Fairies in Seclusion in the Secret Realm
Several people wandered around the sect for a long time without spotting any familiar faces, leaving them all a bit disappointed.
It made sense, though. Disciples from the top ten sects wouldn't all be out leisurely strolling—most were diligently cultivating in preparation for the grand competition. And with Taiqing Sect being so vast, even if they were out and about, running into them was far from guaranteed.
Besides, after all these years, it was impossible for everyone to look as unchanged as Qin Qipeng and the others. Some might stand right in front of you without being recognized.
"Big Brother, let's stop searching for now. If any other brothers really made it here, we'll know for sure at tomorrow's grand competition. It's been so long since we've seen each other—I've got a few jars of spiritual wine here. Let's drink together?"
Qin Qipeng proposed.
Qin Qiming hesitated. "The competition starts tomorrow. Wouldn't that be a bad idea?"
"What's the harm? We're cultivators, after all—ordinary spiritual wine won't cause any trouble. Come on, little brother. Third Sister will drink with you!"
On Taiqing Sect's Fire Spirit Peak stood a massive stone platform, meticulously leveled and smoothed to perfection through the sect's grand divine abilities. This was the venue for the top ten sects' competition.
The platform was divided into ten zones around the edges, each assigned to one of the top ten sects, while the center featured numerous small circular arenas for the disciples' matches.
Streams of magical artifacts streaked through the sky, descending one after another under Taiqing Sect's arrangements as the various sects took their seats in turn.
Everyone was familiar with the sect competition format, sparing a lot of hassle.
The first month pitted the Qi Condensation disciples from each sect against one another, vying for the top ten spots, with generous treasures offered as rewards by the sects.
The second month was for Foundation Establishment, the third for Golden Core.
After three months, disciples from each sect would enter a trial ground filled with spiritual herbs and treasures—but also guarded by demonic beasts. It tested their ability to handle perilous situations.
There were dangers, of course, but all within controllable limits. Everyone understood the principle: jade unpolished remains unrefined.
"Taixuan Sect's Qin Qiming versus Bihai Sect's Guan Chengxuan!"
"Thunder Sword Sect's Luo Yan versus Taiyi Sword Sect's Tang Ling'er!"
"..."
The top ten sects' matches proceeded simultaneously; otherwise, with so many disciples competing, it would drag on forever.
"Junior Brother Qiming, show them Taixuan Sect's might—beat that kid senseless!"
"Senior Brother Luo Yan, don't go easy just because she's a woman!"
"..."
The called disciples shot out from their sect's zone and landed in the arena.
"Big Brother Qiming's up!"
Qin Qicheng watched the arena below with some tension.
"Relax. From what I can see, Big Brother Qiming's aura is thick and steady—his foundations are rock-solid. That Guan Chengxuan's no match for him."
Qin Qipeng's judgment was sharp these days, especially now that he'd reached Foundation Establishment and could tell at a glance.
"You never know—maybe the guy's got some powerful treasure?" Qin Qicheng still fretted.
In the arena.
Qin Qiming took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and declared loudly, "Qin Qiming of Taixuan Sect, here to learn from Senior Brother!"
The young man opposite smiled and returned the gesture. "Junior Brother, please!"
A barrier formation rose at the arena's edge, sealing it off from the outside—signaling the match's official start.
In that instant, Qin Qiming moved. A crescent-shaped flying sword glowing with azure light shot from his storage pouch, hovering before him with a humming vibration.
Before the grand competition, Qin Changqing had specifically met with Qin Qiming, instructing him not to use the gifts he'd sent during the sect tournament.
Those treasures came from Taiqing Sect's female immortals and could easily be recognized, which would be hard to explain.
Qin Qiming understood his master's intent: to rely on his own abilities, treat those items as hidden trump cards, and unleash them desperately only when needed.
Grasping this, he'd poured extra effort into his swordsmanship. Even with an ordinary blade, he could now unleash extraordinary power.
Ignoring the onlookers' gazes, Qin Qiming's flying sword suddenly split into three sword shadows, indistinguishable as true or false, and shot toward his opponent.
"Excellent! Qiming's honed the Light-Splitting Sword Technique well—he's already manifested three sword shadows!"
The leading elder's eyes lit up as he nodded with a smile.
Guan Chengxuan's expression shifted slightly. He retreated swiftly while forming hand seals. Around him, crystalline water droplets condensed, refracting sunlight into dazzling rainbows.
"Go!"
Guan Chengxuan shouted softly, pointing forward.
The droplets exploded toward the three swords.
Two shadows flickered and reformed, but their true nature was revealed.
"Well done!"
Bihai Sect disciples cheered from below. "Senior Brother Guan's a water spirit root—heaven and earth's water essence is practically an extension of his body. The higher his cultivation, the stronger it gets!"
"Break for me!"
Guan Chengxuan's seals shifted again. The droplets merged midair into a massive palm, grasping for the true sword.
But Qin Qiming's lips curved into a sudden smile. His hands flashed through seals. "Light-Split—Reverse!"
The giant water palm clenched fiercely—only to seize a mere illusion.
"Not good!"
Guan Chengxuan's face paled. It was too late. The "false" sword he'd exposed hovered an inch from his brow, its tip's sword light pricking his skin with pain.
Guan Chengxuan went ashen, finally realizing he'd been duped. The current one was the true sword; the earlier probe was just Qin Qiming's deliberate feint.
"Qin Qiming wins!"
The supervising cultivator bellowed, then dispelled the barrier.
"Senior Brother, you honor me!" Qin Qiming recalled his sword and cupped his hands.
"Junior Brother, your swordsmanship is impressive. I lost fairly!"
Though reluctant, Guan Chengxuan bowed graciously and stepped down.
Qin Qiming returned to Taixuan Sect's side amid cheers.
"Well done, Junior Brother Qicheng! You brought glory to Taixuan Sect!"
"I never knew Light-Splitting Sword could be used like that—eye-opening, Junior Brother Qiming!"
"Impressive!" The leading elder beamed.
From afar, Qin Qipeng and the others smiled and gave congratulatory gestures.
The matches progressed smoothly. Every sect took the grand competition seriously, bringing only their most talented disciples. Some bouts even drew admiring gasps from the elders.
A month flew by, and the Qi Condensation tournament concluded, crowning the top ten.
Next came the Foundation Establishment disciples. With higher cultivation, their clashes were even more spectacular—spiritual energy roiled, treasures flew wildly.
Farther up on the high platform sat the top brass from the ten sects.
"Fellow Daoist Chiyang, I hear your sect has quite a few genius female cultivators—even some earth spirit roots. How come we haven't seen a single one?"
Someone asked curiously.
Taiqing Sect's participants this time were underwhelming; many of their standout female disciples had skipped the competition.
Liu Qinghui smiled and explained, "What a coincidence. A couple years back, we opened a secret realm perfect for female cultivators and sent them all in. Cultivation comes first, after all."
He shook his head with a regretful look.
Qin Changqing's prowess was indeed no less than a stroke of heavenly fortune.