Free Web NovelChapter 211: Chapter 204: Raging Flames Burn in the Undercover Agents’ Eyes
At these words, the ten or so undercover junior brothers behind Su Ling’er froze. The Spiritual Power they had just begun to circulate stagnated, and their movements halted mid-action.
"A new disciple grand competition?"
"So... it’s just us new guys fighting other new guys?"
"Wait, First Senior Brother,"
"This... how can a competition like this be called the sect’s grand competition?"
"Are you and the other senior brothers and sisters... not participating at all?"
This question voiced everyone’s doubts.
The grand sect competition they had imagined in their minds was one of soaring spiritual light and clashing magical treasures—a spectacle where the sect’s strongest experts vied for supremacy.
But the current arrangement had turned it into a squabble among a group of newly-initiated disciples.
An alarm bell exploded in Su Ling’er’s mind.
’Something’s wrong! This is definitely not right!’
’What is this devil planning now?’
’Is this how a grand sect competition is supposed to be held?’
’No, there must be an even bigger secret behind all this!’
Lin Qingfeng watched the mixed expressions of disappointment and relief on everyone’s faces, a smile forming in his mind.
He knew it was time for him to make up some nonsense!
He cleared his throat and, without answering directly, swept his gaze over the crowd.
"Do you think this is just a simple sparring match?"
"What you see is merely the surface, not the true essence."
"Do you know why the sect has placed all of you new disciples here, in this specific place?"
They all looked at each other, their eyes filled with confusion.
The corners of Lin Qingfeng’s mouth twitched upward.
"Because this place is called ’Hidden Dragon Abyss’!"
’It’s actually just the NPC residential area!’
"And this competition is meant to ignite the Dao flame within you, you uncarved jades, allowing you hidden dragons to ascend from the abyss! This is our sect’s heartfelt wish for all new disciples!"
Su Ling’er’s eye twitched uncontrollably as she listened. Inside, her mental avatar was already banging its head against the ground.
’Hidden Dragon Abyss?!’
’Uncarved jades?!’
’As much as I appreciate the compliment, First Senior Brother, couldn’t you at least draft your lies before you start spewing them!’
’If a bunch of rejects like us count as uncarved jades, then what would you call a true genius?’
’A divine stone that split the heavens and earth?!’
"As for why we are not participating... Hmph. Our Dao is already stable. We have no need to prove ourselves to anyone.
If I were to act, my spiritual pressure would be like a mountain collapsing upon you. It would offer no tempering, only annihilation.
Your path to immortality should be watered with the blood of opponents at your own level!
Today, we are your Dao protectors, witnesses to your first steps on the path of the strong!"
’Besides, the game rules don’t let me participate. What’s the point of beating up a bunch of weaklings like you?!’
His gaze shifted to Su Ling’er, who had the highest cultivation in the crowd, and he added:
"Of course, if there is someone among you with outstanding talent who can catch my eye..."
"For example, if someone can shake Miss Su’s foundation with their own Dao, their future status in the sect will be unparalleled!"
"Furthermore, the top four in the sect competition will earn the right to enter the Guixi Secret Realm!"
At these words, all the undercover disciples’ heads swiveled in unison, their gazes landing squarely on Su Ling’er.
Then, with the exception of Ye Longtao, they all hung their heads.
’Yep! She’s someone we couldn’t beat even with the power of friendship, passion, and hard work!’
Then, the other undercover disciples looked at Ye Longtao, their eyes burning with a fiery spirit, but they quickly hung their heads again.
Next, they looked at Dong Changsheng, their eyes burning with a fiery spirit, and once again, they all hung their heads.
They looked at Wang Xiedi next, their eyes burning with a fiery spirit. But then they remembered his ghost wife, that Core Formation Stage curse, and they all hung their heads once more.
Finally, they turned to Li Chunfeng. This time, a fiery determination burned in their eyes, and they did not look away!
’There are only four spots, but maybe these top guys will face each other in the early rounds and get eliminated, right?’
They felt like they might not be completely without a chance.
But Su Ling’er really wanted to retort when she heard the First Senior Brother’s words.
’Hey, First Senior Brother, what’s the big idea?!’
’Are you trying to paint a target on my back?!’
’Aren’t you the one who forced this Holy Daughter status on me in the first place?!’
Ye Longtao looked at Su Ling’er, Wang Xiedi, and Dong Changsheng, a raging fire in his eyes.
’Don’t let me run into you in the competition!’
’Is such a great opportunity something a bunch of Pseudo Spirit Root-holders like you deserve?’
Su Ling’er felt a gaze on her like thorns on her back. ’Wait, is someone actually targeting me?’
’It couldn’t be Ye Longtao, could it? That fool is always courting disaster.’
In any case, she still took a step forward and flashed a brilliant smile at Lin Qingfeng.
"First Senior Brother is wise! This junior sister has comprehended your profound meaning!
It is my honor to serve as the whetstone for my junior brothers!
I will not fail to live up to your high hopes, First Senior Brother, and will guide my junior brothers well!"
’You devils just keep finding new ways to torture us!’
"Very good."
Lin Qingfeng nodded upon seeing her response.
"Since you all understand, follow me. We’re heading to the training grounds!"
...
The group followed Lin Qingfeng through the paths and past the familiar sect buildings they saw every day, finally arriving at the training grounds.
However, the scene before them made every undercover disciple stop in their tracks.
The empty field that was once there was gone.
The ground was now paved with basalt, its surface covered in the dense patterns of an Array.
Dozens of totem poles stood around the square, carved with intertwined dragons and phoenixes.
Between the pillars hung banners painted with fierce beasts.
To the north of the square, a high platform built from white jade rose from the ground.
Spiritual Qi gathered around the platform, forming a lingering, ethereal mist.
Several figures were already seated on the platform.
In the center seat sat none other than Qian Buyu, clad in the Sect Leader’s robes, the threads of his garments shimmering with faint light.
On his sides were the Skill-Bestowing Elder, the Law Enforcement Elder, and other high-ranking officials.
Seeing this, Su Ling’er was struck by a powerful sense of déjà vu.
’Here we go... again...’
She saw that the ’Mr. Qian’ on the platform seemed to be in a hushed conversation with the ’Mr. Qian’ beside him, their heads nodding from time to time.
"Alas, this year’s batch of new disciples has acceptable aptitude, but their temperament remains to be seen."
"The Sect Leader is absolutely right. They need more tempering before they can become pillars of our sect."
This scene of self-reply and internal contradiction made all the undercover disciples’ scalps crawl.
’My god... these puppets... are still acting?!’
’Who are they putting on this show for?!’
’Are they putting on this show for us?!’
’And what’s this "acceptable aptitude" nonsense?’
’We’re just a bunch of Pseudo Spirit Root-holders! Besides that Ye Longtao, who has a dual Spirit Root, the rest of us are all nothing but Pseudo Spirit Roots!’
’Is this some kind of terrifying welcome ceremony?!’
Lin Qingfeng watched the Qian Buyus on stage, still executing their pre-set programs, and felt a little bitter.
’Sigh, what the hell is this?’
’Didn’t I already file a complaint with customer service about this?’
