Chapter 85

Compared to the outer disciples, if an inner disciple reaches the peak of the Qi Condensation stage, they can obtain two spirit stones and three Harmony Qi Pills each month, which amounts to twenty-four spirit stones and thirty-six Harmony Qi Pills in a year.

Of course, as inner disciples, they can go to the Steward Hall to take on some tasks to earn spirit stones, or even contribute to the sect, but the earnings are limited, at most adding another twenty to thirty spirit stones in a year, and it is also very time-consuming.

In this kind of competition, if low-grade mid-quality talismans are used, it is difficult to pose a threat to the opponent, while high-quality talismans generally cost fifty spirit stones, meaning using one is equivalent to two years' worth of spirit stone income, which can only be saved up if one does not use them. Therefore, this competition almost entirely comes down to who is stronger.

However, although they are not wealthy, each of them is extremely ruthless, clearly showing that those who dare to compete for the grottoes are not pushovers.

After the competition for the Yellow-numbered grottoes ended, the next was the competition for the Mystic-numbered grottoes.

None of the six Mystic-numbered grottoes were occupied by a single person; almost every grotto had four or five people competing for it.

Unlike the competition for the Yellow-numbered grottoes, these disciples might not have the best cultivation, but they were clearly much wealthier. At least when they engaged in combat, they used high-quality magical tools and a lot of talismans. One person even forced his opponent to concede by sheer force of the number of talismans he had.

Lin Haoming heard that this person was also a descendant of an old ancestor.

After the competition for the Mystic-numbered grottoes ended, several disciples responsible for maintaining the scene began to repair the Life and Death Platform that had been damaged during the competition.

A cultivator surnamed He, who appeared to be in his thirties and was in charge of the competition, came to the front again and said, "The competition for the Mystic-numbered grottoes has ended. Next is the competition for the two Earth-numbered grottoes."

Hearing that it was finally the turn for the Earth-numbered grottoes, Lin Haoming no longer had the mindset of watching a show. He perked up his ears and listened carefully.

"Earth-numbered grottoes, there are two in total, numbered thirteen and sixteen. Among them, Grotto Thirteen is automatically awarded to Ji Xiongying as he is the only one competing for it!"

When the cultivator surnamed He finished speaking, Lin Haoming was also taken aback, and the others exclaimed in surprise. Clearly, everyone knew that something was not simple about this.

Lin Haoming looked at the cultivator surnamed He and understood that this kind of thing must have been manipulated behind the scenes, or perhaps Ji Xiongying had a significant background, allowing him to directly obtain the grotto, and this so-called competition was just a formality.

Previously, Ling Shengjie had repeatedly said that no one could manipulate the Earth-numbered grottoes, but now, with the reality before him, Lin Haoming suddenly understood why Ling Shengjie did not come. It was entirely because of Ji Xiongying's matter, which made him feel embarrassed to face Lin Haoming.

However, Lin Haoming did not know what kind of background Ji Xiongying had, that he could accomplish what Ling Shengjie could not.

With this result, Lin Haoming suddenly realized that the competition for an Earth-numbered grotto attracting as many as seven people was already beyond the norm.

At this moment, the cultivator surnamed He continued, "Earth-numbered Grotto Sixteen, a total of seven people are participating in the competition: Zuo Chengze, Mei Zheng, Ji Yushu, Xia Xunzhen, Min Qing, Shao Youhe, and Lin Haoming. Those whose names have been called, if you wish to participate, sign the life and death contract!"

As Lin Haoming heard his name, he also heard someone exclaim in surprise.

Ever since he obtained the supreme spirit stone and made a great contribution to the sect, Lin Haoming's name had long been remembered by all the Qi Condensation stage disciples. At this moment, many people were wide-eyed, eager to see what this lucky guy looked like.

Of course, many people were also curious why Lin Haoming, after receiving so many benefits, would still come to compete for a grotto, especially with so many people. Wouldn't it be better to slowly cultivate to the peak of the Qi Condensation stage and then reach the Foundation Establishment stage?

Although Lin Haoming heard many such doubts and questions, he calmly walked up and, like the previous competitors, signed the life and death contract.

While signing the life and death contract, he also noticed that the people competing for the grotto with him were exactly three men and three women.

As he observed them, the six people also observed Lin Haoming and the others. However, perhaps because Lin Haoming's recent reputation was so loud, and a mental scan revealed that he was only at the ninth layer of the Qi Condensation stage, many people paid special attention to him.

"That Lin Haoming is only at the ninth layer of the Qi Condensation stage, yet he dares to compete for an Earth-numbered grotto. Is he crazy?" The other spectators, upon discovering Lin Haoming's true cultivation, also began to discuss in surprise.

One view was naturally to look down on Lin Haoming, thinking that he believed his good luck would continue.

Another view was that Lin Haoming was not simple, and since he dared to participate in the grotto competition, he must have something extraordinary.

A very few people speculated that Lin Haoming might also be like the previous person, Ji Xiongying, who had taken another path to this competition, and this competition might be a performance he was putting on.

But no matter how many thoughts the crowd had, when the actual competition began, everyone fell silent.

Lin Haoming was given a bye, and the remaining six people paired up to fight. On the Life and Death Platform closest to Lin Haoming, Zuo Chengze faced off against Mei Zheng.

Coincidentally, both were sword cultivators, and they immediately used flying swords to fight each other.

Back and forth, in the midst of flying sword shadows, both sides pushed their flying swords to the limit. Whether in attack or defense, both performed exceptionally well. Sometimes, what seemed like an unavoidable attack was deflected at the last moment by their superb skills, truly thrilling the spectators.

Lin Haoming watched their sword duel and felt deeply inferior. At least in terms of controlling flying swords, he was far behind them.

Because their cultivation levels were similar and their use of flying swords was also similar, this battle lasted nearly half an hour before Zuo Chengze, whose magical power ran out, was defeated by Mei Zheng.

Fortunately, their strength was evenly matched, and although Zuo Chengze lost, he did not suffer major injuries; he just lost the chance to compete for the grotto.

The victorious Mei Zheng immediately took out a pill and swallowed it, while holding a spirit stone in each hand to quickly replenish his magical power for the next competition.

Compared to their nearly half-hour battle, the competition between Ji Yushu and Shao Youhe was decided in a flash.

Shao Youhe immediately used countless colorful ribbons, which instantly enveloped Ji Yushu. When everyone saw Ji Yushu again, he was already severely injured.

Compared to these two battles, the most bizarre was the competition between Min Qing and Xia Xunzhen.