"Little Yan Zi, where there are people, there will be conflict. Haven't you understood that during these three years?"
As if sensing Xiao Yan's thoughts, Yao Lao's voice echoed in his mind.
Xiao Yan immediately recalled the disdainful looks he had received over the past three years, along with the inconsistent attitudes and behaviors of the elders.
Although they were all surnamed Xiao and were family, there was still scheming and rivalry among them.
Since the Cloud Mist Sect was so large and a sect organization, such conflicts were completely normal.
"But Sect Leader Yun is a Dou Emperor," Xiao Yan couldn't understand where Yun Leng found such confidence.
"So what?" Yao Lao chuckled lightly. "They aren't enemies, merely competing for power within the rules. Yun Yun isn't the tyrannical type. Considering the overall interests of the sect, she naturally has to make compromises."
Xiao Yan couldn't help but think of his own father, who was stronger than all three elders combined and was the clan leader.
Yet he couldn't just teach the three elders a lesson or execute them to enforce his absolute authority.
When one's strength isn't sufficient to set the rules, one must play by the existing rules.
Xiao Yan gained further insights into the ways of survival on the Dou Qi Continent.
"Both the sect leader and Second Elder have their favored disciples. Why don't we add some stakes to make it more interesting?"
No one knew about Xiao Yan and Yao Chen's conversation when Yun Leng suddenly proposed: "This old man will offer a Grade Four Pill Wind Extreme Pill as a reward for the outer sect competition champion."
"What does Sect Leader think?" Yun Sheng indicated he would follow Yun Yun's opinion.
But since Great Elder Yun Leng had already made a gesture to support talented disciples, Yun Yun couldn't pretend not to notice.
"Then I, as sect leader, will offer a Two-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill." Yun Yun flicked her finger and retrieved a box from her Storage Ring.
Inside the box was precisely a top-grade Grade Four Pill—the Two-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill.
If consumed by a Dou Master, it could increase breakthrough probability by fifty percent. For Dou Grand Masters, there was a high chance of directly increasing two stars in cultivation.
The moment this pill appeared, many Dou Grand Masters and even Dou Spirits present revealed covetous gazes.
After all, it was even more precious than some Grade Five Pills.
"The Two-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill requires two types of flames for refinement. Even I wouldn't dare attempt it lightly," said Fa Ma, the Grade Five Alchemist. "Sect Leader Yun's pill must be from Pill King Gu He, right?"
"Indeed, it was refined by Elder Gu He," Yun Yun didn't deny it. The relationship between Cloud Mist Sect and Gu He was also one of their strengths. "Recently, we discovered a location with Earth Fire, and Elder Gu He possesses Beast Fire, so..."
Yun Yun suddenly thought of Gu Han's face, a slight smile appearing at the corner of her eyes. "He fortunately succeeded in refining this Two-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill for me."
Upon hearing this, everyone expressed admiration and praised Gu He, who wasn't present.
They had to praise him—after all, Gu He might not remember who praised him, but he would certainly know who didn't.
"Teacher, what is Beast Fire?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.
"It comes from high-level magical beasts..." Yao Lao began to explain, then added, "When you reach Dou Fighter level, I'll probably help you find a Beast Fire to refine first."
"Teacher, you're truly my second parent, you're my..." Xiao Yan immediately showered him with flattery.
Cloud Mist Sect's Second Elder Yun Sheng looked at the pill Yun Yun had produced, feeling ecstatic inside.
In his view, this pill was certain to be won by his younger son.
He planned to let his elder son use it first, which would then allow him to reach the peak of Dou Grand Master.
"The Sect Master truly lives up to the title, sparing no effort in nurturing the sect's disciples. Although I cannot match the Sect Master's wealth and generosity, I too wish to contribute to the development of our disciples." As Yun Sheng spoke, he drew a longsword from his storage ring.
"This sword was commissioned from a master craftsman, forged using the fangs of a fifth-rank Magical Beast and Extraterrestrial Cold Iron. It cuts through iron as if through mud and can pierce the Dou Qi Armor of a Dou Grand Master. When channeling Sword Qi, it provides additional effect amplification."
"I offer this as a reward for the first-place disciple."
Hiss!
The invited spectators present, along with some elders and deacons of the Cloud Mist Sect, were astonished by Yun Sheng's lavish gesture.
Combined with the benefits the first-place outer sect disciple would already receive, this surpassed even what the first-place inner sect disciples had received in previous years.
"Excellent, let us see who will claim the championship," Yun Yun said with a faint smile, showing no particular concern.
In her heart, she was confident that Gu Han would win, which was why she had offered the Two-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill. But even if the outcome proved otherwise, she would feel nothing, as it would still enhance the strength of an outstanding Cloud Mist Sect disciple.
"The time has come. The Outer Sect Disciple Competition begins now."
"Being forced off the platform, conceding defeat, or losing combat capability all count as defeat."
"When sparring with fellow disciples, stop at the appropriate point. Taking a life is forbidden, otherwise you will be expelled from the sect."
The elder presiding over the Outer Sect Disciple Competition announced the rules before arranging the matches.
The main hall was divided into ten areas, each featuring a raised jade platform thirty zhang in diameter and one zhang high.
Seventy-nine disciples had registered for this competition. They were first divided into ten groups for preliminary matches.
Each platform would produce two advancing disciples who would then compete on the main stage to determine the top twenty rankings.
The first to tenth places would be assigned to the first through tenth platforms in order.
As the current provisional top-ranked inner sect disciple, Yun Lange received a bye in the first round.
Gu Han was randomly assigned to the tenth platform. Since he had not yet arrived, Nalan Yanran drew lots on his behalf.
"Platform ten, position two?"
Nalan Yanran's expression shifted slightly.
Once the competition order was set, it could not be changed.
If Gu Han failed to arrive within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn after the referee announced the match start, he would be considered to have forfeited and disqualified.
"Could we redraw?" Nalan Yanran asked the deacon in charge of the draw. "Gu Han hasn't returned to the sect yet, but he sent a carrier pigeon yesterday saying he could make it for the competition. He shouldn't be much longer."
"This..." The outer sect deacon hesitated.
If anyone else had made this request, he would have refused outright. But facing the Young Sect Master, he considered whether to make an exception.
Besides, Gu Han was a talented disciple worth cultivating goodwill with.
"I object," said Nie Tianquan, who had drawn position one on platform ten, his eyes glinting. "Whoever you draw as your opponent should remain your opponent. That shouldn't be changed."
As one of Yun Lange's followers, he was naturally opposed to Gu Han.
Winning a match by default and waiting refreshed for the next round gave him a real chance to break into the top twenty and receive sect rewards.
"How can you..." Nalan Yanran started to argue.
But the deacon spoke first: "Don't worry, I won't change your opponent. I'll just schedule him for the fourth and final match on the platform. Changing the match order is within my authority."
Nie Tianquan: "..."
Better to draw again. If Gu Han returns, he definitely won't be his match.
Nie Tianquan wanted to take back his words, but at that moment, the cry of a Blue Eagle echoed from the sky.
Many people looked up and saw a large blue light spot circling within the clouds.
The next moment, a figure descended from that light spot, quickly becoming clear, and in the blink of an eye, landed on the Cloud Mist Sect's plaza.
"Flight Fighting Skill—Gu Han!"
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