Chapter 123

Li Yilan's ear twitched as she heard the words "Qingyun Sect Grand Competition", and the promise she had made instantly flashed in her mind.

"Oh? Has the Qingyun Sect Grand Competition come so soon?"

Immediately, her eyes sparkled brightly, and she cheerfully said to Lin Yang, "Master, that disciple will first go scout Sword Peak."

She naturally remembered the bet she had made with Sword Peak Master Li Mu, and immediately she made a gesture to mobilize her energy and leave.

Lin Yang gave a light smile and did not stop Li Yatou's decision.

After all, we must keep our word; since we made the promise, we must fulfill it.

As for Li Yatou's strength, he is completely reassured.

But just then.

"Wait!"

The Fifth Elder's expression changed drastically, and he hastily spoke up to block Li Yilan.

Li Yilan halted her movement, turned her head, and looked at the Fifth Elder with confusion.

"Fifth Elder, is there something else?"

Beads of fine sweat appeared on the Fifth Elder's forehead as he anxiously said, "Miss Li, you cannot go to Sword Peak now."

"Why?"

Li Yilan asked curiously.

Her actions do not hinder the Qingyun Sect Grand Competition; she merely wanted to scout Sword Peak before the competition—is that not allowed?

The Fifth Elder explained, "An unexpected situation has arisen; this time's Qingyun Sect Grand Competition has evoked a completely different reaction from the six other peak masters compared to previous years."

"How so?" Li Yilan asked curiously.

Lin Yang also looked curiously at the Fifth Elder.

"Sigh!"

The Fifth Elder sighed, looked toward Lin Yang, and said, "This matter is a long story; please, Peak Master Lin, hurry with me to the Elder Council Hall so we can discuss the affairs of the Qingyun Sect Grand Competition."

Upon hearing that.

Lin Yang also nodded, it seems this matter still concerns him; otherwise the Fifth Elder would not be so troubled.

He looked at Li Yilan and softly said, "In that case, Li Yatou, you should not go to Sword Peak for now."

"I will follow the Fifth Elder to see the specific situation."

"Yes!"

Li Yilan obediently responded to Lin Yang.

As for her master's words, she has always obeyed them.

————————

At that moment, inside the Elder Council.

Yet it was crowded to the point of overflowing.

Besides the Elder Council headed by Grand Elder Mao Ping.

There was also another group of people.

They were not old in age, should have been vigorous and lively, yet their faces were filled with worry and anxiety, their sagging eye bags even more terrifying than those of the elders.

And they were——

Sword Peak Master: Li Mu.

Formation Peak Master: Yang Xuan.

Shadow Peak Master: Su Wuniang.

Alchemy Peak Master: Zhou Yuan.

Talisman Peak Master: Xu Daoling.

Also, Body Tempering Peak Master: Chen Sheng.

Grand Elder Mao Ping raised his eyebrows and stared at the six major peak masters of the Six Major Peaks.

He cleared his throat and slowly said, "Everyone, this Qingyun Grand Competition concerns the rise and fall of the sect; its significance is extraordinary!"

To motivate each peak to enthusiastically participate, the sect decided to double the rewards based on previous years; as long as you can secure the top three, the rewards will be given!

In that case, aren't you moved?

You still don't want to participate?

Originally, the Azure Cloud Sect's Grand Competition was a celebration for the whole sect; in previous years, these six people, in order to obtain rewards and gain the prestige of ranking among the six peaks, openly and secretly vied, eagerly awaiting the start of the Grand Competition.

This year, he has doubled the rewards, and among the seven peaks, awarding the top three is practically giving them the rewards for free; yet these six people have collectively gone on strike, refusing to participate??

What a noisy situation.

Having said that.

The Grand Elder looked at the six peak masters with full anticipation, but the only response he received was silence.

Why don't you say something?

The Grand Elder was utterly speechless.

At this moment.

Li Mu stepped forward and said: "My Sword Peak has no intention of participating."

Next.

Formation Peak Master Yang Xuan also said: "My Formation Peak is likewise."

"And my Shadow Peak," said Shadow Peak Master Su Wuniang.

"My Elixir Peak originally has no advantage in the Azure Cloud Sect's Grand Competition, and I also have no intention to participate," said Elixir Peak Master Zhou Yuan.

"Since nobody is participating, my Talisman Peak, which usually enjoys writing and painting, will also not participate," said Talisman Peak Master Xu Daoling, expressing his stance as well.

Seeing everyone voice their position.

The Body Refinement Peak Master also said: "I just took over Body Refinement Peak, I'm not yet familiar with its internal affairs; for this grand competition, I might as well not participate."

Upon hearing that,

The Grand Elder felt extremely frustrated inside—what kind of excuse is this?

Take your Body Refinement Peak, for example—you, Chen Sheng, were promoted from within; how can you not be familiar with Body Refinement Peak?

His heart sank, but he gritted his teeth and added: "This way, the top three peaks will receive prize money of 800,000, 500,000, and 200,000 spirit stones."

"These are genuine resources that could recruit many talents for each peak and purchase numerous rare materials—are you still unwilling to participate?"

The six acted as if they hadn't heard, remaining seated motionless, not even lifting an eyelid.

"Hiss…"

The Grand Elder sucked in a breath of cold air, gritted his teeth, waved his hand, and said: "Then let's add three king-tier magical treasures!"

"Such treasures, once obtained, will surely greatly increase the strength of your six peaks; even cultivating core disciples would be more than enough."

"Six of you, please consider this carefully."

However…

Inside the house it remained utterly still, only the candlelight flickering; the six stared intently at each other, yet still expressed no stance.

Seeing this, the Grand Elder's forehead showed faint veins, yet he was not dissuaded, raising his voice: "Is this still not enough?"

"Fine, then add another king-tier magical treasure, and you may choose a type suited to your peak!"

The response to the Grand Elder remained a suffocating silence; several peak masters' eyes darted, as if hiding something unspeakable.

The Grand Elder, anxious to the point of wanting to tear at his hair and cheeks, suddenly lifted his head, a gleam flashing in his eyes, and said: "I'll add one more condition: the peaks that place in the top three may select five disciples to study **‑tier cultivation methods!"

"This is an opportunity capable of transforming the foundation of disciples and even the peak's lineage, enough for a genius disciple to leap the dragon gate and ascend to heaven in a single step."

"Are you still not moved?"

Upon saying that,

Everyone's breathing visibly stalled, a hint of wavering appeared in their eyes, and they began to whisper and discuss among themselves.

The Grand Elder smiled, thinking the matter was settled.

But after a moment, they gradually returned to calm.

Seeing this, the Grand Elder's face flushed completely red.

These fellows, who in previous years vied to show off, why are they all silent now?

He nearly shouted: "Everyone, I'll lay it out plainly! Disciples strive to bring glory, and masters cannot shortchange them!"

"Peak masters likewise have the chance to cultivate royal‑tier cultivation methods alongside their disciples—are you still not joining?"

At this moment,

Sword Peak Master Li Mu gave a bitter laugh and was the first to break the silence, saying: "Grand Elder, we appreciate your intentions."

"But you must know, nowadays Lin Yang's Heavenly Dao Peak is overwhelmingly powerful! He is the one who with a single finger annihilated the Blood Demon Sect sect master and razed the Xiao family; I dare not contend with him."

The Formation Peak Master beside him, Yang Xuan, also spoke up: "Who says otherwise? His disciples—one can draw on ten thousand li of spiritual power to establish a foundation, another's spiritual aptitude test directly shatters the aptitude testing pillar."

"With such terrifying talent, how are we supposed to participate in the grand competition, how are we supposed to rival his Heavenly Dao Peak?"