Chapter 25

"Are you also here to participate in the competition? How is this possible?"

Yanshan almost couldn't believe his ears and exclaimed in shock.

This month, he had been leaving early and returning late, practicing his Seven Steps King Fist on Shouyang Mountain every day. Moreover, Tanggu hadn't been seen in the outer courtyard for a month, so he thought Tanggu had really listened to his advice and would stay away for a month, only returning after the academy's small competition was over.

Therefore, he had no idea that Tanggu had already passed through the Snowman Cave and obtained a place as an outer courtyard disciple.

"It's true."

Tanggu smiled and emphasized his words. No matter how much Yanshan didn't want to believe it, he finally had to accept this fact.

"You little rascal."

He laughed heartily, purely happy for Tanggu, and punched him in the chest. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I was worried about you, thinking you had really listened to me and stayed away for a month. I didn't expect this..."

"Never mind, it's all good. Get ready, the competition is about to start."

"Okay."

"In that case, see you on the stage. If we meet, don't hold back."

"You too."

"Ha ha, good. I want to see if your new status as an outer courtyard disciple is genuine."

"We'll see."

...

Watching Tanggu and Yanshan chatting happily, on the other side, in the circle with the most people gathered in the entire square, "Iron Sword" Du Pengfei had a dark look in his eyes but didn't say anything.

However, when he looked at Tanggu, there was occasionally a cold glint in his eyes, filled with strong confidence and pressure.

"I hope you can last until that step. Only then will it not be in vain that I have been looking forward to it for so long. Inner courtyard disciple, you will never have a chance!"

In the other two circles, "Ice Maiden" Li Youxue looked curious, while "Paper Scholar" Xiao Qingbi, as usual, didn't care much about any disputes, looking straight ahead and quietly waiting for the competition to begin.

...

"Clang, clang, clang..."

The sound of the bell rang three times. A man in a green robe walked onto the stage, looking at the hundreds of outer courtyard disciples below and smiled. "All outer courtyard disciples, the annual outer courtyard selection competition is officially starting. Everyone knows the rules, so I won't repeat them. Now, I will emphasize the rewards!"

"In this outer courtyard competition, apart from the top five, who will definitely enter the inner courtyard and receive more powerful cultivation and resource support, all participating disciples will also receive a series of rich rewards from the outer courtyard based on their rankings!"

After saying this, he took out a small booklet and read it aloud:

"First place in the outer courtyard, a reward of a Fifth Rank Common Dark Cloud Iron Sword."

"Second place in the outer courtyard, the right to choose one First Rank top-grade cultivation technique from the inner courtyard's martial treasury!"

"Third place in the outer courtyard, a reward of one Three-Transformation Pill and three Small Sun and Moon Pills."

"Other outer courtyard disciples, from fourth to fifth, fifth to tenth, and tenth to thirtieth, will receive eight, four, and two Small Essence Origin Pills respectively. Please seize this opportunity and don't miss it."

"Alright, the competition is about to begin! Please go to the registration stand to the side and get your battle numbers. Then, draw lots according to your numbers and compete in batches and in different arenas!"

Hearing this, Yanshan tugged at Tanggu's sleeve. "Let's go, to get our numbers!"

"Okay."

The two followed the crowd to a wooden stand to the side. Fortunately, there were only a hundred or so outer courtyard disciples, so after waiting for a while, they each received a small green token.

Yanshan got number nine.

Tanggu got number twenty-eight.

A little while later, the same man in a green robe walked onto the stage and called out eight names. "First batch, first round, on the first stage, number seven Wang Lian versus number fourteen Mu Koshan. On the second stage, number eight Jin Feisheng versus number twenty-six Xiao Danian. On the third stage, number eighteen Lin Xiongfei versus number forty-six Huang Ming. On the fourth stage, number nine Yanshan versus number forty-six Wang Zhongyong."

In the first batch, Yanshan's name was clearly mentioned.

But Tanggu was not yet up.

He patted Yanshan's shoulder. "Senior Brother Yan, good luck!"

"Ha ha!"

Yanshan smiled confidently. "Don't worry about me. I'll watch your match later, and you need to do your best too!"

"Okay, go!"

...

The competition began.

Among the four stages, only Yanshan was in the top five. Tanggu naturally went to Yanshan's stage to cheer for him without hesitation.

To his great surprise, and yet as expected, as soon as Yanshan stepped onto the stage, his opponent, number forty-six Wang Zhongyong, immediately announced his withdrawal!

Yanshan became the first outer courtyard disciple to advance to the top fifty.

After that, the other three stages quickly decided their winners. On the first stage, number fourteen Mu Koshan won. On the second stage, number twenty-six Xiao Danian won. On the third stage, number forty-six Huang Ming won.

The second round officially began.

Tanggu still didn't hear his name, but this time, another person from the top five was present.

"Paper Scholar" Xiao Qingbi.

His opponent didn't immediately concede, but under Xiao Qingbi's attack, he didn't even use the Qi Sword Technique and was directly knocked off the stage with a punch, causing a stir among the crowd.

The competition proceeded in a tense yet orderly atmosphere. The top five, including "Iron Sword" Du Pengfei, "Ice Maiden" Li Youxue, and "Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng, all took their turns.

Their opponents either directly conceded, didn't even step onto the stage, or were knocked down in one punch, unable to last a single round. All three won easily.

In no time, six batches had passed. Finally, in the seventh batch, Tanggu heard the green-robed elder call his name.

"Seventh batch, second stage, number thirty-six Fu Zhuolun versus number twenty-eight Tanggu!"

"It's your turn, good luck!"

Beside him, Yanshan, who had already come down from the stage, immediately perked up and patted Tanggu's shoulder.

"Okay."

Tanggu smiled slightly and walked straight onto the stage. Instantly, the other three in the top five also turned their gazes toward Tanggu.

"Iron Sword" Du Pengfei, "Ice Maiden" Li Youxue, and "Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng.

Their eyes, whether profound, calm, or filled with resentment, all showed deep concern.

Tanggu's opponent was a young and handsome disciple in a green robe, using a pair of crescent short swords.

Seeing Tanggu step onto the stage, his eyes flickered slightly, clearly showing some reluctance and retreat. However, after looking at the countless eyes watching from below, he bit his lip and, with a stiff face, bowed and said, "Please guide me!"

"Please!"

The two didn't waste words and immediately attacked. Fu Zhuolun swung his left short sword, creating a crescent-shaped arc of cold light that aimed directly at Tanggu's face. At the same time, he held the other short sword in his arms, both attacking and defending, leaving no gaps.

However, for such an opponent, Tanggu didn't even glance at him. His left hand flicked three times, and three pale purple dragon-shaped sword lights "hissed" and directly knocked his dual swords away. The third sword light then aimed at his vital point, scaring him so much that he jumped off the stage with a "bang"!

One move, and Tanggu won!

"What is this?"

Far away, "Iron Sword" Du Pengfei, "Ice Maiden" Li Youxue, "Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng, and others, all had their eyes widen. This was the first time they had seen Tanggu in action, and this mysterious sword light technique was something they had never heard of.

"Where did this kid learn his sword technique?"

Even Yanshan was secretly surprised. Although he didn't know why Tanggu joined the outer courtyard, he had thought that even if he managed to enter the outer courtyard by chance, his strength wouldn't be much.

He didn't expect that a First Turn Qi Dao outer courtyard disciple, who could rank in the middle to lower tier in the entire outer courtyard, would not last a single round under his hands. This strength was definitely not that of an ordinary disciple.

However, regardless, he was secretly happy for Tanggu's victory.

Time passed quickly, and after thirteen batches of battles, the top fifty out of the hundred outer courtyard disciples were quickly decided. The next day, the top twenty-five and the top twelve would face off in consecutive challenges.

PS: First update.

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