Are you really trying to cultivate immortality? Something feels off.

"Please." The deacon pointed to the spirit stone box.

Nie Zhao randomly picked one up, opened it, and found a note with the number "1" written in strong, vigorous strokes, exuding the fragrance of ink.

"You're lucky," a male voice said.

Nie Zhao turned her head to look. The man had long, black hair that was loose and his bangs were a bit long, covering half of his eyes.

He pulled out a slip of paper from the spirit stone box, opened it, and found the number six written on it.

Rong Juyan smiled regretfully: "It's a pity, I really wanted to face you guys."

Nie Zhao looked at him quietly, and after thinking for a long time, asked, "Who are you?"

When did they become enemies?

Rong Juyan's eyes were cold, but there was a faint smile on his lips: "When you first entered Fenghua Sect, my master and I came to see you."

Nie Zhao thought for a moment, and a name slowly surfaced in his mind. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Rong Juyan?"

The man nodded slightly and waved the note in his hand: "It's alright. We may not be meant to be today, but we'll meet again someday. I hope you win today."

"Winning is inevitable, you don't need to hope for it," Nie Zhao glanced at him, his tone indifferent. "Think about how you're going to explain to your master if you lose to Feng Hua Sect on your home turf."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Rong Juyan watched her retreating figure with a cold expression.

"Senior brother," Lin Qiaoyu leaned closer, "the Fenghua Sect is too arrogant! Our two masters have been friends for many years, and Master watched her grow up. They don't even give her any face?"

"If you were the Phoenix Maiden of this lineage, a once-in-a-millennium talent in Nanchuan," Rong Juyan withdrew her gaze and slowly spoke, "you would also have the confidence to be arrogant."

*

After the draw was completed, the deacon announced it aloud.

"The first match," he glanced at the note in his hand, "Qingyun Sword Sect, Fenghua Sect."

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of discussion arose from the surrounding area.

"The first match is against the Feng Hua Sect? Running into the Qing Yun Sword Sect is just too unlucky?"

"The Qingyun Sword Sect was ranked twelfth in the Spirit Realm last time, which isn't considered weak."

"The problem is that Feng Hua Sect hasn't participated in the sect competition for almost a hundred years, and this time they've only sent children. Can they really fight?"

Yu Xintang pointed to herself: "Who is the child talking about?"

"You guys," Fu Yao said with great interest, "their average age is over sixty, and you're just little kids, aren't you?"

The people from the Qingyun Sword Sect cast mocking glances at him. The leader of the group immediately sneered, his face full of mockery and contempt, and clapped his hands lightly: "It's truly fate. You were spouting nonsense just now. I'd like to see how you're going to defeat our Qingyun Sword Sect today."

Other sects around also joined in the commotion, and the female cultivator from Luoshui Yuntai even chuckled softly, saying sarcastically, "Poor thing, after years of lying low, he's back for the first time, and he's going to have to go home in the very first match. I'm afraid the biggest joke in the Spirit Realm is about to be born."

The atmosphere was extremely tense, filled with mockery and laughter that seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.

"How many sects are there in the Spirit Realm? Twenty? Thirty?" Shen Chunri's lips twitched. "What kind of trash is ranking twelfth? Your grandma's sect hasn't participated in this lousy competition for almost a hundred years and it's ranked fifth. What are you so arrogant about?"

Yu Xintang smiled gently, her fox-like eyes crinkling, her soft tone concealing a sharp edge: "There's no need for you all to be so agitated. It's just a preliminary round, a warm-up for us, but for your sect, it's probably the pinnacle of your life."

"You!" The man was about to say something when he was pulled back by the elder behind him.

"You've got quite the nerve," he said coldly, holding his breath. "Then let's settle this on the competition stage."

"Who is this little girl from the Feng Hua Sect? She's far too arrogant."

"Anyway, I know that the Qingyun Sword Sect ranked twelfth because of its own hard work. As for how much value the Fenghua Sect's fifth place has, I don't know."

"The senior disciple of the Qingyun Sword Sect is indeed exceptionally talented, yet these two disciples from the Fenghua Sect are so rude."

"In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme; it's best to let your power speak for itself."

Yu Xintang curled her lips and gave a soft snort: "It seems that Feng Hua Sect has been gone for too long. Now even the worst fish and shrimp can be called geniuses."

In his eyes, only those who had reached the late Nascent Soul stage and touched the edge of the Void Realm before the age of forty, like those from the Dao Seeking Sect, were qualified to be called "somewhat talented".

Xie Weixing crossed his arms and leaned to the side, a faint smile on his lips: "See? Our Young Master Yu is angry."

Tan Suiting's eyes were cold as he slowly raised them. Following Xie Weixing's words, the others' gazes all fell on the figures of the Qingyun Sword Sect.

[Completely villainous]

[The reason why two people from the Feng Hua Sect speak so harshly is because only these two have opened their mouths; the lion hasn't even opened its mouth yet.]

[This person's ability to withstand pressure is also lacking.]

[To those who call Shen Chunri a witch, let me tell you, Chunri is my little witch, my little princess, my little pearl!]

[You guys really know how to use all your skills when you're doing something bad.]

[Everyone, come and experience the concept that the entire Feng Hua Sect is full of villains]

Tan Suiting's brows were cold and sharp, his long, thick eyelashes fluttered slightly, his lips were pale, and he slowly opened his mouth and said, "In times without heroes, even a scoundrel can become famous."

Yu Xintang chuckled expressionlessly, agreeing with this statement.

Shen Chunri blinked her big eyes and leaned closer: "What did you mean by that?"

Yu Xintang:......

Who can do something about this illiterate snake?

Xie Weixing hooked her chin, like teasing a dog: "It means that the grandson hasn't been beaten in a long time and now he's become arrogant and thinks he's the father."

"Oh, well, Xiaolong summed it up quite well," Shen Chunri muttered, rubbing his chin. "And he put it in a rather sophisticated way."

Tan Suiting:

[Is Dragon Hall the only one in the Feng Hua Sect who seems to have a righteous aura? If I had to say, I'd add Senior Sister too.]

[They're a villainous sect, haha, that's normal.]

[Young Master Yu, you must teach the Qingyun Sword Sect a lesson today!]

"In short, the number of participants must be limited to five or fewer. This is the rule of the competition," Fu Yao said slowly. "The first stage consists of three matches. Only those who win two or more matches are eligible to stay and participate in the next round. You can decide how to play yourselves."

Knowing that Xie Weixing was capable of giving orders, she simply let them do it and became a hands-off manager.

Xie Weixing turned his head and exchanged a glance with Nie Zhao.

He had already reviewed the general information from the sect competition ten years ago last night, and based on the normal cultivation speed, the Qingyun Sword Sect should not have more than two Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.

Nie Zhao raised an eyebrow: "Just do what you want to do. Take a nap, I'll cover for you."

Xie Weixing, having received instructions from his senior sister, felt as if he had obtained the national seal and jade seal.

He smiled and turned to look at Shen Chunri: "Little snake?"

Shen Chunri tilted her head: "Hmm?"

Xie Weixing put his hand on her shoulder, his tone mysterious: "Interested in going on stage with your senior brother to beat up an idiot?"

Shen Chunri was taken aback: "Just the two of us?"

"Hmm," Xie Weixing raised an eyebrow, "Do you think these few oddballs are good enough for us to take action against?"

Shen Chunri blinked.

Yu Xintang was about to suggest adding him if necessary, since it was the first time Feng Hua Sect had participated in the sect competition since its return after nearly a century, and being cautious was understandable.

Shen Chunri slowly curled a smile onto her lips, meeting Xie Weixing's gaze. Her emerald green eyes were filled with cunning and ruthlessness: "Alright."

After an incense stick had burned, the young man in black and the woman in green stood on the competition platform.

"You're only sending two fighters?" The deacon acting as referee frowned slightly. "This is a sect competition, are you sure?"

Xie Weixing tilted his head, politely replying, "Yes."

The steward was silent for a moment, then nodded: "The first match is between Feng Hua Sect and Qing Yun Sword Sect."

"A contest—"

"Let's begin!"