The Five Region Grand Tournament officially began. The first to step onto the stage were disciples from every region in the Foundation Establishment stage. As the protective barrier closed around the arena, brilliant lights of spells and techniques illuminated the platform. In less than three breaths, some disciples were already sent flying off the stage.
Those who were eliminated were immediately caught midair by Golden Core cultivators' sweeping sleeves, ensuring they suffered no further injury.
Even so, the eliminated disciples were visibly frustrated. They had not expected to be knocked out so quickly, and their steps were heavy with disappointment as they returned to the stands.
Zhang Lingrui and Yunxi were not seated with the spectators. They concealed their presence and quietly observed the matches, following a tacit agreement between the five regions to secretly arrange high-ranking cultivators to watch over their participants.
Because they were unsure what schemes the evil cultivators might attempt during the competition, all they could do was remain vigilant. Huaxian Gate, as the organizer, had its attention stretched thin over countless areas, so each region had to ensure its own disciples' safety.
Today was Haoran Sect's turn to fight, so Yunxi and Zhang Lingrui were assigned to covertly protect the disciples of the Western Region.
Standing beside Yunxi with arms crossed, Zhang Lingrui watched the disciples fight and chuckled."Seeing these little disciples reminds me of our own Grand Tournament back then. It was that very tournament that made the four of us cross blades before becoming friends. Looking back, we've been through so much together.
I still remember your cultivation back then wasn't the highest, yet your luck was unbelievable. You skipped two matches entirely and went straight into the finals."
Yunxi's lips curved into a small smile. "Yes, it feels like it was just yesterday. I remember thinking you were unbearably arrogant back then, so I decided to knock you right off the stage."
Zhang Lingrui's mouth twitched, but he didn't argue. He truly had underestimated Ran Xi at the time, and she had sent him tumbling from the arena.
"Ran Xi, how do you think this batch of disciples is doing?"
"They look good overall, but… something's missing."
Her tone was thoughtful.
"Indeed. I'd say they lack killing intent," Zhang Lingrui replied.
"This is a competition, not a battle to the death. A weaker killing aura is natural."
Yunxi didn't consider it a flaw. When facing true life-or-death struggles, killing intent would emerge naturally.
"They still need more real-world experience."
As he spoke, Zhang Lingrui gestured toward a nearby stage. "These youngsters sure hold grudges. That arena's Kunmo Sect disciples are almost all eliminated already."
Yunxi had noticed as well. Qin Tongshuang and Long Daoyu were darting around the platform like streaks of light. Working seamlessly as a pair, they systematically knocked Kunmo Sect disciples off the stage. Their moves were subtle, but no trick could escape the sharp senses of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Kunmo Sect's Nascent Soul cultivators also saw this. Sun Yan glanced at Xun Kun beside him but found his expression calm, as if he had nothing to say. Sun Yan decided to stay silent and continued observing.
Xun Kun, however, was not angry at all. Kunmo Sect disciples had provoked Haoran Sect repeatedly during the warm-up matches before the tournament, injuring their opponents. It was only natural for Haoran Sect to return the favor now.
On stage, Qin Tongshuang and Long Daoyu exchanged a glance, their gazes sharp as searchlights as they locked onto their next target. With perfect understanding, they moved closer to their opponent in unison.
The Kunmo Sect disciples were not fools either. After losing seven or eight members in quick succession, they realized Haoran Sect was targeting them. They quickly joined forces, aiming to eliminate Haoran Sect disciples in retaliation.
Yet their response came too late. Though they managed to knock out a few Haoran Sect disciples, their own losses were heavier.
Haoran Sect disciples, trained with tactical drills personally taught by Ran Xi Zhēnjūn, steadily herded and eliminated Kunmo Sect's Foundation Establishment participants.
By the end of the three chaotic rounds, only a third of Kunmo Sect's disciples remained. Meanwhile, aside from a few Haoran Sect disciples who had been clearly outmatched or extraordinarily unlucky, nearly all had advanced to the next round.
Yunxi was satisfied with the results. When she had informed Xun Kun of the targeted harassment before, it was merely to explain why it was happening. She would never use her Nascent Soul status to bully Foundation Establishment disciples.
Besides, if vengeance was to be exacted, it was more satisfying when earned personally. After parting ways with Xun Kun two days ago, she had gathered Haoran Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples, personally giving each a vial of healing elixir so none would enter the tournament injured.
She then lectured them on practical tactics for duels, especially for chaotic group battles, where teamwork could be a decisive weapon.
After Ran Xi Zhēnjūn's private "lesson," Haoran Sect disciples had a fresh perspective on joint combat. They studied it thoroughly back in their assigned caves, and the results were now evident in their strong performance.
Zhang Lingrui, fully aware of Yunxi's private training session, grinned broadly. "Senior Sister Ran Xi, what tricks did you teach them? Some of those moves are downright nasty. Kunmo Sect's kids look downright green in the face."
Yunxi's voice was cool. "Just giving them a taste of their own medicine. They injured Haoran Sect disciples before the tournament. I'm merely letting them pay for it in the matches."
Zhang Lingrui roared with laughter. "Fair enough. But the one-on-one duels coming up will be all about personal skill."
As his words faded, the names of the cultivators who had survived the chaotic rounds lit up on the giant golden scroll suspended in the air.
The first day of the Grand Tournament concluded smoothly. Aside from Kunmo Sect's disciples feeling humiliated, the other four regions' cultivators had performed as expected. There were no casualties, as everyone fought with restraint.
After finishing his duties that evening, Xun Kun left the venue with Sun Yan, heading back to the guest peak of the Southern Region.
At his waist, Xun Kun's jade pendant vibrated twice. He glanced down, a flash of impatience crossing his eyes, before turning to Sun Yan. "Wu Tong Zūnzhě is summoning me. I'll head over first. Send me a message talisman in fifteen minutes."
Sun Yan raised a brow, smirking. "To help you escape?"
"Yes."
"All right, go ahead!"
Sun Yan agreed easily.
He was tired of Jin Can himself. With Wu Tong Zūnzhě backing her, she had stirred up trouble within Kunmo Sect and, ever since setting her sights on Xun Kun, had relentlessly pursued him. She even quietly ostracized any female cultivator who came near him, creating countless rumors and drama.
Only Xun Kun's good temper and unwillingness to trouble Lin Lang Zūnzhě had kept him from lashing out. But Jin Can had grown bolder, spreading word that she would soon become Xun Kun's disciple. She had even tagged along to the Central Region for the Grand Tournament.
The Nascent Soul cultivators knew this competition could very well turn into a war against evil cultivators. For someone like Jin Can, barely in early Foundation Establishment, stepping onto the stage was sheer foolishness.
Xun Kun soon arrived outside Wu Tong Zūnzhě's cave residence and bowed respectfully. "Xun Kun greets Wu Tong Zūnzhě."
"Come in."
An aged voice called from within.
Stepping into the cave, Xun Kun saw Wu Tong Zūnzhě seated with Jin Can beside him, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. Irritation pricked at him, but his expression remained calm as he asked respectfully, "Zūnzhě, what instructions do you have for me?"