The Dragon-Tiger Competition was the highest-level sect disciple tournament on the Xingyun Continent, with exceptional prestige. To show respect, Jun Changxiao brought the sect’s strongest twenty-five disciples along.

Lu Qianqian, Li Qingyang, and the other first batch of inner sect disciples were naturally included, along with the later arrivals Long Ziyang and Song Xuanzhou.

The most rapidly growing closed-door disciple, He Wudi, also went along.

These were absolutely the most elite disciples of the Eternal Ages Sect. Whether in cultivation level or talent, even placing them across the entire continent, they would rank among the very best.

Honestly speaking.

If there weren’t a limit on numbers.

Sect Leader Jun would have brought all disciples who had reached Wuwang along.

“Senior Brothers!”

At the mountain gate, numerous disciples saw them off, calling out loudly: “We’ll wait at the sect for your triumphant return!”

Having already walked to the foot of the mountain, Su Xiaomo turned back and raised her hand: “Junior Sister Liu, make sure to prepare a sumptuous feast so we can celebrate properly when we return!”

Thinking about celebrating before even participating.

If others heard this, they would definitely scoff.

On the road, Jun Changxiao repeatedly urged: “This trip to Central Honored Province to participate in the Dragon-Tiger Competition will be a trial. You all must treat it seriously.”

“Yes!”

The disciples responded in unison.

Following behind, Ye Xingchen’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

In his previous life, he had always cultivated alone. Although he had heard of the Dragon-Tiger Competition, he had never participated. Representing the Eternal Ages Sect this time would make up for that past regret.

“Brother Aniu!”

Suddenly, Hui’er’s voice rang in his ear: “I hope you can return safely.”

Ye Xingchen’s expression darkened.

This woman hadn’t bothered him in a long time—why was she suddenly speaking to him out of the blue today!

Hui’er knew Brother Aniu had lost his memory, so after joining the Eternal Ages Sect, she forcibly became invisible, spending her days either cultivating martial arts or learning culinary skills.

Sometimes, when discussing martial techniques with fellow disciples, if Ye Xingchen passed by, she would pretend not to see him, even deliberately avoiding him.

“Why are you afraid of him?” Li Luoqiu had once asked her.

Hui’er stammered: “Brother Aniu seems to really dislike me, so I can only hide from him.”

“…”

Li Luoqiu was speechless.

The two clearly had a marriage arrangement, yet deliberately avoided each other. Was this what people meant by “distance creates beauty”?

“If you ask me.”

Li Luoqiu planted one foot on a stool, raised her Desert Eagle, and declared with killing intent: “Just point a gun at his head and ask if he’ll marry you. If not, shoot him dead with one bullet.”

“Wow!”

Liu Wanshi gaped: “Hall Master Li, that’s too brutal!”

“Yes!”

Yao Mengying added: “So brutal!”

Li Luoqiu lowered her gun: “In matters of the heart, you must act decisively. Either it works or it ends—otherwise you’ll suffer greatly.”

“Hall Master Li, you’re so experienced!” Liu Wanshi said.

Li Luoqiu replied: “When I was an assassin, I took many emotion-related contracts and killed quite a few heartless men.”

…

Boom!

Boom!

In a deep mountain forest, explosive sounds rang out as powerful spiritual energy spread, shattering the surrounding vegetation to dust.

“Thud, thud!”

Shortly after, a bare-chested rough-looking man emerged carrying a spiritual beast on his shoulder.

This person didn’t look very old, but his muscles were extremely developed, clearly showing considerable achievement in body cultivation.

“Senior Brother.”

A young woman sat in a tree, biting into a freshly picked apple: “Master just sent word telling you to prepare quickly to participate in the upcoming Dragon-Tiger Competition.”

“Thump!”

The rough man dropped the spiritual beast, then sat on it, shook his head, and said impatiently: “Got it.”

He didn’t want to participate in the Dragon-Tiger Competition—he just wanted to continue cultivating in the mountains.

“Master also said.”

The woman smiled: “The newly risen Eternal Ages Sect has a disciple named Xiao Zuiji whose physical defense is very strong. You can use him as an opponent.”

“Really?”

The rough man’s eyes immediately lit up.

…

In a bamboo grove.

A man with a face covering over his eyes stood proudly.

Clang!

Suddenly, he drew his sword!

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Sword light spread out, instantly slicing through bamboo leaves.

That poetic and picturesque scene seemed to be torn into strips by the crisscrossing sword energy!

“Senior Brother’s sword dao has improved considerably!”

“Representing our Spirit Sword Sect as the strongest competitor this time, he’ll definitely achieve excellent results in the Dragon-Tiger Competition!”

“He must take first place!”

“Right! Right!”

A group of martial artists standing in the distance discussed.

That man sheathed his sword, removed his face covering, and murmured: “I hope to encounter sword dao geniuses of equal strength in the Dragon-Tiger Competition.”

…

“Young Sect Leader, the Dragon-Tiger Competition starts in two months. Why aren’t you cultivating?”

On a cloud-wreathed mountain peak, a disciple asked weakly.

“Tch.”

A young man lying on a rock in a casual manner curled his lip: “With my current strength, do I need to cultivate?”

“The Sect Leader said many first-rate sects are participating this time. Young Sect Leader must not be careless,” that disciple said.

The young man dismissively replied: “A bunch of vulgar commoners. If they can make me use sixty percent of my power, that would be quite impressive.”

“…”

That disciple fell silent.

The Young Sect Leader’s talent was unquestionable, absolutely peerless across the Xingyun Continent, but his temperament was just too arrogant, too presumptuous.

“Ah.”

The young man stretched his arms: “If I don’t encounter worthy opponents in this Dragon-Tiger Competition, it will be completely boring.”

…

As the Dragon-Tiger Competition was about to begin, top geniuses from various sects were already eager to compete.

In this high-level tournament, they would not only win honor for their sects but also prove their own strength, so naturally they wouldn’t slack off in the slightest.

Of course.

Major sects were also setting out for Central Honored Province.

When strong cultivators from all provinces gathered together, that would be when heroes truly assembled!

Our Sect Leader Jun, though he brought his disciples and departed early, only left Southwest Yang Province after several days.

Because time was quite sufficient, he wasn’t rushing but conveniently stopped by Tianyu Royal City first to visit City Lord Mu, then the Tianyu Academy and the Certification Hall.

Since the Eternal Ages Sect was competing representing all of Southwest Yang Province, Mu Changhong hosted them warmly with great expectations.

Having just been entertained there, Director Yi held another banquet. The topic never strayed from the Dragon-Tiger Competition, and he gave Jun Changxiao a list of participants detailing many major sects.

Good heavens.

This Dragon-Tiger Competition had two hundred participating sects total.

Five first-rate sects, ten second-rate sects, with the rest all being third and fourth-rate.

Moreover.

Nearly thirty percent of the sects came from Central Honored Province.

Some that seemed merely third or fourth-rate might not actually be weaker than second or third-rate sects from other provinces!

“No fifth-rate sects?” Jun Changxiao asked in astonishment.

Director Yi said: “Fifth-rate sects participating in the Dragon-Tiger Competition hasn’t happened in several hundred years.”

Jun Changxiao hurriedly drank a mouthful of alcohol to calm his nerves: “All sects ranked higher than my Eternal Ages Sect—this really is tricky.”

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Director Yi said seriously: “As long as you enter the second round, that is victory!”

—