After stabilizing my breakthrough and drawing in my first strand of Qi, I made my way back to the sect.
The familiar stone paths, the bustling markets, the sea of disciples moving from one hall to another—it all felt different now. I wasn't the same boy who first arrived here. My foundation had solidified. My body had been tempered through blood and battle, and now the Qi within me was stirring.
As I passed through the outer sect square, I caught whispers among groups of disciples.
> "Did you hear? The sect is organizing a competition soon—only for those still in the Body Tempering stage."
> "The winner can earn spirit stones, cultivation resources, and even a chance to receive direct guidance from an inner sect elder!"
> "Not just that. The top five will also be eligible to enter the sect's special training grounds for a month!"
My heart skipped.
A competition… one I was eligible for.
The conversations grew louder as I walked, eventually leading me toward the announcement board in front of the Mission Hall.
There it was—a fresh parchment, sealed with the mark of the sect.
📜 Outer Sect Body Tempering Competition
Participants: All outer sect disciples who have yet to step into Qi Condensation.
Format: Arena duels.
Rewards:
1st Place: 200 Spirit Stones, one mid-grade Body Refining Pill, a personal session with Elder Wu.
2nd Place: 100 Spirit Stones, one low-grade Body Refining Pill.
3rd Place: 50 Spirit Stones.
Top 5: Entry to the sect's special training grounds.
Location: Sect Arena.
Date: Five days from now.
Li Shen appeared beside me, reading over my shoulder. "You're going to enter, aren't you?"
I smirked. "Of course. How could I miss this?"
His expression was firm. "Me too. But you better not hold back just because we're friends."
"Same to you."
A competition among body refiners… this would be my chance to test my progress, to fight openly, to prove myself—and to earn the resources I needed to push further on my path.
I clenched my fists, feeling the solid weight of my strength, the faint circulation of Qi within me, and the promise of the Void Qi Sutra.
> Let's see what the outer sect really has to offer.