Outer Court Competition

"Yes his progress is truly astounding"

"Any news on the competition?"

"I don't think he knows. But he's young and eager so it won't be a surprise if he does"

"Hm, continue to monitor him"

"Yes!"

Elder Shui left the ever so lavish building where the Grand Elders reside and flew back to his abode. He had just given his report on Outer Disciple Bai Hu and even he was surprised.

Bai Hu's progress is astoundingly fast and very few people could possibly match his cultivation speed. Though he has slowed down now that he has reached the fourth level of qi refinement, he still managed to do that in just 2 short months. He didn't see him sense qi but felt the undulations in the area and couldn't help but feel envious.

Support from a Rising Disciple, taken in by a knowledgeable master. These were the things that allowed him to cultivate so quickly, not to mention the fact that he isn't even 14 yet.

He sighed and lamented about how old he had gotten, sending out a message jade before returning to his abode.

…

"Outer Court Competition?"

"Yes! It's the most important competition for outer court disciples that only happens every 5 years!"

"Why is that?"

Bai Hu was currently walking towards the Retrieval Hall where disciples go to collect their monthly rations with a friend he had made.

Long Sun, a 17 year old young man at the seventh level of qi refinement. He had a tall frame and a streak of red hair could be seen contrasting the rest of his black hair. He was the kind of person to stand out in a crowd, and was a battle fanatic.

They met coincidentally and became friends after a few exchanges despite their age difference.

"This competition determines the amount of resources you would receive each month, and the top ten can have a chance to enter the inner court"

"A chance? Does that mean they have to take another test?"

"Well of course! This isn't the inner disciple competition that will only happen in 3 more years. But still, many partake in this competition that will happen in 4 months in hopes of getting more resources and join the inner court, no matter how slight that chance is"

"Say, what are my chances if I were to join the competition?"

Long Sun put on a serious expression and looked down at Bai Hu. He held up one finger. Bai Hu looked at him with a disbelieving look.

"Only 1 percent?"

"Nope"

"10?"

"Nope"

"Then what is it!?"

He grinned, "1 more cannon fodder"

"Fuck you"

They continued walking towards the Retrieval Hall.

"Truth to be told, even I don't have a high chance of getting into the top 10. There are those at the ninth level of qi refinement and even some at the tenth level. They are powerful seniors who are older and have richer battle experience"

They stepped foot into a tall building that was decorated with antique marble statues. A small line of people could be seen waiting while yellow robed workers handed them a spatial pouch.

They stepped on line and waited quietly for their turn. After a short few minutes, it was finally their turn.

A yellow robed worker stepped forward, "I require your identification badge"

Bai Hu flicked his hand and a white jade badge flew out. The yellow robed man took a look at the name on the badge and his attitude instantly became many times more respectful.

"So it's Outer Court Disciple Bai, I've been instructed by Elder Shui to personally bring your stuff. Please wait here a bit"

"Huh?"

Long Sun looked at Bai Hu and then at the worker. He then wrapped his arm around Bai Hu's neck and whispered.

"Hey! You didn't tell me that you had a connection with an elder!"

"Hehehe, I wouldn't call it that. It's just that my situation is quite special"

The yellow robed man came back holding a budging spatial pouch in his hands. He handed it over to Bai Hu who looked inside. Inside was a 10 cubic meter space that was filled with spirit stones and pill bottles.

"200 spirit stones, 8 bottles of fasting pills, and 4 bottles of qi refining pills"

After seeing that everything was in place, he bid Long Sun farewell and went to the sect market, the one that is not regulated by the sect. He walked into a plaza with many stalls set up, each selling different treasures.

A few people were wearing masks so as to not get identified and even some of the stall owners were also wearing masks. These people most likely have a prominent background or the items they had were obtained through shady means.

Bai Hu was mainly paying attention to stalls selling books or unique treasures. A sign on the ground caught his eye.

"Selling a Black ranked cultivation art. Only items of the water attribute are accepted"

A small crowd had already gathered and Bai Hu forcefully pushed his small frame through. A man walked past him angrily, most likely having failed his negotiations.

On the floor was a black robed man wearing a black skull mask. In front of him was a single item, a leather bound book that read 'Thousand Soulspirit Art' on its cover.

His heart skipped a beat as soon as Bai Hu saw that book. He quickly stated his price.

"I'll offer water attributed spirit stones for that book"

As soon as the disguised man heard 'water attributed spirit stones' he perked up with attention. He spoke in a rough voice laced with hurry.

"How many do you have? I require 10 water attributed spirit stones for this book"

A person in the crowd heckled "You might as well ask for 1000 spirit stones then!"

The man shot the speaker a glare filled with killing intent, effectively shutting him and everyone else at the scene up. His cultivation base at the peak of qi refinement was nothing to scoff at and even Bai Hu felt the pressure increase.

"I have 10 water spirit stones, though first I want to verify the authenticity of that book"

He flashed his spatial pouch and the man saw that there were indeed water spirit stones inside. He nodded his head after quickly sensing Bai Hu's meager cultivation base.

Bai Hu picked up the book and with his extensive knowledge obtained from harsh training, he was able to quickly verify that the technique was real and untampered. In a hurry, he took out 10 water spirit stones from his pouch and stored the book after receiving an affirmative nod from the robed man.

The crowd quickly dispersed after seeing that there was nothing to see and even the man decided to leave. Before he could however, Bai Hu called out to him.

"Wait!"

He stopped and turned to look at the boy who was able to casually bring out 10 attributed spirit stones.

"I have a few more water attributed spirit stones and was wondering if you possess anything on this list. If you do, I'll be more than willing to trade again"

The man took the piece of paper and looked through it. After a while, an ecstatic expression appeared behind his mask, though Bai Hu was unable to see that.

"Yes! I happen to come across a few spirit stones of varying attributes. How about we trade 1 for 1?"

"Alright"

One by one, they each took out a spirit stone at the same time and traded hands. They had made sure to go into a secluded alley as exchanging elemental spirit stones in the open without sufficient power is akin to suicide. After a short few minutes, Bai Hu emerged with a satisfied expression on his face.

"With the remaining water spirit stones, I managed to get 6 metal spirit stones, 5 earth spirit stones, 2 lightning spirit stones and 2 wind spirit stones. That person must mainly cultivate water and is quite rich to have brought out rare spirit stones like lightning and wind"

He walked back and called for a kind senior who would be willing to bring him back to Thunderwind Peak free of charge. His good mood continued until he reached the secret abode. He stopped and pondered about the mysterious robed man.

"Spirit stones are useful for many reasons, but that man was at the peak of qi refinement, what if..."

His expression changed again, "What if he's using it to break through? As long as he is a part of the outer court, he should be participating in the competition with his high cultivation base. But if he breaks into Foundation Establishment, wouldn't he dominate the stage?"

After standing there for a few more minutes, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Eh, that's not my problem. Even if I do badly in the competition nothing will happen to me due to my age. Guess if I'm right then the rest of my seniors sure are unlucky. Or maybe I was just being paranoid"

Unbeknownst to Bai Hu, he was right on with his prediction but wouldn't realize even when the competition comes. All he could do now was cultivate and check out his newly bought cultivation art.