webnovelfull Chapter 45 Sect Grand Competition
Chapter 45 Sect Grand Competition
The next morning, Xu Xiaoxiao got up early, stretched her muscles and bones, and then sat down at the table to study the martial arts manual given to her by Jiang Jingzhi.
Just as she was engrossed in her thoughts, a knock came at the door. Yuan Mengyao called out cheerfully, "Xiaoxiao, are you up yet? It's a sunny day, let's go to the back mountain to practice our spiritual energy usage."
Xu Xiaoxiao opened the door and replied with a smile, "Senior Sister Yuan, you've come at the perfect time. I was just worried about not having anyone to keep me company."
Thinking to myself, with Senior Sister Yuan guiding me, I'll have fewer detours in my practice and we can also get to know each other better.
Upon arriving at the back mountain, Yuan Mengyao took the lead in demonstrating, gathering spiritual energy into a ball in her palm and accurately striking a distant boulder.
Xu Xiaoxiao looked on with admiration and secretly tried to imitate him, but she was somewhat powerless to do so.
Seeing this, Yuan Mengyao corrected him step by step: "Don't panic, the force must be applied slowly and steadily, like this..."
Xu Xiaoxiao carefully studied the instructions, her heart filled with gratitude, and she kept silently reciting that she must master them as soon as possible.
After practicing for a while, Jiang Jingzhi came over, his eyes full of approval: "Junior Sister has a lot of tenacity, not bad. This martial art emphasizes the combination of movement and stillness. Watch me demonstrate."
After saying that, he moved nimbly, his moves were fierce yet graceful, leaving Xu Xiaoxiao breathless.
She secretly resolved to practice until she could achieve such fluid and effortless movements.
Jiang Jingzhi finished his work and asked about the difficulties. Xu Xiaoxiao blushed and expressed her confusion.
The three sat around exchanging their experiences when Mu Zhusheng rushed over, carrying several fresh spiritual plants in her hands: "Junior Sister, these are just found to aid in cultivation. When combined with healing medicine, recovery will be faster."
Xu Xiaoxiao accepted it, her eyes welling up with tears, feeling even more deeply the profound gratitude she felt for her teacher and the deep affection between her senior sisters and brothers.
During a break, Yuan Mengyao gently poked Xu Xiaoxiao's arm and teased, "Xiaoxiao, when you've mastered your skills, you'll have to look after your senior sister."
Xu Xiaoxiao nodded emphatically: "Of course, if Senior Sister Yuan is in danger in the future, I will be the first to rush forward!" She had already envisioned a scene of working together to overcome difficulties and protect the sect.
A few days later, news of the sect competition arrived, and Yuan Mengyao looked expectant: "Xiaoxiao, this is a great opportunity to show off, shall we sign up together?"
Xu Xiaoxiao was initially nervous, but then her eyes hardened: "Report! We can't let down Master, senior brothers and sisters. We have to show everyone what we're capable of."
After a period of cultivation and consolidation, Xu Xiaoxiao has advanced to the tenth level of Qi Refining. Yuan Mengyao, who is close to her, often comes to discuss cultivation with Xu Xiaoxiao. Heaven rewards the diligent, and she has finally reached the twelfth level of Qi Refining.
The two exchanged a smile, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit, eagerly anticipating their triumph on the field and bringing glory to their sect.
The sect competition is held every three years and is a grand event for disciples from each peak to show their talents and compete for honor. On the field, spiritual energy surges and martial arts techniques intertwine. There are agile exchanges between novice disciples with novel moves, trying to use skill to overcome strength; there are also high-level disciples fighting with all their might, spiritual energy roaring, and sand and stones flying everywhere they go, creating an extremely shocking scene... This is what it was like in previous years.
Upon hearing the news of the competition, Xu Xiaoxiao was filled with excitement and trepidation, and ran all the way to her master Li Changchun's residence.
Seeing her master consulting ancient books at his desk, she coughed lightly, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully: "Master, your disciple wishes to participate in this sect competition."
Li Changchun raised his eyes, his gaze slightly surprised: "You're only at the tenth level of Qi Refining. Most of your opponents in the arena are at the advanced stage of Qi Refining, or even Foundation Establishment experts. This journey will be fraught with danger."
Xu Xiaoxiao gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, but her eyes burned with determination: "Master, I understand the gap, but that's precisely why I want to participate in the battle. The secret realm training was fraught with peril, but I survived it all and even found a way to escape. This competition is a rare opportunity to hone my skills, allowing me to witness various unique techniques and fill in any gaps in my knowledge."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, as if she were recalling the dangers of the secret realm.
Li Changchun remained silent, his fingers lightly tapping the table.
Seeing this, Xu Xiaoxiao hurriedly said, "I will not act rashly; survival is my top priority. The situation on the field can change in an instant, and I may be able to find a way to win through my wit. My eldest and second senior brothers have been teaching me diligently, and I have learned some skills. I will not be easily defeated and disgrace my master."
Li Changchun's eyes flickered, and he finally sighed: "Very well, since you have this determination, I will grant your request. However, the arena is ruthless, so you must not act impulsively. If you are defeated, admit defeat quickly."
Xu Xiaoxiao's face immediately lit up with a smile, and she thanked him repeatedly, secretly vowing to do her best to let her master know that she hadn't misjudged him.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Yuan Mengyao walked together, filled with nervousness and anticipation, toward the sect's hall of affairs, where registration for the grand competition was held.
Along the way, Yuan Mengyao patted Xu Xiaoxiao on the shoulder to encourage her: "Junior Sister Xu, don't panic, I'm with you. With our skills from all this adventure, we'll definitely be able to sign up."
Xu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and nodded emphatically: "Senior Sister Yuan is right, we'll do our best!"
But her tightly clenched hands betrayed her nervousness.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Affairs, they saw a large crowd of people, with disciples from various peaks packed together.
Some people were shouting about first come, first served, while others got into a fight over cutting in line, and in the process, they almost bumped into Xu Xiaoxiao.
Yuan Mengyao reacted quickly, pulling her behind her and raising her eyebrows sharply: "What are you pushing for! Follow the rules!"
Seeing this, the impetuous disciple muttered a few words and shrank back.
After finally squeezing their way to the registration desk, the elder in charge looked at them with a critical eye and said, "Please state your name, peak affiliation, and cultivation level."
Yuan Mengyao spoke first, her voice clear and crisp: "Disciple Yuan Mengyao, belonging to the Spirit Plant Peak, Qi Refining Level 12."
The elder in charge nodded slightly and picked up his pen to take notes.
When it was Xu Xiaoxiao's turn, she straightened her back and said, "Disciple Xu Xiaoxiao, Chongyang Peak, Qi Refining Level 10."
The elder paused, his gaze questioning, "You've only reached the tenth level of Qi Refining and you're already registering? The competition is dangerous; don't waste your spot."
Xu Xiaoxiao's heart tightened, and Yuan Mengyao quickly explained, "Elder, although Xiaoxiao's cultivation is not high, she has just returned from the secret realm training and has rich practical experience. She is clever and decisive and will definitely gain something in the competition. I hope you can be lenient with her."
Xu Xiaoxiao hurriedly added, "Elder, I have the will to fight to the death and will never give up easily. I just want to use the competition to hone my skills and improve. Please give me a chance."
The elder deacon frowned and pondered for a moment, seemingly moved by this persistence, and finally registered it: "Fine, since you insist on participating, you shall bear all the consequences on the field."
The two received their competition tokens and were about to leave when they heard someone behind them say in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, someone at the tenth level of Qi Refining dares to sign up? They'll probably be instantly killed on the field, wasting their spot."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Mengyao turned around and retorted angrily: "Stop making sarcastic remarks. Instead of wasting your time, you should worry about your own performance!"
Xu Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth secretly, her fighting spirit burning: she was determined to give those who looked down on her a good thrashing in the competition.
After registering for the competition, Xu Xiaoxiao, clutching her newly acquired competition jade token, hurried towards her senior brother Jiang Jingzhi's residence, filled with anxiety and anticipation.
All the way, she gripped the jade pendant tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, her mind constantly racing as she considered how to ask her senior brother for help.
Upon arriving at the destination, they saw Jiang Jingzhi polishing his sword in the courtyard. The sword gleamed coldly, reflecting on his focused face.
Xu Xiaoxiao coughed lightly and called out timidly, "Senior Brother, I've registered for the competition."
Jiang Jingzhi raised his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them, before smiling gently and saying, "Commendable courage, Junior Sister. It's quite a challenge to participate in the competition at the tenth level of Qi Refining." With that, he sheathed his sword.
Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes were slightly red as she stepped forward: "Senior Brother, I only came to find you because I knew how difficult it would be. I was able to get through the secret realm training, and I don't want to give up on this competition easily either. Please help me cultivate."
Jiang Jingzhi raised his hand and gently patted her shoulder: "Silly girl, why ask for favors when we're family? From now on, come here every day at dawn, and I'll help you refine your spiritual foundation so that your spiritual energy can circulate more smoothly."
Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoxiao nodded repeatedly, her heart filled with gratitude, and she secretly resolved never to let her senior brother down.
After leaving her eldest brother's place, Xu Xiaoxiao rushed to her second brother Mu Zhusheng's residence without stopping.
Mu Zhusheng was tending to the spiritual plants, and the room was filled with the fragrance of herbs.
Seeing her enter, he joked, "You're all in a rush, what's up?"
Xu Xiaoxiao showed the jade token: "Second Senior Brother, I have signed up for the competition and have come to learn from you."
Mu Zhusheng's eyes widened: "You little brat, you've got some nerve! Fine, since you're here, you might as well stay. I have some pills made from spiritual plants that will help you concentrate your energy and relieve fatigue during your cultivation. Here you go."
As he spoke, he handed Xu Xiaoxiao a small porcelain bottle, then his expression turned serious: "Also, you have a good understanding of spiritual plants. I'll teach you a few techniques to use spiritual power to stimulate the growth of spiritual plants. In battle, you can use them to create vines to entangle your opponent unexpectedly, which can be considered a surprise tactic."
Xu Xiaoxiao treasured it as if it were a precious gem, carefully putting it away. Her heart was warmed, and she silently thought that since her two senior brothers had been so devoted, she had to do her best to make a name for herself in the competition and live up to the kindness of her teachers and the high expectations of her senior brothers and sisters.
In the following days, she got up before dawn every day and went to her senior brother's place to cultivate diligently.
That day, Yuan Mengyao came to find her and saw that she was sweating profusely and staggering. She said with heartache, "Junior Sister Xu, don't push yourself too hard. The competition is important, but you can't let your health collapse." As she spoke, she handed her a handkerchief.
Xu Xiaoxiao took it, wiped her sweat, and grinned, saying, "Senior Sister Yuan, I just want to practice a little longer. I can't let us down."
He felt a little uncertain, after all, there were many opponents and many strong people, but when he thought of the encouragement from his master, senior brothers and sisters, he felt a surge of fighting spirit.
Yuan Mengyao pulled her to sit down and took out some spiritual fruits to share: "Don't worry, I found these spiritual fruits that can quickly boost your energy and gather spiritual power. You can use them during the competition."
Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up, and she thanked her repeatedly, secretly remembering her senior sister's thoughtfulness.