Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Conclusion of the Grand Competition

"Hmph, spare you? I told you, if you fail to complete the task I gave you, you have no reason to exist!" The black-robed figure snorted coldly. Instantly, the chains formed from black mist solidified, biting deeper into Ouyang Chen’s body.

"AHHH..." A heart-wrenching scream tore from Ouyang Chen’s throat. He stared at the black-robed figure in terror and shouted with all his might, "My lord, give me one more chance! I swear I’ll bring you Shen Haoran’s corpse! I know where Shen Haoran is going next, just give me one more chance!"

"Oh?" At his words, the black-robed figure seemed to take an interest in Ouyang Chen once more, and the black chains binding him loosened slightly.

"My lord, Shen Haoran won the sect competition, so he’s bound to enter the Sect Secret Realm! Chen Yu won’t be able to interfere there. When the time comes, I’ll bring you Shen Haoran’s corpse for sure!" Seeing the chains loosen, Ouyang Chen blurted out, fearing that if he delayed for even a second, the black-robed figure would change their mind.

Hearing Ouyang Chen’s words, the black-robed figure fell into contemplation. Ouyang Chen’s heart leaped back into his throat, terrified that in the next moment, the figure would simply erase him from existence.

"Fine. I’ll give you one more chance. However, if you fail again, the consequences won’t be as simple as death!" After a long moment, the black-robed figure finally spoke. With a wave of a hand, dozens of chains shot out from Ouyang Chen’s body, and he crashed to the ground from mid-air.

"Yes! I will not disappoint you, my lord. This time, I will bring back Shen Haoran’s corpse!" Ouyang Chen lowered his head, his eyes filled with venomous hatred.

"Hmph!" Seeing Ouyang Chen’s pledge, the black-robed figure snorted coldly, then their body dissolved into wisps of black mist and vanished.

"Shen Haoran, I will never let you get away with this!" An utterly sinister voice rasped from Ouyang Chen’s throat as his figure slowly melted into the darkness.

...

By now, Shen Haoran had finished refining the elixirs for everyone. He summoned Shui Ruolan and the others and distributed the pills.

Soon after, the postponed sect competition resumed. As expected, Shen Haoran, who had just achieved another breakthrough, dominated the tournament and took first place. Long Mo settled for second. The top ten remained largely unchanged, with the notable absences of Ouyang Chen and Gou Shi, who had been crippled by Long Mo. However, four of the top five were from the Yao Sect, prompting a wave of sighs from the other disciples. ’With Ouyang Chen gone, the Chen Alliance will probably be crushed under the Yao Sect’s heel forever!’

The sect competition officially came to a close. But during the final awards ceremony, Chen Yu dropped a bombshell.

"Due to my failure of supervision, one of my disciples harmed his sect brothers and cultivated a wicked art. For this, I am deeply remorseful. Therefore, I have decided to increase the number of disciples who may enter the Sect Secret Realm. Each hall can select ten disciples to enter. As for the Red Flame Hall, Shen Haoran may decide on the candidates himself!" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Hearing this news, the disciples erupted in excited cheers. The Sect Secret Realm was the most mysterious place in the Five Elements Sect. Any disciple who emerged from the realm was guaranteed a terrifying leap in strength. It was a place countless disciples yearned to enter!

Seeing no objections from the crowd, Chen Yu summoned the top ten finalists from the sect competition to the main peak of the Five Elements Sect.

In the vast, empty hall, Shen Haoran and the others stood below the dais, looking up at Chen Yu on the main seat with solemn expressions.

Chen Yu looked much more world-weary, and his spirits seemed perpetually low. It was understandable; Ouyang Chen, whom he had regarded as his own son, had committed such a treacherous act, and he himself had been forced to bring about his death. Such a devastating blow was not something an ordinary person could easily recover from.

"Shen Haoran, I have wronged you in this matter. My supervision was lax, allowing Ouyang Chen to commit such a heinous act. Here, I apologize to you in his stead!" With that, Chen Yu rose to his feet and actually bowed to Shen Haoran!

Seeing this, Shen Haoran quickly stepped aside. He couldn’t possibly accept a bow from the Sect Leader!

"Sect Leader, you’re too kind. Ouyang Chen chose to fall from grace himself, how could you be blamed? This junior is unworthy of such an honor!" Shen Haoran said with a cupped-fist salute.

"Sigh... Now that Ouyang Chen is dead, I do not wish for such a thing to happen within the sect again. As for the Chen Alliance and the Yao Sect, I hope you can bury the hatchet. You are all sect brothers, after all. There is no need to fight to the death!" Chen Yu said in a solemn voice, looking at Shen Haoran, Xue Gong, and the others.

"Of course. As long as others do not provoke me, I will not stir up trouble," Shen Haoran stated. With Ouyang Chen gone, the Chen Alliance was no longer anything to fear.

"We agree," Xue Gong and the others said, cupping their fists. They no longer had the strength to oppose the Yao Sect. Keeping a low profile was perhaps their best course of action now.

"Good. In that case, let’s discuss the matter of entering the Sect Secret Realm. As the top ten finalists, you will naturally receive preferential treatment. At the center of the Secret Realm lies an Ancient Palace filled with countless treasures. Whether you can obtain any of them will depend entirely on yourselves. Now, go back and prepare. In five days, I and the other Elders will open the Secret Realm and send you in!" Seeing that both Shen Haoran’s and Xue Gong’s factions had agreed to his conditions, Chen Yu finally got down to business.

"Shen Haoran, stay behind. The rest of you may leave," Chen Yu said after briefing them on a few more matters.

At his words, the others cupped their fists and took their leave, until only Chen Yu and Shen Haoran remained in the great hall.

"Sect Leader, is there anything else?" Shen Haoran asked, looking at Chen Yu in confusion.

"It’s nothing major," Chen Yu said with a light chuckle. "You’re entering the Sect Secret Realm to find the Fire Spirit Pearl for your Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, aren’t you?"

Hearing this, Shen Haoran’s heart tightened. ’How does Chen Yu know my objective?’

"Haha, don’t be nervous," Chen Yu said with a loud laugh, apparently guessing Shen Haoran’s thoughts. "Since you possess the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, the only thing in the Secret Realm that could truly appeal to you is the Fire Spirit Pearl! But I have to tell you, the place where the Fire Spirit Pearl is located is not somewhere an ordinary person can venture. Otherwise, we would never have left such a rare treasure just sitting in the Secret Realm!"

"Oh? Then where is the Fire Spirit Pearl?" Since Chen Yu already knew his objective, Shen Haoran saw no reason to be coy and asked directly.

In response, Chen Yu retrieved a scroll from his Storage Ring and tossed it to Shen Haoran. "This shows the location of the Fire Spirit Pearl. Whether you can get it is up to you!"

Shen Haoran looked down and saw that the scroll in his hand was a map. ’But he was curious. A peerless treasure like the Fire Spirit Pearl for the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian... why would Chen Yu give him the location so easily?’

"You possess the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian, so this Fire Spirit Pearl should belong to you by right. Besides, I imagine you are the only one who can obtain it; otherwise, leaving it in the Secret Realm is just a waste. Also... consider it an apology from Ouyang Chen," Chen Yu said with a light sigh.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran’s expression turned solemn. He gave Chen Yu a deep bow and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader!"