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墨書 Inktalez
The next day, a messenger from Qingyuan Peak arrived to summon them. By the time Qi Xiao arrived, many of the direct disciples had already gathered in the hall.
"Hey, have you heard? This trial is being led by the Sect Master himself! It's been eighty years since the Xiaoyao Sect has had such an opportunity. The place we are going to must be extraordinary; we are truly lucky to be part of this."
"Shh, keep your voice down. Just because you know doesn’t mean everyone else does."
"With how much importance the Sect Master and the Elders are placing on this, anyone with eyes can see that this trial is special. Who wouldn’t want to go?"
"But whether we can go or not is still uncertain."
"There aren't many opportunities, but there are plenty of disciples."
Many Elders were eager to take all their direct disciples along. After all, this was an ancient battlefield! If they were to obtain any immortal techniques or legacies, it would be a leap into greatness!
However, while this secret realm offered chances, it also posed dangers. With so many disciples, if risks arose, it would be hard to ensure everyone's safety.
Fan Wuyou paced back and forth before finally saying, "I know you all are anxious, but having too many people isn’t advisable. After much thought, I believe a lottery would be fairer."
A young man in a green robe stepped forward slightly and respectfully asked, "May I ask, Master, how many spots are available for this trial?"
Fan Wuyou pondered for a moment before replying, "At most, there will be fifteen spots. Any more than that may jeopardize your safety."
This statement caused an uproar. There were seven disciples from Qingjing Peak alone; other peaks would have even more. Adding in the disciples of various Elders from different halls, there were easily over a hundred.
And now, standing in the room were over thirty disciples who had been carefully selected by the Elders. Only fifteen spots? That wouldn’t even be enough to fill the gaps!
In an instant, everyone began to cast hostile glances at each other.
Zhao Yutai remained calm and composed. As the Sect Master's top disciple with the highest cultivation level, no matter how turbulent things got below him, he was unaffected.
Suddenly, a chubby disciple with small eyes pointed at Ji Linglong and Qi Xiao and shouted, "Master! These two are inner disciples; how can they compete with us? Do they even deserve to be here? I think they should be kicked out!"
Qi Xiao's gaze turned icy as he looked over coldly.
The chubby disciple raised his chin defiantly, his face full of disdain.
Around them, whispers filled the air incessantly.
"Indeed, what are the inner disciples doing here to stir up trouble? We don't even have enough for ourselves," one of them scoffed.
Two mere inner disciples, do they not understand their own status?
Ji Linglong's temper flared, unable to endure the humiliation. Just as she reached for her whip, Qi Xiao held her back.
"What are you doing?" Ji Linglong hissed through gritted teeth. "They're practically riding on our heads, and you can still hold back?"
"Don't act just yet; let me handle this," Qi Xiao replied calmly.
Ji Linglong looked at Qi Xiao's indifferent expression, hesitating before reluctantly retracting her hand.
Fan Wuyou surveyed the room with dissatisfaction and coldly spoke up. "Though they are inner disciples, they are no less than you. Have you all forgotten that many of you came from the inner sect as well?"
Some disciples had been favored by the elders during the disciple selection ceremony due to their outstanding talents, rising to prominence in an instant. Others, with slightly lesser talents, could still earn the elders' favor after honing their skills in the inner sect.
Feeling the gaze of the sect leader upon them, many disciples lowered their heads in guilt.
The plump disciple glared at them and muttered unwillingly, "But if inner disciples can be compared to direct disciples, what’s the difference?"
Qi Xiao fixed his gaze on him, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Isn't your senior brother also from the inner sect? Why look down on it so?"
The plump disciple puffed out his chest defiantly. "So what if he is? Inner disciples are still inferior to direct disciples. Do you have a problem with that?"
With everyone's attention now on him, the plump disciple grew even more self-satisfied. The disparity between inner disciples and direct disciples should be as vast as a chasm—unbridgeable.
His boldness inspired a few more disciples to find their courage and echo his sentiments.
Qi Xiao inclined his head slightly toward the sect leader. "Master, I believe that since this senior brother has doubts about me, I am willing to compete with him as proof."
He smiled faintly. "Whoever loses will leave this place and withdraw from the competition for spots—how does that sound?"
As soon as he spoke those words, the plump disciple turned pale. He had intended to provoke and push these two out. With two fewer competitors, his chances would increase. But now, he found himself at the center of attention.
Looking around nervously, he realized that no one was speaking against him; instead, they all looked on with anticipation.
In a competition, regardless of who loses, it would be beneficial for both of them.
Wang Shou was immediately anxious. "Master, this wager is inappropriate. The matter of the quota should naturally be decided by you and the elders. How can it be left to us disciples to decide privately?"
Moreover, although Qi Xiao had been abandoned by the Qingjing Peak, he had once been a direct disciple, and his foundation still remained. While Wang Shou's status was slightly higher than Qi Xiao's, his own aptitude was lacking. He often incurred the disdain of their master and received fewer resources, placing him at the bottom among the disciples.
If it came to a real fight, Wang Shou couldn't help but feel uneasy.
The master did not respond; instead, he heard Qi Xiao leisurely add, "Master, this trial does carry risks. If one lacks strength, going would only bring trouble upon oneself. My suggestion for a competition is also for our safety."
Fan Wuyou nodded. He had been pondering how to speak when Qi Xiao conveniently provided him an opening.
"That makes sense. The quota is limited, yet there are so many disciples who wish to go. If we were to judge ourselves, it would inevitably lead to accusations of unfairness."
"I have decided that all disciples will compete in a grand tournament. The top fifteen will be allowed to accompany us."
As soon as these words were spoken, it was like pouring hot oil into cold water; chaos erupted instantly.
The disciples from various halls reacted particularly fiercely. Without a competition, they might not even go; but with one in place, they would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage.
Qi Xiao endured the murderous glares from many disciples and cleared his throat. "Master, I feel this decision may not be entirely appropriate. The senior brothers and sisters from each hall have focused on cultivating various skills and may be somewhat inexperienced in actual combat. This could be unfair to them."
Fan Wuyou waved his hand dismissively. "That's easy to address; the disciples from each hall will compete separately."
The Symbolism Hall, Alchemy Hall, and Artifact Hall will each have three slots, while the remaining six slots will be divided among the disciples from various peaks.
He glanced at Qi Xiao. Since strength is paramount, all disciples from Qingxuan Peak must participate in the grand tournament as well.
Everyone was momentarily stunned, and Zhao Yu hesitantly spoke up. "Does Master mean that not only the disciples here but also those from all halls and peaks within the sect must participate?"
Fan Wuyou nodded.
At this point, those with strong abilities appeared calm and eager to try their luck, while those who had been sent here due to their master's favoritism suddenly turned pale and anxious.
Qi Xiao sensed something was amiss and cupped his hands toward Wang Shou. "If not for my senior brother speaking up, the other disciples from Qingxuan Peak wouldn't have such an opportunity. I thank you here!"
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