Chapter 90: Chapter 90 - The First Phase and the Breath of Expensive Herbs

The massive training ground of Radiant Sky Sect was already filled with people.

Nearly a thousand disciples had gathered at the center.

All of them had registered beforehand.

Su Bai had not registered personally. Lu Canghai had done it for him days ago.

According to his master, Su Bai should spend his time training instead of standing in line and filling out names.

The requirement for joining the competition was simple.

Under thirty years old. At least Foundation Establishment Realm.

Because of that, all of the participants came from the Inner Sect.

As for the Outer Sect disciples, most of them could only watch from the edges of the training ground.

They gathered in large groups, whispering excitedly.

For many of them, even watching Foundation Establishment disciples compete was already a rare opportunity.

Among the crowd at the edge, Yan’er stood with several senior sisters from the Outer Sect.

She was small, so she had to stand on her toes to see clearly.

Then her eyes lit up.

"Senior Brother!"

Her clear voice rang out.

"Go for it!"

Su Bai turned his head.

He saw Yan’er waving both hands at him.

The little girl’s face was full of seriousness, as if her cheering was a very important mission.

Su Bai paused. Then he smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

Yan’er immediately smiled brightly.

The senior sisters beside her froze for a moment, then several of them yelped softly.

"Senior Brother Su smiled!"

"He looked this way!"

"He gave a thumbs up!"

"Yan’er, shout again!"

Yan’er was stunned by their excitement, then she became excited too.

"Senior Brother Su! Go for it!"

The senior sisters followed.

"Senior Brother Su! Go for it!"

Su Bai could only shook his head, but the corner of his mouth still lifted slightly.

Soon, a familiar figure appeared beside him.

"Senior Brother Su."

Su Bai looked over.

Liu Meng stood there, holding her hands together. Her expression was a little nervous, but her eyes were bright.

"Please take care of me."

Su Bai was slightly surprised.

"You are joining too, Meng?"

Liu Meng nodded quickly. "Yes. Master said the Mystic Realm may contain rare herbs."

Su Bai smiled. "Great, I know you’d do just fine."

Liu Meng’s nervousness on her face disappeared at a visible speed after hearing his words.

...

At that moment, the atmosphere of the training ground suddenly changed.

Several figures descended from the main peak.

Sect Master Li Xuanzong arrived first. Behind him were the Peak Masters.

Li Xuanzong stood above the platform and looked across the gathered disciples.

His gaze swept over the thousand participants.

The Sect Master nodded slightly seeing the punctual disciples.

Then his voice resounded through the training ground.

"Today’s sect competition will begin shortly."

His voice was calm, but it carried clearly to every corner.

"Whether you win or lose, remember this. You are all disciples of Radiant Sky Sect. Do not allow victory to breed arrogance, and do not allow defeat to damage your bond with your fellow disciples."

The disciples cupped their hands.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Li Xuanzong nodded.

"This competition will decide the five disciples who will enter the upcoming Mystic Realm on behalf of the sect."

The atmosphere immediately became heavier. Everyone’s eyes sharpened.

Li Xuanzong continued, "The competition will be divided into three phases."

A wave of anticipation spread through the crowd.

"Phase One: The Sea of Shifting Light."

As his words fell, several array discs floated beside the Peak Masters.

"The rule is simple. Walk from the south end of the training ground to the north end. Those who reach the end fastest will advance."

Some disciples immediately relaxed.

Walking? That sounded simple.

But Su Bai’s eyes narrowed slightly.

There was no way it was that simple.

Li Xuanzong continued, "However, this phase will imitate part of the chaotic environment within the Mystic Realm. Pressure, unstable gravity, spiritual wind, and poisonous mist may appear without warning. Those who lose consciousness or cannot continue will be removed by the Peak Masters."

The disciples who had relaxed immediately became tense again.

"Phase Two: The Guardian’s Illusion."

The Sect Master raised a second finger.

"The top one hundred disciples from Phase One will enter an illusionary valley. At the center of the valley are ten jade pillars representing mortals. The array will continuously generate Shadow Beasts."

His tone became more serious.

"Your task is to defend the pillars. This is not merely a test of strength, but judgment, endurance, and responsibility."

Some disciples lowered their heads thoughtfully.

Su Bai also understood.

The Mystic Realm was not just a treasure hunt. If they could not protect what needed protecting, then sending them inside would only create trouble.

"Phase Three: The Radiant Face-Off."

Li Xuanzong raised a third finger.

"The final ten disciples will enter the main tournament stage. I will personally oversee the matches. One-on-one duels will decide the five Mystic Realm slots."

The training ground grew silent.

Li Xuanzong looked over them again.

"Compete fairly. Do not go too far. If someone is clearly defeated, do not continue attacking."

After a moment, Li Xuanzong waved his sleeve.

"All participants, move to the south end of the training ground. Phase One will now begin."

The disciples moved at once.

Su Bai followed the crowd toward the south end.

Liu Meng walked beside him.

From the viewing area, Yan’er clenched her fists tightly. The Outer Sect senior sisters around her were even more excited than she was.

Above the training ground, the Peak Masters moved.

One by one, they channeled Qi into the array discs.

The discs flew out and landed around the training ground in different positions.

Hum.

The ground trembled softly.

The flat training ground stretched and distorted. Mountains of light rose in the distance. The ground beneath their feet became uneven stone. The air shimmered with faint golden ripples.

Then glowing mist flooded the area.

It rose quickly until it reached the disciples’ waists.

The mist was thick, luminous, and strangely beautiful.

But the moment it touched them, many disciples’ expressions changed.

Even before the phase began, the pressure had already arrived.

At this moment, Li Xuanzong’s voice echoed again.

"Begin."

The moment the command fell, hundreds of disciples rushed forward.

Their movements were fast. Everyone wanted to seize the lead.

Su Bai did not move.

Beside him, Liu Meng also stayed still.

Not far away, a few others also remained in place.

Ji Ruyue stood calmly.

A young man from Azure Sword Peak stood with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His name was Han Yuelin, the youngest Core Disciple of Azure Sword Peak.

Aside from them, several observant Inner Sect disciples also stayed behind.

Su Bai watched the rushing crowd.

His eyes were calm.

In a Mystic Realm, the first rule was simple.

Do not rush blindly.

Treasures did not run away quickly.

Traps did.

Liu Meng looked at the glowing mist and frowned slightly.

"Senior Brother," she said softly, "this mist seems to be made from high-grade lethargy herbs. The more one rushes, the faster one breathes. The faster one breathes, the more mist enters the body. If they continue like this, they may fall asle—"

Before she could finish, several disciples in front swayed.

Then—

Plop.

Plop.

Plop.

One after another, disciples collapsed into the glowing mist.

The Peak Masters moved immediately.

With a wave of their sleeves, they pulled the sleeping disciples out of the array.

The Outer Sect viewing area erupted.

"He fell asleep!"

"Senior Brother Zhang just fell asleep while running!"

"Wait, is he drooling?"

Yan’er watched nervously, then looked back toward Su Bai.

He was still standing calmly.

Only then did she relax slightly.

Inside the array, the disciples who had rushed ahead finally realized something was wrong.

But the mist was only the first problem.

The pressure began to shift.

One moment, the ground beneath them felt like thick mud. The next moment, gravity doubled. Then a sudden spiritual gale swept sideways, almost knocking several disciples off balance.

The lead they had gained began to shrink.

Su Bai watched for several more breaths.

He finished observing.

"Let us move too, Meng."

Liu Meng nodded.

The disciples who had stayed behind also began moving.

Ji Ruyue stepped forward first. Cold Qi circulated around her body, sealing off part of the mist before it could enter her breath.

Han Yuelin followed soon after. His sword Qi gathered close to his body, cutting through the shifting pressure like a narrow path.

Su Bai also stepped into the mist.

He inhaled.

Then his eyes softened.

It was... comfortable.

The lethargy mist entered his lungs. The medicinal toxicity became nourishment.

Su Bai’s expression became peaceful.

For a moment, he looked less like a disciple undergoing a trial and more like someone taking a morning walk through expensive incense.

Behind him, Liu Meng used her Wood Spirit Root to filter the air she breathed.

Thin green light spread faintly around her nose and mouth. She moved slower than Su Bai, but her steps were stable.

After ten meters, the true pressure arrived.

Boom.

The gravity shifted.

A mountain-like weight pressed down on Su Bai’s body.

The ground beneath his feet creaked.

Several disciples nearby groaned and slowed immediately.

Su Bai blinked, then continued walking.

His pace did not change.

After entering Body Refinement, this level of pressure was no longer enough to trouble him.

Outside the array, Yan’er’s hands clenched again.

But when she saw Su Bai walking normally, her eyes lit up.

"Senior Brother is fine!"

The senior sisters beside her immediately cheered.

"Senior Brother Su!"

"Senior Brother Su, keep going!"

Yan’er hurriedly joined them.

"Senior Brother! Keep going!"

Su Bai heard them faintly.

His expression remained calm.

He took another deep breath.

Then another.

The mist flowed into him continuously.

The more he breathed, the more energetic he became.

Meanwhile, Liu Meng paused only briefly when the pressure shifted. She circulated her Qi through her limbs, adjusted her breathing, and continued moving.

She was not as fast as Su Bai, but she was steady.

A short distance ahead, Ji Ruyue had taken the lead.

Her face was calm, and her steps did not waver.

Behind her was Han Yuelin of Azure Sword Peak.

His sword intent was sharp and focused. Every step seemed to cut through the pressure.

Behind them was Su Bai.

He could have gone faster, but he did not.

Because there was mist.

Su Bai walked slowly and breathed deeply.

His expression was serious.

Those watching thought he was calmly enduring the pressure and regulating his breath.

Only Su Bai knew the truth.

He was trying to inhale as much as possible before reaching the end.

After a while, he saw the northern end of the training ground getting closer.

Su Bai froze.

Already?

His mood immediately sank. He had not breathed enough.

The mist here was clearly made from high-grade herbs. Once the phase ended, the formation would probably disperse it.

’What a waste.’

Su Bai slowed down a little more.

Finally, Ji Ruyue reached the north end first.

Han Yuelin arrived second.

After a few more breaths, Su Bai stepped across the finish line.

Third place.

The moment he left the mist, the refreshing feeling weakened.

Su Bai turned back and looked at the glowing sea behind him.

His expression became faintly regretful.

For one dangerous moment, he seriously considered walking back in and breathing more.

Then he remembered this was a sect competition.

Su Bai silently restrained himself.