Chapter 19

After receiving his master's definite promise, Qin Fengming practiced martial arts even more diligently, leaving early in the morning and returning late at night, never missing a day regardless of the weather.

When the master returned, he did not see Yuan Kejian and was greatly puzzled. Although he inquired about it from the other disciples, he did not delve too deeply into the matter, as the selection of new disciples for Luoxia Valley was also in full swing at the time. He had no time to spare for the disappearance of one or two new disciples.

Time passed, flowers bloomed and withered, and several months went by unnoticed.

The day of the competition at the Hundred Refinements Hall was drawing near. During this period, the other disciples who had entered the sect with Qin Fengming also learned about the competition from their instructors. They were excited, but were then informed that they could not participate in this year's competition and could only watch. This news greatly discouraged the disciples.

But upon reflection, they all understood. They had only been in Luoxia Valley for about three years, and had been practicing martial arts for only two years. Compared to those who had been in the sect for six or seven years, the gap was obvious.

This major competition would involve all the disciples who were still training in the Hundred Refinements Hall, numbering about sixty to seventy. The least experienced among them had been in the sect for five or six years, and some had been there for over ten years.

Fortunately, this major competition was limited to the Hundred Refinements Hall. If the disciples of Luoxia Valley's sect members were included, the number of peers would reach over a hundred.

To achieve good results in a competition with so many skilled participants was undoubtedly very difficult.

Although Qin Fengming did not place much importance on the competition results, his competitive spirit, being young, naturally existed. Therefore, apart from practicing martial arts every day, he no longer paid attention to anything else.

As the days passed, the day of the competition finally arrived.

On this early morning, a young man in a blue robe led Qin Fengming and the other disciples to a valley. This valley was very vast, and within it, there were ten stone platforms, each two to three zhang high and about twenty zhang wide. The central platform was about five to six zhang high.

Looking around, the surrounding platforms were clearly visible.

At this time, there were already many disciples in the valley, gathering in groups here and there. The people around were all young men in blue and brown robes, whom Qin Fengming had never seen before and who were not disciples of the Hundred Refinements Hall.

Looking at the disciples in gray robes gathered in the middle of the valley, Qin Fengming knew that they were undoubtedly the ones who would participate in the competition.

By the time it was the hour of Si, more than twenty people appeared on the central platform, which was about five to six zhang high. Among them, the Hall Master of the Hundred Refinements Hall, Zhang Li, was seated in the middle.

"Listen up, all disciples. Those who wish to participate in this competition should go to this stone platform to receive a number plate. The competition will be based on these number plates."

Just as the people below were discussing among themselves, Elder Wang, who had presided over Qin Fengming's entrance test, appeared in front of the platform. After stopping the discussion, he said.

His voice was not loud, but everyone present could hear it clearly.

Following Elder Wang's words, disciples immediately stepped forward and went to the back of the stone platform.

Seeing this, Qin Fengming did not hesitate. After nodding to Duan Meng, he also stepped out from the group.

After a while, to the surprise of Duan Meng and the others, Qin Fengming slowly walked back, holding a bamboo number plate in his hand.

"Fengming, are you going to participate in this competition too?" Duan Meng and the other disciples who had come with him were greatly surprised.

"Ha ha, yes, I begged the Hall Master, and he finally agreed to let me try."

Hearing that Qin Fengming was going to participate in the competition, the other disciples who had come with him were all incredulous. They had been clearly told by their instructors that the disciples of this year were not allowed to participate.

Qin Fengming did not explain in detail at this time. Although the other disciples did not know that Qin Fengming had already become the Hall Master's disciple, Duan Meng knew. Seeing that Qin Fengming was allowed to participate in the competition, Duan Meng understood.

He did not ask any more questions.

"I believe all the participating disciples have received their number plates. Now, I will explain the competition rules. Disciples numbered one to eight go to Platform One; nine to sixteen to Platform Two; seventeen to twenty-four to Platform Three, and so on. The last group, fifty-seven to sixty-two, go to Platform Eight.

"On each platform, the smallest number will compete with the largest number, the second smallest with the second largest, and so on. The four winners will then compete with each other, and the winners will advance directly. The four who lost the first round will compete with each other, and the two winners will then compete with the two previous winners who lost, and the winner will advance to the next round.

"If there are any questions, you can ask the person in charge at your respective platforms. Now, all disciples, please find your respective platforms and begin the competition."

Elder Wang stood on the platform, speaking calmly and slowly, and then returned to his seat.

After hearing the elder's words, the disciples all checked their number plates to confirm which platform they should go to.

Qin Fengming held his number plate, which read "45," and after a moment's thought, he headed towards Platform Six.

Seeing this, Duan Meng and the other disciples who had come with him also moved, following Qin Fengming to the base of Platform Six. This action drew the attention of the hundreds of people present, who turned to watch and began to discuss.

At this time, a young man in a brown robe was already standing on Platform Six. Looking at the eight people standing below the stone platform, the young man's expression was serious. He scanned the crowd and said,

"Competition among fellow disciples should be controlled and not easily result in injury or death. If anyone violates this rule, they will be severely punished. Remember this. Now, number forty-one and forty-eight, please come up to the platform. Number forty-two and forty-seven, please prepare. The rest, please step aside and wait."

Following the young man's words, two people immediately stepped out from the crowd and walked towards the side of the platform.

"The competition can begin now." The young man in the brown robe collected their number plates and said.

The two people bowed to the young man in the brown robe, looked at each other, and without saying a word, they each assumed a stance and began to fight, wielding their weapons.

One of them held a single saber, and the other used a long sword. Their techniques were not ordinary, and as they wielded their weapons, two spheres of light intertwined, making the fight extremely intense.

After watching for a moment, Qin Fengming could already discern the difference in their skills. The young man with the saber was clearly the better of the two.

As expected, after only a short time, the young man with the saber feigned a move to lure his opponent and then pinned him down with his saber.

Feeling the intensity of the previous match, Qin Fengming felt more confident. After a year of diligent training, his sword skills and lightness techniques were far superior to what they had been before. Even without using his full strength, he could easily subdue the two disciples he had just seen.