Chapter 30

Today, the entire Sky Splitting Sword Sect was bustling with activity. The outer disciples' competition drew a large crowd to the martial arts arena. There were tens of thousands of outer disciples, far outnumbering the inner disciples.

As long as one was an outer disciple, they could participate in the competition. However, most of the disciples at the Body Tempering and Bone Forging stages did not join. The actual number of participants was around ten thousand.

Standing out among ten thousand people was no easy feat. Even making it into the top hundred meant standing above nine thousand others. Becoming one of the top ten was even more challenging, and becoming the first was something many had never even dared to dream about.

"If I can obtain the Qi Condensing Pill, my chances of breaking through to the True Qi stage will greatly increase. This time, I must secure the first place in the sect competition!"

Ling Dao clenched his fists tightly. He had to win this time. He couldn't wait for next year's competition. Without the Qi Condensing Pill, with his current substantial foundation, he might not succeed in breaking through. Regardless of which stage he aimed to break through to, it was always better to succeed the first time.

Just like him, the top five outer disciples were also confident in winning the first place. The eldest senior sister, Xia Xinyao, was the top outer disciple, and she viewed the first place as a sure thing.

The second eldest senior brother, Teng Shaofeng, was the former eldest senior brother. He had been defeated by Xia Xinyao last time, which he considered a great shame. He had been training hard recently and now had the confidence to defeat Xia Xinyao. The third eldest senior brother, Wei Jingshan, had a unique encounter, and the fourth eldest senior brother, Zhong Zhenhai, seemed somewhat unfathomable. Only the fifth eldest senior brother, Lu Hong, looked rather ordinary.

"Silence!"

The person presiding over the outer disciples' competition was a deputy sect master of the Sky Splitting Sword Sect. His name was Zhuang Xin, and he looked to be around thirty years old, definitely surpassing the True Qi stage. His voice was extremely loud, instantly silencing the entire martial arts arena.

"It seems our Sky Splitting Sword Sect disciples are all full of confidence. Since that's the case, I won't waste any more words. I will only mention one thing: the top ten will all receive generous rewards.

If any of you can secure the first place, not only will you receive the Qi Condensing Pill, but you will also receive a low-grade sword technique, and even have the opportunity to be apprenticed to an extremely powerful elder. We will invest as much as you show potential!

Now, I announce that the outer disciples' competition officially begins!"

As Zhuang Xin's words fell, the entire martial arts arena erupted in excitement. Fortunately, with many elders present, the scene did not get out of control. The ten thousand outer disciples entered the arena in batches, engaging in a series of exciting matches.

As for the top ten outer disciples, they didn't need to participate in the preliminary rounds; they would only appear later. They even sat in chairs, receiving treatment far superior to that of other outer disciples.

"These matches are not worth watching. Their skills are poor, and they lack combat experience. However, they will help me adapt to the Sky Splitting Sword Technique. Otherwise, I might reveal my true strength later!"

Ling Dao had mastered the Sky Splitting Sword Technique in just one day. After mastering it, he hadn't used it in combat yet, and the preliminary rounds provided him with the perfect opportunity.

Ling Dao's first opponent was a boy who looked to be around sixteen years old. At the Blood Condensing stage at sixteen, it would be impossible to join the Heavenly Martial Sect, but joining the Sky Splitting Sword Sect was not a problem.

"I didn't expect my first opponent to be younger than me. Looks like I have a good start. Perhaps I can achieve a good ranking this time!"

This boy had heard of Ling Dao's reputation but had never met him in person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to say such things. If he were standing next to Gao Bufan, he wouldn't even have the courage to draw his sword, let alone defeat Gao Bufan.

"This boy actually showed up. I hope you can last until the end. When the time comes, I'll make you enjoy life to the fullest!"

Seeing Ling Dao appear, Gao Bufan's hands gripped the armrests of his chair tightly. His eyes blazed with intense anger. If not for the rules of the Sky Splitting Sword Sect, he would have already rushed out to tear Ling Dao to pieces.

"Draw your sword, or you won't even have the chance to draw it!"

The sixteen-year-old boy lifted his head proudly and said, his attitude making Ling Dao laugh. However, Ling Dao didn't bother with empty talk and directly drew his long sword, attacking the boy. His sword technique was quite immature.

It was the first time Ling Dao used the Sky Splitting Sword Technique, and even he felt somewhat unaccustomed. The boy opposite him, however, laughed. In his view, Ling Dao was not even in the same league as him.

"I didn't expect the first battle to be so easy. Defeat!"

The boy suddenly drew his long sword and slashed at Ling Dao. His speed was decent, and in a moment, his sword was less than three feet away from Ling Dao. Ling Dao's sword was just retracting, and the two swords collided.

Next, there was a series of metallic clashes. As the battle progressed, Ling Dao's use of the Sky Splitting Sword Technique became more and more proficient. The boy opposite him felt it most acutely, as if Ling Dao had transformed into a different person.

"End it!"

Before the boy could react, his pupils dilated. Ling Dao's sword was already pointing at his forehead, the tip less than a foot away. If Ling Dao had intended to kill him, he would have been dead on the spot.

"This doesn't make sense. He was so weak earlier, how did he become so strong in an instant?"

Even in defeat, the boy still found it hard to believe. He walked away with a dejected look, having hoped to achieve a good ranking but failing in the first battle.

The subsequent battles were similar. Ling Dao performed quite ordinarily in each match, showing no particular uniqueness. He always took a while to win, unlike some disciples who could win with a single strike.

Through actual combat, Ling Dao realized that even fighting weaker opponents could help him improve his sword technique. He always suppressed his strength, so his performance was never eye-catching.

"Indeed, this boy's strength is so poor. Fortunately, he has been lucky so far. When he meets me, I will avenge my past humiliation and make him kneel at my feet!"

Gao Bufan's eyes flashed with a vicious look, as if he could already see Ling Dao's future suffering!

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