Having found a direction for improvement, Yang Shou jumped off the roof and practiced his combat skills in the courtyard.
The next morning, Zhao Kuo's loud voice interrupted Yang Shou's cultivation.
Yang Shou glared at Zhao Kuo, but seeing the latter bring breakfast, he reluctantly forgave him.
There was no other way; renting a secret realm was a huge expense, and the dignified senior disciple of the outer sect was so poor he couldn't even afford food.
Eating the fragrant and delicious sesame cake, Yang Shou watched as Zhao Kuo took a booklet from his pocket and handed it to him.
"Senior Brother, all the outer sect disciples with the potential to enter the top ten are here," Zhao Kuo said in a gruff tone.
Yang Shou didn't take the booklet, replying directly, "I don't need to look. Even a fool could guess who the top three are."
"First, Elder Lei's grandson, Chu Tianying, a peak two-star Great Dou Master, possessing the rare 'Heavenly Thunder Body,' his strength comparable to a peak three-star Great Dou Master."
"Second, Jiang Luoyan, daughter of the Great General of the Luoyan Empire, a peak two-star Great Dou Master, a wind-attribute cultivator, renowned for her speed, and once defeated two three-star Great Dou Masters."
"Third, Chang Fengpo, a peak two-star Great Dou Master, skilled with a sword, known as the 'Little Swordsman.'"
"Am I right?" Yang Shou said to Zhao Kuo with a smile.
Seeing Yang Shou's thorough knowledge of the booklet's contents, Zhao Kuo scratched his head sheepishly, momentarily forgetting what he was going to say.
Although Yang Shou didn't say anything about Zhao Kuo's actions, he felt a long-lost warmth in his heart. In the more than ten years of his depression and despondency, only this somewhat simple-minded junior brother had never betrayed him.
He was always kind to others and had a good reputation among the outer sect disciples, but due to his own talent, he didn't receive much respect.
However, all of that was in the past now.
Yang Shou, having finished his sesame seed cake, stood up, rubbed his wrists, and said with high spirits, "Let's go! Let's win first place in the outer sect and set an example for our junior brothers!"
"Alright! Senior Brother!" Zhao Kuo followed behind the man, equally filled with ambition.
A moment later, Yang Shou and Zhao Kuo arrived at the sect square.
Many outer sect disciples had gathered there; some who had been eliminated in the first round had also come to watch the election, as a duel between geniuses was highly entertaining.
Along the way, many outer sect disciples greeted Yang Shou warmly, their previous disdain completely gone. This was
the treatment that came with strength.
Yang Shou didn't feign arrogance; he chatted casually with his junior brothers. In a
secluded corner, unnoticed by anyone, Chen Jing clenched his fists, watching Yang Shou surrounded by the crowd, feeling resentful.
Chen Jing couldn't understand how something that had once been his could be taken away by someone he looked down upon.
Last night, his cousin Chen Ran had even humiliated him severely.
Chen Jing felt his confidence crumbling bit by bit.
Lost in a quagmire of doubt, Chen Jing suddenly felt a gentle pat on his shoulder. He looked up blankly and saw Yang Shou speaking kindly to him: "Little Chen, don't worry too much about what others think. I know it was that bastard Chen Ran who was pulling the strings behind your back, but is it really pleasant to be someone else's puppet? You have to walk your own path."
Yang Shou's words struck Chen Jing's heart like a hammer blow, recalling Chen Ran's stern face.
He suddenly realized his mistake.
He remembered when he first entered the Qingmu Sect, that cousin hadn't given him a second glance; only his senior brother Yang Shou had patiently guided his cultivation.
Memories flooded back, and Chen Jing couldn't help but cry.
Chen Jing's eyes were red, and he kept apologizing.
Yang Shou was slightly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, but still comforted Chen Jing before leaving. "
My junior brother's tear threshold is a bit too low," Yang Shou sighed inwardly.
After this interlude, the second round of the inner sect selection began.
On the VIP platform, Qing Ya Zi looked at Yang Shou, who was mingling in the crowd, his thoughts racing.
Yang Shou's perfect record yesterday made him an unexpected dark horse, surprising everyone, including Qing Ya Zi.
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He sent people to search Yang Shou's recent records of entering and leaving the sect, and found that the latter had left the sect three months ago on business, which inevitably made Qing Ya Zi wonder if he had encountered something extraordinary.
That made sense.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the sect square.
Qing Ya Zi regained his composure and looked on with interest, learning that Yang Shou was about to fight Chang Feng Po.
"Interesting."
The old man rubbed his hands together with a smile, looking expectant.
On the other side, Yang Shou was also slightly surprised to learn that he would be dueling with Chang Feng Po, one of the top three.
Among the outer disciples, there were quite a few who supported Chang Feng Po, and after learning that the opponent was Yang Shou, these supporters were preparing to celebrate.
Those who had originally supported Yang Shou wavered and began to predict his downfall, after all, the title of "Little Swordsman" of the Qingmu Sect was not unfounded; it was won through strength.
"Senior Brother Yang, I'm afraid you won't be able to achieve a higher ranking, but fortunately, you've already qualified to become an inner disciple."
"Chang Fengpo's Thunder Sword Technique is a mid-level Xuan-rank combat skill, a unique art of the Chang Feng family, incredibly powerful. I'm afraid Senior Brother Yang won't even be able to withstand the first move."
...
At this moment, Yang Shou, dressed in white, slowly walked towards the arena.
At the same time, a tall, taciturn man wearing a bamboo hat raised his heavy sword and followed Yang Shou up the steps.
Yang Shou arrived at one side of the arena and looked at his opponent.
The man was his next opponent, Chang Fengpo.
Noticing Yang Shou's gaze, Chang Fengpo slightly raised his head, his eyes flashing with a sharp sword light, and said in an extremely hoarse voice, "Senior Brother, please enlighten me."
Yang Shou nodded, his fighting spirit instantly surging, his desire to fight rising steadily.
Yang Shou took the initiative, actively closing the distance with Chang Fengpo, knowing his advantage lay in close combat.
Chang Fengpo was prepared.
Yang Shou's sudden rise to prominence led many to study this seemingly unremarkable senior brother beforehand.
"Lingbo Step," Chang Fengpo murmured, his movements as light as a swallow, easily dodging Yang Shou's sudden punch and creating distance.
Chang Fengpo leaped into the air, abruptly drawing his heavy sword and slashing down from above.
The first move of the Thunder Sword Technique, "Sword Strike, Thunderous Movement."
Rolling thunder echoed across the arena, the fierce sword wind overwhelming everything.
Facing such a terrifying attack and pressure, a smile appeared on Yang Shou's lips, his blood surging. Only
by competing with true geniuses could it be meaningful.
Yang Shou spread his legs, a sudden burst of thunder erupting from beneath his feet, ripples spreading through the surrounding space, shooting out like cannonballs, leaving faint afterimages behind.
The next moment.
Yang Shou, with the terrifying speed of the Nine Heavens Thunder Flash, evaded Chang Fengpo's imposing sword strike.
Chang Fengpo's sword strike missed, shocking and astonishing the countless outer sect disciples watching.
The scene unfolding before their eyes was unbelievable.
In the arena, the two separated once more.
Chang Fengpo looked wary, while Yang Shou remained composed.