After Winter Month is over, the Lunar Month will soon arrive.
The end of the Lunar Month marks the year-end.
This year-end, I can only spend it in a foreign land.
There’s no way to reunite with Madam Yun and Cailing.
As an outsider, the only thing in my mind is becoming stronger.
Tomorrow is the so-called Outer Sect disciples’ competition day.
A night passed.
The sky was barely bright and it wasn’t yet 7:00 AM when everyone headed toward the valley.
Today is the day for Outer Sect disciples to compete for promotion to Inner Sect disciples.
Although most of the Outer Sect disciples reside outside the valley, to accommodate the Mansion Masters, the competition is held within the valley’s competition grounds.
Following the crowd inside, the buildings within the valley are much more luxurious.
Shen Han seldom walked into the depths of Cangxuan Valley; many places, he visited for the first time.
Following other Outer Sect disciples, he occasionally overheard some news.
After some inquiries, Shen Han realized that actually, there are many Outer Sect disciples within the valley as well.
However, these Outer Sect disciples generally gave up on cultivation.
Though called disciples, they are essentially servants, laborers.
Yet the monthly stipend they receive is also Sect Contribution Points, which they use to exchange for resources.
Upon hearing this, Shen Han understood.
Previously, he had heard that Cangxuan Valley housed hundreds of thousands.
If it were only those Outer Sect disciples, it would certainly not reach that number.
It turns out those servants and laborers were also counted.
No one among the crowd took to flying on Magical Artifacts, as a sign of respect.
They walked to the competition grounds on foot, which took about three-quarters of an hour.
It was already 7:00 AM, and the competition would start at 7:00 AM.
None of the Mansion Masters had arrived.
Until a quarter of an hour before 7:00 AM, the Mansion Masters finally arrived in small groups.
Seated in the spectator seats, these Mansion Masters whispered among themselves, showing little interest in the Outer Sect disciples’ competition.
Normally, those with skills and abilities would not compromise and become Outer Sect disciples.
At 7:00 AM, an Inner Sect Senior Sister stepped forward to announce the official start of the competition.
There are no complicated rules in this competition.
Just two participants against each other; the loser steps down, and the winner continues.
Whether one can be promoted to Inner Sect disciple does not directly depend on winning or losing.
One of the seventeen Mansion Masters must notice you and bring you into the Inner Sect.
Sometimes, even if you lose, showcasing extraordinary talent and potential may still earn you a spot in the Inner Sect.
Naturally, if you keep winning with no rivals, you can consistently make yourself known in the competition center, which easily attracts the Mansion Masters’ attention.
After the Inner Sect Senior Sister spoke, disciples began entering the competition grounds eagerly.
Those wanting to showcase themselves should get into the competition early.
If you wait longer and the masters emerge, joining then might only mean being treated like a punching bag.
If defeated in one or two moves, what can you possibly display?
Surrounding the competition grounds, nearly a thousand Outer Sect disciples were watching.
However, only at most one or two hundred were prepared to participate.
Without sight, blades and swords can still cause injuries during competitions.
Even with a Divine Soul, what if the body gets injured?
These Outer Sect disciples, learning skills to return home and live as local rulers, live comfortably.
Getting hurt here only brings loss with no gain.
Thus, the Outer Sect disciples truly daring to compete are few.
After a battle, you only earn ten contribution points, which isn’t worthwhile.
Besides Outer Sect disciples, many Inner Sect disciples came to observe.
They came to watch and enjoy.
Watching these Outer Sect disciples compete, they felt as though seeing chickens peck at each other.
Though they couldn’t learn anything, it was still amusing to watch.
An Inner Sect disciple came in to reprimand.
After a moment, only two remained standing in the field.
"Coastal Prefecture, Lan Lin."
"Xuyang Mansion, Chen Guangyin."
The two exchanged salutes, and the competition formally began.
The Divine Souls were suddenly summoned.
Their Divine Souls appeared tremendously robust and massive, like giants entering a tiny country.
In the next moment, one held a giant sword, while the other’s Divine Soul wielded a large axe.
Suddenly, their Divine Souls moved.
The clash of sword and axe echoed sharply and chillingly.
Through each move, the power of the Sixth Grade First Snow Realm is undoubtedly present.
Shen Han raised his eyes to observe the surrounding Mansion Masters, who took a brief look, then returned to idle chat.
Such Divine Souls truly don’t interest them.
The techniques appeared fierce but were meaningless in true battles among the strong.
Some powerful Divine Souls could already exert pressure that pleases them.
The Divine Souls of the two in front lacked that kind of pressure.
They tangled for dozens of moves, ultimately, the one with the large axe proved superior.
With a downward strike, the opponent couldn’t withstand it, and their entire Divine Soul was cleft.
Even the practitioner himself suffered some injuries.
Witnessing this, many Outer Sect disciples felt fortunate not to participate in this promotion competition.
Getting injured once could take who knows how long to recover.
If it damages the foundation, it would be even more troublesome...
The first match drew blood, which started to alert later participants, causing some to retreat.
However, there were still too many eager to join the Inner Sect.
Many people also carry this confidence within them.
In a moment, there was someone stepping into the competition arena again.
These Outer Sect disciples tried their best to showcase their strength, their potential.
However, many times, just a glance, and the Mansion Masters already had their judgment.
The disciple with the giant axe in the second match lost.
Throughout the process, not a single Mansion Master spoke, which pretty much signified that they had no chance with the Inner Sect disciples.
The competition lasted from 7:00 AM until Late Noon, with over twenty Outer Sect disciples stepping on stage to compete.
But not a single one was recognized by the Mansion Masters.
The surrounding Inner Sect disciples also joked and teased among themselves.
The strength of these Outer Sect disciples, in their view, was far inferior to theirs.
Shen Han hesitated for a moment, preparing to step in.
Yet another person walked in.
This person’s expression was indifferent, appearing somewhat like a master.
Outer Sect disciples who put on such airs usually get mocked or laughed at.
But when he walked in, it seemed no one laughed at him.
"Zhang Xiangxiang has stepped in..."
The few people standing next to Shen Han seemed to recognize him.
"If he’s stepping up, who dares to challenge..."
"I thought he would be meditating quietly for two more years, didn’t expect him to make a move this year..."
A few Outer Sect disciples helplessly smiled, seemingly recognizing his formidable strength.
Hearing this, Shen Han couldn’t help but ask a question.
"Three senior brothers, do you know this person?
Is he quite famous among the Outer Sect disciples?"
Shen Han’s tone was rather polite, so upon hearing his question, the others did not hold back.
"Clearly, you have not been in the valley for long, not even recognizing Zhang Xiangxiang.
He used to be an Inner Sect disciple of the Coastal Prefecture, and it was said that he was quite favored by his Mansion Master.
But over a year ago, he felt his strength did not measure up to the name of Inner Sect disciple.
He voluntarily stepped down from the Inner Sect to become an Outer Sect disciple.
He started doing labor work like us to earn contribution points and exchange them for cultivation resources.
However, ultimately, he used to be an Inner Sect disciple, and the Coastal Prefecture still favored him, often sending him many resources."
"I wonder what joining the Outer Sect for more than a year has brought him."
Listening to these three, Shen Han understood.
This Zhang Xiangxiang possessed Inner Sect disciple strength in the past.
Today, he’s here to announce his return.
In the competition arena, the previous disciple had a face full of bitterness.
The two exchanged courtesies, and then the competition began.
Zhang Xiangxiang’s Divine Soul was entirely pitch black, facing his opponent, a terrifying wave surged overwhelmingly.
The next moment, several black clouds loomed in the sky.
The mere momentum was enough to strike fear into his opponent’s heart.
The strength of Inner Sect disciples is truly a qualitative leap compared to Outer Sect disciples.
At this moment, the Mansion Masters finally took things a bit more seriously.
"Looks like Mansion Master He’s disciple has gained profound insights from training.
His Divine Soul power now should surpass many Inner Sect disciples."
Upon hearing this, Mansion Master He from the Coastal Prefecture also smiled contently.
"Xiangxiang, this child, has always set very stringent standards for himself.
Actually, more than a year ago, he was already quite good.
But this Mansion Master supported his decision; to seek the highest, one must aim for the utmost."
He wants to move further, and that’s necessary."
After saying these words, Zhang Xiangxiang had already won.
His Divine Soul was as spooky as a specter, directly eradicating and devouring the opponent’s Divine Soul.
If he had wished to be ruthless, his opponent might have already been dead.
Zhang Xiangxiang stood in the center of the arena, his victory seemingly unsurprising to spectators.
Indeed, it was.
The Divine Souls of other Outer Sect disciples appeared fierce, but the gap was just too wide...
Standing in the arena, Zhang Xiangxiang said nothing, waiting for other challengers.
In a moment, an Outer Sect disciple still went up to challenge.
After all, missing a chance means having one less opportunity.
But the result was totally predictable.
Zhang Xiangxiang’s strength was way superior to these Outer Sect disciples.
Under the powerful suppression, there was practically no way.
Even gaining a small advantage was difficult.
After two consecutive devastating defeats, those stepping up to challenge all retreated quietly.
With just one move, they were defeated; what could this show...
The promotion competition today seemed about to wrap up.
Zhang Xiangxiang stood in the center of the arena, and no one stepped forward to challenge.
For a moment, from behind the crowd, Zheng Changnian stood up smiling.
"Shen Han, haven’t you from the Northern Mountain Domain always been quite arrogant, looking down on everyone?
Today, there’s a chance; shouldn’t you come out and show us something?"
Zheng Changnian’s words made everyone start looking around.
Who exactly is this Shen Han?
Quickly, the Outer Sect disciples of Feixia Mansion pointed out Shen Han to the others.
This Shen Han offended Zheng Changnian, and was being hauled out to be humiliated in such a scene...
And now, not only Zheng Changnian was displeased with Shen Han.
Many Outer Sect disciples from Feixia Mansion also disapproved of Shen Han.
After all, the Outer Sect disciple training, in their view, was canceled because of Shen Han.

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