Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

The Laoshan sect is built upon the ancestral vein of Jufeng Mountain. It does not distinguish between high and low based on altitude, but rather divides its inner and outer areas based on the strength and direction of its branches.

The main ridge of Jufeng is a forbidden area of ​​the sect, nurtured by spiritual energy for thousands of years. No one except the sect leader and the elders in seclusion can set foot on it. Its branches extending in all directions are divided into two distinct areas by ancient restrictions. The main ridges of the three major branches, namely Sanbiao Mountain, Shimen Mountain, and Wu Mountain, are the core territory occupied by the inner disciples. The ends of the three major branches and the gentle slopes near the mountains belong to the outer sect. They are separated from each other by the restriction of broken steles, clearly distinct.

The core outlying sect headquarters is located at the end of a branch of Shimen Mountain, adjacent to the edge of the Jufeng ancestral vein's restriction. The outlying sect's training ground is built here, and it is the place where outlying sect disciples gather and where sect decrees are announced.

At this moment, a large crowd had already gathered in front of the notice board in the outer sect's martial arts arena, with noise rising and falling. A plain-colored notice hung high in the center of the stone wall, the ink light but the words clear, instantly capturing the attention of all the outer sect disciples—this year's outer sect competition will not have a fighting arena, nor will there be any seating arrangement; the competition will be held in Broken Sword Valley.

The news that Broken Sword Valley, a place that outer disciples could never set foot in on ordinary days, had been chosen as the venue for a small competition spread, and the originally lively atmosphere suddenly became tense and solemn.

The rules are listed below the notice:

Firstly, this competition is based on a three-day survival flag-grabbing system. All participating disciples will receive a sect iron flag upon entering the valley. If they have the flag, they are still eligible to participate; if they lose the flag, they will be immediately eliminated.

Secondly, the use of poisoned weapons, forbidden techniques, and excessively lethal moves is strictly prohibited within the valley. It is forbidden to intentionally cripple someone's cultivation or take their life. Apart from this, the sect will not pursue any behavior such as seizing flags, surrounding opponents, or maneuvering to avoid them.

Thirdly, there are many ancient broken sword fragments scattered in the valley. If a disciple collects all the fragments and ranks first, even if he does not win the most flags, he can be promoted to the top of the small competition.

Fourth, disciples are allowed to travel in groups of three, with each group having a maximum of three members. It is strictly forbidden to abandon one's companions or flee Broken Sword Valley without permission. Violators will be stripped of their status as outer disciples.

Fifth, the referee elders only guard the entrance to Broken Sword Valley and will never interfere in any battles within the valley. All victories and defeats will be determined entirely by the disciples' own abilities.

The complete rules came into view, causing an uproar among the disciples. Some were excited, rubbing their hands together, eager to enter the valley and show off their skills; others were apprehensive, worried about the dangers within the valley and competing with their fellow disciples; still others had already subtly moved, secretly scanning the crowd, quietly contacting familiar disciples, planning to form teams to enter the valley and seize the initiative.

Lin Yan, accompanied by Chen Dagang, Yi Azhu, and Yun Xi, stood quietly on the outskirts of the crowd, his expression remaining calm and composed. These past few days, he had focused solely on honing his swordsmanship, showing no interest in competing for rankings or honors in the outer sect competition. Seeing this, he decided to turn and leave.

He had barely taken a step when two figures suddenly blocked his path.

Su Chen waved his folding fan, the fan surface swaying slightly, a playful smile on his lips, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yan and the other three; Zhao Kui followed closely beside him, his face arrogant, his eyes unfriendly, exuding an aggressive aura.

"Lin Yan, what's wrong? You're already trying to run away as soon as you see the competition venue in Broken Sword Valley?" Su Chen's gaze slowly swept over the three people behind Lin Yan, his tone deliberately tinged with contempt. Every word reached the ears of those around him. "Broken Sword Valley is so dangerous. Are you afraid that once you go in, you won't even be able to protect your own iron flag, and will be eliminated in a humiliating way, losing all face?"

Lin Yan looked up at him, her tone indifferent and aloof: "Whether I participate in the competition or not is none of your business."

"Irrelevant?" Su Chen scoffed immediately, taking a half-step forward. He deliberately lowered his voice, yet it was still clear enough for the people around him to hear him clearly. "If you don't dare to sign up for the competition, then you've voluntarily admitted defeat. From now on, none of you four are allowed to set foot in that spiritual spring on the back mountain of the outer sect again!"

"You've gone too far!" Upon hearing this, Chen Dagang's eyes widened in anger, and he clenched his fists, about to step forward, but was stopped in time by Yi Azhu beside him. Yi Azhu frowned slightly, her face full of worry, fearing that the two would start a fight on the spot. Yun Xi, standing to the side, also silently gripped the hilt of her sword, the black jade scabbard trembling slightly from the pressure of her fingertips.

A chill gradually settled over Lin Yan's eyes.

The spiritual spring behind the outer sect was the only place where the four of them cultivated. The spiritual energy in the spring was far purer than elsewhere. If they lost this place, their cultivation progress would definitely fall far behind. Su Chen's open provocation was actually a calculated move to exploit his weakness of protecting his companions, forcing him to accept the challenge with no way out.

Seeing Lin Yan's moved expression, Su Chen was secretly delighted. He then threw out a pre-prepared wager, raising his voice slightly to attract the attention of the surrounding disciples, who began to murmur amongst themselves: "How about this, let's make a bet. Once we enter Broken Sword Valley, whoever collects the most fragments of the ancient broken sword wins. If you lose, the spiritual spring in the back mountain is mine, and you'll have to hand over the sword technique you've been practicing; if I lose, I'll give you the 'Stone-Splitting Fist Manual' I possess, plus a hundred mid-grade spirit stones. Do you dare accept?"

Lin Yan remained silent for a moment, his aura growing increasingly calm. He raised his eyes and looked directly at Su Chen, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable firmness: "I agree. Not only will I participate, but the three of them will enter the valley together."

As soon as he spoke, a barely perceptible, sinister smile flashed across Su Chen's eyes. The plan he had been preparing for was finally finalized.

Although Chen Dagang had his reservations, seeing that Lin Yan had already agreed, he immediately patted his chest and pledged his full cooperation. Yi Azhu, though worried about the dangers of Broken Sword Valley, quietly packed her healing pills, preparing to enter the valley. Yun Xi, meanwhile, practiced her swordsmanship day and night, her fingertips constantly touching the scabbard, ready to fight alongside them at any moment. Although the four didn't deliberately flaunt their abilities, they were all prepared for the challenge, awaiting the day of the small competition.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the day for the outer sect competition to begin arrived.

As dawn broke and the morning mist still lingered, the notice board at the outer martial arts arena was once again packed with disciples, a bustling scene even more noisy than usual. Some carried packs, others gripped magical artifacts, all fully prepared and eagerly awaiting their journey to Broken Sword Valley to participate in the minor competition.

Lin Yan and his three companions arrived as promised. He was still dressed in plain clothes, his expression calm, showing neither urgency nor fear. Chen Dagang carried his heavy stick, exuding a simple and honest tenacity, his eyes firm. Yi Azhu carried a medicine bag, her fingertips gently gripping the bag's strap, her expression calm and composed. Yun Xi stood with her sword at her side, her posture upright, her dark eyes calm as still water, following closely beside Lin Yan the whole time.

But when everyone looked up at the stone wall, there was still a plain notice hanging there. The writing was still simple, but the content made the whole place fall silent instantly, and then caused an even bigger uproar—this year's outer sect competition is cancelled for the day, and the reason cannot be disclosed. All outer sect disciples should return to their normal cultivation.

The news spread like wildfire through the crowd. Some people looked calm, breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to leave; some were secretly relieved to have escaped the dangerous battle in Broken Sword Valley; others were filled with resentment, their pent-up energy of the past few days suddenly vanished, and they began to complain bitterly.

Lin Yan first glanced at the words on the notice, his eyebrows slightly lowered, his face expressionless, his demeanor calm and indifferent from beginning to end, showing neither disappointment nor relief. He had been forced to accept the challenge by Su Chen in the first place, and the cancellation of the minor competition actually saved him from meaningless conflict, which suited his desire to focus on cultivation.

Chen Dagang was taken aback at first, and it took him a long time to react. His tense expression relaxed instantly. He scratched his head, put away the heavy stick in his hand, and muttered, "If it's canceled, it's canceled. Anyway, I'm all prepared. It's better not to have to go through that misty valley. It's less troublesome!" There was no resentment in his tone, but rather a sense of relief.

Yi Azhu slowly loosened her grip on the medicine pouch and said softly, "That's fine. The valley is dangerous. Let's skip this competition so that everyone can stay safe and focus on their cultivation."

Yunxi slowly loosened her grip on the sword hilt. The scabbard stopped trembling. She looked away and saw Lin Yan. He was calm and composed, and the tense sword energy around him had completely subsided, restoring his usual cool and serene demeanor.

The four exchanged a glance, then turned and left the training ground.

On the other hand, Su Chen abruptly closed the folding fan in his hand and slammed it heavily into his palm. His face was full of astonishment and anger. His previous confident expression had vanished, replaced by confusion and anxiety in his eyes. He stared intently at the notice, his face ashen.

Zhao Kui stood to the side, opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word. His arrogant expression was frozen on his face, leaving only bewilderment and astonishment. He was completely at a loss.

Even before the rules of the minor competition were announced, Su Chen had already begun his preparations. He joined forces with Zhao Kui, secretly contacting and bribing several outer disciples who were known for their wicked intentions and were extremely familiar with the terrain of Broken Sword Valley, forming a force specifically targeting Lin Yan and his group.

Shi Kui, who is responsible for patrolling the southwest area of ​​the outer sect year-round, knows all the secret passages, blind spots of sword mist, and weaknesses of the rockfall path in Broken Sword Valley like the back of his hand. Su Chen arranged for him to lead the way and wait for an opportunity to ambush Lin Yan and his group.

Liu Ying, whose cultivation has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, is skilled in short-blade ambushes and setting up simple rope net traps. She loves to hide in the sword mist to ambush people. Her flag-grabbing methods are swift and efficient, never leaving a trace.

Barbarian Butcher possesses extraordinary physical talent, specializing in external martial arts. He is incredibly strong and is specifically responsible for frontal interception and restraining power-type opponents like Chen Dagang.

Zhao Weiwei, a wood-element cultivator, can manipulate wild vines in the valley to entangle and bind others. Su Chen assigned her specifically to target Yi Azhu and cut off Lin Yan and her group's healing support.

Su Chen meticulously arranged for the four to meet in advance, and under the cover of night, they sneaked into the edge of Broken Sword Valley, marking key points in the valley one by one: ambushing the fog area where sword energy was dense, setting up tripwires on the rockfall path, and seizing the spiritual vein spring points in the valley first. Everything was ready, and they were just waiting for the small competition to officially start before immediately dividing and surrounding Lin Yan and the other three, taking their iron flags one by one, so that they could not even last a day in the valley.

But who could have predicted that the much-anticipated outer sect competition would be suddenly canceled without warning on the eve of its start, and Su Chen's meticulously planned scheme would instantly fall apart.