Chapter 47: Competing for the Ranking List, Faction Rivalry

Azure Cloud Sect.

Outer Sect Plaza.

A conspicuous ranking list was hung up.

The outer sect ranking list was opened ten days later.

Numerous outer sect disciples formed factions, competing around the ranking list.

Where there are people, there is the jianghu.

They formed small groups in threes and fives, the largest faction already having grown to a hundred people.

Fellow sect members can not only help each other, but when they go out on missions later, they can also plan cooperation.

This is also something the sect likes to see; competition brings motivation.

The premise is that they must not violate sect rules.

"Hey, that guy."

An outer sect disciple was walking when he was startled by someone who suddenly appeared.

"What are you doing!"

"Cough cough, let me introduce myself, I am Qinghai of the Blast Heaven Sect."

"Look, junior brother, your foundation is extraordinary and your steps steady; are you interested in joining my Blast Heaven Sect?"

"Blast Heaven Sect?"

That disciple was also taken aback.

He had heard of the Blast Heaven Sect.

It seems to be the largest faction in the outer sect, with many talents and experts.

"My Blast Heaven Sect's senior brother Qingyan currently ranks third on the outer sect ranking list."

"Our Blast Heaven Sect occupies thirty spots on the entire ranking list."

"If you join now, after two months the senior brothers will advance to the inner sect, and you'll have inner sect senior brothers as your backing; how about that?"

"I'll join, senior brother!"

That disciple never expected the top-ranked faction to actively come invite him to join.

"Good, later I'll take you to meet the senior brothers in the faction."

Qinghai patted the junior disciple's shoulder and said happily.

In just these few days he has already recruited many people, relying on his eloquence; the Blast Heaven Sect has rapidly grown in the outer sect!

For a time his reputation soared, unmatched.

"Hehe, Long Aotian's Longmen, what do you have to fight my Blast Heaven Sect?"

The Longmen he spoke of is led by Long Aotian, and it is their biggest rival.

The second-largest faction in the outer sect.

Disciples of the two factions compete with each other, vying for rankings on the list.

The third-largest faction is the Heavenly Dance Sect founded by Luo Wu, who ranks fifth on the list; the Heavenly Dance Sect consists entirely of outer sect female disciples.

However, the Heavenly Dance Sect is not very strong, occupying only ten spots on the ranking list, completely unable to compare with those two major factions above.

Outer sect, Blast Heaven Sect.

Faction disciples gathered in a disciple hall.

"How about Yuanchu? Has Senior Brother Qin Han agreed to join us?"

"No, Senior Brother Qin Han said he's not interested in our petty squabbles."

"What about Senior Brother Ning Yan?"

"No either, Senior Brother Ning Yan told me not to disturb his cultivation, sob sob..."

"Hey..."

"It seems our Blast Heaven Sect wants to keep growing, we must rely on our own strength."

"That Long Aotian's Longmen has been developing too rapidly lately; their rankings on the list are about to catch up with ours."

"Senior Brother Qingyan, rest assured."

"With me here, Longmen cannot surpass our Blast Heaven Sect."

"No way! I'm going into closed-door cultivation for a month right now!"

"Draw the sword a hundred times every minute! A hundred times! A hundred times!"

"When my sword-drawing technique achieves minor success, I will definitely break into the top ten of the list!"

One disciple frantically practiced drawing and sheathing his sword.

After witnessing the sect's might, their horizons broadened considerably.

These disciples gathered together all share a common goal and dream.

That is to strive upward and cultivate to become a great emperor.

What if one's talent is poor? Then defy heaven!

What if one is born humble? Being able to yield and stand firm makes a true man!

"Good, our Blast Heaven Sect is truly the number one faction!"

"Everyone, go cultivate diligently; upcoming we'll likely face many challenges."

Blast Heaven Sect's Qingyan stood up and said.

He is currently third on the ranking list, first is Qin Han, second is Ning Yan.

The fourth on the list is Longmen's Long Aotian; as for challenging Senior Brothers Qin Han and Ning Yan, we'll have to wait until we're confident.

Now the most important thing is to secure his third place, lest Long Aotian snatch it away.

"Senior Brother Qingyan! Senior Brother Qingyan!"

Just then, a disciple came running over in a hurry.

"Junior Brother Xiao Si, why are you in such a rush?"

"Come sit down and speak slowly."

"Senior Brother, Dragon Gate's Long Aotian has sent a challenge letter to challenge you, Senior Brother."

Xiao Si said as soon as he came in.

Well, just as I said I needed to steady my third-place position, Long Aotian comes to challenge me.

"Come on, let's go take a look."

Outer Sect, martial arts arena.

By the martial arts arena, many disciples have already gathered.

One disciple, not understanding, asked the disciple beside him.

"Brother, what day is today? Why are so many people gathered here?"

"Could it be that Senior Brothers Qin Han and Ning Yan are going to have another big battle?"

That disciple asked eagerly.

The last time these two senior brothers fought in the ranking battle was just a few days ago; that battle let them feast their eyes!

Everyone admired the two senior brothers' strength.

In the end, it ended with Senior Brother Ning Yan's defeat, but Ning Yan declared that he would challenge again soon.

"No, it's Senior Brother Long Aotian who wants to challenge Senior Brother Qingyan."

"That's fine too!"

Number four on the list challenges number three.

Looks like another exciting battle is about to happen.

That man then also joined the crowd in watching the spectacle.

Soon, members of the Dragon Gate Sect and the Blasting Heaven Sect came running over.

"Here they come, here they come!"

"Who do you think will win, Senior Brother?"

Hard to say; last time the ranking battle between these two senior brothers was decided by a single move, so this time it's not certain who will win.

Even before the fight started, the junior brothers below began to discuss, debating who would win or lose.

Long Aotian and Qingyan both stepped onto the stage.

Long Aotian's long hair flowed over his shoulders, moving without wind, revealing his unrestrained and domineering aura.

Qingyan is a refined-looking youth, holding a folding fan, exuding a scholarly air.

"Blasting Heaven Sect! Blasting Heaven Sect!"

"Senior Brother Qingyan will surely win! Senior Brother Qingyan will surely win!"

The disciples of the Blasting Heaven Sect all cheered for their own senior brother.

"Dragon Gate! Dragon Gate!"

"Senior Brother Aotian will surely win, Senior Brother Aotian will surely win!"

The Dragon Gate Sect disciples also shouted, not willing to be outdone.

Now it's a contest of aura; regardless of whether we can actually fight, we must not lose in aura first.

"Long Aotian, it's only been a few days, and you're already challenging me?"

"Hmph, I, Long Aotian, am not convinced; last time you won by luck."

"Again!"

"Fine, do as you wish."

Long Aotian circulated his spiritual energy and attacked, revealing his peak Golden Core cultivation.

Qingyan also came forward to meet him.

With his folding fan, he blocked and deflected each move; the two fought so intensely it was hard to tell who was ahead.

Spiritual energy crisscrossed the arena as the two peak Golden Core cultivators collided.

Aside from Qin Han and Ning Yan, their cultivation is the highest among the outer disciples.

They are only one step away from breaking through the Golden Core to enter the Nascent Soul realm.

As they fought, Qingyan deliberately revealed an opening; Long Aotian saw the chance and struck directly.

"Hehe, this kid really took the bait."

Qingyan seized the opportunity and struck with his folding fan, sending Long Aotian flying and crashing onto the stage.

"Senior Brother Qingyan! Senior Brother Qingyan!"

The Blasting Heaven Sect members, seeing their senior brother win, shouted even louder.

The fallen Long Aotian opened his eyes and saw Qingyan standing before him, extending a hand.

"Get up, Brother Aotian."

"You're not hurt, are you?"

"I'm fine, Brother Qingyan, you..."

Long Aotian was pulled up, puzzled.

"We're all from the same sect; it's enough to just touch hands and stop."

……