“Outer Sect First!”

From the sea of faces beneath the arena, Zhong Yue threw her hand into the air and screamed the title at the top of her lungs.

Han Yu stood on the stage, the victory itself feeling somewhat abstract, but Zhong Yue’s piercing shout made him shift his weight in sudden discomfort.

To his surprise, she wasn’t alone. Sun Kang and Liu Lan joined in immediately, their voices acting as a spark. Soon, dozens of disciples—some familiar faces, others complete strangers—took up the chant.

“Outer Sect First! Outer Sect First!”

Han Yu scanned the crowd. He saw Bai Lingyun, Li Xuan, and Meng Bao joining the chorus. Even the opponents he had just defeated—Wang Wu, Lu Yun, Zhou Yan, Li Yibao—were standing there, watching him with complex expressions.

Senior Sister Li waved from the back, a knowing smile on her lips as she silently mouthed: “Little Eighteen.”

Near the edge of the crowd, Zheng Shi, the stoic guard of the Ancestral Mausoleum, watched in silent acknowledgment.

On the arena, Feng Jin looked a bit ragged as he gathered his scattered artifacts and pills. He approached Han Yu with a wry smile. “Junior Brother Han, your skills are truly superior. I concede.”

He retrieved two pills—one white, one black—and offered them to Han Yu.

The white pill emitted a sweet, lingering fragrance, while the black one carried a sharp, pungent odor.

“The white one is a Scent Retaining Pill,” Feng Jin explained. “It leaves a scent mark on a target that won’t fade for ten days. The black pill is the antidote to remove it. Since your phantom techniques are so sharp, I realized I couldn’t trust my eyes. This was my plan—to tag your true body and distinguish it from the illusions by smell.”

Han Yu’s eyebrows raised in appreciation. It was a clever, pragmatic counter-strategy.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Feng.” He accepted the pills, realizing they could be quite useful in the future.

Moments later, Deacon Bai summoned Han Yu, Feng Jin, and the third-place winner Li Yibao back to the center of the stage. He then called up the remaining top ten disciples, including Zheng Shi and Lu Yun, to distribute the rewards.

For the Outer Disciple Grand Competition, the rewards were tiered:

Seventh to tenth place received twenty Minor Merits and two bottles of Qi Condensation Pills. While modest, the merit points alone were equivalent to a year’s worth of tedious sect missions. More importantly, the title of ‘Top Ten’ carried its own prestige.

Fourth to sixth place received thirty Minor Merits and two bottles of Qi Gathering Pills. This was a significant jump—thirty merits could purchase several new spell techniques, and Qi Gathering Pills were a staple for cultivation.

Then came the top three.

Third place: Thirty-five Minor Merits, two bottles of Clear Heart Qi Gathering Pills, and a choice of one mid-Qi Refining stage item (Magical Artifact, Talisman, pill, or secret technique) or direct entry into the Inner Sect as a Deacon’s disciple.

Second place: Forty Minor Merits, the same pills, and a choice of item or entry into the Inner Sect as an Elder’s disciple.

First place: Fifty Minor Merits, three bottles of Clear Heart Qi Gathering Pills, and a choice of one late-Qi Refining stage item or entry into the Inner Sect as an Elder’s disciple.

Han Yu did the mental math, his heart beating a little faster.

Fifty Minor Merits.

His budget for acquiring new spells, secret arts, and artifact forging blueprints had just exploded. He could sweep seven or eight Jade Slips off the shelves in one go.

The three bottles of Clear Heart Qi Gathering Pills were even better. Not only were they potent for cultivation, but they also contained the essence of the Mystic Heart Fruit, which cleared the mind and calmed the spirit—vital for preventing cultivation deviation.

And then, there was the choice of a late-stage reward.

Deacon Bai distributed the standard rewards efficiently, dismissing the fourth through tenth place winners. He then led Han Yu, Feng Jin, and Li Yibao toward the viewing platform where Elder Yan and Elder Lu sat waiting.

Feng Jin and Li Yibao didn’t hesitate. Both chose to become Inner Disciples, bowing deeply as they awaited the Sect to assign them a master.

Finally, all eyes turned to Han Yu.

“Do you wish to become an Inner Disciple?” Elder Lu asked, his eyes twinkling.

Beside him, Elder Yan glanced at Han Yu but didn’t bother making a pitch. He knew the score. This kid was already Lu Qing’s disciple; trying to poach him now would be a waste of breath.

Han Yu shook his head.

He was already Elder Lu’s personal disciple. He had the backing and the guidance. The superficial perks of the Inner Sect—moving to the main peak, having servants, the stricter rules—held zero appeal.

He liked the quiet freedom of the Spirit Field Department.

“Master, my cultivation is still low,” Han Yu said respectfully. “I see no need to enter the Inner Sect at this time.”

Elder Lu nodded, pleased by the boy’s pragmatism. “Very well. In that case, you may choose one late-Qi Refining stage Magical Artifact, Talisman, pill, or secret technique. What do you desire?”

Han Yu had prepared for this.

“I once heard Deacon Liu mention a pill called the Qi Refining Spirit Boosting Pill,” Han Yu said. “It is said that consuming it instantly grants the equivalent of ten days of cultivation Spirit Breath. For a disciple with poor aptitude like myself, such an item would save an immense amount of time. Does the Sect possess such a pill?”

Elder Lu stroked his beard, frowning slightly. “Wanchun Valley… likely does not have it. I have never heard of it being in our inventory.”

He paused, then smiled. “How about this? I will ask around for you. If such a pill exists, I will secure a bottle. If not, we can discuss a suitable alternative later.”

Han Yu bowed deeply. “Yes. Disciple thanks Master!”

“What is there to thank? Your aptitude is poor, but your talent for spells is exceptional. It is only right that you seek ways to compensate.” Elder Lu chuckled, then glanced sideways at his colleague. “This time, you took first place. Elder Yan and I are both very gratified—”

Elder Yan whipped his head around, eyes wide. What kind of setup is this? Why are you dragging me into it? Am I supposed to give a gift too?

Elder Lu smiled benignly back at him: Are you really going to be that stingy?

Elder Yan huffed, standing up and flicking his sleeve as if insulted. I absolutely refuse! You stole the disciple, and you want me to pay for it? Keep dreaming!

Just as the two Elders engaged in their silent battle of wills, a figure streaked across the sky.

Elder Bai descended rapidly from the direction of the Main Peak’s Great Hall. He landed near the platform and gave a grave, heavy nod to the two Elders.

The playful atmosphere vanished instantly. Elder Yan and Elder Lu exchanged a sharp look, their expressions turning serious.

“Alright,” Elder Yan announced, his voice projecting over the arena. “The Outer Disciple Grand Competition is concluded. All disciples, return to your quarters!”

The crowd began to disperse, the air buzzing with excited chatter. The result had been a massive upset. The predictions at the Green Grain Market tavern hadn’t even listed Han Yu in the top ten, yet he had taken the crown. It was the perfect underdog story, and the gossip would fuel the Sect for weeks.

Han Yu saw Senior Sister Li, Zhong Yue, and Bai Lingyun approaching to congratulate him. He turned to meet them, a rare smile touching his face.

“Han Yu.”

Elder Yan’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Come with your Master to the Sect’s Great Hall. There is unfinished business.”

Without waiting for a reply, Elder Yan and Elder Bai shot into the sky, piercing through the Main Peak’s protective formation.

Han Yu stood frozen for a moment, the smile fading. He turned to his friends—Zhong Yue, Senior Sister Li, Bai Lingyun—and gave a quick, apologetic nod.

He whistled for the big crow to land on his shoulder, then stepped onto Elder Lu’s flying boat. The vessel hummed to life and ascended, chasing after the other Elders toward the summit.

Zhong Yue watched him shrink into a speck in the sky, sighing with admiration. “Junior Brother Han… only at the third layer of Qi Refining, yet he takes first place and becomes an Elder’s disciple. It’s truly enviable.”

“I have to train harder,” she added, clenching her fist. “I want to see my name on that list one day.”

Senior Sister Li shook her head slowly. “I just received news. Junior Brother Han is already at the fourth layer of Qi Refining.”

“What?”

Sun Kang, Liu Lan, and Bai Lingyun froze, their jaws dropping.

“Fourth layer?” Sun Kang stammered. “A year ago, he was only at the second layer. How has he surpassed us all so quickly?”

“How is that speed even possible?” Zhong Yue asked, her eyes wide.

“He has earned merit repeatedly,” Senior Sister Li explained, her voice tinged with awe. “He has never stopped consuming Qi Gathering Pills—resources usually reserved for mid-to-late stage disciples. And with an Elder personally guiding him… his speed is only natural.”

The group fell silent, digesting the information.

Sun Kang and Liu Lan felt the impact the hardest. Back at the Spirit Field Department, they had been neighbors. They had looked at Han Yu as a little junior brother, someone trailing behind them.

Now? He was the Outer Sect First, a fourth-layer cultivator, and the personal disciple of an Elder. Meanwhile, they were still stuck at the third layer, nameless faces in the crowd.

The transformation was so total, so rapid, that it felt unreal—as if they were waking from a dream to find the world had changed without them.