Having cultivated myself into an immortal, all I want to do is raise female disciples.

He has indeed killed a lot of people in the past, many, many...

There were righteous people and evil people; some killed out of hatred, and some were forced to kill...

There are too many to count.

When I think about it, all I have are some unpleasant memories.

"More than that—" Yunping chose to change the subject and asked Uncle Ding, "Has the matter I asked you to handle been resolved?"

"Ah, this..."

Ding Bo remembered what Yun Ping had told him earlier, and casually took out a token from his pocket.

Yun Ping took the token, glanced at it, and casually twisted it, causing a crack to open in the void. He then threw the token into the crack and wiped it shut.

Ding Bo was already used to such mysterious methods, but at this moment he was still full of doubt.

He hesitated for two seconds before asking, "Uncle Yun, you've already personally instructed Miss Li, is this item... still necessary?"

"It will come in handy."

Unexpectedly, Yunping gave an affirmative answer.

Ding Bo didn't quite understand Yun Ping's words. He blinked, hunched over, and said in a deep voice, "Miss Li's cultivation level is now the same as Qin Guang's. She has also received your guidance, and her Thirty-Six Swords of the Cave Heaven has advanced further. She has also gained some understanding of swordsmanship. Her chances of winning this battle against Qin Guang are not low."

"If a fight really breaks out, Qin Guang may not necessarily win against Li Junxiao."

“But Li Junxiao will definitely lose, and lose completely.”

Ding Bo was taken aback, and then realized that Yun Ping must have figured something out: "Old man... why do you say that?"

"Because she is a very simple person."

Yunping's words did not make Ding Bo understand the reason.

He watched the young man slowly rise from the rocking chair, thought for a moment, and then couldn't bring himself to ask the question that was on the tip of his tongue.

Yunping glanced back at Ding Bo, then looked out at the vast Ranshan Sect martial arts arena. He smiled slightly, stretched, and casually put the rocking chair into the void.

"Well then, it's about time—"

"Sir, are you about to leave?"

"You should come too. The sect competition is more lively with more people."

……

The Grand Sect Competition.

now.

The training ground of Ranshan Sect was filled with disciples from both the inner and outer sects.

They were all wearing the same Taoist robes from the Ranshan Sect. In the winter part of the martial arts arena, there was a magnificent palace that had stood for some unknown time. On top of that palace, there was a platform that seemed to float in the air, like a palace hall.

On the platform, several figures were arranged in two rows. Sitting in the very center was an old man with white hair and a youthful face, dressed in a green robe. An invisible spiritual pressure emanated from his body.

That was the sect leader of the Ranshan Sect—

Xun Ranqing.

His sharp, hawk-like gaze swept over the people on his right, his expression growing even colder, before finally settling on a long-faced old man in a dark purple robe.

"Jin He, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Elder Jin He of the Three Peaks smiled slightly, slowly stood up, and bowed to Xun Ranqing, his tone full of respect: "It's only been half a month since we last met, Lord, why use the word 'long time'?"

"Let's skip the small talk."

Sitting in the first seat to Xun Ranqing's left, Li Lin, who was known as the maternal grandfather of the Ranshan Sect, said coldly, "Compared to this, everyone should know that the purpose of this sect competition is to determine the chief disciple of the Ranshan Sect."

"So, the next sect leader, right?"

Jin He's gaze slowly shifted to Li Linsa, his smile unwavering: "Grandfather is right, this position of chief disciple is extremely important."

"I hope that all elders will keep this in mind."

That being said—

At this moment, an old man in purple robes with a long beard sitting next to Jin He narrowed his eyes and couldn't help but chuckle: "Qin Guang, who is under Elder Jin He's command this time, has extraordinary swordsmanship and his cultivation level is among the top in the inner sect. In my opinion, the competition for the chief disciple is a foregone conclusion."

"Sect Master—" The old man's cold gaze fell on Xun Ranqing, and he said meaningfully, "Your position as Sect Master is now well-deserved."

Upon hearing this, a chilling glint flashed across Xun Ranqing's face.

He knew better than anyone what the elder meant by speaking.

The beautiful woman, who looked no more than thirty, standing next to Li Linsa, crossed her legs and stared at the old man in purple with dissatisfaction: "Isn't it too early to say this now? Li Junxiao's swordsmanship is no worse than Qin Guang's saber technique. If they really face off, it's hard to say who will win or lose."

"Oh? It seems that Seventh Elder is quite confident in Li Junxiao."

"As for you, you have too high expectations for Qin Guang. If you lose and get humiliated, it will hurt a lot."

Inside the arena, an invisible tension permeated the air, accompanied by the words exchanged between the two sides, and the strong smell of gunpowder almost assaulted everyone's sense of smell.

This is a war between two factions.

One side was the Demon Dynasty faction led by Jin He, while the other side was the Ranshan faction led by sect leader Xun Ranqing and maternal grandfather Li Linsa.

The fate of both factions largely depends on the outcome of a single battle.

The outcome of a battle for the top spot.

"No need for further explanation."

Sect Master Xun Ranqing uttered a cold sentence, and then silence fell over the vast platform.

The beautiful woman and the old man in purple glared at each other, then fell silent.

Xun Ranqing slowly stepped down from the sect leader's seat. With a flick of his sleeve, gusts of wind followed him as he strode to the edge of the platform.

He looked down at the disciples lined up neatly below, waiting for the sect's grand competition, and took a deep breath.

Xun Ranqing slowly closed his eyes, clenching his fists at the same time.

"This is the most important competition that our Ranshan Sect has held in recent decades."

His words instantly spread throughout the entire training ground.

All the cultivators raised their heads in unison, gazing up at the figure on the platform.

"This grand competition will determine my next successor, the chief of the Ranshan Sect, and the next sect leader of the Ranshan Sect—"

"Remember this: you will always be disciples of the Ranshan Sect, people of Cangyue City, and people of the Lantian Empire."

"I hope that whoever wins will be able to continue the Ranshan Sect."

Xun Ranqing's speech resonated in the ears of every disciple of the Ranshan Sect.

Among the crowd, Li Junxiao and Ren Yao stood together. Upon hearing Xun Ranqing's words, they both clenched their fists and gritted their teeth.

Xun Ranqing, after speaking his heartfelt words, took another deep breath.

This was the first time he had shouted it out in that slightly trembling voice—

"I hereby declare that the Sect Grand Competition... shall now begin!"

This moment.

Jin He, standing behind Xun Ranqing, smiled.

Because he knew... no, everyone knew.

The moment that decided the fate of the Ranshan Sect...

It has arrived.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Quietly asking for some monthly votes

We're getting right to the main event. Those of you who are looking forward to Yu Chan's appearance, get ready to see this hilarious character!

To avoid upsetting those of you who are following the updates, I'll be speeding up the pace a bit lately. Love you all!

17. I'll go ahead and scout the way.

However, in the Ranshan Sect's grand competition, inner and outer disciples are naturally separated.

Immediately after Xun Ranqing announced the start of the competition, dozens of figures emerged from the palace that had sprung up out of thin air in the martial arts arena and swiftly took up positions on the several arenas on either side of the arena.

They were all members of the Ranshan Sect, wearing Ranshan Sect Taoist robes, but in terms of their status, they could not be considered disciples.

These menacing-looking individuals, standing with their hands behind their backs on one side of the arena, possessing agile figures and considerable cultivation, were trusted confidants of Elder Jiufeng. In terms of status and position, they were somewhat similar to the teachers of the Three Heavens Academy within the Ranshan Sect.

In the past, these people would be in the library or the martial arts arena, giving pointers to both inner and outer disciples, and sometimes they would also lecture on the profound mysteries of martial arts techniques.

After all, Ranshan Sect is a major sect in Cangyue City. With so many disciples, it is impossible for the Nine Peak Elders to manage them all. Naturally, they need some helpers to guide their disciples.

The Ranshan Sect's Grand Competition was managed by them, who also decided the winners and losers.

It's worth noting that most arenas have only one referee, but one arena is different.

Below the platform where Xun Ranqing, the sect leader, and Jin He and the other nine peak elders were located, in the most conspicuous area, stood a square arena that was larger and wider than the other arenas, and covered with seven layers of sword formations inside and out.

The seven-layered sword formation was all set up by the sect leader Xun Ranqing himself. It took this Void Realm expert a full ten days to prepare the sword formation. Even if a cultivator at the same Void Realm wanted to break through the sword formation, it would take him quite a while.

On that unique arena stood a row of seven judges.

Yes, seven.

This plan was made to ensure absolute fairness and impartiality. Xun Ranqing did not want any cheating or underhanded tactics to occur in this sect competition.

Especially on this stage where the champion is being fought.

The arena that stands in the most conspicuous place, diagonally below Xun Ranqing and the others, is the arena used to compete for the chief position.

Completely separate from other venues, and even completely isolated from the venues where inner disciples compete for rankings within the sect—this shows just how special this competition for the top spot is.

After all, it concerns the position of the next sect leader, so the Shan Sect cannot be careless.

more importantly……

As the sect leader, Xun Ranqing understood that this battle would determine the future fate of the Ranshan Sect.

Moreover, he even set extremely strict rules.