Chapter 108: The Contest Begins

The shop gradually became deserted as the evening wore on.

The first round of cultivators had hoarded a month's worth of Huazi and temporarily had no need to purchase more. However, the news would soon spread, and more people would come to buy.

Perhaps even the Sect Elders would come to make purchases in large quantities.

Li Xiaobai was getting ready to close the shop when several figures appeared, flashing inside.

The leader was none other than Sixth Senior Brother Liu Jinshui, "Junior Brother, we came to see you!"

"Junior Brother's Disguise Technique is truly exquisite; even I couldn't recognize you, and your whole demeanor has changed. It's just that your face is too handsome, which easily draws attention," Second Senior Sister Ye Wushuang said.

"Indeed, Junior Brother, when roaming the world, the least necessary thing is a handsome face. Look at your Senior Brother, I specifically made my handsome face incredibly plain to keep a low profile. In this regard, you still need to learn a lot."

Fourth Senior Brother Yang Chen also nodded in agreement.

"We were able to break through thanks to Junior Brother's Dragon Serpent Fruits. After consuming one, the effects were immediate."

"Yes, my foundation has also become much more solid, in no way inferior to disciples of the great sects."

Talking about the Dragon Serpent Fruit, everyone's faces were filled with smiles, selectively ignoring the memories of tricking Li Xiaobai.

"Junior Brother, we should set up a bathhouse to soak in; the original water has gone stale," a female cultivator with an unfamiliar appearance said, her voice suggesting that she was the Eldest Senior Sister.

All six had disguised themselves and looked completely different, very low-profile, to the point that they'd be unrecognizable in a crowd.

"Senior Brothers and Sisters, draw a Huazi!"

Li Xiaobai chuckled, promptly offering each of them a Huazi. Clouds of smoke filled the room, and relaxed expressions emerged on their faces.

"Junior Brother, you actually have such good stuff!"

"Exactly, you should have brought it out earlier. This is way more effective than a bath, though it lasts far too short," another said.

"Senior Brothers and Sisters, did you come over specially tonight to discuss something?" asked Li Xiaobai.

"Indeed, we almost forgot the main issue. In two days, it's time for the competition. This platform is different from the others; there will be a number of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators. Junior Brother must be fully prepared," Su Yunbing said.

"Sixth Senior Brother has already reminded me about it," Li Xiaobai said.

"Hmm, what we want to discuss is another matter. You must be aware, the Secret Realm is about to open. You must break into the top one hundred to become a disciple of the Holy Demon Sect, only then will you have the opportunity to compete for a spot to enter the Secret Realm."

"I understand, Senior Brother," Li Xiaobai nodded seriously. Entering the Secret Realm was crucial for him to enhance his defensive power; without fortuitous encounters, increasing strength would be too slow.

"This Secret Realm is left by the Confucianism Master Beichen Feng, and the treasures within it are sure to be innumerable. It will be a chance for us, brothers, to firmly swindle the other cultivators, teaching those arrogant fools a lesson!"

Liu Jinshui's eyes glinted fiercely, radiating killing intent, suggesting he had been greatly aggrieved recently.

"That's right, that's enough talk for now. Junior Brother, we'll see you at the grand competition," he added.

After giving a few instructions, the group departed, their figures blurring and disappearing from sight in an instant.

...

The next morning, Li Xiaobai returned to his mountain peak.

No one else came to cause trouble, and the menial disciples continued to look frightened and apprehensive.

Ergouzi and Ji Wuqing roamed the mountain incessantly. Having consumed the Good-Evil Pills, one was set on doing good deeds all over, while the other was filled with thoughts of causing mischief, turning the mountain into a scene of chaos.

Yuan Fang came to report on some matters concerning the mountain, mostly trivial issues. He clearly regarded himself as the boss.

Li Xiaobai was helpless. That day, he did not leave the mountain and all was peaceful.

He took out the remaining Demonic Beast materials from his Space Ring. Inside the ring, there was still a sizable number of Demonic Beast inner cores. Even though they were all at the Golden Core Stage, their sheer number could add a significant amount of Attribute Points.

Swallowing them one by one, his Attribute Points began to climb rapidly.

[Attribute Point +200…]

[Attribute Points +600…]

[Attribute Points +1000…]

[Attribute Points: 12000.]

Put all points in defense.

[Defensive Power: Indestructible Golden Body Seventh Turn (17000/70000) Can advance.]

The distance to the next level was still quite far.

…

Time flew by, and the day of the competition arrived.

Numerous cultivators gathered and hurried to the arena; no one dared to slack off for today's contest.

Li Xiaobai led many cultivators down the mountain. Their team, mighty and vast, advanced toward the sect's central arena, forming a unique scene.

Atop the high platform, a few Sect Elders, including the Great Elder, assembled, waiting quietly for the disciples to arrive.

"I wonder what the Sect Leader is thinking, exchanging more than a third of the cultivators in the advanced disciples."

"Yes, the opening of the Secret Realm is an opportunity for our Northern Region. Yet these scions of great powers also wish to join in, showing utter disrespect."

"The Sect Leader probably wants to do those old fellows a favor…"

"He knows how to conduct himself; Feng Qingyang, don't you know any insider information?"

"Cough cough, I naturally have no clue about the Sect Leader's thoughts. Perhaps the Sect Leader wants to use these Sect Disciples to temper our Holy Demon Sect's disciples. Let our disciples see what true scions are like so they'll have more motivation in their future cultivation."

Feng Qingyang felt somewhat embarrassed, for he certainly knew the Sect Leader's purpose, but of course, he wouldn't say it here; after all, not every Elder was of one mind with the Sect Leader.

Recently, an Outer Sect Elder seemed to have close ties with an Evil Cultivator.

"Heh, all nonsense. Which family's disciples do you fancy? Want to open a bet?"

"One high-grade Magic Treasure, I bet on the victory of Miss Qin from the Qin Family."

"Heh, I'm betting on a few baldies from the Western Region…"

"Elder Feng, who do you fancy?"

"Heh heh, well, there's a young genius I have my eye on named Ye Liangchen."

Feng Qingyang remembered the conversation he had with the Supreme Elders a few days ago and couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

These ancient Qi Cultivators, achieving sainthood with their flesh, I really want to see how far this kid can go.

As he was lost in thought, a troop of about two hundred cultivators with a menacing aura marched into the arena.

The surrounding cultivators stepped aside in shock, their hearts filled with astonishment. Who was this big shot who came in a group, and such a large one at that!

Cultivators whispered and turned their heads to look.

"Which family's scion is this; do you recognize them?"

"Don't recognize them; there must be around two hundred of them, right!"

"Yeah, two hundred people; surely, they can't all be geniuses, can they?"

"That's too terrifying!"

The cultivators following Li Xiaobai strutted proudly. Following Brother Ruthless, they had regained their confidence. Regardless of the outcome of the competition, at least at that moment, they were feared and respected.

This feeling of having a backbone was truly wonderful!

On the high platform, Feng Qingyang stood up and lightly swept his gaze over everyone.

"Since everyone has arrived, let's begin…"