The Bamboo Lotus Palace was far busier than usual that evening.
Disciples filled nearly every table inside the large restaurant, while servants moved constantly between them carrying trays filled with food and spirit wine. The air carried the rich fragrance of roasted beast meat and medicinal herbs, mixed with the noise of countless conversations overlapping together.
The moment Li Shan and the others entered, several disciples instinctively glanced toward them before quickly looking away again.
Clearly—
This group carried some reputation within the outer sect.
Murong Yue immediately walked ahead excitedly.
"This table!"
She chose a large spot near the second-floor railing overlooking part of the outer sect below.
Luo Chen laughed helplessly.
"You only picked this place because the view looks good."
"Obviously," Murong Yue replied proudly while sitting down.
Fang Lin quietly sat near the edge while observing the surroundings calmly.
Compared to his previous visits here, the atmosphere felt different now.
Not tense.
Not oppressive.
Just… lively.
Li Shan casually poured tea for everyone before leaning back slightly.
"So," he said while looking toward Fang Lin, "you probably know almost nothing about the outer sect competition yet."
Fang Lin nodded honestly.
"I only know the name."
Han Zhi spoke calmly from the side.
"The competition happens once every two years."
"It determines outer sect rankings, resource distribution, and inner sect recommendation spots."
Bai Qing added,
"And more importantly…"
"It determines influence."
Fang Lin listened quietly.
Li Shan continued,
"The competition format is simple."
"One versus one."
"No team battles. No group fights."
"Every disciple relies entirely on their own strength."
Murong Yue immediately grinned.
"Which is why it's brutal."
Luo Chen laughed.
"Very brutal."
Zhao Feng leaned slightly forward.
"The top five disciples receive rewards directly from the sect."
Fang Lin's eyes sharpened faintly.
"What rewards?"
Li Shan raised one finger.
"Spirit stones."
Then another.
"High-grade cultivation pills."
A third finger.
"And…"
"Qualification to enter the Inner Sect Trial grounds."
Fang Lin's gaze deepened slightly.
Inner Sect Trial grounds.
That alone sounded important.
Han Zhi calmly added,
"For outer disciples, entering the top five changes everything."
"Resources. Status. Protection."
"And if someone performs exceptionally…"
Bai Qing finished softly,
"They may even attract direct attention from important elders."
Murong Yue suddenly leaned closer toward Fang Lin.
"You should participate."
Luo Chen immediately laughed.
"He definitely will."
Li Shan glanced at Fang Lin calmly.
"Especially now."
Fang Lin naturally understood the meaning.
After defeating Zhou Yan publicly, avoiding the competition would only make him appear weak.
More importantly—
He himself wanted to understand the sect better.
And strength…
Was the fastest way.
A servant soon arrived carrying dishes one after another.
Spirit beast meat.
Medicinal soups.
Rice infused with spiritual energy.
The rich fragrance immediately filled the table.
Murong Yue's eyes lit up instantly.
"Finally!"
Even Han Zhi smiled faintly.
The atmosphere gradually relaxed as everyone began eating.
After some time, Fang Lin finally asked the question lingering in his mind.
"If the sect is divided into factions…"
"Who oversees the competition?"
The table became slightly quieter.
Li Shan exchanged glances briefly with Bai Qing before answering.
"To ensure fairness, both sides supervise together."
Fang Lin listened carefully.
Li Shan continued,
"One elder from the faction side."
"And one elder from the alliance side."
"Both from the Inner Sect."
Fang Lin's eyes narrowed faintly.
"Alliance?"
Zhao Feng nodded.
"The alliance side supports the Sect Master."
"They oppose the Grand Elder's growing influence."
The situation immediately became clearer.
The sect itself had split into two major sides internally.
The faction side—
Backed by the Grand Elder.
The alliance side—
Supporting the Sect Master.
Han Zhi calmly added,
"Most outer sect elders also belong to one side or the other."
"So during the competition…"
"Both sides oversee everything together."
Bai Qing spoke softly,
"That's the only reason the competition remains somewhat fair."
"Otherwise…"
Murong Yue snorted lightly.
"The factions would already be crippling people openly."
Li Shan's gaze deepened slightly.
"They still do sometimes."
The atmosphere turned heavier briefly.
Fang Lin quietly processed the information.
The competition was not merely about rankings.
Or rewards.
It was another battlefield between both sides.
A battlefield using disciples instead of elders.
Luo Chen suddenly laughed loudly.
"Enough serious talk."
He raised a wine cup toward Fang Lin.
"You should focus on surviving first."
Murong Yue immediately nodded.
"Especially after offending Zhou Yan's side."
Zhao Feng smiled faintly.
"Chen Hao's group won't leave you alone during the competition."
Fang Lin calmly drank his tea.
"I know."
Li Shan looked toward him carefully.
"But honestly…"
"You have a real chance."
Fang Lin glanced at him.
"Top five?"
Li Shan nodded slowly.
"If your movement technique improves further…"
"And if that palm technique becomes more stable…"
"You're dangerous."
Han Zhi unexpectedly added,
"Very dangerous."
Even Bai Qing nodded faintly in agreement.
Murong Yue immediately pointed toward Li Shan teasingly.
"He's worried you'll steal his Rank 15 position."
Li Shan rolled his eyes.
"If he reaches Rank 15, that means someone stronger than Zhou Yan is getting beaten next."
Luo Chen burst out laughing.
The table atmosphere gradually became lively again.
For the first time since entering the sect, Fang Lin quietly realized something.
Not everyone within the Green Bamboo Sect was hostile.
There were still people he could trust.
At least for now.
As conversations continued, Fang Lin slowly looked outside the restaurant balcony.
The outer sect stretched endlessly below beneath the glow of Illumination Pearls.
Peaceful on the surface.
But beneath that peace—
Currents moved constantly.
Factions.
Alliances.
Competition.
Conflict.
Everything intertwined together.
And now—
He had already stepped into the center of it.