Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 355 Senior Brother He Shilie Has a Nosebleed

The sect division of the White Stone Immortal Sect is divided into three parts. The first part, the written test, was already taken a few days ago, and the scores have already been announced.

The second part is the martial arts test, which is the competition that starts this afternoon.

The third round will have to wait until after the martial arts test, which is estimated to be at least several more days away.

The martial arts competition was held in two venues, east and west. The disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect were paired up and competed in turn according to the order drawn by lot.

To save time in the preliminary rounds, the East and West competition zones started simultaneously.

Zhong Hui's previous academic performance was mediocre. She focused all her energy on making money, and her businesses, such as inns, cola shops, and medicinal herb cultivation for peach blossom pies, were thriving. Naturally, she had little energy left for theoretical studies, and her scores barely passed, which dragged her down significantly.

Therefore, she had high hopes and enthusiasm for the martial arts and arts exams; otherwise, how could she compete for the top three? She probably wouldn't even make it into the top ten overall!

Fortunately, Zhong Hui was quite lucky. She drew the third match in the afternoon, in the West Division. Her opponent was one of the disciples who entered the sect in the first year of the Immortal Origin Era. His cultivation level was only the second level of Qi Refining, so the outcome was almost a foregone conclusion.

A Qi Refining Level 2 cultivation is actually considered average among the outer disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect. Many are still stuck at Qi Refining Level 1. The saying "Foundation Building in 100 Days" is still quite demanding in the current world of martial arts and true qi, where spiritual energy is scarce.

However, this disciple reportedly spent a long time grinding through quests before the martial arts test, bought a decent spirit sword with spirit stones, and even consulted the sect's senior brother Chang Ping'an about the three simplest sword techniques. He mastered those three basic moves, intending to win by relying on his spirit sword and raw strength.

In fact, Zhong Hui is not short of money now, and she had already asked her fifth senior brother Huang Wu to make a pair of brass knuckles. These things are not very compatible with the Taixu Fist she cultivates, but they are inscribed with some runes that can amplify the effects of her spiritual power. In addition, they are made of high-quality spiritual materials, so their power is not bad. They can make her use her full strength. She has never shown them to anyone before, and they are her trump card.

Since it was her trump card, she didn't need to use it in the first match against a cultivator with only the second level of Qi Refining. She lightly leaped onto the arena in the West Division, politely cupped her hands to the opposing cultivator as a greeting, and then assumed her fighting stance.

At this moment, Yan Wuqi, along with the others from the Jade Void Sect, stood in the viewing area of ​​the West Division, looking towards the arena.

The arena was several feet above the ground and eight zhang square, which was larger than the arena used in ordinary martial arts tournaments.

After Zhong Hui and the disciple who drew the same skill level as her stood still, a paper puppet resembling a middle-aged cultivator floated in mid-air, its voice clearly resounding throughout the entire Western Division:

"The third competition in the West District: Zhong Hui, a fifth-level Qi Refining disciple from the previous year of the Immortal Origin Era, versus a second-level Qi Refining disciple from the first year of the Immortal Origin Era..."

"Tsk tsk tsk, Junior Brother Qian is really unlucky. He ran into Senior Sister Zhong in the first round. He's doomed!"

"Is Senior Sister Zhong that amazing?"

"Fifth level of Qi Refining, isn't that impressive?"

"But Senior Brother Qian's sword looks really powerful too!"

"I bet five low-grade spirit stones that Junior Brother Qian will lose within five moves!"

"Wow, I bet ten low-grade spirit stones that I can win within three moves!"

"All in! I bet the two of them will be decided within three moves!"

"How many spirit stones do you have in your Qiankun bag before you go all in?"

"Three, three low-grade pieces..."

The disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect who were watching were all pessimistic, while the disciple surnamed Qian who was competing with Zhong Hui pursed his lips, his expression seemingly unchanged.

However, once the paper puppet in charge of the competition announced the start of the competition, the disciple surnamed Qian suddenly thrust forward like a sharp sword.

Not only did he attack without warning, showing no martial ethics, but his attack was also extremely fierce from the start, immediately drawing boos from the other sects and forces watching, all of whom despised his behavior.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, the two made contact, and a pale yellow light flashed by. Accompanied by a loud "bang," before anyone could even see what was happening on the stage, the disciple surnamed Qian was sent flying straight out, crashing into the protective barrier at the edge of the arena, which was used to deflect spiritual energy and separate the inside from the outside. At that moment, the paper puppet announced the result:

"In the third competition in the West District, Zhong Hui, a disciple who reached the fifth level of Qi Refining in the previous year, has won!"

Fortunately, the expensive spirit sword was unharmed, except that it was severely damaged during its close encounter with Zhong Hui's fist, causing its spiritual light to dim somewhat.

This stunned everyone. Even the disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect, who already knew Zhong Hui's strength, were momentarily bewildered before starting to chatter amongst themselves.

"Oh dear! What a pity! Senior Brother Qian reacted so quickly, yet he still failed to launch a sneak attack!"

"He won't succeed in a sneak attack again! Who can withstand Senior Sister Zhong's Tai Xu Fist except for Senior Brother He Shi Lie!"

"It's a game we're bound to lose, why would Senior Brother Qian resort to a sneak attack? Isn't that unnecessary?"

"You know nothing! The King of the Sneaky Path next door, Old Demon Han, often kills opponents of higher levels by stealing... cough, by surprise! That's called winning by surprise! What sneak attack? That's a cultivator's business, how can that be called a sneak attack!"

"Senior sister, could you please read fewer novels...?"

"You talk too much!"

……

Compared to the disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect who were accustomed to and did not condemn the act of "sneak attack," the group of martial artists from various sects and forces felt somewhat uncomfortable.

You should know that martial arts tournaments in the martial arts world place great emphasis on "martial ethics".

Just like last year when Chang Ping'an broke the Peach Blossom Swordswoman Yan's natal sword in one move, it was an act that deserved to be looked down upon. So it would be even more disrespectful to a martial artist who would launch a sneak attack during a martial arts tournament. It's not a life-or-death struggle, it's just a "friendly match". Why did you do this? Aren't you ashamed?
Of course, it's hard to say that this trend isn't due to the control that governments in various countries exercise over martial arts forces, resulting in an invisible moral standard. But for a long time, people have indeed come to accept this standard.

"Could it be that cultivators fight each other with such a lack of martial ethics?" "Hard to say. I heard that back then, when that Chang Xiaoxian caused trouble at the Sword Forging Manor's martial arts tournament, he not only smashed their platform on the water, but also broke the natal sword of the famous Peach Blossom Sword Heroine Yan Wuqi! Tsk! That's too much!"

"Oh dear? That's so mean!"

"That's for sure! The heroine Yan was very polite in asking him for swordsmanship advice, but he was so ruthless! Alas, a dignified heroine is about to perish! It will take several years to refine this natal sword, and who knows when the Peach Blossom Sword will reappear in the martial world!"

……

Since Yan Wuqi had already drawn Qi into her body, her hearing was naturally extraordinary. Listening to the discussions around her, even with her good temper, her face couldn't help but darken.

When I switched to cultivating immortality, it was indeed because I genuinely considered that immortality was the way out of swordsmanship, and because of my master's encouragement, that it was also related to Chang Ping'an easily breaking my Silver Dragon Sword with just a tree branch...

How can we easily let go of such a humiliating disgrace?

Even her decision to come to the White Stone Immortal Sect to observe their sect competition was perhaps partly motivated by a desire to see how much Chang Ping'an's cultivation had progressed...

Sooner or later, one day, I will definitely pin him to the ground with my sword, and then...

Yan Wuqi thought to himself with a rather dark feeling.

Xuan Yangzi, stroking his beard and smiling, whispered to Zi Yang Zhenren beside him, "Junior Brother Zi Yang, look at Xiao Zhonghui's fist technique. It's incredibly powerful, yet it also contains a subtle gentleness. The strength is condensed and unified, having attained the essence of 'emptiness within reality, and reality within emptiness.' It's somewhat similar to our Jade Void Fist of the Jade Void Sect. In my opinion, if our Jade Void Fist were used with the spiritual power of immortals, it wouldn't be much inferior to this Tai Xu Fist..."

Master Ziyang nodded with a smile: "What the sect leader said is absolutely right. Although spiritual power and true qi are used differently, they both utilize the same power. Since they can be poured into the Taixu Fist, they can naturally be used in conjunction with the Yuxu Fist. It seems that the path of immortality is not necessarily one or the other for my martial arts! Hehehe!"

After Zhong Hui's match ended, the next match began on the arena in the West Division.

The sect competition of the White Stone Immortal Sect was much faster than the martial arts competition of the Martial Arts Tournament. Each match was only a dozen or so, and the longest match was no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. As a result, in just half a day, more than a hundred matches were held on the two arenas in the east and west.

On the arena, magical light shimmered, flying swords crisscrossed, talismans danced, and various immortal techniques emerged one after another. The five elements' spells surged forth in rapid succession, dazzling the eye. Some disciples conjured fireballs and hurled them, turning the arena into a sea of ​​flames. Others scattered stones to form stone figures several meters tall, whose mere presence caused the earth to tremble slightly. Still others unleashed magical treasures and artifacts, their spiritual light gleaming and flashing incessantly, leaving the martial artists, who had never witnessed such rich "special effects," thoroughly entertained…

"Master! Cultivating immortality is so awesome!"

Someone muttered something under their breath, and immediately everyone around them nodded in agreement.

To be honest, from an entertainment perspective, there is a significant difference between martial arts and immortal cultivation competitions.

For example, in martial arts, even with flashy "special effects," they're still applied to the user's weapon and body. To see the kind of "special effects" that cover the entire arena, you need to be at the Venerable or Grandmaster level to achieve that.

Those are the pinnacle of martial arts; who dares to say they can definitely cultivate to become a Venerable or Grandmaster?
But the immortal path is different. All the disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect combined have not even cultivated for a year!

If you can reach this level in just one year, then why do you need to think about choosing between martial arts and immortality?

Cultivating martial arts doesn't guarantee you'll reach the level of Venerable or Grandmaster, but cultivating immortality almost guarantees you'll reach the Foundation Establishment stage!
Especially in the morning, many martial arts practitioners had friendly matches with the disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect. The difference between them was obvious even to a fool. There were no fools among those who came to observe the White Stone Immortal Sect's grand competition this time!
Before the crowd could discuss it for long, Zhong Hui's second round of matches was scheduled, and Yan Wuqi focused intently on the arena.

Zhong Hui's luck wasn't as good as before this time. Her opponent was none other than Heshi Lie Tudi, whom she had desperately tried to avoid in the early stages, despite her best efforts and prayers.

"Hehehe, Senior Sister Zhong, what a coincidence!"

He Shilie suddenly realized that his and Zhong Hui's strength and cultivation were among the top in the outer sect of the White Stone Immortal Sect, and they were almost guaranteed to be in the top ten. He just didn't expect to run into them in the second round.

However, it doesn't matter if one wins and the other loses, because the sect competition is not a single match that determines the winner. According to the rules set by the sect leader Zhang Chengdao, the losing disciple will have to play a "resurrection match" and a "fixed score match". The former is a match where the loser draws a random number after each round. Only after losing again will the loser draw a random number with the loser who has played all the rounds to play a "fixed score match".

Those who win the "final score" round will participate in a separate "second revival round," where they will be compared with the original winner. Those who do not advance will participate in a "second final score" round, where the final score will be determined regardless of the outcome.

This design was finalized by Zhang Chengdao after much deliberation, drawing upon various competition formats and game formats from before his transmigration. The purpose of this design was to prevent, to the greatest extent possible, those who should have been second or third place from being eliminated early on due to unexpected poor performance in a crucial match or bad luck, ending up at the bottom of the rankings.

However, if someone is clearly very strong but has incredibly bad luck, consistently drawing the top spots in the final sect competition, then…

It can only be said that luck is also a part of ability.

It was precisely because of these rules that Zhong Hui, though somewhat frustrated after suddenly facing off against He Shilie, did not feel as if he were facing a formidable enemy.

Even if we lose, there's still a chance!
So the two greeted each other politely, and at the command of the paper puppet in charge, they each suddenly launched their attacks.

He Shilie suddenly used an ordinary broadsword, and his swordsmanship was wide and powerful. Against Zhong Hui's equally fierce Taixu Fist, it was really hard to say who would win.

"Ya-ha—"

To everyone's surprise, Zhong Hui shouted and suddenly accelerated, transforming into a yellow blur. Ignoring the large sword hurtling towards him, he charged directly at He Shilie's face and threw a punch—

It's just a sect competition, there's no need to risk your life, right?
Not only did the people below the stage think this way, but He Shilie, who was also quite familiar with Zhong Hui in private, naturally thought the same thing. Therefore, despite having the advantage of having a long weapon, he hesitated for a moment when he saw the opponent's reckless fighting style.

Even if he was using an ordinary, inferior, low-grade spirit sword, it would still be somewhat lethal to a cultivator like Zhong Hui who was only at the Qi Refining stage, let alone the fact that he was the one wielding the sword!
We can't really take drastic measures against our fellow disciples, can we?
He hesitated for just a moment, and the greatsword that He Shilie suddenly swung missed its mark by a fraction of an inch. The powerful move "Zhenhai Style" from the Taixu Fist struck He Shilie's face first.

The massive wave of spiritual energy directly knocked the broadsword out of He Shi Lie's hand. He Shi Lie himself felt dizzy and tried his best to stabilize his body by circulating his spiritual energy, but he was still pushed back a zhang by this spiritual force.

Then, he felt a stinging sensation in his nose, and two streams of hot liquid immediately flowed from his nostrils.

The disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect closest to the arena saw it clearly, and one of them immediately exclaimed in surprise:

"Good heavens! Senior Sister Zhong is too ruthless! She beat Senior Brother He Shilie so badly that his nose is bleeding!?"

(End of this chapter)