And It Begins

The Purple Raven Sect was incredibly vast and was bustling with Disciples. But now that The Competition between the elders was underway things were even more frantic. As Lin Tao and the others walked, they saw groups of Disciple's making their way toward where the competition would take place.

It was a massive arena, near the north side of the sect. It was normally used for mass training sessions or for Disciples to duel while others could watch and learn. Of course, now it has been completely cleaned and organized for this event.

"Looks like a lot of people are going to be watching this." Hearing Lin Tao, Feng Mu nodded.

"Of course, this is the one time the most talented Outer Disciples will gather together. Not only that but they will be showing off their techniques and offering pointers. It's a big opportunity for anyone who's hit a bottleneck and can't progress." Lin Tao gave a look of understanding as Lai Mai cut in.

"But all of that is secondary to those participating. The most important things are the rewards and the chance of being promoted to an Inner Disciple. For that, those participating under the Elder's will be giving it their all." Thinking about it, Lai Mai couldn't help but give Lin Tao another warning.

"I know your strong Wukong, but these competitions can get pretty serious. Last time Ye Men broke two of his limbs and fractured his ribs." For Cultivators stuff like broken limbs and fractures, 's were serious, yet hardly life-threatening. But still, it didn't mean that it was any less painful. Ye Men was forced to recover for weeks on end.

"I told you I'll be fine, you worry too much." All of them could only look at Lin Tao and sigh. All three of them felt he was underestimating the competition. Soon the four of them all arrived at the Arena. It was massive, towering hundreds if not over a thousand feet tall. Although The Purple Raven Sect wasn't extremely wealthy, they clearly put a lot into this building.

Two large open entrances on either side granted entry into a massive chamber. Two giant lanterns hung from the ceiling along with a massive sunroof. Over ten massive purple and black pillars separated sections of the sitting area which stretched around the entire circumference. There were even two massive drum's on either side of the arena in the very center.

Lin Tao was utterly amazed at how much effort had to be put into it.

"You four have arrived early I see." The four of them turned and spotted Elder Cao. Lai Mai, Ye Men, and Feng Mu respectfully bowed upon his arrival while Lin Tao gave him a nod.

"I have to admit this place is bigger than I thought it would be. The arena alone has to be over a hundred meters wide." Elder Cao seemed to take Lin Tao's praise of the arena in stride, nodding while stroking his beard.

"Indeed, our Purple Raven Sect does not have many buildings as grand as this. But we make sure to keep them in perfect condition, they are our pride."

"Yes and I must thank you Wukong. I was worried Elder Cao wouldn't have a chance to participate in this competition due to my mistake. We appreciate your help immensely." Hearing Ye Men, Lin Tao was about to respond to him when all of them heard yet another old voice. Turning they saw an old woman dressed similarly to Elder Cao but colored gray.

"Elder Jin, you're here early as well?" Elder Cao's tone shifted, it was friendly still but there was a clear harshness to it. Elder Jin's eyes shifted a bit as she nodded. Walking next to her was a young man. He was an Outer Disciple but he had a different air to him. His black hair flowed down to his shoulders and he had an extremely sharp gaze.

Not only that but his Outer Disciple garments were custom made resembling his master's in color.

"Indeed I wanted my student, Shi Yi, to have a look at his opponents before things went underway." Shi Yi's eyes flew across everyone there, as Lin Tao sensed his Profound Energy. He was in the Spirit Profound Realm, but he was in the Eighth Stage bordering the ninth. That was extremely impressive for an Outer Disciple.

His eyes seemed to stop on Lin Tao as he frowned slightly. He couldn't sense this person's Profound Energy or anything at all. It was like his body had a wall around it blocking his senses entirely.

"And who is this?" Elder Jin noticed Lin Tao as Elder Cao answered.

"This is Sun Wukong, he'll be replacing Ye Men as my representative. He's temporarily staying within our Purple Raven Sect as a guest." Hearing that Elder Jin showed a look of recognition.

"So this is the one who's living in that old house now? Interestingly I can't sense any Profound Energy from him. Are you sure that participating is a good idea? Especially considering he isn't an official disciple of our sect." Elder Cao's face twitched a bit as he laughed.

"No worries, I've already dealt with any potential issues. And I assure you he's more than capable of handling himself." Elder Jin narrowed her eyes before nodding.

"Well, I suppose we will just have to see. Come, Shi Yi." With that Elder Jin left, the atmosphere had clearly become a lot more competitive. After Elder Jin had left, Elder Cao turned to the four of them.

"Junior Wukong, for now, you should stick to my side. The three of you should get to your seats." Ye Men and the others nodded, wishing Lin Tao luck before heading off. At the same time, Lin Tao went with Elder Cao, towards the Elder's seating area.

Slowly the building got more and more full, as seats were taken up left and right. On Top of that more Elders began to arrive by the hour along with their disciples. Some of them gave greetings to Elder Cao and Elder Jin, while others remained silent and simply took their seats. Their disciple's on the other hand all sized one another up.

"Who is that?" An Elder's disciple looked at Lin Tao strangely.

"I'm not exactly sure, apparently he's replacing Ye Men though."

"Apparently he's quite strong. Rumors about him defeating a Profound Beast at the 7th Stage Spirit Profound Realm have spread but not much else is known about him. It's strange I can't sense his Profound Energy though…"

"Hmph, whatever the case I still can't believe they're letting an outsider compete in our Purple Raven Sect's competition." Some of them resonated with this, glaring at Lin Tao. Feeling their looks Lin Tao looked back at them, but only smirked.

He had been a bit eager to test out exactly where he stands in terms of power. This was the perfect opportunity to do so. After another half, an hour two largely built Outer Disciple's banged on the drums announcing the start of the competition. Once it did, the Outer Sect Disciplinary Elder went on stage.

"Now that all of the elders and their students have arrived. We shall officially begin the first stage of the competition. First, up will be Elder Gu's student Dai Qing." Elder Gu had a smile on his face as he gestured to the person next to him. A Young Man jumped onto the stage with a confident look on his face.

A sword hung from his side as his robes fluttered in the air. Upon landing the Profound Energy from a Peak 8th Stage Spirit Profound Cultivator revealed itself. To the Outer Disciple's watching they couldn't help but be in awe. An 8th Stage Spirit Profound Cultivator was just incredible to them, especially at Dai Qing's age.

The Disciplinary Elder on the stage looked towards the audience of Outer Disciples.

"Now then we need ten of you to volunteer. Which of you would like to spar against Dai Qing?" The Outer Disciple's in the crowd all looked at one another. Everyone seemed nervous to go on stage, almost hesitant to the point it took a few minutes before ten people volunteered. Their Cultivation ranged between the 3rd and 6th Stages of Spirit Profound Realm.

"I hope Senior Qing will be gentle with us." All of them gave a courteous bow making Dai Qing grin, nodding his head.

"Of course. Don't worry, I'll be holding back." The Ten Outer Disciples did not feel saved by his words at all. In the crowd, Lai Mai and Feng Mu had annoyed expressions on their faces.

"He says that but every year he causes more injuries than anyone else…"

"If it wasn't for him, my Senior Brother wouldn't have been injured so badly." In truth last year Ye Men got to the last section of the competition without issue or injury. But when he went up against Dai Qing the latter purposely injured Ye Men beyond what was necessary. Just thinking about it made the two of them angry.

Even Ye Men who was usually quite calm had a sour look. Lin Tao was watching closely under Elder Cao's request as everything officially began. The Ten Outer Disciple's didn't all have weapons, some of them used their fist, while others had swords and spears. Their Profound Energy erupted from their bodies as they charged in all seriousness.

Each of them unleashed Profound Techniques ripping through the air in front of them. Profound Energy went wild as it flew towards Dai Wing obscuring his view entirely. Dai Qing's grin dimmed a bit as his own Profound Energy burst forth. Drawing his sword he charged directly at their attack.

Seeing this the Disciplinary Elder shook his head slightly.

"He's talented but he's still too overconfident." An 8th Stage Cultivator would have no issue against more than two stages under them. But Dai Qing had a serious case of overconfidence. Looking from above Lin Tao's eyes could see the flow of his Profound Energy clearly. He could only sigh as he watched thing's play out.

Dai Qing launched his attack, clashing with the attack from the Ten Outer Disciples. A large explosion occurred sending a shockwave of air through the chamber as the arena shook. The stronger ones out of the Ten Outer Disciple's were sent skating back a few meters, while the weaker ones were sent back a dozen or so.

On the other hand, Dai Qing was sent flying over twenty meters away before landing on his feet. His expression was dark as he felt his internal organs shifting from the strike. At the same time, his hands were trembling like a leaf. Seeing this Lin Tao spoke quietly to himself, almost unconsciously.

"He had barely protected his upper torso or forearms, he's lucky he didn't break anything." Elder Cao looked a bit surprised hearing Lin Tao say that.

"You could tell what area of his body his Profound Energy was guarding in that exchange?" Lin Tao listened before nodding. It had happened pretty fast, but his senses had improved immensely. He could not only see that entire engagement as it had happened frame by frame, but he could analyze it as well.

That left Elder Cao more surprised than anything. Lin Tao only had the capabilities of a 7th Stage Spirit Profound Realm Cultivator after all. Even an 8th Stage would have issue's looking into details that closely in such a brief and chaotic exchange.

Back in the arena, Dai Qing slowly stood up straight with his eye is having a different look in them. The Ten Outer Disciple didn't notice this as they wanted to keep their advantage. Rushing in all of them dashed surrounding Dai Qing entirely. Despite not being an official team they move like blurs closing in on him.

Dai Qing grit his teeth as he locked onto one of them. His sword was like an arrow and cut through the air in a matter of seconds. He slashed out towards a 5th Stage Spirit Profound Realm Outer Disciple. Their eyes widened as they raised their weapon to block. But the force from the attack was insane.

He immediately felt his entire body quiver as he was sent flying hundreds of feet into the air like a kite. Blood erupted from his mouth before he hit the ground outside of the arena.

"Isn't he… Going a bit too far?"

"Ya, this is supposed to be a spar right?"

"Dai Qing always does this even though last year he got a warning for being too brutal."

The Outer Disciple's watching as the crowd couldn't help but comment on his behavior. He wasn't holding back nearly enough. How was he supposed to give feedback if he simply got rid of them all in one attack?

"That bastard, he's doing it again!" Feng Mu cursed as he watched the Outer Disciple who had got launched lie there groaning in pain. Dai Qing might have just broken every bone in his arms. When the remaining Nine Outer Disciple's saw this they felt their bodies go stiff briefly. But Dai Qing didn't hesitate, quickly charging at them.

Watching Lin Tao couldn't help but feel sorry for them. None of them even wanted to get on stage and now they were paying the price for his arrogance. Dai Qing's Elder couldn't help but frown at seeing such a display. They didn't care if Dai Qing hurt those Outer Disciples, but he's making it too obvious he's letting his emotions cloud his judgment.

"How embarrassing."

"What an idiot…"

Even the Elder's students couldn't help but shake their heads. By the time Dai Qing was done, half of the Outer Disciple's had been pretty badly injured. And of course, his advice to them was just as bad as their conditions. To sum it up he gave them the most basic and critical answers possible.

You should have done this instead. Or you should have all attacked like this together instead of spreading out. Of course, all of his 'advice' was absolutely useless considering he wouldn't have been holding back at all. But despite all of that, he still somehow managed to leave the stage with a smirk on his face.

Having the gall to smile after such a display, even Lin Tao had to give him prompts.

'Only someone truly special could have skin that thick.'