Noon.

Qin Lu strolled leisurely out of his residence, hands clasped behind his back as he ambled forward. According to Steward Chen’s report, the registration point for the arena competition was located at the Government Office, which served as the Wuji Sect’s local administrative hall.

He hadn’t taken more than a few steps outside before various greetings began reaching his ears.

“Senior Qin! I’ve long heard of your great name!”

“Well, if it isn’t Brother Qin! What brings you out today?”

“Ah, Fellow Daoist Qin, are you heading to East Head Ridge for some beast hunting? Could I tag along?”

All sorts of salutations came from the roadside, delivered with friendly tones and respectful nods. Qin Lu, now accustomed to the attention, responded to each with a cupped-hand salute and a practiced smile.

Over the past three months, the attitude of his neighbors had undergone a dramatic shift. When he first arrived at Willow Street, people looked at him with disdainful indifference or open provocation. Now, everyone was amiable and eager to converse; the scornful glances had vanished entirely.

Qin Lu suspected the reason for this change was his recent success selling meat at the market. That day, he and the Cao couple had sold over two thousand jin of demon beast meat.

The haul included not only [Black Ape Beast] meat but also parts from exceptionally fierce and powerful creatures. As the hunter who had slain such monsters, Qin Lu’s reputation had spread like wildfire. With his late-stage Qi Refining cultivation and formidable combat prowess, he was now regarded with genuine admiration.

He continued forward, a faint sense of pride stirring within him. As he walked, he tilted his head slightly toward a grand mansion by the roadside.

The estate’s gate was imposing, flanked by two exquisitely carved stone lions. The characters for “Wei Residence” were written with bold, powerful strokes on a majestic plaque.

Seeing this courtyard reminded Qin Lu of the rumors from some time ago. It was said that after Lu Anchen was ambushed at East Head Ridge, he had reported the incident to Wu Zheng, the leader of the Xuanyang Sect.

Furious, Wu Zheng had gone directly to confront Wei Feng, the head of the Wei Family. A fierce quarrel erupted, escalating until the two were fighting openly in the courtyard. Their battle destroyed several surrounding houses and caused a massive commotion.

Only the personal intervention of Li Qingdu from the Wuji Sect stopped the bloodshed. Since then, relations between the Xuanyang Sect and the Wei Family had plummeted to an icy low. Fortunately, Qin Lu remained uninvolved; Lu Anchen and the others had kept their word and never mentioned his role in the massacre of the Royal Dragon Gang.

On the street, pedestrian traffic had increased severalfold due to the approaching arena competition. Many unfamiliar faces appeared, and even the remote corners of the market were now bustling.

Qin Lu soon arrived at the entrance of the Government Office. The crowd here was chaotic and the noise deafening. Arguments and scuffles broke out intermittently among the throngs of people. However, under the watchful eyes of several Wuji Sect cultivators, most were queuing in a somewhat orderly fashion.

Qin Lu noticed that most of the cultivators here seemed down-and-out or disheartened—clearly all Loose Cultivators.

“It seems the rule hasn’t changed; only Loose Cultivators need to register,” Qin Lu noted.

Through his inquiries, he had learned that while the event was a major martial arts spectacle for sects, Loose Cultivators were permitted to join under strict conditions. The most difficult requirement was that a participant must have resided within Wuji Sect jurisdiction for over five years without committing any offenses.

This rule eliminated the vast majority of the transient population. However, while Qin Lu had only been a transmigrator for half a year, his original body had lived here for over a decade without incident. He met the requirements perfectly.

As for his motivation, it was simple: money.

According to Lu Anchen, the rewards were generous. In the last tournament, first place received two thousand Spirit Stones, plus high-grade magical artifacts and pills. Rumor had it a [Foundation Establishment Pill] might even be among the prizes this year, bringing the total potential value to four thousand Spirit Stones.

With the mindset that only a fool would pass up such a fortune, Qin Lu chose a line and began his wait.

Time passed slowly. People were either successfully registered or rejected on the spot. Just as it was almost Qin Lu’s turn, five men emerged from behind, pushing through the crowd and cursing loudly.

“Get outta my way!”

“Scram!”

“Know your place!”

The five walked straight to the front of Qin Lu’s line and cut in, acting as if they owned the street. The Loose Cultivators who had been waiting patiently immediately shut their mouths upon seeing the leader of the group. They turned their heads away, pretending to be blind to the injustice. Even the man whose spot was stolen offered no resistance.

Initially, Qin Lu didn’t plan to speak up. But then he caught a clear look at the leader’s face, and his eyes narrowed into cold slits.

Dust-covered memories surfaced. He remembered when he first arrived, having just learned to craft talismans. To survive, he had nervously taken his wares to the market to set up a stall. Before he could even begin, a man had kicked his stall away and stolen his spot in the most humiliating manner.

He had never forgotten that man’s name: Meng Chao.

And here he was. The leader of the line-cutters was none other than the man who had bullied him when he was at his weakest.

“Hmph.” Qin Lu’s voice was like ice. “A dog truly can’t change its habit of eating shit.”

With a sudden movement, Qin Lu’s figure vanished.

Combining the [Soft Wind Technique] with his enhanced physical prowess, his speed far surpassed that of an ordinary eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator. No one in the crowd could even track his movement.

Thud!

Qin Lu’s boot connected with Meng Chao’s shoulder with enough force to crack bone. The man was sent spiraling backward, flying through the air.

Bang!

Meng Chao crashed heavily into the dirt, clutching his shoulder, his face contorted in agony. He looked up at Qin Lu in panic, his eyes filled with shock.

Qin Lu stood in the spot Meng Chao had just tried to steal, looking down at him with an indifferent gaze.

“What are you staring at?” Qin Lu asked coldly. “This spot is mine.”