Chapter 15: Top Eight of the Outer Sect Grand Competition

On the day of the Grand Competition, the Outer Sect martial arts arena was a sea of people. All Outer Sect Disciples at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer or above had come, totaling several hundred people.

Several Inner Sect Elders and deacons sat on the high platform. As expected, Ye Qing was among them, sitting behind an Elder with a proud expression.

The drawing of lots began, and Fang Hao drew number twenty-seven in Group C. The Grand Competition was conducted in groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the finals.

Fang Hao’s first opponent was a Disciple at the Qi Refining seventh layer who used a large saber and had a fierce offensive style.

But Fang Hao remained calm, using the Wind Control Art to dodge flexibly and occasionally counterattacking with Geng Metal Sword Qi. After testing the waters for a few moves, he saw an Opportunity and used a Quagmire Spell to restrict the opponent’s movement, followed by a burst of Sword Qi that struck the opponent’s wrist, causing the saber to fall to the ground.

"Group C, number twenty-seven, Fang Hao wins!" the referee announced.

Having won the first battle, Fang Hao’s confidence multiplied. In the next few matches, he won easily and smoothly advanced to the group finals.

His opponent in the group finals was a veteran Disciple at the Peak of the Qi Refining eighth layer, whose fire-based Spells were incredibly powerful.

This fight was quite difficult. The opponent was experienced, and Fang Hao nearly got hit several times. Finally, relying on a suddenly deployed vajra talisman to withstand a blow, he took the chance to close in and won with a single sword strike.

"Group C Finals, Fang Hao wins! Advancing to the grand finals!" the referee announced loudly.

The audience erupted in an uproar. No one expected this newly promoted Outer Sect Disciple from a utility background to make it this far!

On the high platform, Ye Qing watched Fang Hao’s performance. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it quickly turned back into disdain.

The grand finals began, and the sixteen group winners drew lots for duels. Fang Hao’s first opponent was a Sword Cultivator at the Qi Refining ninth layer with an incredibly sharp sword technique.

After a bitter battle of dozens of rounds, Fang Hao narrowly won by relying on Formation assistance and the advantage of Talismans.

In the next round, his opponent was a Cultivator at the Qi Refining Great Perfection with formidable strength. Despite giving his all, Fang Hao was defeated and stopped at the top eight.

Although he failed to reach the top four, a top-eight finish was already far beyond expectations. For a Servant Disciple who had only entered the Sect for a little over two years and had been promoted to the Outer Sect for less than half a year to achieve such results in the Outer Sect Grand Competition was simply incredible!

During the awards ceremony, Fang Hao received a foundation establishment pill and a reward of five hundred contribution points. More importantly, an Inner Sect Elder expressed interest in him.

"Your name is Fang Hao? Your Formations are not bad." That Elder sized him up. "Are you interested in coming to my Formation Hall as a Named Disciple?"

Fang Hao was ecstatic. The Formation Hall was the place in the Inner Sect dedicated to researching Formations. Being able to enter and study there would be of great benefit to his Formation attainments!

"This Disciple is willing!" Fang Hao quickly agreed.

Just then, Ye Qing suddenly spoke: "Junior Martial Uncle Liu, a Disciple from a utility background might find it hard to shoulder such a heavy responsibility, don’t you think?"

Elder Liu frowned: "What is Martial Nephew Ye’s opinion?"

Ye Qing chuckled: "I just feel that the Formation Hall is a vital area of the Inner Sect, and accepting Disciples should be done with caution. Why not let him start as an Outer Sect Disciple and observe him for a while first?"

These words seemed reasonable, but in reality, they were meant to obstruct Fang Hao from entering the Inner Sect.

Anger rose in Fang Hao’s heart, but he remained calm on the surface: "Senior Brother Ye is right. This Disciple’s seniority is indeed shallow, and I am willing to start from the Outer Sect."

Elder Liu nodded: "Very well. Then you shall remain an Outer Sect Disciple for now. If you perform well, there will be opportunities in the future."

The Grand Competition ended. Although Fang Hao couldn’t enter the Inner Sect directly, he gained the status of a Named Disciple of the Formation Hall, allowing him to go there periodically to study.

On the way back, Zhu Pang and Li Xuan were both happy for him.

"Not bad, Fang Hao! Top eight! A Named Disciple of the Formation Hall! Your future is limitless now!" Zhu Pang patted his shoulder.

Li Xuan also smiled: "When you go to the Formation Hall in the future, don’t forget about us."

Fang Hao smiled and agreed, but in his heart, he was thinking about Ye Qing’s face.

Just you wait, Ye Qing. Today you block my path to the Inner Sect; one day, I will surely make you look at me in a new light!

The Outer Sect Grand Competition was only the beginning; his path of Cultivation was still very long!

The excitement of the Grand Competition passed, and Fang Hao’s life returned to its original track.

He was still an Outer Sect Disciple, still living in Courtyard Twenty-Seven of District D, and daily Cultivating, researching Formations, and refining Medicinal Pills and Talismans as usual. The status of a Named Disciple of the Formation Hall sounded prestigious, but in reality, it was just a title. He didn’t have to clock in or report for duty; he could just occasionally go to the Formation Hall to attend lectures or borrow materials.

Zhu Pang complained on his behalf: "What kind of Named Disciple is that? It’s just an empty title! Elder Liu too, getting bluffed by a single sentence from Ye Qing!"

Fang Hao, however, was quite philosophical about it: "This is fine. Going to the Inner Sect for real might have been restrictive instead. Now I’m free and easy, able to do whatever I want."

That was what he said, but Fang Hao knew in his heart that to truly stand out, he still needed to improve his strength. Qi Refining eighth layer was decent in the Outer Sect, but in the Inner Sect, it would be at the very bottom.

Having reached this stage of Cultivation, simply sitting and absorbing Spiritual Qi was no longer enough; he needed combat experience and Opportunities. Fang Hao decided to take on some tasks to hunt Demon Beasts, which would both hone his combat skills and earn him resources.

Arriving at the Mission Hall, there were indeed many tasks for hunting Demon Beasts. Fang Hao selected carefully.

"Hunt Fire Wolves, collect ten wolf fangs, reward: eighty contribution points."

"Clear the snake demons of Black Wind Mountain, reward: one hundred contribution points."

"Gather Gloom Grass, requires killing the guardian Demon Beast, reward: one hundred and twenty contribution points."

Fang Hao took the task to gather Gloom Grass. The difficulty of this task was moderate, the reward was good, and most importantly, Gloom Grass was an auxiliary ingredient for several types of Medicinal Pills that he could use himself.

Before setting off, Fang Hao made thorough preparations. He refined a large number of qi recovery pills and Healing Powder, drew various practical Talismans like the vajra talisman and divine movement talisman, and specially crafted several Formation Plates—these were all life-saving items.

Black Wind Mountain was some distance from the Sect. Fang Hao set out early in the morning and only arrived in the evening. The mountain was covered in dense forests and shrouded in mist; one look told him it was not a friendly place.

Following the task hints, the Gloom Grass grew in a cave on the shady side of the mountain. Fang Hao cautiously approached a cave entrance and indeed smelled a faint, dark fragrance—the scent of Gloom Grass.

But a giant Black-Scaled Python was lying at the cave entrance, dozing. This python was as thick as a water bucket, its body covered in scales that shimmered with a dark light; it clearly wasn’t something to be trifled with.

Fang Hao observed for a while and decided to use his wits. He first set up a Confinement Formation in the surroundings, then picked up a stone and threw it forcefully into the distance.

With a "clack," the Black-Scaled Python was startled awake and alertly raised its head. Fang Hao threw another stone, and the python was finally provoked, hissing as it slithered toward the source of the sound.

Just as the python passed through the Confinement Formation, Fang Hao immediately activated the Formation! With a flash of light, the python was temporarily trapped.

Fang Hao took the Opportunity to rush into the cave and quickly gather the Gloom Grass. There were seven or eight mature stalks of Gloom Grass in the cave; he carefully dug them out with their roots and soil and placed them into a specially made jade box.

Just as he finished gathering the grass, he heard a roar from outside—the Confinement Formation had been forcibly broken by the python!

Fang Hao’s heart tightened, and he rushed out of the cave. He saw the Black-Scaled Python in a frenzy, lunging straight at him!

"Just in time!" Fang Hao did not retreat but advanced instead, his qinggang sword unsheathed, as a burst of Geng Metal Sword Qi pierced directly toward the python’s seven-inch mark.

But the python’s scales were hard, and the Sword Qi only left a white mark on them. The python felt the pain, and its tail whipped around fiercely, bringing with it the sound of whistling wind.

Fang Hao used the Wind Control Art to retreat rapidly, while simultaneously throwing out several Fireball Talismans. With several booms, the fireballs exploded on the python’s body, but they only served to make it even more violent.

"So tough?" Fang Hao frowned. The python’s defensive power exceeded his expectations.

He changed his strategy, fighting while moving and secretly setting up a Formation. With the time-slowing function of the qiankun ring, he could quickly complete a Formation during battle.

A few minutes later, a composite Formation was completed. Fang Hao intentionally showed a weakness, luring the python into the Formation.

"Activate!" Fang Hao pinched a hand seal, and the Formation was instantly activated! Golden light flickered and Sword Qi crisscrossed, trapping the python in the center.