitioners from the Weaponry Pavilion and the Hall of Contributions made their rare appearances, each arrival greeted with gasps of awe.

Typically, Alchemy Pavilion disciples boast more potent magic, while those from the Weaponry Pavilion are known for their endless array of magical tools. The Hall of Contributions' disciples, on the other hand, excel in a variety of spells.

Each group has its strengths, and their clashes are always a much-anticipated spectacle of the Outer Sect Competition, showcasing to the audience whether magic, magical tools, or spells reign supreme.

The three factions made their way through the crowd to the forefront, each claiming their territory. The air crackled with their intense gazes, each brimming with an eager thirst for battle.

"Every Outer Sect Competition, it's always these three factions that steal the spotlight. For us regular disciples, surpassing them is a daunting task; we simply can't match their resources," lamented many in the crowd, their faces etched with dejection and envy.

"What choice do we have? We lack the innate gift for alchemy or weapon crafting. And the Hall of Contributions? They require disciples of impeccable lineage, with three generations hailing from the Longevity Academy. How many can claim such heritage? It's hardly surprising we can't compete," others in the crowd sighed in resignation.

Amidst the fervent discussions, the periphery erupted into an even greater uproar as a fiery red cloud materialized in the sky. It blazed intensely, sweeping over the heads of the onlookers.

The scorching airwaves bent the people below at the waist, with some of the weaker cultivators collapsing to their knees, unable to stand.

The fiery cloud finally swept over the disciples of the Alchemy Pavilion and settled at the forefront. As the flames cleared, a young man in a fiery red robe was revealed—it was Wang Xianzhen.

"Senior Brother Xianzhen!" The previously arrogant disciples from the three factions now wore expressions of reverence as they bowed and greeted Wang Xianzhen with cupped hands.

Wang Xianzhen, seemingly oblivious to their gestures, swept his sleeve behind him and laughed heartily, "I'm the first to arrive again this year. Have those fellows met their demise? Haha, that would be for the best. It would spare me the trouble of lifting a finger and being accused of harming my fellow sect members!"

To him, it appeared as though the many disciples behind him were insignificant.

Before he could finish, two voices rang out from different directions simultaneously, "You're the one who's dead!"

From the west, a boy who resembled a toddler flew in on a sword. He was short and youthful in appearance, with a voice to match—childlike and somewhat squeaky. He wore a large red bib embroidered with three lotus flowers.

From the south, a black cloud approached, and from the east, a green cloud. Both descended to the front of the crowd. As the black and green clouds dissipated, they revealed a sinister-looking youth in black robes and a girl in green, as delicate as a newly bloomed lotus.

The crowd was immediately abuzz at the sight of these three, especially the disciples of the Alchemy Pavilion and the other factions, who were visibly excited.

These three individuals were the epitome of the three factions' most formidable combat power.

The boy was Wu Tianci, the leading figure of the Alchemy Pavilion. His mastery of the art of refining was nothing short of miraculous, and he was armed with numerous magical artifacts, making him incredibly difficult to defend against. The flying sword he rode was just one example.

The youth in black robes was He Qianhui, the top core disciple of the Alchemy Pavilion. His magical power was the most profound among the three, best described as inscrutable. He was also the elder brother of Hee Shuixian. Legend had it that the siblings had been orphans from a young age, surviving through years of hardship until they were taken under the wing of a master and admitted into the Longevity Academy.

Hee Shuixian was exceptionally gifted and had a natural aptitude for alchemy. Yet, Hee Qianhui was a notch above her in talent. Both shared a similar disposition, marked by a proud and aloof nature, and neither was fond of socializing.

The girl in green stood out among the disciples of the Hall of Virtue. Named Zhao Qingqing, she was rumored to be the granddaughter of an elder, granting her an unparalleled status and formidable strength that demanded respect.

Like Wang Xianzheng, these three had all advanced to the fourth level of the Arcane Awakening Realm, each condensing their Genuine Qi in a unique way.

"Wang Xianzheng, you haven't changed a bit, still as presumptuous as ever!" Zhao Qingqing declared, her voice ringing clear and pleasant.

"Yeah, and you're the one cursing others to death. You're the one who looks like a dead person!" Wu Tianci retorted in a whiny tone.

Hee Qianhui, however, remained silent.

Upon their arrival, Wang Xianzheng's face briefly betrayed his surprise before he burst into laughter. "So, you three have rushed over to vie for second place? With the competition this fierce, you'll really need to step up your game!"

"Pfft, as if a dog could spit out ivory. You only beat me last time because you got lucky. This time, I won't lose to you. I've recently crafted some new magical artifacts that will show you what I'm capable of!" Wu Tianci boasted, brandishing his tiny fist.

Amidst their verbal sparring, a commotion arose in the distance as a cluster of white clouds approached swiftly.

As the clouds dissipated, two figures were revealed: Li Tiancheng and Chen Lingxue.

"Brother Li, you seem quite taken with the ladies lately, always accompanied by one," Wang Xianzheng teased with a smirk, casting a significant look at Chen Lingxue. "But remember, not just anyone can stand here."

Chen Lingxue's cheeks flushed with a hint of red. Under Li Tiancheng's guidance, her cultivation had soared, reaching the peak of the Third Realm. Nevertheless, she still didn't have the standing to be among these elite individuals.

Li Tiancheng gently squeezed her hand and said, "Where I, Li Tiancheng, stand, there is a place for her. What's the matter? Is this land somehow marked with Brother Wang's name?"

Wang Xianzheng chuckled and replied, "Not at all. It's just that this woman is leveraging your connection to claim a spot that isn't hers, which is quite irksome to see. We cultivators strive to defy fate, not to bask in the shade of a great tree!"

Unable to contain herself any longer, Chen Lingxue retorted icily, "Wang Xianzheng, what do you have to gloat about? In this upcoming contest, Brother Tiancheng will surely teach you the meaning of defeat. Remember your words: if you lose, you'll bow to the Li family and become their servant!"

Wang Xianzheng's eyebrows shot up as he responded in a stern tone, "You dare speak to me in such a manner?" As he spoke, a burst of searing True Qi vibrated through the air, hurtling towards Chen Lingxue.

Li Tiancheng stepped protectively in front of her and with a wave of his hand, dispersed the True Qi, advising, "I suggest you show some restraint. It's rather unseemly to be knocked down before the competition has even begun."

Wu Tianci and the others were delighted to witness the confrontation, content to watch from the sidelines without intervening.

"Fine, let's put it to the test and see who ends up lying down first!" declared Wang Xianzhen, stepping forward, ready to engage.

Just then, the crowd was swept by a new wave of disturbance.

This time, no one soared through the air. Instead, the crowd parted naturally, creating a broad aisle for a slender figure in green, wearing a mask, to walk through.

He exuded no detectable magic or True Qi, appearing as an ordinary man with an exceptionally leisurely gait. It was as if he had come not for a significant contest but for a tranquil walk in the mountains, utterly at ease.

This man was none other than Liu Sansheng.

Upon seeing him, Wang Xianzhen instantly halted, falling silent.

Li Tiancheng, Wu Tianci, and the others also fixed their gaze on him, their faces etched with complexity, leaving one to wonder what thoughts were running through their minds.

Liu Sansheng walked past everyone as if they were invisible, making his way to the very front and taking a seat. He closed his eyes, seemingly to gather his energy.

His choice of seat was audaciously forward, flouting convention. No one else dared claim such a spot. Observing his solitary figure, one couldn't help but feel a profound sense of loneliness emanating from him.

Wang Xianzhen let out a cold snort, dismissing Lee Tiancheng entirely, his gaze fixed on Liu Sansheng, eyes blazing with an intense desire to battle.

Lee Tiancheng and the rest shared a similar sentiment.

A common thought crossed their minds: "Just how formidable is the legendary top contender of the Outer Sect? I'm eager to find out!"

Within half an hour, the elite of the Outer Sect had all made their appearance, including Liu Sansheng. The mood grew heavier, the whispers subsided, and a hush fell over the square.

Yet, most were thrilled. With such an array of talent present, they held no illusions about claiming the top spot for themselves, but that didn't dampen their eagerness for an enthralling spectacle.

"This year's Outer Sect Competition is bound to be the most thrilling yet. Who will emerge victorious?" someone murmured.

"It's likely to be Senior Brother Sansheng. He was the best in the Outer Sect a decade ago. It's hard to imagine how much stronger he is now!"

"That may not be the case. As the saying goes, new talents continuously emerge. He may have been the best ten years ago, but that doesn't guarantee his position today. Senior Brothers Xianzhen, Tiancheng, Qianhui—none of them are to be taken lightly."

The discussion grew more animated, with disciples around them joining in to share their views. Yet, one individual remained indifferent throughout.

That person was Lee Yi.

He wasn't concerned with who would ultimately claim the title. His goal was to defeat Lee Tiancheng and even Liu Sansheng. He aspired to overcome the top cultivators, those at the forefront of the crowd, to demonstrate his strength to everyone, particularly to those who had once scorned him.

And this very ambition signified that neither Lee Tiancheng nor anyone else stood a chance at winning the championship against him.