I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World

Chapter 131: Chapter 113: End of the Minor Tournament

The Heavenly Chief Peak plaza was dead silent.

Everyone stared intently into the darkness of the Mirage Illusion; they couldn’t see or hear anything. Nobody knew what was happening inside.

Yun Shang nervously gripped Lu Nanzhi’s arm, Xie Jingshan pinched Shen Huaxi, making him frown. Zhuo Qingfeng cupped his hands and held his sword, feeling anxious. Everyone around clenched their fists, each with their expectations.

After just a few breaths, a figure appeared beneath the Mirage Illusion. Everyone turned their heads in unison, eyes wide open.

Black clothes, hair tail flying high—it’s Ge Yuchan!

Yun Shang happily smiled at Lu Nanzhi; their eyes met, faces flushed, and they looked down.

Xie Jingshan almost jumped up, shaking Shen Huaxi vigorously.

Zhuo Qingfeng let out a sigh of relief and belatedly realized he was worried, then furrowed his brows in confusion.

Song Zhi’ang felt regret, Hee Wangchen remained as usual, and Hua Yingshi and the others deemed the result as expected.

Several people in the observation corridor exchanged looks, smiled faintly, and silently left.

Ge Yuchan sheathed the dagger in her sleeve, looked back at everyone, and smiled.

”She won, deservedly so!”

She was practicing assassination techniques in the dark, but Jiang Yuebai had endured three months of blindness and six months of disability and still continued cultivation, fighting one-handed. Ge Yuchan accepted defeat wholeheartedly.

Upon hearing this, Lu Nanzhi’s expression became serious, cupping her hands to Ge Yuchan. Yun Shang and Xie Jingshan also nodded in acknowledgment.

The respect of opponents was incredibly precious. They were all happy for Little Bai and admired Ge Yuchan’s openness.

”Tsk~ It was just luck to encounter a weak opponent,” Xu Qiancheng said sourly.

Hua Yingshi said, ”A successful sneak attack once is luck, but succeeding every time is skill! Ge Yuchan is not weak.”

Zhuo Qingfeng coldly remarked from the side, ”Jiang Yuebai defeated me. Can you withstand ten moves from me?”

”Zhuo Qingfeng, don’t go too far!” Xu Qiancheng put his hands on his hips, baring his teeth aggressively.

Xu Qianjin grabbed Xu Qiancheng’s ear, ”Don’t blame Brother Zhuo. It’s a family misfortune. I’ll take him aside to discipline him.”

”Ouch, ouch, ouch, sis, spare me some dignity in front of so many people.”

The small competition finally ended, the mist on Flat Peak Mountain dispersed. Jiang Yuebai endured the pain of reattaching his dislocated right arm, wiped the blood from his neck, and walked slowly to the edge of the cliff.

He took a deep breath of the fresh morning dew, his heart feeling wide and expansive. Recalling the thrilling days, Jiang Yuebai smiled foolishly.

He closed his eyes, inhaled, opened them, and shone with brilliance!

”First in the competition, I did it—”

The red sun rises, its path is bright. The river flows, torrents rushing.

The hidden dragon soars in the depths, scales and claws flying. The young tiger roars in the valley, all beasts tremble.

The eagle tests its wings, dust and wind rise. The strange flower blossoms, stately and magnificent.

The sword is sharpened, its shine revealed. The sky wears its blue, the earth wears its yellow.

Though millennia past, the vastness encompasses the eight directions. The future is like the sea, the days long ahead!

*

Clang—

Clang—

Clang—

The bell rang nine times, immortal cranes took flight.

The top hundred lined up solemnly and majestically.

Jiang Yuebai stood at the forefront, with Zhuo Qingfeng to his left and Ge Yuchan on his right, one step behind.

Behind them were Hee Wangchen, Yun Shang, Xie Jingshan, Lu Nanzhi, Xu Qianjin, Xu Qiancheng, and Hua Yingshi.

These were the top ten!

Zhuo Qingfeng had eliminated enough numbers before, placing second. Ge Yuchan, although third, was no less impressive than the leading Jiang Yuebai, overshadowing the second-placed Zhuo Qingfeng, who became a mere backdrop.

Jiang Yuebai turned to look at Ge Yuchan, her black attire surpassed the many inner sect’s white garments; from today onwards, no one could ignore her again.

Ge Yuchan looked up, smiling at Jiang Yuebai.

Jiang Yuebai beamed brightly, his gaze extending backward.

”Senior Sister Yun, are you thirsty? I have some excellent Spiritual Spring Water here. I noticed your magic artifact was refined by Master Yuu; are you close with her?”

”I’m not thirsty, and no, I’m not close! Don’t talk to me, be serious!”

Hee Wangchen chatted on with Yun Shang, trying to get close, while Yun Shang fidgeted, all refusal in her eyes.

”Lu Nanzhi, even you ended up after me today, hahaha,” Xie Jingshan laughed, hands on his hips.

Lu Nanzhi’s expression remained unchanged, ”You were taken down with one strike by Ge Yuchan.”

Xie Jingshan: ......

”Sister, is this Xie Jingshan not quite right in the head?”

”Shut up, stop speaking such glaring truths!”

Xie Jingshan: !!!

Hua Yingshi covered her mouth and lightly laughed, the ribbons on her double buns fluttering.

Zhao Kunling, who ranked eleventh, stood at a height of eight feet, like a pillar awkwardly planted at the edge of the line. His bald head was shiny, and he was over a head taller than Song Zhi’ang beside him — one robust, one frail, a stark contrast.

Song Zhi’ang looked displeased, Zhao Kunling scratched his head and chuckled foolishly.

Seeing their familiar and unfamiliar faces again, Jiang Yuebai suddenly recalled Ge Yuchan’s words about the ordinary.

From their current positions, it was clear: the top ten stood separately while ranks eleven to one hundred formed a block.

Those who were not strong enough yet not too weak were destined to be seen as an unremarkable group.

Jiang Yuebai withdrew her gaze and regathered her spirits. Since she didn’t want to be ordinary, she must strive to catch the light!

The Golden Core Masters, Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and Qi Cultivation Cultivators of the Heavenly Interence Sect gradually gathered around the large hall.

Wenn Ci and Wenn Miao emerged from the main hall with Shi Zhongshan, followed by four Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

There are twelve Nascent Soul True Monarchs in the Heavenly Interence Sect, six of whom are not in the sect, and Sword Lord Guanghan and True Monarch Cang Huo are trapped in the Ninety-Nine Linked Array on Heavenly Gang Peak.

Present today, besides True Monarch Fuyi, was the third on the combat power ranking, Lu Yinghuai.

Clad in a white brocade robe, noble and elegant, with a jade crown on his head, he embodied the grace and poise typical of the Lu Family.

The other two, Jiang Yuebai had never seen before: a white-bearded elder wearing a square cap, resembling a physician from a medical hall.

Jiang Yuebai suspected this might be Shen Huaxi’s master, Qing Nangzi, who was affiliated with the Heavenly Interence Sect, usually reclusive and deeply engrossed in the Medical Dao.

The last was a middle-aged female cultivator, ordinary in appearance and temperament, dressed plainly, standing there dimly, completely overshadowed by True Monarch Fuyi’s imposing presence.

With a kind smile and satisfaction in their eyes, Wenn Ci approached the crowd, leaning on a staff.

”Firstly, congratulations to you for making it to the top hundred in the competition. Whether you are disciples of the Heavenly Interence Sect or the Guiyuan Sword Sect, you will all become pillars of the Cultivation Realm. I also wish you success in Foundation Establishment and further achievements towards the Golden Core.”

”Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main topic you’re concerned about. I know many of you are worried that the inclusion of the Guiyuan Sword Sect will take some of your Foundation Establishment Elixirs. Do not fret, the Guiyuan Sword Sect also brought thirty Foundation Establishment Elixirs, ensuring everyone in the top hundred gets one.”

As the words landed, cheers erupted among the crowd.

”Thank you, Sect Master!”

Wenn Ci raised her hand, and the sound faded, her gaze fixed on Jiang Yuebai.

”As the top ranker, your rewards are the grandest: three Foundation Establishment Elixirs, one Bone Marrow Cleansing Elixir, three bottles of Upper-Level Yuan Nourishing Elixir. Besides these elixirs, you’ll receive fifty thousand Sect Contribution Points and have the opportunity to choose two Seventh-Grade Magic Artifacts from the Hundred Weapons Hall.”

”Most importantly, you may access the top floor of the Library to comprehend the four legacies left by the founder once. These are of the Upper Three Grades, and what you can comprehend depends entirely on yourself.”

Hearing Wenn Ci list the rewards, everyone drooled with envy, all eyes fixed on Jiang Yuebai.

Jiang Yuebai felt her back burning and shifted uncomfortably.

Through this competition, she realized her shortcomings: though her body refining was successful, her defense still lacked. Despite being reluctant, the Wolf Pattern Armor indeed needed replacing.

In spells, her self-created Cloud Thunder Break and Flame Thunder Burst, while strong, consumed too much Spiritual Energy and Divine Sense, making them unsuitable for prolonged battles. She needed to exchange Contribution Points for higher-level spells.

There were also minor issues to address — she planned to review the entire competition later and carefully consider how to convert these rewards into strength and trump cards.

Shi Zhongshan approached, offering a palm-sized wooden box to Jiang Yuebai. At that moment, she sensed Zhuo Qingfeng’s breathing become rapid behind her.

Shi Zhongshan frowned and said, ”This is a Sword Pill, promised as a reward for the top ranker, yet it’s most fitting for a sword cultivator. The Sword Dao emphasizes purity, not relying on external aids, charging forth single-mindedly. Only then can one be truly invincible. If you can, exchange this with someone who practices the sword; don’t waste it.”

Jiang Yuebai accepted the box with both hands, feeling uneasy, and mustered the courage to ask, ”May I ask True Monarch, what is the purpose of a sword cultivator practicing the sword?”

Shi Zhongshan was stunned for a moment, glanced at Wenn Ci, who smiled and nodded.

Shi Zhongshan replied, ”Naturally, it’s to pursue the pinnacle of the Great Dao.”

”But a sword cultivator in the world must also kill enemies and survive, right? If so, aside from the sword, why not have a few more means to increase one’s odds of success? Isn’t focusing solely on the sword due to poor comprehension, lack of discipline, wasting too much time, therefore being unable to do anything else?”

Shi Zhongshan was taken aback, ”Of course not. Devoting all energy to the sword increases the likelihood of achieving the apex of the Sword Dao. Moreover, a sword cultivator practices the single-minded intent to overcome all means with one sword. How can that intent remain pure with other methods?”

Jiang Yuebai nodded, ”But isn’t breaking all means with one sword also to live and win? I use various means for the same purpose. I have this intent too, how is it different? Just like Brother Zhuo Qingfeng, if he, besides the sword, were to carry a pack of Heavenly Thunder Pearls, and bomb me spectacularly, can I still win?”

Shi Zhongshan: ......

Heavenly Thunder Pearls are one-time magic artifacts condensed from the severed Heavenly Thunder of high-level cultivators, possessing immense power.

Zhuo Qingfeng squinted thoughtfully, and Shi Zhongshan was shocked, hurriedly shouting, ”Utter nonsense! A non-pure sword cultivator is merely a magic cultivator who uses the sword.”

Shi Zhongshan fumbled for words, momentarily unable to retort.

Wenn Ci smiled and said, ”Alright, the Sword Dao is vast and profound, involving cultivation techniques and the Dao Heart. Foundation Establishment and Core Formation differ from ordinary cultivators. Until you’ve experienced it, refrain from speaking lightly. Check the Library post-competition to understand better.”

Shi Zhongshan nodded repeatedly, ”If you haven’t entered this path, don’t speak of it.”

Jiang Yuebai nodded moodily; she was aware that sword cultivators’ bodies held Sword Qi, not Spiritual Energy, a different cultivation method, making many magic artifacts unusable. Her rebellious thoughts stemmed from being rejected.

Wenn Ci said, ”Speaking of the main matter, as the top ranker, you have another reward: choosing a master. Have you decided which True Monarch to apprentice under?”