Chapter 34

With the incantation for reaching the ninth level of the Qi Condensation stage, Wang Lin felt greatly relieved and began a life of seclusion. Days passed, and the entire Hengyue Sect was filled with a tense atmosphere.

All the inner disciples were preparing for the year-end competition. If they entered the top ten, they could obtain magical treasures, elixirs, spirit stones, jade talismans, and more.

What made them even more envious was that the sect master had put forward the sect’s precious treasure, the Twin Moon Rings, as the reward for the first place!

These Twin Moon Rings were relics from a senior of the sect from 300 years ago, with considerable power, and were rare treasures that combined both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Therefore, the inner disciples were secretly sharpening their fists and feet, brimming with energy.

As for the new disciples’ competition, this year only a few new inner disciples were admitted, and in everyone’s eyes, Wang Zhuo would undoubtedly become the champion among the new disciples.

Among the named disciples, the mutual animosity was even stronger. For them, this competition represented a turning point in their lives, and everyone was secretly making their final preparations.

All this tension had nothing to do with Wang Lin. He spent his days either cultivating or practicing the Gravity Technique. The day before the end of the month, he left the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall and headed straight for the main courtyard.

He had already mastered the technique to conceal his aura. With a thought, the spiritual energy within his body naturally hid, giving the false impression that he had not yet reached the first level of the Qi Condensation stage.

He felt that the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall was too crowded and unsuitable for cultivation, so he wanted to find a reason to go down the mountain to seek a quiet place for secluded cultivation.

Arriving at the main courtyard, he walked in with large strides and soon reached the entrance to Sun Dazhu’s medicinal garden. He respectfully called out loudly, “Disciple Wang Lin seeks an audience with Master.”

“What do you want?” The gate of the medicinal garden did not open, and Sun Dazhu’s impatient voice came from inside, clearly showing his dislike for this disciple.

Wang Lin’s expression remained calm, and he respectfully said, “Disciple’s cultivation is insufficient, and I feel I cannot win in the competition tomorrow, fearing to bring shame to Master, so I do not wish to participate.”

“Hmph, you’re being sensible. This time, your Uncle Daoxu’s disciple, Wang Zhuo, has already reached the peak of the first level of the Qi Condensation stage and can break through to the second level at any time. Even if you go, it will be in vain; he can crush you with a single finger. I heard you are relatives, yet the difference is so great.” Sun Dazhu said sarcastically.

Wang Lin was not bothered and said, “Wang Zhuo has been smart since childhood, with abundant spiritual roots, which I cannot compare to.”

“Have you found the gourd in the past six months?” Sun Dazhu asked after a moment of silence.

Wang Lin shook his head, showing a troubled expression, and said, “It’s strange; I’ve been to the spring many times, but I haven’t seen any gourds floating down.”

“Is there anything else? If not, get lost; seeing you just makes me angry!” Sun Dazhu said coldly. He could not control his temper when he saw this disciple, wishing to slap him to death to avoid being laughed at by his peers.

“Master, I find it too dull on the mountain and want to go down for a while, returning after the New Year. Is that alright?” Wang Lin lowered his head and respectfully asked.

“Go down the mountain? No, I hadn’t thought about it until you mentioned it. In four years, there will be the exchange conference with the Xuandao Sect. This time, your Uncle Sect Master has given an order for most of the inner disciples to undergo a four-year training after the New Year. You should also participate to avoid disgracing me at the exchange conference!” Sun Dazhu refused outright.

“Training?” Wang Lin was taken aback.

“The exchange happens every 20 years, a rule that has been in place for hundreds of years. The Xuandao Sect and our Hengyue Sect appear friendly on the surface, but they secretly compete. In the past hundred years, we have lost several times, which is very embarrassing. Therefore, the training has been arranged. Listen well, if you don’t achieve anything during this training and disgrace me at the exchange conference, I will expel you from the Hengyue Sect!” Sun Dazhu said without much explanation.

Wang Lin sighed inwardly. It was clearly impossible to go out for cultivation. Seeing Sun Dazhu’s unfriendly tone, he nodded in agreement and left.

Back at the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, Wang Lin pondered for a moment. Since he could not go out for cultivation, he would take advantage of this training to find an opportunity to cultivate.

The next day, the internal competition began, with a lively scene. Wang Lin hesitated for a moment and did not go to watch, instead using every available moment to practice breathing and consolidate the second level of the Qi Condensation stage.

In the following days, through casual conversations with the named disciples, Wang Lin learned that Zhang Brother had won first place among the inner disciples, though it was said that no purple-robed disciples participated.

As for Wang Zhuo, he became the champion among the new disciples without any surprise, becoming arrogant and looking down on others of the same age.

A week later, in the early morning, the sound of bells echoed throughout the Hengyue Sect, ringing five times, indicating that all inner disciples must quickly gather at the sect’s main hall.

Wang Lin, who was in the dream space, did not hear it until Sun Dazhu, who was furious, kicked open the door of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, waking him up. He quickly hid his cultivation and pushed open the door of the dark room. Sun Dazhu, with a furious expression, shouted at Wang Lin, “Wang Lin, are you deaf? Didn’t you hear the bell? You, my wicked disciple, all the inner disciples participating in the training are here except you, making me lose face in front of my peers. You... you’ve made me angry!!!”

Wang Lin raised an eyebrow and remained silent.

Sun Dazhu glared at Wang Lin fiercely. He knew this was not the time to scold his disciple, as the sect master and other seniors were waiting. Without a word, he grabbed Wang Lin and, stepping on a seven-colored cloud, quickly rose into the air.

They arrived at the main hall of the main courtyard as quickly as possible. Sun Dazhu threw Wang Lin to the ground and whispered, “Wang Lin, follow me inside. If you disgrace me again, I will risk the sect master’s punishment to kill you!” The last sentence was said with a murderous look, as Sun Dazhu had grown to despise this disciple to the extreme and was determined to find a way to expel him.

Wang Lin rubbed his arm. If he had not reached the second level of the Qi Condensation stage, his arm would have been broken from that fall. He lowered his head and said softly, “Disciple understands.”

Sun Dazhu grunted, straightened his clothes, and walked into the hall. Wang Lin took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and followed with a calm expression.

The main hall of the Hengyue Sect was the most solemn place in the entire sect. Inside, the hall was vast, with dozens of huge statues of the sect’s ancestors lining both sides, creating a solemn atmosphere.

As Wang Lin followed Sun Dazhu inside, dozens of gazes immediately focused on him. He immediately felt his breathing become difficult and quickly lowered his head.