Chapter 34 (prelude) - End (can be skipped)

These voices spread among the Disciples like a plague. Hearing the discussions around him, Lin Fan's brow furrowed imperceptibly. He glanced at the high platform, looking at the stunning woman in the ice-blue dress. His gaze was burning, but his heart was filled with rage: "Two rounds of byes? How is that possible? No... it must be her doing. With her Soul Transformation Stage cultivation, and the Vice Sect Master being her Senior Sister, it wouldn't be hard for her to tamper with the drawing for the Great Competition!" Looking at that graceful and charming figure, a malevolent aura rose around Lin Fan, and he couldn't help but roar in his heart: "She puts on a cold and aloft appearance in public, but in private, she'd even tamper with the drawing for a man. What a bitch... Once I kill Xiao Ming, I'll make sure to deal with you properly!"

As the rounds of drawing continued, Xiao Ming's name still hadn't appeared in the matches. This unusual scene naturally caught the attention and suspicion of those who were paying close attention.

On the high platform, Tu Gang, the Peak Master of War Demon Peak, furrowed his rugged brows tighter and tighter. A bloody light flickered in his bell-like eyes, and he couldn't help but cold snort, his voice sounding like muffled thunder: "Hmph! Twelve consecutive rounds of byes? Peak Master Luo, Vice Sect Master, isn't your Disciple's luck a bit too outrageous?" His gaze was as sharp as a knife as it swept over Vice Sect Master Luo Hongyi and Luo Li, his tone carrying unconcealed questioning: "Vice Sect Master, could there be some mistake with this drawing wheel? Or did someone tamper with it in secret?"

Beside him, a sinister smile appeared on the skeletal, withered face of Old Ghost Xing, the Hall Master of the Hall of Discipline: "Peak Master Tu is absolutely right. The Sect's Great Competition has always emphasized survival of the fittest and the elimination of the weak. If someone uses their connections and background to advance by avoiding combat, I'm afraid it will be hard to convince the masses... Vice Sect Master, what do you think?" In his sunken eye sockets, a ghostly light flickered, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

Facing the duo's questioning, Luo Hongyi didn't panic at all. She remained calm and composed. Her phoenix-like eyes held authority as she coldly swept her gaze over them, her tone indifferent yet unquestionable: "Peak Master Tu, Hall Master Xing, the Heavenly Demon Wheel is a treasure of the Sect, and the drawing process is open and transparent. What methods could be used? As for my Disciple repeatedly getting byes, sometimes... luck is also a part of one's strength. If anyone feels it's unfair, they can verify it personally after the Great Competition concludes. What is the reason for making groundless conjectures and disrupting the competition now?"

Her words were powerful, and the pressure of the Mid Spirit Severing stage faintly emanated, causing Tu Gang and Old Ghost Xing's faces to stiffen. Although they were unconvinced, they didn't dare to continue the provocation. The two could only snort coldly, their icy gazes turning back to Xiao Ming below the stage, their killing intent intensifying.

Seeing that the Vice Sect Master had put it that way, the crowd stopped paying attention and turned their gazes back to the arena.

After several days of matches, many young geniuses within the Sect had emerged before everyone.

Among them, the most eye-catching was Zhang Xiaotian. He acted arrogantly and ruthlessly, always taking lives in his matches. Even those who surrendered and begged for mercy were killed without exception.

Next was Lin Fan. His matches were also very exciting. Although not as brutal and ruthless as Zhang Xiaotian's, his unyielding perseverance also drew cheers from many Disciples below the stage. Feats like crushing those in the same realm or killing those at a higher level were basic operations for him. Most importantly, he could actually improve himself and achieve a Breakthrough in his cultivation through fighting, making his opponents' scalps tingle with fear.

After Lin Fan's shocking performance over the past few days, the Peak Masters' gazes were more or less filled with scrutiny. Although Tu Gang, the Peak Master of War Demon Peak, had a look of disdain, a flicker of gravity that was hard to detect passed through his bell-like blood-red eyes. 'This boy's resilience is shocking, and he doesn't seem to have any good intentions toward my War Demon Peak. If he is allowed to continue growing, he will surely become a major threat in the future!' He secretly sent a voice transmission to his confidant, his killing intent cold: "After the Great Competition, regardless of success or failure, find an opportunity to..."

Luo Hongyi, sitting beside the main seat, lightly tapped the armrest of her throne with her long, jade-like fingers. Her stunningly beautiful face still wore a lazy smile, but a sharp glint quietly flashed in her phoenix eyes. She parted her red lips slightly and sent a voice transmission to her Junior Sister, her tone carrying a hint of admiration: "Junior Sister, look at that little fellow from Qingtian Peak; he's quite interesting. Breaking through in a crisis, and his Heart-Nature is even more extraordinary—he's a talent worth cultivating. If we can win him over and nurture him carefully, he might become a great help for Xiao Ming in the future!"

On the side, when Luo Li heard the name "Lin Fan" from her Senior Sister's mouth, the depths of her cold peach-blossom eyes instantly froze with ice that wouldn't melt for ten thousand years. Her jade fingers resting on the armrest subconsciously tightened.

This name instantly brought back the Wicked Disciple's whispers in her ear. Especially when she thought about how he had dared to try and approach her in the peach forest on the back mountain before, an unknown sense of disgust welled up. No matter how she looked at him, she found this person very annoying.

She transmitted back to Luo Hongyi, muttering with dissatisfaction: "Senior Sister, you can know a person's face but not their heart. This boy might have some talent, but he harbors evil intentions and has a hidden malevolent aura. Moreover, Xiao Ming has a poor impression of him; he's likely not a good person. My Heartless Peak will certainly not accept such a person with a crooked mind."

Her refusal was blunt and decisive, even carrying a hint of killing intent. This unusual behavior made Luo Hongyi raise an eyebrow slightly, looking at her Junior Sister with some surprise.

'Strange, Junior Sister has always had a cold personality, but it's rare for her to show such obvious malice toward a Disciple so directly. Could it be that this Lin Fan offended her?' Luo Hongyi thought to herself, but she didn't press further. She simply suppressed her doubts for the time being and turned her gaze back to the square below.

As for Luo Li, she had already moved her gaze away from Lin Fan, as if looking at him for one more second would soil her eyes. Her gaze involuntarily drifted back to that black-clad figure, a hint of tenderness appearing in her eyes. Compared to Lin Fan's hypocrisy, her own domineering and detestable Wicked Disciple actually seemed... much more sincere! At least that Wicked Disciple's greed and desire for her were blatant and never deigned to be disguised.

This thought made her heart inexplicably restless, and her beautiful cheeks flushed slightly. She quickly collected her thoughts and regained her cold, ice-mountain-like posture.

On the arena below, blood was still splashing everywhere, fully revealing the cruelty of the Demon Sect's Great Competition. Severed limbs flew, and those who suffered Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering were not few. Even the female cultivators were merciless in their attacks.

After an unknown amount of time, another round of drawing took place.

...

"Platform No. 7 of the Ding Group, Xiao Ming of Heartless Peak versus Liu Mang of War Demon Peak!"

...