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The next morning, Nangong Wan arrived and responded to Zhang Shou's words.
Zhang Shoufeng said that if he secured the top position in the Outer Sect Disciple Outer Sect Competition, then the matter would be settled. However, if he tarnished the reputation of the Seven Star Sword Hall, there would be further discussions.
Upon hearing this, Xunuo quickly replied, "I will not disappoint Senior Brother's expectations."
Afterward, he went to Zhang Changzai to register and waited quietly for the Outer Sect Disciple Outer Sect Competition.
Before long, the day of the Outer Sect Disciple Outer Sect Competition arrived. This was also the annual grand event of Wuhua Sect.
For hundreds of years, Wuhua Sect had stood firm in the martial world of Great Liang Kingdom. The annual replenishment of Outer Sect Disciples was the foundation of the sect.
The sect leader and Hall Masters took their seats on the Arena. Five small Arenas, half a person high, were set up in front of the main Arena, making it much more grand than the monthly Outer Sect Disciples events. From their elevated positions, the sect leader and others could see all five areas below.
The list of participants and the order of opponents for each venue were posted in the Grand Arena. Xunuo glanced at it; there were over twelve hundred participants in total for the Outer Sect Competition. He found his name alongside Guo Shujiang's—he was scheduled to compete in Ring Three, fifth in line. Guo Shujiang was in Arena One, second in line.
Seeing Guo Shujiang's position was somewhat ahead, Xunuo couldn't help but worry for him. He thought to himself: As this fellow said, one can only do their best and leave the rest to fate. If no clues emerged from the first two matches, he wouldn't be able to help him.
When Xunuo arrived at Ring Three, he saw Liu Changqing standing there as well. He hurried over and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Liu Shixiong, what brings you here to watch these matches?"
Liu Changqing chuckled and replied, "I was entrusted by a few senior brothers to come and observe your performance."
Xunuo straightened his posture and said earnestly, "Thank you for your concern; I will not let everyone down this time."
Liu Changqing glanced at the Arena and remarked, "The sect leader and our master are also watching from above. If you can secure first place, you may have some requests to make to the sect."
Xunuo was taken aback. "Is there such a possibility? Why has no one mentioned this to me?"
Liu Changqing looked at Xunuo strangely and said, "This matter should only be discussed with someone who has a chance of winning. Who would have thought that my junior brother, after just one year of joining, would have a chance to win the Outer Sect Competition?"
Upon hearing this, Xunuo smiled in understanding.
Liu Changqing continued, "Lu Shidi, have you thought about what request you will make?"
Xunuo pondered for a moment, nodded at Liu Changqing but did not speak. Seeing this, Liu Changqing chose not to press further. The two stood quietly beneath the Arena, waiting for the gong to signal the start of the competition.
Xunuo understood Liu Changqing's intention behind the question, which was certainly directed at their senior brother, Zhang Shoufeng. As the top disciple of the Seven Star Sword Hall, it was inappropriate for him to stay down the mountain for too long. Moreover, he had disciples to teach, making it even more inconvenient for him to remain below.
Liu Changqing's visit was also meant to remind Xunuo of this. It made Xunuo recall what Zhang Shoufeng had said: if he secured first place in the Outer Sect Disciple Outer Sect Competition, then that matter would be settled.
There was significant meaning behind those words.
However, Xunuo harbored a personal motive. If Guo Shujiang failed to pass the Outer Sect Competition and enter the Inner Sect, he would need to apply his request to Guo Shujiang instead. As for Zhang Shoufeng, he could always ask the sect leader to let him take the blame in exchange for bringing his senior brother back.
Liu Changqing was unaware whether his junior brother had grasped his meaning. Noticing Xunuo deep in thought with his head bowed and brows furrowed, he felt it inappropriate to delve deeper into the topic.
At that moment, the gong sounded.
A middle-aged man in white stepped onto the Arena and explained some rules for the competition before stepping down and approaching Liu Changqing.
Then two white-clad disciples ascended the Arena and announced the list for the first match. They did not leave but instead stood on either side of the Arena.
Xunuo recalled hearing Guo Shujiang mention this before. The year-end Outer Sect Competition was unlike any ordinary monthly competition. Both sides would give their all in pursuit of their future; there would be no mercy shown. Injuries and broken bones were not uncommon.
The disciple overseeing the matches would not easily stop a duel even if someone appeared to be injured. He feared being accused of favoritism and causing trouble. Only if there was a genuine risk to life would he intervene to halt the match. The two standing on stage were there both to prevent any fatalities and to serve as witnesses, ensuring that if they saved someone's life, they wouldn't face legal repercussions later on.
The Middle-Aged Man in White cupped his hands toward Liu Changqing.
Before he could speak, Liu Changqing stepped forward and said, "Brother Qiao, thank you for your hard work."
The Middle-Aged Man in White smiled and replied, "I've gotten used to it. Unlike your Seven Star Sword Hall, I don't need to worry about these trivial matters every time."
Liu Changqing chuckled.
The Middle-Aged Man in White then cupped his hands toward Xunuo and said, "Lu Shidi, don't be too heavy-handed. This Outer Sect Competition hasn't resulted in any fatalities for several years."
Xunuo quickly cupped his hands and replied, "I've met Brother Qiao. I assure you I won't cause any trouble for you."
Liu Changqing introduced, "This is Senior Brother Qiao Qizheng from the Divine Blade Hall."
He pointed to Xunuo and added, "This junior brother of mine is quite well-known; it seems Brother Qiao has heard of him already."
Qiao Qizheng chuckled, "As long as Lu Shidi announces his name on stage, he could scare off the opponent without even needing to compete."
Xunuo quickly waved his hand in modesty.
However, Liu Changqing remarked softly from the side, "If he were to hold a grinding wheel or something similar in his hands, it would be even more impressive."
Hearing this, Qiao Qizheng burst into laughter.
While the three were conversing, two competitors on stage had already begun to clash fiercely, revealing a clear difference in strength. Neither of them was on the rankings, but their skill levels varied significantly. One was using Tongbi Fist while the other employed Flowing Cloud Fist. The one using Tongbi Fist was already at a disadvantage and was further countered by the Flowing Cloud Fist of his opponent. After a dozen exchanges, he could only defend himself. Struggling to hold on, he left an opening that his opponent seized upon and landed a palm strike to his ribs.
With that painful hit, his movements became awkward, leaving him even more exposed defensively. Seeing this opportunity, the opponent executed two swift moves before kicking the user of Tongbi Fist off the arena. The fallen competitor did not sustain serious injuries; he rolled over and got up to look at his opponent on stage before letting out a long sigh and leaving with heavy steps.
The disciple in white on stage announced the outcome of the match loudly before calling for the next competitor to step up for the second round.
Xunuo glanced at the second match and noticed a disciple ranked eighteenth on the leaderboard. He thought to himself that this was yet another match without suspense.
However, to his surprise, when the two sides clashed, they were evenly matched.
Xunuo stroked his chin thoughtfully: Could it be that this Arena is the one involved in cheating? If so, why hasn’t anyone tried to bribe him? After all, he was also on the leaderboard and had some value for bribery.
Upon further reflection, he realized that bribing these Outer Sect Disciples would only require a promise to allow them into a certain hall and to give them opportunities for advancement. As for himself, being a registered disciple of Tian Feiyu at the Seven Star Sword Hall, it would be difficult to entice him with ordinary benefits.
Suddenly, he slapped his forehead and thought: Why complicate things? He was just a disciple for a year; there was no possibility of bribery. He couldn’t afford to lose even one match. Since he was definitely excluded from the list of those who could be bribed, the outcome of this match would determine whether this Arena was indeed a place for cheating.
He quickly focused his attention back on the stage. At that moment, the disciple ranked eighteenth began to falter. After exchanging several blows, he was struck down from the Arena by a move called White Crane Spreads Its Wings. The fallen disciple didn’t say a word as he walked directly towards the Register area.
Xunuo felt more confident now and signaled to Chang Zai Shui at the sidelines. Understanding immediately, Chang Zai Shui dashed towards Arena One.
Xunuo had arranged for several disciples from the Seven Star Sword Hall to keep an eye on each Arena. He left Chang Zai Shui here to gather information from all the Arenas. Although Chang Zai Shui had leaked information about him at Broken Heart Cliff, preventing him from testing his famous sword, which made Xunuo resentful, he still found him clever and useful in this situation.
Meanwhile, Guo Shujiang was struggling in his Arena match. It wasn’t that his opponent was too strong; rather, they were too weak. When Guo Shujiang arrived at the Training Ground and saw he was scheduled to be second in line, he felt disheartened. With hundreds of matches taking place in one Arena, it was unfortunate that he was among the first to compete; his plans were falling apart. If he couldn’t figure out which Arena was cheating, it would be better to stay in this one.
Despite having calculated this for so long, Guo Shujiang was unwilling to give up or leave his fate uncertain. He continued to exert himself in the Arena, maintaining an even balance without letting others see that he wasn’t giving it his all—this was more challenging than defeating his opponent. He only hoped to receive news from Xunuo.
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