Chapter 109: Chapter 109: I, 2nd Place, Loot

"Now, I announce. The second place in this Purple Cloud Peak’s Qi Refining Realm Grand Competition goes to—"

Zhu Qi stood on the arena, using his qi to carry his voice over a hundred meters away. Below, thousands of disciples held their breath and stared intently, their eyes fixed on the Transmission Hall Elder in the center of the crowd.

As his voice drew out, two names were announced.

"Si Yu, Ban Xiaowei!"

In the crowd, the young girl whom the Peak Master had personally taken in as a disciple now had a bit more composure and less arrogance in her eyes. Having once considered herself above everyone else, her mind had gradually matured after the baptism of so many years. In Purple Cloud Peak’s quadrennial grand competition, she secured second place, and the person who defeated her...

"You two, come up to the stage."

As he spoke, two equally expressionless disciples leaped onto the arena.

Elder Zhu Qi of the Transmission Hall reached into the void with his right hand, and two Porcelain Bottles instantly appeared in his grasp.

"Inside are two Foundation Establishment Pills. Since both of you have reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, it is time for you to start preparing for Foundation Establishment."

Below the stage, the crowd of Purple Cloud Peak disciples instantly grew restless. Foundation Establishment Pills, Foundation Establishment Pills! Only with them was there hope for Foundation Establishment!

There was a saying in the Immortal Sect, the Cyan Yang Sect: Below the Golden Core, all are ants. But what about below Foundation Establishment? Was it not the same? Among the thousands of disciples at Purple Cloud Peak, not even one in ten would ultimately achieve Foundation Establishment! That was a step that transcended status and class. Once Foundation Establishment was achieved, one became supreme overnight!

Si Yu indifferently accepted the Porcelain Bottle, while Ban Xiaowei very politely cupped his fists, bowing as a disciple before receiving his with both hands.

Zhu Qi nodded. Taking out two Magical Artifacts from his Storage Space, he continued, "An Emotion-Slaying Sword and a pair of Cloud-Stepping Boots, both Tier One Upper Grade Magical Artifacts. You two may choose one."

At this moment, the disciples once again cast envious glances.

Although they were both second, Si Yu was ranked slightly higher. She stepped forward and directly grabbed the gleaming, cold Emotion-Slaying Sword with her right hand. Once she had it, she turned and left the arena.

"Thank you, Elder Zhu."

Ban Xiaowei collected his reward for this Sect grand competition and also left the arena.

The crowd returned to silence. Zhu Qi looked toward an aloof youth in the crowd and immediately announced, "The first place in the Qi Refining Realm Grand Competition goes to—Mo Junqing!"

Three years, a mere three years! This disciple, whom Peak Master Li had spent a massive price to snatch away from the other Peak Masters, had actually made triumphant progress, breaking through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer! His speed and formidable strength were simply inconceivable.

"Senior Brother Mo, congratulations!"

"Senior Brother Mo, so mighty!"

The sounds of congratulations were endless, but this arrogant disciple completely ignored everyone else. He lightly leaped onto the stage, took his spoils without a word, and turned to leave. In Mo Junqing’s view, dealing with this bunch of Cultivators who possessed no Talent and had extremely poor strength was a disgraceful thing. Now, he only wanted to break through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer as soon as possible and head to that Immortal Cave Mansion!

"Mo Junqing, Si Yu, Ban Xiaowei... the six disciples named above will represent Purple Cloud Peak in the Cyan Yang Sect’s Immortal Sect Grand Competition!"

The Immortal Sect Grand Competition took place once every four years. It began within each peak to select outstanding disciples for further competition! With the conclusion of Purple Cloud Peak’s competition, these six people would depart for the Cyan Yang Sect’s Main Peak in a few days. The remaining days were left for them to rest and recover.

Ban Xiaowei walked outwards against the flow of the crowd. Achieving second... or rather, third place, was somewhat unexpected for him. He was different from Si Yu, Li Shangxian, and the others.

As he walked, he stopped in his tracks. Looking up, a Female Cultivator with a complexion like white snow and flowing long hair stood before him. Her skin was like creamy jade, and her eyes resembled peach blossoms. Even among Female Cultivators, she could be considered an existence that outshone all others.

"Master!"

"Why didn’t you use the Seven Miles Killing Array?" Yu Yun’s eyes held a hint of reproach.

"People would die."

"You!"

Facing this disciple who possessed almost no ambition, his master, Yu Yun, was completely helpless. However, his Array Talent was extremely high. Looking across the entirety of Purple Cloud Peak, one couldn’t find a second existence like him.

"Master, I’m heading down the mountain for a trip."

"To the White Snake Marketplace?"

"Yes."

"Spend less time associating with him!"

At the mention of the White Snake Marketplace, Yu Yun couldn’t help but say a bit more. Like truly attracted like. Whether it was Ban Xiaowei or Song Yunxi, both belonged to the type of people who had Talent but were lazy, lacking the slightest bit of drive. One was immersed in Arrays, which was at least somewhat acceptable. The other was obsessed with worldly affairs all day long, and it was said... it was said that he even liked to visit brothels to listen to music!

"It’s not that. I accepted an honorary disciple."

"You actually took in a disciple?" Yu Yun’s interest was instantly piqued.

"An honorary one. Two Spirit Stones per Array. I planned to teach three, but because of the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, I only taught one and a half."

"What Arrays? You know the rules!"

"I know! A Curved Water Shadow Array, half of a Grass Killing Array, and a Silence Array that I haven’t had the time to teach yet. Now it seems I can only collect four Spirit Stones."

After a moment of thought, Yu Yun understood. For this disciple to actually take action, it had to be due to Song Yunxi’s relentless pestering. Otherwise, let alone two Spirit Stones, he wouldn’t have done it for twenty!

"You have three days. Go and come back quickly, and remember your main business!"

"This disciple will remember."

After bidding farewell to his master, Ban Xiaowei used Qi Sword Control to travel via Sword Control. In the blink of an eye, he had soared into the horizon. An hour later, this disciple who had just completed the grand competition arrived at Song Yunxi’s Master’s Mansion, wearing the Cloud-Stepping Boots on his feet.

Song Yunxi, who had been calculating on an abacus, instantly sensed his aura, tossed the abacus aside, and rushed out. The moment he saw Ban Xiaowei, he stepped forward and swung a fist toward the other’s chest, intending to punch him, but Ban Xiaowei easily dodged it.

"You still know how to come back? Your Spirit Stones are gone."

"I was participating in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition," Ban Xiaowei said with a calm expression.

"Oh? So how did you do? Did you make it to the finals?" Song Yunxi looked him up and down. "Don’t tell me you were eliminated in the first round."

SMACK!

Ban Xiaowei stomped his foot onto a nearby stone stool. He neither spoke nor looked at the other man, simply staring straight ahead. Yet, his expression gave off an incredibly smug feeling.

Song Yunxi had originally wanted to offer a few teasing remarks, but his gaze was quickly drawn to the shoes on the other’s feet. Blue and white, surrounded by Spiritual Qi—one look and he knew they were not ordinary items.

"How many Spirit Stones did you buy those for?"

"Buy? That’s what you do."

"A gift from your master? That beautiful master of yours..."

At the mention of the word "beautiful," Ban Xiaowei slowly turned his head to look at Song Yunxi. This look made him immediately shut his mouth.

"Second place."

"Don’t tell me you got second place in the grand competition?"

Ban Xiaowei didn’t speak. Instead, he reached down and dusted off his Magical Artifact, the Cloud-Stepping Boots. If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t even mention a word about it, nor would he take out his spoils to show off. But the other party was Song Yunxi. How could he not provoke him a little?

"You!"

"Where’s your sworn brother? I have three days left before I have to represent Purple Cloud Peak at the Main Peak."

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