Chapter 44: By Heaven and Earth, I Really Did Ease Up!

After an intense competition lasting most of the day, the contest between the inner and outer disciples came to an end. Following the conclusion of the first three rounds, fifty disciples successfully advanced. Among them, forty-five were from the inner sect, while only five hailed from the outer sect. This ranking indirectly reflected the correlation between talent and strength.

As for the five outstanding outer sect disciples, despite starting at a lower base, they had still made significant progress through relentless effort and other factors. This demonstrated that initial talent alone does not determine one’s future achievements.

In the stands, several stewards were distributing rewards to those who advanced through the first two rounds. The rewards could be accumulated—the higher the round reached, the greater the prize. Any disciple ranking within the top five hundred received one hundred lower-grade spirit stones. Those in the top one hundred were additionally awarded an exquisite Xuan-level superior spirit artifact.

These rewards were a powerful encouragement for the advancing disciples, making all their prior efforts and trials feel worthwhile. Meanwhile, those who did not advance wore complicated expressions—part envy, part regret, as if wishing they could slap themselves. The prizes were simply too tempting; the rewards for the first two rounds were already generous, not to mention the third and fourth rounds.

Many disciples felt their fighting spirit reignited instantly, silently vowing to claim the rewards next time.

Sect Leader Murong Yan observed the disciples’ expressions with great satisfaction. After all, this was the very purpose of establishing the Newcomer Competition. If the sect’s new blood consisted only of complacent individuals, the Xuantian Sect would soon face extinction.

Before long, the fifty disciples who passed the third round were called to the stage by the elders. These somewhat youthful boys and girls stood there joyfully, exhilarated, basking in the admiration from the crowd below, their hearts brimming with satisfaction.

“You have passed countless trials to stand here, proving that your three months of talent and hard work have not been in vain. Well done!” The Chief Elder of the Internal Affairs Hall smiled warmly as he personally handed out the rewards to each disciple.

Seeing this, the crowd below was filled with envy and jealousy. Those among the top five hundred only received rewards distributed by stewards, but these fifty had the honor of having the Chief Elder himself present their prizes—a true mark of prestige.

“This is a sixth-grade elixir, the Essence Condensing Pill. When you reach the culmination of the Blood Transference Realm, consuming this pill grants a ninety percent chance to breakthrough to the True Origin Realm.” The Chief Elder took out a bottle of pills and distributed them one by one.

Upon hearing the details of the third-round reward, the disciples below went utterly wild, eyes gleaming greedily. For those of average talent, breaking through from the Blood Transference Realm to the True Origin Realm by personal effort alone might take a year or more. For those with poorer innate ability, such as mid-level Yellow rank talent, it could take several years or more to achieve.

Thus, the importance of the Essence Condensing Pill to most disciples was self-evident.

“Now, I will announce the rules for the fourth round challenge...” An inner sect elder began explaining the rules.

This round was the finals, conducted in a challenge mode. The Ten True Inheritors each occupied a platform and were open to unlimited challenges from the fifty disciples. Challenges could not be refused.

The True Inheritors needed to defend their platform without defeat for half an hour to claim victory; failure meant a three-month salary deduction as punishment.

Any inner or outer sect disciple who managed to defeat a True Inheritor would receive an additional lower-grade Heavenly rank cultivation method and a year’s salary.

“Each challenger has two attempts. No weapons may be used during combat, and no malicious harm is allowed—strive to end the fight as quickly as possible.” The elder’s expression was serious.

“All right, without further ado, I invite the Ten True Inheritors to take their places. Let the challenges begin!”

As his words fell, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd, cheers filling the air. The many disciples below eagerly fixed their gaze on the ten platforms at the center, unable to look away.

The Ten True Inheritors represented the most outstanding of their generation, and all were curious to see how their combat prowess would manifest.

Soon, the Ten True Inheritors ascended the platforms.

Li Wudao stood on the sixth platform, his expression subtle as he muttered to himself. He had spontaneously decided to use the sixth platform to ambush Qi Xingyu—and it just so happened to be the sixth platform. Could this be fate?

As he pondered this, challengers began to attack on other platforms one by one.

At that moment, on the viewing platform, Ruan Fei and Sun Qian were snuggled close, their eyes fixed intently on Li Wudao.

“Qianqian, don’t worry. My people are well arranged—eight of them have made it to the finals, all at least late Blood Transference Realm. That kid is doomed!” Ruan Fei squeezed Sun Qian’s hand confidently, certain of victory.

He had long understood the final challenge rules and knew Li Wudao stood no chance of winning.

“After today, his status as a True Inheritor will be worthless. The sect will reconsider, and that guy is basically finished.” Ruan Fei smiled with certainty.

As the son of an inner sect elder, he was well aware of the sect’s conditional attitude toward disciples. Being a True Inheritor was a pillar of the sect’s future, and every position represented immense interests.

If Li Wudao were defeated by inner or outer disciples in the Newcomer Competition, his value would plummet rapidly, drawing the sect’s senior leaders’ displeasure.

At that point, with his father’s influence, Ruan Fei could easily push to strip Li Wudao of his True Inheritor status, making him easy to control thereafter.

“Mm, thanks, Fei-ge. From now on, Qianqian belongs to you,” Sun Qian purred, her gaze towards Li Wudao filled with mockery and anticipation.

Despite her mid-Blood Transference Realm strength, she only reached the second round.

Even though Li Wudao’s talent had reached Earth rank, three months of cultivation could not have advanced his power much. He might not even surpass her.

“Li Wudao, you worthless wretch, how dare you humiliate me? Just wait—your reckoning is coming!” Sun Qian’s heart swelled with satisfaction and light gleamed in her eyes.

During this time, the feeble boy who had behaved like a sycophant not only publicly divorced her by blood contract but even slapped her in front of everyone, shaming her utterly. She hated Li Wudao with a burning passion, wishing she could skin him alive.

Meanwhile, on platform six, a youth of roughly twenty years old stepped forward.

He casually cupped his fist and said with a bland tone, “I am Fang Chang. I humbly request Brother Li to grant me instruction.”

Li Wudao looked at him, feeling something strange. This young man appeared somewhat mature—unlike a newcomer to the sect. Still, he gave it little thought.

This youth was merely late Blood Transference Realm, posing no pressure whatsoever.

“Ah, it’s Fang Chang. He broke through to late Blood Transference Realm some time ago and stabilized his realm. Handling Li Wudao should be easy for him,” Ruan Fei remarked with a surprised smile from the viewing platform.

Sun Qian’s eyes brightened upon hearing this. If Li Wudao were defeated immediately and slunk off the stage, it would be utterly humiliating.

“Brother Li, you may strike first,” Fang Chang beckoned arrogantly.

“Interesting...” Li Wudao was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected to be looked down upon.

Watching the youth cross his arms, Li Wudao felt speechless. He had to admit, this guy was even better at putting on airs.

“Very well.” Li Wudao nodded. He had one virtue—consideration. Since the other party said so, he couldn’t refuse.

“Be careful; my fists hurt a bit.” He walked forward, clenching his fist, feeling the strength within.

Now at the pinnacle of the Blood Transference Realm, his blood energy force was a hundred thousand jin. He truly feared accidentally obliterating his opponent.

However, Fang Chang scoffed disdainfully at Li Wudao’s friendly warning, making no fighting stance and charging straight ahead.

“You reckless fool!” Li Wudao was speechless, trying his best to suppress the blood energy within.

Then he lightly swung a punch.

Seeing such an unremarkable attack, Fang Chang grew even more disdainful and forcefully clenched his fist to strike.

His physical body was among the top of the Blood Transference Realm. Against a newcomer like Li Wudao, this was child's play.

The next moment, the two fists collided.

“Ah—”

With the sound of bones shattering, a terrible scream suddenly rang out.

Li Wudao’s punch instantly shattered Fang Chang’s wrist. Without losing momentum, the blow landed squarely on his chest.

Fang Chang’s body arched and was hurled backward like a cannonball, blood spilling from his mouth, leaving a long crimson trail.

Under the horrified gazes of many disciples, a figure was violently thrown from the platform.

“This... how is this possible?!” Ruan Fei and Sun Qian were dumbfounded, rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

Ruan Fei was merely breathing heavily, but Sun Qian’s pupils contracted, her delicate face as pale as paper. Her whole body went limp, as if all her strength had been drained in an instant.

Li Wudao’s single punch had nearly shattered her hopes.

“Damn! Knocked away with one punch?!”

“Ugh, that punch probably ruined that guy’s arm.”

“So brutal—”

The nearby area suddenly fell silent, dozens of eyes wide open, hair standing on end.

Goodness, this was a ruthless person! They had seen opponents defeated in one move before, but never someone knocked out cold with a single blow.

Such an unexpected turn naturally attracted the attention of many senior sect members, who all showed grave expressions after investigation.

At this time, Fang Chang lay unconscious below the platform, his chest stained with blood, one arm twisted beyond recognition, his wrist a bloody mess exposing white fragments of bone.

Nearby, an elder responsible for recording the match glanced at Li Wudao with a complicated gaze, uncertain whether to rule this as malicious injury.

Not only that elder, but the core senior officials watching also wore solemn expressions, staring intently at Li Wudao.

With so many eyes fixed on him, even Li Wudao’s good temperament began to waver. He sighed inwardly, his expression embarrassed.

By heaven’s grace, he truly had restrained himself, using only ten percent of his strength.

Who would have thought Fang Chang was so fragile...