After hesitating for quite a while, the leading disciple among the newcomers cautiously approached Lu Kuang and tentatively voiced his confusion:

“Senior Brother Lu, we haven’t encountered a single demon beast today. How did you end up with so many here?”

Contrary to his expectations, Lu Kuang did not drive him away. Instead, he cast a complicated glance at the surrounding demon beast corpses and said gloomily:

“You ask me why? I don’t know why either. Starting from yesterday, a group of demon beasts has been appearing at regular intervals. It’s as if they’ve all agreed to attack us in waves just as we’ve mostly recovered.”

“No matter where we run, we can’t shake off the demon beasts’ encirclement. It feels like an invisible hand is pushing us forward from behind.”

“What’s even more bizarre is that whenever we run out of recovery pills, new supplies just fall from the sky right into our hands.”

“We’ve already earned over a thousand points now… I even have this feeling that I’m being manipulated, turned into a mindless point-grinding machine…”

Indeed, human joys and sorrows are not shared…

These words left the newly arrived disciples looking at each other in silence for a long moment.

If they had encountered such an opportunity to wildly accumulate points, they’d probably be so happy they’d wake up laughing in their sleep. Yet this guy here actually seemed to dislike it.

Based on past experience, obtaining over a thousand points already practically guaranteed first place in the competition!

But on second thought, Lu Kuang’s current state of mind was understandable.

Competing with fellow disciples and hunting demon beasts should be a challenging and thrilling experience. Now it had become a formulaic grind, with every move clearly arranged for them. Naturally, this bred a sense of frustration.

As if struck by a thought, the eyes of the five new disciples lit up slightly. They huddled together for a brief discussion and immediately made a decision.

Although they didn’t dare to forcibly snatch the other party’s jade tokens, cooperating was certainly possible.

After their discussion, the leading disciple immediately bowed and saluted Lu Kuang with an apologetic smile:

“Since Senior Brother Lu is tired, why not rest and recuperate your energy first? There’s still plenty of time before the competition task ends anyway. Leave the upcoming demon beasts to us junior brothers and sisters to handle.”

Halfway through his speech, noticing Lu Kuang’s unfriendly expression, he hurriedly added:

“Of course, we will only take fifty percent of the points earned. The remaining fifty percent will all be left for Senior Brother to decide. What does Senior Brother think?”

Hearing this, Lu Kuang’s three companions immediately seemed quite tempted. After successive fierce battles, they were quite fatigued. Although they could recover their spiritual power with rejuvenation pills, they were still somewhat mentally exhausted. Having someone willing to share their burden wasn’t a bad thing.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Kuang nodded and said solemnly:

“Fine, you can follow us for now. But if you dare try any tricks, don’t blame me for turning ruthless.”

At the same time.

On the Falling Cloud Valley square.

Almost everyone had their eyes fixed on a certain someone. Below the magic mirror, discussions buzzed with various comments.

“Look, he led another group of Unicorn Salamanders to Senior Brother Tang… What do you think this Big Qi is trying to do?”

“It’s strange. Since the competition started, he hasn’t killed a single demon beast. His points are still zero. Working so hard to lure demon beasts for those teams and delivering pills to them… Is it just so they can earn more points?”

At this point, someone seemed to think of something and said in an uncertain tone:

“I heard he offended many Outer Sect Disciples before the competition started. If he doesn’t make amends somehow, his future situation might be precarious. Maybe he’s trying to show goodwill to the senior brothers and sisters this way…”

This statement immediately sparked heated discussion.

“That’s right. Whether it’s Senior Brother Xie, Senior Brother Tang, or Senior Brother Lu, they are all top contenders to win the competition. This Big Qi probably thinks he has no chance himself and is taking this opportunity to curry favor with these potential future Inner Sect Disciples, hoping to latch onto them later.”

“If he’s doing a good deed, why doesn’t he do it openly instead of operating in secret?” a disciple asked in confusion.

A companion nearby snorted lightly upon hearing this and said casually:

“What’s hard to understand? Right now, he’s practically public enemy number one among the disciples participating in the Outer Sect Grand Competition. If he showed himself openly, he’d probably get beaten up immediately.”

“Rather than that, it’s better to claim credit after the competition ends. By then, Senior Brother Xie and the others will have achieved their wish of becoming Inner Sect Disciples. Being in high spirits, they’d be more likely to look favorably upon him as someone who helped.”

Hearing this explanation, everyone suddenly understood.

“No wonder he received the ‘Perfect Temperament’ evaluation during entry as a new disciple. This mind works fast indeed.”

At the front of the square, Internal Affairs Pavilion Elder Yang Xiude’s expression changed slightly as he frowned and said:

“Elder Kang, can you tell what that thing in Big Qi’s hand is for attracting demon beasts?”

“It’s likely Beast Spirit Pills!”

Alchemy Hall Elder Kang Wannian stroked his beard thoughtfully. “High-quality Beast Spirit Pills emit a unique pill fragrance that can attract many low-level demon beasts with undeveloped intelligence to come and fight for them.”

Then he shook his head, his tone full of astonishment.

“But Beast Spirit Pills are second-tier pills. High-quality ones cost at least five or six hundred spirit stones at minimum. How can a Servant Disciple afford such pills? And that mid-grade magical artifact used to conceal his tracks…”

Before he could finish speaking, Mo Zhengyang beside him explained:

“Elder Kang may not know this. That lad Big Qi once performed a great service for the sect. The sect specially rewarded him with three thousand spirit stones, which included a mid-grade magical artifact called the Veil of Concealment.”

“With that Veil of Concealment, as long as he doesn’t reveal himself voluntarily, neither Qi Refining realm demon beasts nor cultivators can detect his presence.”

“So that’s how it is.”

Hearing this explanation, all the senior sect members present showed understanding, but none pressed for specific details.

Since Mo Zhengyang only mentioned the reward but did not publicly discuss what merit Big Qi had performed, it indicated the matter involved secrets not suitable for public disclosure.

Everyone present was shrewd enough not to touch that sensitive topic.

Among the crowd, Bai Xirou frowned slightly as if deep in thought.

Seeing his daughter’s unusual expression beside him, Falling Cloud Valley Sect Leader Bai Qingwu couldn’t help but secretly transmit his voice: “Xirou, what are you thinking about?”

Bai Xirou gathered her thoughts and transmitted back:

“Father… I keep feeling Junior Brother Qi isn’t acting without purpose. Him helping those disciples quickly accumulate points might be preparing…”

Before she could finish speaking, Bai Qingwu understood her meaning and immediately shook his head with a light laugh.

“Impossible. The Outer Sect Grand Competition ultimately tests strength. No matter how clever this kid is, he’s just a newcomer at the fifth layer of Qi Refining. How could he dare to snatch from the tiger’s mouth, competing against opponents at the Perfection of Qi Refining?”

“Trying to play the fisherman benefiting from others’ conflict is even more impossible. Those teams, if they have any sense, won’t give anyone else an opportunity to take advantage.”

“He’s likely doing this simply to build good relations with future Inner Sect Disciples, paving his way for promotion to Outer Sect Disciple status. Being able to think of this is already quite remarkable.”

After listening to this analysis, Bai Xirou nodded, choosing to trust her father’s judgment.