Chapter 21: Number One of the Outer Sect

In the Outer Sect Central Plaza, amidst the discussions, a smiling young man walked out from behind the mechanical bamboo dragon.

Lin Jing... recognized this person at a glance; it was the forest-guarding Senior Brother from the spirit bamboo forest earlier.

He stepped forward and said loudly: "Greetings everyone, I am Fang Yonghao of the Inner Sect, with ninth-layer Qi Condensation cultivation. Entrusted by Elder Yu, I have come to host the Outer Sect Dragon Ascension Festival's Dragon Struggle, Beast Fight activity!"

"From this moment on, any Outer Sect disciple can challenge the mechanical bamboo dragon. Once the challenger is ready, I will activate the bamboo dragon. It will automatically sense and seek out enemies within a certain range to engage in battle."

"Are there any Junior Brothers who want to challenge? Today and tomorrow, each person is limited to one challenge per day! Rewards will be issued based on the best performance."

"Of course, if you are not satisfied with your performance, Elder Yu said that you can support it with 10 spirit stones to increase the number of challenges..." After Senior Brother Fang finished speaking, the scene was silent. No one was willing to be the first to challenge, mainly because they didn't know the attack mode of the mechanical bamboo dragon. Challenging rashly would only lead to failure, and since the number of attempts was limited, who would be willing to spend spirit stones to buy more?

Until after more than ten seconds of silence, a "Let me come." broke the calm.

Lin Jing, who had intended to step onto the stage, paused his movements and looked over with the Pine-Needle Rat.

The disciples cleared a path, and they saw a young man with dark skin, and beside him followed an ape that was a head shorter.

The monkey had sharp eyes and a strong body. Most importantly... compared to the messy white fur elsewhere, its hands and feet seemed to be covered with a strange metallic texture, very domineering.

It was exactly one of the five basic spirit beasts of the Beast-Taming Sect, the Fighting Ape!

It is worth mentioning that this Fighting Ape was also carrying a long-handled weapon wrapped in white cloth, quite like a master.

"It's actually Senior Brother He."

"Number one of the Outer Sect, Senior Brother He Yiming!"

This person seemed to have considerable prestige in the Outer Sect, and his appearance immediately caused a large ripple.

"Currently, in the Outer Sect Beast-Fighting Arena, it is Senior Brother He who ranks first."

"After him, Senior Brother Ziran and Senior Sister Caixin take turns holding second."

"I didn't expect Senior Brother He to actually take the lead for us to test the reality of the bamboo dragon!"

Other disciples discussed among themselves. Outside the crowd, a young man leaning against a tree reading "My Sword Spirit Wife," and a woman surrounded by several female disciples who looked a bit weak, also cast their eyes toward this number one of the Outer Sect.

"Greetings Senior Brother Fang, I am He Yiming, sixth-layer Qi Condensation, pet beast Fighting Ape, seventh-layer Qi Condensation, here to challenge the mechanical bamboo dragon!"

Senior Brother Fang smiled back: "Greetings Junior Brother He. I have long heard of Junior Brother He's reputation in the Outer Sect. I imagine that among the next batch of disciples entering the Inner Sect, you will be one of them."

"Thank you for the praise, Senior Brother Fang." He Yiming cupped his hands, then followed his pet beast, the Fighting Ape, and walked forward, slightly raising his head to look at the mechanical bamboo dragon.

"In that case, I will activate the mechanical bamboo dragon. Junior Brother, please be prepared." After Senior Brother Fang finished speaking, he took out a bell strung with bamboo rope.

As he shook the bell, a white light flashed in the eyes of the mechanical bamboo dragon in mid-air. The next moment, the wind around the mechanical bamboo dragon flowed even faster.

"Swish!" At the same time the bell rang, beside He Yiming, the Fighting Ape also took down its weapon and unwrapped the white cloth. As the cloth strips drifted away, inside was actually... a hoe used for digging the ground!

Although it looked a bit absurd, not many Outer Sect disciples laughed.

"Spirit weapon!"

This hoe was a spirit weapon forged by a refiner using spirit ore!

"I heard that Senior Brother He Yiming was very lucky to dig up a piece of 'Bright Jade Stone' hidden deep underground while performing a sect mission in the mining area. To reward him, the sect specially rewarded him with a spirit weapon hoe. It seems it's true."

Seeing that extraordinary hoe, many disciples showed expressions of envy. With this hoe, the efficiency of digging mines would be unimaginable, and the speed of accumulating resources... would multiply. It's no wonder Senior Brother He could sit on the throne of number one in the Outer Sect today!

Lin Jing and the Pine-Needle Rat listened to everyone's discussion and fell silent. This works too?

"Drink!" After taking out the spirit weapon hoe, the Fighting Ape seemed to have divine help, exploding with terrifying power. Accompanied by a spiritual energy cyclone, it jumped directly and, in a flash, with powerful explosive force, jumped in front of the bamboo dragon's head, hard-headedly using the hoe... to smash toward the mechanical bamboo dragon!

Speed, explosive power... were all very outstanding, comparable to a body cultivator of the same level.

With a "Bang," the hoe successfully hit the target. For this scene, many Outer Sect disciples took a deep breath, showing expressions of admiration. The mechanical beast's reaction was slow... in their view, it was clearly that the mechanical bamboo dragon hadn't kept up with the Fighting Ape's speed!

He Yiming also showed a smile because of this.

Watching the bamboo dragon open its mouth, the dragon pearl in its mouth quickly jumped from white to red, orange, yellow, and green!

Green? Only green?

This strike had considerable power, but what people didn't expect was that the dragon pearl only jumped to the fourth-tier reward... and, after the bamboo dragon took a hit, its head didn't even tilt.

You have to know, the Fighting Ape was also at the seventh layer of Qi Condensation. In a battle of the same level, the bamboo dragon's reaction was truly too calm.

And the next moment, what made the Outer Sect disciples' expressions change was that after the bamboo dragon took a hit, it seemed as if some kind of power had awakened. The huge dragon tail swung rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, "Bang!" it smashed toward the Fighting Ape above its head, instantly slapping the Fighting Ape flying for dozens of meters!!!

Bang! Bang! The Fighting Ape and the spirit hoe both landed on the ground. Among them, the Fighting Ape was even knocked unconscious. The Fighting Ape, which was said to have "steel bones and iron muscles," actually couldn't withstand a single strike. This scene made many people's expressions change again and again.

He Yiming himself had an expression of instant disbelief.

"Green dragon pearl, Junior Brother He, try again tomorrow." Senior Brother Fang saw this and comforted him.

"Senior Brother, is this bamboo dragon... really only seventh-layer Qi Condensation???" He Yiming didn't believe it.

Senior Brother Fang said: "It is like this, but the configuration of this bamboo dragon might be the same as recorded in the Jianghu novels, it is the ninth-turn peak perfection of the seventh layer of Qi Condensation, capable of fighting across levels with the eighth layer of Qi Condensation... cough... you should be content. As far as I know, the mechanical bamboo dragon provided for the Inner Sect Dragon Ascension Festival celebration... even reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment. This is the first time."

He was very glad that he had received this mission, otherwise, he would have to challenge the Foundation Establishment bamboo dragon like other Inner Sect disciples. Just thinking about it, Fang Yonghao felt terrified, and all of this... he wasn't sure if it was thanks to someone's blessing.

"Is there no one else?" A few minutes later, after Senior Brother Fang replenished the consumption of the mechanical bamboo dragon with spirit stones, there were still no new Outer Sect disciples wanting to challenge. The realms from the novels were already out, who would dare to challenge?

The challenge of the number one of the Outer Sect not only failed to build confidence for other Outer Sect disciples, but instead made them even more uneasy inside.

"Come on, you're already here." Senior Brother Fang smiled, seeing the appearance of these Junior Brothers, and felt it was very interesting.

"Have you recovered? We're ready."

Finally, another voice came out.

Upon hearing this, another path was cleared, revealing the people inside.

A young man with a delicate appearance, and a Pine-Needle Rat standing on his shoulder.

Compared to the previous He Yiming, not many people recognized this young man. Of course, it wasn't that there were none.

Seeing that it was Lin Jing, Senior Brother Ziran from the Mission Hall and Senior Brother Fang Yonghao from the forest guard were both startled.

"Outer Sect disciple Lin Jing, second-layer Qi Condensation, pet beast Pine-Needle Rat, fifth-layer Qi Condensation, here to challenge the mechanical bamboo dragon!"

After Lin Jing reported his name, he walked toward the field with the Pine-Needle Rat.

"Who is that?"

Second-layer Qi Condensation? Fifth-layer Qi Condensation?

Everyone was startled. Although it wasn't that they couldn't challenge with such cultivation, even the lowest tier had rewards, but after seeing the power of the mechanical bamboo dragon, they still dared to go on stage decisively. Many Outer Sect disciples had to admire Lin Jing's courage.

"You..."

After Lin Jing entered the field, Senior Brother Fang Yonghao had a strange expression and said: "Are you sure you want to challenge?"

The culprit... has appeared!

"Senior Brother, we meet again. Thank you for your 'care' last time!" Lin Jing greeted with a smile.

"Squeak-squeak-squeak!!" The Pine-Needle Rat also looked at the other party.

If it weren't for the other party reporting them, they might have been able to cut spirit bamboo for two more days.

"Not at all." Senior Brother Fang didn't understand what he meant and said: "In that case, I will activate the mechanical bamboo dragon again. Junior Brother... please be careful!"

After speaking, he used the bamboo bell again to activate the mechanical beast.

At this very moment, most people still thought that this unfamiliar Outer Sect disciple was at most just going through the motions.

Until, the bamboo dragon was activated, Lin Jing patted his pocket, and a red maple leaf shook out, which was taken into the hand by the Pine-Needle Rat on Lin Jing's shoulder.

It flicked with force, and the red leaf instantly turned into a red meteor flying toward the bamboo dragon, with a speed far exceeding the Fighting Ape's explosive power.

"My mother, so fast?!" Some disciples who also raised Pine-Needle Rats felt a startle when they saw the terrifying speed of the Flying Leaf Art.

Is this someone who doesn't farm or cultivate spiritual power every day, but just stares at the Flying Leaf Art to practice?

"No wonder they dared to come and challenge, they have some tricks."

As everyone was surprised, their expressions changed again.

After the Flying Leaf Art accurately landed on the bamboo dragon... it actually slashed the bamboo dragon's body in an instant, and the red leaf was hard-headedly embedded in the bamboo dragon's body, just like a dragon-slaying blade inserted into a giant dragon's body!

"Roar!!!" Although the bamboo dragon didn't know pain, as the red leaf slashed into its body, it still opened its mouth and made a rumbling mechanical vibration sound, as if roaring angrily.

Red... orange... yellow... green... cyan... blue!

The flying leaf hit, and the dragon pearl's color jumped to blue in one breath, which meant that the destructive power of the Pine-Needle Rat's Flying Leaf Art was at least two tiers higher than the Fighting Ape's attack using a spirit weapon at the seventh layer of Qi Condensation!

Such a scene exceeded people's cognition. You have to know, compared to the Fighting Ape, the Pine-Needle Rat is not good at combat spells.

"Blue?!" In the distance, He Yiming, who was squatting and feeding the Fighting Ape healing pills, stood up abruptly and looked at the dragon pearl in the bamboo dragon's mouth.

"Is it because of that red leaf!" Of course, some people guessed something, feeling that the red leaf was not an ordinary object.

"It must be a fierce plant with a value higher than the spirit hoe! That Pine-Needle Rat can actually control it so easily!"

But compared to these, what was more intense at this time was the bamboo dragon's reaction. No one expected that after being injured, emerald-green spiritual flames would permeate the bamboo dragon's body, not at all like a wood-attribute mechanical beast.

The emerald-green spiritual flames appeared, and the red maple leaf was instantly swallowed by the spiritual flames.

"... How come this mechanical dragon is also engraved with a fire array." The Outer Sect disciples were all convinced. It was fine if it could use wind, but now it could even use fire. A bamboo dragon that could use two types of spells was simply hell-level difficulty for Beast-Taming disciples who had just stepped into the gate of cultivation. Elder Yu was not acting like a human; did the Outer Sect disciples offend him?

"It will open its mouth and reveal the dragon pearl when it is injured."

"Initially, its actions are slow, and its attack consciousness is not high, giving the challenger one chance to attack, and then it will defend and counterattack."

"But wanting to rely on external destruction, the difficulty will be very great."

"So you need to let the bamboo dragon open its mouth first, and then..."

"The weakness should be in the mouth."

"To defeat a mechanical beast, you have to quickly break the complex mechanism inside." Elder Yu shouldn't be so perverted as to make a Qi Condensation mechanical beast into an absolute defense.

Most disciples were still scalp-numbed by the strength of the bamboo dragon... Lin Jing muttered to himself, and had already shaken out ten red leaves from his pocket.

Everyone:???

No, you...

The Pine-Needle Rat held five in each hand, slightly separated.

Ten shots in a row were thrown, and ten brilliant red lights flew straight toward the bamboo dragon's head.

This technique made other Pine-Needle Rat beast-tamers feel bizarre and eerie.

In addition, people discovered that Lin Jing wanted to destroy the internal mechanism from the bamboo dragon's mouth. The idea was undoubtedly good, but facing a moving bamboo dragon, how could the direct-attack Flying Leaf Art be so smooth...

The bamboo dragon tilted its head slightly, and the landing point of the flying leaf was at most shaving the bamboo dragon's face.

However, the next moment.

"Object-Controlling Art!" Lin Jing stretched out his hand, pinched the seal with one hand, and made a command gesture.

The red leaves turned rapidly and continuously, and the Pine-Needle Rat cooperated with Lin Jing to control the red leaves.

With this "Object-Controlling Art"-like means, they flew into the mouth that the bamboo dragon had just opened.

Click-click-click-click-click!

Various sounds of mechanical shattering came out. The dragon pearl in the mechanical bamboo dragon's mouth first turned purple, and then... with a click, a sound of cracking appeared. The wind and fire on the bamboo dragon flying in the sky extinguished, and soon it fell from the sky like scattered parts.

Bang!

It smashed to the ground.

The scene was silent.

Seeing this... the Pine-Needle Rat was ecstatic inside.

So fragile? Spirit bean bombs saved!

It ran forward quickly, wanting to retrieve its flying leaves.

"Who exactly is this person, what is his background." At this moment, many disciples had only this thought about Lin Jing and them. Lin Jing, who had been in the Beast-Taming Sect for some time, finally appeared in the sight of all Outer Sect disciples.

"Senior Brother, does this... count as a successful challenge?" Lin Jing also looked at the forest-guarding Senior Brother.

Fang Yonghao's mouth twitched. You harvested the materials for making the bamboo dragon, and you also dismantled the bamboo dragon. Junior Brother, you have a grudge against bamboo!! And your Object-Controlling Art, why is there no spiritual energy fluctuation at all?! ===== CHAPTER 22 =====