Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

Where there is a Grand Competition, there are rankings. And where there are rankings, rewards inevitably follow.

This was one of the most effective ways to motivate the disciples.

Although this event was an exceptional examination to promote Laborer Disciples to the Outer Sect, the fact that so many had fought their way to this stage warranted encouragement.

In addition to the twenty victors from the duels, including Han Yu, the Purple-robed Deacon arrived with eight additional disciples. These eight were also being exceptionally promoted to the Outer Sect today, selected for their specialized talents and potential in fields such as talisman crafting, artifact forging, pill refining, and herb cultivation.

After presenting these eight, the Purple-robed Deacon announced, “The Sect has noted the minor specialties possessed by you twenty-eight individuals. You are being granted exceptional entry into the Outer Sect with the hope that you will play a greater role for the Sect in the future.”

“Now, we shall determine the top ten among you. From first to tenth place, the rewards will range from ten Minor Merits and ten Spirit Stones for the champion, down to one Minor Merit and one Spirit Stone for the tenth rank.”

“Those ranking beyond the tenth position will receive no rewards.”

“Who wishes to participate in the competition for the top ten? If anyone wishes to withdraw, you may do so immediately.”

As soon as the Deacon finished speaking, seven of the eight specialists raised their hands to withdraw, declining the ranking battles.

Among the remaining twenty combat victors, three felt their strength was insufficient and also withdrew.

This left only eighteen Laborer Disciples to compete for the final rankings.

With so few participants, the twenty arenas now seemed excessive.

The Purple-robed Deacon declared that the ranking matches would commence across nine arenas.

Han Yu was matched against an opponent named Li Xuan. He possessed a cultivation base at the second layer of Qi Refining, knew offensive spells, and held a talisman in his hand.

Normally, such an opponent would not pose a challenge for Han Yu, as he had just defeated someone similar.

However, this was the final stage of the Grand Competition. Even though these Laborer Disciples were at the third layer of Qi Refining or below, they were the cream of the crop. Li Xuan could cast spells within two breaths and possessed more than one talisman. Triggering them in quick succession, he seized the initiative and launched three consecutive attacks at Han Yu.

Han Yu focused his mind and steadied his breath. After dodging the first strike, he rapidly cast the Flame Technique three times in a row, finally managing a difficult victory.

With that, Han Yu advanced to the top nine.

Before he could even step down to rest, the next round began.

This time, his opponent was named Wang Teng. He was even more outrageous than the last—he openly wielded a pristine, sharp Magical Artifact sword. It was unclear if it had been bestowed by an elder or purchased with his own savings.

At the second layer of Qi Refining, Wang Teng could not fully activate the artifact’s power. He merely gripped it, channeled some Spirit Breath into the blade, and swung. The Magical Artifact easily cleaved through and extinguished Han Yu’s Flame Technique.

Seeing this, Han Yu fixed his gaze on the sword.

Possessing talismans or artifacts beforehand indeed provided a massive advantage in battle.

Regrettably, the object was too large; he could not replicate it in public without drawing suspicion.

Otherwise, combining the replication charges accumulated yesterday with today’s unused capacity might have allowed him to copy this Magical Artifact.

For now, the priority was to defeat his opponent and secure a higher ranking.

Han Yu pondered for a moment, then circulated his Spirit Breath. He first cast a Wind Control Technique on himself, followed immediately by another Wind Control Technique directed at Wang Teng.

Seeing the wind blast incoming, Wang Teng hurriedly channeled Spirit Breath and swung his sword artifact to disperse it.

Han Yu gave him no respite. Exploiting the Wind Control Technique’s minimal consumption and his own rapid casting speed, he fired a continuous stream of wind blasts straight at Wang Teng.

At first, Wang Teng was dismissive. But gradually, his expression turned grave. After swinging the heavy artifact several times to break the wind spells, he realized Han Yu still had energy to spare, while his own Spirit Breath was depleting rapidly.

Panic set in.

After slashing through yet another gust of wind, Wang Teng gritted his teeth and poured his remaining Spirit Breath into the sword.

The artifact emitted a faint, shimmering white glow. Wang Teng raised the blade and charged at Han Yu. For a cultivator at the second layer of Qi Refining, forcibly using such an offensive artifact was a clumsy affair; he was far from being able to manipulate it freely with hand seals.

With wind aiding his steps, Han Yu easily sidestepped the charge and fired another Wind Control Technique from his palm.

Caught off guard, Wang Teng was blasted right off the arena by the gale.

Struggling to his feet, the defeated Wang Teng looked at Han Yu with a strange expression. “You used Wind Control on yourself at the start… did you guess I would charge you?”

Han Yu nodded and walked down from the arena.

Wang Teng lacked sufficient Spirit Breath to sustain a battle of attrition—that was the strategy Han Yu had devised.

Casting Wind Control on himself beforehand was a precaution; facing a Magical Artifact left him uncertain, and he wanted to be ready to flee if necessary.

“You really are something,” Wang Teng said with genuine admiration. “You have nothing in your hands, unlike me… I even brought my father’s artifact and still couldn’t beat you!”

He then walked over to a middle-aged Inner Disciple in blue robes. Their resemblance suggested this was indeed his father.

Zhong Yue, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan hurried over, urging Han Yu to meditate immediately.

“Quickly, restore your Spirit Breath! Your next opponents will be even tougher,” Zhong Yue said anxiously. “Junior Brother Han, you have no talismans, no artifacts, no spirit beasts or pills… you can only rely on your own spells to compete!”

“Regardless, you’ve already entered the Outer Sect and reached the top five. Even if you lose now, it’s worth it.”

Han Yu nodded, refining the medicinal power of a Qi Gathering Pill to restore his Spirit Breath to its peak.

“The other matches are still ongoing,” Zhong Yue said excitedly. “I checked while you were recovering. Junior Brother Han, you are already guaranteed a spot in the top four.”

“Win one more, and you’re in the top two. Win two more, and you’re first!”

Sun Kang and Liu Lan also wore expressions of intense excitement.

“Junior Brother Han, you might actually take first place in the Laborer Disciple Grand Competition!”

Han Yu shook his head slightly. “The Sect is in crisis and has repeatedly lowered the standards to recruit Outer Disciples. For someone like me, at merely the second layer of Qi Refining, to take first place… it is hardly something to boast about.”

“How can you say that?” Zhong Yue argued earnestly. “First place is still first place! The Sect is sure to pay special attention to the champion!”

Han Yu maintained his skepticism. “That will be difficult. The remaining opponents all have artifacts and talismans…”

“If they use them, you can use outside help too!”

Zhong Yue had a sudden idea. “What if I bring Little Bai over to help you fight? He’s quite durable.”

Han Yu was slightly taken aback. After a moment of thought, he replied, “I do not think that is necessary. Top four is already a good result. There is no need to risk injuring your spirit beast.”

Surprised by his refusal, Zhong Yue smiled. “It seems Little Bai has avoided a beating today. I suppose I’ll just have to discipline him myself when I get back.”

Just then, Han Yu’s name was called again.

He stepped onto the arena. Standing opposite him was a Laborer Disciple about his own age named Bai Lingyun.

Bai Lingyun held a sharp sword, wore spirit armor, and his entire body shimmered with the glow of Magical Artifacts.

One look told Han Yu that unless he exposed his Blood Refining Art or summoned his flock of crows, he could not defeat this opponent with simple spells. The boy possessed both offensive and defensive artifacts, not to mention an unknown reserve of talismans and pills.

Whose child is this Bai Lingyun?

Could he be related to Deacon Bai, who just arrested Pig Third?

If that were the case, this exorbitant display of wealth would make sense.

It seems third or fourth place is the limit for me this time. Still, the rewards are decent.

Just as Han Yu was about to concede, a sword wrapped in restrained spiritual light shot through the air with a piercing whistle.

Swoosh!

It descended from the sky and plunged straight into the arena floor, the blade humming with a resonant, lingering cry.

“To win by relying on wealth is a disgrace. I shall assist you!”